Speculation: Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

[Sabresfansince1980]

Hypothetical question here….and as a blues fan I’m not sure why I’m considering this because I want Reinbacher badly BUT, I’m also a Sabres fan and would kill to see him next to power in two years.

Would u guys be willing to add one of your 3 2nds to #13 to trade up to 10 if Reinbacher was on the board still?

Assuming you guys would go that, My next question is, would u be willing to go further than a 2nd as the plus, like a Rosen and 13 for 10?

Figure Ostlund, kulich etc…are off the table here

I'm absolutely on board to trade up for Reinbacher. I know that those trades rarely happen but the ones that have happened, line up very similarly for what Buffalo could offer. 13 + 39 should get them to the 8-11 range, but it will depend on draft order and the trade team's needs. Specifically, Philly (no 2nd rd pick), Washington (could use an extra 2nd), and St Louis (three 1sts but no 2nd) are entering rebuild mode and could probably use another pick.

I'd only try for this move if Reinbacher is available. I like Leonard too and even though he's a FW type that Buffalo lacks, we're so deep there it doesn't seem justifiable.

 

[Dingo44]

I'm absolutely on board to trade up for Reinbacher. I know that those trades rarely happen but the ones that have happened, line up very similarly for what Buffalo could offer. 13 + 39 should get them to the 8-11 range, but it will depend on draft order and the trade team's needs. Specifically, Philly (no 2nd rd pick), Washington (could use an extra 2nd), and St Louis (three 1sts but no 2nd) are entering rebuild mode and could probably use another pick.

I'd only try for this move if Reinbacher is available. I like Leonard too and even though he's a FW type that Buffalo lacks, we're so deep there it doesn't seem justifiable.

Who ahead of us needs a D more than a forward?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Who ahead of us needs a D more than a forward?

I think Reinbacher doesn't stand up to anyone in the first five picks based on talent. After that I'd say starting with Arizona at #6 all the way to Buffalo, every team except maybe Washington or Detroit could use a Dman over a FW, and justifiably take Reinbacher over any FW. Reinbacher might not even be there at #8 so it may be a moot point.

If Arz doesn't take Reinbacher at #6, I would target Philly with 13 + 39 + a 3rd or 4th if necessary. They might really want their own pick back (or Buffalo's instead).

 

[Digable5]

Walt is a FA.

We’d still be the youngest team in the league.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

Anyone think Kulich and Savoie replace VO/KO?

I think Kulich is in Rochester next year. I know he's scoring a lot for an 18 year old, but IMO he still needs to work on the rest of his game and there's no reason to rush him.

Savoie I think is much more likely because from what ive read (no way to watch him), his all around game is stronger. Plus they can't send him to Rochester.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

Hypothetical question here….and as a blues fan I’m not sure why I’m considering this because I want Reinbacher badly BUT, I’m also a Sabres fan and would kill to see him next to power in two years.

Would u guys be willing to add one of your 3 2nds to #13 to trade up to 10 if Reinbacher was on the board still?

Assuming you guys would go that, My next question is, would u be willing to go further than a 2nd as the plus, like a Rosen and 13 for 10?

Figure Ostlund, kulich etc…are off the table here

I was more willing to trade up for Reinbacher before the u18 tournament because I saw several players, including defensemen, that I'd be happy to draft at 13 and will likely be available.

For this reason, and based on everything he's ever said and done as GM, I'm also thinking it's VERY unlikely Adams trades 13 this summer. They may make trades, but I'd be very surprised if we included the '23 3rd.

 

[Fjordy]

What about Chris Tanev?

 

[MOGlLNY]

What about Chris Tanev?

Been discussed and according to Calgary posters, the price seems pretty cheap. We just don’t know how much longer he’ll be truly effective for. He’s got a lot of miles, I’d approve of the trade. Was my ideal target last year.

Unless we can get a young defenseman who fits the mold we are looking for by trading / packaging our 1st, I’m beginning to want to use the pick instead. And maybe get a Tanev/Graves/Severson/etc type for the 2-3 years until the pick can step in.

Even with injuries, Chris Tanev was very effective in 2022-23

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Mikael Backlund was the g...

flamesnation.ca

 

[toddkaz]

I think Olofsson gets shipped out and Savoie takes his place on the third line with Mitts. I have a feeling Mitts and Savoie could have some good chemistry together.

I think we don't see any trades made in the top 9 and hopefully Adams brings in a top 4 defender pushing Joker and Boosh to the 5-6 spot with Bryson 7.

 

[TehDoak]

Considering Lysowski is essentially the front office mouthpiece, this bit from his article on the PK is frustrating

The Sabres aren’t going to sign a faceoff specialist this summer. Their path to improving in the faceoff dot is through the development of their young centers. It’s also possible that Casey Mittelstadt could be used on the penalty kill after he won 9 of 17 shorthanded faceoffs and 45.9% overall. Centers aren't the only ones responsible for a lost faceoff, either. Sometimes a winger of defenseman loses a puck battle, giving the other team possession.

