The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Sabresfansince1980]

You realize with a 95 mil cap next year the Sabres will have 33 mil in cap space including skinners buyout already accounted for? I don’t think your numbers are right

Buffalo Sabres Salary Cap, Cap Hit, Buffalo Sabres Contracts | Puckpedia

puckpedia.com

I went right off that web site for my numbers. I don't have the energy for a player-by-player breakdown. You can do it yourself and see that I'm pretty close.

Edit - actually I did have the energy because it's not that hard...

Zucker (or adequate vet replacement) - 5 mil
Greenway - 4.5 mil
McLeod - 3 mil
NAK - 2 mil
Quinn - 1.5 mil
Peterka - 5 mil
Byram - 5.5 mil
Jokiharju (or replacement) - 3 mil
Bryson - 1 mil
Gilbert - 1 mil
Reimer/Levi - 1-2 mil

That's 33 mil...to ice the same mediocre team they have right now. Nitpick the estimates I listed all you want, it's not enough to have more space for an impact addition.

Buffalo has the most cap dollars going toward the D-corps than any team in the league (35.6 mil)...aside from Utah because they are paying out the corpse of Shea Weber to the tune of 8 mil...38 mil total. Does the Sabres D-corps in any way resemble a group that should be the highest paid in the league, now or for the foreseeable future? Obviously not, nowhere close actually. The FWs are short in cap dollars, experience, possibly talent (depending on what becomes of Cozens and Quinn), and hobbled by a buy-out penalty on top of that. This roster isn't going anywhere worth a damn.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

I went right off that web site for my numbers. I don't have the energy for a player-by-player breakdown. You can do it yourself and see that I'm pretty close.

Edit - actually I did have the energy because it's not that hard...

Zucker (or adequate vet replacement) - 5 mil
Greenway - 4.5 mil
McLeod - 3 mil
NAK - 2 mil
Quinn - 1.5 mil
Peterka - 5 mil
Byram - 5.5 mil
Jokiharju (or replacement) - 3 mil
Bryson - 1 mil
Gilbert - 1 mil
Reimer/Levi - 1-2 mil

That's 33 mil...to ice the same mediocre team they have right now. Nitpick the estimates I listed all you want, it's not enough to have more space for an impact addition.

Buffalo has the most cap dollars going toward the D-corps than any team in the league (35.6 mil)...aside from Utah because they are paying out the corpse of Shea Weber to the tune of 8 mil...38 mil total. Does the Sabres D-corps in any way resemble a group that should be the highest paid in the league, now or for the foreseeable future? Obviously not, nowhere close actually. The FWs are short in cap dollars, experience, possibly talent (depending on what becomes of Cozens and Quinn), and hobbled by a buy-out penalty on top of that. This roster isn't going anywhere worth a damn.

You realize half the players you’re recording as getting paid to be on the team will not be there next year … They are going to be rookies on entry-level salaries, taking half of those FA guys place, including Zucker

There’s no way they’re paying a “ Zucker replacement” and Greenway $9.5 million total. Neither of them will be on the team next year.

If they are paying someone that much money, it’s one player who is a first line player

Plus sammuelson may be gone and one of the under contract fwd if they don’t make the playoffs

 

[Beerz]

You realize half the players you’re recording as getting paid to be on the team will not be there next year … They are going to be rookies on entry-level salaries, taking half of those FA guys place, including Zucker

There’s no way they’re paying a “ Zucker replacement” and Greenway $9.5 million total. Neither of them will be on the team next year.

If they are paying someone that much money, it’s one player who is a first line player

Playing rookies on ELC's is just repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

Yes we can have 3 rookies in the line up next year on elc's ... but should we?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

You realize half the players you’re recording as getting paid to be on the team will not be there next year … They are going to be rookies on entry-level salaries, taking half of those FA guys place, including Zucker

There’s no way they’re paying a “ Zucker replacement” and Greenway $9.5 million total. Neither of them will be on the team next year.

If they are paying someone that much money, it’s one player who is a first line player

Plus sammuelson may be gone and one of the under contract fwd if they don’t make the playoffs

I'm not sure why you post this, because my whole point was how we can't get better under the coming cap situation. You just posted that I'm wrong by pointing out how we can be under the cap by more than my estimate...by being even worse. We shouldn't be worse FFS.

 

[joshjull]

Ohh, stop picking on him, I'm sure he's hearing something but cannot say exactly. Let’s see some of you on crazy s/m. I think @Gabrielor is the only one.

No he’s not hearing anything. He posted the following on twitter…..

”Fwiw no inside knowledge at all on this but idk why I have this gut feeling some sort of move is coming soon for the Sabres.Nothing probably happens but (who knows)”

I just repeated what he posted in a more concise manner.

