Speculation: Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

[Sabresfansince1980]

Unless Benson returns, I think those top four lines are it to start the season. I like it a lot. Olofsson is the only one I'd like to move but he's in the lineup for a while.

53 Jeff Skinner – 72 Tage Thompson – 9 Zach Benson

12 Jordan Greenway – 37 Casey Mittelstadt – 89 Alex Tuch

77 JJ Peterka – 24 Dylan Cozens – 71 Victor Olofsson

28 Zemgus Girgensons – 19 Peyton Krebs – 21 Kyle Okposo

Biro has to clear waivers so I'm not sure if they don't keep both him and Jost around and go with 7 D.

I thought Rousek would be better, and that Benson's physical disadvantage would be too much to overcome. I still think that may be the case once the season starts, but Benson has outplayed anyone else so far (or others have underperformed). Biro might be next in line before Rousek. However it goes, I'm just a bit frustrated by the experimenting that will be going on (even if necessary with Quinn out) among the FWs. Next camp will require more tinkering with at least three starters gone from the team (Girgs, Okposo, Olofsson). I hate to think the FW group might struggle for weeks until they settle into a groove with consistent line mates. That's how things started out last season before Skinner-Thompson-Tuch stayed together.

 

[Diaspora]

Call me crazy, but we have the potential to finish first in the division

Potential maybe. Actual? -- seems like we'd need good luck at a pretty historic level.

But potential is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[michaelsaas]

Call me crazy, but we have the potential to finish first in the division

And I have the potential to win the Powerball.

 

[HOOats]

And I have the potential to win the Powerball.

Not quite.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Atlantic

1. Leafs X
2. Panthers X
3. Lightning X
4. Bruins X
5. Senators X
6. Sabres
7. Red Wings
8. Canadians

My predictions for this year.

Believe in what Adams and Granato are doing long term. But our goalies aren’t good enough and we didn’t get a legitimate top 4. I’d say we also still have Olofsson but I guess Quinn’s injury makes that easier to swallow.

At some point Adams just continuing to roll the dice and not address problems is gonna blow up in his face. I hope I’m wrong.

Although we probably would’ve had to trade the Benson pick if we did any of that so what the f*** do I know

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Call me crazy, but we have the potential to finish first in the division

I think the Atlantic might be up for grabs for the next 3 years. I wouldn’t put money on any Atlantic team even making the playoffs at this point except Toronto.

 

[CookiesAndMilk]

Atlantic

1. Leafs X
2. Panthers X
3. Lightning X
4. Bruins X
5. Senators X
6. Sabres
7. Red Wings
8. Canadians

My predictions for this year.

Believe in what Adams and Granato are doing long term. But our goalies aren’t good enough and we didn’t get a legitimate top 4. I’d say we also still have Olofsson but I guess Quinn’s injury makes that easier to swallow.

At some point Adams just continuing to roll the dice and not address problems is gonna blow up in his face. I hope I’m wrong.

Although we probably would’ve had to trade the Benson pick if we did any of that so what the f*** do I know

I guess it will be a tight race for the last spot between us and Ottawa. Not really worried about the Red Wings either and the Habs are clearly not ready yet.

I hope that the Bruins fall off without the leadership from Bergeron but then again they still have one if not the best goalie tandem, McAvoy and Marchand. The team is experienced and knows how to navigate rough waters.

Lightning I'm not so sure about. They are steadily declining but as long as they Hedman, Kuch and Point they are not gone.

It's really hard to predict what the standings will be. This division is not ez mode.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Benson has generally drawn better linemates than Rousek has this pre-season. I wonder how they account for that when analyzing their play.

 

[Aladyyn]

Atlantic

1. Leafs X
2. Panthers X
3. Lightning X
4. Bruins X
5. Senators X
6. Sabres
7. Red Wings
8. Canadians

My predictions for this year.

Believe in what Adams and Granato are doing long term. But our goalies aren’t good enough and we didn’t get a legitimate top 4. I’d say we also still have Olofsson but I guess Quinn’s injury makes that easier to swallow.

At some point Adams just continuing to roll the dice and not address problems is gonna blow up in his face. I hope I’m wrong.

Although we probably would’ve had to trade the Benson pick if we did any of that so what the f*** do I know

I just don't see it with the Senators. They're not better than us.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I just don't see it with the Senators. They're not better than us.

