Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Beerz]

Who knew that the "legend of Krebs" band leaders were in the Sabres FO? To be more serious, it's typical for a GM to orchestrate a previous acquisition into a more prominent role whether they deserve it or not. The ole' self-affirming move. KA can't be serious if he just goes after a 4C this summer.

Krebs won the lottery... he is safe at least until we can get Byram locked up.

 

[Chainshot]

It would be a great day to sign Levi's good friend Justin Hryckowian as a UDFA.

 

[kirby11]

Who knew that the "legend of Krebs" band leaders were in the Sabres FO? To be more serious, it's typical for a GM to orchestrate a previous acquisition into a more prominent role whether they deserve it or not. The ole' self-affirming move. KA can't be serious if he just goes after a 4C this summer.

He should also look to upgrade at least one of Tage's wing spots. Barring a resurgence, Skinner is, at best, a 3rd line/sheltered scoring line guy moving forward. Tuch is fine in the top 6, but seems more like a second line guy than a true first liner, and has been dinged up seemingly all year.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

He should also look to upgrade at least one of Tage's wing spots. Barring a resurgence, Skinner is, at best, a 3rd line/sheltered scoring line guy moving forward. Tuch is fine in the top 6, but seems more like a second line guy than a true first liner, and has been dinged up seemingly all year.

Going that far ahead, I would go with...

Greenway - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
Skinner - Krebs - Benson
Girgensons - ????? - Robinson

This is just with what they have, which needs (IMO) another potential top-two C, a vet 4C, and another physical winger. I only see any hope of significant improvement for the Cozens line and Benson. Krebs can be better but I don't expect much. I'm actually worried and very frustrated with what they'll likely end up with among the FW group.

 

[kirby11]

Going that far ahead, I would go with...

Greenway - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
Skinner - Krebs - Benson
Girgensons - ????? - Robinson

This is just with what they have, which needs (IMO) another potential top-two C, a vet 4C, and another physical winger. I only see any hope of significant improvement for the Cozens line and Benson. Krebs can be better but I don't expect much. I'm actually worried and very frustrated with what they'll likely end up with among the FW group.

Yeah, they're again going to need improved two-way top end play and improved depth scoring. Their biggest problem is how many of their forwards are useless in their own end, both in terms of coverage and in being hard on pucks to clear the zone.

 

[Dubi Doo]

You are remembering last March and last Summer differently than I am. Or maybe our realities are just different.

I remember Last March, the team had that 2-10 stretch when Sammy went down, and Granato playing Bryson on the top pair and playing his 3rd D pairing 10 minutes a game, and often less, (dropping to a sometimes ridiculous 5 and 8 minutes when the season was on the line) and myself saying, "Adams has to upgrade the defensive depth".

And then in the Summer, I remember Adams adding 3 new D that brought more experience and skill to the position and depth chart.

I guess for posters who were screaming for a long-shot top pairing upgrade, that reality didn't happen, but I don't believe that was ever realistic to begin with, given the list of available players and NMCs around the league.

Wasn't a deal in place for Pesce, too, but Pesce didnt want to come to Buffalo? Seems like Adams was in the process of adding that big piece we all wanted.

I'm a bit peeved at the lack of moves to redefine the forward core and the fact Joki was still Power's partner. I'm really peeved it appears he doesn't want to fire Granato. That's why I dont have a ton of faith in him, but he has added some nice pieces (Tuch, Greenway, Benson, Byram, Clifton, etc...), so I dont doubt he can find players that will do well here. I just don't have much faith in Granato.

 

[Matt Ress]

Yeah, they're again going to need improved two-way top end play and improved depth scoring. Their biggest problem is how many of their forwards are useless in their own end, both in terms of coverage and in being hard on pucks to clear the zone.

Ideally, I would want a impact two way winger and a 1C which won't happen because of contracts. Plan B is hope that Cozens takes over as 1C. Maybe Tage can be an effective winger or maybe he gets his game back.

