Speculation: The 2026-27 Roster Speculation Thread: Summer Edition - Throw in All The Oars, We're Trading for Battleships

[toddkaz]

Your second question was "Does anyone else feel like going into next year with Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius is too much youth?". The answer to that from me is "no"

Ok so you are ok with all 3 in the lineup. That means no 1C once you pencil them into the lineup.

You need to make up your mind because you are contradicting yourself.. Once you pencil all 3 into the line up we have too many forwards to get a 1C.

Zucker
Quinn
Doan
Helenius
Kulich
Ostlund
Norris
Thompson
Benson

Thats 9 spots with no 1C. You aren't getting a 1C without trading one away so you can't have it both ways. No one is giving you a 1C for scraps. That was my point form the beginning. If you go with youth then you probably aren't getting a 1C.

 

[Jetskiis]

Ok so you are ok with all 3 in the lineup. That means no 1C once you pencil them into the lineup.

You need to make up your mind. Once you pencil all 3 into the line up we have too many forwards to get a 1C.

Zucker
Quinn
Doan
Helenius
Kulich
Ostlund
Norris
Thompson
Benson

Thats 9 spots with no 1C. You aren't getting a 1C without trading one away so you can't have it both ways. No one is giving you a 1C for scraps.

there are no 1cs available for trade. Larkin and Barzal are just cosplaying as 1cs.

you get your 1c by drafting and developing one. give the kids the ice time and maybe one of them becomes a 1c. or Norris figures out how to stay healthy and becomes the 1c. lot of options.

 

[toddkaz]

there are no 1cs available for trade. Larkin and Barzal are just cosplaying as 1cs.

you get your 1c by drafting and developing one. give the kids the ice time and maybe one of them becomes a 1c. or Norris figures out how to stay healthy and becomes the 1c. lot of options.

So we are back to that are we? Kulich and Ostlund are also not NHL centers . The only one that has a chance is Helenius. I don't think Kulich or Ostlund will be centers in the NHL but thats yet to be seen.

So we are going to thrust a player or wait for a player to become a 1C while we flounder without one?

Sounds like the Sabres of old.

 

[Jetskiis]

So we are back to that are we? Kulich and Ostlund are also not NHL centers . The only one that has a chance is Helenius. I don't think Kulich or Ostlund will be centers in the NHL but thats yet to be seen.

So we are going to thrust a player or wait for a player to become a 1C while we flounder without one?

Sounds like the Sabres of old.

Did you miss the whole season where Kulich WAS a Center? and of the 3 kids he's the most engaged at center. Where he was centering Benson and Tage. Where Ruff said he wanted him back there next season? what are you on about?

Look at some of the other 1cs that werent lottery picks around the league. they broke out in their 2nd or 3rd seasons.

Point - 40, 66, 92
Suzuki - 41, 41, 61
Aho - 49, 65, 83
Thomas - 33, 44 in first two seasons

 

[Selanne00008]

So we are back to that are we? Kulich and Ostlund are also not NHL centers . The only one that has a chance is Helenius. I don't think Kulich or Ostlund will be centers in the NHL but thats yet to be seen.

So we are going to thrust a player or wait for a player to become a 1C while we flounder without one?

Sounds like the Sabres of old.

Are we done then with Tage at center? Genuinely asking.

 

[toddkaz]

Are we done then with Tage at center? Genuinely asking.

I think most of us feel we need a true 1C and Tage is not it but it wont be easy finding a true 1C. So our options are trade for A 1C or use what we got.

I think that was exposed during the playoffs and status quo puts us right back to where were were this playoffs.

If this team wants to take their game to the next level a 1C and a goalie is needed.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Are we done then with Tage at center? Genuinely asking.

I am

 

[toddkaz]

Did you miss the whole season where Kulich WAS a Center? and of the 3 kids he's the most engaged at center. Where he was centering Benson and Tage. Where Ruff said he wanted him back there next season? what are you on about?

Look at some of the other 1cs that werent lottery picks around the league. they broke out in their 2nd or 3rd seasons.

Point - 40, 66, 92
Suzuki - 41, 41, 61
Aho - 49, 65, 83
Thomas - 33, 44 in first two seasons

Kulich won't be a center in the NHL. I will bet on it. His faceoff percentage last year was 41.7% and 44% the year before that he has a shoot first mentality with straight line speed. His playing style shouts winger.

