The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[My Cozen Dylan]

Byram is like 24, he is resigning.
Quinn, unless you quite literally mean damaged from injuries, has only had this current bad streak of hockey since drafted.
Ryan "Ghost" McLeod had a 40% shooting percentage averaging one shot per game. he straight up disappeared since that start.
Rempe has to be a joke. right?

I don’t see why Byram would want to sign for more than two years to be walked to UFA.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Thompson would be my trade chip. He is not a 1C and should return a better haul than Cozens. I would be looking for a C in return. It also ends the meme that he is a difference maker. Yes he will produce elsewhere but in a reduced role. I don't care. He is a huge part of the problem of having players playing their game and not a team game.

From the NHL roster
Keep:
Dahlin
Benson
One of Power/Byram
UPL

Listen on everyone else.
From the prospect pool

Keep:
Kulich
Helenius
Wahlberg
Novikov

again listen on everyone else.
Criteria for evaluating players:
Hockey IQ
Willingness to be physical
Proven production in their role. I.E. 3rd line production for 3rd line minutes etc.

Skill is nice to have but production is better.

I do not think this will happen, but this is the season of unsubstantiated hope.

I know I'm the Ostlund cheerleader, but it's for a reason. His hockey IQ is potentially the best in the organization. It's why I wouldn't think of moving him. He's got the ability to read plays as a center and make everyone better.

I know a scout for the Bruins through Power Edge Pro. I'd simply adopt their critieria. Scouts in the Bruins organization are not allowed to advocate for a prospect if that prospect does not meet any of their top 3 criteria:

1. Hockey IQ
2. Character
3. Work ethic

Let's go down the list of centers who are scoring at a PPG or better this season:

McDavid - NMC + untouchable
MacKinnon - NMC + untouchable
Draisaitl - M-NTC + untouchable
Point - NMC + untouchable
Necas - don't even talk about it
Eichel - NMC + LOL
Barkov - NMC + untouchable
D Strome - zero chance he gets traded
J Hughes - untouchable
Kopitar - NMC + untouchable
Scheifele - NMC + untouchable
Robert Thomas - zero chance he gets traded
Aho - NMC + untouchable
Seguin - NMC
N. Suzuki - I can't see Montreal trading him to Buffalo
W Nylander - NMC
Granlund - Pending UFA
Kempe - M-NTC
Duchene - NTC + pending UFA

Necas, Strome, Hughes, Thomas, Suzuki, and Granlund are the only guys that don't have trade protection that are over a PPG this year. And not all of them would be an upgrade over Tage at center.

I'm not sure the Sabres need an upgrade over Thompson. They could use a running mate. If they do it right it won't matter who is 1C and who is 2C.

You can cross Miller, Barzal, and Trocheck off the list with their trade protection. Likely Kadri too.

Norris isn’t an improvement over Cozens, at least not now, and the injury history would make me less interested anyway.

No way Rossi is available.

A swap including Beniers or McTavish is interesting, but that may end up being just rearranging deck chairs on the titanic. But I’m certainly open to it.

Seattle would be interesting because they really don't have a true 1D. But they also don't have a lot at center, and trading Beniers would gut them down the middle.

Anaheim is the target for me. They've got Carlsson as the 1C already, with Strome at 2C. MacTavish is the 3C and Zegras was pushed to wing. Lundestrom is their natural 3C and Gaucher is in the pipeline. They've got the opportunity to trade from a really deep center position. Anaheim also does not have a 1D with the offensive upside of Power.

I'd look at something like Power and Quinn for MacTavish and Zegras, with some extras to even out. Anaheim is also losing Fabbri and Vatrano at the end of the season, so Quinn could be a nice way to add a playmaker for them in the spot Zegras was occupying, and fortify the wing.

This is what Anaheim would look like, healthy:
Killorn - Carlsson - Leason
Vatrano - Strome - Terry
Quinn - Lundestrom - Fabbri
McGinn - Harkins - Gauthier

Power - Trouba
Mintyukov - Gudas
LaCombe - Helleson
x Dumoulin

Sabres afterwards, healthy:
Benson - Thompson - Tuch
Peterka - Zegras - Cozens
Zucker - MacTavish - Kulich
Malenstyn - McLeod - Greenway
x Krebs, NAK, Lafferty

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Byram - Jokiharju
Gilbert - Clifton

Sabres have some forward depth to make another move for a D. Adams could even throw in someone on the Anaheim deal to get a D and even it out. This type of deal works for Anaheim under the cap and also leaves Adams with a lot of cap space to make moves to fix the D (like a Weegar).

