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

[Djp]

For a pure next year view of things….

skinner-thompson-Quinn
Peterka-Cozens-Tuck
Mitts-Krebs-Greenway
xxx-xxx-xxx
xxx xxx

Sam-Dahlin
power-xxx
xxx-Lyub
Stillman

Comrie
UPL


assume Johnson and Levi are signed, in rochester
assume Olofsson is traded
bryson, Joker could be back or get traded
expect—
Jost is brought back under QO $1.7M range. He’d be in that 13th F role
Girgs is resigned

then you have the prospects and Rochester players with Kulich, Savoie, Rosen, Biro, Rousek, Weissbach

I feel Savoie is kept in buffalo.

buffalo could do an 11-7 more frequently with Savoie/Jost and a Girgs as extra F where they might double shift Quinn/Peterka/Cozens. This is especial true if Johnson was good enough to make the team but limit hit time played to 10 min or so.

I can see a trade for a RD involving Bryson, Olofsdon, Joker, and/ or Mitts.

if they were going to trade for say Demko then UPL likeky goes back. Why I doubt that would be the target….Vancouver woukd be looking or more prosoect D depth in return. Other than Johnson, buffalo diesnt have it

possible would be a framework of
Olofsson for a RD
Bryson and Joker for Demko
Mitts could be moved in a deal above too

you could have Mitts+ Joker for Demko+Garland or to Calgary around Anderson+ F….both VAN/CGY create needed space Eherr buffalo retains on players they ship out.

 

[TehDoak]

I've been thinking about the offseason a bit....and I think the biggest challenge starts with clearing out the bottom half of the roster.

Going forward:

Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Mittelstadt-Krebs-Olofsson
Greenway-Jost(RFA)-XXXXX

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Jokiharju
Bryson-Lybushkin
Stillman/Clague (RFA)

UPL
Comrie

If you simply find a top 4th line winger and a goalie and run it back with the same team.....you are probably going to see worse results next year. Obviously the season isn't over, so who knows how things will play out. Now, I think we will see some growth out of Peterka, Quinn, Power, Krebs, which will help move things forward, however, I think teams are getting a book on the Sabres and teams have been able to frustrated/stifle the offense for stretches. I think the fact remains...we only have 5 wins when we score less than 4 goals. I think improving that side of the ice is where true progress will come from.

In the forward group, Olofsson seems like the easiest target. He should have some trade value, even if its a 3rd rounder. We have the ability to retain on him.

After that, Jost seems to be an easy target here. I like him as a 4th C, but I think we need some added utility at the faceoff dot he simply doesn't provide. I suppose if he would be interested in a 13th F slot, we sign him at lesser than his QO, if he wants to go that way.

I think after that, there is a discussion to be had about the middle 6 LW slot. Do we bring back Greenway, Mittelstadt, and Peterka? Who can play the opposite wing best? I know Peterka has some experience on the right side. Or are we looking to move on from Mittelstadt before his bridge deal is up? Or is the plan for Greenway to replace Girgensons as our 4th LW

For the defense....there's alot of cruft here. With the pursuit of Chychrun, it seems to be a stated goal of the team to add to the top 4D. If you assume that means you have:

Joker, Bryson, Lybushkin, Stillman, and Clague all vying for 2 spots. And even then, there are some clear upgrades for the bottom pair available via UFA. If we are addressing the D issue via trade, I'd think one of Bryson/Joker would be going back, but even still, lots of extra bodies and not a lot of roster spots. There will have to be some cutting here as well.

As far as goalies goal....I think UPL has shown he is not ready for the full time starters role. I think Comrie has shown the same. I know many people want to give Comrie the benefit of the doubt simply because of injury issues.....I simply don't think we have that luxury anymore to "see where it goes" goaltending wise. This remains an urgent issue that has to be resolved.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I'd love to just make one simple move: Olofsson for Fabbro (add in picks however needed to balance, and retain on Olofsson to make it work for Nashville).

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Mittelstadt - Cozens - Greenway
Quinn - Krebs - Peterka
Girgensons - Jost - Okposo

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - Fabbro
Bryson - Jokiharju
x Stillman, Lyubushkin

 

[joshjull]

He’s bang up a bit you nitwit.

