The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Tatanka]

you might want to check in on the Av's board about Mitt's currently, just sayin'

Value is relative. Mitts as a support mechanism for the questionable Cs was more important than adding a lhd with no pp role and choking the d with similar types of players. Mitts imo was more valuable to the Sabres than Bowen( who is a talented player no argument) and we needed to focus on the top 6 more than the d. again, didn’t like the trade at the time for what it did to the collective. Now if they can flip him for a C or a rhd, then my evaluation of the trade might change.

 

[Fezzy126]

Before the 13 game losing streak: 11-9-1
13 game losing streak: 0-10-3
After the 13 game losing streak: 5-2-1

Talk about inconsistent. This screams "young team".....even if this team is young age-wise but not GP-wise.

What's even crazier is how close to a playoff spot we are immediately after said 13 game losing streak.

Man, this league is so strange this year.

 

[Fjordy]

I don't disagree. To be clear, I'm not suggesting they'll win the Cup or anything. I was just using the Blues as an example of a team that underperformed.

To come at it a bit differently, what I'm really saying is that I think they have a better roster than, say, Detroit, even if they're not ahead of them in the standings right now. But they crumbled mentally for a stretch, which has dug them a huge hole.

The roster could be better, but that's just a theory. Like I said, we have too many kids and they're inconsistent, Detroit has less kids but they just hired a proven coach midseason. I think we have a team that's too young and mentally weak. Dahlin is great for us, but without him they couldn't win a game, that's unacceptable. I just don't agree with the way our roster is built and our GM.

Value is relative. Mitts as a support mechanism for the questionable Cs was more important than adding a lhd with no pp role and choking the d with similar types of players. Mitts imo was more valuable to the Sabres than Bowen( who is a talented player no argument) and we needed to focus on the top 6 more than the d. again, didn’t like the trade at the time for what it did to the collective. Now if they can flip him for a C or a rhd, then my evaluation of the trade might change.

And Byram without Dahlin also turns into a pumpkin, so almost any player can be in the first pair with Dahlin and will succeed. The same Fabbro for example.

 

[Fjordy]

No interest in trading Cozens to Detroit. The best player needs to be coming back and I dont see that in trading with Detroit. No way they trade Larkin, Seider or Edvinsson.

Its pretty much EP40 in a Cozens trade is what I have my hopes pinned on but I don't think Vancouver trades him.

Kasper did 1+1 yesterday.

 

[MOGlLNY]

No interest in trading Cozens to Detroit. The best player needs to be coming back and I dont see that in trading with Detroit. No way they trade Larkin, Seider or Edvinsson.

Its pretty much EP40 in a Cozens trade is what I have my hopes pinned on but I don't think Vancouver trades him.

My guess that IF (if if if) that trade happened it would be something like Compher (with a bit retained) + Kasper for Cozens.

With the idea that Compher holds Cozens’ spot and there’s not too large of a drop off in play until Kasper is ready to go to slide in at 2C.

 

[Fjordy]

My guess that IF (if if if) that trade happened it would be something like Compher (with a bit retained) + Kasper for Cozens.

With the idea that Compher holds Cozens’ spot and there’s not too large of a drop off in play until Kasper is ready to go to slide in at 2C.

It seems that with the new coach, Kasper is playing on Larkin's wing and is looking good. Before that, for some reason, he was playing 4C with marginal players.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

My guess that IF (if if if) that trade happened it would be something like Compher (with a bit retained) + Kasper for Cozens.

With the idea that Compher holds Cozens’ spot and there’s not too large of a drop off in play until Kasper is ready to go to slide in at 2C.

Hate that. I'd hope for more of a return, even with DC struggling. But yeah, I'd think those would be 2 of the major bits. Would much rather DC getting a bigger fish than being the big fish, though

 

[joshjull]

Well they also said that trading Power makes a lot of sense.

Cozens should be available for Pettersson too if they ask for him. But there's no point in selling him cheap to Detroit or anywhere else.

It does in the context they presented it. The only position we have quality depth to move for a quality return is puck moving LHD.

Dahlin isn’t going anywhere so it’s either Byram or Power. I’m not advocating for it one way or another. Just pointing out there is sound logic to what they're saying.

 

[Fjordy]

It does in the context they presented it. The only position we have quality depth to move for a quality return is puck moving LHD.

Dahlin isn’t going anywhere so it’s either Byram or Power.

But they both like Byram and naturally Power's trade value should be higher than Byram's.

I don't really care which of them gets traded, I don't even have a preference, both options have their risks. But I think trading Power is riskier than trading Byram. But Power's value is higher, so it's not easy.

 

[joshjull]

My guess that IF (if if if) that trade happened it would be something like Compher (with a bit retained) + Kasper for Cozens.

With the idea that Compher holds Cozens’ spot and there’s not too large of a drop off in play until Kasper is ready to go to slide in at 2C.