You spelled Dahlin wrong

You don't need to move Dahlin for chances at centers. They just can't be established yet. Which is why I propose the above as the type of trade.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I know I'm the Ostlund cheerleader, but it's for a reason. His hockey IQ is potentially the best in the organization. It's why I wouldn't think of moving him. He's got the ability to read plays as a center and make everyone better.

I know a scout for the Bruins through Power Edge Pro. I'd simply adopt their critieria. Scouts in the Bruins organization are not allowed to advocate for a prospect if that prospect does not meet any of their top 3 criteria:

1. Hockey IQ
2. Character
3. Work ethic


I'm not sure the Sabres need an upgrade over Thompson. They could use a running mate. If they do it right it won't matter who is 1C and who is 2C.

Seattle would be interesting because they really don't have a true 1D. But they also don't have a lot at center, and trading Beniers would gut them down the middle.

Anaheim is the target for me. They've got Carlsson as the 1C already, with Strome at 2C. MacTavish is the 3C and Zegras was pushed to wing. Lundestrom is their natural 3C and Gaucher is in the pipeline. They've got the opportunity to trade from a really deep center position. Anaheim also does not have a 1D with the offensive upside of Power.

I'd look at something like Power and Quinn for MacTavish and Zegras, with some extras to even out. Anaheim is also losing Fabbri and Vatrano at the end of the season, so Quinn could be a nice way to add a playmaker for them in the spot Zegras was occupying, and fortify the wing.

This is what Anaheim would look like, healthy:
Killorn - Carlsson - Leason
Vatrano - Strome - Terry
Quinn - Lundestrom - Fabbri
McGinn - Harkins - Gauthier

Power - Trouba
Mintyukov - Gudas
LaCombe - Helleson
x Dumoulin

Sabres afterwards, healthy:
Benson - Thompson - Tuch
Peterka - Zegras - Cozens
Zucker - MacTavish - Kulich
Malenstyn - McLeod - Greenway
x Krebs, NAK, Lafferty

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Byram - Jokiharju
Gilbert - Clifton

Sabres have some forward depth to make another move for a D. Adams could even throw in someone on the Anaheim deal to get a D and even it out. This type of deal works for Anaheim under the cap and also leaves Adams with a lot of cap space to make moves to fix the D (like a Weegar).


You don't need to move Dahlin for chances at centers. They just can't be established yet. Which is why I propose the above as the type of trade.

The Ducks are trying to build a specific type of team, and Power and Quinn are the antithesis of the players they’re collecting.

I literally think Quinn is worth no more than a 2nd round pick at this point, definitely not worth anything close to Zegras or MacTavish. Power might be worth one of them.

 

[Der Jaeger]

The Ducks are trying to build a specific type of team, and Power and Quinn are the antithesis of the players they’re collecting.

I literally think Quinn is worth no more than a 2nd round pick at this point, definitely not worth anything close to Zegras or MacTavish. Power might be worth one of them.

Zegras is worth about the same as Quinn.

Anaheim is building a specific type of team. That doesn't mean they aren't going to try to add a 1D. Florida only have Montour was atypical for a Cup winner. Anaheim won't go anywhere without a 1D. Power's ability to move the puck and run a power play are exactly what Anaheim needs.

To put it another way, Anaheim is building the old LA Kings. They have their Kopitar but don't have their Doughty.

 

[OkimLom]

There is so much that needs to change with this organization, from top to bottom, with all coaches, players, TV production, and even probably the training staff, that there really isn't any moves I could think of that I don't immediately think "but I'm sure we will ruin how much potential we can get out of that move".

 

[Fjordy]

Laine was just playing the tage role. That's not really the issue with ours

Even on this losing streak, we're 15th in Goal scoring rate. Not great, not as horrible as you'd think.

