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

[Ace]

They can certainly strike a balance since they still have a couple of 2nds and have clear roster needs.

I don't know if this draft is particularly "deep" beyond the cluster of players at the top 1-4 or 1-5 who probably stack up better than many of the recent drafts and push some depth down a bit and having a better goaltender year, but "deep" may not mean getting a first round rated guy at 45 or even 38 where those picks are today.

It’s just a draft outside of the very top. The most likely thing our pick delivers is another skill forward in the Ostlund/Kulich/Rosen range for the pile. Maybe they can get lucky on D. And even if they do it will be years until we see anything from it. By then it will be up to the next front office if they fit what they’re rebuilding.

 

[Jim Bob]

The only players that should be on next year's roster

Thompson
Tuch
Skinner
Cozens
Quinn
Peterka

Dahlin
Power
Samuelsson

Levi

Every other spot needs to be totally revamped.

Levi should not be on the Sabres to start the 2023-24 season.

 

[TehDoak]

If I am putting something together now:

Out:

Okposo (retiring)
Anderson (retiring)
Comrie (Buyout/AHL)
Jost (not qualified or brought back at as a 13th forward)
Joker (trade)
Olofsson (trade)
Bryson (trade/buyout)

In:

A) Top 4 Right D-man to play with Power, (skill sets: D-zone play, PK help, Mobile enough to play in system and log significant minutes)
B) Platoon goalie to start/split starts with UPL
C) Center to help with faceoffs, PK
D) Veteran winger to help with PK
E) If Johnson doesn't sign, a vet LHD who can play in their own zone
Girgenson re-signed (2-3 years, under 2M per)

Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Mittelstadt-Cozens-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Peterka
Girgensons-CCCCC-DDDDD

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-AAAAA
Johnson/EEEEE-Lyubushkin
Stillman

BBBBB
UPL

You can, if you are aggressive, solve for all my inputs via UFA. other than the RHD, none of them should be cost prohibitive, asset wise. I think you need to get a few D-men in the pipeline for next year, so that is what you are looking for in return of Olofsson/Joker. Some D+1/D+2/D+3 Defensemen that are good in the AHL can make the jump in a year or two. Could also dip into the College UFA d pool. If we can find a swap out of Mittelstadt for an upgrade signed long term, I'm not opposed to that as well, but its far less urgent than the other pieces we need there.

 

[BB79]

Well he has one more year left, it's not like we are stuck with him.

We're stuck with him for another year. Send him to Rochester lol

 

[Der Jaeger]

As long as it is dead, and we can move on with discussing the changes needed, because we need alot more fixed than is going to happen thru, "patient development", and "running it back."

It WILL require trading assets, signing a few UFA's, and replacing a few coaches, to put a better, more balanced team, prospect pipeline, and hockey system in place that can not only sustain winning, but compete at the higher level that hockey ascends to the last third of the season and in the playoffs.

The team doesn't need a lot more outside of patience. Are there targeted moves that can help? Sure. Are there players that can be let go? Sure. But this isn't a revamp or rebuild. The natural development of the young players is the way forward.

Things to consider:
- Thompson's line was recognized as a legitimate top line, and got the match-ups accordingly down the stretch.
- Cozens got 2C match-ups for the first time in his NHL career. He's still only 22.
- Peterka, Quinn, and Power are all rookies still and will have a huge role in this team going forward. Quinn and Peterka are barely legal to drink. Power still can't, and has played games as the 1D.
- Samuelsson shouldered the load of a prime Hjalmarsson, at 23 years old.

Just the development of these players will exceed anything the Sabres can bring in.

The only players that should be on next year's roster

Thompson
Tuch
Skinner
Cozens
Quinn
Peterka

Dahlin
Power
Samuelsson

Levi

Every other spot needs to be totally revamped.

Moving on from Krebs would be dumb. Moving on from Greenway, Mittelstadt, Jost, and Lyubushkin would also not be really smart.

There are players the Sabres should move on from: Olofsson, Jokiharju, Bryson are three. Bringing Anderson back in net would be a mistake.

