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

[old kummelweck]

I really think they did more harm than good bringing Quinn and Peterka up this year. I look at them right now and do not really see any improvement in their game. They have both lost their confidence from getting overwelmed by mature NHL players.

They should have been left in the AHL one more year playing on the top line in all situation. The AHL gives more practice time and developmental work without as much pressure. It is also a bigger deal than people realize to let a player dominate for awhile at a level, to build real confidence.

I don't. The league is younger and younger. I think they are getting valuable experience now in the NHL. Learning what they need to do to score in NHL goalies, how to find space out there, adjusting to the speed of the game. They got as much as they could have out of the AHL. What has changed is our expectations. If the Thompson line did not emerge as a legit #1 line and product they way they have this year, we'd be having very different conversations around this team. The kids aren't living up to our expectations, which are too high. I think the plan all along was to get these young guys the critical ice and situations. Playoffs have always been secondary.

That said, the situation HAS changed, and if they want to tweak the roster to try and get even better experience (getting close to PO or even making it), I am full support on sending down Peterka. Quinn I want to see how this Krebs line pans out. I think there is some real potential there. So now the hunt is on for Cozen's line mates.

 

[TehDoak]

Dumba as a rental still intrigues me. The price shouldn't be prohibitive and should help stabilize the top 4.

 

[Matt Ress]

I don't. The league is younger and younger. I think they are getting valuable experience now in the NHL. Learning what they need to do to score in NHL goalies, how to find space out there, adjusting to the speed of the game. They got as much as they could have out of the AHL. What has changed is our expectations. If the Thompson line did not emerge as a legit #1 line and product they way they have this year, we'd be having very different conversations around this team. The kids aren't living up to our expectations, which are too high. I think the plan all along was to get these young guys the critical ice and situations. Playoffs have always been secondary.

That said, the situation HAS changed, and if they want to tweak the roster to try and get even better experience (getting close to PO or even making it), I am full support on sending down Peterka. Quinn I want to see how this Krebs line pans out. I think there is some real potential there. So now the hunt is on for Cozen's line mates.

I'll start to worry if there isn't much improvement by next season. Quinn has glimpses of greatness and JJ seems like he's playing scared. Collect yourselves over the summer, work your asses off and come back hungry.

Also, Tuch needs to be El Capitan next year. We don't need a dad anymore. We need a warrior.

 

[truthbluth]

Dumba as a rental still intrigues me. The price shouldn't be prohibitive and should help stabilize the top 4.

He’s kinda bad though now, isn’t he?

 

[Gabrielor]

I'd like to get Saros and Ekholm...

 

[TehDoak]

He’s kinda bad though now, isn’t he?

Wild Fans are definitely done with him.

He'd certainly be an upgrade to Joker/Lybushkin, at least IMO.

 

[Bendium]

Also, Tuch needs to be El Capitan next year. We don't need a dad anymore. We need a warrior.

100%. Tuch is the only one that shows up every game. It is very clear to me that he should be the next captain. Kyle has been really good for the Sabres the last couple years, but he has REALLY lost a step and is becoming a liability. It is time for him to retire and take a FO job.

 

[old kummelweck]

I'll start to worry if there isn't much improvement by next season. Quinn has glimpses of greatness and JJ seems like he's playing scared. Collect yourselves over the summer, work your asses off and come back hungry.

Peterka seems to constantly be in a position where he's getting no secondary puck support when he's boxed in along the boards in the ozone. His instinct is to make a low probability pass before he is forced to go to a 50/50 puck battle. He needs both support, and also be confident he'll come out of a board battle with the puck.

 

[Bendium]

I'd like to get Saros and Ekholm...

I think Ekholms experience and leadership could go a long way on this team right now.

 

[Mattilaus]

I am down for the Ekholm/Saros combo. I feel like the cost would hurt however. What do you guys think getting both of them would cost?

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Peterka + 2023 (middle of) 2nd for Crouse
Vegas 2023 2nd + Poltapov for Peeke
(Earlier) 2023 2nd + Comrie + Bryson + Ostlund/Savoie for Reimer and Ferraro

 

[truthbluth]

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Wild Fans are definitely done with him.

He'd certainly be an upgrade to Joker/Lybushkin, at least IMO.

I’d need to see more about his puck carrying. Who’s the guy that does zone entry stuff?

 

[Royal Thunder]

Defense is an obvious area of need. I also really think we need to replace some of the small skill in the middle of the lineup with a couple crash and bang energy type players; the middle 6 feels pretty redundant. Also bless the hearts of 28 and 21 but I am ready to move on from them after this year just to get some fresh blood in the lineup. Okposo’s complete lack of mobility is glaring

 

[Zman5778]

I am down for the Ekholm/Saros combo. I feel like the cost would hurt however. What do you guys think getting both of them would cost?

LeBrun in The Athletic said this yesterday:

LeBrun rumblings: New Timo Meier trade suitors emerge, Mattias Ekholm's price and more

Also the latest on Patrick Kane, the Capitals and Hurricanes deadline plans and Dylan Larkin extension talks.

theathletic.com

One player getting a good amount of attention over the past week is Mattias Ekholm, 32, who has another three years on his deal after this one at a $6.25 million average annual value. He’s still a bonafide top-four defenseman, which is why some teams are intrigued.

