The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Fjordy]

There is a huge structural difference between what Ruff is doing now and what Hynes has employed in NJ, Nashville and now in Minnesota. There is way more structure in Minnesota which is a lot easier on the young guys.

This young Buffalo team needs a coaching philosophy that focuses on structure and discipline a lot more than they need to rebuild the roster. I mean, if you want to keep Ruff and his antiquated system, then you need to fully rebuild the roster with personnel that play a certain style, but I think the easiest and most prudent move going forward is hire a coach with a track record of getting results with young guys. I doubt Rossi would be an excellent top six center if you play him with this undisciplined team and give him linemates with the average age of 20.

Ruff is not perfect, but we have players who play well and those who play poorly. Zucker said that Ruff is the perfect coach for him with his system. McLeod is having his best season. Again, I just don't agree that Rossi will be bad for us, and we need a top 6 C, by the way, Cozens deteriorated as a center last season under a different coach. This is a useless dispute, I will not back down from my position. Now we have such a coach and he still has a contract for next season. Although our GM is an idiot.

 

[Irie]

Ruff is not perfect, but we have players who play well and those who play poorly. Zucker said that Ruff is the perfect coach for him with his system. McLeod is having his best season. Again, I just don't agree that Rossi will be bad for us, and we need a top 6 C, by the way, Cozens deteriorated as a center last season under a different coach. This is a useless dispute, I will not back down from my position. Now we have such a coach and he still has a contract for next season. Although our GM is an idiot.

I never said Rossi would be a bad player if acquired, although I do have my doubts he would be worth his next contract in Buffalo. My entire point was that Rossi's player chart is going to look a lot better centering Kaprizov and Body in a more disciplined John Haynes system than it will look centering Quinn and Peterka in Ruffs system. That was all. I do not like chart comparisons for players in different teams/systems/use.

I personally would trade Cozens for Rossi because I think this team needs a dynamic playmaker at center with the majority of the roster being filled with shooters. That said, I don't see why Guerin makes that trade.

 

[Fjordy]

I never said Rossi would be a bad player if acquired, although I do have my doubts he would be worth his next contract in Buffalo. My entire point was that Rossi's player chart is going to look a lot better centering Kaprizov and Body in a more disciplined John Haynes system than it will look centering Quinn and Peterka in Ruffs system. That was all. I do not like chart comparisons for players in different teams/systems/use.

I personally would trade Cozens for Rossi because I think this team needs a dynamic playmaker at center with the majority of the roster being filled with shooters. That said, I don't see why Guerin makes that trade.

I have no idea what Rossi's next contract will be, but I don't think I'll have a problem with it. Again, first you talked about the players, that he won't have players like that in Buffalo, now you're talking about the coach's system. Why are you citing Peterka and Quinn as an example, why not the line Zucker - Rossi - Tuch for example or Peterka - Rossi - Thompson, for me it makes much more sense. Rossi will immediately become our 1C, if Tage stays on the wing. Even if Haynes' system is different from Ruff's, Rossi is a good player in his own right and I think he will fit in well with our wingers who like to shoot. Yeah, I would definitely trade Cozens for Rossi.

 

[Irie]

IWhy are you citing Peterka and Quinn as an example, why not the line Zucker - Rossi - Tuch for example or Peterka - Rossi - Thompson, for me it makes much more sense.

You compared two charts. I took the two players you compared most frequent linemates. That is why. I was talking strictly about the chart comparison, not what Rossi would be on Buffalo. I already said I would make that trade. I wouldn't make that trade if I thought he was going to suck.

So in summary, my point is that charts for different players with different teams, different linemates, different systems and different roles are not valuable to use for comparisons. Please do not continue to try to convince me how good Rossi might be on this team. I agree and have always agreed. Just because I think he is going to be overpaid, doesn't mean I don't like him as a player or that I wouldn't move Cozens for him. Hoping that makes sense and ends this debate

 

[Fjordy]

You compared two charts. I took the two players you compared most frequent linemates. That is why. I was talking strictly about the chart comparison, not what Rossi would be on Buffalo. I already said I would make that trade. I wouldn't make that trade if I thought he was going to suck.

