The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[My Cozen Dylan]

While recognizing they are very different players with different trade value, I'd move Samuelsson 100x before I'd move Byram.

 

[Chainshot]

It's on their official facebook page. I think it was posted yesterday. Im trying to link the facebook video, but the hyperlink us goofy.

I posted the YT as an edit to whatever that link was trying to do.

 

[jc17]

I'm less concerned about his roster building, more concerned that he's attached to his own picks/prospects. He's had one WTF add - Byram for Mitts - and a couple of ones that so far seem solid in Malenstyn and McLeod.

Not that 1 move should completely alleviate the concern, but the Savoie move was a pretty big detachment from one of his guys

 

[Tatanka]

I'm less concerned about his roster building, more concerned that he's attached to his own picks/prospects. He's had one WTF add - Byram for Mitts - and a couple of ones that so far seem solid in Malenstyn and McLeod.

I think he gets credit for Greenway as well. But he doesn’t seem to have a clear vision of what it takes to win consistently. Mitts/ Byram, Skinner bought out and replaced by Zucker, Stillman, Reimer getting claimed, and a few others including the length of the deals suggest to me you are correct. He is waiting for the specs to ascend and tip the balance. Not confident that will work.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

We do not have the time or patience anymore for guys to figuring it out.
He is asked to be a 2C on a playoff aspiring team right now.
Its enough of Sabres Groundhog day, waking up to guys figuring it out for 13 years.

"Playoff aspiring???"

Well maybe true for us fans. But so many on the roster have been w/o exposure to it for so long (some w/no exposure at all.... it's World Championship bound every spring....) that I'm not certain they have a clue (or motivation) to what they are missing.

10 or so games into the 24-25 season, I've assessed that the Sabres are in the lower 3rd of the conference. I really can't see them making the playoffs this season with the existing talent pool.

SE - FLA, Carolina, Washington
Metro - NYR, Philly, NYI
Atlantic - TML, Ottawa, Boston
Wild Cards - Tampa, Pens, Devils, Habs, Wings, Sabres

Sabres might contend for a WC only to likely fall short. As usual.

Adams isn't going to fix this. He's risk avoidance.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

I see the standings have shifted back to what we're used to - Buffalo tied for last in the division. The only surprise at the moment is that the Bruins are in that four-way tie with them.

Ruff trying to get something working on the 2nd line:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852008579038912814

The Bruins will work their way out of their funk. They always do. Montgomery will be shot into the Sun if necessary.

 

[toddkaz]

"Playoff aspiring???"

Well maybe true for us fans. But so many on the roster have been w/o exposure to it for so long (some w/no exposure at all.... it's World Championship bound every spring....) that I'm not certain they have a clue (or motivation) to what they are missing.

10 or so games into the 24-25 season, I've assessed that the Sabres are in the lower 3rd of the conference. I really can't see them making the playoffs this season with the existing talent pool.

SE - FLA, Carolina, Washington
Metro - NYR, Philly, NYI
Atlantic - TML, Ottawa, Boston
Wild Cards - Tampa, Pens, Devils, Habs, Wings, Sabres

Sabres might contend for a WC only to likely fall short. As usual.

Adams isn't going to fix this. He's risk avoidance.

I agree, its tough to see Buffalo and Adams making a trade that is going to fix the top 6.

For 1) its a sellers market and 2) It seems like Buffalo has to pay extra to get a player here.

 

[Sabre the Win]

The only thing more terrifying than Kevyn doing nothing is him actually making a trade because you know he's going to get totally fleeced.

at this point if the trade brings in someone similar to when Tim Murray brought in O'Reilly.. I'd gladly overpay

 

[Matt Ress]

"Playoff aspiring???"

Well maybe true for us fans. But so many on the roster have been w/o exposure to it for so long (some w/no exposure at all.... it's World Championship bound every spring....) that I'm not certain they have a clue (or motivation) to what they are missing.