But his age, 33 in May, is a concern given the term left on the deal. The asking price would be high — perhaps as much as two first-round picks. Not sure there’s a team out there willing to pay that. But at the very least, the Preds are talking to teams about him.

Granted, there's no way that the Preds get TWO 1sts for Ekholm alone. Also granted that goalies typically don't go for all that much on the trade market.

But I'd think a combo platter of Ekholm and Saros would fetch 3 solid pieces probably, two firsts (or first-equivalents) plus something. Maybe it's something like 2 firsts/equivalents, prospect, mid-tier roster player to keep Nashville from completely tanking.

So maybe something like:

2023 top-5 protected first
Rosen
UPL (to replace Saros this year)
Jokiharju (to replace Ekholm)

Given that I personally do something like that in less than a heartbeat, that's probably a touch light.

 

[BFLO]

For as much as I like the Ekholm idea. I'd much rather save the premium trade assets and get Jensen in UFA this summer. He's a tiny bit worse at 5v5 than Ekholm, but he's better at the PK and he'll cost half as much $ and no trade assets. And he's right handed.

He's my #1 under the radar target this offseason.

But if WSH decides to sell at the deadline I'd consider giving up one of our 2nds for Jensen, just to get him in the door now and extended as quickly as possible.

 

[Chainshot]

For as much as I like the Ekholm idea. I'd much rather save the premium trade assets and get Jensen in UFA this summer. He's a tiny bit worse at 5v5 than Ekholm, but he's better at the PK and he'll cost half as much $ and no trade assets. And he's right handed.

He's my #1 under the radar target this offseason.

But if WSH decides to sell at the deadline I'd consider giving up one of our 2nds for Jensen, just to get him in the door now and extended as quickly as possible.

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Feels like Jensen was that guy before he went to the Caps too - someone with low-key good defensive impacts. He's someone I would think the Caps would move on from if their skid takes them clearly out of contention by the deadline.

 

[Bendium]

Detroit got criticized on this board for bringing on a bunch of middle six vets with their cap space. (totally blocking thier prospects I am sure) Right now that veteran presence and play is helping carry them as the playoff intensity ramps up, while the Sabres left a ton of cap available and filled the roster with prospects barely out of puberty. To be a better team you need not only better players, but also the right mix of players. This team has skill, but no amount of patience will get them the size and grit they need.

KA and Granato have to realize that they are there now. Its time to start shaping this team into a more balanced group. Its also time to start installing a team system that includes team defense.

 

[Bendium]

For as much as I like the Ekholm idea. I'd much rather save the premium trade assets and get Jensen in UFA this summer. He's a tiny bit worse at 5v5 than Ekholm, but he's better at the PK and he'll cost half as much $ and no trade assets. And he's right handed.

He's my #1 under the radar target this offseason.

But if WSH decides to sell at the deadline I'd consider giving up one of our 2nds for Jensen, just to get him in the door now and extended as quickly as possible.

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Good post. I am open to the discussion if we get to the offseason. The problem I see is how long of a contract? What I like about Ekholm is specifically the 3 years after this. I think 3 years is perfect to bridge us to finding another long term top 4, and his money comes off the books as a Power bridge ends and you use the cap room for Power 8 years then. I also like the leadership Ekholm brings. He would be a good on ice coach for these young guys.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Buffalo needs some forwards to kill penalties. They also need some defensemen that can kill penalties. And they need an assistant coach who's better at special teams.

They're REALLY bad at PKing.

 

[TehDoak]

Detroit got criticized on this board for bringing on a bunch of middle six vets with their cap space. (totally blocking thier prospects I am sure) Right now that veteran presence and play is helping carry them as the playoff intensity ramps up, while the Sabres left a ton of cap available and filled the roster with prospects barely out of puberty. To be a better team you need not only better players, but also the right mix of players. This team has skill, but no amount of patience will get them the size and grit they need.

KA and Granato have to realize that they are there now. Its time to start shaping this team into a more balanced group. Its also time to start installing a team system that includes team defense.

Adams unwillingness/inability to meaningfully address needs of the current roster the last two seasons has been frustrating, to say the least. Especially given the volume of draft picks and cap space available to improve the team.

When you consider the breakout performances we've had in Dahlin, Thompson, and Cozens, the near perfect health of our team, and the good rookie seasons from Power, Quinn, and Peterka. We've had essentially everything break as good as possible for us this year. Yet....we cannot crack into the top half of the league because the same problems we had 2 seasons ago remain unaddressed in any meaningful way by the front office.

 

[Beerz]

Buffalo needs some forwards to kill penalties. They also need some defensemen that can kill penalties. And they need an assistant coach who's better at special teams.

They're REALLY bad at PKing.

Someone who can win face-offs too

 

[Chainshot]

An oddity on Elite Prospects for me earlier was that old friend Arttu Ruotsalainen was trending, even higher than Ryan O'Reilly.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

cross posted
32 Thoughts today EF saying Kevin Adams listens to his veterans, they suggested keeping 3 goalies this season, and if you can bring someone in to help the room you might be looking to do that, per a couple sources.

 

[Willgamesh]

cross posted
32 Thoughts today EF saying Kevin Adams listens to his veterans, they suggested keeping 3 goalies this season, and if you can bring someone in to help the room you might be looking to do that, per a couple sources.

Wasn't the message we had a great room/vibes all season?

 

[WiHockeyGuy]

Wasn't the message we had a great room/vibes all season?

How does wanting to bring in people good in the room contradict that point?