The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[debaser66]

SHOULD he be our 1C? He's looked OK with Tage and Benson, though Benny is doing most of the work on that line and Tage is cleaning up. So no, we shouldn't count on him to be our nominal 1C.

WILL he be our 1C? I mean, this is Adams we're talking about. Of course he will be.

Certainly there is all the ingredients for another recipe for disaster throwing another rookie to the wolves.
If I had to make a bet, he probably isn't even thinking aquiring any 1C.
We could count ourselves lucky if he fixes the disaster of a D corp he created.
But that's probably more happening out of circumstance cause one of them needs an extension, he would do nothing if they are all locked up. Let's hope he isn't seriously thinking you can run a top3 like that because nobody in the league isn't even thinking out of the box like our own Terence Howard.

 

[Killakirillthethrill]

Stellar numbers, goes under appreciated!

 

[Der Jaeger]

The best thing I can say about the Sabres power play is that they use 2 different plans for the 2 units.

For the second unit, I'd go with Quinn - Power - Peterka in the umbrella, Tuch low and Kulich in the Oshie spot.

I like the umbrella idea.

Also, feel free to call me an idiot but I think having Benson out front and Power down low as a passer would also work well. I feel like Power could be really good at cross-ice passes to any of those umbrella shooters.

I think Benson does his best work below the goal line.

 

[RefsIdeas]

I knew Norris' numbers at even strength weren't great the past couple years, but ouch this isn't reassuring

View attachment 1008599

One caveat to this is that Norris has had difficult deployments in both defensive zone start % and QoC the past two years. These “with or without you” stats can be heavily skewed.

If you’re playing with Norris the past couple years, it’s more likely you’re facing a difficult deployment. Where if you’re playing without him, it’s more likely you have a favorable start.

 

[sabremike]

One caveat to this is that Norris has had difficult deployments in both defensive zone start % and QoC the past two years. These “with or without you” stats can be heavily skewed.

If you’re playing with Norris the past couple years, it’s more likely you’re facing a difficult deployment. Where if you’re playing without him, it’s more likely you have a favorable start.

So essentially a poor man's ROR except he's always out injured?

 

[Chainshot]

Stellar numbers, goes under appreciated!

I recall a King fan asking after his availability a few months ago and pointed out that he’s more productive at five on five than Kempe since Tuch became a Sabre, even with the missed time recovering from his surgery. On a better contract.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

It's weird that they got a PP guy who does something they already have in spades on the PP (that being the left half-wall shooter that is Tage's spot). I don't understand this team.

He’s also a PK guy and was defensively deployed ES player this season, at least based on the fans over on their board.. And I think he played with Batherson.

Let’s be honest, the guy will take on a completely different position on this team. I think it’s safe to say his ES xGF will go up significantly when he centers Tage and Peterka/Benson next season.

 

[Chainshot]

He’s also a PK guy and was defensively deployed ES player this season, at least based on the fans over on their board.. And I think he played with Batherson.

Let’s be honest, the guy will take on a completely different position on this team. I think it’s safe to say his ES xGF will go up significantly when he centers Tage and Peterka/Benson next season.

Senator fans seemed to think he and Batherson did not fit well together.

We’ll have to see if it works out, but considering the December rumor about a Rasmussen, I think they had a particular type in mind when they were looking to swap out Dylan. You are correct in terms of the defensive usage. I’m curious to see what wingers they saddle him with regularly in Buffalo.

Of course that’s a matter of when and if he plays

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Senator fans seemed to think he and Batherson did not fit well together.

We’ll have to see if it works out, but considering the December rumor about a Rasmussen, I think they had a particular type in mind when they were looking to swap out Dylan. You are correct in terms of the defensive usage. I’m curious to see what wingers they saddle him with regularly in Buffalo.

Of course that’s a matter of when and if he plays

That was who we were rumored to be targeting with Cozens?? Jeez, I missed that. I’d prefer Norris.

Yeah, we’ll have to see about him, but I think this trade will ending working out as well as the McLeod one. It might be a small improvement but an improvement nonetheless

 

[jc17]

One caveat to this is that Norris has had difficult deployments in both defensive zone start % and QoC the past two years. These “with or without you” stats can be heavily skewed.

If you’re playing with Norris the past couple years, it’s more likely you’re facing a difficult deployment. Where if you’re playing without him, it’s more likely you have a favorable start.

Not sure I'm ready to agree for a couple reasons

1) The d zone starts don't seem that high.
2) his stats aren't great with Tkachuk, and while they probably get hard minutes they're definitely not getting nick dowd, Johan Larson, 2018 ROR usage
3) without Tkachuk his gf% and xgf was 38% which the zone starts rarely justify
4) he had similar defensive zone Faceoff rates as cirelli, Erikson ek, Monahan, hischier. Other guys who still produced a bit and could win the goal differential at 5v5

Still definitely a possibility a usage change has the McLeod type of impact. Maybe that's the market inefficiency they're trying to exploit. But I'm not sure his opportunity was super limited before. Will be interesting to watch how it plays out

 

[toddkaz]

Buffalo is the only team who can't make a back door pass on the PP.

Back in the good old days when Drury and Briere were on the team that was their bread and butter.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Stellar numbers, goes under appreciated!

Those are Captian numbers!

 

[Chainshot]

That was who we were rumored to be targeting with Cozens?? Jeez, I missed that. I’d prefer Norris.

Yeah, we’ll have to see about him, but I think this trade will ending working out as well as the McLeod one. It might be a small improvement but an improvement nonetheless

That was the report as the player from some people around the Wings.

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

Stellar numbers, goes under appreciated!

Also tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals. Totally deserves some Selke consideration.

