Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Irie]

I wish to be wrong, but I just can't imagine KA acquiring a comparable center or better. He already talked about a checking C, so that pretty much says that after a couple bottom-six guys, he's done. That should leave them WELL under the cap...7-10 mil under.

The way I see it, Adams has about 23M to fill 5 forward slots, 2 goalie slots and a D slot.

UPL, Krebs, and Jokiharju should be 3 of those 8 spots and take up a fair amount of that cap.

It also sounds like Adams wants to bring Gus back. Interest around the league *should* keep Girgs caphit above 2M, unless he takes a pretty major hometown discount.

Now to the reality of the situation - The only reason this team is even flirting with .500 is because their young goalie is playing out of his mind. Granato has been pacing to play UPL 70 games the last quarter of a season (19 of 22 starts). I mean, I just don't know if Granato and Adams can honestly watch what has been happening and think that they could possibly be successful next year without spending money to bring in some vets.

Watching the team get manhandled by Nashville, could anyone in their right mind think, "oh yeah, adding 3 or 4 more small and young guys from Rochester to this lineup will solve our problems."?

I think a vet bottom-six center is mandatory. A back-up goalie should be in the mix as well, and a strong physical presence that can PK has got to be on the shopping list. If Kulich or Rosen were ready, they would be up now and Savoie will needs some time in the A.

Once he fills out the roster, this team should only be a few million away from the cap.

Now, if Adams moves Jokiharju out and replaces him with a cheap 7th D, fills the forward holes with just Gus and kids from the farm, and pencils Levi in as the back-up, we will know there is definitely a Pegula imposed internal budget.

 

[Beerz]

Buffalo currently has an even bigger war chest. They would never in a million years consider the likes of Kulich to be untouchable like Adams has.

More lame excuses

To be fair..they are completely different situations

 

[Dingo44]

I have a feeling Bryson won't be qualified but they will resign him for less like Jost last year. He's been pretty good the last couple of games.

 

[Beerz]

Power compliment.

His wrist shot has improved dramatically from even the start of this season.

 

[Irie]

I have a feeling Bryson won't be qualified but they will resign him for less like Jost last year. He's been pretty good the last couple of games.

Someone has to remind Adams that that only saves money *if* after not qualifying the player, you don't offer them their qualifying offer in contract negotiations.

 

[GellMann]

Byram looks like he's playing a different sport from the rest of these guys. If you zoom out your focus when watching the Sabres to see how the open spaces in the ice shift around, so often Sabres players go to the wrong spot, don't fill the space, have bad leverage when forechecking or defending etc. Byram is used to being on a team that is good at this stuff, and he's good at it.

I would normally worry that a good player would come here and fall into the mold that the rest of our players have in this regard, a structureless blob of hockey

But Byram seems stubborn, and I saw glimpses of people playing with him the proper way today. I've seen this team add good players but I've never quite seen the gap between our struggling hockey and a new player's talent and experience in an elite system with elite players, be this large and open for all to see.

I'm hoping he can bring a shift in how we see and play the game on the ice, and how we attack it off the ice. This is why we pine for good players and vets from good teams

 

[Dirty Dog]

I wrote that they were in their prime, not that they broke out. Kind of pointless to discuss if you don't bother to read.

I think you’re mistaken here. Go back and read the posts/conversation that you quoted and gave examples for

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

The way I see it, Adams has about 23M to fill 5 forward slots, 2 goalie slots and a D slot.

UPL, Krebs, and Jokiharju should be 3 of those 8 spots and take up a fair amount of that cap.

It also sounds like Adams wants to bring Gus back. Interest around the league *should* keep Girgs caphit above 2M, unless he takes a pretty major hometown discount.

Now to the reality of the situation - The only reason this team is even flirting with .500 is because their young goalie is playing out of his mind. Granato has been pacing to play UPL 70 games the last quarter of a season (19 of 22 starts). I mean, I just don't know if Granato and Adams can honestly watch what has been happening and think that they could possibly be successful next year without spending money to bring in some vets.

Watching the team get manhandled by Nashville, could anyone in their right mind think, "oh yeah, adding 3 or 4 more small and young guys from Rochester to this lineup will solve our problems."?

I think a vet bottom-six center is mandatory. A back-up goalie should be in the mix as well, and a strong physical presence that can PK has got to be on the shopping list. If Kulich or Rosen were ready, they would be up now and Savoie will needs some time in the A.

