Speculation: Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

[Jim Bob]

 

[HOOats]

Speaking of video work for defensive improvements...

Woof, I don't miss early mornings with Darryl as a kid

This is good stuff, our guys are surely looking at similar. On-ice reinforcement is definitely ideal, especially for youth players, but I do think pros can do light, off-ice only homework to help recode their habits if that's all that's appropriate in the summer.

 

[Matt Ress]

Jost and VO are different animals.

They certainly play different roles and that factors in but I believe VO is more valuable to the coaching and FO than he's made out to be here.

 

[Djp]

The challenge is that the lack of cap space around the league has lead to an almost complete standstill with regards to trades.

Since July 3rd, there has been a grand total of one trade. There have been way more speculation around teams having to move guys than those guys actually getting moved.

i think stuff happens after arbitrations are done and teams now have a cap space idea.

you also have the 1 yr to UFA bunch of sign or trade

Running back nearly the same exact non playoff team sans 2 Dmen is a little puzzling. Especially when we get brutally dominated at the face off dot every game.

2 of 6 Dmen played their first full nhl season…

More worried about the coaching staff that hasn’t shown any sort of defensive competence of structuring the team defense at full strength or in the PK work, and we don’t have the players to make up for that level, or lack thereof.

Wax on wax off…..

I think that will be way easier said than done given the lack of cap space around the league.

Jokiharju (or Lyubushkin or Bryson) to Anaheim makes sense given that Anaheim has cap space and the need for NHL D. But, there are not a ton of options out there, especially given VO's cap hit.

Buffalo can retain and take back higher cap hits

I see Joker+ Olofsson at 50% getting moved

I fully expect Levi to run with it.

hoe many water bottles does he run with at a time…

 

[old kummelweck]

As good as management has been under GMKA, the goaltending plans are not at all realistic. The Comrie stopgap was based on a guy with less than 30 games of experience. That's a joke.

Execution has been an issue. They have identified goalies and have not been able to get them in the fold. Attracting talent to buffalo plays in here.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

 

[joshjull]

You're talking about bad luck as well, right? Because Florida was a President's trophy winner the season prior, and they improved their team from that team. I mean missing Barokov for 14 games probably played a factor in not getting as many points. Or is it, that Buffalo is the only team that luck plays a factor in their standings?

Every team in the NHL deals with both good and bad luck throughout a season. Having it break for or against them at the right moment of the season, or just overall, can make or sink a team’s season. I used Florida making the playoffs last season as an example of that.

The poster I quoted was talking a one player add being able to “almost guarantee” we make the playoffs. Thats wishful thinking. They can improve chances but nothing can be guaranteed. Thats when I talked about the role of luck. It was meant in a general sense as I stated at the beginning of this post

 

[Gras]

B&R Goat 10-1-1 .875 Pts%
RR 2-3-2 .428 Pts%
Royal 7-17-2 .307 Pts%
White 23-13-2 .631 Pts%

I Think we know what the real secret to making the playoffs next season will be. If we switch to White Road and B&R Goat for Home we will have 123 Pts next season.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

I would like to see a coaching emphasis on individual technique and proper winger support even more than trying to find "a guy".

Why not both?

 

[Chainshot]

Comrie's age and salary are two more reasons why I think he is much more likely to clear waivers as opposed to UPL.

Unless UPL absolutely stinks the joint out in preseason...


Not exactly as it does take two to tango.

You need to have another GM that wants to add VO and I do think that is going to be a lot harder than a lot of fans want to admit.

We know Vic finishes but also gives it all back and then some. I imagine others know this too.

Why not both?

That’s for either Thompson or Cozens then to put in the work to be that guy.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I expect Olofsson to be better defensively. Yes he will have a change in coaching priorities from taking chances to defensive structure, but more importantly I think by now he realizes that his next contract greatly depends on how much he can balance out his on-ice value in all three zones. Unless Kulich/Savoie undeniably win a roster spot, he may even be worth keeping past the TDL. At the least, I expect him to be a better two-way player and a good sell by March 1st.

If Olofsson gives us a contract-year boost, things will get very interesting.

 

[Chainshot]

I expect Olofsson to be better defensively. Yes he will have a change in coaching priorities from taking chances to defensive structure, but more importantly I think by now he realizes that his next contract greatly depends on how much he can balance out his on-ice value in all three zones. Unless Kulich/Savoie undeniably win a roster spot, he may even be worth keeping past the TDL. At the least, I expect him to be a better two-way player and a good sell by March 1st.

He doesn’t compete for loose pucks. That likely isn’t going to change much though maybe he sees the writing and decides he has to put in the effort but I don’t think he has it in him. And I say that as a long time Vic supporter.

 

[StrompTroller]

We know Vic finishes but also gives it all back and then some. I imagine others know this too.



That’s for either Thompson or Cozens then to put in the work to be that guy.

its up for Tage or Cozens to find a competent 4C other than Jost?

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

There’s been flashes where VO has used his instincts for good positional defense. If he could settle into that sort of play his value would increase.

 

[Chainshot]

its up for Tage or Cozens to find a competent 4C other than Jost?

It's up to them to take on the mantel of being good at faceoffs.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

It's a workable skill, they may never become great at it but passable is within reach. Saying that, wingers being more enthused about gaining possession would go a long way

 

[Matt Ress]

It's up to them to take on the mantel of being good at faceoffs.

I'm hoping VO is a guy that plays better defense within structure. Even then, sell high at the deadline.

I'd bet Cozens is putting in face-off work, not that Tage wouldn't.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

It's a workable skill, they may never become great at it but passable is within reach. Saying that, wingers being more enthused about gaining possession would go a long way

Faceoffs are weird. When I played I did anything possible to win it. Now you can’t do any of those tricks, and now it’s just on timing

 

[Dubi Doo]

He doesn’t compete for loose pucks. That likely isn’t going to change much though maybe he sees the writing and decides he has to put in the effort but I don’t think he has it in him. And I say that as a long time Vic supporter.

Yeah. He reminds me a lot of Kotalik. Im really hoping one of the young players forces their way into the line up.

 

[Aladyyn]

It's up to them to take on the mantel of being good at faceoffs.

And become better defensively so we can stop giving our top 6 less icetime than any other team in the league

 

[Tollak]

View attachment 732983

The last evidence I have of where in the world Rasmus Dahlin is is this from his GF being in Stockholm two weeks ago.

My guess is that he is back home in Sweden working out for now and may not be back in Buffalo until camp opens.

He was on ice last week. By the comments with a english speaking skating trainer.

 

[TehDoak]

Im very curious why a dahlin extension hasn’t been announced yet. I guess it doesn’t matter as long as it’s before the season beginning.

 

[Duddy]

Dude is still on vacation. They probably want to do a stupid photo op with hil sogning before announcing it.

 

[Djp]

Dude is still on vacation. They probably want to do a stupid photo op with hil sogning before announcing it.

I didn’t every expect the thing to occur until around camp opens up

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Any News on Dahlin contract?