Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Mattilaus]

Has he proposed trading for Ryan Reeves?

You joke but I am pretty sure he did advocate for overpaying to bring in Reeves a couple weeks or months ago.

 

[OkimLom]

Can someone explain to me how getting a couple of Matt Martins or *insert minimally skilled plug who hits people* fixes the problem of the team being poorly coached and drilled and players having no idea what they are supposed to be doing and constantly being in the wrong position?

Just speaking from my POV.

There's more that's wrong with the team IMO, than just the coaching level and execution of playing hockey. There's a massive issue with the "DNA" of what is a Sabres player in terms of fight in their game. There are guys that have it (Benson, Greenway). But the team needs an injection of those sort of players, especially if it's not going to be a core attribute we are drafting towards.

 

[Fezzy126]

Then there is another aspect that seems to get left out, and that's the idea of pulling a team into the fight. Guys who hit often will engage the crowd at home. It can be infectious, drawing one's teammates into things. Competitive people get their blood up and it builds on itself. So for a team that struggles to have the fans engaged, in a town that absolutely adores the physical side of the game, to have the team essentially completely ignore the physical part of the sport is self-hobbling. They don't get the fans out of their seats on a big hit, they don't get the other team off their game looking for revenge, and they don't get their sleepy asses into the game right away. From a fan support standpoint, embrace the dumb. Embrace the barstool guy who is always complaining about some player not hitting or being tough or whatever by giving them some of those guys who are very much that to keep those folks engaged and entertained while the high-skill guys can go do their thing.

I can't like your post enough, but this point especially.

This team only really gets engaged when they're desperate (which isn't often), sometimes after they've been embarrassed, or when the other team tries to run them over (again, sometimes there's some pushback).

This isn't just a Sabres problem, it happens to skill players all around the league. Even the biggest stars in the league sleepwalk through entire games. Energy and high compete players often drag their teams into the fight when it's not naturally there at the start. PSA - these guys often suck at the skills portion of the game of hockey, but they bring an element to the team that aren't in the charts.

I'm going to be annoying repetitive while clamoring for Duhaime this entire offseason.

 

[Tijuana Donkey Show]

Tage Thompson post game "We just have to lock out all the outside noise"
wtf is he talking about, who is he blaming, and for what ?

Total guess work but im assuming instagram comments etc.

The booing after his terrible backchecking efforts might bruise his ego.

It is very odd. Anytime anybody whether it be it fans, reporters, or social media says "The Sabres aren't good enough at..." they team collectively responds with "Hey stop picking on me. Everything we are doing is good enough".

I don't think they are complacent as much as they are sheltered, stubborn, and to an extent entitled.

They legitimately believe that they are a good hockey team, all their prep is on point, they way they play and practice is the right way, effort is through the roof, and their skills are where they need to be. They also seem to think anybody who slightly contradicts this is a the enemy.

Just my $0.02 as somebody who has done some work with the USOC. When I have taken over programs and run into this stuff it generally comes from long term inadequate coaching built around the personality of one coach rather than the success of the athlete, the structure of hte sport, and the work it takes to get there. This can be really hard to overcome for their replacement.

 

[Chainshot]

I can't like your post enough, but this point especially.

This team only really gets engaged when they're desperate (which isn't often), sometimes after they've been embarrassed, or when the other team tries to run them over (again, sometimes there's some pushback).

This isn't just a Sabres problem, it happens to skill players all around the league. Even the biggest stars in the league sleepwalk through entire games. Energy and high compete players often drag their teams into the fight when it's not naturally there at the start. PSA - these guys often suck at the skills portion of the game of hockey, but they bring an element to the team that aren't in the charts.

I'm going to be annoying repetitive while clamoring for Duhaime this entire offseason.

Duhaime, Carrier, Joshua, Trenin... there are some good candidates out there to help. I feel they need two and would prefer 1 UFA and 1 in trade or reclamation type instead of paying a premium. But that means trusting the pro scouting and that's... I just can't.