EDIT: I’m old so you’re going to have to explain what crazy s/m is.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

I'm not sure why you post this, because my whole point was how we can't get better under the coming cap situation. You just posted that I'm wrong by pointing out how we can be under the cap by more than my estimate...by being even worse. We shouldn't be worse FFS.

So adding a potential 9 mil player and bringing up 1-2 of our top prospects is not getting better?

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

So adding a potential 9 mil player and bringing up 1-2 of our top prospects is not getting better?

First, I laid out how the cap was not going to allow for the roster to get better. You said my numbers were wrong.

Second, I went and showed exactly how my numbers were correct. Now you want to debate about how lumping two effective roster players into one great player and a couple ELC kids might be better than re-signing the couple decent vets we have.

That's a whole other debate. So I'll accept that you were wrong to challenge me on the numbers. As far as adding more rookies, I don't think I have to bother going on about how we're already the youngest, most inexperienced, non-physical, nearly most defensively inept team in the league. Adding ELCs is the worst thing KA could do to the roster. Laughable really.

 

[Chainshot]

Still think the move should've been Ekholm two years ago.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

First, I laid out how the cap was not going to allow for the roster to get better. You said my numbers were wrong.

Second, I went and showed exactly how my numbers were correct. Now you want to debate about how lumping two effective roster players into one great player and a couple ELC kids might be better than re-signing the couple decent vets we have.

That's a whole other debate. So I'll accept that you were wrong to challenge me on the numbers. As far as adding more rookies, I don't think I have to bother going on about how we're already the youngest, most inexperienced, non-physical, nearly most defensively inept team in the league. Adding ELCs is the worst thing KA could do to the roster. Laughable really.

Ok bro take a chill pill - also you’re not right. But good for you that you think no other opinion is valid except for yours. Hope that serves you well

If you really believe there is “no way that the Sabres can get better with the cap set at an even higher number” then I’m not sure why you’re even following the team. A bunch of teams with much less cap will make their teams better so why is it exactly that we can’t? Again referencing my point above because you have one opinion and just want to stick with it.

Also, as the last point, if you really believe that none of the prospects in Rochester are going to take spots on the team next year… I definitely think you don’t get what is happening here. You might not like it, but what do you think? Exactly is going to happen with them? Are we going to trade them all? Leave them in the AHL again? At minimum Kulich is here next year full-time and I’d bet at least one of wahlberg or helenius is as well. This is nothing that controversial or insane… But just look at the freaking tea leaves man.

If you or anyone here REALLY believes we can’t make a team better with 33mil + in cap space with a couple of decent RFAs to sign and bottom of the roster UFAs then what are are we doing here. They have no one that needs to be cap dumped and can buy out samuelsson if they need to bc he’s an injury prob. It a gm can’t improve a team with that much space they should be fired ( and prob will be this year if they crap out)

Fully expect another high horse egocentric response to this so have fun…also can we let this year play out before we crap on next year?

 

[Djp]

So 95-97 million USD? That's a lot of D.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1857966867328983253

By my formula 98M would mean $42M for 7D & 2G

Dahlin 11
Sam 4.3
Power 8.35
Clifton 3.33
Byram 6
UPL 4.75
Levi 1.75
40.5
The other 3 D at $1M rach

Still think the move should've been Ekholm two years ago.

No. Too old. Not wasting a high 1sf on a mid 30s player

 

[Fjordy]

Still think the move should've been Ekholm two years ago.

Still waiting for Adams to trade Marino from Pens, ooh, and then from Devils.

 

[Chainshot]

By my formula 98M would mean $42M for 7D & 2G

Dahlin 11
Sam 4.3
Power 8.35
Clifton 3.33
Byram 6
UPL 4.75
Levi 1.75
40.5
The other 3 D at $1M rach

No. Too old. Not wasting a high 1sf on a mid 30s player

Given his performance, that move puts Buffalo in the playoffs two years ago, probably puts them close last year if not in, and the cover they need for the top two pairs is still handled.

 

[Weltschmerz]

Still think the move should've been Ekholm two years ago.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Ok bro take a chill pill - also you’re not right. But good for you that you think no other opinion is valid except for yours. Hope that serves you well

If you really believe there is “no way that the Sabres can get better with the cap set at an even higher number” then I’m not sure why you’re even following the team. A bunch of teams with much less cap will make their teams better so why is it exactly that we can’t? Again referencing my point above because you have one opinion and just want to stick with it.