I get improving internally, i get improving them fighting for loose pucks after a draw, I understand that one guy alone isn't going to fix their faceoff/PK issues...but getting a veteran in here to actually take the d-zone draws, that is good on the PK, and can help teach some of the kids the veteran tricks on the draws is such an low hanging, easy win, the fact that (at least according to Lysowski) don't plan to is beyond frustrating.

It's like they are so dogmatic in promoting internal development they can't see the utility in getting a veteran that is a finished product.

 

[toddkaz]

M

Considering Lysowski is essentially the front office mouthpiece, this bit from his article on the PK is frustrating



I get improving internally, i get improving them fighting for loose pucks after a draw, I understand that one guy alone isn't going to fix their faceoff/PK issues...but getting a veteran in here to actually take the d-zone draws, that is good on the PK, and can help teach some of the kids the veteran tricks on the draws is such an low hanging, easy win, the fact that (at least according to Lysowski) don't plan to is beyond frustrating.

It's like they are so dogmatic in promoting internal development they can't see the utility in getting a veteran that is a finished product.

Maybe Chainshot can answer. What is Savoie like on the faceoff dot? Improving eternally vs having someone in the system who already has the skills. Obviously Savoie is 2 years away from taking an important faceoff in the NHL but it is probably easier drafting a center who is good on faceoffs than trying to get Tage Thompson to 52% on the faceoff dot. If it was that easy everyone would be doing it.

 

[joshjull]

M

Maybe Chainshot can answer. What is Savoie like on the faceoff dot? Improving eternally vs having someone in the system who already has the skills. Obviously Savoie is 2 years away from taking an important faceoff in the NHL but it is probably easier drafting a center who is good on faceoffs than trying to get Tage Thompson to 52% on the faceoff dot. If it was that easy everyone would be doing it.

I don’t know how he is in the faceoff dot. But Adams in his recent WGR interview he talked about improving faceoffs internally.

He gave his centers homework over the summer to watch videos and practice faceoffs. He also talked about how rare it is for younger guys to be good at it right away. That it takes work, gaining experience and sometimes adding strength.

He also said they were looking at how their faceoff losses happened. How many were a clean loss off the draw to the other center? And how many were on the wingers losing a puck battle or not positioning properly?

I’m not expecting massive gains but any improvement will help.

 

[Chainshot]

M

Maybe Chainshot can answer. What is Savoie like on the faceoff dot? Improving eternally vs having someone in the system who already has the skills. Obviously Savoie is 2 years away from taking an important faceoff in the NHL but it is probably easier drafting a center who is good on faceoffs than trying to get Tage Thompson to 52% on the faceoff dot. If it was that easy everyone would be doing it.

I don’t know how he is in the faceoff dot. But Adams in his recent WGR interview he talked about improving faceoffs internally.

He gave his centers homework over the summer to watch videos and practice faceoffs. He also talked about how rare it is for younger guys to be good at it right away. That it takes work, gaining experience and sometimes adding strength.

He also said they were looking at how their faceoff losses happened. How many were a clean loss off the draw to the other center? And how many were on the wingers losing a puck battle or not positioning properly?

I’m not expecting massive gains but any improvement will help.

He's 49.1% for this playoff. He was 51% for the regular season.

It has to come from within. There is an anecdote that Sid wasn't good at faceoffs his first year and spent the summer working to get better. He worked with a specialist to improve. And now he's a rocking 52% for his career.

(The league started recording the faceoff stats in a permanent fashion in his third year, so what he was actually at, I don't know.)

I hope that the specific muscle training Thompson's father talked about him adding to his frame has something to do with being better than 41% at the dot as he has been for his career. Same with Casey - career 44.9% so far. That's where the improvement has to come from. One guy isn't going to solve the problem.

 

[TehDoak]

He's 49.1% for this playoff. He was 51% for the regular season.

It has to come from within. There is an anecdote that Sid wasn't good at faceoffs his first year and spent the summer working to get better. He worked with a specialist to improve. And now he's a rocking 52% for his career.

(The league started recording the faceoff stats in a permanent fashion in his third year, so what he was actually at, I don't know.)

I hope that the specific muscle training Thompson's father talked about him adding to his frame has something to do with being better than 41% at the dot as he has been for his career. Same with Casey - career 44.9% so far. That's where the improvement has to come from. One guy isn't going to solve the problem.

You are correct, one player is NOT going to solve the problem. Let's get into some hypotheticals here.

Thomas Nosek, UFA this summer, a career 54.9% on faceoffs.

A defensive zone center

Tomáš Nosek Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats of Tomáš Nosek. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, trade, draft, salary and more on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

On faceoffs, we were 2149 wins, 2614 losses.

As a team, we were 45.1%

Nosek took 597 faceoffs last year.

If we take those off at a 45.1% W/L rate, that's 269 W, 328L

Add those back at a 54.9% win rate

That's 327 wins.

One defensive zone specialist, likely would cost on the UFA market 3M per.

Moves our TEAM faceoff stats from 45.1-> 46.3

That moves us for 32nd -> 28th.

