The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

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Perhaps I overvalue the group of Komarov, Kleven, McCarthy and Strbak. With strong LHD, getting a capable RHD who can partner with those guys seems possible out of that group.
How long do we have to wait for them? Johnson hasn't established himself in the NHL yet. I think Jiricek is much closer, plus he doesn't compare to them in potential.

But why would they trade him then for lesser parts? Something doesn't make sense.
I don't know, I don't have the whole story, but it seems like it was developed in a weird way in Columbus.
 
How long do we have to wait for them? Johnson hasn't established himself in the NHL yet. I think Jiricek is much closer, plus he doesn't compare to them in potential.


I don't know, I don't have the whole story, but it seems like it was developed in a weird way in Columbus.

Jiricek also isn't ready. Why wait, shop for NHLers.
 
Jiricek also isn't ready. Why wait, shop for NHLers.
I know, but he's probably closer than McCarthy, Kleber and Strbak.

I don't mind, I've been beating the drum for top 4 RD for three years now, but who's stopping from doing both, especially since Adams for some reason doesn't want to add top 4 RDs. Marino has already been traded twice, Kovacevic, Jensen, a few other guys, Fabbro could have been gotten for nothing, but no, Adams doesn't trade.
 
How long do we have to wait for them? Johnson hasn't established himself in the NHL yet. I think Jiricek is much closer, plus he doesn't compare to them in potential.


I don't know, I don't have the whole story, but it seems like it was developed in a weird way in Columbus.
Jiricek also isn't ready. Why wait, shop for NHLers.
I suppose it depends on the assets used. If obtaining Jiricek prevents them from getting a legit top-4 RD, then Im against it, but if Adams can do both, then that seems ideal. Jiricek can take over 3rd pairing minutes once Clifton is gone and move up the LU from there.
 
I suppose it depends on the assets used. If obtaining Jiricek prevents them from getting a legit top-4 RD, then Im against it, but if Adams can do both, then that seems ideal. Jiricek can take over 3rd pairing minutes once Clifton is gone and move up the LU from there.
But Adams just doesn't seem to want to be add a top 4 RD, he's had plenty of opportunities over the years.
 
Rosen or Neuchev and Ryan Johnson for Jiricek?
I wouldn't move Ryan Johnson just yet. He's the most ready prospect defenseman, Buffalo doesn't really have a ton of prospects on D, and the ones they have are years away. I'd be more comfortable with Rosen and Neuchev, or something like that. Shift the prospect pool around a bit.

None of this fixes the needs to the Sabres today: center, RHD, net front forward. But it'd be a nice move to adjust the prospect pool to a more balanced state.
 
I wouldn't move Ryan Johnson just yet. He's the most ready prospect defenseman, Buffalo doesn't really have a ton of prospects on D, and the ones they have are years away. I'd be more comfortable with Rosen and Neuchev, or something like that. Shift the prospect pool around a bit.

None of this fixes the needs to the Sabres today: center, RHD, net front forward. But it'd be a nice move to adjust the prospect pool to a more balanced state.
He doesn't seem to be doing well even in the AHL, I'm not sure if there will be a place for him in the future or not. He will be 24 years old next year.
 
But Adams just doesn't seem to want to be add a top 4 RD, he's had plenty of opportunities over the years.
Ehhh...not excusing him, but he was in on Pesce and Chychrun. I think he did identify it as a need in the past, but maybe that's changed since obtaining Byram. Joki seems to be on thin ice with Ruff. I cant imagine he views him as an ideal partner for his young budding defenseman who needs support in the D zone.
 
Ehhh...not excusing him, but he was in on Pesce and Chychrun. I think he did identify it as a need in the past, but maybe that's changed since obtaining Byram. Joki seems to be on thin ice with Ruff. I cant imagine he views him as an ideal partner for his young budding defenseman who needs support in the D zone.
Then why didn't he get someone else? Because he thought/thinks Jokiharju is fine.

I think it's very hard to get a legit top 4 RD right now, NMC/NTC, a lot of teams don't trade because they're in the playoff race. Then you're looking at potential top 4 RDs who aren't proven guys for that role yet.

I don't really know how he's doing, but he's a Pysyk style defenseman, so he's not going to rack up points.
Well, I'm told Rathbone would probably be the best call up from Rochester... So Johnson seems to be playing third pair in Rochester. He's certainly not untouchable in a deal like this for me, plus I believe in Novikov in future.
 
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Perhaps I overvalue the group of Komarov, Kleven, McCarthy and Strbak. With strong LHD, getting a capable RHD who can partner with those guys seems possible out of that group.

What's the mean outcome from that group? A 2RHD and a 6/7? None of them are can't miss prospects, although I think it's very likely Komarov at least tastes NHL ice in his career.
 
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Do they need high-end prospect RD or do they need effective NHL-level RD?
We need a currently effective NHL-level RD more than a high-end prospect RD. Like....it's orders of magnitude more in my mind.

Out of Strbak, Kleber, Komarov, McCarthy, etc.....ONE of them should evolve into a solid NHLer.

I'm also not entirely sold on Jiricek's fit within our defensive group. Many/most of the scouting reports I've read recently (and leading up to the draft) have mentioned that he's a smooth-skating guy whose top impacts might be on the offensive side of the ice. He seems like a right-handed Byram....at best.


I'd much much much much rather use our assets to get a guy to pair with Power, preferably long-term. Or to use with Cozens to get a center upgrade.
 