10 or so games into the 24-25 season, I've assessed that the Sabres are in the lower 3rd of the conference. I really can't see them making the playoffs this season with the existing talent pool.

SE - FLA, Carolina, Washington
Metro - NYR, Philly, NYI
Atlantic - TML, Ottawa, Boston
Wild Cards - Tampa, Pens, Devils, Habs, Wings, Sabres

Sabres might contend for a WC only to likely fall short. As usual.

Adams isn't going to fix this. He's risk avoidance.

We all have our opinions but I can’t say I agree with your season predictions. Tampa, NJ, Philly… are these preseason rankings? because the standings tell a different story as well

 

[Matt Ress]

We may want to undo the Mitts trade but it sounds like Adams is looking to move picks and prospects. Perhaps an underperforming player on a bad team looking for futures that may as well move their guy now before he inspires a lower draft pick.

 

[Fjordy]

Not that 1 move should completely alleviate the concern, but the Savoie move was a pretty big detachment from one of his guys

Because you can't keep everyone, plus there was some story with the party, maybe Adams was just disappointed in Savoie.

 

[DJN21]

Because you can't keep everyone, plus there was some story with the party, maybe Adams was just disappointed in Savoie.

Wish I could just move on from our GM when I'm disappointed in him....

all jokes aside our doctors knew his shoulder was shot and thats a primary reason or so I believe.

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

Our first round pick, Ostlund, Rosen and even Benson should all be available for a top line guy, I don’t care about the timo Meier type complaints about cost and contract I don’t care if we never get past round one just make the DAMN PLAYOFFS

 

[Fjordy]

Wish I could just move on from our GM when I'm disappointed in him....

all jokes aside our doctors knew his shoulder was shot and thats a primary reason or so I believe.

I mean he couldn't just sit on all these prospects and do nothing, maybe he was pushed to do this by a conversation with Lindy or Pegula that it was time to improve the roster. Adams is a very inactive GM.

 

[Chainshot]

The Bruins will work their way out of their funk. They always do. Montgomery will be shot into the Sun if necessary.

They may have leaned too far into slow. I figure they will be able to manufacture some wins on nights they are off but that lack of footspeed is glaring.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[joshjull]

Dregs today on Sabres Live:
Kevin Adams is working diligently at looking for a roster upgrade.

And Dregs is watching two players in particular very closely on whether they have a long term in Buffalo in Byrum and Krebs.

Love when the insiders contradict each other.

Friedman talking about not wanting to move on from any roster players. Dreger implying Byram/Krebs in the mix.

 

[Panthaz89]

"Playoff aspiring???"

Well maybe true for us fans. But so many on the roster have been w/o exposure to it for so long (some w/no exposure at all.... it's World Championship bound every spring....) that I'm not certain they have a clue (or motivation) to what they are missing.

10 or so games into the 24-25 season, I've assessed that the Sabres are in the lower 3rd of the conference. I really can't see them making the playoffs this season with the existing talent pool.

SE - FLA, Carolina, Washington
Metro - NYR, Philly, NYI
Atlantic - TML, Ottawa, Boston
Wild Cards - Tampa, Pens, Devils, Habs, Wings, Sabres

Sabres might contend for a WC only to likely fall short. As usual.

Adams isn't going to fix this. He's risk avoidance.

It is pretty funny with all the arguing that people would think this team would truly be some kind of contender if Adams did this trade differently.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Love when the insiders contradict each other.

Friedman talking about not wanting to move on from any roster players. Dreger implying Byram/Krebs in the mix.

I bet those are two players "other" teams are interested in. KA likely wants to give up/get message out that he will trade futures.

 

[Dubi Doo]

View attachment 924840

A top-6 C is now damn near at the top of my list. I'm not waiting around for Cozens to figure out the more nuanced part of the game while also needing to bring more tenacity. That's going to take time and is far from a guarantee.

