The Roster Thread, Summer 2024

[Zman5778]

Without a trade what do we think the 2nd line looks like?

Does Quinn move up and play with Thompson and Tuch or is that JJPs spot based on last year? I think Quinn coming back is going to help a ton. Benson - Cozens - Quinn, and JJP/TT/Tuch would be my lines if the season started tomorrow

I think at the start, Zucker will go with Cozens and Quinn while Benson goes with McLeod and Greenway.

We know that Benson and Greenway kinda work as a pair and McLeod brings speed and defensive awareness that lets Benson break out faster.
Zucker will bring some jam and finishing ability to Cozens and Quinn.

That said, I imagine that Zucker and Benson will rotate in that middle 6 until one line kind of establishes itself.

 

[Fjordy]

We know that Benson and Greenway kinda work as a pair and McLeod brings speed and defensive awareness that lets Benson break out faster.

I'm just afraid that this line won't give us much scoring power. McLeod said that scoring goals or points is not his strong point yet. Greenway is obviously not a sniper and hasn't scored much either.

 

[Irie]

I'm just afraid that this line won't give us much scoring power. McLeod said that scoring goals or points is not his strong point yet. Greenway is obviously not a sniper and hasn't scored much either.

Having a 3rd line that doesn't put up a lot of points may be ok if the 3rd and 4th lines are much better defensively than we have typically seen from this team in the recent past.

I am hoping that the team is better all around and that they won't have to put up 4 goals to win regularly.

 

[Fjordy]

Having a 3rd line that doesn't put up a lot of points may be ok if the 3rd and 4th lines are much better defensively than we have typically seen from this team in the recent past.

I am hoping that the team is better all around and that they won't have to put up 4 goals to win regularly.

I agree, but I would like the third line to also score points.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Put me in the group of people who wouldn't hate Trouba at all. He'd have to come with max retention & no acquisition cost outside of sending Joker or possibly Clifton the other way.

I don't want to spend more cap on defense and the forward group could use more firepower so nah

Assuming he's at 50% retention & Joker/Clifton go the other way, the difference in cap is minimal.

 

[Fjordy]

Put me in the group of people who wouldn't hate Trouba at all. He'd have to come with max retention & no acquisition cost outside of sending Joker or possibly Clifton the other way.


Assuming he's at 50% retention & Joker/Clifton go the other way, the difference in cap is minimal.

Yeap, no one will take Trouba with 8 million for another two years, so this should definitely be a retention.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Trouba @50 ret?

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Yeap, no one will take Trouba with 8 million for another two years, so this should definitely be a retention.

Since CapFriendly is now dead i can't check - but aren't NYR pretty desperate for space? From the rumours i heard over the draft/UFA weekend it seems they are doing whatever they can to offload him.

 

[Fjordy]

Since CapFriendly is now dead i can't check - but aren't NYR pretty desperate for space? From the rumours i heard over the draft/UFA weekend it seems they are doing whatever they can to offload him.

They still have $8 million available and need to re-sign Lindgren and Schneider now. Shesty is also entering the final year of his contract and will likely make $10-12 million next year. They will also need to sign some of their RFAs next year.

 

[old kummelweck]

I dont think Krebs gets you Foerester but it sounds like Farabee might be available

Maybe Lindy can mold Krebs into something salvageable.

If Buffalo is looking for a speed game Farabee is a very good skater and fast.

I'm not giving up on Krebs yet, though he will get even harder to move if the Sabres upgrade the top 6 and he is pushed to the 14th F. This roster actually can't take on more players without moving someone out, and even then there will be some interesting discussions around here during training camp around whether they keep 3 goals, 14 forwards, or 8 D up. According to my math, there is a group of 5 players that may go to Rochester and only one of them is waiver exempt IF they make a trade.

Levi
Gilbert
Bryson
Reimer
Krebs

From a camp/competition standpoint, there is still a squeaky thin spot for another F to push to make the roster. They aren't signing any more UFA, so I still think they are holding a F spot for a prospect to push their way up.

It actually wouldn't surprise me to see no moves at the G position until after they get back from Europe.

 

[Matt Ress]

I don't think they'll want to play 3 goalie charades again. Things may change but there are defined spots going into the season.