But flushing half the roster because we're mad the Sabres won't make the playoffs is a bigger mistake.

 

[Gabrielor]

Don't know why, but I'm snapped back to positive Sabres thoughts.

I'm all in on the Carter Hart trade idea.

 

[Sabre the Win]

We're stuck with him for another year. Send him to Rochester lol

Or see how he comes to camp, if this year was conditioning maybe the new team start and season gets him back to what he was before or better.

 

[Bendium]

The team doesn't need a lot more outside of patience. Are there targeted moves that can help? Sure. Are there players that can be let go? Sure. But this isn't a revamp or rebuild. The natural development of the young players is the way forward.

Things to consider:
- Thompson's line was recognized as a legitimate top line, and got the match-ups accordingly down the stretch.
- Cozens got 2C match-ups for the first time in his NHL career. He's still only 22.
- Peterka, Quinn, and Power are all rookies still and will have a huge role in this team going forward. Quinn and Peterka are barely legal to drink. Power still can't, and has played games as the 1D.
- Samuelsson shouldered the load of a prime Hjalmarsson, at 23 years old.

Just the development of these players will exceed anything the Sabres can bring in.

Moving on from Krebs would be dumb. Moving on from Greenway, Mittelstadt, Jost, and Lyubushkin would also not be really smart.

There are players the Sabres should move on from: Olofsson, Jokiharju, Bryson are three. Bringing Anderson back in net would be a mistake.

But flushing half the roster because we're mad the Sabres won't make the playoffs is a bigger mistake.

Lots of good thoughts, but what I do not get is why the "patience group" keeps using Thompson, Cozens, Quinn, Power, Dahlin, Sammy, JJP, Tuch, Krebs, UPL, Skinner as what we need to be patient with. Right now thats the core. The "no-patience" group agrees with you. Thats not where the discussion lies.

The discussion is concerning all the non-core support around the core. Patience isnt fixing that. Growth in the young core doesn't fix it. I don't want to flush half the roster because I am mad we are losing right now. If you have been watching my posting I have been advocating flushing half the roster for most of the year.

Players that do not have a place on my playoff team at this point, thus I feel need to be replaced?

Joker, Lybushkin, Bryson, Pilut, Olofsson, Mitts, Okposo, Jost, Hino, Comrie, Andersen all need to be replaced with better/different players that have the utility and tools we need to support the core.

Greenway and Stillman I don't have enough experience with to say, but so far niether look like solutions I am looking for.

Girgs is a completely capable 4th line winger, but the value of bringing in a new vet in that role that can bring new energy and a new voice seem worth more to me right now.

Thats 13 players that are not core and are producing either just at, or below replacement in thier roles.

So yes, flushing half the roster is needed...not because we are mad, but because we want to win.

 

[Ace]

I think the most annoying argument right now is “hey…they’re going to finish higher than you thought! Enjoy it!”

I don’t know what a fans assessment or Dom’s flawed model that had us behind the SHARKS has to do with anything when the flaws are the same ones we knew going in. Is it too much to ask that your organization plan for the slightest success that is being around the midpoint of the league without you doing your job on the roster? Shouldn’t more be expected of Adams assessment of the franchise than Dom or random poster on hfboards?

Does it finally start in year four for him? Is that when the clock actually starts for people on his leaving unnecessary and obvious holes in his lineup? Or are we taking another year off next year and excusing it?

No one has yet to explain how icing NHL quality goalies instead of going cheap with the last options left harms the teams development. No one has yet to explain how getting a partner for Power is going to hurt him. But this is the plan I keep hearing I am supposed to bow down to.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Lots of good thoughts, but what I do not get is why the "patience group" keeps using Thompson, Cozens, Quinn, Power, Dahlin, Sammy, JJP, Tuch, Krebs, UPL, Skinner as what we need to be patient with. Right now thats the core. The "no-patience" group agrees with you. Thats not where the discussion lies.

The discussion is concerning all the non-core support around the core. Patience isnt fixing that. Growth in the young core doesn't fix it. I don't want to flush half the roster because I am mad we are losing right now. If you have been watching my posting I have been advocating flushing half the roster for most of the year.

