The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Fjordy]

Well then we won't get Pettersson and everything will probably still suck.

 

[HaNotsri]

Posted a proposal on the main boards and several Canucks fans seemed to agree with it, well there with adjustments.

Cozens
Byram
Greenway (Canucks seemed to be interested in him and Tocchet likes him)
Rosen

for

Pettersson
Hoglander
Raty/Karlsson/Aman/Brannstrom/Juulsen (probably one of them to choose from)

Well I would do it.

I'd simplify it

Cozens
Byram
Greenway

For

EP
2nd

 

[Fjordy]

I'd simplify it

Cozens
Byram
Greenway

For

EP
2nd

Yeap, I would too, but I'm not sure Canucks are going to trade Pettersson, other GMs don't seem to believe in it.

 

[Beerz]

Saad is not the guy.

 

[TageGod]

VAN is in a tailspin right now lost 7 of 9 they need to get this drama off their back its effecting the team.

 

[TageGod]

Well then we won't get Pettersson and everything will probably still suck.

Saad is a solid pickup but he is UFA after the next season. I'd like to see actual big moves before we bite on what is essentially a rental with this year lost.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Anyone miss Ryan Miller ? He was always so good other then maybe the last seasons in Buffalo. Hopefully we can get someone like this in future

 

[Jim Bob]

Saad is a solid pickup but he is UFA after the next season. I'd like to see actual big moves before we bite on what is essentially a rental with this year lost.

Saad is really struggling right now.

He has 3g 2a and a -4 in his last 15 games. And his 3g were all in the same game, so he has been pointless in 12 of the last 15 games.

And he only has 22 SOG, 3 hits, and 7 blocked shots over that span.

 

[TageGod]

Saad is really struggling right now.

He has 3g 2a and a -4 in his last 15 games. And his 3g were all in the same game, so he has been pointless in 12 of the last 15 games.

He would fit right in.

 

[Jim Bob]

He would fit right in.

That's the problem with the idea of adding him.

 

[Jim Bob]

Howdy. Obviously, I am a Rangers fan first and foremost, but I very genuinely pride myself on being a hockey fan first and not really adhering to bias or rivalry rules, etc. For instance, I really like what the Devils are doing and am a fan of many of their players.

That said, I played my college puck at UB and was heavily active on the official Sabres message board back then - I may have even been a mod briefly. This would have been like 2005-2010. If the @Jim Bob at HF is the same one from those boards, I remember you and I think I even remember you and myself and another poster or two being quite friendly and exchanging pictures and stuff from real life, outside of the forums. Nothing in appropriate, we were just “core” posters back then for several years and got to know each other. I think my username was something like Welcome2Pominville.

Either way, the point is I’ve harbored a soft spot and interest in the Sabres for the past 20 years (I’m 38) which makes them one of my favorite and most followed non-NYR teams by far. I’ve got Pominville and Stafford jerseys from back in the day, a Dahlin from his draft year and a Dahlin goat head. Not posting here, I know that my opinions are that of an outsider unfamiliar with the inner opinions you guys have formed on your team, but given that the Rangers have literally frayed my very last nerves and I need a break from whatever the excuse for hockey we’re playing currently is, I figured I’d come hang with you guys.

View attachment 957158

Personally, I don’t think you guys are as far off as it may feel. I know the drought, low faith in Kevyn and Lindy and being stuck with Terry all probably feel pretty crappy, but I think Buffalo is close to being pretty dang good. Here’s some thoughts I’ve been mulling over.

Keep and be patient with Cozens. He has the versatility to play C or W, has already shown he can really produce at this level, is going to continue maturing into a very well rounded player, has a high internal motor and is a work horse. Give him a couple more years and he is a leader, producing as he should be, bringing a solid and reliable two way game and very competitive.

There’s three smallish, non-physical young forwards on the roster today with (lots) more on their way. Peterka, Quinn and Benson. To me, I thought that Peterka is the keeper out of this trio. Has good feisty competitiveness and a high rate of work. It seems like most here prefer Benson, and as an outsider, I am happy to concede the point. But you likely can’t get where you need to go with too many forwards cut from similar moulds and can’t keep them all. I think 2/3 should be considered movable pieces. In the right deal.

