The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[GrierIsGod123]

I think it is a huge pile of hopium with no basis in the reality of the situation.

Ottawa is in a WC spot today.

The Sabres are on track for a top 5 draft pick. Again.

If Brady wants out, I doubt Ottawa moves him to a division rival for a package that is likely a lesser top 6 winger and futures. That makes zero sense whatsoever.

Yeah I cannot think of one good reason they do that. If they trade Brady, he's likely heading out west. I could see a team like Vegas ponying up some big pieces for him. In fact, teams would be lined up out the door for that guy after this past year and the 4 Nations. There's no doubt in my mind there'd be better pieces available than JJ Peterka.

That's not to say Peterka has low value. I personally don't love JJ and the way he plays. He seems like a softy and disappears too often for my liking. His speed and skill will be tantalizing for some teams but I don't think he's the answer. You want to change the look of your top 6, trading Peterka and Cozens is a good start. If they can somehow flip JJ for a different type of top 6 player I think it could be a good thing.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

The Flames had 111 points and won 59 games in the season before Tkachuk got traded. That was good for 1st place in the Pacific. So where Ottawa is today really means nothing for a trade.

The division rival thing is way overblown. Big trades happen between division rivals. They happen. Reinhart is on Buffalo, Sergachev was on Tampa, Kessel was on Boston. There’s more.

Ottawa reportedly asked for Peterka. That makes a ton of sense for them. He was a great winger for Stutzle, who is their franchise player, not Tkachuk.

There’s more here than you’re letting on to, just to make a point. I’m not saying it happens, but there’s a starting point for a discussion and it’s not out of the realm of the possible.

You make some good points but I still don't think that lines up with the reality of what that would do to Ottawa. Tkachuk is the kind of player that would rub it in their faces over and over. I think they'd deem that type of trade too risky to stay in division.

Also, I think they'd look at it from a standpoint of why would we want to become the Buffalo Sabres 2.0? They'd likely target some sort of player with a winning track record and leadership ability. Peterka is neither of those things.

 

[Fly Boy]

The Tkachuk talk to me is absolutely insane. Even if you believe the Sens would trade him, then trade him in division and the Sabres have a real chance at landing him, it won't matter. The guy isn't signing here long term. It just isn't happening. So why would you give up all your best trade assets for him when you could use them elsewhere for other players just as good, but help the team long term?

Unless he wins a cup with team he potentially gets traded to, the dude is 100% marching himself to UFA. And he's probably going to sign with Florida. It'll be one of those things after it happens people will say "In hindsight that seemed pretty obvious."

Buffalo had their chance to get a superstar player in EP. They blew it. This Tkachuk talk sounds like a ton of cope.

 

[Jim Bob]

The Flames had 111 points and won 59 games in the season before Tkachuk got traded. That was good for 1st place in the Pacific. So where Ottawa is today really means nothing for a trade.

The division rival thing is way overblown. Big trades happen between division rivals. They happen. Reinhart is on Buffalo, Sergachev was on Tampa, Kessel was on Boston. There’s more.

Ottawa reportedly asked for Peterka. That makes a ton of sense for them. He was a great winger for Stutzle, who is their franchise player, not Tkachuk.

There’s more here than you’re letting on to, just to make a point. I’m not saying it happens, but there’s a starting point for a discussion and it’s not out of the realm of the possible.

Matthew was also a pending RFA and Brady is under contract for a long time.

There are likely 10+ other trade options that make way more sense for Ottawa AND Brady IF they trade Brady which I think is a longshot right now.

Brady Tkachuk is a guy that absolutely every team will call on if he wants out.

And I cannot believe that he will want out primarily to play with Josh Norris again. If he wants out it will likely be because of a combination of competitiveness and taxes. Buffalo is less competitive than Ottawa today and the tax situation is not much different.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

The Tkachuk talk to me is absolutely insane. Even if you believe the Sens would trade him, then trade him in division and the Sabres have a real chance at landing him, it won't matter. The guy isn't signing here long term. It just isn't happening. So why would you give up all your best trade assets for him when you could use them elsewhere for other players just as good, but help the team long term?

