Speculation: Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

[Irie]

Would

Cozens - Tage - Peterka
Skinner - Mitts - Tuch

Make you feel better because he's not on the top line?

Cozens is the future of this team. I am not a fan of shoehorning Mitts into a top six center role at the expense of denying Cozens valuable experience learning how to be a top six, two-way center.

Yes yes, I now, "but but but.... more scoring depth this season!" Unless you think this team is "contending for the cup this season with Mitts playing top six center", Cozens should be playing center and honing his skills.

If Cozens or Thompson get injured, Mitts should be the first choice to fill their roles, but I do not want either playing wing - they are both locked up longterm and they need reps at the position to improve their games.

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

Cozens is the future of this team. I am not a fan of shoehorning Mitts into a top six center role at the expense of denying Cozens valuable experience learning how to be a top six, two-way center.

Yes yes, I now, "but but but.... more scoring depth this season!" Unless you think this team is "contending for the cup this season with Mitts playing top six center", Cozens should be playing center and honing his skills.

If Cozens or Thompson get injured, Mitts should be the first choice to fill their roles, but I do not want either playing wing - they are both locked up longterm and they need reps at the position to improve their games.

I don't understand how it's shoehorning Mitts. He had good results last year on the first line. It's not like he's never played in that role before.

Skinner-Mitts-Tuch: 3.71xG per 60 / 5.92 GF per 60

Skinner-Tage-Tuch: 3.52xG per 60 / 4.32 GF per 60

Wouldn't giving Cozens an extremely talented linemate like Tage help hone his skills? Cozens can still take faceoffs. Tampa does a similar thing with Stamkos/Point.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Cozens is the future of this team. I am not a fan of shoehorning Mitts into a top six center role at the expense of denying Cozens valuable experience learning how to be a top six, two-way center.

Yes yes, I now, "but but but.... more scoring depth this season!" Unless you think this team is "contending for the cup this season with Mitts playing top six center", Cozens should be playing center and honing his skills.

If Cozens or Thompson get injured, Mitts should be the first choice to fill their roles, but I do not want either playing wing - they are both locked up longterm and they need reps at the position to improve their games.

It really depends on what Granato wants to do. I have a feeling he really liked how the top six was at the end of the season with...

Skinner-Mitts-Tuch
Greenway-Cozens-Tage

Not the biggest fan of these lines but they worked fine. Great thing with Mittelstadt is he's versatile. He's said himself he doesn't mind playing the wing in Donny's system and I thought he worked great with Cozens. I'd like to see..

Skinner-Tage-Tuch
Mitts-Cozens-Greenway/Peterka (Ideally I'd have Quinn 2RW)

I think this team is better if Mitts is in the top 6 and I am okay with him playing on the wing.

 

[elchud]

Everyone is going to be upset when VO starts with Cozens and JJ.

Can we start the "VO is getting a stat boost for a trade return that we don't need at the detriment of the team" discussion now?

It's probably the best spot for VO until Quinn comes back, so there's that.

 

[Irie]

I don't understand how it's shoehorning Mitts. He had good results last year on the first line. It's not like he's never played in that role before.

Skinner-Mitts-Tuch: 3.71xG per 60 / 5.92 GF per 60

Skinner-Tage-Tuch: 3.52xG per 60 / 4.32 GF per 60

The team has two top six centers locked up at good value on 7 year deals. Roster building and roles is important. If you want to replace either Cozens or Thompson with Mitts as a longterm top six center, then that is an option, but if that is not the plan. then your top two centers need to be getting Center experience going forward.

Wouldn't giving Cozens an extremely talented linemate like Tage help hone his skills? Cozens can still take faceoffs. Tampa does a similar thing with Stamkos/Point.

Faceoffs is not the issue. It is such a small part of what Centers do in the NHL vs wingers, and it is way too big of an over-rated topic on these boards.

The Center position is all about awareness. Knowing where everyone on the ice is, both your teammates and your opponents and having the ability to read the situation and make sure defensive assignments aren't being missed.

