Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[MrGuyPerson]

Hey guys, not a Sabres fan, but I do like their prospects. I have a question that I'm not able to answer and figured that since I may be missing context as I have only seen their games this season and a few last season, it would be better to ask people that are more familiar with the team.

Why is Tuch on Tage's line and not Peterka? Last season I think "defense" was a valid reason. However, while JJP is not a defensive stud so far this year, I think he has looked effective for the most part. Is Tuch like a star and I just didn't see that in the few Sabres games I saw last season?

I only wanted to ask because obviously that first line is not producing right now and you guys need them to. I was expecting a playoff team here and so far it has been a bit of a let down

 

[Mattilaus]

Hey guys, not a Sabres fan, but I do like their prospects. I have a question that I'm not able to answer and figured that since I may be missing context as I have only seen their games this season and a few last season, it would be better to ask people that are more familiar with the team.

Why is Tuch on Tage's line and not Peterka? Last season I think "defense" was a valid reason. However, while JJP is not a defensive stud so far this year, I think he has looked effective for the most part. Is Tuch like a star and I just didn't see that in the few Sabres games I saw last season?

I only wanted to ask because obviously that first line is not producing right now and you guys need them to. I was expecting a playoff team here and so far it has been a bit of a let down

He was arguably our best player last year. This year he has been a ghost so far. Him along with many others.

 

[old kummelweck]

anyone called up for Benson?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

anyone called up for Benson?

No. As far as I know Benson is still on the active roster. Nobody will get called up unless he goes to the IR.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I'm a bit frustrated too. I'm not surprised to see the team struggle while learning a more defense-first mindset. That's going to hold back some offense, some mental processing, some aggressiveness and maybe intensity until the defensive side is more instinctual. OTOH, Tuch or Skinner doesn't really get that same slack. Dumb giveaways doesn't jive with that...those are just really dumb plays. So I think last night there were some mistakes brought on out of frustration. That's part of the dumpster fire D they played last Oct-Nov. Maybe teams are going to be up for a strong defensive effort in a way that Buffalo didn't face until last March. Maybe the league is swinging back to defense after last season (damn I will hate that).

I fear more about the coaching staff not being up for the task, more than the roster. The core players have plenty of talent (that still needs to develop), and another 5-6 upgrades get the team where it needs to be (along with time and experience). But can the staff get the roster through a learning curve on time? I hope so...

 

[MrGuyPerson]

He was arguably our best player last year. This year he has been a ghost so far. Him along with many others.

I think ghost is apt description as I also have barely noticed him and that is what lead to me asking that question here. Was Tuch on Thompsons line all last season too?

This is a team with playoff caliber talent and depth. Starting the season slow won't kill you, but if they don't pick it up soon it certainly can.

 

[Mattilaus]

I think ghost is apt description as I also have barely noticed him and that is what lead to me asking that question here. Was Tuch on Thompsons line all last season too?

This is a team with playoff caliber talent and depth. Starting the season slow won't kill you, but if they don't pick it up soon it certainly can.

Mostly, he was centred by Mitts a bit at the end of the season

 

[5 Minute Major]

I’m a big fan of the blue and gold and the Sabres logo.

Butt ditch them already!

Since the Sabres moved from the Aud, we have had ZERO success in these jersey’s. Now, we did have limited success with the blue and gold but it was with the Slug logo and we aren’t going back to that. LOL

Any significant success this team has had since moving to Marine Midland has been in the goathead red and black. Let’s use them full time!

 

[BuffaloGooner]

How'd the defense look last night?

In the defensive zone? Fine. PK was good again. Maybe ask your best forwards to not hand gift breakaways (which were stopped btw)

 

[Irie]

EDIT, Meier is only $8.8M AAV.

OK. I see some value in that. But also isn't the point of having a million prospects so that you can have some freedom to take some calculated risks?

According to Spotrac we will have about $25M in space for 24-25. I think we need another power forward in the top 6. Next year between RFA and UFA we have Mitts, Krebs, Jost, Girgs, Okposo, EJ, Joki, Bryson, Comrie. I think we need to keep Mitts, would like to get another year out of EJ, then 2 of Krebs, Joki, Girgenson, Comrie.

That feels doable if you can get Meier and Mitts at $15M AAV.

Not trying to pick on you specifically, because a lot of posters keep posting this narrative about the 24-25 cap space, but it is all completely false.

Say you signed Meier and Mitts for 15M like you are suggesting, that leaves 10 million for a goalie, 2 top six D and an entire fourth line and any team depth.

They would have 70 million committed to 10 players.

You can't compete with that type of salary structure. The team would have no depth or decent role players.

 

[Irie]

In the defensive zone? Fine. PK was good again. Maybe ask your best forwards to not hand gift breakaways (which were stopped btw)

Still not sure how the majority of people here are pinning a break away on a forward who is first into the zone and is carrying the puck and aggressively challenging the opposition D.