Dahlin, Power, Byram is a similar problem. All more established but three defenders who are left handed and gifted puck movers but not a real staunch, stay at home type among them. I think all 3 are great. Dahlin is obviously untouchable. In fact, I think he’s still quite underrated and one day he’ll have a proper partner on a more balanced team and he’ll be firmly considered a top 5 D. Unpopular opinion, but on age, athleticism and raw talent, I take him over Fox 10/10 times. With that said, I actually keep Byram over Power. I wish he didn’t have the injury concerns always hanging over him, as that would make this statement a lot easier to swallow, but I think Byram plays bigger and with more fire than Power and Byram, though young, has at least been part of a Cup winner and been in the room with successful vets, learning what it takes to win in June. I also think you can probably re-sign him to a cheaper than deal than the one you gave Power. Finally, I think Power has a lot more value as a trade chip and given you have Dahlin and then another bonafide top-4 talent in Byram, Power is probably - ahem - your most powerful trade chip to address the biggest and most serious needs of the team.

I’d also consider re-signing Greenway, depending on contract demands. He’s not too old to fit the window and he and McLeod give a solid 2/3 of a third line that you can rely on. Which makes me look at Kulich, Ostlund, Wahlberg, Rosen, Helenius (plus Quinn and Benson) and think, it’s time to start putting together some enticing packages - maybe even overpaying on potential and youth - to address specific needs. It isn’t about “winning” a trade at this point. You have so much high end young talent. Lose a trade to make the team better. I see no issue there. Especially if you think Buffalo has to pay a premium to attract talent until they start winning. Then lose a trade or two on paper to start winning more games and get players more open to signing here. But with Kulich, Ostlund, Wahlberg, Rosen, Helenius, Quinn and Benson - plus Thompson, Cozens, Tuch, Peterka in the top six and McLeod plus maybe Greenway on the third line, you only have 3 openings in the top-nine and they need to be the right types of players.

Personally I’d do something like:

Peterka - Thompson - Tuch
??? - ??? - Cozens
Greenway - McLeod - ???
Malenstyn - Krebs - Lafferty
Dahlin - ???
Byram - ???
Samuelsson - Clifton
UPL
Levi

You’ve got Power, Quinn, Benson, Rosen, Ostlund, etc. plus picks, plus whatever you can get back for Zucker, Joker, etc. to go shopping with. Some of those guys have amazing value and most have pretty solid value. You’re two top six forwards and two top four D away, realistically. UPL is more than good enough behind a more balanced team and Levi will also be a good goalie with more time. Saying you need two top four D while advocating moving Power may seem counterintuitive but Ras and Byram are more than enough for top four puck moving LHD and Samuelsson/Clifton is a perfectly fine third pair. You need (age appropriate versions of) Tanev, Parayko, Manson, Pulock, Carlo, etc. Less valuable than Power in a vacuum, but more of what you need. I personally think it’s time to start dealing for targeted players/player types and stop strictly collecting as much high end draft talent as possible. Overpay to get the pieces that take all of the raw talent and convert it into a hockey team now.

I really, genuinely, hope to see it and enjoy it as a casual observer. Cheers.

I would be the same Jim Bob. Although, I don't have a ton of memories from back then.

Getting old sucks.

 

[Fjordy]

Saad is a solid pickup but he is UFA after the next season. I'd like to see actual big moves before we bite on what is essentially a rental with this year lost.

Well, I didn't talk about Saad at all. Although we need vets in the team, but it is also desirable that they are still effective players, like Zucker.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

We're assuming Zucker goes at the TDL right? What does he fetch at 50% a late 1st? If he ends the year at 30g he'll have rehabilitated his image enough for a decent contract somewhere he wants to finish his career.

