The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[OkimLom]

A good EV-20 or Shure SM-7 broadcast microphone can pretty much make anyone sound good.

Is there anyone in Buffalo sports that anyone likes ?

I'm sure there are some good "Internet Buffalo Sports Personalities" that are likable. As for the local media sports personalities and "reporters", I feel a lot of the "old heads" have allowed the access they have to the limited sports scene, has gone and inflated their egos to be insufferable. I can tolerate Bulldog for a little bit, as long as Mike isn't around him.

 

[Chainshot]

A good EV-20 or Shure SM-7 broadcast microphone can pretty much make anyone sound good.

Is there anyone in Buffalo sports that anyone likes ?

On the hockey side, I have always enjoyed speaking to Bill Hoppe and Joe Yerdon. I used to enjoy chatting with Jim Kelley and Brian Blessing lived across the street from my ex-in-laws.

 

[OkimLom]

I can live without the Syracuse stuff at times tbh. It's not a local school, just alumni b.s. BD just seems like he's along for the ride at this point, his partner (when they actually work together) is intolerable.

Sal is very good for Bill's and works really hard. Bakes knows our system inside/out. Parino/Talbot still do good free Bill's content. The News ? well Lance gives out good team info, Mr Grumpy needs to retire. Petey and Rivs give me a laugh. Not been a big fan of Pham in the past, but recently he has been very honest about that state of the team, gm, and owner. I will give most the online guys (Chad, etc) credit for at least trying.

ps the comment here earlier in the weeks about Chad being Harrigton made me laugh. Those two have actually been at war with each other for years.

Pham, I feel sometimes he can come to a pretty decent conclusion, but the roads he takes are often misread or he's arriving to the conclusion from a weird perspective.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Having graduated with a degree in journalism, the most important thing to remember with these guys is they have about the same understanding of the game as the regular fan. Do they have access to players, coaches, and the front office? Sure. But teams aren't discussing internal affairs with these guys.

The year I spent with the Bills, on the same floor as the coaching staff, GM, and front office, I never once saw a reporter. They were all escorted to floor three and the media room (old building that's part of the stadium).
These guys are basically fans with a little access and a platform to talk.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Hearing them all talk up Joker for real or trade value ?

 

[mjd1001]

I like Jeremy White. Bulldog is pretty reasonable. Joe and Mike are insufferable.

I kinda like the morning show. They have their bad moments, but I can deal with them.

The afternoon show has gotten so bad, I haven't listened to it much more than 2-3 times in the last 3-4 years (I go right to 590 out of toronto).

Years and Years ago I used to like Mike Schopp, but, while having a good 'radio voice', I think he is the worst, most annoying person to listen to on all of radio.

 

[Zman5778]

Why do you think? Why did Clifton come to Buffalo? Why did Boosh come to Buffalo?

Clifton came because of: Granato, opportunity and $$$
Boos came because we gave him 2 years and $$$

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Clifton came because of: Granato, opportunity and $$$
Boos came because we gave him 2 years and $$$

So what will happen next year, seeing he was given three years?

 

[jcbeze]

WGR's youtube feed pops up for me on twitter once in a while.

There's a reason 'a face for radio' is a common saying.

Ok Brad Pitt

 

[WeDislikeEich]

What I’m hearing about the Penguins: Kyle Dubas calling shots, taking calls

Dubas will be in the spotlight during the next few weeks, and people within the Penguins organization have full confidence in him.

www.nytimes.com

The biggest name the Penguins have to offer other teams is Rickard Rakell, but the odds of Dubas trading him don’t seem good. Sure, it’s possible, but the asking price for Rakell will be substantial. Dubas doesn’t feel any pressure to unload him, knowing full well that Rakell’s value could potentially increase starting this summer when the salary cap skyrockets. There will be interest in Rakell. But the price will be huge.

I wouldn’t mind Rakell (we need veterans) but not for a high price.

 

[Chainshot]

This at least is worth a chuckle -

 

[Chainshot]

Everyone is practicing and Greenway is expected back on Sunday. That means someone is either being assigned (Kulich, and that would be stupid) or gets waived (hellllloo Jacob Bryson) or the really thin idea of someone being traded.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Everyone is practicing and Greenway is expected back on Sunday. That means someone is either being assigned (Kulich, and that would be stupid) or gets waived (hellllloo Jacob Bryson) or the really thin idea of someone being traded.

Well at least it's enough to mildly peak my interest. Mild like salsa from New York City.

 

[Irie]

Hearing them all talk up Joker for real or trade value ?

The thing about Finnish defensemen that are raised in Finland and trained by Finish hockey programs, is that they thrive on structure. Put a Finnish D in a very structured environment and they do what they are told and they usually thrive. Put them in a system where they are constantly expected to make reads and improvise and they usually struggle. It's my belief as to why we tend to see more Finnish D on waivers that suddenly "find" their game quickly once claimed. It's more about the system than anything else.

I predict Joker goes somewhere with more structure and he all of a sudden becomes a nice top 4 D for someone. The talking heads won't understand "why", and they will just point fingers at the Sabres organization as the sole reason.

 

[debaser66]

Somewhat convinced Paul Hamilton knows nothing about hockey, especially considering it is his job to know hockey

his job is to generate noise and distraction, he is doing well

 

[debaser66]

I can live without the Syracuse stuff at times from them tbh. It's not a local school, just alumni b.s. BD just seems like he's along for the ride at this point, his partner (when they actually work together) is intolerable.

