Speculation: Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

[Gras]

I used him as an example. The reality is we are probably a bubble playoff team and depth matters. You don't like Taresenko fine, i’d like Tatar personally.

Tatar makes more sense because we can use someone more defensively responsible, and he can still pot 15-20 goals.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Predicting the Sabres will make the playoffs is not equal to saying they are a lock to make the playoffs. This is a disingenuous argument.

The expectation is clearly that they make the playoffs — from the fan base. The fans think they are playoff team. I think they are a bubble team.

Tatar makes more sense because we can use someone more defensively responsible, and he can still pot 15-20 goals.

Totally agree. I don't really get how he is out there so maybe there is some issue. You could probably sign him and when Quinn comes back flip him and use your cap to retain half his salary and get a pick GMKA seems to love. I don't see Sabres throwing around cash that way anymore

 

[MarkusKetterer]

The expectation is clearly that they make the playoffs — from the fan base. The fans think they are playoff team. I think they are a bubble team.

Totally agree. I don't really get how he is out there so maybe there is some issue. You could probably sign him and when Quinn comes back flip him and use your cap to retain half his salary and get a pick GMKA seems to love. I don't see Sabres throwing around cash that way anymore

He’s out there because the teams that he’d sign with have like $3 in cap space combined.

 

[old kummelweck]

They are holding a top 4 spot for R Johnson.

 

[Gras]

The expectation is clearly that they make the playoffs — from the fan base. The fans think they are playoff team. I think they are a bubble team.

Totally agree. I don't really get how he is out there so maybe there is some issue. You could probably sign him and when Quinn comes back flip him and use your cap to retain half his salary and get a pick GMKA seems to love. I don't see Sabres throwing around cash that way anymore

You flip VO at the deadline and hold Tatar for the push, if we are still in it.

 

[Der Jaeger]

The main board has a thread talking about a possible Hanafin for Fabbro deal between the Preds and Flames. That's kind of different than Krebs, Vic and something else.

I hope Adams inquired about Fabbro.

 

[Mattilaus]

The expectation is clearly that they make the playoffs — from the fan base. The fans think they are playoff team. I think they are a bubble team.

Again though you are reframing the argument to suit your own need. You indicated the majority of people thought the Sabres were "a lock" to make the playoffs simply because they answered yes to the question of "will the sabres make the playoffs". Now you are allowing yourself to straddle the fence and say they are a bubble team. If I think they are 55% to make the playoffs and you ask me if I think they will my answer is yes, but in reality I am much closer to believing them to be middling, the same as you. You can't begrudge people for answering a yes or no question one way or the other and then allowing yourself to straddle.

Do you think the sabres will make the playoffs, yes or no? Becareful because if you say yes then you are saying they are a lock and if you say no, clearly you are saying they are a lottery team.

I believe most fans are realistic and see us fighting for a wild card spot.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Again though you are reframing the argument to suit your own need. You indicated the majority of people thought the Sabres were "a lock" to make the playoffs simply because they answered yes to the question of "will the sabres make the playoffs". Now you are allowing yourself to straddle the fence and say they are a bubble team. If I think they are 55% to make the playoffs and you ask me if I think they will my answer is yes, but in reality I am much closer to believing them to be middling, the same as you. You can't begrudge people for answering a yes or no question one way or the other and then allowing yourself to straddle.

Do you think the sabres will make the playoffs, yes or no? Becareful because if you say yes then you are saying they are a lock and if you say no, clearly you are saying they are a lottery team.

I believe most fans are realistic and see us fighting for a wild card spot.

I've always said they are a bubble team, right on edge. I get your argument, but I think the disappointment in Sabresland will be massive if they miss it. The Athletic survey said 97% of readers said the Sabres will make the playoffs, versus not.

Sabres fan survey results: Casey Mittelstadt's future, Devon Levi's workload and more

Confidence is running high among Sabres fans.

theathletic.com

Yes, you are asking people to make an either/or answer so you could be just over 50% and vote yes, but within that 97%, I'm guessing a lot of those same people are not just thinking 8th place. The same poll asked people what constitutes a successful year, and 61.2% said playoffs -- 37.7% said WIN A ROUND.

There are not too many Sabres fans thinking a successful season is anything but the playoffs.

