The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Chainshot]

If the man wants to stay here, that is also respecting him.

Years ago when he left Minny for Pittsburgh, there was an article on how the move impacted his family. Him bouncing around a lot likely isn't something they want. I could see another two years to ride out if that's what he's interested in.

 

[joshjull]

Ironically before cozens draft I made a risto comparison, and I think its still somewhat fitting. Good players can have bad charts, but when it reaches a level of consistency you have to start giving them some additional consideration.

Cozens numbers haven't been as much of an anchor as ristos were, and hes had good/fine years that risto never had, but its the same feeling. And to Rasmus' credit he did improve a bit in philly, the analytics weren't gospel, but he never played to the potential.

I think Dylan has a higher ceiling and could very well find his game but I think if any team remotely sees that 60-70 point , strong defensive 2C potential, you let them be the ones to try to make it happen

What pisses me off about the Cozens situation is how we got here. If you could draw up a plan on how not to develop a defensive center, I think we checked all the boxes.

Cozens got 8-10 chances with Granato in his first full season to match up against the opposition’s top centers. He went up against some pretty good ones like McDavid (1x), Mathews (2x), etc. He played his best defensively because it played to his strengths. He hounded them all over the ice because he has the foot speed/skating to keep up with them and the size/physicality to wear them down. He was also specifically deployed to match up against them. What I will never understand is why Granato didn’t try to build on that.

He should’ve been developed in that defensive role for the rest of his first season and into the next. Then they should have built a line around Cozens by finding wingers that would support him in that role/usage. I mean, those two seasons were only about development and not focused primarily winning. So there was no excuse not to try it. Plus, they had another center in Mitts at hand. So it’s not like they had to use Cozens in an offensive role in the first place.

Instead, Cozens ends up centering a kid line in his second year. They were very exciting to watch and produced offense. But they were also very inconsistent and struggled in their own end. This decision had a twofold negative effect on the organization. It convinces Adams that Cozens is an offensive center and earns him a big extension before the season ends. But it also blocked Mitts from a strong offensive line. Thus preventing him from taking the next step offensively and starts his path out the door.

Had he (Mitts) been the one put between Quinn/Peterka, then he’s putting up a lot more points than Cozens did 5v5 (they both ended the season with 39). He would have brought more stability to that line since he was older and further along in his development. Which would make him the one more likely to get the big extension. In that scenario Cozens wouldn’t be heading out the door. In theory he would have been developing his defensive game at center and wouldn’t need a big extension. Its almost like having a well thought out team building plan matters.

Cozens should’ve spent his first two seasons as our 3rd center, developing his defensive game behind Tage/Mitts. At the end of those two seasons, then the front office can decide how they want to proceed. Instead Cozens’ defensive game is not developed and he’s thrown into an offensive role. But he’s still expected to bring that defensive game they never developed. He also can’t play like he did in those 8-10gms where he hounded the opposition’s center. It’s not compatible with an offensive role. It’s truly shocking he’s struggling.

I’d also point out that good two way/matchup centers are first and foremost used as such. Plus they have wingers+d-pairs that are helping them in that role. Bergeron isn’t shutting people down by himself. He has Chara, McAvoy or the whoever has been on the Bruins top defensive pair behind him. He’s also had wingers that have helped him at both ends of the ice.

Which brings me back to Cozens who isn’t used in a matchup role and plays with players who wouldn’t be able to help. I’m not blaming those players because many of them are in the same boat as Cozens, young players trying to figure it out with little help from those around them. What a clusterf*** this organization is.

 

[Der Jaeger]

There is a somewhat easy answer to the center issue: team identity. McLeod can be a defensive center, and Cozens could do it as well given time to develop.

Go with one truly offensive line (Thompson) and just build 3 defense-first lines. Adams would need to shuffle some wingers out to get more defensively active wingers, but it could work.

A possibility assuming some re-signings:
Zucker - Thompson - Tuch
Benson - McLeod - xxx
Greenway - Cozens - xxx
Malenstyn - Krebs/Kozak - Lafferty

Kulich would also need to fit in there somewhere.

Adams would need to re-sign Zucker and Greenway, and move Peterka and Quinn.

I'm not advocating it, just saying it's possible. And likely not as hard as trying to find a center. Ruff would just need to completely adjust the system and play a lot more like the Islanders. That style has worked for him before in Buffalo.