Hard to compare last year to this year seeing as they were missing Norris for most of it.

 

[Aladyyn]

Hard to compare last year to this year seeing as they were missing Norris for most of it.

They also had DeBrincat and now they don't.

 

[Weltschmerz]

Hard to compare last year to this year seeing as they were missing Norris for most of it.

Maybe if they can put him on LTIR they can ice a roster of more than 20.

 

[Chainshot]

Benson has generally drawn better linemates than Rousek has this pre-season. I wonder how they account for that when analyzing their play.

If we dig into that, Rousek hasn't looked as engaged as Biro if we're comparing apples to apples. Biro has been attacking space to deny lanes with his speed and then filling quickly to counter. Rousek hasn't had that urgency. Biro looks like he has a leg up in regards to that extra forward spot at the moment.

And not for nothing but Benson has done things to help Skinner and Thompson in a way that isn't necessarily coming back to him. He's making things happen on his own, not waiting on others.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

If we dig into that, Rousek hasn't looked as engaged as Biro if we're comparing apples to apples. Biro has been attacking space to deny lanes with his speed and then filling quickly to counter. Rousek hasn't had that urgency. Biro looks like he has a leg up in regards to that extra forward spot at the moment.

And not for nothing but Benson has done things to help Skinner and Thompson in a way that isn't necessarily coming back to him. He's making things happen on his own, not waiting on others.

That jives with my notes too. I should have been clearer that I don't think Benson has been a passenger or wasting his chances, he hasn't.

But there's like, undeniably space that opens up on the ice when TT is next to you. All in All to me it feels like Benson staying up is more a of luxury than a must have; and that's a good thing.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Ottawa and Buffalo are close in the short-term, but our prospect pool blows theirs out of the water and they don't a have blue chip netminder like Levi in their system. This season will likely come down to who is healthier. Ottawa is also piss poor defensively with big time question marks in net.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[SundherDome]

Atlantic

1. Leafs X
2. Panthers X
3. Lightning X
4. Bruins X
5. Senators X
6. Sabres
7. Red Wings
8. Canadians

My predictions for this year.

Believe in what Adams and Granato are doing long term. But our goalies aren’t good enough and we didn’t get a legitimate top 4. I’d say we also still have Olofsson but I guess Quinn’s injury makes that easier to swallow.

At some point Adams just continuing to roll the dice and not address problems is gonna blow up in his face. I hope I’m wrong.

Although we probably would’ve had to trade the Benson pick if we did any of that so what the f*** do I know

I don't think we can project the Atlantic yet, sans, Montreal.
Leafs are in cap hell and have questions on D
Panthers barely made it last year and lost good players
Lightning have downgraded their forward group and Vasi is hurt
Bruins lost their heart and should and are weaker on defense.
Senators feel like the old Sabres when we had a good paper roster but it has holes and needs to mesh well
Sabres almost the same forward group, upgraded defense and have a big Q in net
Red Wings no clue what they are building but we have to trust Yzerman, at least for another season.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

 

[TheMistyStranger]

If we dig into that, Rousek hasn't looked as engaged as Biro if we're comparing apples to apples. Biro has been attacking space to deny lanes with his speed and then filling quickly to counter. Rousek hasn't had that urgency. Biro looks like he has a leg up in regards to that extra forward spot at the moment.

And not for nothing but Benson has done things to help Skinner and Thompson in a way that isn't necessarily coming back to him. He's making things happen on his own, not waiting on others.

I think Rousek has been my biggest disappointment in camp. I was really hoping to see him full time with Mitts this season.

 

[debaser66]

Not quite.
View attachment 748840

Bruins are heavily overrated

 

[debaser66]

Atlantic

1. Leafs X
2. Panthers X
3. Lightning X
4. Bruins X
5. Senators X
6. Sabres
7. Red Wings
8. Canadians

My predictions for this year.

Believe in what Adams and Granato are doing long term. But our goalies aren’t good enough and we didn’t get a legitimate top 4. I’d say we also still have Olofsson but I guess Quinn’s injury makes that easier to swallow.

At some point Adams just continuing to roll the dice and not address problems is gonna blow up in his face. I hope I’m wrong.

