The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[KeepKane]

It doesn't matter if you saw the hit take place or not. You turn and see what is your most skilled player, star forward on the ice after a hit and should react. You go and grab a guy and start pummeling him.... pick a guy, like Lindy said. It's fight or flight response. Then next shift you try to put their star on the ice(not a head shot but a body check). The hope is that the other teams star forwards start to reign certain players in since they most likely do not appreciate being hit/punched/whacked.

"The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The perception of threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an acute stress response that prepares the body to fight or flee. "

We have guys that clammed up when this happened and now have every excuse in the book. Too many overpaid, country club, instagram prima donnas and not enough hockey players.

What about the 13 players on the bench that witnessed this take place as well. Who gives a f*** about 1/2 points?

 

[sabremike]

And to add - league wide the skill level is up, and the goonery is down. I think most all hockey fans, and definitely the future fan base, is all for that...more skill and excitement and less knuckle-dragging. But...BUT...the league and officiating has just GOT to start doing something when guys get out of line. Players get into these "what should I do moments" because the refs are constantly dropping the ball with game management. Hartman was starting shit and going after Sens for about a full period or more before he finally slammed Stutzle's head into the ice. FCS sake how do the refs not do something more to send a clear message? Well, maybe because the league office is so absolutely pathetic with player discipline. Whatever the refs do, these guys are back on the ice next game ready to knuckle drag with no league consequences, and much less instant street justice from younger players around the league that want to play hockey more and fight less. If the league wants skill and less fighting or intentional injury scenarios, they need to start making a suspension worth a damn. 5-10 games min, up to all season for multiple offenses. Until then, NHL will keep being a joke...almost as bad as the Sabres are a joke franchise.

Great point, just brought it to the attention to one of the idiot troglodytes on the main boards.

 

[jc17]

We don’t need Dahlin sitting in the box for 5 minutes at any point. What we should have is a real 4th liner who can bring the pain and go after the Devils on the next ES shift . If you respond right away you lose your PP but there was ample time to go after their top guys… we need a Barnaby type who WILL go after opponents top guys if they mess with ours and can also play as a legit NHLer…

My previous criticism of dahlin is not that he should necessarily drop the gloves as captain every time, but that guys should feel more pressure to respond.

I think rasmus has personally been fine with physicality and responses to issues. But like with okposo, it appears leading by example isn't enough. He's shown willingness to get dirty and should rip into teammates that don't

 

[Fjordy]

I keep Dahlin, Thompson, Benson and Kulich. All the rest can be trading chips.

 

[HOOats]

Great point, just brought it to the attention to one of the idiot troglodytes on the main boards.

Just came to say the exact opposite!

The NHL has become a joke because of the perspective you quote. And the Sabres might be the best parallel example at the franchise-level.

The "skill" and "excitement" are only entertaining under threat of physical harm, or "knuckle dragging" as it's pejoratively called. That's the thrilling essence of the sport, bar none. I could watch kids play shinny if all I wanted was "dipsy-doodling." Did you watch the "Pro-Bowl" flag football game last night? Some incredible balletic moves out there...

None of these current Sabres will have the quality of bonds that were on display at Rayzor's night. Those are only formed through going to war for your teammates (that's what this is all a proxy for, obviously, in the end).

The Sabres have unfortunately collected a stable of players that is representative of everything wrong with the current game (and the results speak for themselves). Watching a bunch of well-paid rich kids toe-drag around the perimeter for 60 minutes while their friends get knocked out, before retreating to their beige condos to eat edibles and play video games just ain't doing it for a lot of fans these days. The Hardest Working Team in Hockey (and the fans who demanded it) feels like a century-old daydream at this point.

The team, the league, and yes the world could use a lot more scarred up knuckles, whether from dragging or other means.

 

[Fjordy]

My previous criticism of dahlin is not that he should necessarily drop the gloves as captain every time, but that guys should feel more pressure to respond.

