Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Sabresfansince1980]

Edmonton doesn’t have Rasmus Dahlin. We have one of the top 3 defenseman in the world, and he is young and a workhorse. We can fill in the pieces around him.

No we can't. Losing a whole 2nd pair D unit does not just get filled in with random "pieces around him".

To play along with Der Jaeger's idea though, I think it would be more like this -

Cozens
(two FW prospects)
Jokiharju
Comrie
at least a 1st rd pick and probably another

Edm gets a young promising FW from within the same hemisphere, whichever prospects they like, a RHD they need, a hometown goalie, and picks of course. The cap works out in their favor and we give up the farm.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I’d much rather trade for a Danault-type of player like LA did, instead of destroying half the roster to upgrade one star scoring center for a better one at twice the cost.

This team could really do some damage next year with a more balanced roster; more role playing vets. It really doesn’t need much, just a few savvy trades of our scoring winger prospects/young players for cheap bottom 6 playing depth.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

You have $13m to pay all of Quinn/JJP/Levi in the same year. So it won’t take “3 or 4 of them to blow up,” like you say, and it doesn’t matter if they don’t earn a full $6m.

Unless one of them will be a total bust, you need to move one of them AND Tuch, and that’s assuming you don’t bring anyone else in .

I went and took another look at your chart, and while I agree with your premise, I just don't see Quinn/JJP/Levi commanding 20 mil in combined AAV. Krebs won't be around either. I see a total cap hit of closer to 85-88 mil at that time, with those big three RFAs getting around 12-13 mil combined.

If...if...that's how it goes we won't be landing big trade targets or UFAs, but I don't see KA being forced to trade guys he doesn't want to. Just my opinion.

 

[stokes84]

I’d much rather trade for a Danault-type of player like LA did, instead of destroying half the roster to upgrade one star scoring center for a better one at twice the cost.

This team could really do some damage next year with a more balanced roster; more role playing vets. It really doesn’t need much, just a few savvy trades of our scoring winger prospects/young players for cheap bottom 6 playing depth.

Live a little, Doug.

I understand the point you are getting at, but “I would rather trade for Danault than McDavid” is the most boring hockey take I can imagine lol.

 

[OkimLom]

Hypothetical: Sabres make the playoffs and are on the upswing. Edmonton bottoms out and McDavid requests a trade.

Trade offer comes in from Edmonton:

Thompson
Power
Kulich
Jokiharju
UPL

McDavid’s camp says they are willing to re-sign in a year.

Here’s what the 24-25 Sabres would look like going into the draft and free agency:

Skinner - McDavid - Tuch
Greenway - Mittelstadt - Peterka
Quinn - Savoie - Cozens
xxx - Krebs - Jost

With Benson available.

Samuelsson - Dahlin
xxx - Johnson
xxx - Clifton

Levi

Would you do it?

Yep. Without Hesitation.

 

[joshjull]

Basically, if they all earn the raises I think they will, we’ll just have to trade a few. Good problem to have with so few locked up long term.

It’s hard to see a future for Tuch beyond his currrent contract, the way the roster is being built.

I would be shocked if the team felt there was no place for Tuch when his deal expires.

 

[joshjull]

For sure.

I have been posting almost daily about the reality of the cap next offseason, and those posts are mostly met with the "25 million in free cap!" responses, but no one pays attention to the free agents and how many players need new deals.

I was roasted by half the board for saying it would be a very smart idea to lock Mitts up before playing him in the top six this season if Cozens and Tage were healthy and playing well because if they don't, his next contract is going to be a back breaker on the cap. Well Adams didn't, and Cozens isn't healthy or playing well, and now the writing is on the wall. Mitts is playing himself into a big raise. Joker is playing well enough to justify keeping around and giving a slight raise to, and even UPL or Comrie are making their case for more money if they can keep it up.

The Extra cap needed to address the depth for playoff performers is quickly vanishing, and we are likely looking at 8 players next year on ELC or bargain bin deals - and that will be with the team at the cap.

No, you were roasted for suggesting we shouldn’t put Mitts on the top line because it would affect his next contract. That he should play on lesser lines to keep his cost down. Thats what posters took issue with.