Granato's scheme has a lot of rotation, so people argue that position focus at the forward position is not as critical on this team, because everyone (in theory) is interchangeable and changes roles on the fly, but in reality, I see regular lack of awareness and communication, and when the natural center assumes the F1 or F2 role, the switch does not happen, someone is nearly always out of position, and defensive assignments are missed.

If Cozens is playing wing, he is primarily going to be focusing on pressuring the puck and not learning to read the ice the way he needs to to become an elite two way center. That experience lost in these development years is going to alter his game going forward, for better or worse.

 

[Fjordsen]

Mitts must play either LW on Cozens line or 3C.

 

[Der Jaeger]

And we’re back to bash Adams season.

The guy completely re-shaped the franchise from a tire fire to the edge of the playoffs. With one of the best young rosters in the NHL. With one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. With one of the best cultures in the NHL.

Anyone read the Athletic article where an NHL executive thought the Sabres were the worst run organization in North America a few years back? Now they rated top third in the NHL.

Maybe instead of $hitting on the guy for not doing exactly what we (fans) want, we could see the bigger picture of what he’s building?

There are some on this board who would fire him now for not signing or trading for a goalie this off season. Which would be knee jerk and imprudent. But that’s probably par for the course.

 

[TageGod]

Would

Cozens - Tage - Peterka
Skinner - Mitts - Tuch

Make you feel better because he's not on the top line?

No. Cozens will not be on wing, and neither will Thompson.

Mitts must play either LW on Cozens line or 3C.

Finally someone who knows what's up.

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

The team has two top six centers locked up at good value on 7 year deals. Roster building and roles is important. If you want to replace either Cozens or Thompson with Mitts as a longterm top six center, then that is an option, but if that is not the plan. then your top two centers need to be getting Center experience going forward.



Faceoffs is not the issue. It is such a small part of what Centers do in the NHL vs wingers, and it is way too big of an over-rated topic on these boards.

The Center position is all about awareness. Knowing where everyone on the ice is, both your teammates and your opponents and having the ability to read the situation and make sure defensive assignments aren't being missed.

Granato's scheme has a lot of rotation, so people argue that position focus at the forward position is not as critical on this team, because everyone (in theory) is interchangeable and changes roles on the fly, but in reality, I see regular lack of awareness and communication, and when the natural center assumes the F1 or F2 role, the switch does not happen, someone is nearly always out of position, and defensive assignments are missed.

If Cozens is playing wing, he is primarily going to be focusing on pressuring the puck and not learning to read the ice the way he needs to to become an elite two way center. That experience lost in these development years is going to alter his game going forward, for better or worse.

I just don't get why you're so hyperfocused on positions. If guys are playing well together who cares? Cozens and Tage playing together isn't set in stone lol. It's not like they would never switch positions again. I don't see an issue with trying it out for a bit. He's already done it in the past.

",I see regular lack of awareness and communication, and when the natural center assumes the F1 or F2 role, the switch does not happen, someone is nearly always out of position, and defensive assignments are missed."

That's not an issue I see with Cozens though. Tampa does the same thing a lot. Stamkos/Point regularly go from playing down the middle to switching to wing. Versatility is also important. If they're playing well I just don't see the issue.

 

[TageGod]

I just don't get why you're so hyperfocused on positions. If guys are playing well together who cares? Cozens and Tage playing together isn't set in stone lol. It's not like they would never switch positions again. I don't see an issue with trying it out for a bit. He's already done it in the past.

",I see regular lack of awareness and communication, and when the natural center assumes the F1 or F2 role, the switch does not happen, someone is nearly always out of position, and defensive assignments are missed."

That's not an issue I see with Cozens though. Tampa does the same thing a lot. Stamkos/Point regularly go from playing down the middle to switching to wing. Versatility is also important. If they're playing well I just don't see the issue.

