Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Doug Prishpreed]

I wouldn’t pencil Rousek in as anything more than a 13/14 but otherwise I largely agree.

Good point. So I guess add a 4th line winger to my shopping list.

 

[Chainshot]

alright, gimme your won’t-moves, could-moves, and should-moves. This doesn’t include any pending ufas.

I have Sabres trade paralysis right now. I dk who to trade.

Mine or the teams? I suppose I will go with the team

Won't -

Everyone not listed below.

Coulds -

Mittelstadt because there is no contract yet.
Krebs because who knows what they think of him as @Fezzy126 mentioned.
Greenway because he's been good at his job and size, grit and PKing is always sought at the deadline even if that further shortens all of those things in the Sabres lineup.

Shoulds because there may be some value for this sort of player -

Okposo because it's time.
Girgensons because it's well past time to get Gus into some playoff games.
Comrie because some team might want a third goalie once rosters expand.

Shoulds but there is no market or cap for this sort of player -

Olofsson because he was crap when he was playing and hasn't even gotten a look to showcase in weeks. He's going nowhere unless for more future considerations and even then they have to retain.

None of the Rochester guys look like they are ready. Rosen and Kulich both have taken steps back after being recalled and returned. Weissbach never gets a look, Rousek got shitty ice time and played the opposite of his style in Rochester in the minutes he had, Murray is viewed as too slow and just a bit too passive. And Biro is made of glass.

 

[Beerz]

I really don’t get what I’m missing with Power. Every time I watch him, I TRY to see what everyone else is seeing with a high hockey IQ. But his decision making is so slow and he gets beat routinely because of it. What am I not seeing?

He definitely has some offensive IQ but his defensive iq is severely lacking...

I'm with you.. I don't think he has the chops to be top pairing... he may become a legit top 4 but his 8.25 mill a year is going to be ugly for the majority of those 7 years.

 

[TageGod]

Going into his draft year, Dahlin was heralded as the second coming of Nick Lidstrom or Victor Hedman because of his offense AND his physical play. Are you telling me that Junior and college players just don’t play physical until they turn pro? Because that’s simply not the case.

No, just that players tried to take liberties with him while we was still on the baby muscles in the NHL.

 

[TehDoak]

So, the second half the season has been a bit of a wild swings.

They are playing a low event hockey and getting good goaltending. But it's crippled the offense. It's good that they are learning to play this way, but it's weird in the way we're implementing things.

Years 1/2 under granto: Eh, f*** defense, go go go
Year 3: Ok ok, we need to learn to play defense

And it's been a painful transition. Our entire top line's production has cratered. Combine that with an ineffectual PP, we've gone from a run and gun to relying on a goalie to stand on his head to win us games.

And it's worked to a point.

So the question is, how do we essentially combine the best of both worlds, the high octane offense with defensive competence.

And to be honest, I'm not 100% sure. My initial thought is a coaching change. Granato is a developmental coach...I think we're at the point where he need a coach to get them to that next step.

Can Skinner thrive in a system that requires him to be defensively responsible? Can Thompson? Can Cozens? Tuch has shown he can while in Vegas. These are the hard questions that need to be answered.

And on defense, what kind of partner do we need to get for Power for him to thrive and live up to his contract.

Are we using Dahlin to get the most out of him.

I simply don't know how we progress more under the same coaching and front office. The questions that I have they have shown they don't have answers for.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

So, the second half the season has been a bit of a wild swings.

They are playing a low event hockey and getting good goaltending. But it's crippled the offense. It's good that they are learning to play this way, but it's weird in the way we're implementing things.

Years 1/2 under granto: Eh, f*** defense, go go go
Year 3: Ok ok, we need to learn to play defense

And it's been a painful transition. Our entire top line's production has cratered. Combine that with an ineffectual PP, we've gone from a run and gun to relying on a goalie to stand on his head to win us games.

And it's worked to a point.

So the question is, how do we essentially combine the best of both worlds, the high octane offense with defensive competence.

And to be honest, I'm not 100% sure. My initial thought is a coaching change. Granato is a developmental coach...I think we're at the point where he need a coach to get them to that next step.

Can Skinner thrive in a system that requires him to be defensively responsible? Can Thompson? Can Cozens? Tuch has shown he can while in Vegas. These are the hard questions that need to be answered.

