Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Djp]

Did something or not, whatever he did, .......... he did NOT get the job done. Its a simple go/nogo test.

Do you have a good bottom six possession center on the team? No! So, the job did not get done.

you can’t force a free agent to sign. Thr UFA has offers from 5 teams snd he says give me the weekend to discuss with my spouse. You can’t control thst decision. It’s not about the money.

if you are going to grade people for that — just stop doing it Rntirely. Your analysis is biased.

whst was his name…the one 4C many wanted…he signed with another club for $2M for one year. I’m sure if you were GM you’d put $5M out there.

why are you still pushing this? Peterka has 8 points in 12 games and has our best underlying numbers as well lol.

im not pushing it…it’s a simple fact that will need to be planned on if Benson and Savoie are on this team the entire year. Thry can’t go to Rochester so others will need to if they go 24 msn operationally. when Levi starts (4 goalie roster) then Peterka or Krebs ( if eligible) will go in paper to Rochester.

 

[TehDoak]

I think it's fair to wait 20 games to do a full evaluation:

a few "early" thoughts

Feels like they spent a lot of time working on the PK, which is good.

Feels like that came at expense of working on the PP, which is bad.

Mittelstadt at continuing to put up ES points is good.

Goaltending is mostly a mixed bag, which is about what we expected. Comrie injury doesn't help.


Overall, I guess I'd check "meets expectations" so far, but my expectations were lower than most fans here.

 

[Gras]

I think it's fair to wait 20 games to do a full evaluation:

a few "early" thoughts

Feels like they spent a lot of time working on the PK, which is good.

Feels like that came at expense of working on the PP, which is bad.

Mittelstadt at continuing to put up ES points is good.

Goaltending is mostly a mixed bag, which is about what we expected. Comrie injury doesn't help.


Overall, I guess I'd check "meets expectations" so far, but my expectations were lower than most fans here.

The thing is PP1 really should have needed much work since they are running out the same 5 guys as last year.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

The PP expected goals/60 is middle of the road. They're about 3 goals below where they 'should' be. Most of that is Mitts and Bensen missing on some high quality chances.

 

[Bendium]

you can’t force a free agent to sign. Thr UFA has offers from 5 teams snd he says give me the weekend to discuss with my spouse. You can’t control thst decision. It’s not about the money.

if you are going to grade people for that — just stop doing it Rntirely. Your analysis is biased.

I don't understand the goal of your argument here. Your making up a hypothetical to what? Excuse KA failure to obtain a bottom six possession center?

He has had multiple offseasons to fill that gap via UFA, Trade, or development. None of those paths have yielded any fruit. AND....... that is assuming this regime has even identified it as a need. For al we know, they don't even have it on their radar, and never even tried at all. Now that really would be a failure.

No need to run thru hypothetical scenarios. We don't have one. We might not even be looking for one. KA didn't get one. I believe we really need one. Therefore, the fact, not hypothetical, IMO, is KA has failed to get it done.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

I don't understand the goal of your argument here. Your making up a hypothetical to what? Excuse KA failure to obtain a bottom six possession center?

He has had multiple offseasons to fill that gap via UFA, Trade, or development. None of those paths have yielded any fruit. AND....... that is assuming this regime has even identified it as a need. For al we know, they don't even have it on their radar, and never even tried at all. Now that really would be a failure.

No need to run thru hypothetical scenarios. We don't have one. We might not even be looking for one. KA didn't get one. I believe we really need one. Therefore, the fact, not hypothetical, IMO, is KA has failed to get it done.

Agreed ... they really thought Krebs was that guy I think. The reality is that he's not really an every day NHL'er at this point in time. Getting experienced NHL'ers should've been a priority, similar to getting a guy like Erik Johnson. They needed a proven 4C that can win draws and play strong in tight games. I'd really like to see that line completely revamped to add more speed and at least a little bit of truculence.

 

[OkimLom]

I think it's fair to wait 20 games to do a full evaluation:

a few "early" thoughts

Feels like they spent a lot of time working on the PK, which is good.

