The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[My Cozen Dylan]

No one goes to the games anymore and our GDT's are only a few pages long with the same 10 sickos, er posters, complaining about them. So I guess I would ask - what fans?

Attendance is still averaging 15,942. I know that's sold tickets, not butts in seats, but that's what actually matters to the bottom line. Until that number goes back down significantly, there are still too many fans paying to watch this mess. I'm not sure how long that lasts without substantial change.

 

[Chainshot]

Attendance is still averaging 15,942. I know that's sold tickets, not butts in seats, but that's what actually matters to the bottom line. Until that number goes back down significantly, there are still too many fans paying to watch this mess. I'm not sure how long that lasts without substantial change.

And the thing there - it's opposing fans coming to town that buoy that figure. Leaf, Hab, Bruin, Pen, Ranger, Islander and even Jackets fans have come up in droves. VanCan and Oiler fans from S. Ontario make a strong showing. They aren't going to totally crater because they aren't getting their own.

 

[TehDoak]

I wonder how much of Cozens improved play is:

 

[TheMistyStranger]

And the thing there - it's opposing fans coming to town that buoy that figure. Leaf, Hab, Bruin, Pen, Ranger, Islander and even Jackets fans have come up in droves. VanCan and Oiler fans from S. Ontario make a strong showing. They aren't going to totally crater because they aren't getting their own.

I'm still annoyed by how many Habs fans were at the game I went to with my kid. Also annoyed that they scored 5 and found a way to lose.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

No Chad

 

[toddkaz]

 

[Der Jaeger]

Probably a summer move, but how would you guys feel about Sammy for Kotkaniemi? Gets us some secondary scoring with playoff experience, and gets us out of paying a 3rd pairing D over $4M.

I think it depends on how the Sabres feel about their centers. The Sabres could use more centers. But I think the questions are:
- Is Thompson a center or RW?
- Do the Sabres want to shift Cozens to wing or concentrate on him becoming a shutdown type center?
- How high in the line up do the Sabres want to play Kulich?
- Are the Sabres comfortable with a center spine which is more middle line types who play a two way game over scorers?
- Does Adams make a move for Pettersson?

A potential center spine could be Kulich - Kotkaniemi - McLeod. Are the Sabres good with that?

I'll add this (despite the fact I usually don't like their takes):



It seems that Cozens is really starting to concentrate on playing the game the right way. He's simplified things; going north/south, Playing with physicality, getting shots on net, improving at the dot. It's all the things we thought he would build on from his career year.

Maybe he's finally unf***ed himself from the dreams of dangling his way to 40 goals.

For Cozens, I've always thought he was a winger. But the other option for Cozens is to use him like the Lightning used Cirelli for a long time, as a shutdown center. I've said both for a while now.

Either way, I think he's a benefit to a team. When he's used as a top 6 center who is relied upon for scoring, I think it comes undone for him. Simplify his game, either way, and he's more effective. The stats are showing that this is true.

 

[Fly Boy]

No Chad

I think Jones is a very underappreciated player at this point i his career. I am not able to read the article, but I think I can kind of guess what Chad might be getting at. Jones could actually be a good get for the Sabres, but 4 very important things would have to happen in order for it to work and for me to be okay with it.

1. Power would need to be traded for an upgrade at C.

2. Byram would have to re-sign.

3. Chicago would have to retain at least $3 million.

4. And this is the most important one. Samuelsson would have to remove his head from his f***ing ass and get back to 22/23 levels of play while proving he can be relied upon both durability and play wise to cover for Jones god awful D metrics.

That's too much that needs to happen and I damn sure don't expect #4 to happen. This hasn't even begun to discuss what the trade compensation for $3mil retained would be. So yeah, Jones would be a terrible idea under a KA regime at least. It won't happen.

 

[Beerz]

What a look for the GM ...when after a summer in which he celebrated getting players that are hard to play against ... one was demoted to the AHL and the other seems to be a healthy scratch every game.

Now I for one don't like the NAK demotion and I think Lafferty should be playing.

I don't think Ruff ever gave the 4th line of Lafferty,NAK and Malenstyne a proper chance but still...the optics are real bad.

 

[Tatanka]

What a look for the GM ...when after a summer in which he celebrated getting players that are hard to play against ... one was demoted to the AHL and the other seems to be a healthy scratch every game.

Now I for one don't like the NAK demotion and I think Lafferty should be playing.

I don't think Ruff ever gave the 4th line of Lafferty,NAK and Malenstyne a proper chance but still...the optics are real bad.

I seem to remember a video with Ruff in it being excited about the acquisitions. Could have been oscar worthy cinematography because they seem like they are not in the plan.

 

[Jim Bob]

I don't know why this argument keeps coming up. It's way easier to fill the D than find competent centers. Yes, it's trading one problem for another, but the problem is easier to solve.

I looked at UFAs available. Fabbro, Gavrikov, Chychren are all available. This obviously doesn't include any trades. D corps can be build around one really good offensive defenseman and a group of players who are filling roles.

It's so easy that Owen Power is in his 3rd full NHL season and they haven't found him a quality partner yet.

