The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[toddkaz]

Can we please get Joker and Bryson off this team already. Sheesh.

 

[Der Jaeger]

If you’re looking to change the loser mentality of this franchise I can think of few players worse for that than Brady Tkachuk.

Guy is a massive loser with better PR because of his last name.

Could say a lot of the same about Eichel.

 

[Ace]

Could say a lot of the same about Eichel.

Only if you never watched either play. People think Tkachuk is a difference maker because his brother is one. He’s a perpetual loser, a hothead and the worst leader in the league. I’ve watched him be the cause of failure in every spot he’s played in.

Eichel was good.

 

[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

This is what I get for being even mildly optimistic. Sorry guys, my B.

 

[Fjordy]

Here is who I wouldn’t trade

Benson

That is the end of my list.

My list is a few people longer and includes Benson, but basically, yeah. But Kevyn Adams won't do any of that, so no chance.

 

[jc17]

It's been mentioned in the kreider talk that we need a better net-front presence.

Looking back at the past few years of stats, this team has by far the biggest gap between shot attempt differential, and "high danger" differential.

I wonder if the Dahlin, Byram, and Power given room to roam a bit in the ozone is having an effect on forwards leaving the net. For as bad as we are at getting high danger chances, we're near the top of the league at HD chances from defensemen.


This table shows the percent of Sabres shot attempts that are considered high danger when the player is on the ice. There seems to be a theme:

 

[Fjordy]

It's been mentioned in the kreider talk that we need a better net-front presence.

Looking back at the past few years of stats, this team has by far the biggest gap between shot attempt differential, and "high danger" differential.

I wonder if the Dahlin, Byram, and Power given room to roam a bit in the ozone is having an effect on forwards leaving the net. For as bad as we are at getting high danger chances, we're near the top of the league at HD chances from defensemen.


This table shows the percent of Sabres shot attempts that are considered high danger when the player is on the ice. There seems to be a theme:
View attachment 938278

No matter how many games I've watched, we almost always have a problem with players being front of the net, our defenders have the ability to shot, but no one goes to the net, I don't understand, either our forwards don't know how to do it, or we just don't have enough guys like Kreider. Although I think we also really lack a playmaker in the top 6.

 

[sabremike]

No matter how many games I've watched, we almost always have a problem with players being front of the net, our defenders have the ability to shot, but no one goes to the net, I don't understand, either our forwards don't know how to do it, or we just don't have enough guys like Kreider. Although I think we also really lack a playmaker in the top 6.

Basically Kevyn Adams is horrible at roster construction: "Hey, let's go out and acquire nothing but soft perimeter players. And just to ensure total failure make sure we have a lineup of nothing but kids!"

 

[Fjordy]

Basically Kevyn Adams is horrible at roster construction: "Hey, let's go out and acquire nothing but soft perimeter players. And just to ensure total failure make sure we have a lineup of nothing but kids!"

That's right, I think that's the main problem, our roster is not built correctly and is not balanced, it's too young (which means you will almost always have a problem with consistency of young players). We see it now with Quinn, Cozens and even Peterka. We are missing a good playmaker in the top 6 and a guy who will score goals and be good front of the net. Our defense is unbalanced, there are three good guys who can move the puck but who are still more inclined to attack, but the other three players are not even close to their level. We can talk a lot about trading everyone on this team, but we know that never happens, the problem is not with the players. It's easier to change the GM and add 2-3 really needed players and then they will make the playoffs with this core.

 

[Aladyyn]

I advocated for Lundell, lots wanted Rossi, Adams went Quinn.

I advocated for Beniers, lots wanted Power.

Which two would you take today?

I’ve floated the Peterka, Kulich, Jokiharju, and 1st trade for Tkachuk. If Ottawa agreed I’d make that trade in a nanosecond. At least Tkachuk has a heart beat and he plays tough.

I’d also move Quinn for Zegras.

I’d then look to move Thompson to free up cap, because those two moves put the Sabres over the cap. Try to get another defender.

I’d also be totally ok with moving Power.

What they’ve got iced isn’t working.

You could offer me everyone other than Power and I'd still take Power lol

Rossi looked like a bust when he was struggling with health issues and now we want to ditch Quinn because of bad 20 games, that's just classic Sabres

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Basically Kevyn Adams is horrible at roster construction: "Hey, let's go out and acquire nothing but soft perimeter players. And just to ensure total failure make sure we have a lineup of nothing but kids!"

He's also been called difficult and irritating by some other front office people. That's not a good rep to have for a club with enough problems. Maybe he's gotten better after making a couple deals this summer, I don't know.

 

[Fjordy]

You could offer me everyone other than Power and I'd still take Power lol

Rossi looked like a bust when he was struggling with health issues and now we want to ditch Quinn because of bad 20 games, that's just classic Sabres

So should we give up Cozens or what? I like Quinn, I think he has a high hockey IQ, but he still can't score a f***ing goal for some reason. His game was completely different before and after the California trip, he's definitely improved, but we need production from these guys. And we need better players in the top 6. I don't really even want to trade Quinn because I think he'll eventually start scoring and his high hockey IQ always gives him the potential to be very impactful.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Jiricek/5th to the Wild for a Hunt, a 1,2,3,4. That's never a deal KA was going to make even though some in Columbus don't like the return (wanted Wahlstedt at least).

Now KA can concentrate on improving his teams consistency as it was reported rather than a future... Yah, right.

 

[Fjordy]

Jiricek/5th to the Wild for a player, 1,2,3,4. That's never a deal KA was going to make.

Well, Jiricek is not helping us in any way right now, we need NHL players who will improve our roster and give this group a boost to reach the playoffs. We need a little shake-up, but I don’t have much faith in Kevyn Adams. He doesn’t make the right deals in the summer and then can’t trade in November-December, because few people trade. It looks like Adams is just sabotaging.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Well, Jiricek is not helping us in any way right now, we need NHL players who will improve our roster and give this group a boost to reach the playoffs. We need a little shake-up, but I don’t have much faith in Kevyn Adams. He doesn’t make the right deals in the summer and then can’t trade in November-December, because few people trade. It looks like Adams is just sabotaging.

I edited my post to reflect and agree with your opinion, although you were the biggest voice around here for Juricek too and doing both types of deals. Not a criticism, I mean I nominated you for next Sabres Gm in the game thread tonight!

 

[Fjordy]

I edited to my post to reflect and agree with your opinion, although you were the biggest voice around here for Juricek too and doing both types of deals. Not a criticism, I mean I nominated you for next Sabres Gm in the game thread tonight!

No, well, I said that if a player like Jiricek is available you try to get him, although I don't have full information, maybe there were some serious problems there. But I also always said that the priority is to improve our roster, players who will immediately make an impact.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Any interest in Merrill (32) here ? There is some talk that Guerin could move him now. Has history with Lindy, but does get hurt.

 

[Fjordy]

Any interest in Merrill (32) here ? There is some talk that Guerin could move him.

For the third pair? Why not. Bryson hasn't been very good lately and I don't even know when Sammy is coming back.

 

[Fjordy]

There is certainly a temptation to get Tkachuk, but I also agree that he is not his bro, game and mentally.

I wonder what about Batherson? Of course it's unlikely they'll trade him, but maybe something around Peterka for Batherson? Then I'd like to see Quinn on the first line at LW maybe. But 2C is still a question, depends on Dylan.

Quinn - Thompson - Tuch
Benson - Cozens/Kulich - Batherson
Zucker - McLeod - Kulich/Cozens
Malenstyn - Krebs - Greenway