Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Chainshot]

I'd keep JJP with Tage and Tuch

Watching what Peterka's speed provides for Thompson should at least keep that in mind. There is no reason to necessarily return to Peterka-Cozens-Quinn when it seems Quinn can do things wherever he lands and Peterka is helping to open up ice for Tage and Tuch that the slow skating Skinner was not able to do for months now.

 

[Chainshot]

Doesn't look like they've altered anything in the lines either:

 

[Tatanka]

Not meant to single you out as it's quite prevelant in general but I don't get the Krebs hate. Sure he hasn't produced but the majority of his time in Buffalo has been spent playing with trash linemates in a checking role and to that end he's actually developed quite a bit in the areas that make him a useful bottom 6 guy and I think he's got potential for more. Waiving him just to put Rousek in the lineup seems foolish. I'm all for getting useful vets though. Let's get a couple of them and see if that helps unlock Krebs rather than jettisoning a guy just for the sake of change.

When given the opportunity to play with better players he has shown nothing to indicate that he is anything other than a bottom usable 6 player. The trash line mates thing is also quite prevalent and probably more overblown. If the team is serious they will make a serious attempt to upgrade the 3c and 4th line entirely.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I just don’t think he has a role, and I’m out of patience. If his role is checking line center, I think we could bring in a much more effective veteran that isn’t learning on the job for not much money. If we want to bump him over to wing and send down Rousek instead, that’s fine with me as long as Krebs is dedicated to playing a simple game without bad turnovers which he still commits.

He still has development to go...but the runway is running out.

I think think this is the last offseason where he has any trade value at all...assuming he doesn't breat out next year, which isn't impossible. But his value probably isn't much at the moment. The fact that he's a center is the only reason it's greater than nothing.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Doesn't look like they've altered anything in the lines either:

I'd really like these lines if VO and Rousek weren't in there wasting space. Greenway bumping Rousek down would take care of half of the problem...

 

[TehDoak]

I don’t get why you’d have to move him just for picks though and not an NHL forward?

Picks is easier mostly. I think the plan would be then to flip futures for a forward.

 

[Chainshot]

I'd really like these lines if VO and Rousek weren't in there wasting space. Greenway bumping Rousek down would take care of half of the problem...

Vic's that guy for me right now. I know Rousek will work to get the puck back and use his speed to get in on people. In a disruption line like what Gus' trio seem to be, that's good. And that would also mean Skinner and Krebs would have a guy who can both win board battles for them to scoot in to pick up the puck and someone who is diligent defensively.

 

[toddkaz]

IF and thats a big IF Adams trades a prospect for immediate top 6 help I think Savoie is the one that gets traded.

The vibes Kevyn has given off is he is willing to move prospects to bring in help. Savoie could be the most coveted that also might be available.

Rosen and Ostlund wont get it done. Kulich is probably close to untouchable so that leaves Savoie as the prospect traded imo.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Vic's that guy for me right now. I know Rousek will work to get the puck back and use his speed to get in on people. In a disruption line like what Gus' trio seem to be, that's good. And that would also mean Skinner and Krebs would have a guy who can both win board battles for them to scoot in to pick up the puck and someone who is diligent defensively.

Rousek just seems like a Robinson with even less offensive ability, and less toughness, and that line needs one of those qualities badly in the third guy. But I don't watch the Amerks these days so maybe that'll come. I like all three of them individually, but together they don't do it for me to make a good 4th line.

 

[Chainshot]

Rousek just seems like a Robinson with even less offensive ability, and less toughness, and that line needs one of those qualities badly in the third guy. But I don't watch the Amerks these days so maybe that'll come. I like all three of them individually, but together they don't do it for me to make a good 4th line.

Fair enough. If I had my druthers, they would go out to find a couple folks for that bottom 6 who have more contact in their game (I know, I know... no one is surprised by me repeating that point for the billionth time). I wish Vic wasn't so inconsistent with battling for pucks. When he had the injury two years ago that took his shot away, he'd work on the cycle and win pucks, generally get in the way, etc... but when he's shooting, it all just becomes about sagging into soft areas away from anyone to try ripping shots. And it's so incomplete a game for what those minutes are meant for.