Hockey is about positions. I don't know why you're focused on ignoring positions. It Just sounds like you need Mitts with Skinner and Tuch, so you are performing mental gymnastics to make the rest of the team fit around the 10 games you saw at the end.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I just don't get why you're so hyperfocused on positions. If guys are playing well together who cares? Cozens and Tage playing together isn't set in stone lol. It's not like they would never switch positions again. I don't see an issue with trying it out for a bit. He's already done it in the past.

",I see regular lack of awareness and communication, and when the natural center assumes the F1 or F2 role, the switch does not happen, someone is nearly always out of position, and defensive assignments are missed."

That's not an issue I see with Cozens though. Tampa does the same thing a lot. Stamkos/Point regularly go from playing down the middle to switching to wing. Versatility is also important. If they're playing well I just don't see the issue.

Well, in my opinion, center is one of the most difficult positions to play in hockey because there's so much defensive responsibility compared to wing. I also want Cozens to get as many reps at center as possible. He's taken a big step forward offensively, but I think there's still a lot for him to learn defensively. I've always envisioned him as a Jeff Carter clone if he hits his defensive potential.

Of course, if injuries hit hard, then Granato needs to do whatever needs to be done to get Ws out of this squad. As long as Tage and Thompson are healthy, then I think it's a safe bet that they'll be our top-6 centers this year and well into the future.

And we’re back to bash Adams season.

The guy completely re-shaped the franchise from a tire fire to the edge of the playoffs. With one of the best young rosters in the NHL. With one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. With one of the best cultures in the NHL.

Anyone read the Athletic article where an NHL executive thought the Sabres were the worst run organization in North America a few years back? Now they rated top third in the NHL.

Maybe instead of $hitting on the guy for not doing exactly what we (fans) want, we could see the bigger picture of what he’s building?

There are some on this board who would fire him now for not signing or trading for a goalie this off season. Which would be knee jerk and imprudent. But that’s probably par for the course.

This is it. This is the point some are missing. I enjoy talking hockey with everyone. It's fine to nitpick little things here or there about Adams, but some posters make it their entire personality to shit on Adams, and it's starting to spill over toward Beane as well, which is wild to me since we finally have a contending team and an elite QB.

 

[Jim Bob]

This is it. This is the point some are missing. I enjoy talking hockey with everyone. It's fine to nitpick little things here or there about Adams, but some posters make it their entire personality to shit on Adams, and it's starting to spill over toward Beane as well, which is wild to me since we finally have a contending team and an elite QB.

For years, I always felt like the Bills pre-season vibes were largely positive despite the state of the team and the Sabres pre-season vibes were largely negative despite the state of the team.

It has been interesting to see way more negative vibes leading into the Bills season. And I wonder if part of that is the team being better has led to more primarily Sabres fans taking an interest in the Bills and that negative vibe mindset spilling over.

 

[TehDoak]

And we’re back to bash Adams season.

The guy completely re-shaped the franchise from a tire fire to the edge of the playoffs.

17/32 in a year where there were barely any injuries and several players had career years isn't exactly setting the world on fire.

With one of the best young rosters in the NHL.

We've had that before.

With one of the best prospect pools in the NHL.

That too.

With one of the best cultures in the NHL.

Guys who like each other doesn't equate to a great culture in a professional sports league. There needs to be accountability and success to go along with that.

Anyone read the Athletic article where an NHL executive thought the Sabres were the worst run organization in North America a few years back? Now they rated top third in the NHL.

That 'ranking' was based on the fan vote. We still hold the NHL record for consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.

Maybe instead of $hitting on the guy for not doing exactly what we (fans) want, we could see the bigger picture of what he’s building?

There are some on this board who would fire him now for not signing or trading for a goalie this off season. Which would be knee jerk and imprudent. But that’s probably par for the course.

Going back to when he started, over several seasons, we've gone from a non playoff team with a potential franchise defensemen and some good pieces to a non playoff team with some good pieces with two potential franchise defensemen.

Everything else is just fluff. The biggest difference, success wise, between the Adams era Sabres teams and the previous two GMs is that Adams had a player who he he tried to trade early in his tenor...turn into a top line center.

That isn't skill, that's dumb luck.