Sal is very good for Bill's and works really hard. Bakes knows our prospect system inside/out. Parino/Talbot still do good free Bill's content. The News ? well Lance gives out good team info, Mr Grumpy needs to retire. Petey and Rivs give me a laugh. Not been a big fan of Pham in the past, but recently he has been very honest about that state of the team, gm, and owner. I will give most the online guys (Chad, etc) credit for at least trying.

ps the comment here earlier in the week about Chad being Harrigton made me laugh. Those two have actually been at war with each other for years.

thats even more proof that they are alike. they need to proliferate because they garner the same type of audience.

 

[TageGod]

I kinda like the morning show. They have their bad moments, but I can deal with them.

The afternoon show has gotten so bad, I haven't listened to it much more than 2-3 times in the last 3-4 years (I go right to 590 out of toronto).

Years and Years ago I used to like Mike Schopp, but, while having a good 'radio voice', I think he is the worst, most annoying person to listen to on all of radio.

All he cares about is fantasy and betting odds.

 

[Jim Bob]

Hearing them all talk up Joker for real or trade value ?

Rival GMs aren't using a Lindy Ruff radio appearance to determine trade value of Sabres players.

 

[truthbluth]

Everyone is practicing and Greenway is expected back on Sunday. That means someone is either being assigned (Kulich, and that would be stupid) or gets waived (hellllloo Jacob Bryson) or the really thin idea of someone being traded.

Unless I’m doing my math wrong, Koazak being in Roch opens up a spot for Greenway.

 

[TehDoak]

Ok Brad Pitt

If my income required me to get viewers based on my looks I'd be homeless.

 

[Archie Lee]

The thing about Finnish defensemen that are raised in Finland and trained by Finish hockey programs, is that they thrive on structure. Put a Finnish D in a very structured environment and they do what they are told and they usually thrive. Put them in a system where they are constantly expected to make reads and improvise and they usually struggle. It's my belief as to why we tend to see more Finnish D on waivers that suddenly "find" their game quickly once claimed. It's more about the system than anything else.

I predict Joker goes somewhere with more structure and he all of a sudden becomes a nice top 4 D for someone. The talking heads won't understand "why", and they will just point fingers at the Sabres organization as the sole reason.

Well, it is still an indictment of Sabres management. They extended a guy at $3 million, whose skill-set doesn’t mesh with the team’s style and lack of structure. The Joker situation is similar to the Olofsson situation last year. There was likely a point in the summer of 2023, where we could have traded Olofsson with retention and used the money saved to bring in a player that Granato would have had confidence in and utilized. Instead we kept Olofsson at $4.75 and he became a part-time player. There is a lack of cohesion between our management team and coaching staff (see Joker, Aubé-Kubel, Lafferty). We spend a lot of money on players who don’t end up providing much value.

 

[Jim Bob]

Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Deadline Target: Alex Tuch - The Hockey Writers Tampa Bay Lightning Latest News, Analysis & More

The Lightning reportedly have interest in Sabres' winger Alex Tuch ahead of the trade deadline. What would a potential trade look like?

thehockeywriters.com

What it Would (Likely) Take to Acquire Tuch​

General manager Julien BriseBois has $5.22 million in cap space to work with at the trade deadline. Timo Meier has similar value and was acquired by the New Jersey Devils from the San Jose Sharks in a blockbuster deal at the 2023 Trade Deadline. There are too many assets involved to list in this article, but the main ones include a first-round pick, second-round pick, roster player, and solid prospect. Meier plays an identical power-forward style to Tuch, using his size and speed to his advantage.

Outside of Meier, there haven’t been any comparable deals in recent memory. Below is the framework for a Tuch to Tampa Bay trade, and there would likely be more minor assets involved. Therefore, here’s an outline to keep things simple.

Tampa Bay acquires: Alex Tuch (F)

Buffalo acquires: 2026 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, Nick Perbix (D), Conor Sheary (F), Ethan Gauthier (F)

How Both Sides Benefit From the Trade​

Lightning​

The Lightning acquire a talented top-six winger to help fill a gaping hole in their forward core. Secondary scoring has continued to be an issue since their Stanley Cup wins, and Tampa Bay addresses this problem with a splash at the deadline. Moreover, Tuch is signed beyond this season, and the Lightning could lock him up long-term with the rising salary cap.

Sabres​

A retool is essential for Buffalo to get back in the playoff race because this current core isn’t getting the job done. With Tuch’s deal expiring after the 2025-26 season, the Sabres would be able to get more back by trading him with some term left on his deal. A contender like the Lightning looks for players signed beyond the season they acquire them. The Sabres add some draft capital, a solid puck-moving defender in Nick Perbix, and another upcoming forward prospect in Ethan Gauthier.

That is a hard pass for me.

The Sabres need more adults and fewer kids in the room. They should keep and extend Tuch over trading him for a package like that.

 

[Zman5778]

Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Deadline Target: Alex Tuch - The Hockey Writers Tampa Bay Lightning Latest News, Analysis & More

The Lightning reportedly have interest in Sabres' winger Alex Tuch ahead of the trade deadline. What would a potential trade look like?

thehockeywriters.com

That is a hard pass for me.

The Sabres need more adults and fewer kids in the room. They should keep and extend Tuch over trading him for a package like that.

I get this person is a TB-centric person. But c'mon.....do a LITTLE research. That person HAS to know that Buffalo isn't going for more futures and cap throw-ins.

 

[Beerz]

The Hockey Writers strike again.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Deadline Target: Alex Tuch - The Hockey Writers Tampa Bay Lightning Latest News, Analysis & More

The Lightning reportedly have interest in Sabres' winger Alex Tuch ahead of the trade deadline. What would a potential trade look like?

thehockeywriters.com

Tell me you know nothing about Buffalo without telling me you know nothing about Buffalo.

If you want Tuch, Cernak better be involved.