Peterka-Thompson-Tuch
Zucker- XXX- Cozens
Greenway-McLeod-Benson
Malenstyn- Lafferty/ Krebs- NAK

Who would everyone prefer as the 4th line C in this scenario?

 

[Fjordy]

A top-6 C is now damn near at the top of my list. I'm not waiting around for Cozens to figure out the more nuanced part of the game while also bringing more tenacity. That's going to take time and is far from a guarantee.

Peterka-Thompson-Tuch
Zucker- XXX- Cozens
Greenway-McLeod-Benson
Malenstyn- Lafferty/ Krebs- NAK

Who would everyone prefer as the 4th line C in this scenario?

By the way, didn't Granlund play in Minnesota with Zucker?

Zucker - Granlund - Cozens

Love when the insiders contradict each other.

Friedman talking about not wanting to move on from any roster players. Dreger implying Byram/Krebs in the mix.

At least they don't contradict each other on another point: "Adams is active and wants to add."

 

[MOGlLNY]

I’m willing to pay the pound of flesh to get someone in here but I dont think I’m willing to give up Benson. Anybody 21 and under + any pick but not Benson.

I really think Benson is gonna be high high end.

 

[Jim Bob]

If they move Byram for a lesser forward than Mitts....

 

[GrierIsGod123]

A top-6 C is now damn near at the top of my list. I'm not waiting around for Cozens to figure out the more nuanced part of the game while also bringing more tenacity. That's going to take time and is far from a guarantee.

Peterka-Thompson-Tuch
Zucker- XXX- Cozens
Greenway-McLeod-Benson
Malenstyn- Lafferty/ Krebs- NAK

Who would everyone prefer as the 4th line C in this scenario?

Agreed on the Top 6 C. I truly have no idea which direction they could even go here. It's beyond difficult to find this type of player, especially early in the season. More than likely Adams would get taken behind the wood shed on any trade. Do Helenius or Ostlund project to be a good 2C some day soon? If so, we need some sort of solid veteran presence in this spot that can hold it down for a couple years. Or you see how McLeod does in this spot and try to find another middle six type of guy for a few years. That said, this is a perfect example of how NOT to GM. You simply don't trade prime-aged top 6 centers unless you're getting a sure thing. Byram was NOT a sure thing and is not a difference-maker at this point.

I'd take an upgraded 4C as well. Not sure who, but someone like Johan Larsson in his prime would be ideal ... someone that is truly good defensively and strong at the dot. Not sure that player is just sitting out there for trade but we have the room to make a move like that. Lafferty is fine but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with him playing every night at center. Krebs leaves a lot of meat on the bone but is still improving. I'd prefer a stronger presence and better skater there.

All in all, there's no easy answer here. Adams has himself painted into a corner. He must know that the season hangs in the balance of getting better center depth somehow. My worry is he's going to mortgage a lot of our prospect depth and/or young talent to get a short-term band-aid to save his job.

I’m willing to pay the pound of flesh to get someone in here but I dont think I’m willing to give up Benson. Anybody 21 and under + any pick but not Benson.

I really think Benson is gonna be high high end.

Same. I still think he has Marchand upside. I still think when he's healthy he should be given a longer look on the top line. Peterka could really help not only the second line but to get Quinn's game back where it needs to be. It should be a win/win with how well Tage/Tuch are driving play right now.

I think having Benson on line 2 forces him to be the driving force and perhaps he's not quite developed enough for that responsibility. Imagine being 19 and having to figure out out to drive good play out of Dylan Cozens. Rough!

 

[Dubi Doo]

I’m willing to pay the pound of flesh to get someone in here but I dont think I’m willing to give up Benson. Anybody 21 and under + any pick but not Benson.

I really think Benson is gonna be high high end.

Yup. I'd also hesitate on Kulich. I've been impressed with his motor this year. He works hard. Given that + his skillset, and it'd take quite the player to entice me to move him.