The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Fjordy]

Kreider worked with Ruff before in Rangers, so they know each other. I would also like to point out that the presence of Dahlin, Byram and Power makes Kreider a very dangerous weapon in front of the net, although he was able to handle that with the Rangers.

 

[Chainshot]

Some impressive numbers for his speed and shot areas still --

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics - Skaters

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics for skaters including skating speed, skating distance, shot speed, shot location, and zone time.

edge.nhl.com

 

[dickiedunnwrotethis]

How would you compare him to Byram, who is already playing as the top pair RD? He’s only 2 and half years older, higher prospect pedigree, already a Stanley cup winner, and I believe is top 3 on the league in evenstrength scoring for defensmen.

I think we have that role filled with Byram?

Plus, I think we already have THREE players on the team with serious top pairing potential, which I already believe is more than any other team in the league. I don’t think we need four.

Exactly.

We need to separate needs from wants. We need a vet RD who can slip into our top 4 and give Power the defensive help he desperately needs. We need a 2C with hockey IQ who can distribute to his wingers and in a pinch can play on the top line when Tage is out. Given our current circumstances (fighting for a playoff spot and being the youngest team in the league) getting a RD prospect is, in my opinion, a want.

When our needs are met, then fine, go looking for that cherry on the cake.

 

[CowbellConray]

Kreider worked with Ruff before in Rangers, so they know each other. I would also like to point out that the presence of Dahlin, Byram and Power makes Kreider a very dangerous weapon in front of the net, although he was able to handle that with the Rangers.

We saw how much our PP improved when Zucker took on the net front spot. Kreider taking that role and Zucker on PP2 would be a really nice layout.

In addition, Kreider working on a line with Cozens and Benson would be a really solid grind second line with plenty of scoring touch

 

[Fjordy]

I think we can add all the parts (top 4 RD, Kreider, Jiricek), I'm a maximalist.

 

[CowbellConray]

I think we can add all the parts (top 4 RD, Kreider, Jiricek), I'm a maximalist.

Jiricek doesnt entice me too much - I think he is all athlete no brain. If it was a one for one for Rosen maybe it's a discussion, but I think he was overdrafted.

A top 4 D and Kreider though.... that would be a HUGE step for this team.

 

[Weltschmerz]

They want to send a message to their team. That's it.

They're not trading Kreider or Trouba. I think they would trade Trouba, but only if they could replace him with something better, which i doubt is going to happen.

Trouba will be gone 100%, he almost was gone last offseason.

They need his cap to pay the goalie and multiple RFAs plus Lindgren or replacement.

I think we can add all the parts (top 4 RD, Kreider, Jiricek), I'm a maximalist.

I'd much rather keep Zucker than add Kreider and lose Zucker after the season.

 

[Fjordy]

Jiricek doesnt entice me too much - I think he is all athlete no brain. If it was a one for one for Rosen maybe it's a discussion, but I think he was overdrafted.

Well, I would throw the nets when such a player is available. I like Jiricek.

I'd much rather keep Zucker than add Kreider and lose Zucker after the season.

What's stopping you re-signing Zucker, even with Kreider on the team?

 

[old kummelweck]

As a tangent, I would love it if Rosen lights it up over the next few games because A) Rochester's scoring has evaporated without him and B) it could push his value more if the scoresheet production matches the eye test. And that pumps his value to land someone else.

I know he hasn't had a lot, and they've always been challenging circumstances, but I'd be more sold on Rosen if he actually did something when he puts on a Sabres jersey.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

I don’t want Jiricik. Yes he’s a prospect right now but he should be up in the NHL at some point next year. Why are we trying to break in a prospect next year into our top 4 that is already made up of young players? He’s not a good partner for Power (why does Owen power need to be the vet on his pairing?). Or are wanting to have him be a third pairing guy with no power play time?

I don’t see how he fits in on this team the next few years. I don’t want a rookie in our top 4 next year. It’s the opposite of what should be done to the top 4. And frankly, I don’t want a rookie in the third pairing either—which should be getting defensive zone minutes.

