The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Der Jaeger]

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.

I watch Benson more than any other Sabre, because my son plays the same style game and we use him for learning points. There's a lot to what Benson does down low.

Stickhandling in tight quarters. That's not something every NHL player does well. Benson has a shorter stick, compared to other players, due to his height so he can move it around a little easier.

There's a component of neurological training involved. If you aren't trained to coordinated hands-feet-body-eyes at the same time, those quick board plays are harder. Benson has trained that, it seems.

Hockey IQ is really important. A quick 5 foot or even 3 foot pass down low is usually a fast play and often go unnoticed, but they aren't easy to see, anticipate, or execute.

Toughness is a huge factor because you're going to get bounced around.

Body positioning in a big factor. Knowing how to take a hit, how to pin to deny movement, how to come in when you're the F2, etc is all huge.

Zucker does a good bit of this but Benson is going to end up being a master at it when his career is complete.

 

[Chainshot]

One of the things with Benson is how often he is getting stick on puck and even before that stick on stick. He's disruptive to someone having their blade in the correct position when his line is in the offensive zone just by knocking sticks aside. Then in board battles, he's often using another player's own stick by striking it to cause even minor separation and loss of control. It gives him just enough time to get himself into the player's hands and get his own stick on the puck. He's not looking for a straight steal or strip, he's disrupting over and over again until he's either won the puck or not. It's mini battles, repeated. It's part of why he's so f***ing annoying to play against because he just doesn't stop hounding the guy.

 

[toddkaz]

@Beerz has finally won me over. Krebs needs to go.

Watching the skill of this team he just doesn't fit in.

He also is the dumbest player on the team.

 

[jc17]

Stickhandling in tight quarters. That's not something every NHL player does well. Benson has a shorter stick, compared to other players, due to his height so he can move it around a little easier.

There's a component of neurological training involved. If you aren't trained to coordinated hands-feet-body-eyes at the same time, those quick board plays are harder. Benson has trained that, it seems.

Hockey IQ is really important. A quick 5 foot or even 3 foot pass down low is usually a fast play and often go unnoticed, but they aren't easy to see, anticipate, or execute.

There's a big intersection between the stickhandling/coordination and IQ as well.

When you can control the puck, and have the ability to escape pressure, there's more time to see the ice, make the pass you want to make, or create space by moving with the puck. I think that was a big part of tage's breakout. He went from having the toe-drag to a really solid arsenal of puck control

Quinn and Krebs have each made some nice moves from time to time, but neither can consistently control the puck. While the consensus is that we have enough skill, a skill guy like quinn would probably be well served working really hard on his coordination and handling this summer. Of course, he'll also have to work on not simpy getting pushed off the puck as well, but I think those two things would go a long way for someone like him

 

[Dubi Doo]

One of the things with Benson is how often he is getting stick on puck and even before that stick on stick. He's disruptive to someone having their blade in the correct position when his line is in the offensive zone just by knocking sticks aside. Then in board battles, he's often using another player's own stick by striking it to cause even minor separation and loss of control. It gives him just enough time to get himself into the player's hands and get his own stick on the puck. He's not looking for a straight steal or strip, he's disrupting over and over again until he's either won the puck or not. It's mini battles, repeated. It's part of why he's so f***ing annoying to play against because he just doesn't stop hounding the guy.

Reminds me of my late pug who would go toe-to-toe with our late lab. The lab had the size, but always wanted to play nonchalant with the pug, but the pug always went a 110 and would nibble at the lab's ears if he got really pissy. The pug was the alpha of the household. The lab just couldn't match the pug's intensity.

 

[Jacob582]

@Beerz has finally won me over. Krebs needs to go.

Watching the skill of this team he just doesn't fit in.

He also is the dumbest player on the team.

Ruff would disagree with you.

Krebs played the second most minutes among forwards the last game.

 

[toddkaz]

Ruff would disagree with you.

Krebs played the second most minutes among forwards the last game.

We will see if he is even on the team next year.

You think pointing to one or two games means Krebs is the 3C next year?

Norris
Kulich
Ostlund

Will be 1C, 2C, 3C and thats if we make no trades for a center. Ostlund is probably the future 1-2C on this team and Krebs will either move to wing or be gone. Then you have Helenius in the pipeline. Krebs days are numbered.

 

[CowbellConray]

We will see if he is even on the team next year.

You think pointing to one or two games means Krebs is the 3C next year?

Norris
Kulich
Ostlund

Will be 1C, 2C, 3C and thats if we make no trades for a center. Ostlund is probably the future 1-2C on this team and Krebs will either move to wing or be gone. Then you have Helenius in the pipeline. Krebs days are numbered.

He has average over 15:00 a game since March 27th, and doesn't get PP time. I think he will clearly be here next season, and it's a question of their interest in making him a longer term option after his current deal ends. There isn't any reason to move a player who makes 1.4M and whose production isn't really an issue. I understand an upgrade, but then you slide him to the 4th line and move on from him at the end of next year.

