The Roster Thread, Summer 2024

[SharkInABoloTie]

Looking to the now, there is a lot of arguing in here that feels inconsequential to the current roster for the upcoming season.

I believe that Adams has done some great work to improve the bottom 6 forward group. I see guys like NAK, Lafferty and Malenstyn as huge adds. I'm hoping that their tenacity along with McLeod's effort on will wake up the teammates who sometimes look like they're sleepwalking through the season when the winning goes away.

However, the top players on this team must rebound. Cozens, Tage, Power, and to an extent Dahlin, CANNOT have repeats of last season. Sammy, Quinn and Tuch need to remain healthy through the season. It's time for JJ and Quinn to become those top line forwards and be seen in that Guentzel, Nylander, Connor tier; I fully believe Quinn is capable of being on that top line, but I want to see him force his way there, and not due to Tuch's health.

If things fire on all cylinders, and its about time they do, I truly believe this team can do some serious damage in this league. I think this season will show us who these players are.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Who is still bad. No matter how ignorant and or lazy some people think that point is.

No, he's not. Every team can use a Greenway to shuffle around the bottom 6.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Seems like yesterday we needed to buy out Skinner because we needed that cap space.

 

[Jacob582]

Seems like yesterday we needed to buy out Skinner because we needed that cap space.

No. No. Skinner needed to be bought out because he was a detriment to this team.

 

[zenthusiast]

Skinner had probably reached his expiration date but I’m not convinced they’ll replace his goals this year. Maybe they’ll be that much better on D that they don’t have to worry about it but ya gotta score goals to win games

 

[Hasekperreault23]

Skinner had probably reached his expiration date but I’m not convinced they’ll replace his goals this year. Maybe they’ll be that much better on D that they don’t have to worry about it but ya gotta score goals to win games

I think a healthy Quinn replaces that.I also think Peterka and Benson take another step forward.Lastly Tompson healthy and Cozens gets his head out of his ass will help greatly.Not worried about goals to be honest.

 

[zenthusiast]

I think a healthy Quinn replaces that.I also think Peterka and Benson take another step forward.Lastly Tompson healthy and Cozens gets his head out of his ass will help greatly.Not worried about goals to be honest.

I’m interpreting this as they’re combining to replace his scoring, which is certainly possible, but we learned just last year how just expecting players to maintain or take a step forward can blow up in one’s face. For example, if Peterka and Benson are combining for 55-60 goals I’m dancing in the street but that’s clearly a *best* case scenario

 

[jc17]

I’m interpreting this as they’re combining to replace his scoring, which is certainly possible, but we learned just last year how just expecting players to maintain or take a step forward can blow up in one’s face. For example, if Peterka and Benson are combining for 55-60 goals I’m dancing in the street but that’s clearly a *best* case scenario

Yeah Peterka put up 28, I don't think he's super likely to take a significant step forward.

But Skinner didn't have such a huge year that will make it hard to replace if we're looking at it purely from last year to next year.

If we look at main even strength scoring going out and coming in it's not a huge step back. "in" stat is 2 year average while "out" stat is just last year.

Uh-oh, the non-playoff team took a step back in scoring?

Well, this doesn't consider

• the 40-50 extra games we'll (hopefully) get from quinn
• the fact that Girgs, Mitts, and Okposo each missed 20 games which means we didn't even get full seasons of those fairly respectable rates. (we got 90 games of jost and robinson)
• Krebs playing 80 games, who very well could be considered in the "out" group
• "in" group should be better defensively
• Mitts was traded for Byram who should boost scoring across the board

 

[Gras]

Yeah Peterka put up 28, I don't think he's super likely to take a significant step forward.

But Skinner didn't have such a huge year that will make it hard to replace if we're looking at it purely from last year to next year.

If we look at main even strength scoring going out and coming in it's not a huge step back. "in" stat is 2 year average while "out" stat is just last year.
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This doesn't even consider the 40-50 extra games we'll (hopefully) get from quinn, or the fact that Girgs, Mitts, and Okposo each missed 20 games which means we didn't even get full seasons of those fairly respectable rates. Also doesn't consider Krebs playing 80 games, who very well could be considered in the "out" group if he's in the press box, which would swing the averages in favor of the "in" group.

