Roster thread: Get To Work (2022-2023 Season)

[Matt Ress]

Some of the small PMD are having nice freshman seasons (Hutson and Casey), Luneau is doing well with Gatineau statistically but I haven't looked in on them at all yet to see if Warren is coming along too. Odelius is on the Swedish U20 team, looks okay. Salomonsson who my keyboard always wants to turn into salmon is hurt and missing the U20's but would be there - he's playing for SHL Skelleftea and we have a poster here who would be a better judge of him as that is his local team. Maybe Hutson due to his D+1, but where does he fit to find those minutes on the Sabres right?

Hutson is having a great start statistically against adults in the NCAA. Still years away from playing NHL level defense imo.

I mean McAvoy was talked about as being a small PMD a few years ago but the guy is 6'1" over 200 lbs. Hutson is tiny even as a forward at 5'8" and what like 165 lbs. You can only pack on so much effective mass on that frame and then you're left with a guy that's possibly average on the boards, useless in the corners and in front of the net and if he's masterful, holds good gaps and gets in lanes effectively. Hope the best for him but I wouldn't want him on the ice defending a playoff lead.

 

[Chainshot]

Wait, what did I miss? We’re already essentially declaring Savoie a bust? Seems like the sentiment on a few of these last pages, without saying it aloud. Last year it was Rosen during this time, so just curious?

There is a little luster off the bloom there since he has not yet made a post-draft jump in production - he's actually scoring at a lower rate than his draft year thus far. I'm curious to see how he responds to the U20 snub and even more so, recovering from the shoulder surgery that had him off the ice over the summer not only for the Sabres dev and prospect camps, but the Nats selection camp too.

 

[Chainshot]

Hutson is having a great start statistically against adults in the NCAA. Still years away from playing NHL level defense imo.

Yeah, and while we could look at it that he may have been the best value there right now (which is a whole different conversation about looking at draftees too early), Hutson is a small puck moving offensive defenseman who likely isn't going to have opportunity in Buffalo with the talent ahead of him at this time. Even in a few years when Hutson is likely emerging into an NHLer, Dahlin and Power are still going to be around in all likelihood.

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

Wait, what did I miss? We’re already essentially declaring Savoie a bust? Seems like the sentiment on a few of these last pages, without saying it aloud. Last year it was Rosen during this time, so just curious?

He's on pace for 82 points in 64 games after having 90 in 65 games last season. So of course that small regression means he's no longer a top prospect.

Yeah, and while we could look at it that he may have been the best value there right now (which is a whole different conversation about looking at draftees too early), Hutson is a small puck moving offensive defenseman who likely isn't going to have opportunity in Buffalo with the talent ahead of him at this time. Even in a few years when Hutson is likely emerging into an NHLer, Dahlin and Power are still going to be around in all likelihood.

Some already complain about Bryson being too small, Hutson is an inch shorter and at the draft was like 30 pounds lighter.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Wait, what did I miss? We’re already essentially declaring Savoie a bust? Seems like the sentiment on a few of these last pages, without saying it aloud. Last year it was Rosen during this time, so just curious?

I don’t think anyone is saying he’s a bust cause they think he’s a trade chip. The fact of the matter is we are flush at the area and we are at the point where we need to take our surplus to improve in other facets.

Pick your poison but I fully expect 1 of the 4 to be moved at some point. If we move strictly our picks instead, we’ll see.

 

[flashsabre]

Wait, what did I miss? We’re already essentially declaring Savoie a bust? Seems like the sentiment on a few of these last pages, without saying it aloud. Last year it was Rosen during this time, so just curious?

Yes didn’t you get the memo? As you can see from this video of beginning of this year highlights that he is a complete disaster and the worst player ever drafted

 

[Fjordsen]

I don’t think anyone is saying he’s a bust cause they think he’s a trade chip. The fact of the matter is we are flush at the area and we are at the point where we need to take our surplus to improve in other facets.

Pick your poison but I fully expect 1 of the 4 to be moved at some point. If we move strictly our picks instead, we’ll see.

I bet none of Savoie, Rosen, Kulich and Ostlund will be moved, we don't even need to do that just to improve the depth of defense and this is not Adams' style.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I bet none of Savoie, Rosen, Kulich and Ostlund will be moved, we don't even need to do that just to improve the depth of defense and this is not Adams' style.

I’ll take you on that bet. If you can tell me one Stanley cup champion that didn’t trade young assets for established players I’d love to hear it. Every team has to do it eventually

 

[Fjordsen]

I’ll take you on that bet. If you can tell me one Stanley cup champion that didn’t trade young assets for proven picks I’d love to hear it. Every team has to do it eventually

I hope Adams doesn't trade for Chychrun (otherwise I'll probably lose the bet).

