Fjordy
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The 2024-2025 Roster Thread
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At this point, I'm not looking for a superstar GM. I want someone who has been in charge of a winning team and knows a repeatable, reliable method for structuring a front office and setting up a roster for success.
What happened to his 5v5 play? His possession numbers are significantly off where they have been. It looks like he might be playing with weaker wingers overall.
Der Jaeger
Generational EBUG
Not going to be a popular idea, but here it is:
Do modern NHL teams need two #1 puck moving defenseman? My argument is no. That is a waste of assets. Let's take a look at the 1 and 2 defenseman of Cup champs.
2024: Montour ran the power play. Forsling, OEL, and Ekblad have a strong case each to be the 2.
2023: Pietrangelo ran the power play. Theodore was the 2.
2022: Makar ran the power play, Toews was the 2.
2020-21: Hedman ran the power play, Sergachev was the 2.
2019: Pietrangelo ran the power play, Dunn and Parayko have a strong case as the 2.
2018: Carlson ran the power play, Orlov was the 2.
2016-17: Letang ran the power play, Schultz was the 2 in 2017. Really not a 2 in 2016 for the Pens.
2015: Keith ran the power play, Seabrook was the 2.
2014: Doughty ran the power play, Voynov and Martinez have cases as the 2.
2013: Keith ran the power play, Seabrook was the 2.
2012: Doughty ran the power play, Mitchell, Johnson, Voynov, and Martinez have cases as the 2.
2011: Chara ran the power play, Seidenberg was the 2.
2010: Keith ran the power plan, Seabrook was the 2.
2009: Letang ran the power play, Goligoski and Gonchar was cases as the 2.
2008: Lidstrom ran the power play, Rafalski was the 2.
2007: Niedermayer ran the power play, Pronger was the 2.
2006: Kaberle ran the power play, Hedican was the 2.
Since the lockout, teams increasing left the older model of running a power play with 2 elite defenseman and went to 1 defenseman at the point operating a 1-3-1 or a variation of that set up. The team requirement was to have one elite power play defenseman and then a second defenseman who could run the second team.
A decent litmus test would be to ask these questions:
"Would I trade for an upgrade for the #1 PP defenseman? Would I be comfortable with my #2 guy running the #1 power play? Am I comfortable with my #2 D running my second power play unit?"
If you answered no to the first question, you have your guy. If you answer no to the second question and yes to the third question, you've also probably got the right #2 D. Aside from Sergachev, few of the recent cup winners have really good #2 defenseman who can run a power play at a top level. No one is looking to upgrade from Makar, Hedman, Letang, Doughty, Keith, etc. But teams would upgrade from Forsling, Towes, Dunn, Schultz, Martinez, etc. if that D was running your top power play.
Apply that to the Sabres. Does anyone think we need an upgrade on the #1 power play from Dahlin? I think that question is a definitive "no." Would everyone be comfortable with Power running the #1 power play? I think that answer is "yes." Would anyone be comfortable with Byrum running the #1 power play? Ehh.... but you'd be looking to upgrade. Would everyone be good with Byrum running the #2 power play? Absolutely.
I have no issues with Owen Power. I think he's a heck of a hockey player. But if you remember, I advocated for taking Matt Beniers over Power during the draft year. Part of that thinking was having two elite #1 defenseman is a waste of assets. Power needs to be running a #1 power play unit. He's that good. But so is Dahlin.
The Sabres could use more defensive-minded defenseman, another center, and a net front presence (when your best two net front guys are Benson and Zucker, you need more). At this point, I'd use Power as the trade asset to adjust the roster.
Do modern NHL teams need two #1 puck moving defenseman? My argument is no. That is a waste of assets. Let's take a look at the 1 and 2 defenseman of Cup champs.
2024: Montour ran the power play. Forsling, OEL, and Ekblad have a strong case each to be the 2.
2023: Pietrangelo ran the power play. Theodore was the 2.
2022: Makar ran the power play, Toews was the 2.
2020-21: Hedman ran the power play, Sergachev was the 2.
2019: Pietrangelo ran the power play, Dunn and Parayko have a strong case as the 2.
2018: Carlson ran the power play, Orlov was the 2.
2016-17: Letang ran the power play, Schultz was the 2 in 2017. Really not a 2 in 2016 for the Pens.
2015: Keith ran the power play, Seabrook was the 2.
2014: Doughty ran the power play, Voynov and Martinez have cases as the 2.
2013: Keith ran the power play, Seabrook was the 2.
2012: Doughty ran the power play, Mitchell, Johnson, Voynov, and Martinez have cases as the 2.
2011: Chara ran the power play, Seidenberg was the 2.
2010: Keith ran the power plan, Seabrook was the 2.
2009: Letang ran the power play, Goligoski and Gonchar was cases as the 2.
2008: Lidstrom ran the power play, Rafalski was the 2.
2007: Niedermayer ran the power play, Pronger was the 2.
2006: Kaberle ran the power play, Hedican was the 2.
Since the lockout, teams increasing left the older model of running a power play with 2 elite defenseman and went to 1 defenseman at the point operating a 1-3-1 or a variation of that set up. The team requirement was to have one elite power play defenseman and then a second defenseman who could run the second team.
A decent litmus test would be to ask these questions:
"Would I trade for an upgrade for the #1 PP defenseman? Would I be comfortable with my #2 guy running the #1 power play? Am I comfortable with my #2 D running my second power play unit?"
If you answered no to the first question, you have your guy. If you answer no to the second question and yes to the third question, you've also probably got the right #2 D. Aside from Sergachev, few of the recent cup winners have really good #2 defenseman who can run a power play at a top level. No one is looking to upgrade from Makar, Hedman, Letang, Doughty, Keith, etc. But teams would upgrade from Forsling, Towes, Dunn, Schultz, Martinez, etc. if that D was running your top power play.