 

[Zman5778]

Sabres Live tidbit:
Saad is a healthy scratch, move being anticipated

Dregs on Sabres Live:
Zucker will likely be in play at the deadline over a extension
Gourde will likely be moved, very coveted around the league
Tavares on IR, Leafs could look at O'Reilly, but not great fit with other players already there
Jarry being waived is so he can work out his game in minors, no one expected to claim/trade
Dubas will make changes in Pit, watch Drew O'Connor

So, if I'm reading this right:

Saad goes nowhere. Zucker gets extended. Gourde stays put. Dubas does nothing.

 

[Fjordy]

There is a somewhat easy answer to the center issue: team identity. McLeod can be a defensive center, and Cozens could do it as well given time to develop.

Go with one truly offensive line (Thompson) and just build 3 defense-first lines. Adams would need to shuffle some wingers out to get more defensively active wingers, but it could work.

A possibility assuming some re-signings:
Zucker - Thompson - Tuch
Benson - McLeod - xxx
Greenway - Cozens - xxx
Malenstyn - Krebs/Kozak - Lafferty

Kulich would also need to fit in there somewhere.

Adams would need to re-sign Zucker and Greenway, and move Peterka and Quinn.

I'm not advocating it, just saying it's possible. And likely not as hard as trying to find a center. Ruff would just need to completely adjust the system and play a lot more like the Islanders. That style has worked for him before in Buffalo.

Interesting view, but Greenway as I understand is going to UFA. But I immediately had an idea about this third line. A good playmaker in Macсelli and physical and responsible in defense Crouse on the other wing.

Zucker - Thompson - Tuch
Benson - McLeod - Konecny/Terry/Boeser/Kyrou/Kempe/Ehlers/Batherson/Rakell/Bjorkstrand/Tippett
Maccelli - Cozens - Crouse
Malenstyn - Krebs/Kozak - Lafferty/Krebs

 

[zenthusiast]

I wonder how invested Zucker was coming in here on a 1-year deal. Maybe he loves it, but in his situation without any previous connection to the team/city I’d be riding the benefit of a good season to a longer-term contract with an actually competitive franchise

 

[Chainshot]

I wonder how invested Zucker was coming in here on a 1-year deal. Maybe he loves it, but in his situation without any previous connection to the team/city I’d be riding the benefit of a good season to a longer-term contract with an actually competitive franchise

I would love to find out if the wife and kids came to Buffalo with him. Could be like Rivet finding out how much house he could buy and deciding WNY was the place to settle down.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

So, if I'm reading this right:

Saad goes nowhere. Zucker gets extended. Gourde stays put. Dubas does nothing.

...ooohhhh....kay

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

I wonder how invested Zucker was coming in here on a 1-year deal. Maybe he loves it, but in his situation without any previous connection to the team/city I’d be riding the benefit of a good season to a longer-term contract with an actually competitive franchise

If he is willing to sign a friendly two-year deal, maybe three years. Okay. Overpaying for him is nuts. We could get a 1st if we retain 50% (admittedly, money bags Pegula won't do that.) He is having a career year at an advanced age. Doubling down on it is nuts. Guy will be 34, 35, 36 in a three-year deal. Decline likelihood is obvious. We need vets so I'm okay with signing him. Comes down to price.

 

[Dubi Doo]

What pisses me off about the Cozens situation is how we got here. If you could draw up a plan on how not to develop a defensive center, I think we checked all the boxes.

Cozens got 8-10 chances with Granato in his first full season to match up against the opposition’s top centers. He went up against some pretty good ones like McDavid (1x), Mathews (2x), etc. He played his best defensively because it played to his strengths. He hounded them all over the ice because he has the foot speed/skating to keep up with them and the size/physicality to wear them down. He was also specifically deployed to match up against them. What I will never understand is why Granato didn’t try to build on that.

He should’ve been developed in that defensive role for the rest of his first season and into the next. Then they should have built a line around Cozens by finding wingers that would support him in that role/usage. I mean, those two seasons were only about development and not focused primarily winning. So there was no excuse not to try it. Plus, they had another center in Mitts at hand. So it’s not like they had to use Cozens in an offensive role in the first place.

Instead, Cozens ends up centering a kid line in his second year. They were very exciting to watch and produced offense. But they were also very inconsistent and struggled in their own end. This decision had a twofold negative effect on the organization. It convinces Adams that Cozens is an offensive center and earns him a big extension before the season ends. But it also blocked Mitts from a strong offensive line. Thus preventing him from taking the next step offensively and starts his path out the door.