Feels like that came at expense of working on the PP, which is bad.

Mittelstadt at continuing to put up ES points is good.

Goaltending is mostly a mixed bag, which is about what we expected. Comrie injury doesn't help.


Overall, I guess I'd check "meets expectations" so far, but my expectations were lower than most fans here.

I'm one to want to look at 30 game mark to really get a sense of who they are. But just based on the games so far:

Right now, on an 82-point pace of a season, doesn't give a bunch of warm and fuzzies about them for me. Thankfully the rest of the league seems to be in a state of confusion as there isn't that much of a gap they need to make up, yet. They are still lead by Skinner and Thompson with scoring, but the rest of the offense seems to have fallen back to earth, and they are still lacking that underneath secondary scoring that produced a ton of goals last season that should be helping them in games.

PK at the top of structure and along the boards seems to be doing a better job. They still suck at defending behind the defenseman, and on top of the crease as they leave one or two guys alone for many continued opportunities. The goaltending is a little better, but I still don't trust it.

PP has been found out, and they don't have option #2 or #3 figured out. If they can't get that one-timer from Thompson, they have a tough time trying to find ways to move things around to get him open. Teams know what they want to do, and Buffalo, the way they play the PP, seems to not want to audible ever from that plan.

There's probably a single hand's worth of games that I thought Buffalo deserved to win based on THEIR play. But the name of the game is getting points, and get as many as you can.

 

[TehDoak]

PP has been found out, and they don't have option #2 or #3 figured out. If they can't get that one-timer from Thompson, they have a tough time trying to find ways to move things around to get him open. Teams know what they want to do, and Buffalo, the way they play the PP, seems to not want to audible ever from that plan.

Yeah I think that is fair to say.

Did we see VO and Thompson on the PP last year just to see how teams would react to two big shots on either side of the ice?

 

[Zman5778]

For al we know, they don't even have it on their radar, and never even tried at all. Now that really would be a failure.

Adams said himself in a presser after Day 1 (or Day 2) of Free Agency that he was in on a 3rd/4th line type who wound up signing elsewhere. There was some speculation that it was Acciari (signed a 3x$2M with a NTC in PIT) or Eller (signed a 2x$2.45M with PIT).

So there's some evidence that he did try to get a 4th line PKer/FO winner.

 

[Zman5778]

Yeah I think that is fair to say.

Did we see VO and Thompson on the PP last year just to see how teams would react to two big shots on either side of the ice?

We did at times. From what I recall, the PP became extraordinarily stagnant. If the cross-ice pass wasn't there on either side, we did nothing.

 

[Paxon]

I think it's fair to wait 20 games to do a full evaluation:

a few "early" thoughts

Feels like they spent a lot of time working on the PK, which is good.

Feels like that came at expense of working on the PP, which is bad.

Mittelstadt at continuing to put up ES points is good.

Goaltending is mostly a mixed bag, which is about what we expected. Comrie injury doesn't help.


Overall, I guess I'd check "meets expectations" so far, but my expectations were lower than most fans here.

I really doubt there has been much change to the practice focus on the PK and PP. I think they just came in to the season with a bit of a fresh approach and message regarding the PK along with some key additions + better goaltending. The PP struggling is a reflection of it just not heating up yet, while still exhibiting with the same issues they had last year whenever it was not going well.

 

[Mattilaus]

No need to run thru hypothetical scenarios. We don't have one. We might not even be looking for one.

I understand your point and even agree it is the end result that matters, but probably best not to critique someone else for using hypothetical and then immediately after, propose a hypothetical of your own. You have no way of knowing KA isn't or didn't look for the type of player you want.

 

[Chainshot]

I really doubt there has been much change to the practice focus on the PK and PP. I think they just came in to the season with a bit of a fresh approach and message regarding the PK along with some key additions + better goaltending. The PP struggling is a reflection of it just not heating up yet, while still exhibiting with the same issues they had last year whenever it was not going well.

