The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Panthaz89]

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.

Yeah paying great players is a problem....we should trade them so we don't have to pay them. The salary isn't going to look that bad during the 2nd half of their deals. Its the price of having a salary cap you want money on your Defense and Centers anyway. Look at the Colorado cap hit on their D right now its pretty similar to what we will have once Byram starts a new deal probably a bit more since we will have them all set to long term but will have them locked in for 6+ years.

 

[Beerz]

lmao ya cause cap space is such an issue for us

We're either losing someone because we are up against the real cap or losing someone because we are up against an internal cap.... Either way the amount of money poured into our D Core matters

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

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.

I disagree with your premise that puck moving D are only helpful on the powerplay.

 

[Fjordy]

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.

We need Weegar much more than Andersson. He is a better defender, he is a more experienced and versatile defender, his contract is both a plus and a minus, but I don’t think he will fall right away, he is also playing without injuries. Weegar is the perfect candidate for us to improve the defense.

 

[Beerz]

I disagree with your premise that puck moving D are only helpful on the powerplay.

I didn't see him mention that at all

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

lmao ya cause cap space is such an issue for us

It will be next season if you keep all three, re-signing Byram, re-signing Peterka, adding a vet RHD worth a damn, taking the Skinner buy-out penalty up to 6 mil...and still don't have a legit 2nd line. I'm all about worrying about cap space when that problem actually manifests itself, but that's going to happen next season, with less to show for it among the FW group, which is already struggling. That is not a problem you can just waive away. If the roster was balanced there might be less painful options to deal with it, but the roster is WAY off from being any more than a playoff bubble team. The rumor mill has KA looking for a FW upgrade right now, and that would take them within a couple mil of the cap if not closer.

Edit - didn't mention but should have - losing Zucker to Skinner's penalty, re-signing Greenway, Quinn, McLeod, NAK or an equivalent. Good luck with improving the FW group.

 

[Fjordy]

We're either losing someone because we are up against the real cap or losing someone because we are up against an internal cap.... Either way the amount of money poured into our D Core matters

Well, we have a lot of guys at ELC who are ready to join the game. We also don't know what Byram's new contract will be and whether he will sign it in Buffalo.

 

[Chainshot]

So potentially no Greenway against Philly too. Crap.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1857487355009278435

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Yeah paying great players is a problem....we should trade them so we don't have to pay them. The salary isn't going to look that bad during the 2nd half of their deals. Its the price of having a salary cap you want money on your Defense and Centers anyway. Look at the Colorado cap hit on their D right now its pretty similar to what we will have once Byram starts a new deal probably a bit more since we will have them all set to long term but will have them locked in for 6+ years.

A D-corps that can't play up to their contracts yet, isn't good enough defensively as a whole, and a RW that is being forced to be a mediocre C because a GM decided things a year or more ago with no flexibility. Great way to spend cap money. If they ever come around during the 2nd half of their contracts, it won't make the 1st half any less of a waste.

 

[Beerz]

Well, we have a lot of guys at ELC who are ready to join the game. We also don't know what Byram's new contract will be and whether he will sign it in Buffalo.

Then we are waiting for the ELC guys to go thru their growing pains... it's a vicious cycle.

 

[Chainshot]

Could they have a bit of an internal structure if they do keep Byram where he's not going to get more by % than Power? They might feel that way. I'm sure Byram and his agent won't.

 

[Fjordy]

Then we are waiting for the ELC guys to go thru their growing pains... it's a vicious cycle.

You don't have to put a kid line right away, but one of them might get a chance to stick in the lineup. I'm not against trading Byram, but we don't have to do it now,

 

[toddkaz]

Peyton Krebs has a 56.1% Faceoff win percentage. Puts him top 20 in the league with guys over 100 Face offs.

Is Krebs becoming useful?

I also see less fans scapegoating him this year(Still doing it just less)

 

[MOGlLNY]

It will be next season if you keep all three, re-signing Byram, re-signing Peterka, adding a vet RHD worth a damn, taking the Skinner buy-out penalty up to 6 mil...and still don't have a legit 2nd line. I'm all about worrying about cap space when that problem actually manifests itself, but that's going to happen next season, with less to show for it among the FW group, which is already struggling. That is not a problem you can just waive away. If the roster was balanced there might be less painful options to deal with it, but the roster is WAY off from being any more than a playoff bubble team. The rumor mill has KA looking for a FW upgrade right now, and that would take them within a couple mil of the cap if not closer.

Edit - didn't mention but should have - losing Zucker to Skinner's penalty, re-signing Greenway, Quinn, McLeod, NAK or an equivalent. Good luck with improving the FW group.

