Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[SnuggaRUDE]

I've got no issue with giving EJ a bit of a rest here and there........but it's a really weird time to be talking about assigning Clifton to Rochester, after he's just played his best 3 games as a Sabre (in a row, mind you).

That's fair; I'm looking at his play all season. If he was nursing something early on, and it's gotten better now than that 'hard look' would indicate his play was lagging for external reasons.

Johnson though? Believe it or not, straight to Riveting.

 

[Zman5778]

That's fair; I'm looking at his play all season. If he was nursing something early on, and it's gotten better now than that 'hard look' would indicate his play was lagging for external reasons.

Johnson though? Believe it or not, straight to Riveting.

EJ hasn't been THAT bad. He was probably our best defenseman early in the season and is still a very valuable PKer. But again -- I've got no issue resting him every so often, especially with RJ's emergence as a viable option.

As to Clifton -- Granato has recently said that it took Clifton some time adjusting to playing not only with a new team, but on his off-hand. Remember: right-handed defensemen aren't usually asked to play off-hand all that much.......so in retrospect, it makes sense that he'd struggle a bit off the hop. He's been looking much better lately.


And none of this is even a conversation if Jokiharju hadn't become some version of Steady Eddie on the blue-line. If Jokiharju was last year's version, Clifton is playing the right side while Joker is on the bench. Yet another reminder that defensemen just take longer to hit their stride (looking at you, Power critics).

 

[Djp]

They need to Rivet E. Johnson. I'd be taking a hard look at assigning Clifton to Rochester.

Even then, it'll take a 6 or 7 game winning streak to get them back in the hunt. It's not like they've been unlucky; they're right around what the possession stats say.

They make it to 500 by game
thr next 40 they do something like 24-12-4 f for 52 pts they are in the WC hunt.

I don't think any of Boston, FL, or Toronto are teams that can't be beaten in the playoffs, but they are going to make it in. Buffalo has to beat out all of Det, TB, and Mon, and hope Ott doesn't make good on all their games in hand. It's too late.

This should have been a season to see where the team is at, and we see where they're at - not truly knowing what it takes to win and still having a lot to learn about that, beyond Xs and Os. Coaching has failed both tactically and with instilling urgency and intensity. The only interesting thing about this season anymore is just how much KA will do at the TDL.

He can't salvage a playoff run but there is still the potential to make team building moves with trades involving re-building teams that will give up on veteran players still in their prime. Will KA be willing to pay an elevated price to get the types of players they need to improve significantly, or follow the same "patient" path of internal improvement, with hope of modest UFA signings to fill in a spot here or there for a marginal improvement? We probably know the answer.

The bigger moves like coaching changes won't happen. I accept that, as much as I disagree. Even if they make the playoffs before Granato's contract ends, they won't win a round. He can't possibly prepare the core of this roster to be as intense as they will need to be they way the 1st rd typically goes.

e team is young. Power, RJ, Quinn, , Peterka, Krebs, Levi benson are on ELC

I've got no issue with giving EJ a bit of a rest here and there........but it's a really weird time to be talking about assigning Clifton to Rochester, after he's just played his best 3 games as a Sabre (in a row, mind you).

They should be sitting EJ and KO more.

 

[Zman5778]

They should be sitting EJ and KO more.

I could see KO sitting games with all the forwards healthy. But right now, given that we're down 3 quality PKers......we need him on the ice.

 

[Dubi Doo]

They need to Rivet E. Johnson. I'd be taking a hard look at assigning Clifton to Rochester.

Even then, it'll take a 6 or 7 game winning streak to get them back in the hunt. It's not like they've been unlucky; they're right around what the possession stats say.

Clifton is on a 3 game point streak, and is finally turning it around. He'll have his hand grenade moments, but he's done a lot of good recently.

 

[HOOats]

The only interesting thing about this season anymore is just how much KA will do at the TDL.

He can't salvage a playoff run

Sorry, but this is kind of finality verges on crazy talk. The odds are obviously against us, but a couple 4-1 five game stretches and we're right back in the picture. With the way they're playing, if we get 4/6 points on this west coast trip we'll be 9/12 since Boston.

Weekend NHL rankings: Penguins, Sabres and how much should consistency matter?