I'd like to imagine there will be some net growth from the lineup

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

With this season over, what can we do this summer to improve ? Another season with playoff expectations that failed big time . Bad play from start all way til last weeks

 

[BuffaloGooner]

Ideally, I would want a impact two way winger and a 1C which won't happen because of contracts. Plan B is hope that Cozens takes over as 1C. Maybe Tage can be an effective winger or maybe he gets his game back.

I'd like to imagine there will be some net growth from the lineup

Who is saying that Tage Thompson isn’t a 1C and why are they saying this?

 

[Dubi Doo]

Who is saying that Tage Thompson isn’t a 1C and why are they saying this?

He hasnt been close to a 1C this year. Mitts was better, and he's more of a 2C. 50 ish pts in 70 ish games while consistently making boneheaded mistakes is far from a 1C. Right now, he's more of a secondary scoring C. He cant be trusted to lead this team to success as a 1C.

Let's hope he figures it out next season. Im fine with him being a 70-80 pt C if he can reel in the dumb plays. Actually, Id gladly sacrifice some points for that type of development, but I have my doubts at this point.

 

[Matt Ress]

Who is saying that Tage Thompson isn’t a 1C and why are they saying this?

He certainly hasn't been this season. But again, perhaps he rebounds, moves over or is usurped by Cozens taking a big step.

Not trying to be snarky. He can rebound stats next year but the concern could continue to be his play driving, IQ and perceived effort. All of those things, along with the lack of scoring, screams middle 6 center.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

He hasnt been close to a 1C this year. Mitts was better, and he's more of a 2C. 50 ish pts in 70 ish games while consistently making boneheaded mistakes is far from a 1C. Right now, he's more of a secondary scoring C. He cant be trusted to lead this team to success as a 1C.

Let's hope he figures it out next season. Im fine with him being a 70-80 pt C if he can reel in the dumb plays. Actually, Id gladly sacrifice some points for that type of development, but I have my doubts at this point.

He certainly hasn't been this season. But again, perhaps he rebounds, moves over or is usurped by Cozens taking a big step.

Not trying to be snarky. He can rebound stats next year but the concern could continue to be his play driving, IQ and perceived effort. All of those things, along with the lack of scoring, screams middle 6 center.

Before the Mitts trade, I envisioned strong C depth consistently winning by committee, just going with who was playing better any given night. Ideally though, I saw Mitts moving to 1st line duty (or most minutes like this season), and Tage taking more 3rd line minutes (hopefully Cozens solidifying as a two-way 2C). Now they're missing the hardest piece of that group to replace, with two guys who for now are going to be defensive liabilities (with some hope for Cozens to improve). No center can be considered a true 1C that has such a penchant for TOs and killed possession, but as a middle-six match-up problem Thompson would be a real problem for other teams (if he cleans up his game a bit).

It seems as though the front office is convinced or committed. It's a dice roll they probably lose when it counts the most (assuming they get to the playoffs in the next couple years).

 

[BuffaloGooner]

People forgot Tage broke his hand. That will literally ruin a shooters season and he still stumbled into 20 goals.

 

[Matt Ress]

Before the Mitts trade, I envisioned strong C depth consistently winning by committee, just going with who was playing better any given night. Ideally though, I saw Mitts moving to 1st line duty (or most minutes like this season), and Tage taking more 3rd line minutes (hopefully Cozens solidifying as a two-way 2C). Now they're missing the hardest piece of that group to replace, with two guys who for now are going to be defensive liabilities (with some hope for Cozens to improve). No center can be considered a true 1C that has such a penchant for TOs and killed possession, but as a middle-six match-up problem Thompson would be a real problem for other teams (if he cleans up his game a bit).

It seems as though the front office is convinced or committed. It's a dice roll they probably lose when it counts the most (assuming they get to the playoffs in the next couple years).

Agreed and one of the biggest points for me is that he's just not driving that line or even consistent enough to be dependable like you need from your 1C. Maybe a lagging injury or just an off year but I would imagine a bottom 5 "1C" in the league this season.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Savoie and Ostlund are center possibilities. Ostlund is a pure center.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

People forgot Tage broke his hand. That will literally ruin a shooters season and he still stumbled into 20 goals.