Although we probably would’ve had to trade the Benson pick if we did any of that so what the f*** do I know

1.Panthers X
2.Leafs X
3.Lightning X
4.Sabres X
5.Bruins X
6.Senators
7.Wings
8.Canadians

Levi will give us the above average or average Tending we lacked last year and the D corps is much better and deeper

 

[elchud]

I miss the days when we would claim a Remi Elie or a Flowby or a Jordan Nolan about this time of the month

 

[Diaspora]

delete

 

[TehDoak]

Oh we doing division predictions?

1. Toronto. Pretty obvious choice giving Tampa's goalie injury and the Bruins losing their top 2 center
2. Boston: While I think they are going to regress a ton....elite goaltending, elite defense, and a strong forward depth. I think they will go out and get a center at some point. This is probably still a 100 point team.
3. Tampa: The Vasi injury hurts. But, you can't deny the talent level. A longer summer likely will get them back refreshed. I think 3 straight finals appearances emptied the gas tank a bit last year.
4. Florida. It's probably a struggle early on and then a good run once their d is healthy. I think Knight getting the help he needs will help them out as the season wears on as well.
5. Ottawa. I think the new owner injects some excitement. Less injuries, better goaltending, some young guys taking the next step, similar to Buffalo last year.
6. Detroit. They added a good bit of talent this summer. I don't love the additions on D, but used in the proper role they should be OK. Their forward group is 4 lines deep, their D is unimpressive but solid. If they can get decent goaltending between Lyon/Husso/Ned, I think the overall depth can help them take that next step.
7. Sabres. I think we start out pretty well, actually. Levi will start hot. However, I think once teams get some film on Levi at the NHL level, things are going to go down hill. Like last year, this will be up and down and up and down. I think we will see more downs than ups this year. Right around the .500 mark, +/- 2-3 games. The systemic issues that were unaddressed will continue to be exploited and the feel good vibes will be eroded as the losses pile up. This team has thrived under zero expectations. I think the pressure of having actual expectations will be a bit of a learning curve for all involved.
8. The Habs. I mean...yeah. Not good. Another lotto year for Montreal.

 

[Djp]

Oh we doing division predictions?

1. Toronto. Pretty obvious choice giving Tampa's goalie injury and the Bruins losing their top 2 center

not buying that. I think they are a bubble team

2. Boston: While I think they are going to regress a ton....elite goaltending, elite defense, and a strong forward depth. I think they will go out and get a center at some point. This is probably still a 100 point team.

go back to prior year 21/23 they were a WC 8 th place team. Threy had an outlier year last year. I see thrm in the wild card hunt

3. Tampa: The Vasi injury hurts. But, you can't deny the talent level. A longer summer likely will get them back refreshed. I think 3 straight finals appearances emptied the gas tank a bit last year.

I see them taking a big step back

4. Florida. It's probably a struggle early on and then a good run once their d is healthy. I think Knight getting the help he needs will help them out as the season wears on as well.

bunch of question marks with thrm. I see thrm in the wild car battle

5. Ottawa. I think the new owner injects some excitement. Less injuries, better goaltending, some young guys taking the next step, similar to Buffalo last year.

they still have bottom D and goalie questions

6. Detroit. They added a good bit of talent this summer. I don't love the additions on D, but used in the proper role they should be OK. Their forward group is 4 lines deep, their D is unimpressive but solid. If they can get decent goaltending between Lyon/Husso/Ned, I think the overall depth can help them take that next step.

they really didn’t move the needle much on their team from last year

7. Sabres. I think we start out pretty well, actually. Levi will start hot. However, I think once teams get some film on Levi at the NHL level, things are going to go down hill. Like last year, this will be up and down and up and down. I think we will see more downs than ups this year. Right around the .500 mark, +/- 2-3 games. The systemic issues that were unaddressed will continue to be exploited and the feel good vibes will be eroded as the losses pile up. This team has thrived under zero expectations. I think the pressure of having actual expectations will be a bit of a learning curve for all involved.

no comment…

8. The Habs. I mean...yeah. Not good. Another lotto year for Montreal.

montreal won’t be innthr playoffs but they aren’t someone who will be rolled over. I see thrm in thst 75-80 pts range

in terms of division…I see this bunched up for much of the season where both divisions not much separates teams

the only certain playoff team I see in the conference is Carolina.

injuries matter and schedule luck matters such as hitting teams tested coming from back to backs or in injury/ illness bugs.

both montreal and Philadelphia will be last place but in the mid 70s pts with montreal likely finish higher.

buffalo needs to be healthy and have 3 decent scoring lines