What's the mean outcome from that group? A 2RHD and a 6/7? None of them are can't miss prospects, although I think it's very likely Komarov at least tastes NHL ice in his career.
I've been admittedly high on Strbak for a while.....but I still see him as the right-handed version of the good version of Samuelsson. Kleber isn't far behind that in my mind.
 
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We need a currently effective NHL-level RD more than a high-end prospect RD. Like....it's orders of magnitude more in my mind.

Out of Strbak, Kleber, Komarov, McCarthy, etc.....ONE of them should evolve into a solid NHLer.

I'm also not entirely sold on Jiricek's fit within our defensive group. Many/most of the scouting reports I've read recently (and leading up to the draft) have mentioned that he's a smooth-skating guy whose top impacts might be on the offensive side of the ice. He seems like a right-handed Byram....at best.


I'd much much much much rather use our assets to get a guy to pair with Power, preferably long-term. Or to use with Cozens to get a center upgrade.

I didn't like his skating before he hurt his knee in his draft year. It's still an area that needs work - strength needs improvement for sure.
 
Rangers would probably love to get rid of Trouba. Kreider is another named mentioned, although it could also be a ploy to light a fire under them.

Lou's days are probably numbered in NY. At 82 you have to wonder how much he had in the tank 10 years ago let alone today.

Maybe there is a play there.

 
Problem is also that the guy thinks he is ready and another teanage blueliner is the last thing we need in the NHL.
I agree that his attitude should be a concern if, in fact, he won't accept AHL development.

Having said that, I also don't think our third D pairing is so good that we couldn't stash a long term investment there. I'd expect his level of play to at least be comparable enough to Clifton to allow for a rotation until he eventually earns a permanent spot.

High end RD is so hard to get for a team like Buffalo without drafting one, which is also not easy. If you have an opportunity to grab one with this much potential who is this close to cracking lineup, you have to try.
 
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In football, to win you need 1) qb 2) D line 3) O-line, in that order.

In hockey it's the same. 1) G 2) Top 4D 3) 2 good C's

Every move we talk about i look at through that lens. We've got plenty of talent in the organization at W and depth D. To get to the next level, we still need an effective 2C (hopefully Cozens), but even more we need a top 4 RD. If it were up to me, knowing how hard it is, I'd be doing everything in my power to acquire that. Even if they wont be ready for a couple years. Even if it costs a lot. Even if they have an ugly contract.

Jiricek, Parayko, Matt Roy, Marino, Weegar, Borgen. All would work for me. If any of those guys could be had, I'd have already gotten them.

People are surprised Washington is good this year. Look at their D and how they added to it this off-season. Suddenly they jumped a level. Not surprised.
 
Perhaps I overvalue the group of Komarov, Kleven, McCarthy and Strbak. With strong LHD, getting a capable RHD who can partner with those guys seems possible out of that group.
Those I dont think are on sabres till 27/28. Jiracek is nhl resdy just like ryJo.
How long do we have to wait for them? Johnson hasn't established himself in the NHL yet. I think Jiricek is much closer, plus he doesn't compare to them in potential.


I don't know, I don't have the whole story, but it seems like it was developed in a weird way in Columbus.
Jiricek us ready thry just dont want to play him.

RyJo would be on the sabres if they didnt acquire Byram. Since hes waiver exempt they give him more experience instead of sitting in the press box

What I heard was he was pissed being sat and not playing. He felt like they were dicking him around
 
Those I dont think are on sabres till 27/28. Jiracek is nhl resdy just like ryJo.

Jiricek us ready thry just dont want to play him.

RyJo would be on the sabres if they didnt acquire Byram. Since hes waiver exempt they give him more experience instead of sitting in the press box

What I heard was he was pissed being sat and not playing. He felt like they were dicking him around

Jiricek is not NHL ready
 
We need a currently effective NHL-level RD more than a high-end prospect RD. Like....it's orders of magnitude more in my mind.

Out of Strbak, Kleber, Komarov, McCarthy, etc.....ONE of them should evolve into a solid NHLer.

I'm also not entirely sold on Jiricek's fit within our defensive group. Many/most of the scouting reports I've read recently (and leading up to the draft) have mentioned that he's a smooth-skating guy whose top impacts might be on the offensive side of the ice. He seems like a right-handed Byram....at best.


I'd much much much much rather use our assets to get a guy to pair with Power, preferably long-term. Or to use with Cozens to get a center upgrade.
Why cant Jiracek be that? He has size. He can play in nhl full time next year replacing Joker.

The others are 3+ yrs away from being on the sabres.

I'm not interested in acquiring some older player who has not played more than bottom pair or is a cap dump kn ghr downside of their career.
 
Why cant Jiracek be that? He has size. He can play in nhl full time next year replacing Joker.

The others are 3+ yrs away from being on the sabres.

I'm not interested in acquiring some older player who has not played more than bottom pair or is a cap dump kn ghr downside of their career.
Because he hasn't been good in the NHL or else he'd be there. Columbus has given him every opportunity, you are going off name reputation and not how he has performed in actuality.
 
I’m fine trading prospect for prospect for Jiricek. We still have more highly drafted forwards than will ever play here in the pipeline.

But that deal has zero to do with their need at top 4 D right now. If they believe Jiricek will be one long term…great. Go get him.

Then do something to help he actual team now.
 

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