Really don't know where this Jiricek fixation is coming from, other than he's a high pick RHD who might be available.

Sure, he'd be a nice add *as a prospect*. But he can't even crack the CBJ roster. We need a *veteran* top-4 RHD.

Broken record time - the youngest team in the league won't improve by getting even younger.

 

[Fjordy]

Really don't know where this Jiricek fixation is coming from, other than he's a high pick RHD who might be available.

Sure, he'd be a nice add *as a prospect*. But he can't even crack the CBJ roster. We need a *veteran* top-4 RHD.

Broken record time - the youngest team in the league won't improve by getting even younger.

Why can't you get both if you have the assets to do so? Although now it is much easier to get Jiricek than the top 4 RD.

 

[Weltschmerz]

Well, I would throw the nets when such a player is available. I like Jiricek.

What's stopping you re-signing Zucker, even with Kreider on the team?

Capspace? You always say you are not sure if Bayram will even be on the team next season. JJ needs a new contract, others as well, Skinner buyout we can't keep everyone and add Kreider and a top 4 defenseman.

 

[Fjordy]

Capspace? You always say you are not sure if Bayram will even be on the team next season. JJ needs a new contract, others as well, Skinner buyout we can't keep everyone and add Kreider and a top 4 defenseman.

I'm not sure about Byram not because of the cap, but because of Adams. I think told me that we'll have 32 million available, plus the cap is constantly growing very strongly.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I think we can add all the parts (top 4 RD, Kreider, Jiricek), I'm a maximalist.

 

[Sabre the Win]

All the rumoured names on the market right now, more so the veterans and not so much Jiricek are so incredibly underwhelming. Of course every team wants to get rid of their bad veterans right now but that is not what we need.

Adams needs to look for a hockey trade and I hope he is doing that rather than making a trade for the sake of a trade like It feels most posters are looking for. Identifying the right player and not just acquiring a Kreider or Trouba because they are available is the right move.

The shakeup and player we need is the player not being dangled right now. They can shake free but Adams needs to give to get. Let another team try and perform a reclamation on Trouba and Kreider.

 

[Dirty Dog]

All the rumoured names on the market right now, more so the veterans and not so much Jiricek are so incredibly underwhelming. Of course every team wants to get rid of their bad veterans right now but that is not what we need.

Adams needs to look for a hockey trade and I hope he is doing that rather than making a trade for the sake of a trade like It feels most posters are looking for. Identifying the right player and not just acquiring a Kreider or Trouba because they are available is the right move.

The shakeup and player we need is the player not being dangled right now. They can shake free but Adams needs to give to get. Let another team try and perform a reclamation on Trouba and Kreider.

You aren’t wrong, but the problem with a hockey trade is we don’t have much of value on our main roster that we would want to trade.

I think at this point in the year, sadly due to inaction over the summer, we’re going to have to see who is available at the trade deadline

 

[Fjordy]

It's nearly impossible to get a reliable and legit top 4 RD right now, there are a lot of obstacles that are completely out of Adams' control. It's certainly his own fault for not adding a top 4 RD this summer, but it is what it is. So it seems like the only option is to try to get a guy who could potentially be a top 4 RD. Fabbro would actually be an obvious pickup, he seems to be playing well on the first pairing with Werenski, but it's too late. Whitecloud or Spence seem like the other two options. There's also Kesselring, but with Marino and Durzi injured, I doubt Utah would consider trading him right now. That's really it.

 

[Sabre the Win]

You aren’t wrong, but the problem with a hockey trade is we don’t have much of value on our main roster that we would want to trade.

I think at this point in the year, sadly due to inaction over the summer, we’re going to have to see who is available at the trade deadline

Need to find a team ready to rebuild or retool and you're probably right at this moment in that a trade like that should have happened in the summer or will be more likely later.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Need to find a team ready to rebuild or retool and you're probably right at this moment in that a trade like that should have happened in the summer or will be more likely later.