Part of it seems to be (still) personnel related. Skinner is simply not a good PP player. He's a chaos agent at 5-on-5 but in set piece puck moving, he continues to struggle.

One thing that has gone away that was really, really delicious for them at the start of last year and in Tuch's first games with them was how he cut through the zone off-puck as a short rush option going to the net. The puck would cycle back to the left point area and he would too, then presenting a forehand option going back to the net as the puck moved back into the zone. That gives the point man on that side or Thompson on the half-wall a target, while introducing movement and decisions for the defenders that can lead to mismatches and mistakes on their part. That? It's gone. He stands around now, slightly off crease mostly, without moving to open space or cutting through coverage.

So we have Tuch stationary, Skinner having issues with moving the puck promptly or accurately, and that leaves Dahlin, Thompson and Cozens to play catch until one of them shoots the puck.

I was hoping for more bumper play since a couple teams do it so well (Boston and Tampa in particular) to create the little triangle 2-on-1's low near the net and we saw Benson creating out of that spot in preseason. But it just hasn't been there in the regular season and I don't think it will be with the five who are currently PP1. IMNSHO, swapping Skinner off PP1 for Mittelstadt might work to create better puck movement. Savoie or Benson might give them a better slot shot or shot/pass option as well, but that's putting a lot of pressure on a kid.

As for unit 2... move the puck to open man and don't dust things off for f***'s sake. People at this level don't just open up because a player is doing a stickhandling drill while standing still.

 

[Bendium]

I understand your point and even agree it is the end result that matters, but probably best not to critique someone else for using hypothetical and then immediately after, propose a hypothetical of your own. You have no way of knowing KA isn't or didn't look for the type of player you want.

Yeah....I think you know that's not what's really happening there. Good try at twisting it though. Its just the counterbalance to the thread I was responding to, and emphasizes the point that we don't know what they are trying to do.....but only the result matters here.

 

[Mattilaus]

Yeah....I think you know that's not what's really happening there. Good try at twisting it though. Its just the counterbalance to the thread I was responding to, and emphasizes the point that we don't know what they are trying to do.....but only the result matters here.

You can take it that way if you want. I was trying to draw light to the fact it is difficult to discuss the roster and potentials moves without using "what if" scenarios. The poster you replied too asked "what if nobody would sign here?" You called them out for using hypotheticals right before saying "what if KA isn't even trying?"

Then you said I am twisting things around, for what purpose exactly? How can anyone try to have a rational discussion with you when you set such rigid "rules" for the discussion that you yourself aren't beholden to? Then on top you get pissy at me for questioning it.

 

[Chainshot]

Agreed ... they really thought Krebs was that guy I think. The reality is that he's not really an every day NHL'er at this point in time. Getting experienced NHL'ers should've been a priority, similar to getting a guy like Erik Johnson. They needed a proven 4C that can win draws and play strong in tight games. I'd really like to see that line completely revamped to add more speed and at least a little bit of truculence.

If they are looking for a center who can win a majority of draws and provide quality shutdown minutes... go rent-to-own Elias Lindholm.

 

[Der Jaeger]

If they are looking for a center who can win a majority of draws and provide quality shutdown minutes... go rent-to-own Elias Lindholm.

I just arrived in Kuwait on the 2013 draft day when my heart was broken. Seeing the Canes drafted Lindholm and the Sabres got Ristolainen.

 

[Mattilaus]

I just arrived in Kuwait on the 2013 draft day when my heart was broken. Seeing the Canes drafted Lindholm and the Sabres got Ristolainen.

Ristolainen was 10 years ago?!?!?! I feel a sudden urge to get all my affairs in order.

 

[Irie]

I would.like to remind everyone that Krebs is still only 22 years old. People on these boards have been saying the same things about 21 to 23 year old players forever, claiming they are never going to arrived and then one day, sometimes at 24, 25 or 26 those same players suddenly get it and a switch flips and they become great NHL players.

