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

[Ehran]

Tuch to IR opens a roster spot for a 4th goalie !

 

[Ace]

The ”development year” team that calls up Hinostroza or the “pushing for the playoffs team” that won’t make moves.

They have no identity.

 

[Dirty Dog]

The ”development year” team that calls up Hinostroza or the “pushing for the playoffs team” that won’t make moves.

They have no identity.

They do have an identity. It’s extremely clear to everyone. And it’s working.

You just disagree with it (first saying it meant they’d be a horrible team and you’ve since had to pivot to “no identity” or something)

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Flip JJ and Quinn. I'd rather see what Peterka can do on the top line. Maybe gives him a little boost?

With how well the Mitts-Krebs-Quinn line has looked, I feel like it would be hard for Donny to break them up.

That makes a ton of sense actually. I guess part of me wanted to see what Quinn could do at the top of the lineup, as that’s where I see his talent level. However, Peterka actually might be able to provide the skating/forecheck ability that they’re losing with Tuch.

Obviously there’s no replacing Tuch. He might be one the best power forwards in the game right now, and clearly one of the best skaters/fore checkers in the league. I like the idea of lessening the pain throughout the rest of the lineup. I do think it makes sense to put Asplund on the same line as Olofsson and see if they can get a spark. It might be the last gasp for either of them as Sabres.

 

[Chainshot]

Dream scenario, Hino isn't in the line up for the Ameriks because he is one of the items going the other way in a trade. I am trying to be optimistic.

That's some optimism for sure.

That makes a ton of sense actually. I guess part of me wanted to see what Quinn could do at the top of the lineup, as that’s where I see his talent level. However, Peterka actually might be able to provide the skating/forecheck ability that they’re losing with Tuch.

Obviously there’s no replacing Tuch. He might be one the best power forwards in the game right now, and clearly one of the best skaters/fore checkers in the league. I like the idea of lessening the pain throughout the rest of the lineup. I do think it makes sense to put Asplund on the same line as Olofsson and see if they can get a spark. It might be the last gasp for either of them as Sabres.

The guy right now who has been the best forechecker not on the top line, who is also making sure to work his bag off on the backcheck... is Mittelstadt.

 

[Ace]

They do have an identity. It’s extremely clear to everyone. And it’s working.

You just disagree with it (first saying it meant they’d be a horrible team and you’ve since had to pivot to “no identity” or something)

What is there identity?

To be a team with no depth, a ton of assets and cap space…and not care where they finish…but also not use opportunity to reward developing players?

It isn’t to go for it. And it isn’t to reward young players earning call ups.

so what is it?

A team actively targeting no man’s land of not drafting high and missing the playoffs? That’s a win when you’re in a spot right now? Because they’re not going to add anything of significance. So if that’s the case…call up Rousek. Let him get the chance he’s earned. Because it’s a development year, right? But they aren’t doing that either.

Doing nothing isn’t a f***ing identity.

Its a waste of position…and time

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

There are probably better options but this is what I predict Granato will try...

Skinner - Thompson - Okposo
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
Mittelstadt - Krebs - Olofsson
Girgensons - Jost - Hinostroza/Asplund

 

[Zman5778]

The guy right now who has been the best forechecker not on the top line, who is also making sure to work his bag off on the backcheck... is Mittelstadt.

Which is why I'm thinking he goes up with Skinner and Tage.

Skinner-Tage-Mitts
JJP-Cozens-VO
Hino-Krebs-Quinn
Girgs-Jost-Okposo

Cautiously open to reuniting the kids line and then throwing the leftovers with Jost and then reuniting KOG

 

[Chainshot]

Which is why I'm thinking he goes up with Skinner and Tage.

Skinner-Tage-Mitts
JJP-Cozens-VO
Hino-Krebs-Quinn
Girgs-Jost-Okposo

Cautiously open to reuniting the kids line and then throwing the leftovers with Jost and then reuniting KOG

I think Hino as the spare and plug Asplund in for a game or two first, see if he can recapture any of his game from last year.

 

[Dirty Dog]

What is there identity?

To be a team with no depth, a ton of assets and cap space…and not care where they finish…but also not use opportunity to reward developing players?

It isn’t to go for it. And it isn’t to reward young players earning call ups.

so what is it?

A team actively targeting no man’s land of not drafting high and missing the playoffs? That’s a win when you’re in a spot right now? Because they’re not going to add anything of significance. So if that’s the case…call up Rousek. Let him get the chance he’s earned. Because it’s a development year, right? But they aren’t doing that either.

Doing nothing isn’t a f***ing identity.

Its a waste of position…and time

They have a young team up and down the lineup and the team wants to ride it this year. Disagree all you want, but it’s that simple.

When everyone told you that all off-season, you kept saying how bad of an idea it was because we’d be horrible. You were very very wrong.