Byram’s ticket isn’t gonna be that big idk why this is the automatic assumption. Say they trade Sammy and Joker will that’s 8+ million back

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

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.

I was about to make a very definitive statement against Weegar but he seems to be the better of the two, at least on paper. I always feel like fans are often disappointed in Weegar or am i thinking of Seider? Either way, i am on board with your plan.

Peyton Krebs has a 56.1% Faceoff win percentage. Puts him top 20 in the league with guys over 100 Face offs.

Is Krebs becoming useful?

I also see less fans scapegoating him this year(Still doing it just less)

He has been consistent in his play. He is good for some boneheaded plays now and again, but generally he has been the good kind of consistent. I think a lot of us are accepting the fact that this was not Eichel for another young superstar in the making. Krebs is Krebs and i'll take what we have right now because he is filling his role well.

 

[Dubi Doo]

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.

Still wondering why they haven't tried Clifton with Power.

Byram-Dahlin
Power-Clifton
Bryson-Joki

 

[Fjordy]

I was about to make a very definitive statement against Weegar but he seems to be the better of the two, at least on paper. I always feel like fans are often disappointed in Weegar or am i thinking of Seider? Either way, i am on board with your plan.

Weegar > Andersson for Buffalo.

 

[Dubi Doo]

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*

It does appear Adams isn't too concerned with 'losing' trades if it builds a better team with the trades for Malenstyn and McLeod. Both trades had some pretty scathing hot takes after they occurred.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

Weegar > Andersson for Buffalo.

I don't disagree. I am just curious as to why? Based on the stats i looked at, it would seem weegar is the mobile defensemen while andersson is a lot more of a stay at home defensemen. I feel like we have so many mobile D.

 

[Fjordy]

McNabb sign extension with Vegas. Maybe kick tires on Whitecloud?

I don't disagree. I am just curious as to why? Based on the stats i looked at, it would seem weegar is the mobile defensemen while andersson is a lot more of a stay at home defensemen. I feel like we have so many mobile D.

No, Weegar has always been better than Andersson in defense. Andersson for us will be more like Byram with a right hand, well, maybe a little better in defense. Weegar in recent years seems to have almost always had a very reliable game in defense.

I also like Weegar's versatility (he can play both sides well), I like that he has a long-term contract and Andersson doesn't. Well, his uncle Craig Rivet.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

McNabb sign extension with Vegas. Maybe kick tires on Whitecloud?


No, Weegar has always been better than Andersson in defense. Andersson for us will be more like Byram with a right hand, well, maybe a little better in defense. Weegar in recent years seems to have almost always had a very reliable game in defense.

I also like Weegar's versatility (he can play both sides well), I like that he has a long-term contract and Andersson doesn't. Well, his uncle Craig Rivet.

I appreciate your insight. All good reasons. I am sold. Let's do it, GMKA

 

[Beerz]

You don't have to put a kid line right away, but one of them might get a chance to stick in the lineup. I'm not against trading Byram, but we don't have to do it now,

I'm not for trading Byram.. I was against the trade for him by sending Mitts away. But we do have a construction problem on the backend.. both in terms of handedness and Playstyle

Something needs to be done.

I have my own preferences but that too is dependent on the trade.. and I am.not sure I trust Adams to fix this.

Peyton Krebs has a 56.1% Faceoff win percentage. Puts him top 20 in the league with guys over 100 Face offs.

Is Krebs becoming useful?

I also see less fans scapegoating him this year(Still doing it just less)

No. He is not.

 

[Fjordy]

I'm not for trading Byram.. I was against the trade for him by sending Mitts away. But we do have a construction problem on the backend.. both in terms of handedness and Playstyle

Something needs to be done.

I have my own preferences but that too is dependent on the trade.. and I am.not sure I trust Adams to fix this.

Well, I agree too that our defense is unbalanced.

Yeap, needs to be traded for a top 4 defensive RD.

 

[sabremike]

Here is a big problem: Imagine you are another GM. You put in years of hard work moving up the ladder and learning how to be an executive and gaining the qualifications needed to earn that position. Then you see Kevyn Adams, a man who has zero qualifications except being a loyal stooge to one of the most incompetent owners in the history of the sport. Are you going to have ANY respect for the guy? Are you going to treat him with the respect you would a GM who actually earned the position or will you treat him the way Brian Burke famously treated Garth Snow calling him and insultingly trying to Jedi Mind Trick him into trading the1OA pick that ended up being Tavares?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Peyton Krebs has a 56.1% Faceoff win percentage. Puts him top 20 in the league with guys over 100 Face offs.

Is Krebs becoming useful?

I also see less fans scapegoating him this year(Still doing it just less)

I always thought and posted that he could be a decent 4C. Anything up the line-up is asking too much, other than a short stint to fill in for an injury.