The clock is ticking on the Penguins, what to think about the Sabres and is consistency in the NHL overrated?

theathletic.com

I understand I'm an optimist, but this is a crummy write-up. It's caught up in the larger narratives and not aware of the positive minor currents that are surging at the moment. Can't blame the national media for not keeping a close eye on us, oh well.

 

[Jim Bob]

I understand I'm an optimist, but this is a crummy write-up. It's caught up in the larger narratives and not aware of the positive minor currents that are surging at the moment. Can't blame the national media for not keeping a close eye on us, oh well.

When they wrote the article, they were the second worst team in the East and 3-5-2 in their last 10.

Two good games was not going to change that.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Sorry, but this is kind of finality verges on crazy talk. The odds are obviously against us, but a couple 4-1 five game stretches and we're right back in the picture. With the way they're playing, if we get 4/6 points on this west coast trip we'll be 9/12 since Boston.

I understand I'm an optimist, but this is a crummy write-up. It's caught up in the larger narratives and not aware of the positive minor currents that are surging at the moment. Can't blame the national media for not keeping a close eye on us, oh well.

I was high on the team's chances to start the season, but at this point the odds are EXTREMELY against them. They can actually play better and get the results...and STILL have to hope several teams go on a downslide to catch up and beat them to a playoff spot. You're welcome to be as optimistic as you want, but what I posted is much closer to a statistical fact than any sort of crazy talk.

 

[HOOats]

I was high on the team's chances to start the season, but at this point the odds are EXTREMELY against them. They can actually play better and get the results...and STILL have to hope several teams go on a downslide to catch up and beat them to a playoff spot. You're welcome to be as optimistic as you want, but what I posted is much closer to a statistical fact than any sort of crazy talk.

Eh, acting like the season is over ("the only interesting thing will be the TDL," "we can't salvage this") after 35% of the season is literally infinitely far from the truth or "statistical fact." It's simply not reality, no matter the odds.

 

[Beerz]

Tuch returns, making tonight's forward group, with some fine-tuning:

Skinner-Tage-Tuch
Benson-Mitts-Peterka
Murray-Cozens-Oly
Robinson-Krebs-Okposo

Greenway replaces Murray.
Quinn replaces Oly.
Girgs returns.
As the need arises, trade/waive Jost, Bryson, Comrie.

The 23-man roster becomes:

Skinner-Tage-Tuch
Benson-Mitts-Peterka
Greenway-Cozens-Quinn
Robinson-Krebs-Okposo
Oly, Girgs

Dahlin-Jokiharju
R Johnson-Power
Sammy-Clifton
EJ

UPL, Levi

That's a fine roster with everyone healthy.

This is probably how I would have it.

Except I'd move Girgensons to Center

Robinson-Girgensons-Okposo

I would probably switch EJ and Clifton

And depending which Greenway we get back I might have VO in his spot.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Eh, acting like the season is over ("the only interesting thing will be the TDL," "we can't salvage this") after 35% of the season is literally infinitely far from the truth or "statistical fact." It's simply not reality, no matter the odds.

Uh...ok. Split hairs or characterize differently all you want. The odds of missing the playoffs are FAR higher than they are to make them. Saying that isn't crazy talk.

 

[TageGod]

6 Points out at Christmas is not 6 points out in March. I am really surprised this needs to be stated.

The RKO line is here to stay.

 

[HOOats]

Uh...ok. Split hairs or characterize differently all you want. The odds of missing the playoffs are FAR higher than they are to make them. Saying that isn't crazy talk.

Sorry nothing personal, someone was going to get the brunt of my disdain for doomerism today. Glad we agree that the season is salvageable and not a lost cause at the 35% mark. Some hairs need to be split.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Sorry nothing personal, someone was going to get the brunt of my disdain for doomerism today. Glad we agree that the season is salvageable and not a lost cause at the 35% mark. Some hairs need to be split.

Don't be cute. This season might be salvageable in some way, but to me it's not going to be a playoff spot that makes it that way. We don't agree. The difference is that I'm not trying to take out my disdain for anything on another poster here.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Rayzor made it on the Pat McAfee show

 

[Tatanka]

He was highlighted on WGN morning news in Chicago as well...the female anchor called out the boys for never having gotten stitches in the line of duty.