I've felt Rousek has been better when in the lineup on this recall than he was earlier in the year. I wouldn't mind seeing him get some PK time to see how he does in a pressure role on that unit because having guys who are low use or low utility on special teams AND who are low utility at 5-on-5 are why having lines that are 2/3rds Jost and Olofsson are just a net negative every year. If Rousek can work into that PK role and use his speed as a pressure F1, I'm good with it. Same with Robinson honestly - use the speed, make contact, simply chip and chase game with support is a way to saw off minutes where the grind is on the other team's defense and can roll into the next line up for Buffalo.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Fair enough. If I had my druthers, they would go out to find a couple folks for that bottom 6 who have more contact in their game (I know, I know... no one is surprised by me repeating that point for the billionth time). I wish Vic wasn't so inconsistent with battling for pucks. When he had the injury two years ago that took his shot away, he'd work on the cycle and win pucks, generally get in the way, etc... but when he's shooting, it all just becomes about sagging into soft areas away from anyone to try ripping shots. And it's so incomplete a game for what those minutes are meant for.

I've felt Rousek has been better when in the lineup on this recall than he was earlier in the year. I wouldn't mind seeing him get some PK time to see how he does in a pressure role on that unit because having guys who are low use or low utility on special teams AND who are low utility at 5-on-5 are why having lines that are 2/3rds Jost and Olofsson are just a net negative every year. If Rousek can work into that PK role and use his speed as a pressure F1, I'm good with it. Same with Robinson honestly - use the speed, make contact, simply chip and chase game with support is a way to saw off minutes where the grind is on the other team's defense and can roll into the next line up for Buffalo.

I try to focus on Rousek during this recall...the usage is a bit weird, it seems like they're trying to use him as the defensive consciousness on a scoring line, instead of putting him on the 4th line to give that whole line a more defined role? Are you basically just saying they should just give each line more defined roles instead of trying to mix them up like that, with that 4th line (ER - ZG - LR) carrying PK1 duties? That certainly makes sense. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your point though.

The only point I was making is that Erob - Girgs - Rousek isn't the 4th line I want going into next season, and it seems like you might agree there.

But I do agree that it would make more sense to do to finish out the season, to give Rousek more of a taste (+ experience) for what he'll be asked to do next season. Which is more of a pressure + PK role.

 

[Chainshot]

I try to focus on Rousek during this recall...the usage is a bit weird, it seems like they're trying to use him as the defensive consciousness on a scoring line, instead of putting him on the 4th line to give that whole line a more defined role? Are you basically just saying they should just give each line more defined roles instead of trying to mix them up like that, with that 4th line (ER - ZG - LR) carrying PK1 duties? That certainly makes sense. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your point though.

Yeah, I would like a bit more defined sets of roles and responsibilities for the bottom six. I am not a fan of the concept that they can somehow roll four scoring lines out there every night.

The only point I was making is that Erob - Girgs - Rousek isn't the 4th line I want going into next season, and it seems like you might agree there.

Yeah, I am not sold on that necessarily going into next year. I am fixated on William Carrier and Dakota Joshua and even Tyler Motte trying to find better utility in those lineup spots.

But I do agree that it would make more sense to do to finish out the season, to give Rousek more of a taste (+ experience) for what he'll be asked to do next season. Which is more of a pressure + PK role.

Yeah, let’s see if he can do that now instead of trying to find out next fall while waiting to fill that over the summer.

 

[is the answer jesus]

I just don’t think he has a role, and I’m out of patience. If his role is checking line center, I think we could bring in a much more effective veteran that isn’t learning on the job for not much money. If we want to bump him over to wing and send down Rousek instead, that’s fine with me as long as Krebs is dedicated to playing a simple game without bad turnovers which he still commits.