Players that do not have a place on my playoff team at this point, thus I feel need to be replaced?

Joker, Lybushkin, Bryson, Pilut, Olofsson, Mitts, Okposo, Jost, Hino, Comrie, Andersen all need to be replaced with better/different players that have the utility and tools we need to support the core.

Greenway and Stillman I don't have enough experience with to say, but so far niether look like solutions I am looking for.

Girgs is a completely capable 4th line winger, but the value of bringing in a new vet in that role that can bring new energy and a new voice seem worth more to me right now.

Thats 13 players that are not core and are producing either just at, or below replacement in thier roles.

So yes, flushing hlaf the roster is needed...not because we are mad, but because we want to win.

OK, so let's refine the argument based on what you just wrote. Here's the part you're good with:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
xxx - Krebs - xxx
xxx - xxx - xxx
xxx

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - xxx
xxx - xxx
xxx

Goalie: UPL, xxx

Now let's evaluate if players can actually fill the roles:

Jost: young player, cheap, does a lot of 4C stuff already and he's an RFA.
Greenway: reclamation project who has played 8 games as a Sabre. If Granato can get him to commit, he does everything the team needs as far as a power forward goes.
Lyubushkin: physical 5-7 D on a decent contract and doesn't kill the team.
Stillman: flier the front office took on a physical defender who fills the 6/7 role. Also only played 8 games as a Sabre.
Mittelstadt: finally contributing, and he's going to hit the 50 point mark as a puck possession middle 6 winger. No reason to develop him and then move him.

Let's re-look the roster:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
Mittelstadt - Krebs - xxx
Greenway - Jost - xxx

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - xxx
xxx - Lyubushkin
Stillman

Goalie: UPL, xxx

Now take a look at the two trades I've been advocating, and see how I got there:

Olofsson to Nashville for Fabbro
Jokiharju and a pick to Anaheim for Comtois and Jones

Re-look the roster now:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
Mittelstadt - Krebs - Comtois
Greenway - Jost - Jones
xxx

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - Fabbro
xxx - Lyubushkin
Stillman

Goalie: UPL, xxx

Instead of flushing the baby with the bath water, you keep a contributing players and move on from others, like every other NHL team. Make a couple smart, but not really that big, trades that add a competent partner for Power and some forward physicality.

Now the problem is adding a goalie, a LD, and a 13th forward. That's a much easier problem to solve. This also doesn't account for Ryan Johnson, Levi, Kulich, or Savoie surprising and making the roster, but still leaves room for that to happen.

 

[Mattilaus]

I think the most annoying argument right now is “hey…they’re going to finish higher than you thought! Enjoy it!”

I don’t know what a fans assessment or Dom’s flawed model that had us behind the SHARKS has to do with anything when the flaws are the same ones we knew going in. Is it too much to ask that your organization plan for the slightest success that is being around the midpoint of the league without you doing your job on the roster? Shouldn’t more be expected of Adams assessment of the franchise than Dom or random poster on hfboards?

Does it finally start in year four for him? Is that when the clock actually starts for people on his leaving unnecessary and obvious holes in his lineup? Or are we taking another year off next year and excusing it?

No one has yet to explain how icing NHL quality goalies instead of going cheap with the last options left harms the teams development. No one has yet to explain how getting a partner for Power is going to hurt him. But this is the plan I keep hearing I am supposed to bow down to.

Quote a single post where someone indicated Power does not need a better partner. The entire board has been quite unanimous on that so why are you acting like everyone disagrees with you?

Additionally who asked you to bow down to anything?

The hyperbole on here is ridiculous. The world isn't against you, despite you acting like it.

 

[Irie]

This thread has way too much doom and gloom and probably needs more perspective.

Excluding Lauko who is a recall averaging 9 minutes a game and has only appeared in a little over a dozen games, these are the Sabres that are younger than the Bruins YOUNGEST player in the last game:

Cozens
Krebs
Mittelstadt
Peterka
Quinn
Dahlin
Clague
Jokiharju
Power
Stillman
UPL
Jost
Sameulsson

11 of Buffalo's players in the game and 13 of their players that have or are playing regularly now are all younger than Boston's youngest regular player, and Tuch and Thompson are also younger than 80% of the Bruins team.

