Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Djp]

I really don't understand how the Pegulas literally coming out and saying "we want our team to be economic, efficient, and effective" and then spending so little on the team that they had to use cap loopholes to get to the floor and then calling them out for being cheap is a conspiracy theory. He's doing what the said he would do. He's being cheap.

there are two different pieces you are mixing here. One was with Eichel and then the trade out and rebuild.

As for the meddling talk...I mean, Adams wasn't hired for his resume. He doesn't have one. He has zero experience in management at any level of hockey.

again the false narrative of what GMs actually do in hockey Vs fantasy leagues.

Adams had the management experience of being a gm beyond roster management. He worked as an sgrnt and was a former hockey player. The gm is the one who makes decisions but he heavily reliant on those below him.

He was hired because he was loyal to the Pegulas. Of course, that doesn't mean the Pegulas are actively interfering in the front office, but it does mean that Kevyn won't tell him no if the Pegulas ask him to do anything, as evidenced by his role as an ax man in his first 12 hours as GM.

None of this is conspiracy theory, it's facts.

He would tell them no and he has built a trust in them.

 

[Dingo44]

I don't know because the cap is relevant to every decision in sports, even more in hockey with a hard cap. Live in some fantasy land where the Sabres being $9 M under cap doesn't impact the best team you put on ice. You want to tell me that's the reality and live with, I'll buy that. But don't run around and tell me that doesn't impact the lineup you can ice.

 

[joshjull]

I don't know because the cap is relevant to every decision in sports, even more in hockey with a hard cap. Live in some fantasy land where the Sabres being $9 M under cap doesn't impact the best team you put on ice. You want to tell me that's the reality and live with, I'll buy that. But don't run around and tell me that doesn't impact the lineup you can ice.

No, you really don't. Since you've yet again addressed something I wasn't talking about.

 

[K8fool]

The season cant get here fast enough. I hope they learn from the ridiculous London set up or Monday jets bs to protect themselves as the league has other plans and some games are set up to lose so prepare to win the next in this puppeted bs world of tech and human interface w sport as entertainment

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

You'll have to provide some evidence that the team is being built the right way, historically, specifically in terms of spending.

Going back as far back as capfriendly goes (2015), it's rare to see teams straddle the cap floor like the Sabres did. The Coyotes have a few times with them taking on LTIR deals. The only cup winner to be close to the bottom of the league of payroll is the Avalanche. And even when they were 'near' the bottom, they were clearing the cap floor by 8-10M.

I can't think of a team during the cap era that has gone from using loop holes to spend below the cap to cup champs.

I don't think this is an honest question, because it's obvious. A natural result of stockpiling talent via the draft is having cap space during the process. This season is a perfect example of, "why bother shopping for more expensive guys when we have to pay our own next year". You'll probably pretend like hogtownsabres that 1) spending more on guys must mean "better" in the scenario and that 2) more expensive and actual better players are available and willing to sign short term deals that fit Buffalo's timeline just perfectly before they have to be replaced for new ELCs or raises for others (Dahlin for ex).

KA basically did that with his own guys, Girgs and Okposo. Anyone you care to cherry pick from the summer wasn't moving the needle, except maybe in cap dollars which seem to make some feel better.

Edit - You take the ultra-cynical Bucky Gleason/Mike Sullivan angle - be as critical as you want to be because you can always pretend you're right until the team wins a championship. This logic can actually claim to be right about the '90s Bills and mid '00s Sabres. It isn't, but it allows you to keep rocking that avatar and feel good about it.

 

[Irie]

You'll have to provide some evidence that the team is being built the right way, historically, specifically in terms of spending.

It is the small market team blueprint -

Draft well.
Have patience and develop your prospects
Don't overspend in the UFA Market
Remain cap flexible while developing the kids
Don't add any long-term boat anchor contracts

Once the team hits the "Has a chance" level in betting odds to compete for a cup, then you go all in and bring in the difference makers and playoff performers.

Teams that follow that blueprint usually become contenders after some time. There have been some missteps and the internal budget is not doing the fast-track timeline any favors, but the plan is clearly following this blueprint, and the future looks bright. There is reason to be optimistic.