Center spine next year is:
Norris
Kulich
Mcleod
Krebs
x: Ostlund (will play up and down the lineup as needed)
x: Kozak (4th line/13th FW)

Maybe they upgrade with a top 6 center if they deal Peterka, but I honestly dont see it happening. Krebs will play 12-14 ES minutes a night, which I dont think is that bad of a thing.

 

[kirby11]

One of the things with Benson is how often he is getting stick on puck and even before that stick on stick. He's disruptive to someone having their blade in the correct position when his line is in the offensive zone just by knocking sticks aside. Then in board battles, he's often using another player's own stick by striking it to cause even minor separation and loss of control. It gives him just enough time to get himself into the player's hands and get his own stick on the puck. He's not looking for a straight steal or strip, he's disrupting over and over again until he's either won the puck or not. It's mini battles, repeated. It's part of why he's so f***ing annoying to play against because he just doesn't stop hounding the guy.

His decisive and intentional stick use is one of my favorite parts of his forechecking. Just denies anything easy and consistently forces guys to try higher skill or higher risk plays to move the puck out of danger.

 

[Dahlicious]

@Beerz has finally won me over. Krebs needs to go.

Watching the skill of this team he just doesn't fit in.

He also is the dumbest player on the team.

Maybe it's just me but I think he's a perfectly fine 4th liner. I don't necessarily *want* to see him play a meaningful role, but I don't think he's a drain on the team, either.

 

[Dubi Doo]

It's been too damn long:

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[toddkaz]

He has average over 15:00 a game since March 27th, and doesn't get PP time. I think he will clearly be here next season, and it's a question of their interest in making him a longer term option after his current deal ends. There isn't any reason to move a player who makes 1.4M and whose production isn't really an issue. I understand an upgrade, but then you slide him to the 4th line and move on from him at the end of next year.

Center spine next year is:
Norris
Kulich
Mcleod
Krebs
x: Ostlund (will play up and down the lineup as needed)
x: Kozak (4th line/13th FW)

Maybe they upgrade with a top 6 center if they deal Peterka, but I honestly dont see it happening. Krebs will play 12-14 ES minutes a night, which I dont think is that bad of a thing.

Ostlund will be the full time 3C next year. I would even bet on it. He will be 22 next year and I don't see him going back to the AHL. I don't see him moving up and down the lineup either because he is a center and Norris and Kulich are a lock for 1C-2C.

Of course its just my opinion but thats how I see it playing out.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Ostlund will be the full time 3C next year. I would even bet on it. He will be 22 next year and I don't see him going back to the AHL. I don't see him moving up and down the lineup either because he is a center and Norris and Kulich are a lock for 1C-2C.

Of course its just my opinion but thats how I see it playing out.

You just acquired a really good 50pt 3C in Mcleod. And please do not say he's a 2C (unless there is injury). Not going into a year you MUST make the playoffs.

 

[Ehran]

Ostlund will be the full time 3C next year. I would even bet on it. He will be 22 next year and I don't see him going back to the AHL. I don't see him moving up and down the lineup either because he is a center and Norris and Kulich are a lock for 1C-2C.

Of course its just my opinion but thats how I see it playing out.

Eh, what about McLeod? I don't see the team moving away from him, not after the price they paid to get him. (Savoie)

From what we've seen from Adams, he'll want "his guys". So Norris at 1C, Kulich and McLeod at 2C & 3C.

Do you put Ostlund on the wing to give him time to acclimate to the NHL? But if so, who do you drop from the lineup? Unless Adams starts moving players to fill other holes, which I don't expect him to do, there will be a logjam. Still. I expect Adams to sit on his thumbs and convince himself that all is well.

If Ostlund doesn't have to clear waivers, he goes back down. (not that I want him to but this is what I expect Adams to do.

 

[CowbellConray]

Ostlund will be the full time 3C next year. I would even bet on it. He will be 22 next year and I don't see him going back to the AHL. I don't see him moving up and down the lineup either because he is a center and Norris and Kulich are a lock for 1C-2C.

Of course its just my opinion but thats how I see it playing out.

I really like Ostlund, and think he is a future top 6 C. However, Ostlund has had 70% o-zone starts in his 3 games, and faceoff % of 25%. Meanwhile, Krebs has bee a 50% Faceoff guy and has had a productive year even with 40% o-zone starts. Krebs has shown good growth this year, and at 24, is coming into his own. I think he may even have another level to him, where he can be a solid 35-40 point 3rd line center who can play both ends of the ice.

I think Ostlund is a guy who will go up and down the lineup next year, just like they have done with Benson, Quinn, Peterka, Kulich before him.

 

[Buffalowing1988]

I really like Ostlund, and think he is a future top 6 C. However, Ostlund has had 70% o-zone starts in his 3 games, and faceoff % of 25%. Meanwhile, Krebs has bee a 50% Faceoff guy and has had a productive year even with 40% o-zone starts. Krebs has shown good growth this year, and at 24, is coming into his own. I think he may even have another level to him, where he can be a solid 35-40 point 3rd line center who can play both ends of the ice.