And on defense, what kind of partner do we need to get for Power for him to thrive and live up to his contract.

Are we using Dahlin to get the most out of him.

I simply don't know how we progress more under the same coaching and front office. The questions that I have they have shown they don't have answers for.

The simple answer is that next season is yet another development year, where Granato gets fired halfway through and the new coach spends the remainder of the season preparing them to actually compete the following season.

I literally cannot see any other scenario.

 

[Chainshot]

So, the second half the season has been a bit of a wild swings.

They are playing a low event hockey and getting good goaltending. But it's crippled the offense. It's good that they are learning to play this way, but it's weird in the way we're implementing things.

Years 1/2 under granto: Eh, f*** defense, go go go
Year 3: Ok ok, we need to learn to play defense

And it's been a painful transition. Our entire top line's production has cratered. Combine that with an ineffectual PP, we've gone from a run and gun to relying on a goalie to stand on his head to win us games.

And it's worked to a point.

So the question is, how do we essentially combine the best of both worlds, the high octane offense with defensive competence.

And to be honest, I'm not 100% sure. My initial thought is a coaching change. Granato is a developmental coach...I think we're at the point where he need a coach to get them to that next step.

Can Skinner thrive in a system that requires him to be defensively responsible? Can Thompson? Can Cozens? Tuch has shown he can while in Vegas. These are the hard questions that need to be answered.

And on defense, what kind of partner do we need to get for Power for him to thrive and live up to his contract.

Are we using Dahlin to get the most out of him.

I simply don't know how we progress more under the same coaching and front office. The questions that I have they have shown they don't have answers for.

They need to learn how to play settled offense, to generate chances from below the goal line to the front of the net instead of always trying to rely up rush chances and one-and-dones. That goes beyond coaching to a degree and is a personnel issue and management issue. Forging ahead in the standings requires keeping the puck further from their net and doing so with the intent to score.

As for Power's partner it could be that they already have him on the team in Samuelsson and play Power on the right side only. What they need is for someone more robust than Jokiharju - if they could smash Henri and EJ together to get a PKing guy with some snarl and the ability to successfully move the puck to at least one of the two outlet options, it would solve plenty. That could be someone like Matt Roy but having a singular candidate is usually a recipe for a let down.

I doubt the staff ever gets to asking for defensive responsibility. They aren't playing that way right now, I don't see them playing that way in days to come so Skinner and the rest are all just going to keep doing what they're doing as long as the staff is asking them to try to blow the zone early to generate a rush chances instead of moving as a 5-man unit up the ice and establishing a forecheck.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Anyone end think Girgs/Robinson will make 2/3 of s solid 4th line? Just need a gritty 4th line C.

 

[Jacob582]

Re: Power lack of physical play

I agree. It is not in his nature.

Jeremy Roenick was not physical at all until Mike Keenan coached him in Chicago. It is possible for a player to change.

 

[Zman5778]

Anyone end think Girgs/Robinson will make 2/3 of s solid 4th line? Just need a gritty 4th line C.

They already do make a solid tandem on the 4th line. Question is....Will Zemgus be back?

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

They already do make a solid tandem on the 4th line. Question is....Will Zemgus be back?

IF they want to bring him back, which I’m pretty ambivalent on, they should pull a Moulson and get an asset for him now.

 

[Chainshot]

Anyone end think Girgs/Robinson will make 2/3 of s solid 4th line? Just need a gritty 4th line C.

Nic Dowd is the guy they need, though at his age who knows how much longer that is going to be.

I would love to see a Nick and Nic tandem from the Caps - Jensen and Dowd. They get a stout RD and one of the best 3C/4C options out there to push into their depth. It ain't sexy but it is what they could use.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

Nic Dowd is the guy they need, though at his age who knows how much longer that is going to be.

I would love to see a Nick and Nic tandem from the Caps - Jensen and Dowd. They get a stout RD and one of the best 3C/4C options out there to push into their depth. It ain't sexy but it is what they could use.

That would be a great trade. Though with the recent market for 4th liners (cough cough Tampa), Washington would probably ask for something like Rosen for Dowd alone.

 

[Chainshot]

That would be a great trade. Though with the recent market for 4th liners (cough cough Tampa), Washington would probably ask for something like Rosen for Dowd alone.