Once he fills out the roster, this team should only be a few million away from the cap.

Now, if Adams moves Jokiharju out and replaces him with a cheap 7th D, fills the forward holes with just Gus and kids from the farm, and pencils Levi in as the back-up, we will know there is definitely a Pegula imposed internal budget.

Digging into Cap Friendly again after this week...

RFA/UFAs - Krebs at 1.5, Girgensons at 2.5, Robinson (or another guy) at 1.8, Joker at 3, UPL at 3.5...

I assume one FW spot will be used to rotate Kulich/Rosen/???, a 4C, and maybe one other vet add...those two vets adding about 2M. RyJo as the 7th D, and Levi back on the team. After trying their best to make Levi a regular, I just doubt they keep him in Rochester next season even if he should be there.

That leaves almost exactly 6 mil, and I can't imagine KA spends any more on any of those open roster spots. I won't be surprised by a Joker trade for futures either. Again, I'd love to be wrong.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Alittle throw back that’ll make you feel something.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Alittle throw back that’ll make you feel something. View attachment 833253

This team was getting buzz of being the best WJC team ever until they lost to USA in the final. They were killing teams

 

[MeenOlViks]

Alittle throw back that’ll make you feel something. View attachment 833253

Frame that tweet

 

[toddkaz]

I have a feeling Bryson won't be qualified but they will resign him for less like Jost last year. He's been pretty good the last couple of games.

He has played better than Power.(Not that he is better than Power. Just played better)

 

[MeenOlViks]

Perhaps we could use the ‘25 1st to rid ourselves of the boat anchor known as Jeff skinner

 

[StrompTroller]

Ullmark left of his own accord.

Im about to do the same....

 

[StrompTroller]

The way I see it, Adams has about 23M to fill 5 forward slots, 2 goalie slots and a D slot.

UPL, Krebs, and Jokiharju should be 3 of those 8 spots and take up a fair amount of that cap.

It also sounds like Adams wants to bring Gus back. Interest around the league *should* keep Girgs caphit above 2M, unless he takes a pretty major hometown discount.

Now to the reality of the situation - The only reason this team is even flirting with .500 is because their young goalie is playing out of his mind. Granato has been pacing to play UPL 70 games the last quarter of a season (19 of 22 starts). I mean, I just don't know if Granato and Adams can honestly watch what has been happening and think that they could possibly be successful next year without spending money to bring in some vets.

Watching the team get manhandled by Nashville, could anyone in their right mind think, "oh yeah, adding 3 or 4 more small and young guys from Rochester to this lineup will solve our problems."?

I think a vet bottom-six center is mandatory. A back-up goalie should be in the mix as well, and a strong physical presence that can PK has got to be on the shopping list. If Kulich or Rosen were ready, they would be up now and Savoie will needs some time in the A.

Once he fills out the roster, this team should only be a few million away from the cap.

Now, if Adams moves Jokiharju out and replaces him with a cheap 7th D, fills the forward holes with just Gus and kids from the farm, and pencils Levi in as the back-up, we will know there is definitely a Pegula imposed internal budget.

I dont think the team cares even closely to as much about defenseman handedness as this entire board does tbh. Byram makes joker at his expected cap hit and Sammy returning easily expendable in my eyes.


Dahlin
Power
Byram
Sammy
Johnson
Clifton

In some form or another is what we will see. Joker should be as good as gone pending some miracle Clifton trade.

Some combo of our 1st. Joker, Rosen and the million 2-3 round picks and guys picked in that range has to be able to net us some character. Defensive forward acumen and/or sandpaper...

 

[Irie]

Digging into Cap Friendly again after this week...

RFA/UFAs - Krebs at 1.5, Girgensons at 2.5, Robinson (or another guy) at 1.8, Joker at 3, UPL at 3.5...

I assume one FW spot will be used to rotate Kulich/Rosen/???, a 4C, and maybe one other vet add...those two vets adding about 2M. RyJo as the 7th D, and Levi back on the team. After trying their best to make Levi a regular, I just doubt they keep him in Rochester next season even if he should be there.

That leaves almost exactly 6 mil, and I can't imagine KA spends any more on any of those open roster spots. I won't be surprised by a Joker trade for futures either. Again, I'd love to be wrong.

I think my numbers on the guys that are here are a little higher than yours, but they are close.