Adams HAS accumulated a lot of prospects and has not entered into any foolish long term contracts.

I certainly understand that, as fans, we want to buy into this 'culture change' narrative that is being spun by the front office, but the reality is, this is a talented but poorly constructed team that couldn't finish in the top 1/2 of the league despite a ton of things breaking their way last season. On paper, there is potential down the road for good things....but there needs to be someone in charge who knows how to construct a roster and Adams has not shown the ability to do that over 4 offseasons. I'm not sure why people keep going back to the well every summer thinking 'this is the year he'll figure it out!'. He has never shown that he could.

 

[BFLO]

And we’re back to bash Adams season.

The guy completely re-shaped the franchise from a tire fire to the edge of the playoffs. With one of the best young rosters in the NHL. With one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. With one of the best cultures in the NHL.

Anyone read the Athletic article where an NHL executive thought the Sabres were the worst run organization in North America a few years back? Now they rated top third in the NHL.

Maybe instead of $hitting on the guy for not doing exactly what we (fans) want, we could see the bigger picture of what he’s building?

There are some on this board who would fire him now for not signing or trading for a goalie this off season. Which would be knee jerk and imprudent. But that’s probably par for the course.

Let's be accurate.

Adam's took over a team that had just put up 68 points in 69 games or 80.8 point pace over 82 games and then with the stated intention of winning the cup that season, he unintentionally reshaped that team into a tire fire that put up 37 points in 56 games, or 54 point pace over 82. Then the team improved over each of the next 2 seasons, to a 75 point and then 91 point team.

But nearly all of that improvement came from the internal development of players that were acquired prior to Adam's arrival. Adams did not add much to the roster, in fact he added less than any other team in the league over those 2 seasons, running the lowest salary in the league in back to back seasons. The big exception is Tuch, who has been fantastic, but he came at the expense of Eichel. So it's more of a wash than an addition. Krebs and Ostlund have the potential to skew the trade significantly more in Adam's favor if they develop as hoped. It was a good trade given the circumstances, full credit to Adams for this.

I don't think it's time to fire Adams, but I also think the people heaping praise on him are wearing homer glasses. He really hasn't done much over 4 off-seasons. If Botts had been willing to axe 95% of his staff at the start of the pandemic, he'd still be the GM, as I'm pretty sure he could also have sat on his hands the last 4 off-season's aside from trading away players that didn't want to be here anymore and he could have also extended the playoff drought by at least 3 more seasons, just like Adams did.

 

[TageGod]

I don't understand how it's shoehorning Mitts. He had good results last year on the first line. It's not like he's never played in that role before.

Skinner-Mitts-Tuch: 3.71xG per 60 / 5.92 GF per 60

Skinner-Tage-Tuch: 3.52xG per 60 / 4.32 GF per 60

Wouldn't giving Cozens an extremely talented linemate like Tage help hone his skills? Cozens can still take faceoffs. Tampa does a similar thing with Stamkos/Point.

That is way too small of a sample size. That production was not sustainable and mostly carried by Dahlin and Tuch going super Saiyan. Tage line had an entire season to post those numbers, including a rather lengthy injury slide that hurt those numbers.

Mitts is a FINE player. In a pinch or for a change he can move around the lineup.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Let's be accurate.

Adam's took over a team that had just put up 68 points in 69 games or 80.8 point pace over 82 games and then with the stated intention of winning the cup that season, he unintentionally reshaped that team into a tire fire that put up 37 points in 56 games, or 54 point pace over 82. Then the team improved over each of the next 2 seasons, to a 75 point and then 91 point team.

But nearly all of that improvement came from the internal development of players that were acquired prior to Adam's arrival. Adams did not add much to the roster, in fact he added less than any other team in the league over those 2 seasons, running the lowest salary in the league in back to back seasons. The big exception is Tuch, who has been fantastic, but he came at the expense of Eichel. So it's more of a wash than an addition. Krebs and Ostlund have the potential to skew the trade significantly more in Adam's favor if they develop as hoped. It was a good trade given the circumstances, full credit to Adams for this.

