Speculation: The New and Improved Sabres Summer Roster Thread, 2026-27: Now With More Fiber

[Der Jaeger]

I think the Sabres are in a good spot for the season. I’d love for them to get a power forward with some sandpaper, who is also a net front player.

I also would love to see a better 5-7 defenseman than Gilbert.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

I think the Sabres are in a good spot for the season. I’d love for them to get a power forward with some sandpaper, who is also a net front player.

I also would love to see a better 5-7 defenseman than Gilbert.

Gilbert is 7th at best. More likely 8th behind Metsa. There's not roster spots to upgrade our #8 defensemen.

 

[Dahlicious]

Gilbert is 7th at best. More likely 8th behind Metsa. There's not roster spots to upgrade our #8 defensemen.

Losing Metsa to waivers if it means a bona fide upgrade is a complete non-issue.

 

[Chainshot]

I think the Sabres are in a good spot for the season. I’d love for them to get a power forward with some sandpaper, who is also a net front player.

I also would love to see a better 5-7 defenseman than Gilbert.

Gilbert is more likely the 8/9 as others have mentioned.

Dahlin
Power
Samuelsson
Zellweger
Crevier
Timmons

Then it gets into Metsa/RJohnson/Gilbert territory.

 

[old kummelweck]

Losing Metsa to waivers if it means a bona fide upgrade is a complete non-issue.

There are probably more than a handful of teams that would gladly grab him as their 7th. I would even say he could handle slightly expanded minutes as a regular 4-6 on a developing team, and it would be good for his career to do so.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Gilbert is 7th at best. More likely 8th behind Metsa. There's not roster spots to upgrade our #8 defensemen.

Gilbert is more likely the 8/9 as others have mentioned.

Dahlin
Power
Samuelsson
Zellweger
Crevier
Timmons

Then it gets into Metsa/RJohnson/Gilbert territory.

I’d like to see them acquire someone who fits between Zellweger and Crevier on your list. Role player who can play meaningful third pairing time if Timmins gets hurt or
Crevier is not quite as ready as anyone thinks.

Ideally, this player could pair with Power in a pinch if Zellweger gets hurt.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

Losing Metsa to waivers if it means a bona fide upgrade is a complete non-issue.

I meant more that there wasn't a need, not that I'm afraid of losing Metsa or Gilbert.

I’d like to see them acquire someone who fits between Zellweger and Crevier on your list. Role player who can play meaningful third pairing time if Timmins gets hurt or
Crevier is not quite as ready as anyone thinks.

Ideally, this player could pair with Power in a pinch if Zellweger gets hurt.

Crevier is 25 and has 134 games under his belt. He had the highest d zone start percentage on his team. I'm not sure how he will perform but if he's not ready to be a #5 defensemen on a team where Dahlin, Samuelsson and Power do most of the heavy lifting, I dont know when he will be.

My interest is piqued though. I'm curious why you believe he's not ready.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I meant more that there wasn't a need, not that I'm afraid of losing Metsa or Gilbert.



Crevier is 25 and has 134 games under his belt. He had the highest d zone start percentage on his team. I'm not sure how he will perform but if he's not ready to be a #5 defensemen on a team where Dahlin, Samuelsson and Power do most of the heavy lifting, I dont know when he will be.

My interest is piqued though. I'm curious why you believe he's not ready.

Kesselring was the answer as Power’s partner this time last season. It’s good roster management to plan for contingencies.

It’s likely that both Crevier and Zellweger fill Byram’s void just fine. Then the hypothetical signing I’m writing about is a true 6/7. Which I’m good with.

The Sabres won a lot of games on overall roster depth last season. I like Gilbert but I’d like him better in Rochester.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Kesselring was the answer as Power’s partner this time last season. It’s good roster management to plan for contingencies.

It’s likely that both Crevier and Zellweger fill Byram’s void just fine. Then the hypothetical signing I’m writing about is a true 6/7. Which I’m good with.

The Sabres won a lot of games on overall roster depth last season. I like Gilbert but I’d like him better in Rochester.

BAHGAWD THAT’S LOGAN STANLEY’s MUSIC!!

 

[Der Jaeger]

BAHGAWD THAT’S LOGAN STANLEY’s MUSIC!!

I know this won’t be popular but I’d be happy if he re-signed in Buffalo.

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - Crevier/Timmins
Zellweger - Timmins/Crevier
x Stanley

He’s left handed so he can fill in on the bottom pair well if Zellweger moves up with Power.

Give Stanley all the Tampa and Florida games.

 

[Chainshot]

I’d like to see them acquire someone who fits between Zellweger and Crevier on your list. Role player who can play meaningful third pairing time if Timmins gets hurt or
Crevier is not quite as ready as anyone thinks.

Ideally, this player could pair with Power in a pinch if Zellweger gets hurt.

