Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Doug Prishpreed]

I think it is a really good exercise in showing what the cap challenges are going to be, and nicely done, btw.

It should be required reading for everyone before they start making trade proposals to trade futures for a couple of players with 10M combined salary

I think seeing the future cap laid out this way shows that there are going to be some tough decisions, and one or two of the 7M dollar forwards will likely have to be moved in deals to better balance the roster. It also points out the glaring need for the cheap ELC talent influx required to remain competitive down the road like @Mattilaus pointed out. Keeping that pipeline flowing and staggering the prospects they bring up is going to be very important.

Thanks! That was the whole purpose, since I’ve been saying since the last deadline that we weren’t able to afford a player like Meier, even though it seemed like we had a lot of space at the time.

Reality really does hit you in the face once you crunch the numbers a bit, doesn’t it. For instance, we literally can’t fit both Peterka and Quinn if they both hit in a big way, all else being equal.

 

[Irie]

Thanks! That was the whole purpose, since I’ve been saying since the last deadline that we weren’t able to afford a player like Meier, even though it seemed like we had a lot of space at the time.

Reality really does hit you in the face once you crunch the numbers a bit, doesn’t it. For instance, we literally can’t fit both Peterka and Quinn if they both hit in a big way, all else being equal.

For sure.

I have been posting almost daily about the reality of the cap next offseason, and those posts are mostly met with the "25 million in free cap!" responses, but no one pays attention to the free agents and how many players need new deals.

I was roasted by half the board for saying it would be a very smart idea to lock Mitts up before playing him in the top six this season if Cozens and Tage were healthy and playing well because if they don't, his next contract is going to be a back breaker on the cap. Well Adams didn't, and Cozens isn't healthy or playing well, and now the writing is on the wall. Mitts is playing himself into a big raise. Joker is playing well enough to justify keeping around and giving a slight raise to, and even UPL or Comrie are making their case for more money if they can keep it up.

The Extra cap needed to address the depth for playoff performers is quickly vanishing, and we are likely looking at 8 players next year on ELC or bargain bin deals - and that will be with the team at the cap.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Ace]

It would be the opposite of what we need in every way. Though it would be hilarious for Kulich to be kept down to work on his two way game because a 35 year old who is the worst defensive forward in the world might get back to the form he had two years ago after a hip surgery no one comes back from right is signing for three years.

might even be worth it. It would be that funny.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

3X5?!


pass

 

[debaser66]

3X5?!


pass

All more than a year seems idiotic, he maybe washed anyways.
Sabres need to reserve that capspace for players to resign that actually matter longterm.
If you ever bring in an outside forward longterm he should be more Greenway and less PK.

 

[Gras]

Anything more than 1yr would be a no go on top of him not being what the team needs.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I just can't wait for Kane to sign somewhere else. So tired of the rumor mill crap for a player that doesn't fit.

 

[Ace]

My fear is entirely Pegula based on this one.

Adams doesn’t do things so I’m not worried about him.

 

[HOOats]

For sure.

I have been posting almost daily about the reality of the cap next offseason, and those posts are mostly met with the "25 million in free cap!" responses, but no one pays attention to the free agents and how many players need new deals.

I was roasted by half the board for saying it would be a very smart idea to lock Mitts up before playing him in the top six this season if Cozens and Tage were healthy and playing well because if they don't, his next contract is going to be a back breaker on the cap. Well Adams didn't, and Cozens isn't healthy or playing well, and now the writing is on the wall. Mitts is playing himself into a big raise. Joker is playing well enough to justify keeping around and giving a slight raise to, and even UPL or Comrie are making their case for more money if they can keep it up.

The Extra cap needed to address the depth for playoff performers is quickly vanishing, and we are likely looking at 8 players next year on ELC or bargain bin deals - and that will be with the team at the cap.

This would have been the ideal approach, but I don't think it was a matter of "Adams didn't" because I don't think Mitts' camp was looking to sign at the time. Adams hasn't been shy about signing guys early. He's a 24 year old top 10 pick who's had an uneven development path, but he has arrived as a stud. If you and I and Adams et al could see his breakout coming and then underway, Mitts and his team certainly did.

 

[Zman5778]

Adams doesn’t do things so I’m not worried about him.

Other than sign Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton?

Other than adding pieces so that Rochester is getting points at a .700 clip and is the highest scoring team in the AHL?

Other than re-sign his core to long-term deals that should age very well?

THAT Adams?

 

[Beerz]

My fear is entirely Pegula based on this one.

Adams doesn’t do things so I’m not worried about him.

This is 100% an Adams /Granato move if this happens.

Granato coached Kane in Chicago and Adams played with Kane his rookie year.

This has all the benchmarks of Adams and Granato

 

[Irie]

This would have been the ideal approach, but I don't think it was a matter of "Adams didn't" because I don't think Mitts' camp was looking to sign at the time. Adams hasn't been shy about signing guys early. He's a 24 year old top 10 pick who's had an uneven development path, but he has arrived as a stud. If you and I and Adams et al could see his breakout coming and then underway, Mitts and his team certainly did.

There may be some truth to that, but listening to Adams talking about the priority of getting Dahlin and Power signed longterm, I do not believe Adams put in much effort to convince Mitts to sign longterm.