As someone who’s broken their hand, I’ve done it again 4 additional times in the past year

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Savoie and Ostlund are center possibilities. Ostlund is a pure center.

I'm all about Ostlund, and I hope for Savoie to at least settle in as a mid-six RW, but each are another 3-4 years away from being legit and reliable players...assuming they actually hit on potential. When does the front office say now is the time?

 

[Matt Ress]

People forgot Tage broke his hand. That will literally ruin a shooters season and he still stumbled into 20 goals.

I'm not dismissing that. Tage has been dangerous but never really a driver, never much of a forechecker and never very effective defensively. I think you need a couple more of those components to be a good 1C so when the points aren't coming, there's a lot to be desired.

 

[Misko]

Pretty convinced Thompson is playing injured and the only reason he isn't being rested is because he is probably considered irreplaceable in the lineup as management chases the blind hope that is playoffs. Hes looked pretty cooked on a lot of nights recently unfortunately. I also feel like Tuch has been more or less dinged up all season too.

Just gotta hope that both have a productive summer and take the time to heal so that they can come back stronger next season and put up bounceback seasons, because it's hard for this team to hope to do much without their top forwards actually being healthy and showing up.

 

[GellMann]

You are remembering last March and last Summer differently than I am. Or maybe our realities are just different.

I remember Last March, the team had that 2-10 stretch when Sammy went down, and Granato playing Bryson on the top pair and playing his 3rd D pairing 10 minutes a game, and often less, (dropping to a sometimes ridiculous 5 and 8 minutes when the season was on the line) and myself saying, "Adams has to upgrade the defensive depth".

And then in the Summer, I remember Adams adding 3 new D that brought more experience and skill to the position and depth chart.

I guess for posters who were screaming for a long-shot top pairing upgrade, that reality didn't happen, but I don't believe that was ever realistic to begin with, given the list of available players and NMCs around the league.

Those silly posters, who have correctly pointed out our pathetic attempts at navigating the NHL offseason for 13 consecutive years

Why on earth would they show this sort of emotion after Saturday's effort put the perfect cap on yet another lost season

Getting angry about summer moves in the middle of March is a new one

Our anger is actually about last summer's moves, and we are just bracing for Kevyn mapping his words to his offseason actions for the 5th year in a row on top of that

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Savoie and Ostlund are center possibilities. Ostlund is a pure center.

They’re both widely considered too small to play center in the NHL but maybe everyone is wrong. With Buffalo luck, count me extremely skeptical.

 

[Jacob582]

They’re both widely considered too small to play center in the NHL but maybe everyone is wrong. With Buffalo luck, count me extremely skeptical.

Do you realize that Savoie, Ostlund, Kulich are the most likely candidates to fill the open center position next year?

(Kevyn.... prove me wrong)

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Do you realize that Savoie, Ostlund, Kulich are the most likely candidates to fill the open center position next year?

(Kevyn.... prove me wrong)

You can cancel out Kulich and Savoie. Kulich couldn't handle C in the AHL so he's not going to be put at C. Savoie is playing more W than C so he looks to be an all situation 2/3W. Ostlund though playing in a men's league could use some seasoning to get used to playing in North America

 

[Aladyyn]

Those silly posters, who have correctly pointed out our pathetic attempts at navigating the NHL offseason for 13 consecutive years

Why on earth would they show this sort of emotion after Saturday's effort put the perfect cap on yet another lost season


Our anger is actually about last summer's moves, and we are just bracing for Kevyn mapping his words to his offseason actions for the 5th year in a row on top of that

The anger last summer was at not getting a goalie and the D additions not being good enough. Not sure why anyone would still be angry about that right now.

 

[Chainshot]

You can cancel out Kulich and Savoie. Kulich couldn't handle C in the AHL so he's not going to be put at C. Savoie is playing more W than C so he looks to be an all situation 2/3W. Ostlund though playing in a men's league could use some seasoning to get used to playing in North America

Savoie in Moose Jaw is all center. In Wenatchee he was on RW. I don’t know what the team sees longer term there - center or wing.

Kulich keeps getting rolled out at center in Rochester and I do not see that path at all.