The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Doug Prishpreed]

I saw this discussion earlier and was thinking that we should break it out as a general coaching thread kind of like the goaltending thread. I think if they’re looking for an experienced assistant, they should be knocking on Jay McKee’s door, sleeping on his front steps so they are the first thing he sees in the morning, and cleaning up after his dog in the backyard so he doesn’t have to. Whatever it takes man, whatever it takes.

I feel like I heard somewhere that McKee has connections to a team and GM that isn’t Adams/Buffalo. I wish I could remember…I feel like I heard he was being groomed but I could be mistaken.

Anyway, yeah, they should 100% already be maintaining and nurturing a relationship with him to try to get him over.

 

[Chainshot]

I feel like I heard somewhere that McKee has connections to a team and GM that isn’t Adams/Buffalo. I wish I could remember…I feel like I heard he was being groomed but I could be mistaken.

Anyway, yeah, they should 100% already be maintaining and nurturing a relationship with him to try to get him over.

Ottawa - Andlauer was his OHL team’s owner.

 

[sabremike]

I appreciate that as a guest on podcasts and interviews that hosts always praise him about his level of preparation.

I just don’t see breaking him in at the NHL level for coaching as a path forward. I’m curious if he’s going to the NCAA following the volunteer assistant to pay assistant to head coach path.

I mean, it's worth a gamble...

 

[Chainshot]

I mean, it's worth a gamble...

Nah. Remember how Peca went down to Rochester to get experience behind a bench. He had been doing quality control work for Laviolette and Pete told him he needed actual assistant experience. That would be my take for Thomas as well. Go do it somewhere at a high level. I don’t think they’re in a position where they can afford to gamble on assistant coaches. Five years ago? Sure. Now? No way.

 

[sabremike]

Nah. Remember how Peca went down to Rochester to get experience behind a bench. He had been doing quality control work for Laviolette and Pete told him he needed actual assistant experience. That would be my take for Thomas as well. Go do it somewhere at a high level. I don’t think they’re in a position where they can afford to gamble on assistant coaches. Five years ago? Sure. Now? No way.

Weiterleitungshinweis

 

[brian_griffin]

Is that the German wooly milk pig word for a one size does everything solution

 

[Dahlicious]

I saw this discussion earlier and was thinking that we should break it out as a general coaching thread kind of like the goaltending thread. I think if they’re looking for an experienced assistant, they should be knocking on Jay McKee’s door, sleeping on his front steps so they are the first thing he sees in the morning, and cleaning up after his dog in the backyard so he doesn’t have to. Whatever it takes man, whatever it takes.

Big fan of the McKee idea. Seems like an Adams/Lindy move too.

 

[toddkaz]

Elias Pettersson out for the rest of the season. Probably not a target Buffalo should be looking at in the off season. That and I doubt he is traded anymore although his NMC doesn't kick in until July 1st. I do think the Canucks keep him.

Probably good Buffalo didn't trade for him.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Elias Pettersson out for the rest of the season. Probably not a target Buffalo should be looking at in the off season. That and I doubt he is traded anymore although his NMC doesn't kick in until July 1st. I do think the Canucks keep him.

Probably good Buffalo didn't trade for him.

Ya, we need fewer mercurial skill-only guys.

I’ve seen enough where I want Quinn and Power gone.

Quinn- dunno what happened, but he’s been dogshit this year. Lack of physicality means even if he turns it around, boo. Entitled offense-only player. Peterka is somethin. Quinn ain’t. 1/2 ain’t awful, sell low, just get something.
Power- Very talented, he’s gonna become a heck of an offensive dman- but dude is so goddamn soft. I dunno if you can coach it outta him, but it isn’t happening here. He doesn’t even need to hit anybody, he just needs to not avoid hits all the f***ing time.

 

[HaNotsri]

I think we need to swing for EP. Price should be at an all time low. Extreme risk but we need to make it next season. Nothing will be left of this franchise if it's another year of losing anyway.

He doesn't fix the roster composition and lack of grit but we close the talent gap.

 

[toddkaz]

I think we need to swing for EP. Price should be at an all time low. Extreme risk but we need to make it next season. Nothing will be left of this franchise if it's another year of losing anyway.