This young team hit a wall.

They play a high-tempo style of game and they only made it to the 3/4 mark of the season before they ran out of gas.

They will learn how to better pace and condition themselves and what is required to stay fresh through the 82 game season as they gain experience.

 

[Bendium]

OK, so let's refine the argument based on what you just wrote. Here's the part you're good with:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
xxx - Krebs - xxx
xxx - xxx - xxx
xxx

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - xxx
xxx - xxx
xxx

Goalie: UPL, xxx

Now let's evaluate if players can actually fill the roles:

Jost: young player, cheap, does a lot of 4C stuff already and he's an RFA.
Greenway: reclamation project who has played 8 games as a Sabre. If Granato can get him to commit, he does everything the team needs as far as a power forward goes.
Lyubushkin: physical 5-7 D on a decent contract and doesn't kill the team.
Stillman: flier the front office took on a physical defender who fills the 6/7 role. Also only played 8 games as a Sabre.
Mittelstadt: finally contributing, and he's going to hit the 50 point mark as a puck possession middle 6 winger. No reason to develop him and then move him.

Let's re-look the roster:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
Mittelstadt - Krebs - xxx
Greenway - Jost - xxx

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - xxx
xxx - Lyubushkin
Stillman

Goalie: UPL, xxx

Now take a look at the two trades I've been advocating, and see how I got there:

Olofsson to Nashville for Fabbro
Jokiharju and a pick to Anaheim for Comtois and Jones

Re-look the roster now:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Quinn - Cozens - Peterka
Mittelstadt - Krebs - Comtois
Greenway - Jost - Jones
xxx

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - Fabbro
xxx - Lyubushkin
Stillman

Goalie: UPL, xxx

Instead of flushing the baby with the bath water, you keep a contributing players and move on from others, like every other NHL team. Make a couple smart, but not really that big, trades that add a competent partner for Power and some forward physicality.

Now the problem is adding a goalie, a LD, and a 13th forward. That's a much easier problem to solve. This also doesn't account for Ryan Johnson, Levi, Kulich, or Savoie surprising and making the roster, but still leaves room for that to happen.

Ok. We are getting somewhere.

I will concede that replacing all 13 of the people I identified is not all that realistic in one offseason. One reason I wanted more movement this past deadline. I even agree that the group you kept, Jost, Greenway, Boosh, Stillman and Mitts are players they likely keep at least this time around. That said, let me challenge a couple thoughts.

The first one is keeping Jost. We need a better/different type of bottom six center than Krebs or Jost is. We need a veteran, physical possession center. So only one of Krebs or Jost stays. The other gets dropped or traded.

I still struggle to find a place for both Greenway and Mitts. Every way I look at it, they both end up at third line LW. Anywhere else seems like playing them out of position just to keep them.

 

[Chainshot]

Similar list that I've had most of the season:

One top 4 defenseman, especially one who can PK and is solid defensively. Don't care about handedness, right would be nice but is not a deal breaker.
One goalie, swapping out one of the two currently under contract for a different player.
One forward who is a quality pressure PKer/checker.

 

[Matt Ress]

It's frustrating that they drubbed through 2/3 of last season and came alive in the last third and then are seemingly doing the opposite this season.

I'm not surprised that we didn't have a big deadline but I also fully expect some spots to be replaced this summer.

 

[sabremike]

NHL quality goaltender.

That's it, that's the list.

(In all seriousness there are other moves that need to be made but a credible NHL goalie is BY FAR the most important. Terrible goaltending has the same effect as dumping a vat of rat poison into the locker room.)

 

[js31]

Similar list that I've had most of the season:

One top 4 defenseman, especially one who can PK and is solid defensively. Don't care about handedness, right would be nice but is not a deal breaker.
One goalie, swapping out one of the two currently under contract for a different player.
One forward who is a quality pressure PKer/checker.

