Speculation: Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

[TheMistyStranger]

It's very strange to me that Tarasenko isn't signed yet. I'd still offer him a big money 1 year deal.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

It's very strange to me that Tarasenko isn't signed yet. I'd still offer him a big money 1 year deal.

It’s a shame that the best free agents this year are what we have a lot of, and the most coveted are the ones we lack. Still, it’s not a bad idea. Worked horribly with Hall, but Tank is a different dude. Try it out, get that Quinn replacement so you can move VO, see how it works, and if it ain’t great you can move Tank at the deadline. I’d assume you’d have to be frank with him about that plan, but could work well for everyone (except f***ing VO).

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

After 12 years of no playoffs and watching a team who missed the playoffs last year win the cup (and the other finalist was BARELY better then us THIS year) I am so f***ing sick of hearing how we "aren't ready yet". Like people think this is 1990s and a players prime isn't usually by their mid 20s. The time is now to make moves not 2-3 years from now. Or should we go for it when Tuch is in his 30s and broken down.

 

[Matt Ress]

Boston is up in the air with their roster.
i dismiss Detroit.
I don’t Ottawa. I do think their bottom d snd goalie can be an issue.
Tampa takes a step back
if matthews isn’t signed it becomes a major distraction in toronto
florida is also innthr hunt
montreal doesn’t black hole suck.

in the net….

carolina is the top team. I see New Jersey taking a step back and you have a bunch of teams from 2-7 crowded.


yes he can after mid season depending on the injury spot. If it’s a 4 th line center thrn he gets the call. If it’s a top 6 winger thrn Rosen, Kulich, Rousek and others can get the call.


they could on an incentive heavy contract and look at it as a deadline acquisition. Edmonton I think signed Connor brown to base min + incentives

I agree on Kozak. There's a couple different player types that they can call up

 

[Irie]

After 12 years of no playoffs and watching a team who missed the playoffs last year win the cup (and the other finalist was BARELY better then us THIS year) I am so f***ing sick of hearing how we "aren't ready yet". Like people think this is 1990s and a players prime isn't usually by their mid 20s. The time is now to make moves not 2-3 years from now. Or should we go for it when Tuch is in his 30s and broken down.

The year Vegas missed the playoffs, they were third in preseason odds to in the cup, only behind Colorado and Tampa. Their missing the playoffs was all about injuries. And they won the west this season for a reason.

This last season, the preseason odds had Florida as the third best odds to win the cup behind Colorado and Toronto. Just because they barely finished ahead of the Sabres in the regular season does not mean the teams are in similar competitive places.

Vegas and Florida have been fine-tuned for the playoffs. Buffalo is still searching for their identity and their players are finding their places in the league.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

After 12 years of no playoffs and watching a team who missed the playoffs last year win the cup (and the other finalist was BARELY better then us THIS year) I am so f***ing sick of hearing how we "aren't ready yet". Like people think this is 1990s and a players prime isn't usually by their mid 20s. The time is now to make moves not 2-3 years from now. Or should we go for it when Tuch is in his 30s and broken down.

What moves would you like them to make? I know it’s frustrating, but I’m not really sure what specifically you’d like them to do besides “something.”

Everyone is progressing nicely, our top line was amazing last year, we have 2 fantastic young defensemen. We have an up and coming goalie. I don’t wanna say “trust the process”, but there seems to be good reason to trust the process. That wasn’t the case in the past.

We could maybe use a 1-2 year goalie rental and a better dman. I do think we should package VO+picks+joker (or Boosh) to make that happen, but that’s a) specific, not just whining and b) a finishing touch for what is looking like a really solid roster.

 

[BG82]

After 12 years of no playoffs and watching a team who missed the playoffs last year win the cup (and the other finalist was BARELY better then us THIS year) I am so f***ing sick of hearing how we "aren't ready yet". Like people think this is 1990s and a players prime isn't usually by their mid 20s. The time is now to make moves not 2-3 years from now. Or should we go for it when Tuch is in his 30s and broken down.

