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

[Chainshot]

Okay, this one stings:

 

[Dingo44]

Enjoy

Matt Larkin comes from the sad recent tradition of The Hockey News "writers" wanting to turn hockey into pillow ball (Kennedy, Proteau, etc.). He's a joke.

 

[Chainshot]

Matt Larkin comes from the sad recent tradition of The Hockey News "writers" wanting to turn hockey into pillow ball (Kennedy, Proteau, etc.). He's a joke.

There are some excellent rebuttals in there that he doesn't seem to have an answer for other than he personally didn't like it. He doesn't even acknowledge the fundamental difference between the Dahlin one and the Matheson one that Matheson was never in possession of the puck. Some people are goofs.

That said, I fully expect the next time Dahl's does this, he's going to get some sort of penalty. It's like how since the Matthews thing, he's getting singled out for things other players do consistently without being called.

 

[BFLO]

It's a tough balance. The game i fell in love with more than 20 years ago was better than what we have now IMO. And i have never liked the 'international' flavour of the game with the big ice that seems like it's watered down by comparison.

Regardless of preference... You simply can't win in the NHL icing an entire roster of skill guys. This is a fact that i don't see changing in the near future.

 

[debaser66]

Haula would be a nice get, I think he would fit with this team perfectly. However he is 33 and anything more than 3 years could bite them. I would play it safe and do 2 years.

He also doesn't fit Adams core age idea.

isnt the core just the most important players; Haula wouldn't be a core player, just depth

 

[Chainshot]

 

[Der Jaeger]

I'd be on the phone with Nashville for a RHD now that they signing Livingstone. They have Carrier, Fabbro, Foote, Livingstone, and Barrie on the right side.

I still really like the Sissons and Fabbro trade option for the Sabres. It'd shore up two areas really quick for Buffalo. Foote would also be a good add. Not sure they'd want to trade him right after acquiring him.

 

[BFLO]

Erik Haula 3 x 4.5

Boom. Now you got your elite face off winning bottom 6 center who will provide more offense then Girgs+Jost+Greenway combined.

Miles Wood 4 x 4.25

Another key bottom 6 cog.

And like that the forward group is set for half a decade top to bottom.

Big, big yes on Haula.

Pass on Wood.

 

[TehDoak]

I'd be on the phone with Nashville for a RHD now that they signing Livingstone. They have Carrier, Fabbro, Foote, Livingstone, and Barrie on the right side.

I still really like the Sissons and Fabbro trade option for the Sabres. It'd shore up two areas really quick for Buffalo. Foote would also be a good add. Not sure they'd want to trade him right after acquiring him.

Trotz's only request for Poile is that he leave him an 'alright' defense.

Poile needs a hearing aid.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

That Iafallo thread on the Trade Board has me wondering if they could get him and someone like Spence or even more, Matt Roy out of LA to get another checking line guy who is a defensively responsible, fast, and offensively competent AND upgrade the RHD options. Iafallo of course is another local kid, a former Sabres dev camp invitee, and I wonder if he'd be looking to come home.

It's going to be a cap pinch for the Kings per their fans, so that's a pick/futures type of deal I would hope they look into.

I’d expect LA to ask for a first for an Iafallo+Roy package.

 

[Chainshot]

I’d expect LA to ask for a first for an Iafallo+Roy package.

They need to dump salary which is why Iafallo is being offered up. Taking on salary dumps are not linear hockey deals, even if the player has use.

 

[debaser66]

View attachment 678530

nevertheless even the AVs got some size who do the heavy lifting Rantanen, Landeskog are either tall or built like a truck, you got to take a look at all the key players since their all depth players and extras are included in this comparison. on average teams are not far off each other its just the individual situations like a 6"4 center vs a 5"9 center. there is also the question how a player uses his size and weight and his aggression and dirtiness level.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Trotz's only request for Poile is that he leave him an 'alright' defense.

Poile needs a hearing aid.

I don't think Nashville's D is bad. Josi is world class, Carrier and Barrie are good puck movers, and McDonagh is still ok. Fabbro, Foote, and Livingstone would be battling on the right side. Gravel and Borowiecki on the left side. Foote is an RFA.

They need defensive prospects, particularly left-handed prospects. Scoring is also something they need. They have cap space but have 5 RFAs to sign. So it won't be a big need for players but they won't have a ton of room either.

If Nashville runs back the same team (which they easily could), they'll be a bubble playoff team again. I think they may want to shake up a little bit. Using a RHD to make a move might be the way they go.