Our defense has been bad, and so has goaltending. And again some of the guys sucking have not been bad previously. Its not Joker tanking this team right while Adams watches and does nothing. Sure I'd rather dump him but the scapegoating ignores what's actually happening

Ok then who do you need? Some driver like Ehlers/Necas for 5v5 and PP? Who will fly into the zone.

Oh, I know it's not just Joker, but he's not the answer and not a top 4 RD either. We don't need three PMD LDs, we need to trade one. We need two decent RDs in the top 4. A top 6 C and a top 6 winger, those would be the changes we need I think.

 

[Fjordy]

I know I'm the Ostlund cheerleader, but it's for a reason. His hockey IQ is potentially the best in the organization. It's why I wouldn't think of moving him. He's got the ability to read plays as a center and make everyone better.

I know a scout for the Bruins through Power Edge Pro. I'd simply adopt their critieria. Scouts in the Bruins organization are not allowed to advocate for a prospect if that prospect does not meet any of their top 3 criteria:

1. Hockey IQ
2. Character
3. Work ethic


I'm not sure the Sabres need an upgrade over Thompson. They could use a running mate. If they do it right it won't matter who is 1C and who is 2C.

Seattle would be interesting because they really don't have a true 1D. But they also don't have a lot at center, and trading Beniers would gut them down the middle.

Anaheim is the target for me. They've got Carlsson as the 1C already, with Strome at 2C. MacTavish is the 3C and Zegras was pushed to wing. Lundestrom is their natural 3C and Gaucher is in the pipeline. They've got the opportunity to trade from a really deep center position. Anaheim also does not have a 1D with the offensive upside of Power.

I'd look at something like Power and Quinn for MacTavish and Zegras, with some extras to even out. Anaheim is also losing Fabbri and Vatrano at the end of the season, so Quinn could be a nice way to add a playmaker for them in the spot Zegras was occupying, and fortify the wing.

This is what Anaheim would look like, healthy:
Killorn - Carlsson - Leason
Vatrano - Strome - Terry
Quinn - Lundestrom - Fabbri
McGinn - Harkins - Gauthier

Power - Trouba
Mintyukov - Gudas
LaCombe - Helleson
x Dumoulin

Sabres afterwards, healthy:
Benson - Thompson - Tuch
Peterka - Zegras - Cozens
Zucker - MacTavish - Kulich
Malenstyn - McLeod - Greenway
x Krebs, NAK, Lafferty

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Byram - Jokiharju
Gilbert - Clifton

Sabres have some forward depth to make another move for a D. Adams could even throw in someone on the Anaheim deal to get a D and even it out. This type of deal works for Anaheim under the cap and also leaves Adams with a lot of cap space to make moves to fix the D (like a Weegar).


You don't need to move Dahlin for chances at centers. They just can't be established yet. Which is why I propose the above as the type of trade.

Zegras is injured again and seems to be out for a long time, that's also a concern. I'd rather get a bigger fish and a proven fish like Pettersson/Barzal. I'd also keep an eye on the Rossi situation. But we have a lot of kids in the top 6/9 again. I don't like that anymore. Also your second line can't play defense, McTavish isn't good at it yet either.

Our defense is terrible, no, I'm sorry, but I don't like it. I would have chosen a different path.

 

[TageGod]

Byram might refuse and hold out, he wants to be a #1 with a team and request to be traded.

Rempe gives us something we haven't had in forever, a guy who can answer and be dressed when he needs to be to protect guys. He also is in the AHL and could be had for a late pick.

McLeod isn't a goal scorer and with a true top 6 center, could focus on his role like it was in Edmonton.

Quinn had one of the worst athletes can suffer in his Achilles, he also is a soft hockey player. We have way too many soft one dimensional players.

I want to be a #1 D too, but I am not.

 

[Fjordy]

I want to be a #1 D too, but I am not.

But some teams may see him as at least a first-pairing defenseman, which would increase his value. Not everyone has that kind of defenseman on their first pairing.

 

[Ygo88]

I think some give Ruff a break because he is trying to put into place a defensive system (like every good team in the NHL has), and it's possible the players on the roster can't perform within a system like that.

Granato let these guys play backyard hockey in an effort to loosen everybody up and get past the dark cloud of the Krueger days. This was explicitly stated by Granato. An unusually high proportion of their scoring happened off the rush and the power play (before teams wised up and shut down Tage).