 

[Chainshot]

Just perusing the AHL transactions and I'm wondering if they assign someone to the Amerks this week from the defense prior to going out on this road trip. The Amerks with today's assignment of NSavoie to Jacksonville have only 6 healthy defensemen with a three-games-in-four-nights road trip (Springfield, Hartford, SWB). Buffalo is carrying 8 and Granato's said Samuelsson is just a soreness issue and RJohnson has continued to look like he belongs in the lineup. So... is this when they finally send Bryson down?

 

[Gras]

Just perusing the AHL transactions and I'm wondering if they assign someone to the Amerks this week from the defense prior to going out on this road trip. The Amerks with today's assignment of NSavoie to Jacksonville have only 6 healthy defensemen with a three-games-in-four-nights road trip (Springfield, Hartford, SWB). Buffalo is carrying 8 and Granato's said Samuelsson is just a soreness issue and RJohnson has continued to look like he belongs in the lineup. So... is this when they finally send Bryson down?

The team has a history of liking to have 8 D on the roster though

 

[Chainshot]

The team has a history of liking to have 8 D on the roster though

While that is a tradition, the Amerks have one of playing 7 D and they don't right now even have a 7th D healthy (unless Prow is about to make some sort of Undertaker-esque resurrection off of IR).

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I do like how the most recent moves have been to bring in physicality and size. Greenway, EJ, Clifton, Robinson. The staff clearly identified a weakness on the roster and has made efforts to correct it.

Now if only they could identify the problem with the power play...

 

[dortt]

I do like how the most recent moves have been to bring in physicality and size. Greenway, EJ, Clifton, Robinson. The staff clearly identified a weakness on the roster and has made efforts to correct it.

Now if only they could identify the problem with the power play...

The PP struggles are easy

Dahlin refuses to shot the damn puck!

Everyone knows he is going to pass. Doesn't even need to take the big wind up. Just a soft dump toward the net for redirections, rebounds. The D needs to respect his shot, then the passes will open up again

 

[BFLO]

Eh, acting like the season is over ("the only interesting thing will be the TDL," "we can't salvage this") after 35% of the season is literally infinitely far from the truth or "statistical fact." It's simply not reality, no matter the odds.

The Sabres have been a 4-5-1 in their last 10 for 35% of the season.

Suggesting they can start rattling of 8-2-0's is a stretch.

If all of the teams ahead of us maintain their last 10 pace and we go 7-2-1 over our next 10 we'd be tied with Washington at 42 points for the last wild card spot, but they'd still have 4 games in hand.

Is it possible? Yes
Is it likely? Not at all

 

[HOOats]

The Sabres have been a 4-5-1 in their last 10 for 35% of the season.

Suggesting they can start rattling of 8-2-0's is a stretch.

If all of the teams ahead of us maintain their last 10 pace and we go 7-2-1 over our next 10 we'd be tied with Washington at 42 points for the last wild card spot, but they'd still have 4 games in hand.

Is it possible? Yes
Is it likely? Not at all

Possible, yes - we did exactly that last year. Unlikely, sure - I did well enough in math.

Past results guarantee nothing, they're only a slight indicator of what may come. The next 30 count as much as the last 30.

I was just responding to a claim that the season is lost because it definitely is not. And I think positive vibes matter and even if they don't matter they're braver and cooler

 

[Chainshot]

The PP struggles are easy

Dahlin refuses to shot the damn puck!

Everyone knows he is going to pass. Doesn't even need to take the big wind up. Just a soft dump toward the net for redirections, rebounds. The D needs to respect his shot, then the passes will open up again

Disagree - there is very little in front to screen, deflect or collect a rebound. Further, the shot from the point is the lowest percentage play on a PP around the league. So unscreened, it's not going to make much if any difference.

 

[dortt]

Disagree - there is very little in front to screen, deflect or collect a rebound. Further, the shot from the point is the lowest percentage play on a PP around the league. So unscreened, it's not going to make much if any difference.

I don't expect Dahlin to score much from there. Just to get the D to respect that he may take the shot, somewhat opening a passing lane