 

[debaser66]

I'd love to just make one simple move: Olofsson for Fabbro (add in picks however needed to balance, and retain on Olofsson to make it work for Nashville).

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Mittelstadt - Cozens - Greenway
Quinn - Krebs - Peterka
Girgensons - Jost - Okposo

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - Fabbro
Bryson - Jokiharju
x Stillman, Lyubushkin

I am so done with Bryson and Joker that I would insert Stillman-Lubu as a bottom pairing; at least they bring something extra

 

[Bendium]

Running it back with so few changes is madness.

 

[Dubi Doo]

If Greenway works out, the top-9 is looking set for the future.

A healthy line-up:
Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Mittelstadt-Cozens- Quinn
Peterka-Krebs-Greenway
Girgensons-Jost-Okoposo

Unfortunately, I'm not sure they're going to have a fully healthy roster again unless they make the playoffs. The grind is real once the playoff push starts. Im glad theyre experiencing it.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

Forward
I am fairly confident they let Hino go, and that they re-sign Girgs and Jost on short term deals, because why not? Mitts will definitely be back, IMO.

Okposo is less certain because of possible retirement, and VO is less certain because I think they'll be ready to move on. Just not sure what he can fetch and I doubt they'd waive him.

So, ideally, we have 2 open roster spots at F, with one of them being the 13th. I'd add a really good bottom 6 forward who is good at PK'ing and has some size. The last spot is an opportunity for a young player (Rousek/Kulich/Savoie).

Skinner Thompson Tuch
Mitts Cozens Quinn
Greenway Krebs Peterka
Girgs Jost xxxx
Rousek

Defense
Stillman's acquisition tells me they are moving on from Bryson. I could see him waived or traded if they can find someone who'll take him.

As much as I'd be open to it, I doubt they move on from Joki and I don't think he'd have that much value in a trade, but we can always dream. I think Boosh and Stillman are also very likely to still be in the mix.

That leaves 1 or 2 open roster spots at D, depending on how many they keep. I think one is open for Johnson if he shows he is worth it in camp, or they'll bring in another tweener to compete for the 6/7/8 spot.

The last D spot is reserved for the big acquisition or FA signing. They need to bring in one good defenseman who can play top 4 minutes. I won't even speculate as to who this will be because it is impossible to know at this point, but this is the biggest priority for the offseason.

Sammy Dahlin
Power xxxx
Johnson Joki
Stillman Boosh

Goalie
I personally don't think they'll do anything at Goalie unless they can upgrade by using UPL as a trade chip. I think failing that, you're going into next year with Comrie/UPL and with Levi as a long shot.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Running it back with so few changes is madness.

Why? The team is improving internally.

 

[Bendium]

Why? The team is improving internally.

Several of us have answered this many times. Just go thru the roster and ask yourself if this guy is on your cup contender team or on track to develop into one. If not, then they are on your replacement list.

Keep: Skinner, Tage, Tuch, Quinn, Cozens, Sammy, Dahlin, Power. (8)

Possibles: JJP, UPL, Krebs, Mitts or Greenway, Girgs (5)

Missed Cut: Olofsson, Mitts or Greenway, Joker, Lybushkin, Stillman, Bryson, Clague, Jost, Okposo, Hino, Comrie, Andersen (12)

So we have 13 players currently on the roster that either are playoff core, or likely to develop into.

We have 12 players that need to be traded, let go to UFA, or demoted to the AHL.

By the time we get to being a cup contender we need to replace 4 defensemen, 5 forwards and at least one goaltender.

Knowing that, you cannot keep letting trade periods pass without making changes to improve the team and fill in some of those slots, by both addition, and subtraction.

So what if the team is improving. It is not on a tragectory to achieve the goal, so we have to make changes. Thus:

Running it back is madness.

 

[TehDoak]

Why? The team is improving internally.

I think it's becoming obvious that there are areas that simply don't have an internal answer for, and they are somewhat intertwined.

