The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[toddkaz]

It would be an overpayment. Kulich + Clifton for McBain and Kesselring

The only way I trade Kulich is if the better player is coming back.

 

[CowbellConray]

Gross.

To me, if you want to improve the roster, a series of moves need to be made. 2 of Kulich, Benson, Ostlund, Rosen, and Helenius need to be on the table. I dont think Helenius or Benson will, and I value Ostlund higher than Kulich. I think Kulich isn't a true center who can produce top line, he is better as a wing. I'd rather trade him for a true top 4 RD in Kesselring and Clifton for McBain is a wash.

I think Ostlund has shown a ton in his short stint up here, and I could see him being a big contributor next season. He looks like a true center, where I think Kulich is getting the thompson treatment

 

[Chainshot]

Since the Lucic hit on Miller this team has done nothing to rectify that situation with multiple chances to redeem themselves. At least they tried this year the last 15 games or so.

I am sure its a coincidence but that hit started the downfall of this team.

Since then I haven't seen a backbone in this team.

Seems like we forget the John Scott/Steve Ott Regier "fix" attempt the next two seasons after that incident.

As for fixing it, that starts with team building and I don't mean roster. There are too many times for too many years it has been okay to turn away from standing up for a teammate and that goes to the very top. These guys don't hang together so they hang separately.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Krebs doesn’t have mentality issues so I’m not sure this does much of anything.

It's the "Mike Grier" type of acquisition.

 

[BFLO]

He wasn't referring specifically to that day and bar of course, but the larger Buffalo scene (and he's not wrong, unfortunately). Or maybe he just struck out two days before on his 21st birthday .

Peterka tried to order three Carlsbergs (out), then Modelos (don't have), then just asked for pilsners and the bartender somehow still needed more information. I've never seen a German more confused/annoyed. Get the Euros some beers already!

My past self feels Kulich's pain for sure. I never had much luck picking up chicks at bars between November and May, felt like they were all at home nesting, waiting out the cold. And the ones that were out had on so many layers it was hard to tell what was going on underneath

But Late spring through to Halloween? Completely different story.


And that is shameful by the bartender on JJ's order. They were pretty good there back in my day, I was friends with a few outside of the bar.

 

[TehDoak]

Its actually quite impressive how badly this 'build'. has been bumbled.

Buffalo has went to cap floor in 2023 to being capped out this summer while dropping down the standings every year.

It's just impressive.

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

Doak, it’s depressing

 

[MOGlLNY]

I guess if I had to label this season as anything it's the "Ryan McLeod season" what a player we got.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Seems like we forget the John Scott/Steve Ott Regier "fix" attempt the next two seasons after that incident.

As for fixing it, that starts with team building and I don't mean roster. There are too many times for too many years it has been okay to turn away from standing up for a teammate and that goes to the very top. These guys don't hang together so they hang separately.

I also remember them being a rugged team when they had Stewart, Foligno, etc...the Adams led Sabres are some of the saddest teams I can remember. No heart, lacking work ethic, and some embarrassing moments sprinkled in***. And...we're going to give Adams and co. another chance at embarrassing themselves.

***a ton of the players admitting they took it light the offseason after missing the playoffs by 1 pt still leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

If he survives the wrath Adams HAS to make moves to improve the power play and special teams!

That is player move(s) and a competent assistant coach to run it. Vaclav Prospal in Rochester makes too much sense, but do they let Appert go ?

At the same time Wilford and Bales can go too.

 

[Dreakon13]

Glad the season is over tbh. Would obviously prefer they be better and look forward to a playoff run... but this heroic stretch of back to back weekend games plus 2-3 games during the week is brutal when you know the team isn't going anywhere. Though I'm almost afraid of the season we're firmly in the playoff race and every game actually matters knowing how this group loves to blow leads/chase the game lol

All that said, I kinda don't hate this group. In particular after Cozens left. Obviously the problem is bigger than Cozens, but he and Samuelsson embody that feeling of watching the play and being absolutely lost that we need off this team pronto.

Love McLeod, he's the perfect middle 6 C that can be effective almost anywhere. He's bringing out the game in Peterka and Quinn that Cozens did before he became such a headcase. I love that Kulich is starting to break through, Benson Kulich and Thompson is a line that can make things happen almost any shift. I feel good about guys like Beck and Krebs in limited minutes. I know we can't really count on Norris being healthy but I'm excited to see what he can bring. Can't complain about Tuch, Greenway and Zucker as long as they're healthy.

Samuelsson needs to be gone yesterday and replaced with the defensive top 4 D finished product he was supposed to be. Hopefully Power is healthy on opening day.

Goaltending worries me. I don't think Levi is big enough or solid enough positionally to cover the sheer amount of defensive gaffs this team makes. UPL is not nearly composed or consistent enough either.

This team either needs to improve defensively, a lot, or be an offensive powerhouse with top tier goaltending. I'm not sure they can accomplish either in an offseason.

 

[Chainshot]

I think we'll put up a post-mortem thread and then put a bow on this one as it is now the off-season.