 

[jc17]

It's so easy that Owen Power is in his 3rd full NHL season and they haven't found him a quality partner yet.

Didn't power and joker have really good numbers together last year?

Not that I want that as a long term solution,but kind of supports the idea that you don't need a world beater, just someone that can keep up and cover

 

[Jim Bob]

Didn't power and joker have really good numbers together last year?

Not that I want that as a long term solution,but kind of supports the idea that you don't need a world beater, just someone that can keep up and cover

Power-Jokiharju were terribad last season.

Power did have his best results with Jokiharju in 2022-23. But, even then, they weren't great.

 

[Chainshot]

Didn't power and joker have really good numbers together last year?

Not per NST's d-pairing figures, no.

Not that I want that as a long term solution,but kind of supports the idea that you don't need a world beater, just someone that can keep up and cover

True, it's a matter of complementary players. We know that Power has serious problems with defending. Having someone who that is their focus should be relatively straightforward to identify, but when can they acquire someone and then will they actually work with him? That remains to be seen. I know if I was coaching a team facing Power, I would tell my guys to attack him on the rush and then go to the net. He's shit at defending the line and doesn't get back promptly to take anything away so it doesn't matter if his partner is an accomplished blueline defender or even good in front of his own net - he won't be attacked at the line and for sure he will be outnumbered down low.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

What a look for the GM ...when after a summer in which he celebrated getting players that are hard to play against ... one was demoted to the AHL and the other seems to be a healthy scratch every game.

Now I for one don't like the NAK demotion and I think Lafferty should be playing.

I don't think Ruff ever gave the 4th line of Lafferty,NAK and Malenstyne a proper chance but still...the optics are real bad.

remember reading that Ruff trusted Laff on the pk and L4 role, perhaps he even pushed for him ? perhaps that has changed ?

 

[HOOats]

Granted the Byfield chatter is just a Kypreos rumor, but hypothetically how much would you add to Power in that deal? What could force LA's hand in terms of value.

I wouldn't open with this offer, but I'd go as far as Power, Quinn, and a top D prospect. Gotta thin and churn assets if we want to flip the roster in a meaningful way.

Who are other young centers that Power could help land?

Forgive me but it's a week out from the deadline, silly season.

 

[Der Jaeger]

It's so easy that Owen Power is in his 3rd full NHL season and they haven't found him a quality partner yet.

Dante Fabbro was available for over a year before they just waived him. Chychren was available, but the storyline we got was the Sabres weren't interested in trading Savoie or Kulich (and then they traded Savoie). Skjei, Roy, Zadorov, Walker, and more were available in free agency.

It's more accurate to say that Adams hasn't tried much to find Power's partner over saying that it's hard to do. Other teams take swings.

 

[Fjordsen]

Dante Fabbro was available for over a year before they just waived him. Chychren was available, but the storyline we got was the Sabres weren't interested in trading Savoie or Kulich (and then they traded Savoie). Skjei, Roy, Zadorov, Walker, and more were available in free agency.

It's more accurate to say that Adams hasn't tried much to find Power's partner over saying that it's hard to do. Other teams take swings.

Add to this that Marino, Kovacevic, Jensen, Borgen and Carrier have also been traded since the summer.

Granted the Byfield chatter is just a Kypreos rumor, but hypothetically how much would you add to Power in that deal? What could force LA's hand in terms of value.

I wouldn't open with this offer, but I'd go as far as Power, Quinn, and a top D prospect. Gotta thin and churn assets if we want to flip the roster in a meaningful way.

Who are other young centers that Power could help land?

Forgive me but it's a week out from the deadline, silly season.

My idea Power + Quinn for Byfield + Spence.

 

[Zman5778]

Granted the Byfield chatter is just a Kypreos rumor, but hypothetically how much would you add to Power in that deal? What could force LA's hand in terms of value.

I wouldn't open with this offer, but I'd go as far as Power, Quinn, and a top D prospect. Gotta thin and churn assets if we want to flip the roster in a meaningful way.

Who are other young centers that Power could help land?

Forgive me but it's a week out from the deadline, silly season.

My idea Power + Quinn for Byfield + Spence.

Spence is more of the same, just right-handed. Not interested in him much at all. Yes, he's right-handed.....but he's Benson-sized and doesn't put up much offense. He's kind of like a right-handed, slightly better version of Bryson (who many here want to shoot into the sun even though he's a fine 7/8 guy).

The only LAK defenseman that really interests me is Mikey Anderson, and Blake would need his head checked ASAP if he dealt him.....that contract combined with what he brings is an absolute steal.

Going back to the idea of what I would add to Power to make a Byfield deal happen........................honestly, I'm not sure it'd be much. It's not like Byfield is a can't-miss two way center.....there are PLENTY of questions surrounding him still. Just like there are still plenty of questions surrounding Power. Maybe I'd add a B-level prospect.....but that'd be about it.

If we can get Blake drunk enough and somehow convince him to include Anderson with Byfield? OK, then we're talking Power plus plus. LA needs skill and offense. Frankly to get Anderson included I'd include JJP. Or Quinn plus one of our better prospects.