Defensive Zone Coverage
PK issues
Goaltending
Faceoffs

Faceoffs is low hanging fruit. There can be incremental improvements internally here though. The issue, of course, is that we are 32nd. So moving from 32nd to 25th, while it would be progress, would still not be good. Upgrading Jost (one of the worst faceoff guys in the league) to an above average guy would big a huge win.

Defensive zone coverage/PK issue can also have internal fixes with system changes. However, the youth that we have here is going to be a challenge and incremental fixes. However, to really progress here, there has to be some personnel changes as well. An ideal fix is finding a strong PKer who is also good at faceoffs. We also probably need to modify our defensive mix as well. Powers development SHOULD improve this as well. But it likely has to be BOTH to see real progress. Adding a good defensive RD that can play top 4 minutes to play with Power is something that could have positive impacts at ES and PK.

As far as goaltending goes, Comrie likely doesn't have a ton of upside. He's like is who he is with us now. He could be healthier, which I think would help his results, but I don't think he's going to suddenly being a guy you want starting 40+ games. UPL obviously has some upside. Obviously there the hope is that Levi will be the answer there, but in the context of next year, he probably shouldn't be considered to be a factor. Let him cook at the AHL and re-evaluate next year. But, finding a guy who can do a 40/40 or 50/30 split with UPL would be ideal. Essentially I think the goal here should be to upgrade Comrie and lessen the load on UPL.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Running it back with so few changes is madness.

They don't need to be making a raft of changes.

Assuming the deadline acquisitions don't completely tank - they literally need to make two moves in the offseason. One on the blue line & the other in net.

 

[Jim Bob]

Several of us have answered this many times. Just go thru the roster and ask yourself if this guy is on your cup contender team or on track to develop into one. If not, then they are on your replacement list.

Keep: Skinner, Tage, Tuch, Quinn, Cozens, Sammy, Dahlin, Power. (8)

Possibles: JJP, UPL, Krebs, Mitts or Greenway, Girgs (5)

Missed Cut: Olofsson, Mitts or Greenway, Joker, Lybushkin, Stillman, Bryson, Clague, Jost, Okposo, Hino, Comrie, Andersen (12)

So we have 13 players currently on the roster that either are playoff core, or likely to develop into.

We have 12 players that need to be traded, let go to UFA, or demoted to the AHL.

By the time we get to being a cup contender we need to replace 4 defensemen, 5 forwards and at least one goaltender.

Knowing that, you cannot keep letting trade periods pass without making changes to improve the team and fill in some of those slots, by both addition, and subtraction.

So what if the team is improving. It is not on a tragectory to achieve the goal, so we have to make changes. Thus:

Running it back is madness.

 

[threeVo]

My dream(and realistic) Sabres 2023-24 opening night roster

Center: Thompson, Cozens, Jost, Krebs, UFA Depth signing
Wing: Skinner, Tuch, Quinn, JJP, Mitts, Greenway, Kulich, Girgensons
Defense: Dahlin, Power, Sammy, Severson or Gudas, Joki, Boosh, Any 7th not named Bryson
Goalie: Jarry, Comrie or UPL

Move Olofsson, waive Bryson, Trade Comrie if you are ok with UPL. I cant see us making a huge splash in UFA but getting Kulich in the lineup over Olofsson will be great.

 

[Ace]

He’s bang up a bit you nitwit.

I mean…the time stamps on those tweets should be enough to tell you that an opinion (btw…a soft one to give benefit of the doubt to coaching) was given before information was known.

Seems like a hell of a thing to call someone out on.

Like…you look worse here than him.

 

[Aladyyn]

Several of us have answered this many times. Just go thru the roster and ask yourself if this guy is on your cup contender team or on track to develop into one. If not, then they are on your replacement list.

Keep: Skinner, Tage, Tuch, Quinn, Cozens, Sammy, Dahlin, Power. (8)

Possibles: JJP, UPL, Krebs, Mitts or Greenway, Girgs (5)

Missed Cut: Olofsson, Mitts or Greenway, Joker, Lybushkin, Stillman, Bryson, Clague, Jost, Okposo, Hino, Comrie, Andersen (12)

So we have 13 players currently on the roster that either are playoff core, or likely to develop into.

We have 12 players that need to be traded, let go to UFA, or demoted to the AHL.