 

[Jim Bob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1811068792652419286

 

[Jim Bob]

Since CapFriendly is now dead i can't check - but aren't NYR pretty desperate for space? From the rumours i heard over the draft/UFA weekend it seems they are doing whatever they can to offload him.

New York Rangers Salary Cap, Cap Hit, New York Rangers Contracts | Puckpedia

puckpedia.com

$8M in cap space for 2024-25 today (and around $56M in cap commitments for 25-26)

Lindgren and Schneider still un-signed as RFAs for 2024-25

RFAs after 2024-25: Kakko, Lafreniere, Edstrom, Cuylie, Rempe, Miller, and Jones

UFAs after 2024-25: Smith, Vesey, Lindgren (potentially), Shesterkin, and Quick

 

[Matt Ress]

Put me in the group of people who wouldn't hate Trouba at all. He'd have to come with max retention & no acquisition cost outside of sending Joker or possibly Clifton the other way.


Assuming he's at 50% retention & Joker/Clifton go the other way, the difference in cap is minimal.

That's true if it's what Drury/Adams are willing to do while we send him back an NHL defenseman. Seems like a reach to happen from both sides and really just doesn't feel right.

Idk we've seen Buffalo be a retirement fund for players in the past that just want to collect their paycheck and ride off into the sunset. After all, we're not talking about bringing in a high character player here.

 

[Jim Bob]

Why does he need cap space though? To fix the defense. But now that there are no decent UFAs left, the cap space won't do him much good this offseason. Now he'll need to pivot to a trade.

The defense looked completely unable to move the puck once Fox got hurt and were the clear weakness on the team, so he's right to want to fix the mix they have.

Trouba is their Jeff Skinner. He doesn't fit anywhere and makes way too much. They may be looking for any option besides a buyout at this point, and retention has got to be on the table, just like it probably was with Buffalo and Skinner.

Like the above post lays out, I think getting Trouba's cap hit for 2025-26 completely off the books is the biggest thing he is trying to accomplish.

I am sure he would love to upgrade on Trouba, and Lindgren. But, being able to re-sign Shesterkin, Lafreniere, and Miller are big challenges that getting Trouba off the books for next season is key.

As such, retaining on Trouba, especially 50% is not the most attractive idea to Drury, most likely.

Jokiharju for Trouba straight up, and maybe with some sweetener from the Rangers, would be the most likely path forward that Drury would want to go down.

 

[truthbluth]

Sabres are not trading for Jacob Trouba.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

I don't think they'll want to play 3 goalie charades again. Things may change but there are defined spots going into the season.

But they'll probably bring all 3 as an insurance policy in case one can't play while overseas

 

[Matt Ress]

But they'll probably bring all 3 as an insurance policy in case one can't play while overseas

Of course I was just looking beyond that

 

[Fjordy]

Sabres are not trading for Jacob Trouba.

Only if Ruff asks.

 

[MeenOlViks]

Sabres are not trading for Jacob Trouba.

Oh ye of little faith

 

[jc17]

I think at the start, Zucker will go with Cozens and Quinn while Benson goes with McLeod and Greenway.

We know that Benson and Greenway kinda work as a pair and McLeod brings speed and defensive awareness that lets Benson break out faster.
Zucker will bring some jam and finishing ability to Cozens and Quinn.

That said, I imagine that Zucker and Benson will rotate in that middle 6 until one line kind of establishes itself.

If there's one thing Quinn and cozens have, its finishing ability.

I think those lines would be fine, but I also wouldn't mind spreading the goal scoring a bit.

 

[Jim Bob]

If there's one thing Quinn and cozens have, its finishing ability.

I think those lines would be fine, but I also wouldn't mind spreading the goal scoring a bit.

I do think that the top 6 overall needs a playmaker added to the mix more than another finisher.

 

[jc17]

I do think that the top 6 overall needs a playmaker added to the mix more than another finisher.

Well if you want an internal hire

 

[truthbluth]

Oh ye of little faith

I want to be clear that my opinion is that nobody is trading for Jacob Trouba this offseason. Trouba will exercise his full NMC with no exceptions.

 

[Matt Ress]

3rd line won't be snipes but they'll get their banger goals and wear down goals