Whether it is Ruff trying to put in a system, or some other coach, the roster may not be constructed in a way that they can succeed. Which would point the big fat finger of blame at Adams.

The flack Granato gets is funny to me... I was also firmly in the Donny needs to go, lack of accountability blah blah blah train. But, when a veteran, well respected coach, who just did a pretty decent job with a team 2 years ago (got killed by goaltending last season) has the exact same problems with this group. It leaves you wondering...

I think he at least gets the benefit of the doubt... Turned a very crappy team around into only a just barely crappy team.
~ Tage, serious career turn around (best forward on the team)
~ Dahlin, much much better and took the step with Granato
~ Mitts, huge step forward (might have been playing better here than he is on the Avs)
~ JJ and Jack took huge steps
~ Sammy was quite serviceable

I mean, he had this roster with Skinner over Zucker and everyone a year younger and less mature. When the crowd chanted fire Donny, the team bounced back and played a hell of a game. The owner flew to Montreal and they laid an egg. They turned on Granato and threw the accountability buzz word around blah blah blah... just to deflect it off of themselves.

This is a flawed group (too young, not enough depth, whatever you choose to point at). He did pretty well with a flawed group. Better than the guy before him, and so far better than the guy after him (who by the way, I think has a noticeably better roster - a bit deeper and more dependable in the bottom 6)

And all of this may be misrepresented because the current HC did not get to pick his assistants, and that is not nothing. So maybe Donny was pretty bad too. Does it matter, the team is soooo poorly run that an effective root cause analysis is not easily attained lol

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

The flack Granato gets is funny to me... I was also firmly in the Donny needs to go, lack of accountability blah blah blah train. But, when a veteran, well respected coach, who just did a pretty decent job with a team 2 years ago (got killed by goaltending last season) has the exact same problems with this group. It leaves you wondering...

I think he at least gets the benefit of the doubt... Turned a very crappy team around into only a just barely crappy team.
~ Tage, serious career turn around (best forward on the team)
~ Dahlin, much much better and took the step with Granato
~ Mitts, huge step forward (might have been playing better here than he is on the Avs)
~ JJ and Jack took huge steps
~ Sammy was quite serviceable

I mean, he had this roster with Skinner over Zucker and everyone a year younger and less mature. When the crowd chanted fire Donny, the team bounced back and played a hell of a game. The owner flew to Montreal and they laid an egg. They turned on Granato and threw the accountability buzz word around blah blah blah... just to deflect it off of themselves.

This is a flawed group (too young, not enough depth, whatever you choose to point at). He did pretty well with a flawed group. Better than the guy before him, and so far better than the guy after him (who by the way, I think has a noticeably better roster - a bit deeper and more dependable in the bottom 6)

And all of this may be misrepresented because the current HC did not get to pick his assistants, and that is not nothing. So maybe Donny was pretty bad too. Does it matter, the team is soooo poorly run that an effective root cause analysis is not easily attained lol

I just want to add that Donny likely didn’t have his choice of assistants either.

 

[TageGod]

But some teams may see him as at least a first-pairing defenseman, which would increase his value. Not everyone has that kind of defenseman on their first pairing.

If we get offers for Byram as a top pairing D, dude is on the next flight out if I was GM.

 

[dickiedunnwrotethis]

Tuch and Byram might be the best value at TDL. I understand that Power is disappointing with his defense and softness, but he has a long-term contract and a lot of potential. Byram is not under contract, he can go to arbitration and become a UFA in a year and a half. Also, we don't know if he even wants to stay in Buffalo. Also, his history of concussions is a concern and a risk.

I'm not a fan of Tuch, he can't finish and often disappears in games, he is also not a first liner, plus he will need a new contract, although you are making this first line again with Peterka and Tage.

I think this team needs more changes.

I know I'm the Ostlund cheerleader, but it's for a reason. His hockey IQ is potentially the best in the organization. It's why I wouldn't think of moving him. He's got the ability to read plays as a center and make everyone better.

I know a scout for the Bruins through Power Edge Pro. I'd simply adopt their critieria. Scouts in the Bruins organization are not allowed to advocate for a prospect if that prospect does not meet any of their top 3 criteria:

1. Hockey IQ
2. Character
3. Work ethic


I'm not sure the Sabres need an upgrade over Thompson. They could use a running mate. If they do it right it won't matter who is 1C and who is 2C.