Agree here.. Now is the time to go for it while we have some financial flexibility. Teams "windows" are usually before star players get paid. Football it's while the franchise QB is on rookie contract, baseball it's a little bit of both but for the most part, its while stars are being under paid.

If Adams is waiting until the "core" is locked up long term, to me its a wrong strategy because we're not gonna be hitting extra base hits with every draft pick like we have basically over the few years. There are gonna be some singles and strikeouts on the way. With the way the team played the second half last year and with the defensive upgrades, this team can go toe to toe with anyone.

Adams needs to be careful to not p***yfoot around. So far so good but at some point we're gonna run into problems with the depth and quality of some of our young guns

 

[alehman42]

What moves would you like them to make? I know it’s frustrating, but I’m not really sure what specifically you’d like them to do besides “something.”

Everyone is progressing nicely, our top line was amazing last year, we have 2 fantastic young defensemen. We have an up and coming goalie. I don’t wanna say “trust the process”, but there seems to be good reason to trust the process. That wasn’t the case in the past.

We could maybe use a 1-2 year goalie rental and a better dman. I do think we should package VO+picks+joker (or Boosh) to make that happen, but that’s a) specific, not just whining and b) a finishing touch for what is looking like a really solid roster.

I get that people are frustrated by the general lack of moves, but I wish the negative posters would remember it takes two sides to make a deal. It's been a very odd off-season in that very few quality players have changed teams.

There have been a few forwards I would've been happy to see Adams get signed (Killorn, Acciari, among others), but similar quality is still available (Tarasenko, Tatar, Nosek, etc.), and asking prices will only come down.

None of the defensemen who've changed teams seem like significantly better fits than Clifton: Soucy is very similar to Clifton, Orlov's a better player but not a great fit for Buffalo's needs, and I can't think of any other quality D who've moved.

And of the goaltenders that have moved, I want exactly zero of them anywhere near Buffalo's crease. I was hoping Freddy Andersen would test the market, but unfortunately he wanted to stay in Carolina badly enough to take a discount. Craig Anderson put up a 3.06/.908, and behind Buffalo's defensive play that was enough for advanced metrics to grade him out somewhere between average and above-average - so if you think someone like Korpisalo or Talbot would be a meaningful improvement over what they have, you're deluding yourself. Deciding you have to do *something* is how you end up talking yourself into bad deals.

Don't get me wrong: if Pesce or Hanifin get moved, or Hellebuyck, Hart, or one of the Boston goalies shake loose, and Adams isn't in on it I'll volunteer to be the head pitchfork sharpener. But it really seems like almost all the players that would be meaningful improvements to the current Sabres' roster have not been interested in testing the open market.

 

[Fjordsen]

What moves would you like them to make? I know it’s frustrating, but I’m not really sure what specifically you’d like them to do besides “something.”

Goalie + forward

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

The year Vegas missed the playoffs, they were third in preseason odds to in the cup, only behind Colorado and Tampa. Their missing the playoffs was all about injuries. And they won the west this season for a reason.

This last season, the preseason odds had Florida as the third best odds to win the cup behind Colorado and Toronto. Just because they barely finished ahead of the Sabres in the regular season does not mean the teams are in similar competitive places.

Vegas and Florida have been fine-tuned for the playoffs. Buffalo is still searching for their identity and their players are finding their places in the league.

If by fine tuned you mean florida had a legendary run from a goalie most people had given up on, ya fine tuned.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

i depends on who filed. Iirc Player files then no offer sheet. If team files the player can get signed To an OS. But I don’t recall the deadlines around when it can be done. Like before July 5 th

did you know water is wet?


that would never happen.

he acquires goalie in a trade at 21 draft and drafted goalies in 23 and 23 draft. Likely drafts one in 24 and 25.


new jersey had a very good defense. They coukd have put any goalie in there and they do well.

Nashville is not trading Saros and I’m not giving them something like Savoie, Bronson, Quinn, Power, and a 1st as you might.

Overpay is Savoie or Kulich, a 2024 1st and 6K, not decimate the entire f***ing roster. I wouldn’t trade Savoie, Benson, Quinn, Power and a 1st for McDavid, let alone Saros.

