The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[SundherDome]

Ummm... why? For f***'s sake why?

In a package for a 1c.

 

[Ehran]

Dear lord, please don't let GMKA trade Ostlund away.

 

[5 Minute Major]

You aren’t going to get good players in a trade without feeling some pain doing so.

 

[Chainshot]

In a package for a 1c.

Since the only 1C-ish player who seems like they might be on the move is a guy who is probably being moved in part because his GM thinks he's too small in Rossi. Can't see them being interested Osti Spumanti.

 

[jc17]

Since the only 1C-ish player who seems like they might be on the move is a guy who is probably being moved in part because his GM thinks he's too small in Rossi. Can't see them being interested Osti Spumanti.

What are the odds a LAK first round L sweep could reopen byfield talk?

 

[Chainshot]

What are the odds a LAK first round L sweep could reopen byfield talk?

One fun part of the playoffs every year are teams will get upset with their talent and make reactionary deals. It's part of the process that lead to McLeod being available. So anything is possible.

 

[debaser66]

Eh, what about McLeod? I don't see the team moving away from him, not after the price they paid to get him. (Savoie)

From what we've seen from Adams, he'll want "his guys". So Norris at 1C, Kulich and McLeod at 2C & 3C.

Do you put Ostlund on the wing to give him time to acclimate to the NHL? But if so, who do you drop from the lineup? Unless Adams starts moving players to fill other holes, which I don't expect him to do, there will be a logjam. Still. I expect Adams to sit on his thumbs and convince himself that all is well.

If Ostlund doesn't have to clear waivers, he goes back down. (not that I want him to but this is what I expect Adams to do.

If he runs this center spine its again luck and individual carrer years who will determine or playoff hopes.
Norris is a 2C at best when he is actually healthy. His career high is 55pts. He never played more than 66 games.
Kulich is a rookie and shouldn't be counted on a top6 role. Another gamble.
The only solidified positions are the 3C and 4C but as injuries and slumps might occur they need to be plugged elsewhere.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Kulich, imo is a center BUT we can't Cozens him and it seems like Adams has learned that lesson. Let's hope it sticks.

I think Ostlund is traded this off-season imo.

Lafferty I am fine with keeping if he is okay being the 13th. If he wants more, I would imagine there are probably 5-10 teams who would trade a mid round pick for him.

Mods, the prohibition on Ostlund trade proposals was broken. Do your work…..

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Ostlund trade this off-season

If that happens I will eat a used hockey skate

 

[toddkaz]

Kulich, imo is a center BUT we can't Cozens him and it seems like Adams has learned that lesson. Let's hope it sticks.

I think Ostlund is traded this off-season imo.

Lafferty I am fine with keeping if he is okay being the 13th. If he wants more, I would imagine there are probably 5-10 teams who would trade a mid round pick for him.

In my opinion Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius are the future of the Sabres and are borderline untouchable.

I would think Helenius would be the most likely to be traded if a prospect was traded.

The Sabres have put 3 years into Ostlund and he is ready to play in the NHL it would be a huge mistake to trade him.

 

[Hockeyfan200]

Since the only 1C-ish player who seems like they might be on the move is a guy who is probably being moved in part because his GM thinks he's too small in Rossi. Can't see them being interested Osti Spumanti.

He's being moved maybe if he continues to seek 9 to 10mil. Wild won't move him without getting an improvement at Center

 

[Jacob582]

Ostlund next season will be like Kulich this season.

Tagged for the AHL - should be in the AHL - might come into camp in the best shape of his life - and might earn a spot after injuries

 

[Der Jaeger]

I think Kulich, Ostlund, and Helenius are the future of the Sabres forwards. I wouldn’t trade them unless the return is someone that the Sabres desperately need and that player has proven performance at the NHL level.

 

[TageGod]

I think Kulich, Ostlund, and Helenius are the future of the Sabres forwards. I wouldn’t trade them unless the return is someone that the Sabres desperately need and that player has proven performance at the NHL level.

What is the most you would deal in a trade for Rossi? Who are you most willing to give up?

 

[Dahlicious]

What is the most you would deal in a trade for Rossi? Who are you most willing to give up?

The aforementioned Peterka+Quinn for Rossi+Stramel seems close to ideal in terms of asset deployment.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Lets hope Adams and the Sabres have an offer sheet defense plan.

 

[SundherDome]

In my opinion Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius are the future of the Sabres and are borderline untouchable.

I would think Helenius would be the most likely to be traded if a prospect was traded.

The Sabres have put 3 years into Ostlund and he is ready to play in the NHL it would be a huge mistake to trade him.

I'm sure other GM's are aware of Ostlund and that they are seeing his NHL play be rather seamless. I am saying, if say St.Louis wants to build in a different direction and Thomas is targeted, Ostlund is a premium piece I would give up in that deal

 

[TehDoak]

Lets hope Adams and the Sabres have an offer sheet defense plan.

Plan?

Thats not what they do here.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Kulich, imo is a center BUT we can't Cozens him and it seems like Adams has learned that lesson. Let's hope it sticks.