I don't think it's time to fire Adams, but I also think the people heaping praise on him are wearing homer glasses. He really hasn't done much over 4 off-seasons. If Botts had been willing to axe 95% of his staff at the start of the pandemic, he'd still be the GM, as I'm pretty sure he could also have sat on his hands the last 4 off-season's aside from trading away players that didn't want to be here anymore and he could have also extended the playoff drought by at least 3 more seasons, just like Adams did.

How many GMs take over and dig a bigger hole just so they can say "it's my hole now"? I agree KA hasn't had to do much aside from re-building morale and allowing his scouting dept to do what they do and GET OUT OF THE WAY. That is though, a task that many/most GMS simply have too much ego or pressure they crack under, and go about farking up an already tough assignment. We have to give KA credit for being handed a GM job with near zero qualifications, taking a decent prospect pool and letting it develop without meddling in it too much, and getting people to enjoy being in the organization again. That wasn't an easy thing after two GMs that screwed things up and down in their own various and twisted ways.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

When Mittelstadt played with Cozens, Cozens was the center but they would switch up taking draws depending where the faceoffs were. Also, Mitts said himself there isn't much of a difference between playing the wing or center is Granato's system and doesn't mind playing the wing.

Obviously Mittelstadt is capable of playing center I don't think anyone here doubts that, but IMO our top 6 is stronger with Mitts and if that means he plays wing, I have zero issue with that.

 

[Der Jaeger]

17/32 in a year where there were barely any injuries and several players had career years isn't exactly setting the world on fire.



We've had that before.



That too.



Guys who like each other doesn't equate to a great culture in a professional sports league. There needs to be accountability and success to go along with that.



That 'ranking' was based on the fan vote. We still hold the NHL record for consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.



Going back to when he started, over several seasons, we've gone from a non playoff team with a potential franchise defensemen and some good pieces to a non playoff team with some good pieces with two potential franchise defensemen.

Everything else is just fluff. The biggest difference, success wise, between the Adams era Sabres teams and the previous two GMs is that Adams had a player who he he tried to trade early in his tenor...turn into a top line center.

That isn't skill, that's dumb luck.

Adams HAS accumulated a lot of prospects and has not entered into any foolish long term contracts.

I certainly understand that, as fans, we want to buy into this 'culture change' narrative that is being spun by the front office, but the reality is, this is a talented but poorly constructed team that couldn't finish in the top 1/2 of the league despite a ton of things breaking their way last season. On paper, there is potential down the road for good things....but there needs to be someone in charge who knows how to construct a roster and Adams has not shown the ability to do that over 4 offseasons. I'm not sure why people keep going back to the well every summer thinking 'this is the year he'll figure it out!'. He has never shown that he could.

Re: Culture. Eichel, Reinhart, Bogosian, and Kane clearly liked each other. So it's a lot more (a boat load more) than just simply liking each other. The accountability you're talking about exists, and the players talk about it. They went from drafting Owen Power 1st overall to the edge of the playoffs in two seasons. There's success in that.

The culture also includes trust, which was not present before. Some of you probably have never worked in a trust-based environment. It's a big deal that guys like Jerry Fortin talk about it. If you've never worked in that type of environment, it breeds accountability and success as natural follow ons. We're jsut starting to see the fruits of it.

I've addressed the "4 off-seasons" issue before. It's the new "Reinhart only scores by tipping Eichel shots" argument. Adams was in full tear down off season 1, and rebuild mode off season 2. Off season 3, he made attempts at landing a goalie but got overridden by a NTC. And that's just what we know.

No GM trying to rebuild is going to make big swings in year one or two for free agents. That's silly. So, can we talk in reality? Adams had two off-season to really address goaltending and a RHD, and hasn't? That's reality.

As far as his ability to construct a roster, the very first thing you need is talent. The Sabres have more talent now than I can ever remember. Some of that is holdovers from Botterill but a lot of it is Adams. Murray tried the roster construction method, accumulating talent, and then pissing it away in stupid trades. Maybe Adams' patience is something fans should take note of.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Let's be accurate.