My beef remains the same as last year when we missed the playoffs by a point and struggled with a terrible D because of injuries. Yes, lots of gaps are filled, but with $10 M, you can add a lot of depth. Other teams do this, you know. Clifton said in the press box for games. Maybe a bad call. Whatever. But depth gives you options. It's a 23-man roster. We have waiver options for lots of the kids -- great option. We could add another vet like Tatar or whoever easily. Not happening.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

He’s out there because the teams that he’d sign with have like $3 in cap space combined.

Give him $3.5 M for one year. The season goes south, or we don't need him when Quinn gets back. eat 50% of the contract and move him for a middle-round pick. It's funny how in the summer, nobody ever thinks players will be injured for long stretches of the season. It's inevitable for Buffalo and other teams too. Injuries mount, you keep him, and if they don't in Buffalo, you can guarantee other teams with LTIR room come calling.

 

[Irie]

Give him $3.5 M for one year. The season goes south, or we don't need him when Quinn gets back. eat 50% of the contract and move him for a middle-round pick. It's funny how in the summer, nobody ever thinks players will be injured for long stretches of the season. It's inevitable for Buffalo and other teams too. Injuries mount, you keep him, and if they don't in Buffalo, you can guarantee other teams with LTIR room come calling.

Word in the street is that Tatar is not signed because he is looking for someone to give him longer term than a one or two year deal.

He will be 33 this year and he signed a two year deal his last contract. He is likely hoping to get his retirement contract that will take him through at least age 35, so is holding out for that.

 

[Mattilaus]

I've always said they are a bubble team, right on edge. I get your argument, but I think the disappointment in Sabresland will be massive if they miss it. The Athletic survey said 97% of readers said the Sabres will make the playoffs, versus not.

Sabres fan survey results: Casey Mittelstadt's future, Devon Levi's workload and more

Confidence is running high among Sabres fans.

theathletic.com

Yes, you are asking people to make an either/or answer so you could be just over 50% and vote yes, but within that 97%, I'm guessing a lot of those same people are not just thinking 8th place. The same poll asked people what constitutes a successful year, and 61.2% said playoffs -- 37.7% said WIN A ROUND.

There are not too many Sabres fans thinking a successful season is anything but the playoffs.

My beef remains the same as last year when we missed the playoffs by a point and struggled with a terrible D because of injuries. Yes, lots of gaps are filled, but with $10 M, you can add a lot of depth. Other teams do this, you know. Clifton said in the press box for games. Maybe a bad call. Whatever. But depth gives you options. It's a 23-man roster. We have waiver options for lots of the kids -- great option. We could add another vet like Tatar or whoever easily. Not happening.

I am confused. How could there possibly be ANY sabres fans who think a successful season is anything but playoffs? Do you think there can be a successful season if they don't make the playoffs?

I can simultaneously think they are 55-60% likely to make the playoffs AND that the season will be a failure if they don't.

 

[Zman5778]

Do you think there can be a successful season if they don't make the playoffs?

There's a couple of different scenarios out there where, in my opinion, the season can be successful if we don't make the playoffs. The majority of these scenarios involve injuries.

The other scenario is that the Sabres continue to see improvement from their players AND increase their point total......but 8 other teams in the conference get more points.

There aren't many, but there are scenarios out there where I'd be OK if we don't make the playoffs.

 

[Mattilaus]

There's a couple of different scenarios out there where, in my opinion, the season can be successful if we don't make the playoffs. The majority of these scenarios involve injuries.

The other scenario is that the Sabres continue to see improvement from their players AND increase their point total......but 8 other teams in the conference get more points.

There aren't many, but there are scenarios out there where I'd be OK if we don't make the playoffs.

Fair enough, I don't think I will be satisfied this season unless we make the playoffs. Massive amounts of injuries will be an adequate excuse for me, but I still wouldn't consider the season a success.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

So Adams won't be adding anyone, but will see if Clifton can be the top 4 RD we need. If that plan doesn't work out he might add some top 4 D to TDL or next summer.

Yes - i think it's by far the most likely outcome.

But if he IS going to add someone before then - it only makes sense if it's a proven top four player.

 

[Fjordsen]

it only makes sense if it's a proven top four player.

Not necessarily, since we only have Stillman for third pair LD, and it's not that hard to find a player better than him for third pair.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Not necessarily, since we only have Stillman for third pair LD, and it's not that hard to find a player better than him for third pair.

I disagree. I think Stillman is fine as a #6 who brings elements to his game, which the rest of the group doesn't have much of. You certainly don't want him to be playing big minutes or an important role - but I'd also say that about any other player in his current role.

