The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Doug Prishpreed]

I actually kind of like this idea. Your 2nd line should be able to skate any opponent into absolute submission with their speed and physicality.

That said, we've seen stretches like this from Greenway before -- as soon as he cools off, swap him with someone else.

Maybe you flip Greenway and Cozens once the Greenway magic fades, and Cozens gets his shit together?

 

[KeyserSoze81]

and Cozens gets his shit together?

Oh sweet providence, we long for your presence. May the Whitehorse-native play like a workhorse, and not like he was kicked in the head by one. Amen.

 

[Selanne00008]

The worst case scenario is that our guys aren't as good as we thought. What if Tage is not a 1C but more of a 65 point guy, Cozens is a 50 point 2C/3C, Quinn becomes a tweener, Tuch is just a 50-60 point 2nd line winger, Kulich/Ostlund/Rosen don't develop into anything..

Then what the heck do we do? Try again?

This is my general fear and could be reality. If so, I kinda hope its even worse than that and they plummet all the way to #1 overall! This limbo of drafting 8th-13th is total Bills drought mind numbing. **I realize drafting #1 also hasn't worked for us, but IDK WHAT ELSE TO DO**

 

[joshjull]

The worst case scenario is that our guys aren't as good as we thought. What if Tage is not a 1C but more of a 65 point guy, Cozens is a 50 point 2C/3C, Quinn becomes a tweener, Tuch is just a 50-60 point 2nd line winger, Kulich/Ostlund/Rosen don't develop into anything..

Then what the heck do we do? Try again?

Thats the biggest fear to be honest. Tage/Tuch/Cozens/Quinn/Peterka are the forwards who will determine if we make or miss the playoffs. If we miss because they suck, especially Tage/Cozens, we are in deep shit.

 

[Havok89]

Thats the biggest fear to be honest. Tage/Tuch/Cozens/Quinn/Peterka are the forwards who will determine if we make or miss the playoffs. If we miss because they suck, especially Tage/Cozens, we are in deep shit.

I think we’re in deep shit

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

A team that is perennially the youngest in the league can be expected to struggle to even make the playoffs.

Is there enough talent in the organization that waiting for them to mature together is viable? Management and many in here (me, for example) have been telling us that for years. I now fear that the overall talent, at its peak, will be good, but not great, and probably not worthy of a Cup contender.

There is zero evidence that Adams can acquire the handful of veteran impact players that would make a difference.

Depressing, frankly.

 

[joshjull]

I think we’re in deep shit

I can’t hear you sitting in the corner rocking back and forth plugging my ears.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Thats the biggest fear to be honest. Tage/Tuch/Cozens/Quinn/Peterka are the forwards who will determine if we make or miss the playoffs. If we miss because they suck, especially Tage/Cozens, we are in deep shit.

I'm pretty much over the core already, so I'm bracing for another retool.

I never thought I'd do the 180 I have on Tuch. I was hoping they'd get rid of him last offseason for a haul, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. Part of the reason I want to get rid of him is his durability, the other reason is the amount of dumbass plays he makes, and he's pretty much stapled to Thompson's wing. He also doesn't play all that physical. He's very inconsistent in that regard.

But yeah- I don't see a very high ceiling with this squad unless some of our offensive pieces take a big step forward. Part of the reason I would've been behind a big time offer for Pettersson is the fact we'd get a legit top line C to use with Cozens or Tage (assuming one is going to other way) in the top 6. Also, I don't think Adams has it in him to be ultra aggressive for a franchise changing trade if a dominant player ever became available. Plus, with players getting way more NMC in their contract- who the hell wants to come here and play?

 

[Beerz]

That is our problem... we don't have any forwards that can control the game.. create opportunities and make their linemates better... most are just shooters. We do not have a 1C

 

[Fjordy]

Adams is not the kind of GM who will do anything, much less trade for 1C. He will wait until the last minute to make some insignificant move or until he gets fired.

 

[joshjull]

There is zero evidence that Adams can acquire the handful of veteran impact players that would make a difference.

If we’re gonna discuss that honestly we need to factor in no trade clauses. Players can only get them on seasons that are UFA years. Which means the types of top 6 forward/top 4 dmen vets we want in their late 20s/early 30s likely have trade protection.

It’s not that it’s impossible to add them. It just makes it very, very difficult. Too many ignore this or pretend it isn’t the reality of the situation. Not saying you’re one. But it’s very annoying to have these debates where a good chunk of posters don’t acknowledge that.

We’re in this messed up situation where adding some of them would help us win and make the playoffs. But they’re not likely to want to come here until we start winning and make the playoffs.

 

[Fjordy]

If we’re gonna discuss that honestly we need to factor in no trade clauses. Players can only get them on seasons that are UFA years. Which means the types of top 6 forward/top 4 dmen vets we want in their late 20s/early 30s likely have trade protection.

It’s not that it’s impossible to add them. It just makes it very, very difficult. Too many ignore this or pretend it isn’t the reality of the situation. Not saying you’re one. But it’s very annoying to have these debates where a good chunk of posters don’t acknowledge that.

We’re in this messed up situation where adding some of them would help us win and make the playoffs. But they’re not likely to want to come here until we start winning and make the playoffs.