Also, as the last point, if you really believe that none of the prospects in Rochester are going to take spots on the team next year… I definitely think you don’t get what is happening here. You might not like it, but what do you think? Exactly is going to happen with them? Are we going to trade them all? Leave them in the AHL again? At minimum Kulich is here next year full-time and I’d bet at least one of wahlberg or helenius is as well. This is nothing that controversial or insane… But just look at the freaking tea leaves man.

If you or anyone here REALLY believes we can’t make a team better with 33mil + in cap space with a couple of decent RFAs to sign and bottom of the roster UFAs then what are are we doing here. They have no one that needs to be cap dumped and can buy out samuelsson if they need to bc he’s an injury prob. It a gm can’t improve a team with that much space they should be fired ( and prob will be this year if they crap out)

Fully expect another high horse egocentric response to this so have fun…also can we let this year play out before we crap on next year?

You kept posting "you realize" this, "you realize" that, like I'm the dumb one, and then say I'm the one posting from a high horse. Go back and read your own posts. Then above, you actually used quotes for something I never posted. My original post that you incorrectly challenged, stated that there will only be barely enough cap room just to ice the same mediocre roster. That doesn't mean it can't get better, but it's going to take a big trade sending a high cap player the other way. KA hasn't made the type of trades needed to move forward, and in fact has made a trade that pushed them backward. Why should anyone think KA can make any other moves with 33 mil cap space next time around? He SHOULD be fired.

Everything else you posted is a fair summary of why I am so pissed at this franchise right now. They are overloading with prospects, continually putting them in roles that are over their level of experience to handle. They are going to struggle, physically, defensively, and with their confidence. Some of them will eventually grind through it and reach a high level of play as they enter their prime. KA has forced out/traded a couple of those players that should still be here...beyond logic...beyond the reason why you wait so damn long for your own guys to finally develop. So yeah, I have seen the tea leaves and the future looks just as incompetent as the last couple years. Some of the posters here still have hope and good for them, but they can't logically defend what KA has done the last 3-4 years.

 

[Fjordy]

I've seen a lot of displeasure with Crouse on the Utah board. Maybe there is a chance to trade him from there.

 

[Zman5778]

I've seen a lot of displeasure with Crouse on the Utah board. Maybe there is a chance to trade him from there.

I think the idea of what Crouse can be is significantly better than the reality of what Crouse actually is.

A lot of fans want to see Crouse as the big, imposing power forward who is a legit top 6 player. The reality is that he's an inconsistent middle-6 type who is 0.5 ppg in his best season(s)......and can be absolutely invisible in a LOT of games.

Don't think I'd pay the price it takes to get him there.....and if I wouldn't pay the price, ain't no way Adams is paying the price.

 

[Fjordy]

I think the idea of what Crouse can be is significantly better than the reality of what Crouse actually is.

A lot of fans want to see Crouse as the big, imposing power forward who is a legit top 6 player. The reality is that he's an inconsistent middle-6 type who is 0.5 ppg in his best season(s)......and can be absolutely invisible in a LOT of games.

Don't think I'd pay the price it takes to get him there.....and if I wouldn't pay the price, ain't no way Adams is paying the price.

I expect 40-45 points player, physical and decent defense play.

Last season he played on the other line with a playmaker like Maccelli and had 42 points, before that he had a 45 point season. This season he plays on shutdown line with Kerfoot and Hayton and his scoring has dropped.

I think he would be a good addition to our roster.

Well, we can still try to snatch Frederic from Boston, although he is a UFA at the end of the season and I am not sure if there is a deal.

 

[Fjordy]

 

[Chainshot]

I suppose at least celebrate that Thompson is back on the ice and had as Ruff put it "a good day".

 

[toddkaz]

I've seen a lot of displeasure with Crouse on the Utah board. Maybe there is a chance to trade him from there.

Interesting tidbit Utah wanted Savoie for Chychrun. Wonder if there could have been a deal there before we traded away Savoie.

Not that it matters now but if the two teams were talking maybe Crouse is a possibility.

 

[Chainshot]

I hope whoever is in the press box Wednesday has access to what scouts have arrived who aren't usually in attendance.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

If Thompson can’t play, let’s try something different:

Peterka-Cozens-Kulich
Benson-McLeod-Quinn
Zucker-Krebs-Rosen
Malenstyn-Lafferty-Aube-Kubel

 

[thewookie1]

Interesting tidbit Utah wanted Savoie for Chychrun. Wonder if there could have been a deal there before we traded away Savoie.

Not that it matters now but if the two teams were talking maybe Crouse is a possibility.

It was actually, supposedly, Savoie + our 1st which was Benson

 

[Zman5778]

Rosen recalled, Levi sent down.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Rosen recalled, Levi sent down.

Rosen deserves a look, could also be putting him in the shop window for something ?