I'd try to package a Olofsson-deal together. Maybe include Bryson. And then add something they would really want. Something like:

Sissons
Fabbro

for

Olofsson (50%) retained
Bryson
2024 2nd round pick (Sabres will get the pick back if Johnson doesn't sign)

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

They need to dump salary which is why Iafallo is being offered up. Taking on salary dumps are not linear hockey deals, even if the player has use.

Bjorkstrand is a good example this past offseason. Only netted a 3rd and 4th for a multiple time 20+ goal scorer on a contract that was probably fair value for him. With Iafallo a 4m cap hit for a 3rd line player is a lot to stomach for most teams given the cap situations around the league right now. Bet Buffalo could get him for a 3rd or 4th.

 

[debaser66]

Matt Larkin comes from the sad recent tradition of The Hockey News "writers" wanting to turn hockey into pillow ball (Kennedy, Proteau, etc.). He's a joke.

If I remember correctly he was also the guy writing an article about that you shouldn't wear a hockey jersey of a player younger than yourself

 

[Chainshot]

Bjorkstrand is a good example this past offseason. Only netted a 3rd and 4th for a multiple time 20+ goal scorer on a contract that was probably fair value for him. With Iafallo a 4m cap hit for a 3rd line player is a lot to stomach for most teams given the cap situations around the league right now. Bet Buffalo could get him for a 3rd or 4th.

Iafallo for just a 4th or say the Kings 3rd back to them seems like it would work nicely.

 

[TehDoak]

I don't think Nashville's D is bad. Josi is world class, Carrier and Barrie are good puck movers, and McDonagh is still ok. Fabbro, Foote, and Livingstone would be battling on the right side. Gravel and Borowiecki on the left side. Foote is an RFA.

They need defensive prospects, particularly left-handed prospects. Scoring is also something they need. They have cap space but have 5 RFAs to sign. So it won't be a big need for players but they won't have a ton of room either.

If Nashville runs back the same team (which they easily could), they'll be a bubble playoff team again. I think they may want to shake up a little bit. Using a RHD to make a move might be the way they go.

I'd try to package a Olofsson-deal together. Maybe include Bryson. And then add something they would really want. Something like:

Sissons
Fabbro

for

Olofsson (50%) retained
Bryson
2024 2nd round pick (Sabres will get the pick back if Johnson doesn't sign)

(the joke was he left him an 'all right' defense instead of an 'arlight' defense)

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

Just thought I'd post something as food for thought regarding hitting. I've seen several people mention Buffalo doesn't hit enough, and they need more toughness, less skill guys, bigger players etc.

Here are the top hitting teams in the league this year..... how many playoff teams in that grouping? 4? out of 12 total at the top.

Now let's look at the teams that hit the least.....how many playoff teams do we have there? 8? possibly 9? out of 12.

Hitting does not = winning. Hitting can be fine, when done in a way that doesn't take you out of position or yield bad results. Hitting for the sake of hitting however serves very little purpose other than being "tough".

Something else to note, most of the teams that hit a lot are slower teams with a lot of veteran players. Teams like the Pens, Islanders, Philly, etc. do not play a high tempo game. They tend to try and dictate play by slowing the other teams down.

Something to note also, Buffalo's players WILL hit. We've seen it in games like Feb 23rd Lightning game, but their style of play does not always foster a need for it like some teams. Having some toughness is important, but wanting entire checking lines, or loading a defense with hitters just strikes me as pointless.

 

[Chainshot]

I'd be on the phone with Nashville for a RHD now that they signing Livingstone. They have Carrier, Fabbro, Foote, Livingstone, and Barrie on the right side.

I still really like the Sissons and Fabbro trade option for the Sabres. It'd shore up two areas really quick for Buffalo. Foote would also be a good add. Not sure they'd want to trade him right after acquiring him.

Foote isn't very good and Fabbro has been on the outs with Hynes most of the year.

 

[Der Jaeger]

(the joke was he left him an 'all right' defense instead of an 'arlight' defense)

Joke

My head

I never thought of that at all....

Foote isn't very good and Fabbro has been on the outs with Hynes most of the year.

That's why I've wanted Fabbro as strongly as I do. He's on the outs, so it's the perfect time to move. He was effective as Josi's partner last year, which suggests he could do it for Power.

 

[Zman5778]

Just thought I'd post something as food for thought regarding hitting. I've seen several people mention Buffalo doesn't hit enough, and they need more toughness, less skill guys, bigger players etc.

Here are the top hitting teams in the league this year..... how many playoff teams in that grouping? 4? out of 12 total at the top.

View attachment 678537

Now let's look at the teams that hit the least.....how many playoff teams do we have there? 8? possibly 9? out of 12.