Losing Tuch and sticking with status quo hoping to develop a center makes us worse next year not better.

 

[Jetskiis]

Kulich won't be a center in the NHL. I will bet on it. His faceoff percentage last year was 41.7% and 44% the year before that he has a shoot first mentality with straight line speed. His playing style shouts winger.

Losing Tuch and sticking with status quo hoping to develop a center makes us worse next year not better.

I will take that bet all day.

Faceoffs take longer to develop because nobody cares if they are putting up points. most of the top centers started out badly at faceoffs. Mackinnon was 43% his first year. Mcdavid 41%. Draisaitl 41%, Barkov 49%, Crosby 46%, Matthews 46%, Eichel 41%, Schiefele 35%, Hughes 36%, Thomas 44%, Hischier 43%

You need to calm down about faceoff percentage it doesn't matter really. Eventually they'll get better.

Elite shooting, scoring, skating, and positioning, with a big body. sounds like a terrible center you're right/.

 

[CowbellConray]

Ok so you are ok with all 3 in the lineup. That means no 1C once you pencil them into the lineup.

You need to make up your mind because you are contradicting yourself.. Once you pencil all 3 into the line up we have too many forwards to get a 1C.

Zucker
Quinn
Doan
Helenius
Kulich
Ostlund
Norris
Thompson
Benson

Thats 9 spots with no 1C. You aren't getting a 1C without trading one away so you can't have it both ways. No one is giving you a 1C for scraps. That was my point form the beginning. If you go with youth then you probably aren't getting a 1C.

I never have said my position on choosing all 3 or top prospects vs. a #1C via acquisition. I'm not sure why you are coming at me in that way accusing of some contradiction. There are two separate questions here - do I feel ok with a youthful lineup. Yes I do. Do I feel the biggest hole on the team is a #1C - Yes I do.

The team lacked a true #1C and still won the division and advanced to the second round. Not getting a #1C doesn't mean the team is a lottery ticket again. You could put together a package of 2026 1st, Quinn, Mrtka, Norris+ and probably obtain a low end #1C.

I'm not sure why you think going with youth doesnt mean you can acquire a #1C. This situation is nuanced and all roster construction blends the two together.

If we do not acquire a #1C and go into the year with Ostlund/Kulich/Helenius all in our lineup, that is fine with me. You have 82 games to evaluate and decide if you need to go get one at the deadline.

 

[CowbellConray]

I think most of us feel we need a true 1C and Tage is not it but it wont be easy finding a true 1C. So our options are trade for A 1C or use what we got.

I think that was exposed during the playoffs and status quo puts us right back to where were were this playoffs.

If this team wants to take their game to the next level a 1C and a goalie is needed.

I'd say what was most exposed during the playoffs was our lack of key faceoff capabilities on the PP, PK, and specific moments at ES.

You could put Thompson at 1C and still bring in a guy who is spectacular at faceoffs for the other key moments - I've been saying Trochek for a while now. He wont cost 1C assets, but covers most of what we are either losing with Tuch or didnt have in the playoffs.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

A great way to drive up the price is to say he is not available so its kind of a coin toss in whether or not thats the truth.

That being said I don't know why Larkin would choose Buffalo when he has a NTC or why Yzerman would trade within the division.

Probably a better chance at landing Thomas than Larkin not that I see either of them in Buffalo next year.

Larkin is available to Buffalo for the same reason most players would be available to Buffalo. They have dmen and centers to trade.

Hella Moose, Ostlund, Bo, Kesselring are the type of players you are likely to get back in a trade when you have to move someone. They’re all mid tier players with some high end upside. Some of course have more upside than others. But if you’re Detroit trading Larkin you have to get a top 6 center back if not 2. If your minny trade walsteadt you have to get a top 6 center, if you’re SJ trade 2oa you have to get a dman back. Buffalo is a player in basically anything that could happen this offseason because of who they have that they can afford to lose.

 

[LiseL]

I'm not saying we cannot discuss adding a 1C. I've been vocal that it's the number 1 need on the team (my style of top 6 C may differ to others, but top 6 C is a need).

I'm stating this more to the fact of youth stepping up. If the fear is having Ostlund/Kulich/Helenius in your lineup all at once, I say there is nothing to fear. They have shown to be individually capable in some of the most stressful environment.

Case in point: Helenius scoring the only goal in O/T to win gold at the Worlds. Kid seems to embrace the big moments.