I think rasmus has personally been fine with physicality and responses to issues. But like with okposo, it appears leading by example isn't enough. He's shown willingness to get dirty and should rip into teammates that don't

If teammates can't get dirty (not all of them), then it's either them or the coach is really forbidding them. Ruff said it himself yesterday. I bet if Dahlin and Benson were on the ice at that moment they would have gone to Noesen instead of standing there and watching. Greenway probably too, Clifton too.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

If teammates can't get dirty (not all of them), then it's either them or the coach is really forbidding them. Ruff said it himself yesterday. I bet if Dahlin and Benson were on the ice at that moment they would have gone to Noesen instead of standing there and watching.

Krebs as well

 

[toddkaz]

It doesn't matter if you saw the hit take place or not. You turn and see what is your most skilled player, star forward on the ice after a hit and should react. You go and grab a guy and start pummeling him.... pick a guy, like Lindy said. It's fight or flight response. Then next shift you try to put their star on the ice(not a head shot but a body check). The hope is that the other teams star forwards start to reign certain players in since they most likely do not appreciate being hit/punched/whacked.

"The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The perception of threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an acute stress response that prepares the body to fight or flee. "

We have guys that clammed up when this happened and now have every excuse in the book. Too many overpaid, country club, instagram prima donnas and not enough hockey players.

What about the 13 players on the bench that witnessed this take place as well. Who gives a f*** about 1/2 points?

We all know what Ruff said is nonsense that the guys wanted to go after NJ. The replay is on the jumbotron and the 20 tablets they are holding at the bench.

I get Ruff wants damage control but its just another failure and I pin it on Adams for assembling a team who doesn't stick up for each other.

 

[Fjordy]

Krebs as well

Greenway and Clifton, Malenstyn. We have these guys, but we need a little more and less of the Sammy and Power relationship. I don't know how Zucker would react to that if he saw it, but he didn't, you can see it in the video.

 

[toddkaz]

And to add - league wide the skill level is up, and the goonery is down. I think most all hockey fans, and definitely the future fan base, is all for that...more skill and excitement and less knuckle-dragging. But...BUT...the league and officiating has just GOT to start doing something when guys get out of line. Players get into these "what should I do moments" because the refs are constantly dropping the ball with game management. Hartman was starting shit and going after Sens for about a full period or more before he finally slammed Stutzle's head into the ice.

This is exactly what I said yesterday. The league has pivoted towards finesse, speed and skill while the refs are still refereeing like its the 1980s.

Zucker almost had his head taken off after he scored and guess who it was? Noesen, and the refs did nothing.

The refs allowed it to escalate to the point where Noesen almost ended Thompson's career.

 

[Zman5778]

If teammates can't get dirty (not all of them), then it's either them or the coach is really forbidding them. Ruff said it himself yesterday. I bet if Dahlin and Benson were on the ice at that moment they would have gone to Noesen instead of standing there and watching. Greenway probably too, Clifton too.

Cozens likely gets involved. Malenstyn. Krebs. Gilbert. I don't have to squint too hard to see Tuch get involved or Bryson. Maybe possibly Quinn.

The guys who I know WOULDN'T get involved: JJP, Power, Jokiharju.

Before tonight, I thought FOR SURE that Samuelsson would have gotten involved. That's super disappointing.

If Zucker saw what happened, Noesen is likely missing some teeth right now......and I'd say that he's likely to do something next time we play the Devils....but that's next year.


We've got plenty of guys who likely would have responded more than Samuelsson did if they were on the ice. I hope.

 

[toddkaz]

Greenway and Clifton, Malenstyn. We have these guys, but we need a little more and less of the Sammy and Power relationship. I don't know how Zucker would react to that if he saw it, but he didn't, you can see it in the video.

If Greenway was out there he would have knocked the F*** out of Noesen. It just changed my mind to the "we should resign Greenway" crowd.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Just came to say the exact opposite!

The NHL has become a joke because of the perspective you quote. And the Sabres might be the best parallel example at the franchise-level.

