Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Zman5778]

He is still on the team though and he shouldn't be.

Adams should have improved the defense enough over the off season that he is not even on this team anymore. Adams failed to do that.

You're calling for change for the sake of change at this point. Most NHL clubs' 7th and 8th Dmen are Bryson/Stillman caliber.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

He is still on the team though and he shouldn't be.

Adams should have improved the defense enough over the off season that he is not even on this team anymore. Adams failed to do that.

You nailed it. He is the 7th D man. Anybody who thinks you don't go 7 or even 8 deep into D over an 82-game season has never really watched or paid attention to hockey. Happy to bet right now that Bryson sees a game before October is even up.

The logic behind all this? I cannot explain it at all. I do know, we had a whole off-season to add someone on a one-year deal or trade prospects for someone on a mid-level salary with a few years of term. Clifton is a third pair guy and Erik Johnson too. Bryson and Stillman will be on the third pair together before the season is out.

Everybody loved Ryan Johnson's preseason but it's disservice to him to count on him for NHL time in 2023-24

We're still replacing the likes of Fitzpatrick, Pilut, and Clague, for Clifton, E Johnson, and Ryan Johnson. If Bryson stinks just the same, it's still a collective improvement. It's not the improvement I hoped for, but it's still better.

The bar is so low these days.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

You're calling for change for the sake of change at this point. Most NHL clubs' 7th and 8th Dmen are Bryson/Stillman caliber.

It's not for the sake of change. It's to compete. We had a great cap situation last year and decent this year and we refuse to leverage that other than excuse we need money for 2024-25. It's 2023-34. You don't see the Leafs saying no Domi or Bertuzzi in 2023-24. We might lose them in 2024-25. I don't get this team

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Explain how pencilling in Bryson for #7 and maybe 50 games makes sense when he could have been stashed in minors and we might actually have a slightly better D than adding a 35-year-old well past his prime and a Bruins castoff who was benched in the playoffs. Neither guy is s top 4 and frankly we will be looking at some bad third pairings again, just like last year

While I agree with your thinking in theory, there’s only so much the team can do.

I’d love it if the team acquired Pesce, Peeke, Carlo and signed Huard, the other team needs to agree to a trade (or sign a contract in Huard’s case)

 

[Tijuana Donkey Show]

People losing their minds over Stillman or Bryson?

It’s not Stillman/Bryson. I think it’s the low hanging fruit to complain about based in fear that we didn’t go get anybody to shore up the blue line, didn’t get a goalie, and didn’t replace any assistant coaches.
This roster has a heavy weight of expectation. There’s a lot of fear we got our hopes up last year only to add a 13th year to the drought.

 

[Tijuana Donkey Show]

It also shows Pegula has given him leeway to run his team.

I thought that at the end of last year. But we are still near the bottom of the league in spending, we brought in no help on defense or in net. We’re talking about 2-3 players tops. That’s it.

I think the general consensus around the league is that this team is close but needs a little help at 2 or 3 roster spots.

There’s some frustration because it seems like we’re straddling between a 13th year and being ready to compete.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

The bar is so low these days.

Who's bar? I already said back when Clifton signed that I hoped for more...a legit top 4 guy. They didn't reach my bar.

Nonetheless, the Dcorps has improved overall. There still needs to be a team wide commitment to defensive play to make a significant difference. The personnel is better though.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

I thought that at the end of last year. But we are still near the bottom of the league in spending, we brought in no help on defense or in net. We’re talking about 2-3 players tops. That’s it.

I think the general consensus around the league is that this team is close but needs a little help at 2 or 3 roster spots.

There’s some frustration because it seems like we’re straddling between a 13th year and being ready to compete.

It certainly should raise alarm bells. I mean, 31st in the league in payroll and about $9 M to $10 M in possible cap room could be created—nothing to see here at all. I believe in GMKA to a degree bit anyone who tells me a good GM cannot utilize that cap room. I mean c'mon. I have zero idea whether Terry saying no but facts are we are not anywhere near cap.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

While I agree with your thinking in theory, there’s only so much the team can do.

I’d love it if the team acquired Pesce, Peeke, Carlo and signed Huard, the other team needs to agree to a trade (or sign a contract in Huard’s case)

I just don't buy this excuse that Buffalo can't make moves. It's crazy. Winnipeg can make moves. Columbus. Other teams in not-exactly-sexy cities can make trades and sign guys. When did Detroit become the greatest city on earth? Ottawa? Sure

 

[toddkaz]

You're calling for change for the sake of change at this point. Most NHL clubs' 7th and 8th Dmen are Bryson/Stillman caliber.