Would be nice to have a D not named Dahlin put up double digit goals next year as well.

 

[DJN21]

Would be nice to have a D not named Dahlin put up double digit goals next year as well.

if only there was someone with 1st overall draft pedigree.....hmmmmm (I jest of course)

 

[HOOats]

Would be nice to have a D not named Dahlin put up double digit goals next year as well.

Byram is more likely to score 20 than 9 imo. His offense is flying way under the radar. He has one of the best shot packages on the team.

 

[Sabre the Win]

No. No. Skinner needed to be bought out because he was a detriment to this team.

His point totals were not a detriment and will be hard to replace.

 

[Butt Ox]

Things I hope to see this season: Bottom six additions doing useful things late in the 3rd, giving 6k the opportunity to try for a goal when the other net is empty. Then I'll be happy.

 

[Mattilaus]

Would be nice to have a D not named Dahlin put up double digit goals next year as well.

Byram had 11 last year. It was just split between two teams.

 

[Aladyyn]

Just a reminder that last season Skinner had 33 points in the first 37 games and then 13 in the next 37

 

[debaser66]

Jordan Greenway says hello

He didnt turn much of the needle last season.
He is a solid bottom 6 forward and scored 4 goals.
More of an offseason add but not what you add at the deadline if you want to push for the playoffs (including AHL Stillman)

 

[TageGod]

Team will score more despite losing Skinner. There will be a bounce back in some of the top players. Zucker could potentially replace a large amount of Skinners goals.

 

[debaser66]

Byram is more likely to score 20 than 9 imo. His offense is flying way under the radar. He has one of the best shot packages on the team.

If he is not on PP1 he is not gonna score that much probably.
It depends on how his ice time will be allocated under Ruff versus Power.

 

[Matt Ress]

How do you quantify a more cohesive, vibrant top line, and to a lesser extent throughout the lineup? That number seems to be missing from the Skinner equation.

 

[Jim Bob]

If he is not on PP1 he is not gonna score that much probably.
It depends on how his ice time will be allocated under Ruff versus Power.

Byram had 11 EV goals last season between Colorado and Buffalo.

And he has averaged 11 EV goals per 82 games played in his NHL career and 13 goals total per 82.

20 goals total would be quite a jump up in production. I am more concerned with Byram staying healthy.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

No. No. Skinner needed to be bought out because he was a detriment to this team.

Yeah, replaced by a 32-year-old beyond-middling player whose possession stats are nothing special and whose scoring is negligible for a top-six. How they are paying Jason Zucker $5 M is a mystery only tolerable because it's a one-year deal. The guy is getting 50% more than he would on 90% of teams in the league. And he's a top 6? In what fantasy? The Sabres's best chance at success is continuing goalie improvement and rookie or kid steps into the top 6. It might happen but everyone around the league thinks the roster is a mess and they are mostly right. I'm praying for some breakthroughs or guys like Quinn get to another level.

 

[Jacob582]

Skinner off the power play should result in more goals.

 

[jc17]

Skinner off the power play should result in more goals.

The bad news is neither appert or ruff have had very good PPs their past couple seasons. Good news is ours can only improve

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Skinner had probably reached his expiration date but I’m not convinced they’ll replace his goals this year. Maybe they’ll be that much better on D that they don’t have to worry about it but ya gotta score goals to win games

They ranked 23rd in scoring, and now have to make up 24 goals (and another 14 for another guy that also created scoring chances). Guys can bounce back and make up for Skinner, but how about being better than mediocre for team scoring? Seems necessary for a team with the youngest D-corps that hasn't figured out team defense yet.

 

[debaser66]

Byram had 11 EV goals last season between Colorado and Buffalo.

And he has averaged 11 EV goals per 82 games played in his NHL career and 13 goals total per 82.

20 goals total would be quite a jump up in production. I am more concerned with Byram staying healthy.

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Me too, I hope his last season numbers are an indication his injury woes are behind him.