Where I think we vary is the UFA help. Let's face it, Adams is going to have to overpay in a big way to get an upgrade that is actually going to make a difference to come to Buffalo.

The great bottom six upgrade we all want probably doesn't happen, and may not even be Adams fault. In which case, he likely falls back to plan B, which is to overpay some guys looking to bounce-back on one year prove-it contracts.

Where I feel Adams hands are tied(by his own doing), is in the necessity to not spend 25-26 cap space this offseason on marginal players, because he will have to re-up Quinn, Peterka and Levi and the cap will be restrictive.

I do not believe that is an imposed Pegula internal budget. I believe Adams is actually looking ahead.

Now, if he moves Joker or another useful player's contract this offseason and is still under the cap, I will admit I am wrong and they are cutting costs.

 

[Djp]

Yes. All of this.

I also don't understand why some fans (you know who you are) think there are only two choices:
1) Trade a player before his contract is up, or
2) Sign a long term contract and assume that you're stuck with him until he retires or dies

The third option is sign a that player to term, and if someone starts to outperform him, or you start to go up against the cap, then trade him away at that time. Do you know what the Calgary's and Winnipeg's (or the Buffalo's for that matter) of the world would do if you offered them a good player locked into a long term contract? It's a dream scenario that never happens for them.

Not saying you cant sign a player to a contract and trade them.

If you sign them to a 7+ yr comrade and you thrn trade them within 2 yrs doesnt look well. You sign them to a 4-5 yr contract and trade them it doesnt say that.

Couple random, unconnected takes:

1) Their best prospect not named Benson/Levi is Savoie.

Agree

2) They should trade their 24 1st for help now, even if they win the lotto

No they should not

3) Mitts took 6 years to become what he is now. Give Krebs time.

I dont have an issue giving Krebs as shot. People forget he's ending his ELC. Mitts last season of waiver eligibility hr split time with rochester and buffalo.

If they don't wait for them to start to break out to trade them, then when they move them the value returned is a Bryson instead of a Byram


We will find out this summer if there is an internal budget.

Personally I think the Sabres will be a "really close to a cap team" next season.

Adams painted himself into a corner with all the big contracts, and hopefully he is realizing he has to spend some money on the bottom six to get tougher to play against and add some more defensive options to that group. That was never going to happen with Mitts and UPL chewing up a ton of the available cap with so many players to sign.

This summer they have space. Iys 25 and 26 summers that are thr problem years.

I am not defending Adams. I did not like him moving Mitts, and the mess that led to the trade was all on Adams himself, I just think that this year Pegula isn't asking for a budget team, which I believe he absolutely did the past few seasons.

In terms of contract management around Skinners contract...they couldnt bridge Cozens, they had to do a longer contract because hed br a UFA in 27 like skinner. Having a bridge ends earlier handcuffs them further.

Buffalo currently has an even bigger war chest. They would never in a million years consider the likes of Kulich to be untouchable like Adams has.

More lame excuses

Kulich isnt untouchable but he isnt given away either.

I'm sure some gms have low balled offers asking for kulich for a rental. Something close to Forsberg.

The way I see it, Adams has about 23M to fill 5 forward slots, 2 goalie slots and a D slot.

UPL, Krebs, and Jokiharju should be 3 of those 8 spots and take up a fair amount of that cap.

It also sounds like Adams wants to bring Gus back. Interest around the league *should* keep Girgs caphit above 2M, unless he takes a pretty major hometown discount.

I can see them resigning Girgs, Robinson, Rousek is a on club

Joker could be traded as part of a hockey trade

Now to the reality of the situation - The only reason this team is even flirting with .500 is because their young goalie is playing out of his mind. Granato has been pacing to play UPL 70 games the last quarter of a season (19 of 22 starts). I mean, I just don't know if Granato and Adams can honestly watch what has been happening and think that they could possibly be successful next year without spending money to bring in some vets.

Watching the team get manhandled by Nashville, could anyone in their right mind think, "oh yeah, adding 3 or 4 more small and young guys from Rochester to this lineup will solve our problems."?

I think a vet bottom-six center is mandatory. A back-up goalie should be in the mix as well, and a strong physical presence that can PK has got to be on the shopping list. If Kulich or Rosen were ready, they would be up now and Savoie will needs some time in the A.

Once he fills out the roster, this team should only be a few million away from the cap.