I get it, I would have thought he'd be further along at this point myself. I think the problem has been as you said he's had to learn on the job. He should have been down in Rochester playing big minutes with a more significant role while also learning how to be a better two way guy. If we can find a more established center that pushes Krebs to the wing that's fine by me. The turnovers are certainly the worst part of his game at this point.

When your "trash" teammates are better than you... it might indicate he is trash as well

The same thing could be said for multiple guys that are/were on this roster in their early 20's. Casey Mittelstadt was a bust. Thompson sucked and half the board would have moved him for a mid-round pick before he broke out. The deck has been stacked against Krebs for nearly his entire time on this team, the legitimate opportunities he's been given have been few and far between. Sure he hasn't seized the limited opportunities he's been given, but make no mistake they've been extremely limited.
I really have no idea what metrics you've used to determine his linemates are "better" than him. Is Okposo better offensively? Sure, but he's also being fed PP time and has been in the league for 15 years. Is Girgensons a better two way player at 30 years old than Krebs? Absolutely and I would expect most guys who've been in the league for over a decade to be more polished than a 23 year old.

When given the opportunity to play with better players he has shown nothing to indicate that he is anything other than a bottom usable 6 player. The trash line mates thing is also quite prevalent and probably more overblown. If the team is serious they will make a serious attempt to upgrade the 3c and 4th line entirely.

No the trash linemates thing is absolutely not overblown. Krebs has been given next to nothing to work with thats really not debatable. That said an argument can certainly be made that Krebs hasn't earned a larger role with better linemates given how he's played at times here. As Dapper pointed out the turnovers have been a big problem and he's got to get better in that area, but he's grown as a player.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Beerz]

The same thing could be said for multiple guys that are/were on this roster in their early 20's. Casey Mittelstadt was a bust. Thompson sucked and half the board would have moved him for a mid-round pick before he broke out. The deck has been stacked against Krebs for nearly his entire time on this team, the legitimate opportunities he's been given have been few and far between. Sure he hasn't seized the limited opportunities he's been given, but make no mistake they've been extremely limited.
I really have no idea what metrics you've used to determine his linemates are "better" than him. Is Okposo better offensively? Sure, but he's also being fed PP time and has been in the league for 15 years. Is Girgensons a better two way player at 30 years old than Krebs? Absolutely and I would expect most guys who've been in the league for over a decade to be more polished than a 23 year old.

Mitts showed promise thruout his development..I never had any doubt he would become a good player. Thompson sure..he came out of nowhere for me anyways. But Krebs hasn't really shown anything for me ... the problem isn't the teammates he has been given because he has done nothing to indicate he deserves better linemates. The problem is he should of been in Rochester for the past 2 years.

 

[is the answer jesus]

Mitts showed promise thruout his development..I never had any doubt he would become a good player. Thompson sure..he came out of nowhere for me anyways. But Krebs hasn't really shown anything for me ... the problem isn't the teammates he has been given because he has done nothing to indicate he deserves better linemates. The problem is he should of been in Rochester for the past 2 years.

I guess we just see the same player completely differently. I see plenty of glimpses of a good player. He generally plays with a good motor, forechecks well and can create for his linemates. He can also be a bit of a shit stirrer that can draw penalties. His shortcomings are that he tries to do too much which makes him prone to giveaways, he isn't a huge play driver and that his ability as finisher is below average. The strength of his game as a playmaker is muted by his poor linemates. So I think it's fair to say he hasn't really produced the way many of us hoped he would; While also admitting that using him in a checking role with teammates that can't finish is going to stifle any chance he has of breaking out offensively.
There have been moments where Krebs has shown promise if you're willing to look. His Corsi #'s have been pretty good in general. Against the Ducks a month or so ago the Krebs, Benson, and Peterka line completely tilted the ice in favor of the Sabres. In a lost season we should be really trying to see if we have anything in Krebs. Instead we have him playing on a line with Rousek and an ice cold Jeff Skinner.

