The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[sabremike]

There is that. But I would make that offer.

But to steal an old line: Nobody has ever lost money betting against the intelligence of NHL executives.

 

[toddkaz]

I hate that argument.

The Sabres didn't win with Eichel or Reinhart or a whole host of other guys that have won elsewhere.

People made the "Sabres aren't winning with him" argument when the Eichel and Reinhart trades happened. And they haven't won since making those trades.

There are plenty of arguments for why trading Cozens could be a good move. That they haven't won with him yet is just a weak argument.

Especially since you can an easily say that they haven't won with every single core guy on the roster.

Ya you are right. We should keep a losing roster.

Dont make any changes.

 

[Beerz]

As long as Byram extends first. We can’t afford to run that risk.

9 out of 10 players won't turn down a contract that will set their family for life because they won't be a #1 D .. you give Byram a 7x6 to 7 mill contract and he won't turn it down .. especially if we get a legit player like EP added. I wouldn't expect much problems.

 

[toddkaz]

9 out of 10 players won't turn down a contract that will set their family for life because they won't be a #1 D .. you give Byram a 7x6 to 7 mill contract and he won't turn it down .. especially if we get a legit player like EP added. I wouldn't expect much problems.

Whats the cost on EP? Something like Cozens + 1st + Ostlund?

Something along the lines of the Eichel trade?

I see some people proposing Byram + Cozens but to me that doesn't make sense because you are just creating another hole in the roster.

 

[Beerz]

Whats the cost on EP? Something like Cozens + 1st + Ostlund?

Something along the lines of the Eichel trade?

I see some people proposing Byram + Cozens but to me that doesn't make sense because you are just creating another hole in the roster.

It will cost more than Eichel trade. Buffalo was forced to trade Eichel.. who was injured... and looking back on trade people can see Buffalo lost that trade big time.

I don't see Vancouver doing the trade without getting Cozens.. they need something down the middle.

I would do Cozens and Power for EP40 and something else... not sure what else I would want but something.

 

[Fjordy]

Whats the cost on EP? Something like Cozens + 1st + Ostlund?

Something along the lines of the Eichel trade?

I see some people proposing Byram + Cozens but to me that doesn't make sense because you are just creating another hole in the roster.

It makes sense as long as Samuelsson is healthy, and then you fill that hole. Look, other than Dahlin, all the other defensemen are expendable to me, even Jokiharju had decent numbers with Ramus, no, of course Byram is better than Joki, it's just that without Dahlin, his numbers and game are worse. You do everything to get Pettersson, because he is potentially the only top 6 C and especially 1C without trade protection who can be available. This does not mean that I will just trade our defensemen for anything, but for Pettersson, it is easy, yes.

9 out of 10 players won't turn down a contract that will set their family for life because they won't be a #1 D .. you give Byram a 7x6 to 7 mill contract and he won't turn it down .. especially if we get a legit player like EP added. I wouldn't expect much problems.

Worst case scenario, you might get a decent top 4 defenseman if Byram doesn't want to sign.

 

[Djp]

I just don't think the team is unthinkably far from being competitive.

We remain a break-even team at 5v5 even with multiple guys struggling horribly. Would prefer to be better, but its average not horrendous.

PP continues to kill us. Could we use another forward thats strong on the PP? Sure. But I think the current performance is not nearly meeting the ability of the roster.

Look around at playoff rosters. They aren't filled with all stars. Agree that the youth has been an issue

The team is young. They need to learn. I dont want panic moves to trade youth for s marginsly better player now who is gone in 3 years and tradingsomeonr who us better at the 3 yr mark

In tje lising streak they had 4 games they had s 3rd period and lost in rrg or OT accounting fir 6 pts. Another 4 games they were tied late 3rd and came away with no points for 4 pts. Yedterdsys game included. Thats 10 points lost

I just don't know what to expect contractually. We already have some of the most money invested in defense.

Dahlin and Power put us in a tough spot

I expect them to trsde power/ dahlin/ byram by summer 2027 just for team cap structure.

I also see come 26 or 27 summer they trade current young players for futures/ picks/ELC prospects

Whats the cost on EP? Something like Cozens + 1st + Ostlund?

Something along the lines of the Eichel trade?

I see some people proposing Byram + Cozens but to me that doesn't make sense because you are just creating another hole in the roster.

They cap must balance

Cozens+ Power/Byram+ for EP+

Cozrens and byram is close to EP cap hit. Adding power .means a $4M or so player included from Vancouver

Not trading a 1st in the deal could ser a pick flip

 

[toddkaz]

It will cost more than Eichel trade. Buffalo was forced to trade Eichel.. who was injured... and looking back on trade people can see Buffalo lost that trade big time.

I don't see Vancouver doing the trade without getting Cozens.. they need something down the middle.

I would do Cozens and Power for EP40 and something else... not sure what else I would want but something.