So in summary, my point is that charts for different players with different teams, different linemates, different systems and different roles are not valuable to use for comparisons. Please do not continue to try to convince me how good Rossi might be on this team. I agree and have always agreed. Just because I think he is going to be overpaid, doesn't mean I don't like him as a player or that I wouldn't move Cozens for him. Hoping that makes sense and ends this debate

I also already told you that there are centers in bad teams whose diagrams are better than Cozens' or even, for example, our centers, who are also better than Cozens'. That's the whole point.

 

[truthbluth]

It’s going to funny (but not really at all actually) when Tage requests a trade in the offseason.

 

[HaNotsri]

It’s going to funny (but not really at all actually) when Tage requests a trade in the offseason.

Isn't he comfy in Buffalo? Never struck me as a player who care that much about results. Nice to have short seasons!

 

[truthbluth]

Isn't he comfy in Buffalo? Never struck me as a player who care that much about results. Nice to have short seasons!

Ha. That may be true, but if I got my brain scrambled and my team’s response was nothing, I’d be worried about my safety.

 

[Fjordy]

In reality, any player on the team can ask for a trade because losing all the time is exhausting and the players see that the owner and GM don't really care about winning.

 

[sabremike]

There is a huge structural difference between what Ruff is doing now and what Hynes has employed in NJ, Nashville and now in Minnesota. There is way more structure in Minnesota which is a lot easier on the young guys.

This young Buffalo team needs a coaching philosophy that focuses on structure and discipline a lot more than they need to rebuild the roster. I mean, if you want to keep Ruff and his antiquated system, then you need to fully rebuild the roster with personnel that play a certain style, but I think the easiest and most prudent move going forward is hire a coach with a track record of getting results with young guys. I doubt Rossi would be an excellent top six center if you play him with this undisciplined team and give him linemates with the average age of 20.

The problem is that you could hire whomever you think the best coach in the entire league is and it would at best lead to modest improvement because the roster construction is comically awful: Almost nothing but one way player kiddies. Adams is a generationally bad GM.

 

[Fjordy]

The problem is that you could hire whomever you think the best coach in the entire league is and it would at best lead to modest improvement because the roster construction is comically awful: Almost nothing but one way player kiddies. Adams is a generationally bad GM.

Absolutely, this roster is such a bummer. A lot of kids in the top 9 that we constantly rush and they don't get help because we literally have almost no vets or proven players in their prime. No top 6 C. The defense is a mess, three LD PMDs, Power still doesn't have a mentor, Jokiharju and Bryson keep showing up, Samuelsson can't play more than 40-50 games in a season. Even with goalies, Adams is always having some kind of problem. And this idiot still works as a GM.

 

[Dirty Dog]

They have to bring in two top 4 defenders that can play strong defense. They HAVE to get the defense playing better to be competitive next year.

 

[Chainshot]

The problem is that you could hire whomever you think the best coach in the entire league is and it would at best lead to modest improvement because the roster construction is comically awful: Almost nothing but one way player kiddies. Adams is a generationally bad GM.

Eh, if some of these people committed to being on the right side of the play defensively, it solves a lot of issues. Too often they don't make the extra step to get below their man in the zone or to open up the outlet. They see the puck go into a 50-50 and turn and burn for the offensive zone to get their rush fly-by's in. Five or six of the forwards regularly blow the zone early and give very little if any effort coming back. That isn't a structural issue, that's a three-years of shitty emphasis on fun instead of winning hockey followed by whatever this year is. That's where things are not working. The same rot that has people not standing up for one another is the same rot that has people half-assing backchecks and d-zone coverage. They don't play for one another in the least. And teams - recently bad teams even, with young players galore - change that and suddenly are in the playoff hunt.

 

[sabremike]

Eh, if some of these people committed to being on the right side of the play defensively, it solves a lot of issues. Too often they don't make the extra step to get below their man in the zone or to open up the outlet. They see the puck go into a 50-50 and turn and burn for the offensive zone to get their rush fly-by's in. Five or six of the forwards regularly blow the zone early and give very little if any effort coming back. That isn't a structural issue, that's a three-years of shitty emphasis on fun instead of winning hockey followed by whatever this year is. That's where things are not working. The same rot that has people not standing up for one another is the same rot that has people half-assing backchecks and d-zone coverage. They don't play for one another in the least. And teams - recently bad teams even, with young players galore - change that and suddenly are in the playoff hunt.