 

[Tatanka]

I get it, I would have thought he'd be further along at this point myself. I think the problem has been as you said he's had to learn on the job. He should have been down in Rochester playing big minutes with a more significant role while also learning how to be a better two way guy. If we can find a more established center that pushes Krebs to the wing that's fine by me. The turnovers are certainly the worst part of his game at this point.

The same thing could be said for multiple guys that are/were on this roster in their early 20's. Casey Mittelstadt was a bust. Thompson sucked and half the board would have moved him for a mid-round pick before he broke out. The deck has been stacked against Krebs for nearly his entire time on this team, the legitimate opportunities he's been given have been few and far between. Sure he hasn't seized the limited opportunities he's been given, but make no mistake they've been extremely limited.
I really have no idea what metrics you've used to determine his linemates are "better" than him. Is Okposo better offensively? Sure, but he's also being fed PP time and has been in the league for 15 years. Is Girgensons a better two way player at 30 years old than Krebs? Absolutely and I would expect most guys who've been in the league for over a decade to be more polished than a 23 year old.

No the trash linemates thing is absolutely not overblown. Krebs has been given next to nothing to work with thats really not debatable. That said an argument can certainly be made that Krebs hasn't earned a larger role with better linemates given how he's played at times here. As Dapper pointed out the turnovers have been a big problem and he's got to get better in that area, but he's grown as a player.

Turnovers. Yep. More so it is an issue of plays dying on his stick. He is a high energy low iq player. Fix the latter. Move him.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I’m actually looking forward to our middle six next season. If everybody stays healthy (knock on wood) we have some good chemistry there. I would buy out Skinner and waive Krebs. I don’t think Kulich makes the jump out of camp. Maybe he gets promoted during the season.

??? - Thompson - Tuch
JJP - Cozens -Quinn
Benson - ??? - Savoie
Greenway - ??? - Rousek

??? needs to be an experienced vet that isn’t on the roster right now. Not sure about cap implications.

I can't understand why people want to waive Krebs, he's a fine 4C. Playing him as your 3C is going to lead to problems.

 

[Tatanka]

I can't understand why people want to waive Krebs, he's a fine 4C. Playing him as your 3C is going to lead to problems.

You can trade him. No reason not to get something back. Let someone else gamble on the 3C thing. Someone will.

 

[blackrock]

The Sabres just need to stage an intervention with Krebs. They all gather in the locker room, and the coach says:

"Peyton, we all love you and we all gathered here today to talk about a problem. We all know that you believe you have a great backhand pass. But you don't, Peyton. You have a bad backhand pass."

Then each player will stand up and tell a story about how Krebs' backhand passes hurt them. A blown scoring opportunity. A two-on-one the other way. Every Sabres player will have one of these stories.

Then they cry it out and Krebs can be a solid third-line center.

 

[Butt Ox]

Krebs should change his number. 19 isn't doing him any favors.

 

[Tatanka]

The Sabres just need to stage an intervention with Krebs. They all gather in the locker room, and the coach says:

"Peyton, we all love you and we all gathered here today to talk about a problem. We all know that you believe you have a great backhand pass. But you don't, Peyton. You have a bad backhand pass."

Then each player will stand up and tell a story about how Krebs' backhand passes hurt them. A blown scoring opportunity. A two-on-one the other way. Every Sabres player will have one of these stories.

Then they cry it out and Krebs can be a solid third-line center.

That may get him to serviceable 4C. We need a vet that can be relied upon in key situations. He is not that. I would rather we get a vet that can serve in that role.

 

[DapperCam]

I can't understand why people want to waive Krebs, he's a fine 4C. Playing him as your 3C is going to lead to problems.

For me, the benefit of waiving him is I don't think he'd get claimed, and then he can try to prove he deserves a call up in Rochester. Maybe spending a year down there will make something click for him. How much is his trade value anyway? A 4th round pick?

 

[Snippit]

What do we need to add to move Skinner @4.5M for 3 years?

 

[Beerz]

What do we need to add to move Skinner @4.5M for 3 years?

Not a thing... he'd get picked up for that easily. The problem is his NMC