As far as other young centers......I have no earthly idea.

 

[toddkaz]

I see the debate with Dahlin, Power, Byram and Sammy and this is what 5 years of Adams has gotten us. It shouldn't be that hard to find a defensive partner for Power. Instead Adams was focused on the bottom six and did nothing to fix the defense. This team hasn't played defense in years and Adams does nothing to fix it. It should be this hard or difficult to find Power a veteran partner.

You can see Power struggles defensively and I just don't understand what is going through Adam's head not to work on getting a cohesive defense.

If we go into next year with the same defensive mess its just going to continue to damage Levi and UPL.

Also why we continue to play Bryson and Gilbert without giving Ryan Johnson a chance? I get the feeling management doesn't feel Johnson is an NHL defenseman. He is 23, if he isn't on the roster next year its pretty rare to have a 25 year old prospect become a full time NHL player. Sure it happens but its rare.


Its scary to think Adams might not get fired. Under normal circumstances you want to wait until the off season and the new GM make the changes.

Its tough to continue to cheer for this team....I wonder how the players feel with the clown GM and ownership.

 

[Beerz]

Who is this Mikey Anderson that I have never heard of?

 

[Zman5778]

Who is this Mikey Anderson that I have never heard of?

Kings' stay-at-home LHD that soaks up 23 tough minutes a night, even if he's "only" 6 foot even. He's basically what we hope(d) Samuelsson would become.

Kings would be absolutely moronic (or desperate?) to move him

 

[Fjordsen]

Spence is more of the same, just right-handed. Not interested in him much at all. Yes, he's right-handed.....but he's Benson-sized and doesn't put up much offense. He's kind of like a right-handed, slightly better version of Bryson (who many here want to shoot into the sun even though he's a fine 7/8 guy).

The only LAK defenseman that really interests me is Mikey Anderson, and Blake would need his head checked ASAP if he dealt him.....that contract combined with what he brings is an absolute steal.

Going back to the idea of what I would add to Power to make a Byfield deal happen........................honestly, I'm not sure it'd be much. It's not like Byfield is a can't-miss two way center.....there are PLENTY of questions surrounding him still. Just like there are still plenty of questions surrounding Power. Maybe I'd add a B-level prospect.....but that'd be about it.

If we can get Blake drunk enough and somehow convince him to include Anderson with Byfield? OK, then we're talking Power plus plus. LA needs skill and offense. Frankly to get Anderson included I'd include JJP. Or Quinn plus one of our better prospects.

As far as other young centers......I have no earthly idea.

I think you definitely don't know who Jordan Spence is. He's not like Bryson, maybe just in size. He moves the puck well, plays almost 18 minutes a game, is right-handed, smart, fast, could probably play on our second pairing. That doesn't sound like Bryson to me at all. I would probably think about Spurgeon as a potential candidate for Spence rather than Bryson.

 

[HOOats]

Spence is more of the same, just right-handed. Not interested in him much at all. Yes, he's right-handed.....but he's Benson-sized and doesn't put up much offense. He's kind of like a right-handed, slightly better version of Bryson (who many here want to shoot into the sun even though he's a fine 7/8 guy).

The only LAK defenseman that really interests me is Mikey Anderson, and Blake would need his head checked ASAP if he dealt him.....that contract combined with what he brings is an absolute steal.

Going back to the idea of what I would add to Power to make a Byfield deal happen........................honestly, I'm not sure it'd be much. It's not like Byfield is a can't-miss two way center.....there are PLENTY of questions surrounding him still. Just like there are still plenty of questions surrounding Power. Maybe I'd add a B-level prospect.....but that'd be about it.

If we can get Blake drunk enough and somehow convince him to include Anderson with Byfield? OK, then we're talking Power plus plus. LA needs skill and offense. Frankly to get Anderson included I'd include JJP. Or Quinn plus one of our better prospects.

As far as other young centers......I have no earthly idea.

I think Byfield is much closer to locking in as a two-way player at a level appropriate to his pedigree than Power is. He's having a strong metrics season under the radar. Power looks more likely to be an offense-only guy barring a major renaissance.

I'd be willing to include Quinn and "overpay" to make up for the positional value difference between LHD and C. And I don't think Rosen is far from being an option to replace Quinn.

Peterka-Byfield-Tage
Zucker-Kulich-Tuch
Benson-McLeod-Cozens
Greenway-Kozak-Malenstyn
Rosen, Lafferty

Byram-Dahlin
Samuelsson-xxx(Joki)
Johnson-Clifton
Gilbert, Bryson

That team is better than what we have now imo. With center depth to boot. We have the assets to go get a guy and not look back.

 

[Chainshot]

Granted the Byfield chatter is just a Kypreos rumor, but hypothetically how much would you add to Power in that deal? What could force LA's hand in terms of value.

I wouldn't open with this offer, but I'd go as far as Power, Quinn, and a top D prospect. Gotta thin and churn assets if we want to flip the roster in a meaningful way.

Who are other young centers that Power could help land?

Forgive me but it's a week out from the deadline, silly season.

I wouldn't add anything for Byfield. I would actually ask for something else back from the Kings.