Why would we do this trade? We already took a hit at center when Mitts left. Even with Cozens struggling, we have no one else who could be an answer in the top 6. Then add in tissue paper Tage getting hurt every year and our center situation would be awful.

Don’t give me Kulich in the top 6 either. I’m done hoping kids will save us. Get some damn vets into the mix to help the top kids who are already here. We already have plenty of young talent. Now start helping them.

 

[Fjordy]

Why would we do this trade? We already took a hit at center when Mitts left. Even with Cozens struggling, we have no one else who could be an answer in the top 6.

Then add in tissue paper Tage getting hurt every year and our center situation would be awful.

I mean McLeod in the vacuum was even better than Cozens, Compher is probably as good as Cozens now. We're not talking about Cozens as a great two-way player who is very good and scores 65-70 points.

You either try to restore Cozens' game without trading him cheaply, which is reasonable. Or you trade him in a big deal where we get a better player (Pettersson, etc.).

They liked Kasper in the draft, they probably see him as an Austrian Lundell. Compher is a stopgap and an experienced guy for the room. I'm not saying it's a good deal, but maybe they think about it that way if they don't have much faith in Cozens and that he will return to his 22-23 form.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Why would we do this trade? We already took a hit at center when Mitts left. Even with Cozens struggling, we have no one else who could be an answer in the top 6. Then add in tissue paper Tage getting hurt every year and our center situation would be awful.

Don’t give me Kulich in the top 6 either. I’m done hoping kids will save us. Get some damn vets into the mix to help the top kids who are already here. We already have plenty of young talent. Now start helping them.

I wouldn't love it but I at least see the idea behind it. It would be that the difference between Compher and Cozens at this moment in time is negligible and the Sabres brass is in love with and has been in love with Kasper since the draft and think he is a shoo in 2C in time.

 

[joshjull]

I mean McLeod in the vacuum was even better than Cozens, Compher is probably as good as Cozens now. We're not talking about Cozens as a great two-way player who is very good and scores 65-70 points.

You either try to restore Cozens' game without trading him cheaply, which is reasonable. Or you trade him in a big deal where we get a better player (Pettersson, etc.).

They liked Kasper in the draft, they probably see him as an Austrian Lundell. Compher is a stopgap and an experienced guy for the room. I'm not saying it's a good deal, but maybe they think about it that way if they don't have much faith in Cozens and that he will return to his 22-23 form.

Thats my thinking as well.

 

[joshjull]

I wouldn't love it but I at least see the idea behind it. It would be that the difference between Compher and Cozens at this moment in time is negligible and the Sabres brass is in love with and has been in love with Kasper since the draft and think he is a shoo in 2C in time.

In a vacuum, I see the logical as well. But I want this team to start winning now and having reliable top 6 center play. This trade doesn’t make that happen any time soon. It’s kicking the can down the road again.

EDIT: I like Compher as a player and Kasper is an exciting prospect. So for me it’s not about them or even being overly attached to Cozens. It’s about the direction the team is going to take.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I wouldn't love it but I at least see the idea behind it. It would be that the difference between Compher and Cozens at this moment in time is negligible and the Sabres brass is in love with and has been in love with Kasper since the draft and think he is a shoo in 2C in time.

Same. No strong opinion on the trade but I think Kasper is exactly what this teams needs in a center. I'm not sure if he's a center though, in the NHL. Would love to hear some thoughts on that part.

My brain and heart keep saying "just keep Cozens and be patient," but then I watch a little Kasper and really do think he's a perfect trade target for the medium/long run. The big question is whether he's a winger or not.

Cozens is a transition guy and Kasper is a smart, hard nosed player who wins battles every time.

 

[joshjull]

Any way we could get just Compher? This wouldn’t involve Cozens

 

[Fjordy]

Any way we could get just Compher? This wouldn’t involve Cozens

Do we really need him? Detroit fans don't seem to be thrilled with him. I thought they considered him almost a cap dump. I think we have McLeod for this role and he's younger and makes less money.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Any way we could get just Compher? This wouldn’t involve Cozens

Only if you think he can be a competent 2C now imo. You already have good 3C options in Kulich and McLeod now, and Wahlberg in the near future.

 

[Fjordy]

Only if you think he can be a competent 2C now imo. You already have good 3C options in Kulich and McLeod now, and Wahlberg in the near future.

Wahlberg center? I thought he played wing. Add Helenius and maybe Ostlund (in future).

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Wahlberg center? I thought he played wing. Add Helenius and maybe Ostlund (in future).

Thought he was being groomed at C ? @Chainshot ?

 

[Chainshot]

Thought he was being groomed at C ? @Chainshot ?

He's said he can play center but he's playing wing in Rochester and at the U20's.

 

[Fjordy]

Thought he was being groomed at C ? @Chainshot ?

I just didn't follow it, but at WJC he seemed to play on the wing.