He doesn't fix the roster composition and lack of grit but we close the talent gap.

If he didn't have an injury history I would agree. At this point I would prefer to build on the core we have than make a major change for someone like EP who doesn't seem to have that top speed anymore.

Reimer has shown what steady goaltending can do so if they can fix the defense by bringing in a top 4 defenseman and a forward who will drop the gloves when the time comes but still adds to the team, I would be happy with that. Greenway is that guy but is injured too often.

Right now it looks like there is a gluttony of forwards for next year so some will have to go. When Norris and Greenway are healthy along with Kozak they will have to make some decisions. I hope Kozak stays with the team next year, I really like his energy.

I don't expect much out of Adams so if we can get a top 4 veteran who can pair with Power I will be happy.

 

[nickdawg95]

I think we need to swing for EP. Price should be at an all time low. Extreme risk but we need to make it next season. Nothing will be left of this franchise if it's another year of losing anyway.

He doesn't fix the roster composition and lack of grit but we close the talent gap.

we should of went after Miller. EP is mentality weak. He would be a disaster in buffalo

 

[Djp]

If he didn't have an injury history I would agree. At this point I would prefer to build on the core we have than make a major change for someone like EP who doesn't seem to have that top speed anymore.

Reimer has shown what steady goaltending can do so if they can fix the defense by bringing in a top 4 defenseman and a forward who will drop the gloves when the time comes but still adds to the team, I would be happy with that. Greenway is that guy but is injured too often.

Right now it looks like there is a gluttony of forwards for next year so some will have to go. When Norris and Greenway are healthy along with Kozak they will have to make some decisions. I hope Kozak stays with the team next year, I really like his energy.

I don't expect much out of Adams so if we can get a top 4 veteran who can pair with Power I will be happy.

As I mentioned in the other thread...

Xxx-norris-tage
Zucker-kulich-Tuch
Greenway-mcleod -xxx
Malenstyn-yyy-Lafferty

xxx= peterka, quinn, benson
yyy = Krebs, Kozak

Greenway-- he is replaced with Wahlberg
Zucker-hr us replaced by young F in Rochester

Zzz-Dahlin
Zzz- JBD
RyJo-Clifton
Bryson

Zzz= Samuelson, power, byram op

I see them making trades in the summer possibly moving 1-2 players in each of the xxx,yyy, and zzz groups

we should of went after Miller. EP is mentality weak. He would be a disaster in buffalo

Personality id hate him, that's before the contract. 6 yrs for a 30+ player is a boat anchor

 

[OkimLom]

I think we need to swing for EP. Price should be at an all time low. Extreme risk but we need to make it next season. Nothing will be left of this franchise if it's another year of losing anyway.

He doesn't fix the roster composition and lack of grit but we close the talent gap.

We don’t need more talent, we need better/different culture. EP doesn’t improve or change our current culture. We need guys rich with intangibles.

 

[toddkaz]

As I mentioned in the other thread...

Xxx-norris-tage
Zucker-kulich-Tuch
Greenway-mcleod -xxx
Malenstyn-yyy-Lafferty

xxx= peterka, quinn, benson
yyy = Krebs, Kozak

Greenway-- he is replaced with Wahlberg
Zucker-hr us replaced by young F in Rochester

Zzz-Dahlin
Zzz- JBD
RyJo-Clifton
Bryson

Zzz= Samuelson, power, byram Bop

I see them making trades in the summer possibly moving 1-2 players in each of the xxx,yyy, and zzz groups


Personality id hate him, that's before the contract. 6 yrs for a 30+ player is a boat anchor

I would pencil in Benson on the top line. He really has looked good there and I expect(hope) his offense goes to the next level next year.


Benson - Norris - Tage
Peterka - Kulich - Tuch
Zucker - McLoed - Quinn
Malenstyn - Krebs - Greenway

Lafferty, Ostlund, Kozak

Thats how I see it next year without changes.

 

[RefsIdeas]

Elias Pettersson out for the rest of the season. Probably not a target Buffalo should be looking at in the off season. That and I doubt he is traded anymore although his NMC doesn't kick in until July 1st. I do think the Canucks keep him.