 

[MOGlLNY]

McDavid will not be going for that large of a package for a few reasons. But here’s the main one:

1. If McDavid is going to be traded, it’s because he wants to be traded a year away from FA. The package isn’t going to be that large. It’ll be big, for sure. But not Tage + Power + multiple 1sts large.

2. Extremely extremely complex salary wise.

3. I’d do Cozens, Samuelsson, 2 1sts (or 2 of whichever prospect they want) and a goalie.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Live a little, Doug.

I understand the point you are getting at, but “I would rather trade for Danault than McDavid” is the most boring hockey take I can imagine lol.

Living is winning, and I don’t see $12m forwards as a path to success…for any team.

Look at Boston, you start with a strong defense core, play team defense well, and you don’t really need to worry about paying star forwards or goaltenders.

Same deal with Vegas.

Strong D, strong culture that promotes team defense/puck battling, and strong coaching - that’s how you win in a low-cap NHL.

Btw Danault played in more SCF games than McDavid has.

 

[Archie Lee]

McDavid will not be going for that large of a package for a few reasons. But here’s the main one:

1. If McDavid is going to be traded, it’s because he wants to be traded a year away from FA. The package isn’t going to be that large. It’ll be big, for sure. But not Tage + Power + multiple 1sts large.

2. Extremely extremely complex salary wise.

3. I’d do Cozens, Samuelsson, 2 1sts (or 2 of whichever prospect they want) and a goalie.

In my view, the bolded is the same as saying you are not interested.

 

[Jacob582]

We’re going to trade for Draisaitl and finally a great wrong will be corrected.

Trade package to include Levi and Kulich.

 

[MOGlLNY]

In my view, the bolded is the same as saying you are not interested.

Well i suppose it’s a good thing I posted it and not you then, because it’s not your view.

Like I said if McDavid is getting moved it’s because he’s asked to be and that already puts other GMs in the position of power. And who will be able to take on his salary, make a good offer to Edmonton, have the right long term outlook for McDavid to want to sign AND re-sign him to the 15+ million dollar deal he’s going to ask for.

Package will be less than you think.

 

[joshjull]

I do think it is possible that they will at least consider moving Mittelstadt in the off-season. Unless the plan is to just let our prospects sort themselves out and allow some to over-ripen and lose value, the Sabres will need to either trade prospects for established players or trade established players for future assets.

It has already been shown in this thread that cap-space will be tight soon, and it will only be tighter if we trade top prospects for established players, while also extending Mitts at fair value. Mitts is establishing himself as a top 6 centre. Top 6 centres and top pairing D-men are the most sought after assets in hockey. We have two additional top 6 centres in Thompson and Cozens and a group of potential centres in various stages of development (Krebs, Savoie, Kulich, Ostlund, Wahlberg). I'm not saying I want this, or that anyone does (including Adams), but trading Mitts (or Thompson or Cozens, I guess, though those seem even less likely to be dealt) is an alternative. I'm not in a hurry or trying to be inpatient, and I'm not the first to say this, but there isn't room for everyone.

Next offseason there isn’t a chance Mitts, or any other core piece, gets moved to clear a roster spot for a prospect or due to cap concerns.

 

[Chainshot]

I’d much rather trade for a Danault-type of player like LA did, instead of destroying half the roster to upgrade one star scoring center for a better one at twice the cost.

This team could really do some damage next year with a more balanced roster; more role playing vets. It really doesn’t need much, just a few savvy trades of our scoring winger prospects/young players for cheap bottom 6 playing depth.

I'll second that.

It's finding professionals to fill out a line that isn't a bunch of mismatched pieces *again* that could make a difference.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I'll second that.

It's finding professionals to fill out a line that isn't a bunch of mismatched pieces *again* that could make a difference.

On a related note, is Couturier a realistic target, if we overpay? Logic being, they’re building around Mitchkov, and Couts will be like 34 by the time he arrives.

Say, Quinn + Krebs?

 

[GrierIsGod123]

On a related note, is Couturier a realistic target, if we overpay? Logic being, they’re building around Mitchkov, and Couts will be like 34 by the time he arrives.