 

[Fjordy]

We're assuming Zucker goes at the TDL right? What does he fetch at 50% a late 1st? If he ends the year at 30g he'll have rehabilitated his image enough for a decent contract somewhere he wants to finish his career.

Honestly I hope Zucker agrees to re-sign, we need more vets like him, not less.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

We're assuming Zucker goes at the TDL right? What does he fetch at 50% a late 1st? If he ends the year at 30g he'll have rehabilitated his image enough for a decent contract somewhere he wants to finish his career.

We won’t be retaining salary so he’ll probably get a late 2nd.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

We won’t be retaining salary so he’ll probably get a late 2nd.

Have they said that?

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

Have they said that?

No but there is clearly a directive from ownership to keep things as low budget as possible. They haven’t retained on anyone in recent memory and had chances to serve as middlemen on trades and didn’t do so.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

No but there is clearly a directive from ownership to keep things as low budget as possible. They haven’t retained on anyone in recent memory and had chances to serve as middlemen on trades and didn’t do so.

Wouldn't as low budget as possible include not signing him in the first place?

 

[joshjull]

Wouldn't as low budget as possible include not signing him in the first place?

Let’s not bring facts into this.

 

[joshjull]

No but there is clearly a directive from ownership to keep things as low budget as possible. They haven’t retained on anyone in recent memory and had chances to serve as middlemen on trades and didn’t do so.

When they tore it down after firing Krueger during the Covid season they retained on 5 players; Hall, Montour, Staal, Jamar and Johansson.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

When they tore it down after firing Krueger during the Covid season they retained on 5 players; Hall, Montour, Staal, Jamar and Johansson.

Right. That was four years ago.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

When they tore it down after firing Krueger in the Covid seasons they retained about on 5 players; Hall, Montour, Staal, Jamar and Johansson.

And retaining 50% with about 20 games left in the season is only $600,000. We could probably fire some more scouts to pay for that. Terry math!

 

[Jim Bob]

Right. That was four years ago.

And Adams talked just last TDL that he was happy to have not retained on any of the players they moved out.

It was a really weird flex.

 

[sabremike]

Howdy. Obviously, I am a Rangers fan first and foremost, but I very genuinely pride myself on being a hockey fan first and not really adhering to bias or rivalry rules, etc. For instance, I really like what the Devils are doing and am a fan of many of their players.

That said, I played my college puck at UB and was heavily active on the official Sabres message board back then - I may have even been a mod briefly. This would have been like 2005-2010. If the @Jim Bob at HF is the same one from those boards, I remember you and I think I even remember you and myself and another poster or two being quite friendly and exchanging pictures and stuff from real life, outside of the forums. Nothing in appropriate, we were just “core” posters back then for several years and got to know each other. I think my username was something like Welcome2Pominville.

Either way, the point is I’ve harbored a soft spot and interest in the Sabres for the past 20 years (I’m 38) which makes them one of my favorite and most followed non-NYR teams by far. I’ve got Pominville and Stafford jerseys from back in the day, a Dahlin from his draft year and a Dahlin goat head. Not posting here, I know that my opinions are that of an outsider unfamiliar with the inner opinions you guys have formed on your team, but given that the Rangers have literally frayed my very last nerves and I need a break from whatever the excuse for hockey we’re playing currently is, I figured I’d come hang with you guys.

View attachment 957158

Personally, I don’t think you guys are as far off as it may feel. I know the drought, low faith in Kevyn and Lindy and being stuck with Terry all probably feel pretty crappy, but I think Buffalo is close to being pretty dang good. Here’s some thoughts I’ve been mulling over.

Keep and be patient with Cozens. He has the versatility to play C or W, has already shown he can really produce at this level, is going to continue maturing into a very well rounded player, has a high internal motor and is a work horse. Give him a couple more years and he is a leader, producing as he should be, bringing a solid and reliable two way game and very competitive.