I prefer to keep Byram over Power too.

I don't have a lot of confidence in Power's defensive play especially in front of the net.

 

[sabremike]

The team is young.

Which is how you do nothing but lose games in the NHL and ruin a bunch of careers before they even begin.

 

[Archie Lee]

Dallas should be our model.

UPL is Oettinger.

Dahlin is Heiskanen. Samuelsson could be Lindell. Power or Byram are Harley. 5-7 level D-men like Dumba, Lundkvist, Lyubushkin, and Brendan Smith, are very attainable for the Sabres.

Up front, the Stars don't have a true-elite-level forward. The two big differences, in my view, are:

1.) They have three under 24 aged forwards on their roster and have used four on the year. Comparably we have six and have used eight.

2.) They support their under 24 aged forwards with veterans who will take care of them and show them how to play and win in the NHL.

The one other thing that separates us is coaching. Ruff is ok/fine, but there were no contenders calling when Jersey let him go. If DeBoer was fired tomorrow, like Montgomery he would be hired by someone else within a week (if he wanted to be hired). We are not likely getting an elite experienced coach to come here. We will need to settle for a Ruff-level veteran coach or take a chance on an assistant or AHL coach (I think Todd Nelson is an obvious choice for a coach who should get an opportunity).

A good GM working under a committed owner, could get us to Dallas-level within a year.

 

[SundherDome]

Dallas should be our model.

UPL is Oettinger.

Dahlin is Heiskanen. Samuelsson could be Lindell. Power or Byram are Harley. 5-7 level D-men like Dumba, Lundkvist, Lyubushkin, and Brendan Smith, are very attainable for the Sabres.

Up front, the Stars don't have a true-elite-level forward. The two big differences, in my view, are:

1.) They have three under 24 aged forwards on their roster and have used four on the year. Comparably we have six and have used eight.

2.) They support their under 24 aged forwards with veterans who will take care of them and show them how to play and win in the NHL.

The one other thing that separates us is coaching. Ruff is ok/fine, but there were no contenders calling when Jersey let him go. If DeBoer was fired tomorrow, like Montgomery he would be hired by someone else within a week (if he wanted to be hired). We are not likely getting an elite experienced coach to come here. We will need to settle for a Ruff-level veteran coach or take a chance on an assistant or AHL coach (I think Todd Nelson is an obvious choice for a coach who should get an opportunity).

A good GM working under a committed owner, could get us to Dallas-level within a year.

Dallas is an older version of us. Main difference is, THEY GO TO THE NET. We go to the net a few times a game and it causes havoc, I don't get why they don't just spam going to the net every shift. Getting cross checked in the kidney's makes you feel alive.

 

[SundherDome]

I prefer to keep Byram over Power too.

I don't have a lot of confidence in Power's defensive play especially in front of the net.

Which is teachable, if he is willing to bulk up and gets a defensive minded partner, he could really be something.

Byram Dahlin
Power (Adam Larsson?)
Samuelsson Clifton

 

[sabremike]

Dallas should be our model.

UPL is Oettinger.

Dahlin is Heiskanen. Samuelsson could be Lindell. Power or Byram are Harley. 5-7 level D-men like Dumba, Lundkvist, Lyubushkin, and Brendan Smith, are very attainable for the Sabres.

Up front, the Stars don't have a true-elite-level forward. The two big differences, in my view, are:

1.) They have three under 24 aged forwards on their roster and have used four on the year. Comparably we have six and have used eight.

2.) They support their under 24 aged forwards with veterans who will take care of them and show them how to play and win in the NHL.

The one other thing that separates us is coaching. Ruff is ok/fine, but there were no contenders calling when Jersey let him go. If DeBoer was fired tomorrow, like Montgomery he would be hired by someone else within a week (if he wanted to be hired). We are not likely getting an elite experienced coach to come here. We will need to settle for a Ruff-level veteran coach or take a chance on an assistant or AHL coach (I think Todd Nelson is an obvious choice for a coach who should get an opportunity).

A good GM working under a committed owner, could get us to Dallas-level within a year.

They have also done an incredible job of drafting and developing (which is THE secret to success). In contrast our scouting department is a laughingstock.

 

[SundherDome]

They have also done an incredible job of drafting and developing (which is THE secret to success). In contrast our scouting department is a laughingstock.

I don't know about that, they have done a decent job drafting.

 

[toddkaz]

Which is teachable, if he is willing to bulk up and gets a defensive minded partner, he could really be something.

Byram Dahlin
Power (Adam Larsson?)
Samuelsson Clifton

I don't necessarily disagree with you but you are relying on Adams to bring in veteran top 4 and he has failed so far.

 

[SundherDome]

I don't necessarily disagree with you but you are relying on Adams to bring in veteran top 4 and he has failed so far.

It's just a hunch but Joki felt like an Adams security blanket and him bombing this season is showing a glaring issue.