By the time we get to being a cup contender we need to replace 4 defensemen, 5 forwards and at least one goaltender.

Knowing that, you cannot keep letting trade periods pass without making changes to improve the team and fill in some of those slots, by both addition, and subtraction.

So what if the team is improving. It is not on a tragectory to achieve the goal, so we have to make changes. Thus:

Running it back is madness.

I think this is an extremely pessimistic way of looking at things. Guys like Mitts, Krebs, JJ are absolutely on track to be top 9 calibre players on a strong team, and Joker would easily find a spot on the 3rd pairing of most contending teams. Realistically we want one top 4 D (unlikely to be found internally) and one top 6 F (decent chance to be found internally) and past that it's really just depth that is easily backfilled through a number of avenues.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

I think this is an extremely pessimistic way of looking at things. Guys like Mitts, Krebs, JJ are absolutely on track to be top 9 calibre players on a strong team, and Joker would easily find a spot on the 3rd pairing of most contending teams. Realistically we want one top 4 D (unlikely to be found internally) and one top 6 F (decent chance to be found internally) and past that it's really just depth that is easily backfilled through a number of avenues.

The other important point here is that Savoie and Kulich will be on this team taking up forward spots… maybe as soon as next year. Savoie is clipping at almost at 2 1/2 points per game pace in the last two months. Therefore the move is really just one top for defenseman and making sure goaltending is good.

That’s not even accounting for the fact that we will likely need to move olofson and that doesn’t leave a lot of room for mitts. These will be trade pieces to help get the goalie and the one top 4 defenseman… Plus we still have draft picks this year to draft future d depth. Also, I haven’t even talked about Ostland who is out of sight but many of the prospect people lately I’ve been saying, he might be the best of the three draft picks from last year ( listen to locked on Sabres recent prospect episodes…)

 

[zenthusiast]

The ideal, of course, is that young players continue to progress, but I wouldn’t stake a season on that assumption. Give them the space to grow but augment them with proven commodities as complements and failsafes.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

I’d like to bring in a few UFA forwards like Miles Wood and JT Compher to replace Olofsson and Jost/Okposo. We need some sand paper on the back side. I’d re-sign Girgs and keep marinating Savoie and Kulich. Savoie can’t go to the Amerks? That’s a absolutely ridiculous rule if not,

Add a 4 RD and another hammer for the 3rd pair (Hakanpaa type) and we’re in business.

Skinner-TNT-Tuch
Mitts-Cozens-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Peterka
Girgs-Compher-Wood

 

[TehDoak]

They don't need to be making a raft of changes.

Assuming the deadline acquisitions don't completely tank - they literally need to make two moves in the offseason. One on the blue line & the other in net.

When you are 29th in faceoffs, 31st in PK, 25th in Shots against, 25th in goals against.....this is more than just a single d-man and goalie fix. Some help will come from internal development....but for substantial improvement, they need to modify multiple things, at the coaching level, system wise, and personnel wise.

 

[Bendium]

I think this is an extremely pessimistic way of looking at things. Guys like Mitts, Krebs, JJ are absolutely on track to be top 9 calibre players on a strong team, and Joker would easily find a spot on the 3rd pairing of most contending teams. Realistically we want one top 4 D (unlikely to be found internally) and one top 6 F (decent chance to be found internally) and past that it's really just depth that is easily backfilled through a number of avenues.

Its not pessimistic. Its realistic. Clearly my standard is also higher than yours for what I am looking for from a player.

I said those player were possibles. They have not arrived there. I think it is disingenuous to declare them on thier way to be strong top 9 players when they haven't shown it yet. Mitts is pretty flawed but my make it to be a servicable 3rd line winger, but Greenway is likely to be a better fit for that. Krebs cieling right now looks like it is a 3rd line center, but he is undersized and has a poor faceoff percentage, so again, my be just adequate for the role. JJP is likely headed for middle six winger. Slightly undersized but should be adequate for the role.

Because they are likely adequate at best for those roles, there is opportunity to replace them with better players for the roles they would have. If you have one of them on a strong line its servicable, but make a third line of say, Mitts - Krebs - JJP, and you likely have a servicable 3rd line, not strong one, that likely is losing its matchup to a good playoff team.