The "skill" and "excitement" are only entertaining under threat of physical harm, or "knuckle dragging" as it's pejoratively called. That's the thrilling essence of the sport, bar none. I could watch kids play shinny if all I wanted was "dipsy-doodling." Did you watch the "Pro-Bowl" flag football game last night? Some incredible balletic moves out there...

None of these current Sabres will have the quality of bonds that were on display at Rayzor's night. Those are only formed through going to war for your teammates (that's what this is all a proxy for, obviously, in the end).

The Sabres have unfortunately collected a stable of players that is representative of everything wrong with the current game (and the results speak for themselves). Watching a bunch of well-paid rich kids toe-drag around the perimeter for 60 minutes while their friends get knocked out, before retreating to their beige condos to eat edibles and play video games just ain't doing it for a lot of fans these days. The Hardest Working Team in Hockey (and the fans who demanded it) feels like a century-old daydream at this point.

The team, the league, and yes the world could use a lot more scarred up knuckles, whether from dragging or other means.

I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to say here. That bolded sentence is a little confusing. Hockey is and still HAS to include physicality. I don't think anyone denies the need for a strong forecheck, willingness to block shots, push/check guys out of the slot, occasional open-ice hits, etc. That's all great and falls under the "go to war" umbrella. That's all stuff that the Sabres are pretty bad with, and have been for a while, and make them so unwatchable. Head shots and dirty stick work is another topic. That's what the league is terrible about with player discipline. If the league and refs get better, then players don't constantly have to make a split-second decision about going "knuckle dragger" mode, when they're usually not certain what just happened unless it was right in front of them.

I love big hits, but you know what I hate? A clean hit that results in a player or teammate getting butt hurt and derailing the game with a show-dance and performative fighting. My god take the ice and be a warrior...tough enough to be physical, and tough enough to not just make a clean hit, but TAKE a clean hit as well. There's a bunch of guys that can't do that...probably most players in the league. So instead of a bunch of knee-jerk reactions that bog down a game and risk injury via retaliation efforts, maybe the league should just do their damn job properly and take the street justice burden off players. At least do something worth a damn to minimize the need/risk/injury level.

 

[Fjordy]

Cozens likely gets involved. Malenstyn. Krebs. Gilbert. I don't have to squint too hard to see Tuch get involved or Bryson. Maybe possibly Quinn.

The guys who I know WOULDN'T get involved: JJP, Power, Jokiharju.

Before tonight, I thought FOR SURE that Samuelsson would have gotten involved. That's super disappointing.

If Zucker saw what happened, Noesen is likely missing some teeth right now......and I'd say that he's likely to do something next time we play the Devils....but that's next year.


We've got plenty of guys who likely would have responded more than Samuelsson did if they were on the ice. I hope.

Maybe, but we need to balance skill and grit. Only Dahlin and Clifton can probably play with grit on defense, with all due respect to Gilbert he's just #7 or even #8 for me. Get another top 4 defenseman with that quality. Maybe a vet or not, like Kesselring from Utah, you can find others. Every pairing should have at least one of those guys so that when that happens the guy gets punished for it.

If Greenway was out there he would have knocked the F*** out of Noesen. It just changed my mind to the "we should resign Greenway" crowd.

We need to add another Greenway because Jordan is not always healthy and it would be better if you had more of them in the lineup.

 

[TageGod]

May be a hot take, I just don't care about dinosaur hockey anymore. Even the fights don't have Jersey pulling. Wasn't a good fight if both players had their Jersey on. Refs call retaliation more than ever. Matt Rempe does not belong in the NHL. NHL does need more physicality though, not enough hip checks. You are all just triggered by Lucic hit on Miller.

 

[Fjordy]

May be a hot take, I just don't care about dinosaur hockey anymore. Even the fights don't have Jersey pulling. Wasn't a good fight if both players had their Jersey on. Refs call retaliation more than ever. Matt Rempe does not belong in the NHL. NHL does need more physicality though, not enough hip checks. You are all just triggered by Lucic hit on Miller.