I think Ostlund is traded this off-season imo.

Lafferty I am fine with keeping if he is okay being the 13th. If he wants more, I would imagine there are probably 5-10 teams who would trade a mid round pick for him.

Why the ef would they trade Ostlund right now? While he looks close to NHL-ready, another half to full season in the AHL will not hurt his development. He'd have to be extremely impressive in camp to make the roster, or an injury opens that door. If he were to make the roster, it likely needs to be at the expense of Kulich. There's just no way to make all these pieces work unless they make a few trades of guys like Quinn and Peterka.

He looks like he's going to be very good and certainly has the skillset we're missing in the top 6. But, I just do not want to see him traded or rushed into top 6 spot. He's not going to supersede McLeod or Norris, with an outside chance at Kulich. My guess is that Ruff will prefer Kulich's seeming man-strength over Ostlund's slight frame, even if Ostlund is a better playmaker.

Here's what I'd like to see. Don't pay attention to the line numbers too much:

Marner-Norris-Tage - True Top line with two plus shooters and top tier playmaker, and 2-way game
Benson-McLeod-Tuch - Pain in the ass 2-way line with a nice mixture of skillsets and scoring ability
Peterka-Kulich/Ostlund-Quinn - All Offense Line
Greenway-Krebs-Zucker - Defensively stout 4th line with scoring pop
Extras: Malenstyn & Kozak

There's certainly a logjam and some tough decisions coming soon in the forward ranks. I think they truly need to add at least one youngish veteran to the top 6. I keep coming back to Marner, as he'd allow for a true top line with Tage, no matter who is in the middle. It'd allow Benson to continue developing with less pressure to be a scorer, as he's eventually a first liner imo. Let him play with McLeod and Tuch and they can be a complete PITA to play against. The middle six would be interchangeable depending on the game script. This team would have depth in case of injuries to oft-injured guys like Greenway and Norris. You could plug and play Kulich or Ostlund into those spots. Rosen is likely trade bait, Helenius continues to develop for eventual top 9 C role, Wahlberg for bottom 6 W role, etc. Let's not forget they're likely to draft another forward in the top 10 this year as well.

I may be open to trading Peterka while his value is extremely high, especially if he's not long for Buffalo and has made that known to management. He is worth a lot and might be a key trade piece to get a RD or a different type of forward. This is more palatable if you can actually lock down a guy like Marner (unlikely, I know). I still have belief in Quinn to be a strong producer and don't think we should trade him for pennies on the dollar, unless you get a great offer. I know it's crazy to have guys like Greenway and Zucker on the 4th line, but these guys will get top PK and top PP time, respectively. They're also both able to jump up into the top 9 as needed. It's amazing what adding a talent like Marner could provide as a trickle down effect on the lineup and where guys are slotted. This is the type of depth you need to be a playoff team IMO. Going into the year with the same group of forwards and hoping for internal progress again would be a huge mistake, but is the likely scenario sadly.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

I'm sure other GM's are aware of Ostlund and that they are seeing his NHL play be rather seamless. I am saying, if say St.Louis wants to build in a different direction and Thomas is targeted, Ostlund is a premium piece I would give up in that deal

I don't think you're getting a proven 1C for Ostlund as this point. Depending on what the + would be, I might consider moving him for Thomas, since his salary is reasonable for a 1C, plus he's a true playmaker. That said, the + couldn't include another premium piece (i.e. Peterka, Byram, etc.). It'd have to be something around picks and lower grade prospects. Maybe I'm crazy and should re-adjust my value, but I view Ostlund very highly right now, close to untouchable. I guess I'm a sucker for high-IQ playmaking Centers.

I'm also not very interested in using Ostlund as an add-on to a trade for a guy like EP40 for example considering the cap issues that would come with that. They'd have to take a bad contract back (i.e. Samuelsson + Lafferty). Again, I'm probably out to lunch here a bit.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I don't think you're getting a proven 1C for Ostlund as this point. Depending on what the + would be, I might consider moving him for Thomas, since his salary is reasonable for a 1C, plus he's a true playmaker. That said, the + couldn't include another premium piece (i.e. Peterka, Byram, etc.). It'd have to be something around picks and lower grade prospects. Maybe I'm crazy and should re-adjust my value, but I view Ostlund very highly right now, close to untouchable. I guess I'm a sucker for high-IQ playmaking Centers.

I'm also not very interested in using Ostlund as an add-on to a trade for a guy like EP40 for example considering the cap issues that would come with that. They'd have to take a bad contract back (i.e. Samuelsson + Lafferty). Again, I'm probably out to lunch here a bit.