Say, Quinn + Krebs?

I have NO interest in trading Quinn, unless it’s for a superstar level talent. Couturier is a great 2-way Center, but injuries have likely taken their toll at this point.

Quinn has star qualities and could easily be our top line winger in the relative near-term. I might be a bit biased as I’m a huge fan of his game but just don’t have interest in trading him right now.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I went and took another look at your chart, and while I agree with your premise, I just don't see Quinn/JJP/Levi commanding 20 mil in combined AAV. Krebs won't be around either. I see a total cap hit of closer to 85-88 mil at that time, with those big three RFAs getting around 12-13 mil combined.

If...if...that's how it goes we won't be landing big trade targets or UFAs, but I don't see KA being forced to trade guys he doesn't want to. Just my opinion.

So you think Quinn, JJP, and Levi will make an average of $3M on their next contract? You literally can't be serious when you say that.

The one thing my spreadsheet didn't account for is a Skinner buyout, which will start to make a TON of sense after next season.

 

[Chainshot]

On a related note, is Couturier a realistic target, if we overpay? Logic being, they’re building around Mitchkov, and Couts will be like 34 by the time he arrives.

Say, Quinn + Krebs?

Maybe. I've kind of started my "if I could, who would be the third line center I want" list and he's on it. I'm not sure with his health history how far up the list I would put him.

The ones I have wistful thoughts about are not really available normally. Gourde is one I would give someone else's left kidney for. I feel like this is a place where they almost have to luck into plucking someone off another roster who steps up into the role who we aren't expecting. But they have the assets to make the sort of deal for someone established who could play that key role, even overpay.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I have NO interest in trading Quinn, unless it’s for a superstar level talent. Couturier is a great 2-way Center, but injuries have likely taken their toll at this point.

Quinn has star qualities and could easily be our top line winger in the relative near-term. I might be a bit biased as I’m a huge fan of his game but just don’t have interest in trading him right now.

Then Kulich -- the point is, we have anough assets to make that type of deal. He does seem to get hurt a lot, so I understand the trepidation with such a long contract. But Quinn is always hurt too, which is why I used him over Kulich/JJP.

 

[Dingo44]

The one thing my spreadsheet didn't account for is a Skinner buyout, which will start to make a TON of sense after next season.

A ton? Why, exactly?

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Maybe. I've kind of started my "if I could, who would be the third line center I want" list and he's on it. I'm not sure with his health history how far up the list I would put him.

The ones I have wistful thoughts about are not really available normally. Gourde is one I would give someone else's left kidney for. I feel like this is a place where they almost have to luck into plucking someone off another roster who steps up into the role who we aren't expecting. But they have the assets to make the sort of deal for someone established who could play that key role, even overpay.

I almost mentioned Gourde too, since they need scoring. His contract is only for less than 2 seasons though, and how much do we want to give up for that.

 

[Sabre the Win]

As I said in previous posts. I would take Patrick Kane to replace Okposo any damn day.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

A ton? Why, exactly?

It allows you to sign both JJP and Quinn, and he'll be at the age where almost every NHL forward falls off big time. Not sure there are many other ways to keep them both?

I'd like to try to keep Tuch too, and a Skinner buyout would absolutely be necessary to even start those conversations.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

So you think Quinn, JJP, and Levi will make an average of $3M on their next contract? You literally can't be serious when you say that.

The one thing my spreadsheet didn't account for is a Skinner buyout, which will start to make a TON of sense after next season.

Uh...I didn't say that. 12-13 mil for those three is over 4 mil per, not 3. FWIW, I see the wingers getting around 4+ and Levi getting 3-ish. Not Levi's fault, but no goalie is going to look good enough to command a big contract, not in his circumstances.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Uh...I didn't say that. 12-13 mil for those three is over 4 mil per, not 3. FWIW, I see the wingers getting around 4+ and Levi getting 3-ish. Not Levi's fault, but no goalie is going to look good enough to command a big contract, not in his circumstances.

You think Levi will make $3m and Quinn/Peterka will both make $4M? Which comparables are you using?