The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Fjordy]

Although I agree mostly (Rossi, Zegras still, Crouse, etc are all good ideas of yours), you do have to take in account that Kulich has looked great the last two games at center and something could be developing there. Can he keep it it up ?, stay at 2C ? We will see.

Krebs has played competent on L4, and Kozak/Walhberg could always get a look Bottom 6 if needed.

Upgrading Joker would be my priority. We could also take another look at a Johnson call up.

I agree, top 4 RD is a higher priority right now, we have some promising young players on offense that seem ready to shine. I just hope Ruff doesn't put Kulich in the press box for Cozens or Lafferty when Tage returns.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I agree, top 4 RD is a higher priority right now, we have some promising young players on offense that seem ready to shine. I just hope Ruff doesn't put Kulich in the press box for Cozens or Lafferty when Tage returns.

After last night and the game before I hope not although there will be ups and downs. Of course Lindy likes Laff's PK and they don't want Cozens to loose any more confidence by sending him to the press box..

For "now" this center spine works for me
Tage
Kulich
McLeod
Krebs/Laff

One other note on Rossi, remember the Sabres passed on him originally, could be Forton and others are not big fans.

 

[Fjordy]

After last night and the game before I hope not although there will be ups and downs. Of course Lindy likes Laff's PK and they don't want Cozens to loose any more confidence by sending him to the press box..

For "now" this center spine works for me
Tage
Kulich
McLeod
Krebs/Laff

One other note on Rossi, remember the Sabres passed on him originally, could be Forton and others are not big fans.

I don't really understand what PK and Lafferty and his play on the second line have to do with it. If you need PK Lafferty, put him on the fourth line and use him on PK. We also have McLeod, Tuch and Malenstyn playing there PK.

It was a long time ago and we don't know the details. I only heard that Botterill was planning to take Rossi. Rossi seems to be doing just fine now, especially compared to Cozens.

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

So your answer of what’s ailing the Sabres is to bring in another midget in Rossi???

 

[jc17]

So your answer of what’s ailing the Sabres is to bring in another midget in Rossi???

playing with consistently high iq is probably our biggest need, regardless of height

 

[Fjordy]

playing with consistently high iq is probably our biggest need, regardless of height

So we need to replace players with low hockey IQ with players with high hockey IQ, is that how I understand it?

 

[BFLO]

Perhaps I should stop noting about his slow starts and just simply say that we need better out of him.

I think we all agree with this.

I'd also add that we've seen him start red hot on the score sheet in 3 seasons. But we haven't seen him finish a season red hot a single time yet. I think once he does we make the playoffs.

 

[jc17]

So we need to replace players with low hockey IQ with players with high hockey IQ, is that how I understand it?

I just wouldn't prioritize size. The person I replied to referenced "another midget" suggesting the current team's issue is being undersized.

 

[Fjordy]

So your answer of what’s ailing the Sabres is to bring in another midget in Rossi???

Are you having problems with height? Little Benson looks much more menacing and better than big Cozens. Rossi is a good playmaker, a natural center, not bad in defense.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Cozens can literally f*** off, tired of this guy. I don't know what his problem is but even during yesterdays win and the Sabres showing they can win tight games Cozens was still infuriating more often than not. He took a contract got caved in in a fight and disappeared. His shot selection is terrible, he's all scrambly when receiving the puck that it often ends up in his feet and then going the other way. He's constantly knocked down to the ice like a infant on skates.

HOW IS ANYONE LIKING THIS GUY????

Losing Cozens would be a net positive like moving on from Jeff Skinner if this idiot cant unf*** himself.

 

[Dubi Doo]

The development of Kulich is interesting. When everyone is healthy:

Peterka-Tage-Tuch

Legit 1st line. No need to mess with it.

Benson-McLeod-Cozens

McLeod is looking the part of a good middle-6 C. Benson and McLeod are two very high IQ players. Cozens can focus on using his speed and simplifying his game. He'll no longer need to worry about the nuances of playing C. Benson is going to help any line he's on out.

Zucker- Kulich- Quinn

Hey! It's working, right? Kulich is looking the part of a top-9 C. Quinn is looking much better away from Cozens. And Zucker is that savvy veteran presence who will go to the dirty areas and get nasty with his stick if someone gets testy with our youngsters on the line.

Malenstyn- Krebs - Greenway

Perhaps the best 4th line this team has had in a long time. Malenstyn and Greenway putting in work along the boards. Malenstyn brings that speed. Krebs has shown he plays well between players of that ilk.

Byram-Dahlin
Power- Clifton
Bryson-Joki

Top 4 RD still looks like the biggest need as long as Kulich can continue being a viable top-9 C. If these lines allow Buffalo to have two legit middle lines (maybe not a legit top-6 line) it'll go a long way. Just having a second line that's winning it's matchups would be huge, and I think a duo of Benson and McLeod would allow that line to win a ton of the possession battles (assuming Cozens can use his speed, forecheck, and simplify his game...the goals will come).

 

[jc17]

Given cozens struggles theres been a lot of talk of moving to wing, but wasn't he another one of those guys that struggled early on the wing, and seemingly did better at center for a bit?

I seem to remember him having the same issues

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Mattilaus]

Something I have found encouraging, the different ways we have won this season so far. We have had nights where our stars sucked and depth has picked up the slack, we have had nights where our D sucked but our goaltending has stolen the game, we have grinded out low scoring defensive games, etc.

Good teams aren't always firing on all cynlinders but their parts allow them to win games in other ways. Star players not scoring in NY? Well Sheshty can make up for it for tonight. Oettinger having an off night in Dallas? Well, they will just score 7 goals to make up for it. Third game in 4 nights for the Panthers? Well they're capable of shifting gears and playing a stifling, defensive, low energy game for the win. The Sabres are starting to look like a team that has contingencies on nights where not everything is going at 100%.

I am not all the way back in yet, but it is encouraging and I am dipping my toe back in the pool.

 

[Ness]

Cozens needs to be better but he’s still only 23 years old and shown that he’s capable of being a 30 goal scorer. I’m all for moving him to RW and keeping Kulich up at C.