I already mentioned above about handedness & getting fixated over that. I think there's a number of ways this current group could be deployed - and Stillman is either #6 or #7 in all of those scenarios.

What this team still lacks is a proven top four player. What we absolutely had/maybe still have in abundance are bottom pair/#7s. The result of that was the Lyubushkin trade.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

There's a couple of different scenarios out there where, in my opinion, the season can be successful if we don't make the playoffs. The majority of these scenarios involve injuries.

The other scenario is that the Sabres continue to see improvement from their players AND increase their point total......but 8 other teams in the conference get more points.

There aren't many, but there are scenarios out there where I'd be OK if we don't make the playoffs.

We will have $10 M in cap room, we can mitigate that risk. We didn’t last year and while I considered the season a success I also considered it a lost opportunity. Maybe that doesn't make sense.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Not necessarily, since we only have Stillman for third pair LD, and it's not that hard to find a player better than him for third pair.

You’re exactly right. Boy do people over rate Buffalo’s own players. It's ridiculous. Stillman is barely a 3rd pair guy in NHL and not on a good team. Of course, injuries can and will happen. Odds of being down two guys on D at once are not that low.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Not necessarily, since we only have Stillman for third pair LD, and it's not that hard to find a player better than him for third pair.

You’re exactly right. And

I am confused. How could there possibly be ANY sabres fans who think a successful season is anything but playoffs? Do you think there can be a successful season if they don't make the playoffs?

I can simultaneously think they are 55-60% likely to make the playoffs AND that the season will be a failure if they don't.

If you think they are just over 50/50 to make playoffs — I’m about there — can you find it tolerable that they have close to $10 M in cap room to make this team better. Spending thousands on season’s tickets, I don't. Here’s the part where everyone tells me there are no deals to be made. Somehow this is only a Buffalo thing. The Sabres have a boat load of prospects and we can move guys not in our top 5 and get better. Losing Poltapov, Rosen, Ostlund, Nadeau, or even someone like Krebs. I'm not talking one year deals but a guy with three years of term works for me. This is not at all Tim Murray. I swear the whole city has emotional scars from that guy. Keeping Kulich, Savoie, Benson and all the guys under 23 sure as heck does not deplete roster of young and upcoming talent.

 

[jd1970]

You’re exactly right. And

If you think they are just over 50/50 to make playoffs —

I believe the Sabres are 50/50 to make the top 3 in the division.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

No Dahlin signing

 

[Gras]

No Dahlin signing

 

[Fjordsen]

I disagree. I think Stillman is fine as a #6 who brings elements to his game, which the rest of the group doesn't have much of. You certainly don't want him to be playing big minutes or an important role - but I'd also say that about any other player in his current role.

I already mentioned above about handedness & getting fixated over that. I think there's a number of ways this current group could be deployed - and Stillman is either #6 or #7 in all of those scenarios.

What this team still lacks is a proven top four player. What we absolutely had/maybe still have in abundance are bottom pair/#7s. The result of that was the Lyubushkin trade.

Adams signed Clifton for the role, he was good in Boston and played for a lot of time. Whether Clifton #4 will work, I don't know. But for now, we'll see.

I have nothing against Stillman, but we have Dahlin on RD, Clifton, Jokiharju and Johnson, but on LD we only have Samuelsson, Power and Stillman. Bryson and Clague I would not want to see in the NHL. So it makes sense that we might need LD to compete with Stillmann for third pair.

 

[Gras]

Adams signed Clifton for the role, he was good in Boston and played for a lot of time. Whether Clifton #4 will work, I don't know. But for now, we'll see.

I have nothing against Stillman, but we have Dahlin on RD, Clifton, Jokiharju and Johnson, but on LD we only have Samuelsson, Power and Stillman. Bryson and Clague I would not want to see in the NHL. So it makes sense that we might need LD to compete with Stillmann for third pair.

Dahlin can slide back to the left side of one of them go down.

 

[Matt Ress]

Adams signed Clifton for the role, he was good in Boston and played for a lot of time. Whether Clifton #4 will work, I don't know. But for now, we'll see.

I have nothing against Stillman, but we have Dahlin on RD, Clifton, Jokiharju and Johnson, but on LD we only have Samuelsson, Power and Stillman. Bryson and Clague I would not want to see in the NHL. So it makes sense that we might need LD to compete with Stillmann for third pair.

Eh I still think Stillman can be a productive 6 with joker or Johnson but I wouldn't be mad about some competition.