Unless he wins a cup with team he potentially gets traded to, the dude is 100% marching himself to UFA. And he's probably going to sign with Florida. It'll be one of those things after it happens people will say "In hindsight that seemed pretty obvious."

Buffalo had their chance to get a superstar player in EP. They blew it. This Tkachuk talk sounds like a ton of cope.

Yup ... should've paid up for EP40 imo. He was right there for the taking and was probably Kevyn being stingy with a prospect or something like that. Now he's playing well in VAN and we traded one of the top pieces in Cozens that they'd require in this trade. I'd say that's dead in the water.

There's a chance they didn't want Cozens and were asking for Thompson or something like that. But, if it comes out that we could've acquired him for Cozens+ (Byram and Prospect even), Adams should be fired on the spot (he should be fired on the spot anyway).

 

[jc17]

Hindsight will always be 20/20 on EP

Everyone wanted good version of him. Dropped productivity potentially as a result of injury was the deterrent. Potentially a long term 11.6M mistake

Granted they gave 8 to another guy with injury issues ...

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Matthew was also a pending RFA and Brady is under contract for a long time.

There are likely 10+ other trade options that make way more sense for Ottawa AND Brady IF they trade Brady which I think is a longshot right now.

Brady Tkachuk is a guy that absolutely every team will call on if he wants out.

And I cannot believe that he will want out primarily to play with Josh Norris again. If he wants out it will likely be because of a combination of competitiveness and taxes. Buffalo is less competitive than Ottawa today and the tax situation is not much different.

Ottawa is playing quite well with Cozens basically playing 3C minutes. I could see them doing some damage in this year's playoffs, depending on who they draw in the first round could win a series at least. That will certainly change his wanting to be traded, unless he's completely hellbent on getting somewhere in the US with no state income tax. I have a hard time seeing him demanding a trade if/when they make the playoffs. They're built well to at least be competitive in those types of games.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Hindsight will always be 20/20 on EP

Everyone wanted good version of him. Dropped productivity potentially as a result of injury was the deterrent. Potentially a long term 11.6M mistake

Granted they gave 8 to another guy with injury issues ...

Exactly ... Norris making $8M is tough to then go and add a $12M player. That's a lot of money tied up in risky propositions in the middle. I think they need to seriously consider putting Thompson back in the middle and pairing him with our best playmakers (and Mitch Marner).

 

[toddkaz]

Exactly ... Norris making $8M is tough to then go and add a $12M player. That's a lot of money tied up in risky propositions in the middle. I think they need to seriously consider putting Thompson back in the middle and pairing him with our best playmakers (and Mitch Marner).

How about Josh Norris to Vancouver? No one says we have to keep him and I read Vancouver did inquire about Norris before Buffalo traded for him

Not saying its gonna happen but its possible. Although I don't think Vancouver moves EP40.

 

[THUNDERBURST]

I don't think Brady would want to leave Ottawa who has made him captain and are more competitive to come to Buffalo who is still a tire fire just because his BFF is here.

No, I meant Peterka, not Brady.

 

[TageGod]

Exactly ... Norris making $8M is tough to then go and add a $12M player. That's a lot of money tied up in risky propositions in the middle. I think they need to seriously consider putting Thompson back in the middle and pairing him with our best playmakers (and Mitch Marner).

I heard Norris was a potential flip to VAN for EP.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Matthew was also a pending RFA and Brady is under contract for a long time.

There are likely 10+ other trade options that make way more sense for Ottawa AND Brady IF they trade Brady which I think is a longshot right now.

Brady Tkachuk is a guy that absolutely every team will call on if he wants out.

And I cannot believe that he will want out primarily to play with Josh Norris again. If he wants out it will likely be because of a combination of competitiveness and taxes. Buffalo is less competitive than Ottawa today and the tax situation is not much different.

Good points at the beginning. Strawman argument at the end with Norris. I’ve never said he’d want to play in Buffalo because of Norris.