 

[Fjordy]

It is the small market team blueprint -

Draft well.
Have patience and develop your prospects
Don't overspend in the UFA Market
Remain cap flexible while developing the kids
Don't add any long-term boat anchor contracts

Once the team hits the "Has a chance" level in betting odds to compete for a cup, then you go all in and bring in the difference makers and playoff performers.

Teams that follow that blueprint usually become contenders after some time. There have been some missteps and the internal budget is not doing the fast-track timeline any favors, but the plan is clearly following this blueprint, and the future looks bright. There is reason to be optimistic.

The problem in this regard is that they still haven’t made it to the playoffs, and it’s been over 10 years since the team and the fans haven’t seen it, it takes a lot of mental toll.

I’m not against Adams’ plan, but with adjustments, develop youth, create a culture, but still somewhere it was necessary to act more aggressively to improve roster. Especially with regard to goalie and the top 4 D. I said this before last season.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Did Savoie make the team ?

 

[Jim Bob]

Did Savoie make the team ?

He has not been sent back to the WHL. But, they could also be keeping him around just until he's healthy.

Only time will tell.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

He has not been sent back to the WHL. But, they could also be keeping him around just until he's healthy.

Only time will tell.

Has he been good Savoie ?

 

[Old Navy Goat]

He missed most of camp with a shoulder injury he suffered in the prospects showcase

 

[Jim Bob]

Has he been good Savoie ?

He's been hurt. He looked good at the prospects challenge prior to the injury.

 

[Jim Bob]

Adams just said that Savoie will start on IR.

 

[michaelsaas]

Once Savoie is healthy, could we rotate Benson and Savoie in and out of the LU? Would that extend there 9 games or do healthy scratches count against the 9 game limit?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Once Savoie is healthy, could we rotate Benson and Savoie in and out of the LU? Would that extend there 9 games or do healthy scratches count against the 9 game limit?

Healthy scratches don't count toward their games, but they would both count as on the roster at the same time, so someone else would have to go. If KA wants to get them both 9 games, it would have to be Benson first, and then Savoie after.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Clifton bumped to the 3rd pair.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Clifton bumped to the 3rd pair.

I'm a big fan of those D-corps changes.

 

[HOOats]

I'm a big fan of those D-corps changes.

Feels good to have Ras and Sammy back together. But EJ and Clifton, both righties with a couple rocky preseason games between them is a little worrisome. Home deployments should help Thursday, but not ideal imo.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[michaelsaas]

Healthy scratches don't count toward their games, but they would both count as on the roster at the same time, so someone else would have to go. If KA wants to get them both 9 games, it would have to be Benson first, and then Savoie after.

Good point I forgot about that.

 

[Fjordy]

Clifton bumped to the 3rd pair.

Good

Samuelsson - Dahlin

 

[Hasekperreault23]

Feels good to have Ras and Sammy back together. But EJ and Clifton, both righties with a couple rocky preseason games between them is a little worrisome. Home deployments should help Thursday, but not ideal imo.

I have a feeling we will see Ryan Johnson after about 30 games.E Johnson will be a rotational guy ,Bryson to Rochester.R Johnson is ready, moves pucks, blocks shots very sound positionally and flies!.Too me the most important signing this summer.

 

[Djp]

Once Savoie is healthy, could we rotate Benson and Savoie in and out of the LU? Would that extend there 9 games or do healthy scratches count against the 9 game lim

its 9 games or 30 days..exceeding either burns year one.
IR time doesn’t count.

 

[Jim Bob]

I have a feeling we will see Ryan Johnson after about 30 games.E Johnson will be a rotational guy ,Bryson to Rochester.R Johnson is ready, moves pucks, blocks shots very sound positionally and flies!.Too me the most important signing this summer.

My guess is that RyJo will be on the I-90 shuttle whenever a D is hurt. I doubt they try and waive Bryson mid-season when he will be more likely to be claimed.

 

[Hasekperreault23]

My guess is that RyJo will be on the I-90 shuttle whenever a D is hurt. I doubt they try and waive Bryson mid-season when he will be more likely to be claimed.

You could be right but my point is once he is up he will stay he is that good