Crevier was a top four guy for the Hawks last year (third in TOI on their defense and at five on five), started 69% of his starts in the d-zone at even strength and played over 1000 minutes at five on five. How is that not ready to be in the NHL?

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I know this won’t be popular but I’d be happy if he re-signed in Buffalo.

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Power - Crevier/Timmins
Zellweger - Timmins/Crevier
x Stanley

He’s left handed so he can fill in on the bottom pair well if Zellweger moves up with Power.

Give Stanley all the Tampa and Florida games.

Well I’d be with you in that rowboat. The usual suspects would have a conniption though.

 

[nickdawg95]

The defence is fine.

Biggest need is a top line winger or top 6 centre

 

[Ace]

The only thing they did this offseason is use assets on defenseman. If they need more we need a new GM. Because not only has he left the forwards a gigantic mess with a brand new gaping hole…he f***ed up the few things he decided to bother doing.

 

[Jetskiis]

I sure hope Jarmo is in on Marchenko. If we were going to move out multiple pieces, Marchenko would be my preference over a Hellebuyck deal.

Not only would he be a major upgrade, we could deny Montreal from getting him which it seems like they've been hot in pursuit of him all offseason

 

[Ace]

I sure hope Jarmo is in on Marchenko. If we were going to move out multiple pieces, Marchenko would be my preference over a Hellebuyck deal.

Not only would he be a major upgrade, we could deny Montreal from getting him which it seems like they've been hot in pursuit of him all offseason

I’m sure he’ll be in on it. And so far that’s only ended one way.

 

[Zman5778]

I sure hope Jarmo is in on Marchenko. If we were going to move out multiple pieces, Marchenko would be my preference over a Hellebuyck deal.

Not only would he be a major upgrade, we could deny Montreal from getting him which it seems like they've been hot in pursuit of him all offseason

I cannot imagine Marchenko choosing to sign here long-term.

 

[Ace]

I cannot imagine Marchenko choosing to sign here long-term.

Maybe he really loves Jarmo and Davidson lol.

I can’t imagine we’d trade for him without an extension in place anyway. They just moved Byram a year out so they didn’t have to redo the Tuch walk. And I haven’t seen any reporting that said any potential trade included an extension.

 

[toddkaz]

Maybe he really loves Jarmo and Davidson lol.

I can’t imagine we’d trade for him without an extension in place anyway. They just moved Byram a year out so they didn’t have to redo the Tuch walk. And I haven’t seen any reporting that said any potential trade included an extension.

We got an extra 4 million freed up next season.

This is where Buffalo bites the bullet and hands out 12 million a season.(Marchenko will probably want more)

That being said this team needs a 1C and thats where I would like to see the cap space go but then again there has to be one available too.

 

[Jetskiis]

 

[Ace]

We got an extra 4 million freed up next season.

This is where Buffalo bites the bullet and hands out 12 million a season.(Marchenko will probably want more)

That being said this team needs a 1C and thats where I would like to see the cap space go but then again there has to be one available too.

They can afford to pay him what he wants since he’s under a nothing deal through this year. The problems are why would he want to sign here when he can get money anywhere…and how do you get him without killing yourself elsewhere. The roster being a mess hurts in a lot of ways. You can’t move one of your top 3 D. You’re over reliant on young forwards so you don’t have much to move in that department either.

But hey, we have all those super valuable RHD prospects. I’m sure a deal for something will get across the finish line any minute now

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

They can afford to pay him what he wants since he’s under a nothing deal through this year. The problems are why would he want to sign here when he can get money anywhere…and how do you get him without killing yourself elsewhere. The roster being a mess hurts in a lot of ways. You can’t move one of your top 3 D. You’re over reliant on young forwards so you don’t have much to move in that department either.

But hey, we have all those super valuable RHD prospects. I’m sure a deal for something will get across the finish line any minute now

The three most fungible assets in the NHL are:
1st round draft picks
Young Centers
RHD

 

[Jetskiis]

sounds like whoever is trading for him is also negotiating an extension

if it is montreal that is not going to be pleasant facing him all the time

edit: didnt realize the tweet was in french, translation:

"A Russian journalist from the fairly reputable RG Media claims that Marchenko will indeed be traded this summer and that fairly advanced discussions are taking place, on one hand, between CBJ and another team, and on the other hand between that team and Marchenko. To be continued."


reportedly, RG Media is very very reputable. so not pagnotta bs.

 

[Zman5778]

sounds like whoever is trading for him is also negotiating an extension

if it is montreal that is not going to be pleasant facing him all the time

I suppose the upside of Montreal possibly getting Marchenko is that one would have to think that Hage is going the other way.....so Montreal would still have to find a 2C somewhere, and likely pay through the nose for one.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

Montreal “ not giving up” sure doesn’t sound like they are the team negotiating on marchenko - that’s optimistic posting from the Montreal fans based on what that says