GASabresIUFAN

I started a thread for that discussion.

The prospect tournament got me thinking about how these kids fit into the Sabres long-term. I don't think there is any argument that Benson, Savoie, Kulich, and Rosen are future NHL players. I also now think Cederqvist has a possible future as a depth forward in the NHL sooner than later. The question is when do they arrive in Buffalo and who moves on to make room for them? As of today, the Sabres have 14 forwards under contract for this coming season (including Quinn and Rousek). Cap hit is about $48.63 million. Of these 14, 6 are FAs after 2023/24 including RFAS Krebs and Mitts with UFAs Girgensons, Jost, VO, and KO. Another 4 have 2 years remaining - Greenway (UFA), plus JJP, Rousek, and Quinn. Thompson and Cozens are signed long-term while Skinner (4 years @ 9 mill) and Tuch (3 years @ 4.75) have decent term remaining. So how does this play out? 2024-25 - (Kulich and Rosen make the team - Benson and Savoie to Rochester) Mitts (5 year @ 6.5) and Krebs (2 years @ 3.5) are re-signed. VO, KO, and Girgensons are allowed to walk. Jost re-signs for a year to be the 13th forward Skinner Thompson Tuch Mitts Cozens Quinn JJP Krebs Rosen Rousek Kulich Greenway (Jost) 2025-2026 (Cederqvist, Savoie and Benson make the team) JJP & Quinn extended on 3-4 year bridge deals. Tuch extended 6 years @ $7 mill. Greenway re-signs, while Skinner and Rousek are traded. Quinn Thompson Tuch Benson Cozens Mitts JJP Kulich Savoie Rosen Krebs Greenway (Cederqvist)

Agreed.

Metsa. Older college UFA who was really good for Rochester in the playoffs and has been solid in this tournament. I have him as the first callup on D ahead of Johnson.

Since I wrote my post I’ve been trying to visualize how the forward group will evolve after this coming season for 2024-25 and beyond. While a discussion of that is probably not appropriate in this thread and possibly premature, it is in interesting to project who stays and who goes.

Ultimately, that's the real issue here.

The biggest surprise for me has been Cederqvist. I thought of him as a guy who would be a solid AHLer and then eventually return to Sweden to play a middle 6 role there. However, after watching him play some, and seeing his size and skill level, I'm now wondering if he has a future as a good 4th line NHLer. I can see him on a line with Greenway in 2024-25 playing tough physical hockey while chipping in the type of offense we got from the Gaustad line back in the day. In general, I'm also seeing guys who need another year of seasoning before making the NHL. Lots of positives from Benson, Savoie, Kulich, Rosen, Johnson, and Metsa, but also more work is needed. That said, there will be a ton of guys trying to force their way onto the Sabres after this coming season. I don't envy KA the task of determining which guys to keep, which to move, and which guys to sign long-term. Some really hard decisions are coming. One other quick thought; Kulich playing center. I believe Sabres management thinks of him as the 3rd line center long-term. I suspect he'll play in Rochester this coming season primarily at center.

If talent was "evenly" distributed each team would have about 4 players. The Sabres have 6, after only Dahlin being listed a year ago. I read their take on Tage. The say he doesn't compete hard enough in the D zone. It's an interesting comment. I think it has some validity, but was it a function of the player not being interested or the system DG had them running?

They also did a NA u23 Team of 20 players from the US and Canada. The Sabres had 3 players - Cozens, Power and Levi. NJ also has 3 - Mercer, J Hughes, and L Hughes Det, Ott, & Minn with 2 each - Det - Raymond and Seider; Ott- Stuzle and Sanderson; MN - Boldy and Faber. https://theathletic.com/4853786/2023/09/15/chl-nhl-transfer-agreement/

No. He may be proving to be more NHL ready than previously thought, but his upside remains the same. He still looks like a potential mid six forward leaning toward the 3rd line.

I hear Ron Rolston is available.

I'm interested to see how Cederqvist does centering Benson and Savoie. When Appert makes a point of talking about the progress a prospect has made I tend to listen. I also like that he is 6'3 210. With Z and KO under 1 year deals, someone like Cederqvist may add his name to a list of potential depth Sabres with a good year in Rochester. Edit: Kozak is centering the Russians which is also very interesting.

Actually, I think it would be a minor major.

Why is Levi so good? This is why. The first series of saves in the second video is simply insane.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/jiri-kulich-after-practice-6337113723112 What a difference one off-season makes. This kid is now carved out of stone.

Everyone needs to watch this video. I know it's edited, but fascinating how they work their connections. Obviously, they watched Benson a ton because of Savoie and Krebs, but Okposo having a line into Wahlberg was also surprising.

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10089275-nhl-deputy-commissioner-league-open-to-atlanta-return-expansion-not-imminent.amp.html

Maybe the new rule would create more urgency to score quickly?

I have long believed that a missed penalty shot should still result in at least a 1 minute PP. I don't understand why a SH goal would end a PP. I do like the idea that certain dangerous infractions, like boarding, could result in a two-minute PP regardless of how many goals are scored. Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd change the regular PP rules. I agree with the delayed penalty idea.

Just get it done at this point. Is it stupid money for a guy with one year of NHL experience? Yes, but a bridge will still cost 6+ and with the cap rising and so much depth in the forward pipeline, they can afford the added cost both short and long-term.

https://theathletic.com/4861707/2023/09/14/sabres-jiri-kulich-rookie-camp/ Tidbits from the article. Also - Metsa paired with Johnson, and made an instant impact for the Amerks in the playoffs last year. Kozak centering the Neuchev and Kisakov.

All the goalies will hopefully benefit from improved play in front of him. Unless he fixed the flaws Marty has been talking about for the last few years, he will conri ue to be a below replacement goaltender.

He is going to play so well early this season in Rochester that he forces KA to bring him up and keep him up.

Good play by Johnson and Novikov in this tourney and then in camp will make me feel much better about our D depth. Johnson isn’t making the team in camp, but I agree he could end up playing some games in Buffalo this season. The big 3 forwards are also going to be interesting to watch. Will this tournament be a spring board for one of them to earn an NHL roster spot? I doubt it given the depth in Buffalo, but these guys have the talent to force KA’s hand.

He is the veteran D with instant locker room credibility that our young D group has long needed and KA finally delivered. He is going to hit, block shots, play smart in zone defense and lead by example. Hopefully he appears in 70+ games, plays 17 minutes a night, and enhances our PK. Any O contribution would be a bonus. Let’s pray he stays healthy because the depth behind him is suspect. The credibility comes from playing years in the NHL, winning a Cup and being a 1st overall pick. The draft status is particularly interesting to the Sabres because of Dahlin and Power. Has there ever been an NHL team that featured 3 top picks in the same blueline?