Raise the bar.

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

The other important point here is that Savoie and Kulich will be on this team taking up forward spots… maybe as soon as next year. Savoie is clipping at almost at 2 1/2 points per game pace in the last two months. Therefore the move is really just one top for defenseman and making sure goaltending is good.

That’s not even accounting for the fact that we will likely need to move olofson and that doesn’t leave a lot of room for mitts. These will be trade pieces to help get the goalie and the one top 4 defenseman… Plus we still have draft picks this year to draft future d depth. Also, I haven’t even talked about Ostland who is out of sight but many of the prospect people lately I’ve been saying, he might be the best of the three draft picks from last year ( listen to locked on Sabres recent prospect episodes…)

I think with Buffalo kind of being ahead of schedule right now it affords them more time to slow cook the newer prospects. Personally I would rather see them give Kulich, Savoie, Ostlund, and Rosen another year to develop. We have to remember Krebs, JJ and Quinn are still in the early stages of their NHL development, so adding more kids to that mix could be more painful than intended for people who are expecting to improve in the standings.

Letting those 3 build on this season for another year would be of greater benefit to the kids outside of the NHL right now. If you bring up say Savoie and Kulich, you can't rely on JJ, Krebs or Quinn to help shelter them, at least not yet. They absolutely still need some vets on the roster at least short term. I just don't think it's ideal to have 4 or 5 of your bottom 9 forwards all having less than 2 full seasons of NHL experience.

 

[TehDoak]

I think with Buffalo kind of being ahead of schedule right now it affords them more time to slow cook the newer prospects. Personally I would rather see them give Kulich, Savoie, Ostlund, and Rosen another year to develop. We have to remember Krebs, JJ and Quinn are still in the early stages of their NHL development, so adding more kids to that mix could be more painful than intended for people who are expecting to improve in the standings.

Letting those 3 build on this season for another year would be of greater benefit to the kids outside of the NHL right now. If you bring up say Savoie and Kulich, you can't rely on JJ, Krebs or Quinn to help shelter them, at least not yet. They absolutely still need some vets on the roster at least short term. I just don't think it's ideal to have 4 or 5 of your bottom 9 forwards all having less than 2 full seasons of NHL experience.

"Kevyn, we've got a problem"
"What is it"
"The Kids....they are blocked"
"Oh no"
"It gets worse....they are being blocked....by the kids"

Kevyn:

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

I’d like to bring in a few UFA forwards like Miles Wood and JT Compher to replace Olofsson and Jost/Okposo. We need some sand paper on the back side. I’d re-sign Girgs and keep marinating Savoie and Kulich. Savoie can’t go to the Amerks? That’s a absolutely ridiculous rule if not,

Add a 4 RD and another hammer for the 3rd pair (Hakanpaa type) and we’re in business.

Skinner-TNT-Tuch
Mitts-Cozens-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Peterka
Girgs-Compher-Wood

I don't mind these lines or the addition of Wood but I am ok with bring back Jost.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Several of us have answered this many times. Just go thru the roster and ask yourself if this guy is on your cup contender team or on track to develop into one. If not, then they are on your replacement list.

Keep: Skinner, Tage, Tuch, Quinn, Cozens, Sammy, Dahlin, Power. (8)

Possibles: JJP, UPL, Krebs, Mitts or Greenway, Girgs (5)

Missed Cut: Olofsson, Mitts or Greenway, Joker, Lybushkin, Stillman, Bryson, Clague, Jost, Okposo, Hino, Comrie, Andersen (12)

So we have 13 players currently on the roster that either are playoff core, or likely to develop into.

We have 12 players that need to be traded, let go to UFA, or demoted to the AHL.

By the time we get to being a cup contender we need to replace 4 defensemen, 5 forwards and at least one goaltender.

Knowing that, you cannot keep letting trade periods pass without making changes to improve the team and fill in some of those slots, by both addition, and subtraction.

So what if the team is improving. It is not on a tragectory to achieve the goal, so we have to make changes. Thus:

Running it back is madness.

thinking that is even possible in the cap compliant, collectively bargained NHL is the only madness