Had he (Mitts) been the one put between Quinn/Peterka, then he’s putting up a lot more points than Cozens did 5v5 (they both ended the season with 39). He would have brought more stability to that line since he was older and further along in his development. Which would make him the one more likely to get the big extension. In that scenario Cozens wouldn’t be heading out the door. In theory he would have been developing his defensive game at center and wouldn’t need a big extension. Its almost like having a well thought out team building plan matters.

Cozens should’ve spent his first two seasons as our 3rd center, developing his defensive game behind Tage/Mitts. At the end of those two seasons, then the front office can decide how they want to proceed. Instead Cozens’ defensive game is not developed and he’s thrown into an offensive role. But he’s still expected to bring that defensive game they never developed. He also can’t play like he did in those 8-10gms where he hounded the opposition’s center. It’s not compatible with an offensive role. It’s truly shocking he’s struggling.

I’d also point out that good two way/matchup centers are first and foremost used as such. Plus they have wingers+d-pairs that are helping them in that role. Bergeron isn’t shutting people down by himself. He has Chara, McAvoy or the whoever has been on the Bruins top defensive pair behind him. He’s also had wingers that have helped him at both ends of the ice.

Which brings me back to Cozens who isn’t used in a matchup role and plays with players who wouldn’t be able to help. I’m not blaming those players because many of them are in the same boat as Cozens, young players trying to figure it out with little help from those around them. What a clusterf*** this organization is.

I get the vibe that Granato was the cool Uncle in the locker-room. I remember Cozens being quoted saying that they could be a line for the next 10 years. I feel like Granato didn't want to mess with their mojo because of that.

 

[dickiedunnwrotethis]

There is a somewhat easy answer to the center issue: team identity. McLeod can be a defensive center, and Cozens could do it as well given time to develop.

Go with one truly offensive line (Thompson) and just build 3 defense-first lines. Adams would need to shuffle some wingers out to get more defensively active wingers, but it could work.

A possibility assuming some re-signings:
Zucker - Thompson - Tuch
Benson - McLeod - xxx
Greenway - Cozens - xxx
Malenstyn - Krebs/Kozak - Lafferty

Kulich would also need to fit in there somewhere.

Adams would need to re-sign Zucker and Greenway, and move Peterka and Quinn.

I'm not advocating it, just saying it's possible. And likely not as hard as trying to find a center. Ruff would just need to completely adjust the system and play a lot more like the Islanders. That style has worked for him before in Buffalo.

I applaud any attempt to gain a team identity. One caveat with a defense first identity is that I think the defensive corps would require a complete re-work as well. The sad thing about this roster construction is that it's so ill-conceived that any such changes seem like a Herculean task.

 

[HaNotsri]

If Adams sells Zucker instead of trying to lock in a few more years I am going to be pissed.

He can sign with the Sabres in summer. He's good enough to deserve being on a playoff team. Then he can come back and explain complicated stuff like passing and covering your mab.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

He can sign with the Sabres in summer. He's good enough to deserve being on a playoff team. Then he can come back and explain complicated stuff like passing and covering your mab.

that's really a fallacy that anyone's coming back to this mess. There's been like one player in the last how many years that did this right ?

 

[Gras]

If he is willing to sign a friendly two-year deal, maybe three years. Okay. Overpaying for him is nuts. We could get a 1st if we retain 50% (admittedly, money bags Pegula won't do that.) He is having a career year at an advanced age. Doubling down on it is nuts. Guy will be 34, 35, 36 in a three-year deal. Decline likelihood is obvious. We need vets so I'm okay with signing him. Comes down to price.

Retaining doesnt automatically get you a 1st, if the team receiving Zucker has the capspace for his full remaining hit they are not going to pay extra for retention.

 

[HaNotsri]

that's really a fallacy that anyone's coming back to this mess. There's been like one player in the last how many years that did this right ?

That's not a fallacy, the reasoning that we cannot sign players that we have traded is more flawed. It's like blaming palm trees and taxes. Keeping Zucker and then losing him for nothing is another likely scenario.

Things have to change at some point.

 

[Fjordy]

That's not a fallacy, the reasoning that we cannot sign players that we have traded is more flawed. It's like blaming palm trees and taxes. Keeping Zucker and then losing him for nothing is another likely scenario.

Things have to change at some point.

You can re-sign him now.