I wonder at a guy like Ryan Hartman in the 3C sort of role, even if I don't think he's that much of a center too. If they are going to have smallish wingers mixed into the bottom 6, they have to be high motor guys who will play through or into contact. No more Olofssons. No more Bjorks. I would prefer not more Hinostroza's either - great wheels but shy is just no longer acceptable.

Granted, I would expect based on history that any of the guys I have on my "no" list are exactly who they seek out. So... *sigh*

 

[Chainshot]

It is very odd. Anytime anybody whether it be it fans, reporters, or social media says "The Sabres aren't good enough at..." they team collectively responds with "Hey stop picking on me. Everything we are doing is good enough".

I don't think they are complacent as much as they are sheltered, stubborn, and to an extent entitled.

They legitimately believe that they are a good hockey team, all their prep is on point, they way they play and practice is the right way, effort is through the roof, and their skills are where they need to be. They also seem to think anybody who slightly contradicts this is a the enemy.

Just my $0.02 as somebody who has done some work with the USOC. When I have taken over for This stuff generally comes from long term inadequate coaching built around the personality of one coach. This can be really hard to overcome for their replacement.

They need more players in the 27-29 range who approach the game like pros. Youth can not be served to get through this, they need accountable, motivated individuals.

And for the love of all things hockey, they are past due on needing a new head coach.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I think there's a couple prevailing philosophies regarding roster construction for the current Sabres.

Reinforcements
Major roster change

I'm primarily for the latter, which is why I'm advocating for the Tkachuk trade. As @OkimLom pointed out, there's not enough fight in the team DNA. The price is steep, but you insert someone like Tkachuk into this roster, and you've significantly altered the team.

Take the trade I proposed and look at the NHL roster afterwards, just prior to free agency:

Tkachuk - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Benson
Skinner - Krebs - Greenway
Girgensons (re-signs) - xxx - xxx

Power - Dahlin
Byrum - Samuelsson
Johnson - Clifton

But I'm also for the former, as @Chainshot pointed out. Take the remaining two spots and go get some sandpaper. Sign one of Carrier, Joshua, Trenin, or Duhaime. Go with Carrier since almost all of us are familiar with his game. Make a trade with San Jose for Nico Sturm. Now re-look the forwards

Tkachuk - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Benson
Skinner - Krebs - Greenway
Girgensons - Sturm - Carrier

That's a big difference.

 

[Chainshot]

I think there's a couple prevailing philosophies regarding roster construction for the current Sabres.

Reinforcements
Major roster change

I'm primarily for the latter, which is why I'm advocating for the Tkachuk trade. As @OkimLom pointed out, there's not enough fight in the team DNA. The price is steep, but you insert someone like Tkachuk into this roster, and you've significantly altered the team.

Take the trade I proposed and look at the NHL roster afterwards, just prior to free agency:

Tkachuk - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Benson
Skinner - Krebs - Greenway
Girgensons (re-signs) - xxx - xxx

Power - Dahlin
Byrum - Samuelsson
Johnson - Clifton

But I'm also for the former, as @Chainshot pointed out. Take the remaining two spots and go get some sandpaper. Sign one of Carrier, Joshua, Trenin, or Duhaime. Go with Carrier since almost all of us are familiar with his game. Make a trade with San Jose for Nico Sturm. Now re-look the forwards

Tkachuk - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Benson
Skinner - Krebs - Greenway
Girgensons - Sturm - Carrier

That's a big difference.

I would point out that Sturm is not at all a sandpaper guy. Good defensively? Sure. But he's not at all sandy.

 

[Tatanka]

I would point out that Sturm is not at all a sandpaper guy. Good defensively? Sure. But he's not at all sandy.

I would like to inquire about Sam Bennet. Fla needs to jump through some hoops and may need the space and are low on picks. On a decent deal for a year and should be motivated for a last contract.

 

[sabremike]

Hockey isn't football -- the coach isn't giving them routes to run. They're supposed to know the basic shit that you're describing. A lot of it is on the dumbass players who were all so skilled coming up that their coaches probably let them do whatever.

The coach sucks and needs to go, but the way these guys are in the wrong position so much goes well beyond bad coaching.