View attachment 678538


Hitting does not = winning. Hitting can be fine, when done in a way that doesn't take you out of position or yield bad results. Hitting for the sake of hitting however serves very little purpose other than being "tough".

Something else to note, most of the teams that hit a lot are slower teams with a lot of veteran players. Teams like the Pens, Islanders, Philly, etc. do not play a high tempo game. They tend to try and dictate play by slowing the other teams down.

Something to note also, Buffalo's players WILL hit. We've seen it in games like Feb 23rd Lightning game, but their style of play does not always foster a need for it like some teams. Having some toughness is important, but wanting entire checking lines, or loading a defense with hitters just strikes me as pointless.

Something to keep in mind:

The hits stat is at the whim of the scorer in the arena......and some arenas give out hits for being in the general vicinity of another guy and maybe possibly making any sort of contact. The hits stat is VERY VERY subjective and in general a poor indicator.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Can one of you guys please sell me on Fabbro?

Seems to me like another unproven guy who MIGHT be the answer if everything goes perfectly.

 

[Zman5778]

Can one of you guys please sell me on Fabbro?

Seems to me like another unproven guy who MIGHT be the answer if everything goes perfectly.

I've never gotten DJ's infatuation with him either. He might be an upgrade to Joki. He might also be quite worse.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

A soul for a soul continues. Great to have Sammy back

 

[Bendium]

Just thought I'd post something as food for thought regarding hitting. I've seen several people mention Buffalo doesn't hit enough, and they need more toughness, less skill guys, bigger players etc.

Here are the top hitting teams in the league this year..... how many playoff teams in that grouping? 4? out of 12 total at the top.

View attachment 678537

Now let's look at the teams that hit the least.....how many playoff teams do we have there? 8? possibly 9? out of 12.

View attachment 678538


Hitting does not = winning. Hitting can be fine, when done in a way that doesn't take you out of position or yield bad results. Hitting for the sake of hitting however serves very little purpose other than being "tough".

Something else to note, most of the teams that hit a lot are slower teams with a lot of veteran players. Teams like the Pens, Islanders, Philly, etc. do not play a high tempo game. They tend to try and dictate play by slowing the other teams down.

Something to note also, Buffalo's players WILL hit. We've seen it in games like Feb 23rd Lightning game, but their style of play does not always foster a need for it like some teams. Having some toughness is important, but wanting entire checking lines, or loading a defense with hitters just strikes me as pointless.

You make some very good points, and you are right, in that hitting does not equal winning. I think issue is better framed around the concepts of physicality and toughness.

I love big hits, but Risto did alot of hitting, and the puck often ended up in our net. Why, because it wasn't done withing the confines of a system. Now, if its done within the system it can be very effective. For example, the team is in the offensive zone battling for the puck in the right corner. The other team gets the puck and throws it around the boards to the left side where a forward is waiting to go get it and move it out. Our defenseman at the point has two options, he can either start backing up to defend the rush, or he can skate forward challenging the forward for the puck, forcing the pass and taking the forward into the boards.

It can't really be up to the defenseman, it needs to be part of the system what he does, because defensive coverage needs to know what to expect and how to play it. Personally, I prefer the more physical approach, challenging the puck carrier, forcing a quick pass, and taking them to the boards stopping their progress.

Sometimes physicality is as much about pressuring the puck, taking away time and space. Its about chipping and bumping, making players have to keep restarting their skating, taking away their speed, timing, rhythm.

Toughness can be alot about how hard it is for a team to be physical with you. For example, about a dozen times this year I have seen Quinn trying to enter the zone on the left by chipping the puck past the defender at the blue line and then trying to win a foot race to it. The defender would lose that race, but instead turns to chase, an then chips Quinn toward the board stealing his momentum and getting half a step on him. Quinn has to restart his skating stride, and instead just stops, giving up on the play, and skating back toward center to prepare to defend, instead of continuing to skate and still challenging the defenseman for possesion and keeping pressure on the puck. The defender used his greater size to steal momentum, and Quinns lack of toughness to back him down from a possession battle. When this happens 30 times in a game, that's where toughness and physicality become an issue.

The Sabres may hit here and there, and occasionally get their dander up, but they lack size, physicality, and toughness in a lot of key areas, and their system is not set up to challenge the other team physically, which I believe you still need to win playoff games.

I don't want a heavy checking defensive possession line just to have one. I think we need one, especially because we seem to be building toward having three run and gun skill lines. We need a line that you put out for defensive zone draws against the other teams top line, knowing that line will physically impose their will, neutralizing the other team physically, winning the faceoff, taking away space, getting possession of the puck, and getting it to the other end and frozen for an offensive zone draw.