 

[MOGlLNY]

I hope Adams doesn't trade for Chychrun (otherwise I'll probably lose the bet).

I trust the front office that if they’re gonna move one of these guys it’s for the right player. I’m curious to where we go.

 

[Fjordsen]

I trust the front office that if they’re gonna move one of these guys it’s for the right player. I’m curious to where we go.

The question is for what? These are our valuable and best prospects. We already have core, and the extra things usually doesn't cost too much. We have many picks and other prospects to trade + Mitts and VO.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm watching Spengler Cup action during the intermission... I may have a problem.

 

[Bendium]

Wait, what did I miss? We’re already essentially declaring Savoie a bust? Seems like the sentiment on a few of these last pages, without saying it aloud. Last year it was Rosen during this time, so just curious?

Nope. Noone is saying Savoie is a bust at all. Your just reading into it.

 

[Bendium]

Two points:

Savoie had the best camp of any of the rookies. He may make the Sabres outright next season. His WHL season doesn't change anything.

The idea of a "top six" and "bottom six" is not a helpful framework. Especially when it seems like Adams and Granato aren't interested in having a traditional 3rd line. The Sabres have acquired no one (draft, trade, free agents) who fits the traditional 3rd line roles. It looks like the Sabres are interested in have 3 scoring lines, with at least the Cozens line taking harder matchups.

In that regard, the Sabres aren't looking to replace Olofsson as a 3rd liner, but just as a scoring winger.

And if the Sabres traded Olofsson for a pick after the roster freeze is over, Granato could run Krebs-Mittelstadt-Asplund and Girgensons-Jost-Okposo lines and those lines would be fine without Olofsson.

I have nothing against Savoie. Never said anything bad about him so not sure why people are trying to hang that on me.

What I will say, is the actual truth, that he is currently a 1st round WHL prospect........not even close to an NHL ready player. So, I definitely do not agree with the people that are slotting him in for current NHL players, as if it is already determined he will be in the NHL next year and able to perform at a replacement level. He is not. If he gets there great! I will be happy with you. However, it not that likely, and just assuming it will happen is unfounded wishful thinking, and not something to build a roster off of.

As far as bottom six definition, I can be flexible, but it is really just semantics. Does anyone on this board actually watch playoff hockey each year? We do not have many players that play a winning playoff style of hockey. We need more. Whether they are 4th line, 3rd, mixed throughout, whatever. We need better 2 way players in the lineup that can play heavy when needed, are defensively responsible, and can still add some offense. That is not Rosen or Savoie.

 

[joshjull]

Semantics, but I don't credit a GM much for player development. I do credit a GM for putting together a coherent organization with coaches following the same plan. If those pieces are in place, then good options are there to put players where their development is best served. That's at least a partial contribution, and the rest is on the coaches and of course the player.

Its very weird to see some posters tie themselves into knots minimizing or outright denying any credit to Adams for his own plan.

KA's "patience" has been much a result of simply needing time to reset after major moves. Risto had to go, Reinhart probably didn't want to stay, and Eichel never gets traded without the neck drama. Some things beyond his control have gone his way, but he's putting/keeping good people in charge of Rochester, Buffalo, and scouting, and making sure everyone's input is valued. Do those things and when good things happen it's not luck anymore.

Jack asked to get traded the offseason prior to the one involving the neck drama. It was well before he injured his neck. Our source for this is Jack in one of his first post trade interviews. The other two were asked if they wanted to stick around for a rebuild or not by Adams. Both said no and he accommodated their trade requests.

As an aside, I’ve always wondered how the surgery request would have been handled had Jack not asked to leave the previous offseason.

Edit - he's got to make moves for Dmen. There's no choice but to. Make good moves to balance out the young talent level and it all will make sense. Fail and now there's a big problem.

When healthy the defense is pretty good. I want better depth and it should be a focus at the deadline and in next offseason. I don’t see it as the priority many on here have it as.

 

[joshjull]

Well they did downgrade in the depth department if we look at the established vets who moved on vs. who they have playing right now. Miller, Pysyk, Hagg, and even Butcher have more NHL chops than Fitzgerald, Clague, Pilut, and Davies. Hopefully the top guys get healthy again because missing so many is putting a strain on the depth guys they have. If it was Fitz as the recall instead of the 7, with someone even like Hagg as the 7 in Buffalo, it's probably a bit less painful.

Thats not a fair comparison.