I defend Adams plenty on these boards when it is warranted, but I also call him out when warranted, and from my perspective, there should have been a lot more concern about getting Mitts signed than Power. A Power bridge would help the short term cap situation, extend his team control to the early 30s and more likely avoid the huge third contract that will take him into the late 30s. Power's level of play last season was in no way worth the 8+ figure, and he isn't a goal scoring D man, so the concern that he was going to skyrocket into the 9+ range this season was super slim in my opinion, and i feel strongly that that should have been the general consensus within the front office. I don't really think that was something that should have been a revelation.

I also believe Adams could have sold Casey on sticking around. Show him the reality of the upcoming cap crunch, and convince him to be part of something going forward with something in the 5-6M range. Instead, the lack of talk about getting Mitts signed probably put a chip on his shoulder in a contract year, not the best move for a player you want to re-sign.

Adams has done plenty good, but I think this was not handled as well as most would have liked.

 

[Ace]

This is 100% an Adams /Granato move if this happens.

Granato coached Kane in Chicago and Adams played with Kane his rookie year.

This has all the benchmarks of Adams and Granato

Adorable.

Adams listens to his staff and there can’t be one analytically minded person who would give a thumbs up.

but he’d sell tickets and merchandise. And that is the only reason they would do it.

Takes another spot away from everything they’ve been building. Makes zero hockey sense.

Other than sign Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton?

Other than adding pieces so that Rochester is getting points at a .700 clip and is the highest scoring team in the AHL?

Other than re-sign his core to long-term deals that should age very well?

THAT Adams?

if signing two bottom pair D when you need to replace an injured top 6 forward, a minutes eating D to take pressure off of your two overworked guys, a defensive minded center and a steady, trustworthy goalie Is your definition of doing something…no one can argue with it.

But I could offer you a dictionary.

 

[Uberpecker]

Samuelsson's injury proneness kind of worries me. I wonder if managing his minutes now could lead to him having a longer, healthier career. I'd try him with EJ on the third pair.

 

[Gabrielor]

Mixed emotions on Kane.

One of my favorite players to ever watch play hockey.

But I remember watching Jerry Rice in 2003/2004 too and being in denial that his era was over.

 

[Zman5778]

if signing two bottom pair D when you need to replace an injured top 6 forward, a minutes eating D to take pressure off of your two overworked guys, a defensive minded center and a steady, trustworthy goalie Is your definition of doing something…no one can argue with it.

But I could offer you a dictionary.

You say that Adams does, literally, nothing.

I provide examples of Adams doing things.

The one that needs a dictionary is the face in your mirror.

 

[Gras]

You say that Adams does, literally, nothing.

I provide examples of Adams doing things.

The one that needs a dictionary is the face in your mirror.

Nothing = Not what I think he should have done.

 

[sabremike]

People joke about Kane being signed just to sell tickets but guys looking up into the stands during a midweek game vs Montreal and seeing the place packed with Sabres fans instead of half empty with lots of Habs fans would certainly be beneficial.

 

[Gras]

People joke about Kane being signed just to sell tickets but guys looking up into the stands during a midweek game vs Montreal and seeing the place packed with Sabres fans instead of half empty with lots of Habs fans would certainly be beneficial.

He might be a draw initially but if they dont put up points then it wont matter attendance wise.

 

[HaNotsri]

Isn't Kane everything this team need to stay away from?
Do we want that voice in the locker room?
If they sign him for more than 1 year I'll explode.

 

[Zman5778]

Isn't Kane everything this team need to stay away from?
Do we want that voice in the locker room?
If they sign him for more than 1 year I'll explode.

1.) Everything?? That's a bit of an overstatement. He'd likely help the PP. He'd bring some depth of scoring. But dude would be the worst player in his own zone on this team by MILES.

2.) He was apparently a good solider last year in lieu of Toews......buuuuuut that whole Beach thing still casts a malodor about his locker room presence. I'd say no.

3.) 100% agreed.

 

[Woodhouse]

Hip resurfacing surgery was a career-ender for Jovanovski, Kesler, and Backstrom, yet I'm dumbfounded to read reporters talking about multi-year deals for Kane!? This has to be wishful thinking from player/agent for a last LTIR payday. I don't get it.

 

[HaNotsri]

1.) Everything?? That's a bit of an overstatement. He'd likely help the PP. He'd bring some depth of scoring. But dude would be the worst player in his own zone on this team by MILES.

2.) He was apparently a good solider last year in lieu of Toews......buuuuuut that whole Beach thing still casts a malodor about his locker room presence. I'd say no.

3.) 100% agreed.

Wouldn't it be better to get a powerplay coach? As I understand it everything is pretty much up to the powerplay units now to decide themselves, I think Dahlin stated sometjing like that in an interview.

 

[Mattilaus]

Hip resurfacing surgery was a career-ender for Jovanovski, Kesler, and Backstrom, yet I'm dumbfounded to read reporters talking about multi-year deals for Kane!? This has to be wishful thinking from player/agent for a last LTIR payday. I don't get it.

Jovanovski? Isn't he on here? Hey! @EdJovanovski how bad is the hip resurfacing surgery to recover from? Think Kane will be good after it?