 

[Fjordy]

I don't necessarily disagree with you but you are relying on Adams to bring in veteran top 4 and he has failed so far.

He didn't even try or doesn't want to. And why fixate on a vet, just bring in a good player, there were options, but Jokiharju suited him.

Dallas should be our model.

UPL is Oettinger.

Dahlin is Heiskanen. Samuelsson could be Lindell. Power or Byram are Harley. 5-7 level D-men like Dumba, Lundkvist, Lyubushkin, and Brendan Smith, are very attainable for the Sabres.

Up front, the Stars don't have a true-elite-level forward. The two big differences, in my view, are:

1.) They have three under 24 aged forwards on their roster and have used four on the year. Comparably we have six and have used eight.

2.) They support their under 24 aged forwards with veterans who will take care of them and show them how to play and win in the NHL.

The one other thing that separates us is coaching. Ruff is ok/fine, but there were no contenders calling when Jersey let him go. If DeBoer was fired tomorrow, like Montgomery he would be hired by someone else within a week (if he wanted to be hired). We are not likely getting an elite experienced coach to come here. We will need to settle for a Ruff-level veteran coach or take a chance on an assistant or AHL coach (I think Todd Nelson is an obvious choice for a coach who should get an opportunity).

A good GM working under a committed owner, could get us to Dallas-level within a year.

I look at Florida, Devils, Caps and Canes, how they work with their roster in the offseason. How they build their defense. Although the Panthers have had some issues with that this season. Not that I'm against the Dallas model, they're good, and Nill is one of the best GMs in the league, and we have the worst GM in the league. Can we hire a Dallas AGM to be our GM?

 

[Dubi Doo]

Dallas is an older version of us. Main difference is, THEY GO TO THE NET. We go to the net a few times a game and it causes havoc, I don't get why they don't just spam going to the net every shift. Getting cross checked in the kidney's makes you feel alive.

Because players take an abuse going to those areas, and this team doesn't have the will or mindset to do that consistently.

 

[Faceboner]

I would trade Byram+Cozens for Pettersson, but I think I’d prefer to extend Byram and use almost anything else in that deal. I’ve like what I’ve seen in Byram. I would consider Power in that deal if something else were coming back.

Cozens+sammy+1st top ten protected+ostlund+ joker

 

[Der Jaeger]

As long as Byram extends first. We can’t afford to run that risk.

Understandable. But it might coax Byram to stay. He’s third right now and wants to be a 2D. If Power was moved for Pettersson, he’s unquestionably the 2D.

 

[Archie Lee]

He didn't even try or doesn't want to. And why fixate on a vet, just bring in a good player, there were options, but Jokiharju suited him.

I look at Florida, Devils, Caps and Canes, how they work with their roster in the offseason. How they build their defense. Although the Panthers have had some issues with that this season. Not that I'm against the Dallas model, they're good, and Nill is one of the best GMs in the league, and we have the worst GM in the league. Can we hire a Dallas AGM to be our GM?

I'm not saying I would select the Dallas model, if we were starting from scratch. But from where we sit, I can see us being a Dallas-like team fairly quickly.

 

[Fjordy]

I'm not saying I would select the Dallas model, if we were starting from scratch. But from where we sit, I can see us being a Dallas-like team fairly quickly.

Then we have some problems with roster and maybe the coaching to be like them. Their top 9 is filled mostly with vets or established players. Duchene, Seguin, Hintz, Robertson, Marchment, Benn, Dadonov. They do the same as Caps, adding 2-4 young players to the roster to the already established and stable core of vets. But we can't do that because our top 9 mostly consists of young players under 24, and the youth is not stable, and there aren't enough vets.

Well, and of course Nill >>> Adams

 

[Sabre the Win]

I mean 11 million 1C and a 11 million 1D.. that's something to build around.

22 million locked up for the next 8 years in the two most important positions is too good to be true, then add Thompson as 2C at 7 million with the cap ever increasing. You literally have a solid core 3 for the next 8 years.

I'm salvatating. Please Adams get us Petterson.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

9 out of 10 players won't turn down a contract that will set their family for life because they won't be a #1 D .. you give Byram a 7x6 to 7 mill contract and he won't turn it down .. especially if we get a legit player like EP added. I wouldn't expect much problems.

If I'm him, I know I can get that in 2028 when I'm a UFA. Unless he really loves Buffalo, I'm not sure why he'd sign more than a 3-year bridge to get him to market where he can really cash in.

But yeah if you can lock him down 7 x 7 or something like that, do it yesterday.

 

[Beerz]

If I'm him, I know I can get that in 2028 when I'm a UFA. Unless he really loves Buffalo, I'm not sure why he'd sign more than a 3-year bridge to get him to market where he can really cash in.

But yeah if you can lock him down 7 x 7 or something like that, do it yesterday.

Money today > Money 3 years from now