I have a very hard time believing an entire roster's worth of guys were able to make it to this level without skills a high school player is expected to have. If an entire roster looks like they have no idea what they are doing it points the finger in one direction.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I would point out that Sturm is not at all a sandpaper guy. Good defensively? Sure. But he's not at all sandy.

Sure, that's true. I was going for a defensive and grit line, and Sturm was more on the defensive side. I think that type of line works.

There's another variation of that forward group where Savoie makes an impact early on, similar to Point's first NHL season, and he's in the center discussion.

If I had everything, though, which includes the Tkachuk trade, Savoie doing well, and some free agent signings, it'd look more like this:

Tkachuk - Thompson - Benson
Quinn - Krebs - Tuch
Greenway - Savoie - Cozens
Skinner - Sturm - Girgensons or Carrier

 

[TommyDangles]

Trading for Tkachuk would be Evander Kane 2.0

Way overrated by some people reading these comments. Guy is horrible defensively. Throws tantrums & takes dumb penalties.

Some people want a shiny new toy though

 

[dickiedunnwrotethis]

Sure, that's true. I was going for a defensive and grit line, and Sturm was more on the defensive side. I think that type of line works.

There's another variation of that forward group where Savoie makes an impact early on, similar to Point's first NHL season, and he's in the center discussion.

If I had everything, though, which includes the Tkachuk trade, Savoie doing well, and some free agent signings, it'd look more like this:

Tkachuk - Thompson - Benson
Quinn - Krebs - Tuch
Greenway - Savoie - Cozens
Skinner - Sturm - Girgensons or Carrier

Tkachuk addition would be a dream. Krebs/Savoie middle six would be the nightmare.

Totally agree that the Sabres need some sandpaper guys (see Chainshot's list)). Also agree that we need at least one solid defensive add (like Sturm). A dirtbag/sandpaper blend would be nice as well and that's why Tatanka's Bennett idea is intriguing.

Not the worst summer:

Peterka - Thompson - Tuch
Benson - Cozens - Quinn
Joshua - Bennett* - Greenway/prospect
Skinner** - Sturm - Greenway/prospect

*A Bennett trade would probably be almost as unlikely as a Tkachuk trade, but maybe with cap pressures and having Lundell there's a deal to be made.

**It would great to have Skinner and his salary gone, but I just don't see it as likely. Along with the aforementioned need to bolster team grit and defensive ability, there's a dearth of high-end IQ forwards. Ideally I'd love to replace Skinner with a toolbox kind of player to match with all the toolsy forwards, but it is what it is. Gotta rely on Benson (and Ostlund coming up).

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

They need to stop focusing on what to say to the media or addressing opinions that they obviously disregard and focus on action we don't need our guys to be good in interviews we need them to to be good on the ice and stop having everyone in the orginaztion care about media or having a feel good response or pretty words to put us at ease it's at the point where we don't care if you are trying just do. Good locker room vibes was last years storyline, what's this year's? I know they had reasons for a less than optimal year with Quinn and tage's injury but no excuses they all need to go into the off-season agitated not disappointed. This group of players live and die by granato apparently so why didn't they play like it they need to be dissatisfied with the results, which I am sure they are probably taking it the worst, and the effort they put in if they gave their best every night they need to realize their best wasn't good enough and need to be better. I don't mean just skating hard or battle tirelessly on the boards, we need that too, but rather dialed in before puck drop. Do we have a sports psychiatrist? If not we should get one so these guys get help for staying focused and help sharpen mentality come game time. One thing I noticed is that a lot of guys at times seem to be in their head and doing to much thinking we need to play instinctively while aware to much puck watching on defense so many times you'll see 3-4 guys just focused on the puck carrier anticipating his moves meanwhile someone is sliding right into the slot. They need to trust eachother on defense and trust that their guy has their guy and stay in position we get chaotic and end up collapsing. /End rant

I tend to believe that those injuries actually exposed how deficient the coaching is.