Yeah all the teams are jumbled in the standings. Have to hope some clear sellers emerge…with what the Sabres need.

 

[jc17]

One problem with "top 4 RD" is that if a guy is unanimously considered a top 4 guy, he's got the price tag of a top 2 guy.

And then any of the "could be top 4 guys" also might not be but still have a high price tag. Look at the Samuelssons, Borgens of the world (not that I'd completely give up on either). Couple years ago they'd be considered solid middle pairing guys, someone you could pair with an offensive guy, and now they've got question marks.

There's a ton of variability in the performance you get from Dmen outside the top guys. Looking around the league at the top teams, there are some names that really aren't notable but are being contributors to successful teams.

I would take a swing on forward if our resources are limited and find any RD who won't let the play get behind them in transition.

Edit: The least popular part is I think Clifton could probably be fine in our top 4, which would just leave the bottom pair to figure out while Sammy is out, but in theory shouldnt be super hard.

 

[Jim Bob]

Problem is he turns 34 during playoffs with 2 more yrs left. I fear he falls off s cliff and his contract is 6.5M

The other issue is sabres cap space next yr

I doubt next year’s cap will be an issue. He could be next year’s Zucker.

And I think he would be fine this year and next year. 26-27 could be a rough one. But, I’d roll the dice rather than have the cap space go unused. Again.

Real teams worry about this year and figure out the future stuff when they need to.

Exactly.

We need to separate needs from wants. We need a vet RD who can slip into our top 4 and give Power the defensive help he desperately needs. We need a 2C with hockey IQ who can distribute to his wingers and in a pinch can play on the top line when Tage is out. Given our current circumstances (fighting for a playoff spot and being the youngest team in the league) getting a RD prospect is, in my opinion, a want.

When our needs are met, then fine, go looking for that cherry on the cake.

The problem is that right now, the prospect RHD is available and the veteran top 4 RHD isn’t.

I don’t want them to miss on a decent deal for Jiricek because there might be a top 4 guy that becomes available in a month or two or three.

 

[Fjordy]

The problem is that right now, the prospect RHD is available and the veteran top 4 RHD isn’t.

I don’t want them to miss on a decent deal for Jiricek because there might be a top 4 guy that becomes available in a month or two or three.

Absolutely, there's not a single good top 4 RD that's available right now that fits our type. I'd still try to add someone like Whitecloud or Spence if it doesn't cost too much, but I'd also try to get Jiricek.

 

[TehDoak]

A few thoughts here:

1. I think a few of us have been brainwashed into the 'well we gotta leave cap space for later....' school of thinking. Good teams keep an eye on the future, but don't let it handcuff them improving now. We don't need to keep this group together, its accomplished absolutely nothing. If adding a good player makes us better, a good GM can solve the cap issues in the summer. Sitting there with one hand tied behind your back because maybe you might lose a player for less value later is silly.

2. Sitting one game before thanksgiving, I've got us a bit behind a playoff pace, even though I see where we sit in the standings. We're on a 90 pt pace currently, with 93-95 needed for the playoffs. I think the goal should be to be at 48+ points at the 41 game mark, so 12+ wins in the next 20 games.

 

[Weltschmerz]

I'm not sure about Byram not because of the cap, but because of Adams. I think told me that we'll have 32 million available, plus the cap is constantly growing very strongly.

Can't figure it really out with the 3 new capsites I use, they are all somewhat terrible when you compare it with capfriendly

But 32 would be with the with the new cap already calculated in, looks more like 30 to me, but anyway more than I remembered.

However a lot of guys need new contracts, Byram, Zucker, JJ, Quinn, McLeod, Greenway, Joker (or vet top4 D replacement) and several depht guys like backup goalie.

That 30 could be gone fast as some should get nice raises, if they want to keep Byram and he keeps up the good numbers is he getting a contract like Power?