There’s three smallish, non-physical young forwards on the roster today with (lots) more on their way. Peterka, Quinn and Benson. To me, I thought that Peterka is the keeper out of this trio. Has good feisty competitiveness and a high rate of work. It seems like most here prefer Benson, and as an outsider, I am happy to concede the point. But you likely can’t get where you need to go with too many forwards cut from similar moulds and can’t keep them all. I think 2/3 should be considered movable pieces. In the right deal.

Dahlin, Power, Byram is a similar problem. All more established but three defenders who are left handed and gifted puck movers but not a real staunch, stay at home type among them. I think all 3 are great. Dahlin is obviously untouchable. In fact, I think he’s still quite underrated and one day he’ll have a proper partner on a more balanced team and he’ll be firmly considered a top 5 D. Unpopular opinion, but on age, athleticism and raw talent, I take him over Fox 10/10 times. With that said, I actually keep Byram over Power. I wish he didn’t have the injury concerns always hanging over him, as that would make this statement a lot easier to swallow, but I think Byram plays bigger and with more fire than Power and Byram, though young, has at least been part of a Cup winner and been in the room with successful vets, learning what it takes to win in June. I also think you can probably re-sign him to a cheaper than deal than the one you gave Power. Finally, I think Power has a lot more value as a trade chip and given you have Dahlin and then another bonafide top-4 talent in Byram, Power is probably - ahem - your most powerful trade chip to address the biggest and most serious needs of the team.

I’d also consider re-signing Greenway, depending on contract demands. He’s not too old to fit the window and he and McLeod give a solid 2/3 of a third line that you can rely on. Which makes me look at Kulich, Ostlund, Wahlberg, Rosen, Helenius (plus Quinn and Benson) and think, it’s time to start putting together some enticing packages - maybe even overpaying on potential and youth - to address specific needs. It isn’t about “winning” a trade at this point. You have so much high end young talent. Lose a trade to make the team better. I see no issue there. Especially if you think Buffalo has to pay a premium to attract talent until they start winning. Then lose a trade or two on paper to start winning more games and get players more open to signing here. But with Kulich, Ostlund, Wahlberg, Rosen, Helenius, Quinn and Benson - plus Thompson, Cozens, Tuch, Peterka in the top six and McLeod plus maybe Greenway on the third line, you only have 3 openings in the top-nine and they need to be the right types of players.

Personally I’d do something like:

Peterka - Thompson - Tuch
??? - ??? - Cozens
Greenway - McLeod - ???
Malenstyn - Krebs - Lafferty
Dahlin - ???
Byram - ???
Samuelsson - Clifton
UPL
Levi

You’ve got Power, Quinn, Benson, Rosen, Ostlund, etc. plus picks, plus whatever you can get back for Zucker, Joker, etc. to go shopping with. Some of those guys have amazing value and most have pretty solid value. You’re two top six forwards and two top four D away, realistically. UPL is more than good enough behind a more balanced team and Levi will also be a good goalie with more time. Saying you need two top four D while advocating moving Power may seem counterintuitive but Ras and Byram are more than enough for top four puck moving LHD and Samuelsson/Clifton is a perfectly fine third pair. You need (age appropriate versions of) Tanev, Parayko, Manson, Pulock, Carlo, etc. Less valuable than Power in a vacuum, but more of what you need. I personally think it’s time to start dealing for targeted players/player types and stop strictly collecting as much high end draft talent as possible. Overpay to get the pieces that take all of the raw talent and convert it into a hockey team now.

I really, genuinely, hope to see it and enjoy it as a casual observer. Cheers.

Welcome aboard!!!!!!

 

[joshjull]

Right. That was four years ago.

I would consider that recent memory. That was also a season with almost no revenue and they spent near the upper limit.

I know many of you want to believe there is a mandate to spend as little as possible ever since Pegula’s infamous “economic and efficient” comments. But there is little to support that.

Spending as little as possible would mean a payroll at or near the lower limit. They came into this season roughly 16mil above lower limit.


There are two extremes. Spending as much as possible and spending as little as possible. We fall somewhere in between. Yet many on here treat not spending as much as possible as being the same as the other extreme. Its not.