Buffalo has a stigma against it, for good reason (team history) but there’s stigma against the area is mostly because people who don’t live there have biases. Norris has the ability to help talk Tkachuk into buying in.

Eg: Ottawa finds a good deal with Buffalo, Norris makes a call to Brady and sells him a little. That’s all.

 

[Jim Bob]

Good points at the beginning. Strawman argument at the end with Norris. I’ve never said he’d want to play in Buffalo because of Norris.

Buffalo has a stigma against it, for good reason (team history) but there’s stigma against the area is mostly because people who don’t live there have biases. Norris has the ability to help talk Tkachuk into buying in.

Eg: Ottawa finds a good deal with Buffalo, Norris makes a call to Brady and sells him a little. That’s all.

I still can't get to why Brady Tkachuk would force a deal out of Ottawa and want a trade to Buffalo.

The logic just doesn't work for me.

And why would Buffalo trade for a guy that is forcing his way out of Ottawa and doesn't want to go to a team like Buffalo?

Most people who are dreaming of Brady Tkachuk are putting a ton of faith in Norris being Brady's BFF. I just don't buy that it would be that big of a deal.

That's why I think it's a ton of hopium. Brady will want to be a Sabre less than he wants to be a Sen in all likelihood. So, why give up a massive trade package for him in that case?

 

[Willgamesh]

I still can't get to why Brady Tkachuk would force a deal out of Ottawa and want a trade to Buffalo.

The logic just doesn't work for me.

And why would Buffalo trade for a guy that is forcing his way out of Ottawa and doesn't want to go to a team like Buffalo?

Most people who are dreaming of Brady Tkachuk are putting a ton of faith in Norris being Brady's BFF. I just don't buy that it would be that big of a deal.

That's why I think it's a ton of hopium. Brady will want to be a Sabre less than he wants to be a Sen in all likelihood. So, why give up a massive trade package for him in that case?

 

[Selanne00008]

Well. If buffalo signs all their rfas to market level deals and doesn’t move any salary out, they will be close to the cap. Is the team willing to spend that much to be close to the cap?

They will be spending 13 million more if they ‘run it back’ in terms of salary than this year.

Maybe an offer sheet isn’t about whether they have space or not but are they willing to spend it. And that will be after the buyout period is over so they won’t have easy options to cut costs. And what if that player has already asked for a trade?

It’ll be an interesting summer, that’s for sure.

This is wild to me. This roster has how many players "underwater" and not worth their contract? I would have put Cozens on that list too.

At least teams like SJ and Chicago are spending barley to the cap floor. Somehow we have 7++ mill players and we still suck.

I'd overpay to get Brady Tkachuk here, but I don't see it happening in the real world. If you're an Ott fan what are you actually going to ask for? I wouldn't want JJ, 2025 1st rounder, +. I'd hang up.

 

[SundherDome]

Servavalli: Peterka is one of the "Malcontents" in Sabres locker room with offer sheet threat an option.


Who are the other Malcontents?

My guess, based on body language and performance.

Cozens
Peterka
Samuelsson
Lafferty
**Maybe Quinn**

 

[Der Jaeger]

I still can't get to why Brady Tkachuk would force a deal out of Ottawa and want a trade to Buffalo.

The logic just doesn't work for me.

And why would Buffalo trade for a guy that is forcing his way out of Ottawa and doesn't want to go to a team like Buffalo?

Most people who are dreaming of Brady Tkachuk are putting a ton of faith in Norris being Brady's BFF. I just don't buy that it would be that big of a deal.

That's why I think it's a ton of hopium. Brady will want to be a Sabre less than he wants to be a Sen in all likelihood. So, why give up a massive trade package for him in that case?

You're conflating a bunch of points.

Would Brady Tkachuk force a trade out of Ottawa? Yes. There have been rumors and hints of a difference between his camp and Senators management. Based on family history, I'm making the assumption that it's real.

Would Brady Tkachuk decide to come to Buffalo? Never. But he doesn't get that choice until July 1st.