It's not as hard as it sounds. Fitzgerald added Meier and Marino, then traded Marino. That's just one example. And as far as I remember, there was no trade protection.

 

[Jim Bob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844817458341019680

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844814418120429620

 

[Jim Bob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844774681527619728

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844773903412887607

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

If we’re gonna discuss that honestly we need to factor in no trade clauses. Players can only get them on seasons that are UFA years. Which means the types of top 6 forward/top 4 dmen vets we want in their late 20s/early 30s likely have trade protection.

It’s not that it’s impossible to add them. It just makes it very, very difficult. Too many ignore this or pretend it isn’t the reality of the situation. Not saying you’re one. But it’s very annoying to have these debates where a good chunk of posters don’t acknowledge that.

We’re in this messed up situation where adding some of them would help us win and make the playoffs. But they’re not likely to want to come here until we start winning and make the playoffs.

Agree entirely. It's not simply a matter of Adams' competence.

Whatever he might like to do is constrained by the Sabres being in the longest playoff drought in NHL history, and Buffalo's challenging winters and high taxes. No veteran with NMC/NTC protection looking to latch onto a winning franchise is clamoring to commit to Buffalo.

 

[Ehran]

That is our problem... we don't have any forwards that can control the game.. create opportunities and make their linemates better... most are just shooters. We do not have a 1C

Our "shooters" have a team wide shooting percentage of 3.7%.

League average is at 11.9%.

Not sure I would even call this a "roster of shooters" unless you're referring to "missing the net way too often".

 

[DJN21]

Personally I blame Alex Nylander but whatever....

 

[MayDayMayDay]

Three games in and I haven't seen a single thing I'm excited for. Maybe Levi, he played well against Jersey, and Kulich has shown decently early on.

The forwards: Tuch looks cooked. Tage isn't showing the same kind of effort. Cozens hasn't been the same since that fight last year. Benson and Quinn both look like they have stagnated. Peterka hurt. And no one can hit the God damn f***in net.

The Defence: Dahlin hasn't looked assertive enough. Power and Byram have been passengers. Samuelsson looks like Meszaros.

This team looks f***in lazy. It's exhausting. And I have no idea what anyone can possibly do to light a fire under their ass. Not even Lindy apparently. This is hockey hell, and no one in any position of power seems to give a shit or seems to be demonstrating any sense of urgency to get better and fix it.

 

[Willgamesh]

Three games in and I haven't seen a single thing I'm excited for. Maybe Levi, he played well against Jersey, and Kulich has shown decently early on.

The forwards: Tuch looks cooked. Tage isn't showing the same kind of effort. Cozens hasn't been the same since that fight last year. Benson and Quinn both look like they have stagnated. Peterka hurt. And no one can hit the God damn f***in net.

The Defence: Dahlin hasn't looked assertive enough. Power and Byram have been passengers. Samuelsson looks like Meszaros.

This team looks f***in lazy. It's exhausting. And I have no idea what anyone can possibly do to light a fire under their ass. Not even Lindy apparently. This is hockey hell, and no one in any position of power seems to give a shit or seems to be demonstrating any sense of urgency to get better and fix it.

Don't agree with the Power point at all, he's been our best D.

 

[toddkaz]

Anyone miss Skinners scoring yet?

I'm pretty much over the core already, so I'm bracing for another retool.

I never thought I'd do the 180 I have on Tuch. I was hoping they'd get rid of him last offseason for a haul, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. Part of the reason I want to get rid of him is his durability, the other reason is the amount of dumbass plays he makes, and he's pretty much stapled to Thompson's wing. He also doesn't play all that physical. He's very inconsistent in that regard.

But yeah- I don't see a very high ceiling with this squad unless some of our offensive pieces take a big step forward. Part of the reason I would've been behind a big time offer for Pettersson is the fact we'd get a legit top line C to use with Cozens or Tage (assuming one is going to other way) in the top 6. Also, I don't think Adams has it in him to be ultra aggressive for a franchise changing trade if a dominant player ever became available. Plus, with players getting way more NMC in their contract- who the hell wants to come here and play?

Tuch was the perfect player to dangle for Ehlers or Necas

 

[Mattilaus]

Anyone miss Skinners scoring yet?


Tuch was the perfect player to dangle for Ehlers or Necas

While a lot of us agree, the general fan base would riot. I would freaking love Ehlers. I feel like he has been underutilized in peg for almost his entire career.

 

[SundherDome]

Three games in and I haven't seen a single thing I'm excited for. Maybe Levi, he played well against Jersey, and Kulich has shown decently early on.

The forwards: Tuch looks cooked. Tage isn't showing the same kind of effort. Cozens hasn't been the same since that fight last year. Benson and Quinn both look like they have stagnated. Peterka hurt. And no one can hit the God damn f***in net.

The Defence: Dahlin hasn't looked assertive enough. Power and Byram have been passengers. Samuelsson looks like Meszaros.

This team looks f***in lazy. It's exhausting. And I have no idea what anyone can possibly do to light a fire under their ass. Not even Lindy apparently. This is hockey hell, and no one in any position of power seems to give a shit or seems to be demonstrating any sense of urgency to get better and fix it.

Just curious, what moves are available that you would take to fix it?