Thomas is exactly what we need. I'd do Ostlund + Byram/Peterka for him. It'd hurt, but to get a top line C is going to hurt. Maybe Im crazy, though haha

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

Thomas is exactly what we need. I'd do Ostlund + Byram/Peterka for him. It'd hurt, but to get a top line C is going to hurt. Maybe Im crazy, though haha

Personally keep ostlund and if you can’t move Kulich to wing eventually then trade him for the D we need. As crazy as it is to say I think we have a lot of goal scorers …We need more play makers and guys that can play defense well which is ostlund strong suit. That’s why I would be keeping around him, Wahlberg, and Helenius - these are playoff type guys whenever we actually get there…

Wonder if we could flip Kulich to Vancouver for wallinder + to get that D piece

 

[KeepKane]

Why the ef would they trade Ostlund right now? While he looks close to NHL-ready, another half to full season in the AHL will not hurt his development. He'd have to be extremely impressive in camp to make the roster, or an injury opens that door. If he were to make the roster, it likely needs to be at the expense of Kulich. There's just no way to make all these pieces work unless they make a few trades of guys like Quinn and Peterka.

He looks like he's going to be very good and certainly has the skillset we're missing in the top 6. But, I just do not want to see him traded or rushed into top 6 spot. He's not going to supersede McLeod or Norris, with an outside chance at Kulich. My guess is that Ruff will prefer Kulich's seeming man-strength over Ostlund's slight frame, even if Ostlund is a better playmaker.

Here's what I'd like to see. Don't pay attention to the line numbers too much:

Marner-Norris-Tage - True Top line with two plus shooters and top tier playmaker, and 2-way game
Benson-McLeod-Tuch - Pain in the ass 2-way line with a nice mixture of skillsets and scoring ability
Peterka-Kulich/Ostlund-Quinn - All Offense Line
Greenway-Krebs-Zucker - Defensively stout 4th line with scoring pop
Extras: Malenstyn & Kozak

There's certainly a logjam and some tough decisions coming soon in the forward ranks. I think they truly need to add at least one youngish veteran to the top 6. I keep coming back to Marner, as he'd allow for a true top line with Tage, no matter who is in the middle. It'd allow Benson to continue developing with less pressure to be a scorer, as he's eventually a first liner imo. Let him play with McLeod and Tuch and they can be a complete PITA to play against. The middle six would be interchangeable depending on the game script. This team would have depth in case of injuries to oft-injured guys like Greenway and Norris. You could plug and play Kulich or Ostlund into those spots. Rosen is likely trade bait, Helenius continues to develop for eventual top 9 C role, Wahlberg for bottom 6 W role, etc. Let's not forget they're likely to draft another forward in the top 10 this year as well.

I may be open to trading Peterka while his value is extremely high, especially if he's not long for Buffalo and has made that known to management. He is worth a lot and might be a key trade piece to get a RD or a different type of forward. This is more palatable if you can actually lock down a guy like Marner (unlikely, I know). I still have belief in Quinn to be a strong producer and don't think we should trade him for pennies on the dollar, unless you get a great offer. I know it's crazy to have guys like Greenway and Zucker on the 4th line, but these guys will get top PK and top PP time, respectively. They're also both able to jump up into the top 9 as needed. It's amazing what adding a talent like Marner could provide as a trickle down effect on the lineup and where guys are slotted. This is the type of depth you need to be a playoff team IMO. Going into the year with the same group of forwards and hoping for internal progress again would be a huge mistake, but is the likely scenario sadly.

I said similarly a few pages ago. If you somehow sign Marner, you can move Peterka for a proven RHD (or assets for that RHD). Powerplay instantly top 10. You can make the $ work. Bridge Byram. Buyout or move Sammuelsson/Clifton. Dahlin can play with anyone. Go get a proven guy for Power.

 

[SundherDome]

I don't think you're getting a proven 1C for Ostlund as this point. Depending on what the + would be, I might consider moving him for Thomas, since his salary is reasonable for a 1C, plus he's a true playmaker. That said, the + couldn't include another premium piece (i.e. Peterka, Byram, etc.). It'd have to be something around picks and lower grade prospects. Maybe I'm crazy and should re-adjust my value, but I view Ostlund very highly right now, close to untouchable. I guess I'm a sucker for high-IQ playmaking Centers.

I'm also not very interested in using Ostlund as an add-on to a trade for a guy like EP40 for example considering the cap issues that would come with that. They'd have to take a bad contract back (i.e. Samuelsson + Lafferty). Again, I'm probably out to lunch here a bit.

I would do a lot of unsavory things to get Thomas, Ostlund +++ would be my offer. One of the pluses would be Samuelsson. We are going to have issues slotting guys in the next few years, moving Ostlund would for sure sting but Thomas is the literal blue print this team would need.

 

[toddkaz]

Ostlund will be 22 next year and Rosen 23. It seems like its rare to have 1st round draft picks not be in the NHL by the time they are 22-23 years old and getting games(Not a taste like Ostlund is getting now)

Ostlund I think either makes the roster out of training camp or on the roster full-time some point next year and Rosen is trending towards bust even though he has had a great AHL career so far.


I am not saying a player should be given a roster spot because of his age but its seems to be a commonality when it comes to an NHL path for 1st round draft picks. Every prospect is different but there is a path/curve that most follow.

From a progression standpoint Ostlund should be at least part-time NHL next year and Rosen is in trouble that he has fallen off that curve.

I don't know what Buffalo's plans are for Rosen but I can't help but wonder if Buffalo mismanages its prospects.