The UFA wish list:

Mayfield
Raanta/Varlamov
Nosek

 

[Matt Ress]

Similar list that I've had most of the season:

One top 4 defenseman, especially one who can PK and is solid defensively. Don't care about handedness, right would be nice but is not a deal breaker.
One goalie, swapping out one of the two currently under contract for a different player.
One forward who is a quality pressure PKer/checker.

Ok. We are getting somewhere.

I will concede that replacing all 13 of the people I identified is not all that realistic in one offseason. One reason I wanted more movement this past deadline. I even agree that the group you kept, Jost, Greenway, Boosh, Stillman and Mitts are players they likely keep at least this time around. That said, let me challenge a couple thoughts.

The first one is keeping Jost. We need a better/different type of bottom six center than Krebs or Jost is. We need a veteran, physical possession center. So only one of Krebs or Jost stays. The other gets dropped or traded.

I still struggle to find a place for both Greenway and Mitts. Every way I look at it, they both end up at third line LW. Anywhere else seems like playing them out of position just to keep them.

Eh we've seen Mitts play well up the lineup. Seems like a guy who could play up and down with solid board play and offensive abilities (especially if he can clean up gaffs).

Greenway is still an incomplete. If he doesn't catch up after an off-season and all of the preseason practices, he's at worst that Okie replacement.

Didn't mean to quote you, Chain.

 

[Irie]

In:

A) Top 4 Right D-man to play with Power, (skill sets: D-zone play, PK help, Mobile enough to play in system and log significant minutes)
B) Platoon goalie to start/split starts with UPL
C) Center to help with faceoffs, PK
D) Veteran winger to help with PK
E) If Johnson doesn't sign, a vet LHD who can play in their own zone
Girgenson re-signed (2-3 years, under 2M per)

That all looks great on paper, but bringing in 5 quality pieces in an offseason is super unrealistic. especially for a team like Buffalo.

There is going to be a ton of competition to sign any of the good and even above average UFAs, and The Sabres are going to have to grossly overpay to get any of them to come to Buffalo,

Quality pieces that are under contract are not available, and would cost a ton to even get a conversation started.

What's left is:

-Trading for guys that are on bad contracts that have some flaws but have some skills the team lacks
-Grossly overpaying older UFAs
-Signing more bottom of the UFA barrel patch-work solutions.

So.... if Adams wants to get the quality that would really help the team, he would probably have to circle back to the "overpay via trade route", but that would require mortgaging the future and most likely shortening the years the competitive window would be open. Do you give up Kulich or Peterka plus some valuable picks for a guy like Crouse? Because that is the type of deal we are likely talking about here.

 

[VaporTrail]

Seems like a lot of us are on board with us getting a Top 4 d-man this offseason....Who do you guys think we could sign as a FA that would be a good fit ? Or, acquire through a trade.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Seems like a lot of us are on board with us getting a Top 4 d-man this offseason....Who do you guys think we could sign as a FA that would be a good fit ? Or, acquire through a trade.

If Edmonton doesn't resign Ekholm, that's my defacto #1 choice.

 

[Irie]

If Edmonton doesn't resign Ekholm, that's my defacto #1 choice.

Ekholm wasn't a rental, he has three more years at 6M I believe. Takes him to 36

 

[Sabre the Win]

Ekholm wasn't a rental, he has three more years at 6M I believe. Takes him to 36

Just checked capfriendly, you're correct. Disappointing but I see why Edmonton did it.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Is Lindy ruff a good coach ? Devils going good and he took sabres always to playoffs mostly .

 

[Jim Bob]

Just checked capfriendly, you're correct. Disappointing but I see why Edmonton did it.

Ekholm being signed through the 2025-26 season was why all the talk that he was too old to fit the timeline for the Sabres missed me.

The Sabres need vets to help the kids along. I felt like Ekholm was as close to a perfect fit next to Owen Power that was available at the deadline.

I would really love to know what it would have taken to top the Oilers to get him. I could see the talks breaking down like the Chychrun talks did because Adams was unwilling to move Savoie or Kulich.