Even at 24 or 25, a lot of these players are really still just kids. Look at Tampa's cup team rosters. Then look at what guys like Killorn, Gourde, Coleman, Goodrow, Palat were all doing at 22. Hell, look at what all those guys were doing at 24. The majority of them were still not good enough to play in the NHL yet.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I would.like to remind everyone that Krebs is still only 22 years old. People on these boards have been saying the same things about 21 to 23 year old players forever, claiming they are never going to arrived and then one day, sometimes at 24, 25 or 26 those same players suddenly get it and a switch flips and they become great NHL players.

Even at 24 or 25, a lot of these players are really still just kids. Look at Tampa's cup team rosters. Then look at what guys like Killorn, Gourde, Coleman, Goodrow, Palat were all doing at 22. Hell, look at what all those guys were doing at 24. The majority of them were still not good enough to play in the NHL yet.

Well I've been countering posts wanting to see Krebs up in the line-up or describing him as "offensively gifted". I don't see him as being an offensively gifted player that should be put into a scoring line role. That doesn't mean he won't "arrive" or never will. He has arrived, and he likely fits in anywhere in the league as a decent 4C...IF he cuts down on his bad habits. I don't see him driving play as a scoring C, or doing much at all as a scoring W. He needs a big boost in hockey IQ/decision making to go along with experience to reach that level.

There are misconceptions about his ceiling, or that he's being dragged down a la Mitts playing between Girgs/Okposo. In fact those guys have earned a total of five pts without Krebs even being on the ice to contribute in any way. Krebs has in fact dunked his own production by a lack of discipline and raw offensive talent. He's earned a single secondary assist so far on an EN goal...and it has nothing to do with what line or linemates he's playing on/with. To his credit, he's an even +/- despite not producing.

 

[toddkaz]

I would.like to remind everyone that Krebs is still only 22 years old. People on these boards have been saying the same things about 21 to 23 year old players forever, claiming they are never going to arrived and then one day, sometimes at 24, 25 or 26 those same players suddenly get it and a switch flips and they become great NHL players.

Even at 24 or 25, a lot of these players are really still just kids. Look at Tampa's cup team rosters. Then look at what guys like Killorn, Gourde, Coleman, Goodrow, Palat were all doing at 22. Hell, look at what all those guys were doing at 24. The majority of them were still not good enough to play in the NHL yet.

I don't disagree but you can't teach hockey IQ and his is pretty low.

 

[Ace]

Krebs is a terrible winger and there is no scoring line center spot available when everyone is healthy. His best chance is right now with Cozens out. But if he doesnt show out…it’s time to think about what the plan is long term. And if he does…it still doesn’t solve the 4th line and there isn’t a place for him as a top 3 C

 

[Beerz]

I would.like to remind everyone that Krebs is still only 22 years old. People on these boards have been saying the same things about 21 to 23 year old players forever, claiming they are never going to arrived and then one day, sometimes at 24, 25 or 26 those same players suddenly get it and a switch flips and they become great NHL players.

Even at 24 or 25, a lot of these players are really still just kids. Look at Tampa's cup team rosters. Then look at what guys like Killorn, Gourde, Coleman, Goodrow, Palat were all doing at 22. Hell, look at what all those guys were doing at 24. The majority of them were still not good enough to play in the NHL yet.

That's all fine and dandy but we can name an even longer list of players that never materialized. Having questions about his development should not be a point of contention. He is where he is and it shouldn't be a surprise that some may have the feeling that it's creeping closer to moving on.

And maybe he does find his game at 25 or 26 .. is it worth the 3 or 4 years waiting for that to happen?

 

[Der Jaeger]

Hypothetical: Edmonton decides to tear down. They ask for 5-6 firsts of equivalents for McDavid.

You in?

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Hypothetical: Edmonton decides to tear down. They ask for 5-6 firsts of equivalents for McDavid.

You in?

Depends on who they send the other way. You'd figure one of Cozens/ Mitts, a couple from the Peterka, Quinn, Benson, Savoie, Rosen, Kulich bunch and then a couple #1. It would drain the pipeline but definitely worth it. I draw the line at Power but the forward corps have at it