Imagine any of the Sabres high-dollar core players (Dahlin, Thompson, Power) were at odd with Adams and ownership. Would you advise waiting until after a NTC or NMC kicked in to make a trade? You're bound to get a lesser return and the player controls destination.

If Ottawa was going to move Tkachuk, it makes way more sense to do it prior to July 1st. After that, their either locked in with someone who could become a malcontent, or trading somewhere for less than market value.

Buffalo has Peterka, a player on the rise and who has connections to Stutzle. Buffalo has the ammunition to put together a serious offer. Tkachuk can't veto it until after July 1st, so if it's made before, that's where he's at.

You're overthinking what I'm saying about Norris. If you got traded to a place you didn't want to go, but your BFF was there, and he starts telling you it's a pretty good place to be, that takes some of the sting away and you report.

Do I think Tkachuk ends up in Buffalo? Not really. Do I think there's enough there to make it possible? Yes. And if I'm Adams, I'm calling the day after Ottawa lock clean out day.

 

[Chainshot]

This Tkachuk stuff is silly. There is no reason for him to accept a trade to Buffalo nor to want to play in Buffalo. FFS.

 

[Der Jaeger]

This Tkachuk stuff is silly. There is no reason for him to accept a trade to Buffalo nor to want to play in Buffalo. FFS.

I don't understand why people keep mentioning this? He doesn't have any trade protection until July 1st, 2025.

Dreaming and projection? Sure. But he's got no ability to block a trade prior to July 1st.

 

[Chainshot]

Bernard-Docker hasn't played a game in 2025 -- Dec 28th was his last game for Ottawa.

I don't understand recalling Rosen and not playing him. I also don't understand calling up Murray - the best net front PP scorer in the AHL - and not putting him on the PP.

 

[Chainshot]

I don't understand why people keep mentioning this? He doesn't have any trade protection until July 1st, 2025.

Dreaming and projection? Sure. But he's got no ability to block a trade prior to July 1st.

Delusion would be another word for it.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Delusion would be another word for it.

Posters can say what they want. There is logic behind a move like that, which I've laid out. Whether you or anyone think it's possible is completely another thing.

I'm not alone. Marty Biron mentioned Tkachuk right after the Norris trade. I imagine someone as thoughtful as Biron with the hockey knowledge and understanding he possesses isn't making that comment based on the same strawman argument thrown back at me about Norris.

Delusion would be "hey let's trade for McDavid." There's legitimately almost no basis for Edmonton to make a trade or McDavid to veto the trade (though he did want to come to Buffalo in the draft, but that ship has long sailed).

 

[SundherDome]

Bernard-Docker hasn't played a game in 2025 -- Dec 28th was his last game for Ottawa.

I don't understand recalling Rosen and not playing him. I also don't understand calling up Murray - the best net front PP scorer in the AHL - and not putting him on the PP.

Few extra dollars in Rosen's pocket?

 

[Fly Boy]

I don't understand why people keep mentioning this? He doesn't have any trade protection until July 1st, 2025.

Dreaming and projection? Sure. But he's got no ability to block a trade prior to July 1st.

So let me get this straight. You're be willing to trade premium assets for 3 years (effectively only 2) of Brady Tkachuk and then when it's been painfully obvious that he was never going to re-sign have to trade him in the last year of his contract when his NTC has kicked in for a fraction of what you originally traded for him?

That's incredibly f***ing stupid.

The best outcome for the Sabres when it comes to Brady is that he gets delt to the West and re-signs there so there's no chance of joining his brother in Florida.

This conversation is so dumb. It's never happening.

 

[Jim Bob]

I don't understand why people keep mentioning this? He doesn't have any trade protection until July 1st, 2025.

Dreaming and projection? Sure. But he's got no ability to block a trade prior to July 1st.

It doesn't make any logical sense.

He is available because he is really, really, really unhappy. So, a team that he probably would be less happy with playing for should trade a huge package to acquire him and hope they can change his mind.

So, what happens for the Sabres if he is even more unhappy in Buffalo than Ottawa, has a horrible attitude, and is basically "Trade me right ****ing now!" from day 1 onward?