 

[RefsIdeas]

Not sure I'm ready to agree for a couple reasons

1) The d zone starts don't seem that high.
2) his stats aren't great with Tkachuk, and while they probably get hard minutes they're definitely not getting nick dowd, Johan Larson, 2018 ROR usage
3) without Tkachuk his gf% and xgf was 38% which the zone starts rarely justify
4) he had similar defensive zone Faceoff rates as cirelli, Erikson ek, Monahan, hischier. Other guys who still produced a bit and could win the goal differential at 5v5

Still definitely a possibility a usage change has the McLeod type of impact. Maybe that's the market inefficiency they're trying to exploit. But I'm not sure his opportunity was super limited before. Will be interesting to watch how it plays out

Yeah I agree with pretty much everything you said. My point is mostly about the WoWY stats being skewed w/usage.

I remember doing a little experiment a couple years ago about pulling WoWY stats for guys that had difficult usage, and all their common teammates seemed to struggle more when on the ice with them. Since then I’ve sort of thrown away those stats, unless the player has a pretty average QoC + 50/50 deployments.

 

[Selanne00008]

This team desperately needs a 1C and a 4RHD

I could see the RHD but 1C Adams doesn't have it in him.

It's wild that 3-4 years ago this team had TWO top 1C's.

 

[sabremike]

Also tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals. Totally deserves some Selke consideration.

Going to suck so hard when he gets traded at next season's deadline for a C level prospect and a conditional 3rd.

 

[Chainshot]

Buffalo is the only team who can't make a back door pass on the PP.

Back in the good old days when Drury and Briere were on the team that was their bread and butter.

That implies they have someone low who can make that pass. Hell it implies they have someone low and near the net. That's not been their thing for a long time.

 

[toddkaz]

That implies they have someone low who can make that pass. Hell it implies they have someone low and near the net. That's not been their thing for a long time.

I think you misread my post.

I said they are the only team that can't meaning not capable.

It would be nice to have a center who is pass first.

 

[Der Jaeger]

If I only had made the bet in 2011 that dire wolves would make a come back before the Sabres made the playoffs again……..

 

[Ace]

Who wants to bet we hear the line “we feel like adding Norris is adding to our top six. He wasn’t available when things started to turn around last year and adding him will only improve us up front”?

 

[MOGlLNY]

Who wants to bet we hear the line “we feel like adding Norris is adding to our top six. He wasn’t available when things started to turn around last year and adding him will only improve us up front”?

Don’t forget about saying “The Jack Quinn who finished the year is a strong addition to our club as well.”

We absolutely need Rasmus to force Adams’ hand.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Likely shows how big a influence Zucker has been on a young roster

 

[brian_griffin]

With regards to Byram, I'm open to all options. I think Dahlin can, essentially, carry any competent top 4 d-man on the top pair. Byram/Power doesn't really work.

Curious how Dahlin looks with and without Byram. My guess is they are similar.

My ideal summer (on defense)

Out: Byram, Samuelsson, Clifton
In: Two complementary d-men to play with Dahlin, Power.

XXXX-Dahlin
Power-YYYY
Johnson-JBD

I'd probably try to find a Byram for D-man trade and add another via UFA. Fine with buyouts for both Samuelsson/Clifton.

Why no love for CLifton? Your bottom-pairing is Ryan Johnson - JBD, both guys already in the organization, so you didn't need Clifton to garner either of them.

I'll ignore that buying out Samuelsson and Clifton is poor asset management. Both could garner picks, which could then be packaged with other picks / players.

Jack Quinn is 3 points away from having his best point total of his career.
Jack Quinn is 1 goal away from breaking his best goal total of his career.

In one way its remarkable considering he was a dumpster fire most of the season. I would hate to give up on him yet. I think he could be a 30+30 in this league.

Its also only his second full season so its early to turn the page. He is definitely an enigma.

He's an inconsistent enigma with a really good shot. Not sure I'd give up on that either. He's about the same age now - albeit with 3 NHL seasons under his belt - that Vic Olofsson was when he joined the Sabres at the NHL level.

For the second unit, I'd go with Quinn - Power - Peterka in the umbrella, Tuch low and Kulich in the Oshie spot.

I think Benson does his best work below the goal line.

Agreed. He's the best Sabres corner player by far when normalizing for size. Think of how much better PEterka, Quinn, Krebs would be if they had a fraction of Benson's brain.

 

[CowbellConray]

Just a continuation of a post made a few games ago:

1) 4 of their last 36 goals (not counting empty nets) in their past 8 games were scored outside of the faceoff dots. The guys are getting shots off in the slot, and it is paying off. I'm not sure if this is something that was decided by Ruff and the coaching squad, but this is how you score in the NHL and the Sabres are doing it
2) Multiple deflection goals lately or pucks scored off net front scrambles. Tuch against Boston, Thompson against Boston, Zucker against Tampa. They are putting a body in front of the goalie and shooting from the middle of the ice.
3) Transition play still look great. Thompson as a puck carrier looks spectacular lately. Really happy with the top 6 in their transition play.

I know the team is on an unsustainable shooting % heater, but I did go back and look at every goal scored over the last 5 games. It's very interesting:

1) 3 of their 26 goals in the past 5 games were from outside of the face-off dots. They are getting to the middle of the ice and getting prime chances. That was the opposite at the beginning of the year, where their offense was coming from the edges of the offensive zone.
2) Players are going to the crease. It's obvious. Get the puck in, cycle, get multiple bodies to the net, and try to get the puck on net. It's working, and it shouldn't be a surpise.
3) Transition play has improved. We were one of the worst transition teams to start the year. Hopefully they have figured it out under Ruff's system.

I dont expect them to score 5.5 goals a game moving forward. However, they are scoring right now by putting themselves in good positions to score. Let's hope that continues.