Probably good Buffalo didn't trade for him.

From what I’ve read from Vancouver fans, he has a knee injury that’s been bothering him for over a year. Last offseason he didn’t get surgery, just had treatment and thought it would fix it.

Depending on the nature of the injury + if the surgery is likely to correct it - I’d take the gamble. If it’s something he’s going to have to manage the rest of his career then I’d stay far away.

 

[OkimLom]

Who should Buffalo target in t

I would pencil in Benson on the top line. He really has looked good there and I expect(hope) his offense goes to the next level next year.


Benson - Norris - Tage
Peterka - Kulich - Tuch
Zucker - McLoed - Quinn
Malenstyn - Krebs - Greenway

Lafferty, Ostlund, Kozak

Thats how I see it next year without changes.

I’m curious what signs from Benson indicates that one should expect/hope to see a jump in offensive production from him next year.

 

[Jim Bob]

Because he wants to be the President of Hockey Ops?

Because his actress wife and family are entrenched in California and I doubt he wants to live the life of an NHL assistant coach.

I also doubt he would want any position with the Sabres that would require him to relocate back to Buffalo.

Even as he's moved to working for San Jose, he and his family still live in SoCal.

 

[Ehran]

I’m curious what signs from Benson indicates that one should expect/hope to see a jump in offensive production from him next year.

I guess it depends on how anyone defines "jump"?

He's 19 and built off a very good rookie year. He's also moved up in the lineup lately. So natural progression as he grows older, stronger, and more experienced, combined with more time in the top 6 (and possibly powerplay), I could see him "jumping" from 30ish points this season to around 45 or 50 next. That would be a 50% to 67% increase.

He'll only be 20 next season and nowhere near his prime.

 

[toddkaz]

I’m curious what signs from Benson indicates that one should expect/hope to see a jump in offensive production from him next year.

he is constantly at the top of the leaderboard in advanced stats
he is only 19 and most people in his draft class aren't even in the NHL yet
he outscored Savoie as a teammate and Savoie has 51 points in 63 games in the AHL.
he was the 2nd in scoring in the WHL for draft eligible players only behind Bedard
His elite hockey IQ, his effort, his elite passing, his ability to make plays, processes the game at a high level

He might not even be in the NHL yet if he was drafted by another team.

Not posting this to back up Benson's ability just interesting watch if you like.

 

[Djp]

As I mentioned in the other thread...

I would pencil in Benson on the top line. He really has looked good there and I expect(hope) his offense goes to the next level next year.


Benson - Norris - Tage
Peterka - Kulich - Tuch
Zucker - McLoed - Quinn
Malenstyn - Krebs - Greenway

Lafferty, Ostlund, Kozak

Thats how I see it next year without changes.

I wasny picking line ips. Just focusing on somr pkayers getting moved

I have a feeling they send benson yo rochester to start the season to try and get him dcoring more anf get confidencf in scoring. Other moves could trigger this

I’m curious what signs from Benson indicates that one should expect/hope to see a jump in offensive production from him next year.

He has decent advanced stats. Remember he's only 19.

 

[jc17]

I’m curious what signs from Benson indicates that one should expect/hope to see a jump in offensive production from him next year.

At even strength
1) This year he led the team in high danger chances. He goes to the net, goals should come
2) He shot 6%, which should be about the minimum
3) Outside of his recent combination with Tage and Kulich, most of his minutes were with a combo or Quinn, Krebs, and cozens. His production wasn't cratered by those guys, so maybe it didn't have an impact but I could see an improvement with more predictable linemates

PP he didn't do much with the opportunity he got, but I would be surprised if he didnt find some additional production there. just a hunch on that one though

 

[toddkaz]

Zach Benson goals above replacement(GAR) is in the 99 percentile in the league defensively. At 19 thats crazy.

Zach Benson's defensive stats have a big gap to the next player.

 

[OkimLom]

Mods Delete please

 

[Chainshot]

I can think of one particular NHLer who had a very good defensive game when he surprisingly broke into the league at 18 who only had 26 points in each of his first two NHL season before becoming a perennial 50-60 point guy with lots of hardware to his name.