Now you have completely flipped and said it’s a bad idea because we’re good and should be going for it

 

[Zman5778]

I think Hino as the spare and plug Asplund in for a game or two first, see if he can recapture any of his game from last year.

I'm 100% fine with that as well.

 

[Mattilaus]

I honestly wouldn't mind putting Quinn up for a game or so to see if he can hang with Tage and Skinny. With the caveat that if it clearly isn't working, put him back lower in the line up quickly.

 

[Chainshot]

I honestly wouldn't mind putting Quinn up for a game or so to see if he can hang with Tage and Skinny. With the caveat that if it clearly isn't working, put him back lower in the line up.

What Tuch brings is not what Quinn brings. Now if Skinner was out? Sure. But they need someone who is going to win pucks and forecheck, be dedicated on the back pressure, etc... Not that they have anyone who can do all of that as well as Tuch does, but that isn't Quinn's game. If Thompson decided he was going to take over that role, maybe, but then it's pinching their rush offense for that line.

 

[Mattilaus]

What Tuch brings is not what Quinn brings. Now if Skinner was out? Sure. But they need someone who is going to win pucks and forecheck, be dedicated on the back pressure, etc... Not that they have anyone who can do all of that as well as Tuch does, but that isn't Quinn's game. If Thompson decided he was going to take over that role, maybe, but then it's pinching their rush offense for that line.

I agree and I am not touting quinn as like a full-time permanent replacement, but I have trouble seeing anyone we have in the line up who can fill that box without being a boat anchor or without creating a huge hole somewhere else on the roster. Okie is too slow to play with Tage and Skinner, we can't use cozens because then we have no 2nd line C, Asplund has zero offensive game even if he does manage to get his D game back.

 

[Chainshot]

I agree and I am not touting quinn as like a full-time permanent replacement, but I have trouble seeing anyone we have in the line up who can fill that box without being a boat anchor or without creating a huge hole somewhere else on the roster. Okie is too slow to play with Tage and Skinner, we can't use cozens because then we have no 2nd line C, Asplund has zero offensive game even if he does manage to get his D game back.

The unpopular choice that fits though is Mitts.

 

[Mattilaus]

The unpopular choice that fits though is Mitts.

That's fair. I don't have anything against Mitts, I just seem to forget about him from time to time.

 

[Dingo44]

Maybe I'm crazy but if it's not Mitts with Thompson and Skinner how about Krebs? He has a bunch of speed, he forechecks hard, and he can definitely set up 72 & 53.

Skinner - Thompson - Krebs
Mitts - Cozens - Quinn
Olofsson - Jost - Asplund
Okposo - Girgensons - Peterka

 

[Mattilaus]

Maybe I'm crazy but if it's not Mitts with Thompson and Skinner how about Krebs? He has a bunch of speed, he forechecks hard, and he can definitely set up 72 & 53.

Skinner - Thompson - Krebs
Mitts - Cozens - Quinn
Olofsson - Jost - Asplund
Okposo - Girgensons - Peterka

I don't mind this idea either except that third line worries me.

 

[Chainshot]

Maybe I'm crazy but if it's not Mitts with Thompson and Skinner how about Krebs? He has a bunch of speed, he forechecks hard, and he can definitely set up 72 & 53.

Skinner - Thompson - Krebs
Mitts - Cozens - Quinn
Olofsson - Jost - Asplund
Okposo - Girgensons - Peterka

It's an idea. He certainly has improved his play centering Mitts-Quinn.

It may also just be Asplund back on RW like last year when he and Vic started out with Thompson, then Vic got hurt, Skinner joined the line and Asplund was their defensive cover.

 

[jcbeze]

This is a huge blow to the team mojo....can't see the team having much of a jump tomorrow. Maybe Tuch joins Donnie for pre game locker room speech to help in that regard

 

[Dingo44]

I don't mind this idea either except that third line worries me.

I don't love the third line but maybe Olofsson and Asplund find their chemistry again and Jost seems to be good at getting guys going and played pretty well with 71 for a while. And I'd like to see Peterka get the Krebs treatment with Girgs and Okie to find his game.

 

[zenthusiast]

Just help them out and give them a chance to earn it ffs

 

[old kummelweck]

I bet they move Cozens to the top line wing and Mitts goes back to the middle

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I would try to keep a legit top line, make the best of two more lines, and play a 4th line as little as possible...

Skinner - Thompson - Cozens
Quinn - Mittelstadt - Peterka
Girgensons - Krebs - Okposo
Asplund - Jost - Olofsson (this line only plays around 8 mins)

If anyone gets gassed or struggles (Peterka probably), then switch him out with one of 74/17/71.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I think Mitts will get first crack at the top line, but it wouldn't surprise me if they try Quinn there at some point.