No, that is not what I said at all. Not sure where you got that from. I said the team should have improved the defense to the point where Bryson is not on the team meaning the talent exceeded his level.

Nowhere did I say lets make a change just for change.

Bryson last year was hot garbage and he shouldn't see NHL ice again.

 

[Zman5778]

No, that is not what I said at all. Not sure where you got that from. I said the team should have improved the defense to the point where Bryson is not on the team meaning the talent exceeded his level.

Nowhere did I say lets make a change just for change.

Bryson last year was hot garbage and he shouldn't see NHL ice again.

And you're missing my point. Bryson is a perfectly averagely-talented 7/8 Dman in the NHL. He's a known quantity to the coaching staff -- and if he's a perfectly average 7/8 guy, why change? (same argument here for Stillman too)

You're also forgetting that he wasn't hot garbage in 20/21 and 21/22, so there is a chance that last year is an off year.

 

[Chainshot]

And not for nothing but if Bryson does draw in and struggles in the first 30 days after Stillman clears, they can always waive him down to Rochester and recall Stillman without incident.

 

[alehman42]

Ahhh, the dawn of a new season: every team is tied, hope springs eternal, and there's a whole new crop of overly-pessimistic posters for my ignore list

In all honesty, it would take a *lot* of things going wrong for the Sabres to miss the playoffs this season. Last season they only missed by one point, despite:
1) Anderson being load-limited, and Comrie being hurt in early Nov and never really being the same.
2) The defense corps being *wracked* with injuries; other than Power, literally everyone missed time. There were games when they were only dressing 1-2 NHL defensemen (the game in Denver stands out in particular). Ironically/unfortunately, they did have solid forward depth...so of course all the injuries were on D.
3) Related to #2, two of their healthy(est) defensemen - Jokiharju & Bryson - took huge steps backward in performance.

But for this year:
1) They haven't lost much. Anderson retired, but beyond that: Lyubushkin, and...Hinostroza?
2) Most of the roster is of the age where they should improve. And only two are of the age where regression is a concern (Okposo and E Johnson), and from what I've seen of preseason I'm not sure either is expected to be much more than a load-limited 4th line/3rd pairing guy with leadership.
3) They shored up the depth on D with Clifton, Johnson, and Johnson (minus Lyubushkin), and at least according to Granato, Bryson's been rejuvenated. Even if he's wrong, they have Stillman and R Johnson who can come up.
4) Levi.

(Funny story: one of my best friends is an NYC native and a lifelong (casual) Rangers fan...but he's also gay and a *huge* Star Wars fan. I sent him photos of Levi's helmets, and of his meditation routine...6 hours later he replied: I just spent an entire afternoon watching Devon Levi TikToks.

Me: So...are you converted?

Him: That depends on what you mean. Converted to rooting for the Sabres, yes. Converted to heterosexuality...I just spent all afternoon having very gay thoughts about Devon Levi, so hell no )

Tl;dr: If you don't think that Levi and Clifton are worth a 2 point improvement in the standings, I don't know what to tell you Eeyore

 

[Fjordy]

Stillman was traded for a 2nd and a 4th liner a couple months before we traded a marginal prospect for him...

Very too much for this guy and now he on waiver.

 

[HOOats]

And not for nothing but if Bryson does draw in and struggles in the first 30 days after Stillman clears, they can always waive him down to Rochester and recall Stillman without incident.

This crossed my mind, you might be on to something. Stillman should be easier to clear in this waiver period than in-season, giving us some flexibility for the first month. We can waive Bryson whenever and his salary means we can move him around without worry.

All for naught if he gets claimed though. Anyone want to throw out some odds on the likelihood he does?

 

[Chainshot]

This crossed my mind, you might be on to something. Stillman should be easier to clear in this waiver period than in-season, giving us some flexibility for the first month. We can waive Bryson whenever and his salary means we can move him around without worry.

All for naught if he gets claimed though. Anyone want to throw out some odds on the likelihood he does?

With the lack of cap space around the league, I would figure either of them being picked up is pretty slim. Could it happen? Eh, maybe, but I'm assuming it's unlikely.

 

[Aladyyn]

Sabres 5on5 goal differential with Dahlin and/or Power on the ice: +15
Sabres 5on5 goal differential with neither Dahlin or Power on the ice: -22

If our 3rd pairing can tread water that's going to be massive improvement to our D. Don't underestimate it.

 

[debaser66]

Because it just seems like an unjustified shot at the general manager. If Clifton was on waivers, then sure, your point would stand. But Stillman was brought in to be a depth defenseman and to try to push for the playoffs last season. I personally would have kept him up over Bryson, but if the Stillman waiving looks bad for anyone, it's for Stillman. He had an opportunity to beat out bryson, and apparently did not.