Don’t jump to “suspected” offers for me in the future.

 

[Irie]

If by fine tuned you mean florida had a legendary run from a goalie most people had given up on, ya fine tuned.

I mean they were 3rd in cup favorite odds for a reason. The team was viewed as built to succeed in the playoffs, thus the very high odds last September. They were not some longshot odds team that lucked their way into the postseason and made the finals by fluke. They had a stretch where the injuries really piled up and they struggled during the regular season, which I think made their point total and their final position in the standings misleading.

 

[Jim Bob]

Essentially a minimum of 1 season of development. (Price is the lone exception, but was also the most heralded goalie prospect thus far this century.)

Maybe Adams will get lucky with his prized prospect, but is it worth the risk to Levi's development and the team's playoff chances next season?

I think the Sabres playoff chances in 2023-24 are way more at risk than Levi's long term development.

Ryan Miller's false starts to his NHL career are an example of rushing a guy not being great in the short term, but not a huge deal in the long term. But, that is if they actually get AHL time to develop.

Spencer Knight may be the tragic example of not really learning from Miller's development.

Swept by Boston easily.

And would have helped this organization 10x's more.

I doubt that is true. I expect Benson to have way more of a positive impact on this team than getting swept by the Bruins would have.

Making the playoffs would have helped the fanbase and that is about it, IMO. Especially since they got so close and just missed. I think that left a bad taste in their mouths and will be way better for the team moving forward than if they had gotten in.

 

[Jim Bob]

Overpay is Savoie or Kulich, a 2024 1st and 6K, not decimate the entire f***ing roster. I wouldn’t trade Savoie, Benson, Quinn, Power and a 1st for McDavid, let alone Saros.

Don’t jump to “suspected” offers for me in the future.

I doubt Nashville views that as an overpay for a Vezina calibre 1G with two years left at a very reasonable cap number.

 

[Beerz]

I think the Sabres playoff chances in 2023-24 are way more at risk than Levi's long term development.

Ryan Miller's false starts to his NHL career are an example of rushing a guy not being great in the short term, but not a huge deal in the long term. But, that is if they actually get AHL time to develop.

Spencer Knight may be the tragic example of not really learning from Miller's development.


I doubt that is true. I expect Benson to have way more of a positive impact on this team than getting swept by the Bruins would have.

Making the playoffs would have helped the fanbase and that is about it, IMO. Especially since they got so close and just missed. I think that left a bad taste in their mouths and will be way better for the team moving forward than if they had gotten in.

Making the playoffs would of helped every single player on this team. I find that much more beneficial to a team than a singular player even one as talented as Benson

 

[Jim Bob]

Making the playoffs would of helped every single player on this team. I find that much more beneficial to a team than a singular player even one as talented as Benson

I think that is vastly overstating things.

Making the playoffs would not have helped a bunch of guys on this team like Tuch, Okposo, Lyubushkin, Jost, Comrie, and others.

I'll take the sting of missing by a point plus adding Benson to the prospect pool over getting one more win, sneaking in, and getting smoked in the first round.

 

[Sabre Dance]

After 12 years of no playoffs and watching a team who missed the playoffs last year win the cup (and the other finalist was BARELY better then us THIS year) I am so f***ing sick of hearing how we "aren't ready yet". Like people think this is 1990s and a players prime isn't usually by their mid 20s. The time is now to make moves not 2-3 years from now. Or should we go for it when Tuch is in his 30s and broken down.

They can make the playoffs with improved play from within. A lot of our best players are still growing and improving. Like half the roster. There’s even a chance they become a top team without moves.

I don’t think waiting a year for bigger moves is a bad plan. It is frustrating and disappointing for fans but it doesn’t change playoff expectations next year.

 

[Beerz]

I think that is vastly overstating things.

Making the playoffs would not have helped a bunch of guys on this team like Tuch, Okposo, Lyubushkin, Jost, Comrie, and others.

I'll take the sting of missing by a point plus adding Benson to the prospect pool over getting one more win, sneaking in, and getting smoked in the first round.