Now, if Adams moves Jokiharju out and replaces him with a cheap 7th D, fills the forward holes with just Gus and kids from the farm, and pencils Levi in as the back-up, we will know there is definitely a Pegula imposed internal budget.

If the team had a PP like last yr theyd be right in the WC battle

I have a feeling Bryson won't be qualified but they will resign him for less like Jost last year. He's been pretty good the last couple of games.

I'm fine with Bryson notQO l but signed to less than what he is on this year. Of course him not qua nakes him as ufs and can sign elsewhere.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Kulich isnt untouchable but he isnt given away either.

I'm sure some gms have low balled offers asking for kulich for a rental. Something close to Forsberg.

It was reported at one point that he was off the table in any trade, which is bush league

 

[EichHart]

Byram looks like he's playing a different sport from the rest of these guys. If you zoom out your focus when watching the Sabres to see how the open spaces in the ice shift around, so often Sabres players go to the wrong spot, don't fill the space, have bad leverage when forechecking or defending etc. Byram is used to being on a team that is good at this stuff, and he's good at it.

I would normally worry that a good player would come here and fall into the mold that the rest of our players have in this regard, a structureless blob of hockey

But Byram seems stubborn, and I saw glimpses of people playing with him the proper way today. I've seen this team add good players but I've never quite seen the gap between our struggling hockey and a new player's talent and experience in an elite system with elite players, be this large and open for all to see.

I'm hoping he can bring a shift in how we see and play the game on the ice, and how we attack it off the ice. This is why we pine for good players and vets from good teams

I know its early, but same. Hes an incredible talent. I was one of the few happy with this trade.

 

[Fearnot]

Power compliment.

His wrist shot has improved dramatically from even the start of this season.

 

[HaNotsri]

I think you’re mistaken here. Go back and read the posts/conversation that you quoted and gave examples for

I didn't support the opinions of those posts, rather the opposite.
A fact is that we've traded a calibre of player that other teams would build around multiple times (for different reasons). When it comes to trading players just as they bloom it's Mitts and possibly Reinhart (he was good before but imo he finally showed that he could be leading a first line).

If Adams had shown any ability to improve and build a team I'd feel better about the Byram/Mitts deal.
I also think there's a huge disconnect between how Adams view the team and my own. Where I see a severe lack of top 6 centers he's talking about adding someone on the 4th line.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

I’d probably find a suitor for Joki or Cliffton (or use him as a 7th) in the offseason and bring in a guy like Hakanpaa. I think we still need to find Power a partner unless he can play the right side as well partnered with Sammy.

I think Byram/Dahlin must be a thing going forward. Must be.

Byram-Dahlin
Sammy-Power
RyJo-Hakanpaa
Cliffton

 

[TehDoak]

I’d probably find a suitor for Joki or Cliffton (or use him as a 7th) in the offseason and bring in a guy like Hakanpaa. I think we still need to find Power a partner unless he can play the right side as well partnered with Sammy.

I think Byram/Dahlin must be a thing going forward. Must be.

Byram-Dahlin
Sammy-Power
RyJo-Hakanpaa
Cliffton

They are already at 8 d-men for next year:

Dahlin, Power, Byram, Clifton, Samuelsson, Joker, Johnson, Bryson.

My guess is that Joker, a RFA with Arb rights is probably gone, and Bryson is probably non qualified.

That leaves Dahlin, Power, Bryam, Samuelsson, Clifton, and Johnson.

They probably either try to sign Bryson after non tender and or sign a 7th guy. I doubt they are going to add much in terms of actual salary to the blue line.

 

[Irie]

I’d probably find a suitor for Joki or Cliffton (or use him as a 7th) in the offseason and bring in a guy like Hakanpaa. I think we still need to find Power a partner unless he can play the right side as well partnered with Sammy.

I think Byram/Dahlin must be a thing going forward. Must be.

Byram-Dahlin
Sammy-Power
RyJo-Hakanpaa
Cliffton

Sammy is super under-rated playing the right side. His first year he played almost exclusively on the right, and he was great. When he is paired with Dahlin last year, those two were never just on one side, Sammy probably played 30-40% of the time on the right when they would switch on the fly midshift.

I think Power at LHD and Sammy on the right should be something they experiment with, and as others have posted, the metrics from those two playing together has been very promising, albeit a small sample size.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Power-Samuelsson has looked decent in limited minutes in the past. I'm not opposed to trying them out for a longer stretch next season.