Apply that to the Sabres. Does anyone think we need an upgrade on the #1 power play from Dahlin? I think that question is a definitive "no." Would everyone be comfortable with Power running the #1 power play? I think that answer is "yes." Would anyone be comfortable with Byrum running the #1 power play? Ehh.... but you'd be looking to upgrade. Would everyone be good with Byrum running the #2 power play? Absolutely.
I have no issues with Owen Power. I think he's a heck of a hockey player. But if you remember, I advocated for taking Matt Beniers over Power during the draft year. Part of that thinking was having two elite #1 defenseman is a waste of assets. Power needs to be running a #1 power play unit. He's that good. But so is Dahlin.
The Sabres could use more defensive-minded defenseman, another center, and a net front presence (when your best two net front guys are Benson and Zucker, you need more). At this point, I'd use Power as the trade asset to adjust the roster.
Fjordy
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It seems to me that Colorado has a lot of injuries in attack and Mitts often played with players from bottom 6, but I could be wrong.
The opinion that the D-corps doesn't make sense with all three of Dahlin, Power, and Byram, and needs a revamp to add defensively capable vets is bad??? I appreciate the time you took out from filing KA's office paperwork to reply.
Fjordy
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Maybe he meant trading Dahlin or Power. That makes sense, too, Byram has a long history of concussions and even had his career suspended because of them, another accidental concussion could very well end badly for him. I feel sorry for him, but that's also a risk. He also doesn't have a contract for the summer. But I agree that three such defenders is not very good, but if one of them is to be traded, then Byram for me.
zenthusiast
cybersabre his prophet
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Colorado’s been in rough shape to start the year. I assume they’ll round out into form
Byram's last 8 games have been excellent. He's not been under 21 minutes a night, he's got 2 goals, 5 assists and a +8 *yes, I know plus/minus sucks*. Byram's first 9 games were a lot rougher.
You have to avoid mistaking "good offensively" and "moves the puck well" with being poor defensively though.
MOGlLNY
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You trade Samuelsson and add a steady RD it makes plenty of sense to have all 3, especially when Dahlin plays better on the right. You’re entitled to your wrong opinion - all good.
Beerz
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Meh... if he wants to be a figure head i am fine with that... but keep him away from on ice decisions
Welcome to the dark side.
Fjordy
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Panthaz89
Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Panthers fan
Ever since the move to be paired with Dahlin I'm pretty sure they've been one of the best pairings in the league. He's been rolling ever since November started and has been +10 this month meaning good things are happening with Byram on the ice and its not a coincidence.
While Bo is definitely more offensively gifted he does bring a solid defensive game and plays physical when needed.
Jacob582
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Fjordy
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I think so, but whoever goes to the first pair with Dahlin immediately plays better for some reason. Although they both had not very good moments in defense, but they are good in attack. I am not in a hurry to trade Byram, we just need to add a defensive top 4 RD to play with Power. We have assets, Sammy, Joki, picks, prospects.
I'm wondering if the play would be seeing how long Calgary's swoon continues - like if they go 2-5-2 like they have on these last 9 games again and they play down to where a lot of folks predicted - if they can leverage one of the Flames top 2 RD out (Andersson or Weegar). Both have risks, Andersson being a UFA in the summer of 2026, Weegar signed until energy death of the universe and already 30 being the biggest I see. Andersson probably costs more in terms of assets, Weegar probably is less so thanks to drag from his contract but has the bigger risk factor due to age.
MOGlLNY
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I’m not saying Samuelsson has to be included in the upgrade move
Byram isn’t being traded so that pipe dream can stop
Breaking it out a bit, over that 9-game span since Oct. 26th...
He's also tied for first in ES points by any defensemen in the whole league in that period (8) (tied with Travis Sanheim who is getting ALL the TOI - leading the league among d-men in that span with 26:48 to Bo's 24:03). In relation to his teammates in that span, something is clearly working.
Beerz
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I would gladly take the Weegar risk.
Edit: But that is a lot of coin on the back end. You probably end up bridging Byram which i suppose is fine.
Jacob582
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I think they will want to keep Gilbert in against Philly.
I would sit Bryson and get Jokiharju back in.
I don't want to play the three D 27 minutes a night long term.
Then, put Bryson back in out west next to Clifton. They played well together last year.
I would sit Bryson and get Jokiharju back in.
I don't want to play the three D 27 minutes a night long term.
Then, put Bryson back in out west next to Clifton. They played well together last year.
That's the path I break toward too. They don't have to make cap shenanigans to make him fit immediately like any other team would. He's got that feisty defensive game and play-killing stick that they could use on RD. The future risk is something but hey, if they have to pay some team off to take the end of his contract on (if there is such a scrap heap in 5-6 years) OR just eat the cap hit on a buyout? Cost of doing business. Fans can dunk on some teams for making those sort of moves to retain their most important core pieces, but those teams aren't trying to build out their roster. Those teams are built. I would totally have taken being razzed over losing a guy like Jarvis in Carolina if this team could have the five straight seasons over .600 winning percentage as the Leafs.
We've lost enough. Get to acting like a mature team and stop worrying about losing a trade if it gets the team better in the near future. Trust that the scouts can turn up depth elsewhere. f***, look at how teams will move from on NTC's to off NTC's by winning. Guys want to go to Edmonton now. Win and the rep is of the team winning.
*sigh*
Yeah, sounds good until the reality sets in of paying 39 mil to your D-corps, up against the cap for the first time in a decade, and still can't ice a legit 2nd FW line.
MOGlLNY
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lmao ya cause cap space is such an issue for us