Tuch had limited passing options, and tried an outside in toe-drag, which if successful, he would have been in on the goalie alone.

He was poke-checked, and that is somehow his fault that there was a totally clean breakaway the other way?

The failure on that play was absolutely and completely on Dahlin.

Power should have slowed up to not get caught in the offensive zone before the puck is in deep, yes, but Dahlin was in perfect defensive position at the redline to see the entire ice and read the play.

As Calgary pushed the puck up the wall, Dahlin has got to recognize that power is in trouble and play for the two-on-one that is coming.

Recklessly charging up past the redline to challenge the puck when Lindholm is streaking up ice on the weak side was egregious and something I would not expect from a junior player, let alone an allstar defender making 11 million.

 

[sabremike]

I’m a big fan of the blue and gold and the Sabres logo.

Butt ditch them already!

Since the Sabres moved from the Aud, we have had ZERO success in these jersey’s. Now, we did have limited success with the blue and gold but it was with the Slug logo and we aren’t going back to that. LOL

Any significant success this team has had since moving to Marine Midland has been in the goathead red and black. Let’s use them full time!

Better idea:

REBUILD THE AUD AND MAKE THE LEAFS PAY FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Djp]

I was just having a similar conversation earlier. Somebody was saying that it looks like the Sabres lucked out with Greenway being maybe better than Meier. And my thought was this team really needs both. I think it’s why late last year the line mix ups worked. Greenway helped Cozens. Mitts helps Skinner.

I forget the cost, but let’s say it was a 2024 first, Rosen, RJ, and VO. Sabres could be looking at lines like:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Peterka - Cozens - Meier
Greenway - Mitts - Benson
Girgs - Krebs - Okposo

I am not saying Adams dropped the ball. It would have been a lot. But this is where the team needs help. And that’s the kind of move this roster is ready for. I don’t know where all these prospects fit over time.

test was more than ehst the devils paid. They gave up a late 1st, 2nd next year, recent 1st, and secondary prospect

Rosen> late 1st+ 2nd
2014 > recent first round prospect they gave up
RJ >> prospect they gave up
and you trade Olofsson

Any word on how close Savoie is?

I think the issue in his activation has to do with the roster crunch.

they activated him now they would need to rotate Krebs, Peterka, and Levi in Rochester paper transactions.
I think they are waiting to decide on Benson staying or going to CHL unless an injury occurs IRing a F

EDIT, Meier is only $8.8M AAV.

OK. I see some value in that. But also isn't the point of having a million prospects so that you can have some freedom to take some calculated risks?

According to Spotrac we will have about $25M in space for 24-25. I think we need another power forward in the top 6. Next year between RFA and UFA we have Mitts, Krebs, Jost, Girgs, Okposo, EJ, Joki, Bryson, Comrie. I think we need to keep Mitts, would like to get another year out of EJ, then 2 of Krebs, Joki, Girgenson, Comrie.

That feels doable if you can get Meier and Mitts at $15M AAV.

On ca friendly 24/25 is 8/4/1 at around $63M

Meier and Mitts is $15M so 10/4/1 and at $78M

$10M for 4/3/1. You are looking at $1M contracts to fill the roster If its $88M next year.

Joker resigns or you get a RD…say $4M….that's 4/2/1for $6M

then in 2025 who is coming off/RFA? $3M in greenway but Peterka, Levi, and Quinn are RFAs

its poor cap management

 

[OkimLom]

Still not sure how the majority of people here are pinning a break away on a forward who is first into the zone and is carrying the puck and aggressively challenging the opposition D.

Tuch had limited passing options, and tried an outside in toe-drag, which if successful, he would have been in on the goalie alone.

He was poke-checked, and that is somehow his fault that there was a totally clean breakaway the other way?

The failure on that play was absolutely and completely on Dahlin.

Power should have slowed up to not get caught in the offensive zone before the puck is in deep, yes, but Dahlin was in perfect defensive position at the redline to see the entire ice and read the play.

As Calgary pushed the puck up the wall, Dahlin has got to recognize that power is in trouble and play for the two-on-one that is coming.

Recklessly charging up past the redline to challenge the puck when Lindholm is streaking up ice on the weak side was egregious and something I would not expect from a junior player, let alone an allstar defender making 11 million.

HEY!!!!!!

He’s not making $11 million yet

Not trying to pick on you specifically, because a lot of posters keep posting this narrative about the 24-25 cap space, but it is all completely false.

Say you signed Meier and Mitts for 15M like you are suggesting, that leaves 10 million for a goalie, 2 top six D and an entire fourth line and any team depth.

They would have 70 million committed to 10 players.

You can't compete with that type of salary structure. The team would have no depth or decent role players.

They don’t have depth and decent role players now…we’re in trouble

 

[Dreakon13]

You’ll never be one or two pieces away when the plan is to do nothing and remain several away.

You know what would help getting to one or two pieces away? Getting the frigging pieces he should have gotten years ago.

Adams remains years away from knowing what they really need. Because he doesn’t bother to address the obvious ones.