And if you adjusted it for our worst faceoff guy (Jost, who was at 38.3%), adding a faceoff specialist gets us to 47.1%, a 2% improvement.

I get it...one player ISN'T going to fix the problem. But...you combine adding one player with internal development and some changes in how we handle faceoffs as a team, it could really be a large change next year.

 

[toddkaz]

He's 49.1% for this playoff. He was 51% for the regular season.

It has to come from within. There is an anecdote that Sid wasn't good at faceoffs his first year and spent the summer working to get better. He worked with a specialist to improve. And now he's a rocking 52% for his career.

(The league started recording the faceoff stats in a permanent fashion in his third year, so what he was actually at, I don't know.)

I hope that the specific muscle training Thompson's father talked about him adding to his frame has something to do with being better than 41% at the dot as he has been for his career. Same with Casey - career 44.9% so far. That's where the improvement has to come from. One guy isn't going to solve the problem.

One guy isn't going to solve the problem but when there is 1 minute left in the game and we are up by 1 it would be sure nice to win the face off for once. One guy is a start. The entire team is trash at faceoffs. I think Jost had the best average and he was a waiver claim.(i am exaggerating a bit but 42% isn't exactly confidence in ability)

 

[Chainshot]

One guy isn't going to solve the problem but when there is 1 minute left in the game and we are up by 1 it would be sure nice to win the face off for once. One guy is a start. The entire team is trash at faceoffs. I think Jost had the best average and he was a waiver claim.(i am exaggerating a bit but 42% isn't exactly confidence in ability)

Best on the team among centers was Cozens at 48.3%. Jost was ridiculously bad at 38%. What's amazing is that while Jost was tremendously terrible at it, among NHLers who took at least 200 draws, there were 6 players worse. The improvement is going to be from within.

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

 

[toddkaz]

Best on the team among centers was Cozens at 48.3%. Jost was ridiculously bad at 38%. What's amazing is that while Jost was tremendously terrible at it, among NHLers who took at least 200 draws, there were 6 players worse. The improvement is going to be from within.

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

Wow, I never looked it up but damn my memory sucks as I get older

 

[thewookie1]

You are correct, one player is NOT going to solve the problem. Let's get into some hypotheticals here.

Thomas Nosek, UFA this summer, a career 54.9% on faceoffs.

A defensive zone center

Tomáš Nosek Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats of Tomáš Nosek. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, trade, draft, salary and more on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

On faceoffs, we were 2149 wins, 2614 losses.

As a team, we were 45.1%

Nosek took 597 faceoffs last year.

If we take those off at a 45.1% W/L rate, that's 269 W, 328L

Add those back at a 54.9% win rate

That's 327 wins.

One defensive zone specialist, likely would cost on the UFA market 3M per.

Moves our TEAM faceoff stats from 45.1-> 46.3

That moves us for 32nd -> 28th.

And if you adjusted it for our worst faceoff guy (Jost, who was at 38.3%), adding a faceoff specialist gets us to 47.1%, a 2% improvement.

I get it...one player ISN'T going to fix the problem. But...you combine adding one player with internal development and some changes in how we handle faceoffs as a team, it could really be a large change next year.

If Nosek brings more than face off wins then perhaps he’ll get a look; but I doubt Adams has any intention to bring in a specific face off specialist. After all, that was supposed to be Eakin’s role and he was a miserable failure.

 

[Club]

Not sure if this has been posted as I haven't been active. Thought it was neat

 

[MOGlLNY]

What kinda contract do we think we’d have to offer Severson to sign here? Feels like it may be more than I’d be willing to do. 6+ per. The ole Buffalo jack up rate

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

What kinda contract do we think we’d have to offer Severson to sign here? Feels like it may be more than I’d be willing to do. 6+ per. The ole Buffalo jack up rate

I'd give him 7x7 and wouldn't sweat it. He makes WAY more sense to me than Dumba.

 

[HOOats]

I'd give him 7x7 and wouldn't sweat it. He makes WAY more sense to me than Dumba.

7x7 seems too steep for too long. Dahlin at 10 and Power at 6 then 10 during those 7 years is an extremely pricy D.

I'd only be interested in a two year overpay for Severson at 7. He'd be a 30yo UFA to still cash in one more time and we'd clear his salary to make way for young guys.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

As much as i want another good D, I'd hesitate to go longer than 4 or 5 years for any UFA. 6 or 7 years would be a large, unnecessary risk for a young team that hasn't fully turned the corner yet, especially if it's a high cap hit.

I'd offer 4 years, and around 6.5 for Dumba or Severson. Much more than that and I simply move on to other options.

 

[MOGlLNY]

As much as i want another good D, I'd hesitate to go longer than 4 or 5 years for any UFA. 6 or 7 years would be a large, unnecessary risk for a young team that hasn't fully turned the corner yet, especially if it's a high cap hit.

I'd offer 4 years, and around 6.5 for Dumba or Severson. Much more than that and I simply move on to other options.

I think this is my line as well, which i think is just on the line of being enough. But may not be enough to fully entice.