I'll take the experience and learning moment for my players and a different prospect over Benson.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'll take the experience and learning moment for my players and a different prospect over Benson.

I'll take the learning moment of just missing by a point over making it by a point and getting smoked by the Bruins.

 

[Beerz]

I'll take the learning moment of just missing by a point over making it by a point and getting smoked by the Bruins.

Pretty sure they're already experts on missing the playoffs

 

[Jim Bob]

Pretty sure they're already experts on missing the playoffs

Missing by a point and the hunger that produces is vastly different than being out of it by NYE.

 

[5 Minute Major]

I get that people are frustrated by the general lack of moves, but I wish the negative posters would remember it takes two sides to make a deal. It's been a very odd off-season in that very few quality players have changed teams.

There have been a few forwards I would've been happy to see Adams get signed (Killorn, Acciari, among others), but similar quality is still available (Tarasenko, Tatar, Nosek, etc.), and asking prices will only come down.

None of the defensemen who've changed teams seem like significantly better fits than Clifton: Soucy is very similar to Clifton, Orlov's a better player but not a great fit for Buffalo's needs, and I can't think of any other quality D who've moved.

And of the goaltenders that have moved, I want exactly zero of them anywhere near Buffalo's crease. I was hoping Freddy Andersen would test the market, but unfortunately he wanted to stay in Carolina badly enough to take a discount. Craig Anderson put up a 3.06/.908, and behind Buffalo's defensive play that was enough for advanced metrics to grade him out somewhere between average and above-average - so if you think someone like Korpisalo or Talbot would be a meaningful improvement over what they have, you're deluding yourself. Deciding you have to do *something* is how you end up talking yourself into bad deals.

Don't get me wrong: if Pesce or Hanifin get moved, or Hellebuyck, Hart, or one of the Boston goalies shake loose, and Adams isn't in on it I'll volunteer to be the head pitchfork sharpener. But it really seems like almost all the players that would be meaningful improvements to the current Sabres' roster have not been interested in testing the open market.

Good post but I want absolutely nothing to do with Hart.

 

[truthbluth]

Good post but I want absolutely nothing to do with Hart.

Curious. Why?

 

[OkimLom]

I get that people are frustrated by the general lack of moves, but I wish the negative posters would remember it takes two sides to make a deal. It's been a very odd off-season in that very few quality players have changed teams.

There have been a few forwards I would've been happy to see Adams get signed (Killorn, Acciari, among others), but similar quality is still available (Tarasenko, Tatar, Nosek, etc.), and asking prices will only come down.

None of the defensemen who've changed teams seem like significantly better fits than Clifton: Soucy is very similar to Clifton, Orlov's a better player but not a great fit for Buffalo's needs, and I can't think of any other quality D who've moved.

And of the goaltenders that have moved, I want exactly zero of them anywhere near Buffalo's crease. I was hoping Freddy Andersen would test the market, but unfortunately he wanted to stay in Carolina badly enough to take a discount. Craig Anderson put up a 3.06/.908, and behind Buffalo's defensive play that was enough for advanced metrics to grade him out somewhere between average and above-average - so if you think someone like Korpisalo or Talbot would be a meaningful improvement over what they have, you're deluding yourself. Deciding you have to do *something* is how you end up talking yourself into bad deals.

Don't get me wrong: if Pesce or Hanifin get moved, or Hellebuyck, Hart, or one of the Boston goalies shake loose, and Adams isn't in on it I'll volunteer to be the head pitchfork sharpener. But it really seems like almost all the players that would be meaningful improvements to the current Sabres' roster have not been interested in testing the open market.

Right?

I mean I have quite a few things I need fixing on my house. Like my driveway needs to be fixed in areas, my window shutters need a fresh coat of paint, the front door needs to be repaired, and the tree in my backyard needs to come down.

But because my neighbors have decided to not fix their issues, I shouldn't feel too bad not fixing my issues.

 

[Fjordsen]

Kane turns out to have lived with Adams when he started out in Chicago and played for Granato. So it's not just a connection with the city. (I'm not saying they should sign Kane).