This is real old school so I apologize to you guys but I remember when OJ got hurt or wanted out and Lou Sabin rebuilt the offensive around Jim Braxton. He at least had a plan B.

Of course Wilson (or Harvey Johnson) sweet talked OJ back into the fold and he resigned.

And Sabin's plan B was shit canned and the Bills took another tumble that season.

 

[zenthusiast]

Looks like it’s the perfect time to help Salt Lake acquire a proven star NHL goal scorer

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Here are the several roster factors that will lead to another crap season -

Skinner will not be bought out, and in fairness it's not a cap savvy move, which means he either holds back the first line or makes for another irresponsible 3rd line (more on this later).

Thompson and Cozens make for a really young/dumb top two Cs, they need tougher/more veteran/more defensive wingers...not Peterka or even Benson. Greenway should probably be a top-six winger, but will he?

Krebs as 3C is just asking for it. He and Skinner on the 3rd line will make nightmares for the other winger (definitely should NOT be a young guy like Benson or Savoie/Kulich). Greenway there is good but weakens the top-six. It makes for yet another season with a "3rd" line getting minimal minutes, or caved in.

A new prototypical 4C that we all like would be great, but with Girgensons and another prospect or Robinson type, it won't move the needle enough toward a mean and tough team to play against. One or two guys like KA mentioned won't make enough difference.

If any significant change happens with the D-corps, it will be replacing Jokiharju and it's not likely to be a top-notch vet brick wall. It will be a cheaper guy because KA is convinced Byram rounds out the top-4...which is just plain wrong. Byram is fine as one of maybe two poor defensive puck moving LHDs, not one of three while there isn't anyone else very good in their own zone, aside from Samuelsson most nights.

Goalie looks like KA can't screw up, but he probably will keep Levi up and reduce his play/practice time, or go the other way and trade UPL for a cheap back-up and throw Levi to the wolves.

I believe most of these issues will not be handled properly, and above all else Granato will still be the HC so what's it matter anyway?

 

[DapperCam]

I imagine some players might not want to move to Utah. Some interesting players could shake loose there.

 

[SundherDome]

I imagine some players might not want to move to Utah. Some interesting players could shake loose there.

SLC is beautiful, the religious aspects are rampant

 

[Zman5778]

I imagine some players might not want to move to Utah. Some interesting players could shake loose there.

SLC is VERY, VERY different from the rest of Utah. I don't think it'll be an issue at all.

 

[Irie]

Just speaking from my POV.

There's more that's wrong with the team IMO, than just the coaching level and execution of playing hockey. There's a massive issue with the "DNA" of what is a Sabres player in terms of fight in their game. There are guys that have it (Benson, Greenway). But the team needs an injection of those sort of players, especially if it's not going to be a core attribute we are drafting towards.

To succeed in the playoffs, I agree.

But to just make the playoffs, I really disagree.

This team, as it is built, makes the playoffs with a competent coach. Granato pushes to have five individuals playing hard, trying to win every shift. They really need a coach that teaches them to be five players working as a team every shift. Play smarter. 82 games is too long of a season to maintain the strategy "just out-compete your opponent".

If this roster learns to play better team hockey, they will win a lot more than they lose.

 

[BB79]

At least get a picture of O'Reilly with the cup...

Challenge accepted...and I'll raise him a Conn Smythe

 

[ValJamesDuex]

SLC is VERY, VERY different from the rest of Utah. I don't think it'll be an issue at all.

you still have to go to a private club to drink alcohol right ?

 

[Jim Bob]

Looks like it’s the perfect time to help Salt Lake acquire a proven star NHL goal scorer

If they are mad about having to move from Phoenix to SLC, I am sure they would be thrilled with a trade to Buffalo.

 

[truthbluth]

you still have to go to a private club to drink alcohol right ?

No, not at all. Liquor laws in SLC are almost indistinguishable from the rest of the country. Almost.

 

[Jim Bob]

No, not at all. Liquor laws in SLC are almost indistinguishable from the rest of the country. Almost.

Maybe it's just me, but that might actually be a good way to winnow out players that care more about partying than hockey if it were a big issue for guys.