I don't agree that the responsibility lies on the the player alone since obviously Adams saw something which didn't materialize. Its not a big deal but its still a wrong decision by management.

 

[old kummelweck]

Because it just seems like an unjustified shot at the general manager. If Clifton was on waivers, then sure, your point would stand. But Stillman was brought in to be a depth defenseman and to try to push for the playoffs last season. I personally would have kept him up over Bryson, but if the Stillman waiving looks bad for anyone, it's for Stillman. He had an opportunity to beat out bryson, and apparently did not.

I'm convinced my sentence was meant to continue the discussion.

I can accept that there are moves by Adams that end up looking like poor judgement. Signing Bryson to that contract might fall into that category depending on what happens this season. Same with the Lyubushkin signing. Trading for Stillman.

The Stillman trade was about adding depth because Bryson wasn't capable last season. I was making the point that Pegula is allowing him to spend too improve depth. They are paying over $3M to defensemen in the AHL.

The whole Stillman situation has a bit of a stink on it for me, but there still can be more to come to convince me that was the right move. And while some people can nuance why this is a plus for the org and talk about circumstantial decisions from the trade deadline, it is not a stretch to call something a bad look until things settle down.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I don't agree that the responsibility lies on the the player alone since obviously Adams saw something which didn't materialize. Its not a big deal but its still a wrong decision by management.

On the surface, I don't think it's RS's responsibility either, but we're also not privy to things like seeing effort in practice and attitude. Maybe RS came into camp and pissed a bunch of people off with his attitude. Who knows.

Hell, maybe they think he won't be claimed and they want to try to rehab Bryson for 2 weeks to move him + a goalie or VO for a different piece. We're throwing pebbles at the surface of the ocean and speculating on giant squids.

 

[Archie Lee]

Stillman on waivers is a bad look for Adams.


I don't see how his particular brand of 'it' is a team need.

I’m a bit surprised by the move, but it is hardly a bad look. I don’t mean to diminish Josh Bloom at all, but the Sabres have more than a dozen wingers in their system (not on the NHL roster). If anything, the logic is probably that if Stillman gets claimed and we need a depth d-man at some point, we are overloaded with assets that we can use to acquire a “Stillman-Like” d-man in season.

 

[toddkaz]

And you're missing my point. Bryson is a perfectly averagely-talented 7/8 Dman in the NHL. He's a known quantity to the coaching staff -- and if he's a perfectly average 7/8 guy, why change? (same argument here for Stillman too)

You're also forgetting that he wasn't hot garbage in 20/21 and 21/22, so there is a chance that last year is an off year.

No I am not missing the point you are. You responded to my post saying a move for the sake of move which is completely false.

I expected in the offseason that Adams improves the defense to the point where the talent level exceeds that of Bryson and he is pushed off the team.

If you want to respond then respond to what I write and not what you think I mean or posting some catchy line thats not even true. That is not making a move for the sake of making a move like you said. That is called improving the roster talent level.

 

[Dingo44]

I thought that at the end of last year. But we are still near the bottom of the league in spending, we brought in no help on defense or in net. We’re talking about 2-3 players tops. That’s it.

I think the general consensus around the league is that this team is close but needs a little help at 2 or 3 roster spots.

There’s some frustration because it seems like we’re straddling between a 13th year and being ready to compete.

Now there are two of them

 

[old kummelweck]

I’m a bit surprised by the move, but it is hardly a bad look. I don’t mean to diminish Josh Bloom at all, but the Sabres have more than a dozen wingers in their system (not on the NHL roster). If anything, the logic is probably that if Stillman gets claimed and we need a depth d-man at some point, we are overloaded with assets that we can use to acquire a “Stillman-Like” d-man in season.

I guess it's my fault for using the term bad look, because people have different interpretations.

 

[joshjull]

Explain how pencilling in Bryson for #7 and maybe 50 games makes sense when he could have been stashed in minors and we might actually have a slightly better D than adding a 35-year-old well past his prime and a Bruins castoff who was benched in the playoffs. Neither guy is s top 4 and frankly we will be looking at some bad third pairings again, just like last year

Why would I need to do that when I wasn't talking about it?

I'm talking about your obsessive need to bring up our available cap space in every discussion. Even when it's not relevant. It had nothing to do with picking Bryson over Stillman yesterday.

Now you're moving the goalposts a bit to complain about the additions of Clifton/E.Johnson. Thats fine if you don't like their additions and wish we used more cap space to get "better" ones. But that's also irrelevant to the decision yesterday of picking Bryson over Stillman.