 

[LiseL]

Your second question was "Does anyone else feel like going into next year with Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius is too much youth?". The answer to that from me is "no"

I second that sentiment.

 

[LiseL]

I'd say what was most exposed during the playoffs was our lack of key faceoff capabilities on the PP, PK, and specific moments at ES.

You could put Thompson at 1C and still bring in a guy who is spectacular at faceoffs for the other key moments - I've been saying Trochek for a while now. He wont cost 1C assets, but covers most of what we are either losing with Tuch or didnt have in the playoffs.

They didn't have Carrick in the line-up for most of the playoffs so there should be some improvement this season, especially on the PK. If they keep McLeod and Norris stays healthy, that's 3 C's who regularly are 50%+ in the dot. In the playoffs, Doan was 83%. He didn't take a lot of face-offs but maybe he should start.

 

[LiseL]

Larkin is available to Buffalo for the same reason most players would be available to Buffalo. They have dmen and centers to trade.

Hella Moose, Ostlund, Bo, Kesselring are the type of players you are likely to get back in a trade when you have to move someone. They’re all mid tier players with some high end upside. Some of course have more upside than others. But if you’re Detroit trading Larkin you have to get a top 6 center back if not 2. If your minny trade walsteadt you have to get a top 6 center, if you’re SJ trade 2oa you have to get a dman back. Buffalo is a player in basically anything that could happen this offseason because of who they have that they can afford to lose.

Larkin has a 3 team list. Even if it gets expanded, unlikely it'll ever include Buffalo. I guess it could happen if Yzerman plays hardball and tells him either you go to Buffalo or you stay here.

 

[Jetskiis]

If we do not acquire a #1C and go into the year with Ostlund/Kulich/Helenius all in our lineup, that is fine with me. You have 82 games to evaluate and decide if you need to go get one at the deadline.

Also there is potentially a much much juicier center free agent market next summer.

 

[CowbellConray]

They didn't have Carrick in the line-up for most of the playoffs so there should be some improvement this season, especially on the PK. If they keep McLeod and Norris stays healthy, that's 3 C's who regularly are 50%+ in the dot. In the playoffs, Doan was 83%. He didn't take a lot of face-offs but maybe he should start.

I did say back when Buffalo was first eliminated I wonder if they try to make Doan a faceoff guy who shifts to wing when the play starts

 

[Jetskiis]

I did say back when Buffalo was first eliminated I wonder if they try to make Doan a faceoff guy who shifts to wing when the play starts

if they want him picking up Tuch's PK duties, he probably will be practicing at the dot.

 

[Fezzy126]

Tage wasn't good at the dot, but that wasn't why his line struggled with him centering it. His stick and positioning without the puck are a notch below what you ideally want from the center position.

Also, when you put him at wing you can keep him higher up in the zone and get a kickstart in transition, while simplifying his responsibilities. His reach can be a serious pain the ass to deal with up high in the zone.

I like him much better on the wing and more of a "break in case of emergency" option at center.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Taxes are not bad at all. Winters only suck from Jan-Mar. The hockey culture here is also unmatched anywhere.

And April. And sometimes May.

I remember having to shovel my car out of snow in May one year to get to work and just about lost it

 

[HaNotsri]

There is an old chant among hooligans: "Nobody likes us, f*** if we care"
I've always thought Buffalo should adopt it.
Award snubs? Terrible refs?
I really hope Dahlin and Benson can lead the way and that it all ends in triumph one day.

 

[Hasekperreault23]

So we are back to that are we? Kulich and Ostlund are also not NHL centers . The only one that has a chance is Helenius. I don't think Kulich or Ostlund will be centers in the NHL but thats yet to be seen.

So we are going to thrust a player or wait for a player to become a 1C while we flounder without one?

Sounds like the Sabres of old.

My two cents...I am not giving up Ostlund or Helenius in a package to get a 1C.there is nothing wrong with having a centre spine of Norris, McLeod, Helenius,Carrick.You can rotate Ostlund as a centre in some games just to see where he is at face-off wise as i imagine he will be practicing taking draws and getting stronger.People talk about experience like it's the end all.We got our experience and the fact that Benson Doan Helenius Ostlund before injury and Quinn were outstanding proves how overrated experience is.These players will not regress because of their high IQ and work ethic.kulich I agree might start in Rochester.My concern is a consistent goalie and a power forward not a 1C