Adam's took over a team that had just put up 68 points in 69 games or 80.8 point pace over 82 games and then with the stated intention of winning the cup that season, he unintentionally reshaped that team into a tire fire that put up 37 points in 56 games, or 54 point pace over 82. Then the team improved over each of the next 2 seasons, to a 75 point and then 91 point team.

But nearly all of that improvement came from the internal development of players that were acquired prior to Adam's arrival. Adams did not add much to the roster, in fact he added less than any other team in the league over those 2 seasons, running the lowest salary in the league in back to back seasons. The big exception is Tuch, who has been fantastic, but he came at the expense of Eichel. So it's more of a wash than an addition. Krebs and Ostlund have the potential to skew the trade significantly more in Adam's favor if they develop as hoped. It was a good trade given the circumstances, full credit to Adams for this.

I don't think it's time to fire Adams, but I also think the people heaping praise on him are wearing homer glasses. He really hasn't done much over 4 off-seasons. If Botts had been willing to axe 95% of his staff at the start of the pandemic, he'd still be the GM, as I'm pretty sure he could also have sat on his hands the last 4 off-season's aside from trading away players that didn't want to be here anymore and he could have also extended the playoff drought by at least 3 more seasons, just like Adams did.

Adams' roster additions:

Tuch
Greenway
Jost
Krebs
Peterka
Quinn
Clifton
Johnson
Power
Comrie
Levi

Adams organizational additions:
Benson
Kulich
Ostlund
Savoie
Wahlberg
Rosen
Neuchev
Kisakov
Novikov
Leinonen
McCarthy
Poltapov
Strebek

And I just added the rounds 1-3 players unless they were on ELCs and rated highly.

Can we dispel the other false narrative that Adams didn't really build the roster and the success came from developing players Botterill acquired?

Getting Tuch, Krebs and picks for Eichel was good based on the situation. Getting Rosen and Levi for Reinhart, who wasn't re-signing, was a coup. Retaining Granato was an incredibly smart move, which direct led to the development of the players who Botterill drafted..... who, BTW, were stagnating under the coaching of the guy Botterill hired (Krueger).

 

[Beerz]

And we’re back to bash Adams season.

The guy completely re-shaped the franchise from a tire fire to the edge of the playoffs. With one of the best young rosters in the NHL. With one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. With one of the best cultures in the NHL.

Anyone read the Athletic article where an NHL executive thought the Sabres were the worst run organization in North America a few years back? Now they rated top third in the NHL.

Maybe instead of $hitting on the guy for not doing exactly what we (fans) want, we could see the bigger picture of what he’s building?

There are some on this board who would fire him now for not signing or trading for a goalie this off season. Which would be knee jerk and imprudent. But that’s probably par for the course.

I don't want him fired but I do want to berate his ass when I want to for failing to address problems

 

[TageGod]

Adams' roster additions:

Tuch
Greenway
Jost
Krebs
Peterka
Quinn
Clifton
Johnson
Power
Comrie
Levi

Adams organizational additions:
Benson
Kulich
Ostlund
Savoie
Wahlberg
Rosen
Neuchev
Kisakov
Novikov
Leinonen
McCarthy
Poltapov
Strebek

And I just added the rounds 1-3 players unless they were on ELCs and rated highly.

Can we dispel the other false narrative that Adams didn't really build the roster and the success came from developing players Botterill acquired?

Getting Tuch, Krebs and picks for Eichel was good based on the situation. Getting Rosen and Levi for Reinhart, who wasn't re-signing, was a coup. Retaining Granato was an incredibly smart move, which direct led to the development of the players who Botterill drafted..... who, BTW, were stagnating under the coaching of the guy Botterill hired (Krueger).

Kreuger should have been hit by a defamation suit by Skinner after that debacle. Gotta wonder what was going through Granato's mind as an assistant.