Seattle would be interesting because they really don't have a true 1D. But they also don't have a lot at center, and trading Beniers would gut them down the middle.

Anaheim is the target for me. They've got Carlsson as the 1C already, with Strome at 2C. MacTavish is the 3C and Zegras was pushed to wing. Lundestrom is their natural 3C and Gaucher is in the pipeline. They've got the opportunity to trade from a really deep center position. Anaheim also does not have a 1D with the offensive upside of Power.

I'd look at something like Power and Quinn for MacTavish and Zegras, with some extras to even out. Anaheim is also losing Fabbri and Vatrano at the end of the season, so Quinn could be a nice way to add a playmaker for them in the spot Zegras was occupying, and fortify the wing.

This is what Anaheim would look like, healthy:
Killorn - Carlsson - Leason
Vatrano - Strome - Terry
Quinn - Lundestrom - Fabbri
McGinn - Harkins - Gauthier

Power - Trouba
Mintyukov - Gudas
LaCombe - Helleson
x Dumoulin

Sabres afterwards, healthy:
Benson - Thompson - Tuch
Peterka - Zegras - Cozens
Zucker - MacTavish - Kulich
Malenstyn - McLeod - Greenway
x Krebs, NAK, Lafferty

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Byram - Jokiharju
Gilbert - Clifton

Sabres have some forward depth to make another move for a D. Adams could even throw in someone on the Anaheim deal to get a D and even it out. This type of deal works for Anaheim under the cap and also leaves Adams with a lot of cap space to make moves to fix the D (like a Weegar).


You don't need to move Dahlin for chances at centers. They just can't be established yet. Which is why I propose the above as the type of trade.

Good post. We are one where it comes to Ostlund.

Seattle does have Wright developing and Catton as recent drafts. It's a long shot, but I would really try to get a hockey trade going with Power and Cozens as trade chips.

The problem with the Anaheim trade is that I don't believe it solves the problem of our top 6 being too soft (Peterka, Zegras) and too dumb (Cozens, Peterka, Thompson).

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

I mean…is the offer Nils Hoglander for Alex Tuch? Because that doesn’t deserve a counter.

 

[SundherDome]

Doesn't Servelli just make shit up. I would assume nothing is done until after the holidays

 

[zenthusiast]

Well duh. The answer is in the room.

 

[SundherDome]

Byram might refuse and hold out, he wants to be a #1 with a team and request to be traded.

Rempe gives us something we haven't had in forever, a guy who can answer and be dressed when he needs to be to protect guys. He also is in the AHL and could be had for a late pick.

McLeod isn't a goal scorer and with a true top 6 center, could focus on his role like it was in Edmonton.

Quinn had one of the worst athletes can suffer in his Achilles, he also is a soft hockey player. We have way too many soft one dimensional players.

Wouldn't touch Rempe

 

[toddkaz]

 

[Beerz]

View attachment 947622

1st in NHL in high danger chances for? ..

The people calling these high danger chances are on shrooms

 

[Fjordy]

I didn't quite get the gist of the tweet. The teams are calling and Kevyn isn't answering or what?

 

[zenthusiast]

I didn't quite get the gist of the tweet. The teams are calling and Kevyn isn't answering or what?

It’s worded in such a fashion that it implies he’s not negotiating by responding with a different offer.

 

[Fjordy]

It’s worded in such a fashion that it implies he’s not negotiating by responding with a different offer.

But why?

 

[Chainshot]

There is so much that needs to change with this organization, from top to bottom, with all coaches, players, TV production, and even probably the training staff, that there really isn't any moves I could think of that I don't immediately think "but I'm sure we will ruin how much potential we can get out of that move".

Start at the very top and work down from there. It's not like Tampa threw everything out when Vinik took over. They made smart hires and built from within. Same with Viola and the Panthers. Start at the top and work down from there.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I mean…is the offer Nils Hoglander for Alex Tuch? Because that doesn’t deserve a counter.

Yeah, I’m guessing to the extent that tweet is even accurate, it’s other GMs being vultures trying to pick over our team.