True, but those organizations went out and got legit good vets to supplement their rosters. Even more importantly they understand the concept of constructing a roster at a level Kevyn is simply incapable of.

 

[MOGlLNY]

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Kolyachonok waived. Main board thinks it was a dumb move. I don’t know much about about him, but he was described as a defense first defenseman. Buffalo needs that.

I’ve always liked him and figured he would be a good buy low option.

 

[toddkaz]

I watched Wild games, not many, but I watched them, and when Kaprizov wasn't there, Rossi was still great in those games.

I agree that Rossi is easier, but I think he's still a very good center, and Cozens is not.

I mean, Cozens was our fourth center this season, the other three centers were better. Something needs to be done here, he even get help from a couple of experienced players on his wings. The most logical thing is to put him on the wing or trade him, there's no point in continuing to torment him at center.

I agree, this team needs to stop playing players out of position. Same with the defense.

Cozens isn't a center, Power needs a defensive partner and Gilbert and Bryson needs to be upgraded.

 

[HaNotsri]

They have to bring in two top 4 defenders that can play strong defense. They HAVE to get the defense playing better to be competitive next year.

They need 2-3 centers as well as forwards.

There are often two guys open in our zone. We never really pressure or close the gap to the other teams defensemen and then we have a tendency to give up free real estate on the far post and in the slot.

A modern defense that tries to win the puck back needs five guys that can all defend. I don't think the best defensemen in the league would look good on the sabres.

 

[Fjordy]

They need 2-3 centers as well as forwards.

There are often two guys open in our zone. We never really pressure or close the gap to the other teams defensemen and then we have a tendency to give up free real estate on the far post and in the slot.

A modern defense that tries to win the puck back needs five guys that can all defend. I don't think the best defensemen in the league would look good on the sabres.

We have some good defenseman, of course you're right, we need all five guys to be focused on defense, but that's no reason not to add guys to the team who can play defense.

 

[SabresNorth]

A bit different than what's been talked about but sounds like St Louis may be willing to shake things up. Kyrou has no protection until next year, signed a few more years. 26yo.. Would definitely help things out in the top 6. Not sure what STL would be looking for back but if it's a retool we may be a viable trade partner.

 

[EXTRAS]

I love what I see from Kulich, I am not sure I would trade him in a package for Pettersson. It would be tough to let him go.

Kulich is the exact type of player this team needs. He is always around the net and in shooting position.


Believe it or not there is a demand for Cozens around the league. Probably a few GMs thinking if they can get him out of Buffalo he turns it around.

How offensive a player do you see kulich being? Like a 50 point center?

 

[Beerz]

How offensive a player do you see kulich being? Like a 50 point center?

I would be disappointed if that is what he tops out at. I guess if he is potting 30 goals out of that 50 it would be OK.. but I would like to see him around 70

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

Posting charts of players on winning teams and comparing them to charts of players on losing teams is just flat out dumb.

Remember when the charts of Taylor Hall as a sabre had him at like 23%, and then when he went to Boston he was miraculously an 87% chart player? Yeah.

Taylor Hall had great charts on bad Devils teams, bad Oilers teams. Everything before and after us.

 

[toddkaz]

How offensive a player do you see kulich being? Like a 50 point center?

I think he is a 30 goal scorer. I think something like 25-40 goals and 25-40 assists but thats his bottom and ceiling. He is on track for around 20 goals with his short time here this year. How does he not score 30 goals as long as he continues to progress.

 

[Fjordy]

A bit different than what's been talked about but sounds like St Louis may be willing to shake things up. Kyrou has no protection until next year, signed a few more years. 26yo.. Would definitely help things out in the top 6. Not sure what STL would be looking for back but if it's a retool we may be a viable trade partner.

I wonder what cost will be, although defense and top 6 C should be higher priority targets.