KA has done literally everything he needed to short of grabbing a solid goaltender. The narrative won't go away because people have to complain and complaining about lack of trades gets old. I don't even understand that. Adams traded 3 players from tank era and got great value back.

 

[BFLO]

Edit: removed a half written response that I thought I already deleted

Re: Culture. Eichel, Reinhart, Bogosian, and Kane clearly liked each other. So it's a lot more (a boat load more) than just simply liking each other. The accountability you're talking about exists, and the players talk about it. They went from drafting Owen Power 1st overall to the edge of the playoffs in two seasons. There's success in that.

The culture also includes trust, which was not present before. Some of you probably have never worked in a trust-based environment. It's a big deal that guys like Jerry Fortin talk about it. If you've never worked in that type of environment, it breeds accountability and success as natural follow ons. We're jsut starting to see the fruits of it.

I've addressed the "4 off-seasons" issue before. It's the new "Reinhart only scores by tipping Eichel shots" argument. Adams was in full tear down off season 1, and rebuild mode off season 2. Off season 3, he made attempts at landing a goalie but got overridden by a NTC. And that's just what we know.

No GM trying to rebuild is going to make big swings in year one or two for free agents. That's silly. So, can we talk in reality? Adams had two off-season to really address goaltending and a RHD, and hasn't? That's reality.

As far as his ability to construct a roster, the very first thing you need is talent. The Sabres have more talent now than I can ever remember. Some of that is holdovers from Botterill but a lot of it is Adams. Murray tried the roster construction method, accumulating talent, and then pissing it away in stupid trades. Maybe Adams' patience is something fans should take note of.

You seem to have forgotten what Adams did his first offseason. He signed the biggest UFA on the market, to the highest avv contract he has given out so far, and declared the Sabres as cup contenders due to that signing. And he spent to the cap.

Then the Sabres came in last place that season.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Kreuger should have been hit by a defamation suit by Skinner after that debacle. Gotta wonder what was going through Granato's mind as an assistant.

KA has done literally everything he needed to short of grabbing a solid goaltender. The narrative won't go away because people have to complain and complaining about lack of trades gets old. I don't even understand that. Adams traded 3 players from tank era and got great value back.

Good catch. I forgot about Adams fleecing Philly for Ristolainen.

Plenty of GMs dig the hole deeper and pull the "It's my hole now", when they take over, but basically all of them give the right platitudes went talking about the team

You seem to have forgotten what Adams did his first offseason. He signed the biggest UFA on the market, to the highest avv contract he has given out so far, and declared the Sabres as cup contenders due to that signing. And he spent to the cap.

Then the Sabres came in last place that season.

I didn't forget. Signing a UFA to a one year deal isn't a big deal. Adams could sign Kane to a 1 year deal that brings the Sabres to the cap, and then trade him for a 2nd at the TDL, and that won't mean a thing either.

Now that we know the full Eichel situation, that first year was unpinned with Eichel wanting to be traded if Adams was rebuilding. So Adams went for it. When it failed, be shifted course. Dramatically and by making a ton of good decisions.

 

[Fezzy126]

Mitts must play either LW on Cozens line or 3C.

I find it odd that you've decided Mitts must play LW or 3rd line C considering some of the numbers he put up when not surrounded by boat anchors



He's easily the best passer among the forwards, and probably on the whole team (yes, that includes Dahlin). Imagine what some of these numbers would have looked like if he played with actual NHL players for more than just the last month.

 

[TageGod]

I don't want him fired but I do want to berate his ass when I want to for failing to address problems

Addressing and solving are different. Comrie was addressing the issue

I find it odd that you've decided Mitts must play LW or 3rd line C considering some of the numbers he put up when not surrounded by boat anchors



He's easily the best passer among the forwards, and probably on the whole team (yes, that includes Dahlin). Imagine what some of these numbers would have looked like if he played with actual NHL players for more than just the last month.

A great player makes other players better. Why would you possibly think Mitts has done enough to pass Cozens or Thompson at center? 10 games? You are staring at stats and ignoring everything else.