Eh, it's particular teams asking for particular players - Tampa wanted cost controlled violence and paid for it with Jeannot. That doesn't apply evenly to everyone. Dowd isn't out there leading the league in hits or face punching guys.

 

[Beerz]

They need to learn how to play settled offense, to generate chances from below the goal line to the front of the net instead of always trying to rely up rush chances and one-and-dones. That goes beyond coaching to a degree and is a personnel issue and management issue. Forging ahead in the standings requires keeping the puck further from their net and doing so with the intent to score.

As for Power's partner it could be that they already have him on the team in Samuelsson and play Power on the right side only. What they need is for someone more robust than Jokiharju - if they could smash Henri and EJ together to get a PKing guy with some snarl and the ability to successfully move the puck to at least one of the two outlet options, it would solve plenty. That could be someone like Matt Roy but having a singular candidate is usually a recipe for a let down.

I doubt the staff ever gets to asking for defensive responsibility. They aren't playing that way right now, I don't see them playing that way in days to come so Skinner and the rest are all just going to keep doing what they're doing as long as the staff is asking them to try to blow the zone early to generate a rush chances instead of moving as a 5-man unit up the ice and establishing a forecheck.

What's Forsling? I never really notice him when we play Florida. He is probably going to shake loose but im not sure what kind of player he is

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

alright, gimme your won’t-moves, could-moves, and should-moves. This doesn’t include any pending ufas.

I have Sabres trade paralysis right now. I dk who to trade.

won't: Dahlin, Thompson, Power, UPL, Tuch, Quinn, Benson, RyJo - prioritizing top talent, D, G, and our best young forwards.

could: Skinner, Cozens (only if Mitts signed long term), Mitts, Peterka, Krebs, Joki, Greenway, Clifton, Bryson - many of these guys I would like to keep, but could also bring back something I like even better.

should: no one from the current roster must be moved. it just depends on what the other team wants and what they are willing to give us.

Before anyone gives me grief about Cozens, I don't want to trade him. I'm just saying if you could trade him for a really good defenseman and still have Mitts as your 2C, I can make that work.

 

[Chainshot]

What's Forsling? I never really notice him when we play Florida. He is probably going to shake loose but im not sure what kind of player he is

I think there are teams out there who will pay for him because they get that things don't happen when he's on the ice (in a good way). And it may be that Florida is the team that keeps him. Some of the podcast folks have hinted that they may want him around more than Montour now that Monty is back to who he was every other season but last year. Forsling transitions well - like if what Joker sometimes does was something he did all the time regardless of who he was playing against. And he does a nice job of killing plays with his stick. All good stuff.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Nic Dowd is the guy they need, though at his age who knows how much longer that is going to be.

I would love to see a Nick and Nic tandem from the Caps - Jensen and Dowd. They get a stout RD and one of the best 3C/4C options out there to push into their depth. It ain't sexy but it is what they could use.

This is really all I'm hoping for. We don't need the sexy additions like Tkachuck, though I do hope Adams is looking into a trade like this. That's more of a luxury at this point.

We NEED a top-4 D-man and 2 regulars in the forward core who live to get their noses dirty and are committed to a two-way game. Greenway and Robinson have both been good additions in that regard. The Greenways of the world can move up in a pinch and provide stability to our scoring lines as we've seen this year with Greenway playing with Cozens, Thompson, etc...they hold a lot of value to a young team still trying to figure out how to play the right way consistently.

The biggest changes should probably come from behind the bench, but it appears Adams is glued to Granato unless things get really ugly to end the year.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I see 3 needs:

1. A top 4 RHD
2. Improved PP coaching
3. Improved transition coaching

#3 is still a huge problem. Since switching to a 'defensive' scheme they've become poor at gaining the zone, both with possession and retrieval attempts. Without access to the microstat sites I'd be willing to bet their entry with possession numbers are way down from last year.

Until they stabilize their odd man rushes against they won't be a playoff team.

Overall, 2/3 of these problems can be addressed without affecting salary cap. That's pretty good news; the bad news is I don't think the front office will make staff moves.