Those one or two pieces just don't move the needle compared to the need for our top players, locked in for the next 7-8 years, to play like top players in the league night in and night out.

A better add than Clifton/Johnson and a proven starting goalie fall into the "it wouldn't hurt" category of significance, but there are bigger fish to fry with this team in the form of half the team (mostly at the top) not playing competitive NHL level hockey most nights. A shiny new goalie doesn't fix that, at best it covers it up a little, at worst we ruin that goalie too.

 

[OkimLom]

I think ghost is apt description as I also have barely noticed him and that is what lead to me asking that question here. Was Tuch on Thompsons line all last season too?

This is a team with playoff caliber talent and depth. Starting the season slow won't kill you, but if they don't pick it up soon it certainly can.

Only way we will tell if they have playoff caliber talent is if they actually make the playoffs.

They don’t have any depth that is ready to be at the NHL level. Just because you can call up prospects doesn’t mean you necessarily have depth.

They hardly are putting a dent in making up for missing out on a young top 6 player, with Quinn out. Their answer is a prospect they just drafted being put in the lineup over a multiple 20 goal scorer veteran that can’t trust with 5 vs 5 minutes.

 

[Irie]

HEY!!!!!!

He’s not making $11 million yet


They don’t have depth and decent role players now…we’re in trouble

True, but depth and role players are much easier holes to fill than finding top-line talent.

Once the young core is actually playing like a core of an elite team, then filling those role player holes will be manageable *if* Adams reserves some cap for it.

Of course, this relies on the guys that are being paid to be elite players, Thompson, Cozens, Skinner Dahlin and Power actually being elite, which so far this season, they have been extremely far from.

If your stars aren't playing like stars, then there is no amount of "roster tweaking" that you can do to right the ship.

 

[BFLO]

Quenneville and Babcock are available

 

[toddkaz]

In the defensive zone? Fine. PK was good again. Maybe ask your best forwards to not hand gift breakaways (which were stopped btw)

36 shots against, and they were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Here is where the shot count was and you call this good defensive hockey?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

36 shots against, and they were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Here is where the shot count was and you call this good defensive hockey?
View attachment 755562

The team was mostly keeping chances the the perimeter in the first few games. Calgary was a mess and I just don't get it. I can only guess at reasons - a camp that was a LOT more about measuring up prospects than it was about getting the known roster players up to par on a more defensive game for the season. The pre-season games reflected that, so now we're witnessing them have to learn on the fly. Maybe I'm over-simplifying it. Besides that, we should expect teams to play a tight checking game or clog up the neutral zone, and again have to wait for the players to figure it out on the fly...again.

I'm not sure how far on the scale that falls between youthful inexperience and a lack of coaching and preparation.

 

[TehDoak]

Quenneville and Babcock are available

Unfortunately even if this year is a crushing disappointment (and with 78 games left, it's too early to even suggest that), Granato is likely safe. He signed a multi year extension last year.

However, if Granato DOES eventually get fired, I have to think after years of having players coaches in Housley, Krueger, and now Granato....a stricter coach is probably in the hopper.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Unfortunately even if this year is a crushing disappointment (and with 78 games left, it's too early to even suggest that), Granato is likely safe. He signed a multi year extension last year.

However, if Granato DOES eventually get fired, I have to think after years of having players coaches in Housley, Krueger, and now Granato....a stricter coach is probably in the hopper.

I’d argue Granato deserves to be safe too. He should be fired because Adams trotted out the same roster as last year with no goalie?

Unless the team falls apart, bottoms out and Dahlin and Tage are fist fighting in the locker room, I’d like to see what Donny can do when they actually try to improve the roster.

 

[TehDoak]

I’d argue Granato deserves to be safe too. He should be fired because Adams trotted out the same roster as last year with no goalie?

Unless the team falls apart, bottoms out and Dahlin and Tage are fist fighting in the locker room, I’d like to see what Donny can do when they actually try to improve the roster.

It's far too early to make any offseason predictions.

But I will say this. Granato's decision to forgo defensive responsibility in lieu of 'developing skill' on a very young team brought immediate positive results and fat contracts to everyone. I'm concerned that adding in defensive structure in now might be significantly harder than if they went defense first and then let the offense out a bit more. But, I am not a coach.

 

[MOGlLNY]

It's far too early to make any offseason predictions.

But I will say this. Granato's decision to forgo defensive responsibility in lieu of 'developing skill' on a very young team brought immediate positive results and fat contracts to everyone. I'm concerned that adding in defensive structure in now might be significantly harder than if they went defense first and then let the offense out a bit more. But, I am not a coach.

Eh. We’ll see, Colorado did something similar. I think I agree with the frame of mind that getting confidence in offensive ability at the NHL level then worrying about defensive structure later is the way to go.

I’m just not sure if letting that policy apply to 10 of the 12 players was the right idea. Again, you’re right, it’s early.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Comrie is in tonight