And there's Tkachuks or Sam Bennett, not necessarily Matt Rempe.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Ha! Tough questions...better call off practice. Maybe that's not what it's about but if so, my god how lame, and how representative of how they play.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

That's actually interesting.

 

[SabresNorth]

I don't see how a guy like Sammy plays in the NHL without being a physical presence. I haven't noticed in awhile is he still wearing a letter from time to time? That needs to be stripped IMMEDIATELY. OP is different in that he has offensive ability, you want to see a bit of fire out of him but you can at least say he's young and that's not really his game.

Its 100% Lucic 2.0. Gaustad fought him the next time they played but it was too late. I honestly think that was the turning point for the entire franchise, led to the tank. Maybe this can lead to change that ends up being positive.

 

[Ace]

That's actually interesting.

It’s not,

They did it after the Collapse against Colorado too.

Soft on the ice. Soft off of it.

 

[HOOats]

I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to say here. That bolded sentence is a little confusing. Hockey is and still HAS to include physicality. I don't think anyone denies the need for a strong forecheck, willingness to block shots, push/check guys out of the slot, occasional open-ice hits, etc. That's all great and falls under the "go to war" umbrella. That's all stuff that the Sabres are pretty bad with, and have been for a while, and make them so unwatchable. Head shots and dirty stick work is another topic. That's what the league is terrible about with player discipline. If the league and refs get better, then players don't constantly have to make a split-second decision about going "knuckle dragger" mode, when they're usually not certain what just happened unless it was right in front of them.

I love big hits, but you know what I hate? A clean hit that results in a player or teammate getting butt hurt and derailing the game with a show-dance and performative fighting. My god take the ice and be a warrior...tough enough to be physical, and tough enough to not just make a clean hit, but TAKE a clean hit as well. There's a bunch of guys that can't do that...probably most players in the league. So instead of a bunch of knee-jerk reactions that bog down a game and risk injury via retaliation efforts, maybe the league should just do their damn job properly and take the street justice burden off players. At least do something worth a damn to minimize the need/risk/injury level.

We see things very differently. Respectfully agree to disagree on my end.

 

[Chainshot]

I don't see how a guy like Sammy plays in the NHL without being a physical presence. I haven't noticed in awhile is he still wearing a letter from time to time? That needs to be stripped IMMEDIATELY. OP is different in that he has offensive ability, you want to see a bit of fire out of him but you can at least say he's young and that's not really his game.

Its 100% Lucic 2.0. Gaustad fought him the next time they played but it was too late. I honestly think that was the turning point for the entire franchise, led to the tank. Maybe this can lead to change that ends up being positive.

He's eased way off on hitting and hurt himself in a minor push and shove situation earlier this season where he tripped over his own feet and landed oddly. He's made of glass. It's too bad, when he was still using his stick to kill plays and pinning people out with authority, there seemed to be a good defensive defenseman emerging. But all the injuries have seriously derailed him and now he's playing more to not get hurt than anything else.

 

[HOOats]

I don't see how a guy like Sammy plays in the NHL without being a physical presence. I haven't noticed in awhile is he still wearing a letter from time to time? That needs to be stripped IMMEDIATELY. OP is different in that he has offensive ability, you want to see a bit of fire out of him but you can at least say he's young and that's not really his game.

Its 100% Lucic 2.0. Gaustad fought him the next time they played but it was too late. I honestly think that was the turning point for the entire franchise, led to the tank. Maybe this can lead to change that ends up being positive.

Oh but his stick! HIS MAGICAL STICK that adeptly intervenes just in the nick of time before any physical contact is required. It's taken on such legendary status around these parts that you'd think he yanked it free from a magical stone.

Edit: didn't see Chain's post before mine, but hey

 

[Fjordy]

Sign a vet to the third pair instead of Sammy, someone who is good in the locker room and plays decently. They also, of course, could have given Johnson a real chance a long time ago, but apparently this organization has no plans for this player. In the future, I expect Novikov there, although this is already his third season at the adult level and he is probably not that far from the NHL.