I think Ostlund is a guy who will go up and down the lineup next year, just like they have done with Benson, Quinn, Peterka, Kulich before him.

I agree with the general sentiment that Krebs has been one of the lower-IQ players on the team, but he's definitely more talented than his play has looked the last couple seasons. I'm sure he'll put it together and be a valuable Top-9 pest/plug player on a playoff team. Just not with us.

 

[SundherDome]

Maybe it's just me but I think he's a perfectly fine 4th liner. I don't necessarily *want* to see him play a meaningful role, but I don't think he's a drain on the team, either.

He has really found a spot with Zucker and Tuch. I'd move him but it would need to be a very good hockey trade to fill a hole on defense or a premium pick that can be used to flip.

 

[toddkaz]

Eh, what about McLeod? I don't see the team moving away from him, not after the price they paid to get him. (Savoie)

From what we've seen from Adams, he'll want "his guys". So Norris at 1C, Kulich and McLeod at 2C & 3C.

Do you put Ostlund on the wing to give him time to acclimate to the NHL? But if so, who do you drop from the lineup? Unless Adams starts moving players to fill other holes, which I don't expect him to do, there will be a logjam. Still. I expect Adams to sit on his thumbs and convince himself that all is well.

If Ostlund doesn't have to clear waivers, he goes back down. (not that I want him to but this is what I expect Adams to do.

The issue is Adams gathers all the same types of players and Ostlund is the type of center this team needs.

He shouldn't be in Rochester next year but you are right, Adams is an idiot so who knows what is does.

I still feel like there is no room at center for Krebs on this team.

 

[DJN21]

gotta find someone to dump Lafferty onto in the offseason. His position/role and most salary are the most non luxurious luxury we have. That money could be better spent elsewhere and frankly he isn't even needed.

 

[SundherDome]

The issue is Adams gathers all the same types of players and Ostlund is the type of center this team needs.

He shouldn't be in Rochester next year but you are right, Adams is an idiot so who knows what is does.

I still feel like there is no room at center for Krebs on this team.

Krebs/Kozak are the only 4th line centers on the team, there is a need for both. The Log jam is at 2c/3c as you have Norris, McLeod, Kulich who can be a 2C and Krebs, McLeod and Kulich who can rotate into the 3c. I'd still love to get one more 1/2 C as I don't trust Norris' health and am fine with Kulich playing on the wing.

 

[SundherDome]

gotta find someone to dump Lafferty onto in the offseason. His position/role and most salary are the most non luxurious luxury we have. That money could be better spent elsewhere and frankly he isn't even needed.

His game has really turned a corner since he was re-insterted. That said, a bottom 6 center that can give you quality minutes, is a year from UFA and makes not a lot with the cap going up, Adams should be able to get something for him if he shops him.

Samuelsson is the white whale that needs to go imo.

 

[DJN21]

His game has really turned a corner since he was re-insterted. That said, a bottom 6 center that can give you quality minutes, is a year from UFA and makes not a lot with the cap going up, Adams should be able to get something for him if he shops him.

Samuelsson is the white whale that needs to go imo.

get them a pair of plane tickets...

 

[DJN21]

His game has really turned a corner since he was re-insterted. That said, a bottom 6 center that can give you quality minutes, is a year from UFA and makes not a lot with the cap going up, Adams should be able to get something for him if he shops him.

Samuelsson is the white whale that needs to go imo.

People want a 1c....me too, lets hope.
Norris is at worst your 2c no getting around that
mcleod is 3c at worst
Kozak....krebs...is Kulich a center? Does Ostlund stick?

Lafferty is advertised as a center and is wasted here. Find him a nice new home and I'll find a better way to use the 2 mill he's making is all I'm saying.....

 

[SundherDome]

People want a 1c....me too, lets hope.
Norris is at worst your 2c no getting around that
mcleod is 3c at worst
Kozak....krebs...is Kulich a center? Does Ostlund stick?

Lafferty is advertised as a center and is wasted here. Find him a nice new home and I'll find a better way to use the 2 mill he's making is all I'm saying.....

Kulich, imo is a center BUT we can't Cozens him and it seems like Adams has learned that lesson. Let's hope it sticks.

I think Ostlund is traded this off-season imo.

Lafferty I am fine with keeping if he is okay being the 13th. If he wants more, I would imagine there are probably 5-10 teams who would trade a mid round pick for him.

 

[Chainshot]

Kulich, imo is a center BUT we can't Cozens him and it seems like Adams has learned that lesson. Let's hope it sticks.

I think Ostlund is traded this off-season imo.

Ummm... why? For f***'s sake why?

Lafferty I am fine with keeping if he is okay being the 13th. If he wants more, I would imagine there are probably 5-10 teams who would trade a mid round pick for him.