At the start of last season Miller, Hagg and Pysyk were our #4-6 dmen and half the starting 6. Butcher was the #7. All of them were on the roster to start the season

Whereas this season, Fitzgerald is the only one of the 4 you listed on the roster to start the season (#7). The other three are our #8, 9 and 10 dmen. Possibly even 11th dman depending on your view of Priskie.

 

[Tatanka]

I'm watching Spengler Cup action during the intermission... I may have a problem.

“a” problem?

 

[Chainshot]

Thats not a fair comparison.

At the start of last season Miller, Hagg and Pysyk were our #4-6 dmen and half the starting 6. Butcher was the #7. All of them were on the roster to start the season

Whereas this season, Fitzgerald is the only one of the 4 you listed on the roster to start the season (#7). The other three are our #8, 9 and 10 dmen. Possibly even 11th dman depending on your view of Priskie.

How is it not fair? The reality is that they had established vets who were displaced from last season to this by younger players. This year they don't have the option of that, their depth guys coming up are not going to displace people above them.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I have nothing against Savoie. Never said anything bad about him so not sure why people are trying to hang that on me.

What I will say, is the actual truth, that he is currently a 1st round WHL prospect........not even close to an NHL ready player. So, I definitely do not agree with the people that are slotting him in for current NHL players, as if it is already determined he will be in the NHL next year and able to perform at a replacement level. He is not. If he gets there great! I will be happy with you. However, it not that likely, and just assuming it will happen is unfounded wishful thinking, and not something to build a roster off of.

As far as bottom six definition, I can be flexible, but it is really just semantics. Does anyone on this board actually watch playoff hockey each year? We do not have many players that play a winning playoff style of hockey. We need more. Whether they are 4th line, 3rd, mixed throughout, whatever. We need better 2 way players in the lineup that can play heavy when needed, are defensively responsible, and can still add some offense. That is not Rosen or Savoie.

I'm not slotting Savoie in a NHL position. But I do think that a kid who had a really good 1st pro camp, and was a late cut, is going to be harder to keep off the roster. Particularly one with his skill set.

The Sabres have players who will do well in the playoffs. Stars are stars, and Thompson, Power, and Dahlin will be fine. Skinner, Tuch, Cozens, Peterka, Jost, Asplund, Krebs, and Samuelsson all play a game which will carry into the playoffs. Mittelstadt and Jokiharju probably as well. Quinn can adjust, leaving Olofsson as the player who doesn't play a playoff style game.

A team doesn't need two lines of Barclay Goodrow to win a playoff series. Pittsburgh and Tampa proved it.

 

[Chainshot]

“a” problem?

True.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I'm still more in the camp of the seconds they have this summer (say, using 2 out of the three) and just about every other draft pick than any of their current stable of prospects. (That is not to say trade ALL draft picks, that's saying use what they have to make a couple of mindful moves to improve, expand and diversify their primary group.)

This 100 percent. We have a lot of draft picks and a ton of interesting prospects. Enough where should internally label Levi/Rosen/Savoie/Kulich/Ostlund as untouchable.

You can find trades for any need without giving up those players. You can get top four help, bottom six help, and depth without giving up one of our five blue chip prospects. Keep our core in touch and improve through resourceful trades and free agency…and then let our prospects be reinforcements

Sure, we probably can’t get a young core piece on a long contract with it trading those players, but we don’t need that!

 

[Der Jaeger]

What say you, Yotes fans? Would you do this one?

To BUF
Chychrun
McGregor

To ARI
Fitzgerald
Rosen
‘23 BUF 1st (T8 c.)
‘23 VGK 2nd

I agreed to this trade on the Coyotes board. Yotes fans like it. Sorry if you don't. No take backs.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm not slotting Savoie in a NHL position. But I do think that a kid who had a really good 1st pro camp, and was a late cut, is going to be harder to keep off the roster. Particularly one with his skill set.

The Sabres have players who will do well in the playoffs. Stars are stars, and Thompson, Power, and Dahlin will be fine. Skinner, Tuch, Cozens, Peterka, Jost, Asplund, Krebs, and Samuelsson all play a game which will carry into the playoffs. Mittelstadt and Jokiharju probably as well. Quinn can adjust, leaving Olofsson as the player who doesn't play a playoff style game.

A team doesn't need two lines of Barclay Goodrow to win a playoff series. Pittsburgh and Tampa proved it.

All of those guys bring something different. Savoie's ability to do things in traffic and at speed reminds me of Briere. That's not a player I want them moving yet until the cement is more set on what his top end might be.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I agreed to this trade on the Coyotes board. Yotes fans like it. Sorry if you don't. No take backs.

As in Noah McGregor?

 

[Der Jaeger]

As in Noah McGregor?

Ryan