EDIT: Found this tweet from december, it's gruesome

 

[Der Jaeger]

I see 3 needs:

1. A top 4 RHD
2. Improved PP coaching
3. Improved transition coaching

#3 is still a huge problem. Since switching to a 'defensive' scheme they've become poor at gaining the zone, both with possession and retrieval attempts. Without access to the microstat sites I'd be willing to bet their entry with possession numbers are way down from last year.

Until they stabilize their odd man rushes against they won't be a playoff team.

Overall, 2/3 of these problems can be addressed without affecting salary cap. That's pretty good news; the bad news is I don't think the front office will make staff moves.

I'd also add in a net front presence.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I'd also add in a net front presence.

It wouldn't hurt, but they're slightly above average in rebound goals for; tied for 11th with Chicago, Vegas, NYI.

 

[kirby11]

So, the second half the season has been a bit of a wild swings.

They are playing a low event hockey and getting good goaltending. But it's crippled the offense. It's good that they are learning to play this way, but it's weird in the way we're implementing things.

Years 1/2 under granto: Eh, f*** defense, go go go
Year 3: Ok ok, we need to learn to play defense

And it's been a painful transition. Our entire top line's production has cratered. Combine that with an ineffectual PP, we've gone from a run and gun to relying on a goalie to stand on his head to win us games.

And it's worked to a point.

So the question is, how do we essentially combine the best of both worlds, the high octane offense with defensive competence.

And to be honest, I'm not 100% sure. My initial thought is a coaching change. Granato is a developmental coach...I think we're at the point where he need a coach to get them to that next step.

Can Skinner thrive in a system that requires him to be defensively responsible? Can Thompson? Can Cozens? Tuch has shown he can while in Vegas. These are the hard questions that need to be answered.

And on defense, what kind of partner do we need to get for Power for him to thrive and live up to his contract.

Are we using Dahlin to get the most out of him.

I simply don't know how we progress more under the same coaching and front office. The questions that I have they have shown they don't have answers for.

I'm not saying I want Lindy specifically back, but they could use someone behind the bench with similar experience in terms of adapting to unique team strengths/weaknesses and successfully coaching their squad to play a mix of styles depending on opponent, roster construction, etc. I have sincere doubts that Granato is that guy, and even less faith in the clown car of idiots that round out the rest of the coaching staff.

It also seems like they'll have one game out of six or seven this season where they're prioritizing puck possession and movement in the o-zone--not fancy off the rush chances, but plays where they're consistently cycling, rotating into high danger areas, beating opponents to pucks, and sometimes beating a defender one-on-one to look for good shots--and then go back to throwing up a bunch of low-quality shots for the next week. Their most consistent identity this season has been a lack of one (along with slow starts).

 

[Fezzy126]

They need to learn how to play settled offense, to generate chances from below the goal line to the front of the net instead of always trying to rely up rush chances and one-and-dones. That goes beyond coaching to a degree and is a personnel issue and management issue. Forging ahead in the standings requires keeping the puck further from their net and doing so with the intent to score.

As for Power's partner it could be that they already have him on the team in Samuelsson and play Power on the right side only. What they need is for someone more robust than Jokiharju - if they could smash Henri and EJ together to get a PKing guy with some snarl and the ability to successfully move the puck to at least one of the two outlet options, it would solve plenty. That could be someone like Matt Roy but having a singular candidate is usually a recipe for a let down.

I doubt the staff ever gets to asking for defensive responsibility. They aren't playing that way right now, I don't see them playing that way in days to come so Skinner and the rest are all just going to keep doing what they're doing as long as the staff is asking them to try to blow the zone early to generate a rush chances instead of moving as a 5-man unit up the ice and establishing a forecheck.

Could Connor Murphy still be a potential fit or does he looked washed this year? His name has been thrown around these boards for several years, and now there seems to be some whispers that he might actually be available...

 

[Chainshot]

Could Connor Murphy still be a potential fit or does he looked washed this year? His name has been thrown around these boards for several years, and now there seems to be some whispers that he might actually be available...

Murphy reminds me a lot of Jokiharju. Take that as good or bad.

 

[Der Jaeger]

It wouldn't hurt, but they're slightly above average in rebound goals for; tied for 11th with Chicago, Vegas, NYI.

I'm think more about a player who stands in front and screens, scores effort goals, etc. They might have a lot of rebound goals but the team has no old school power forwards.