GASabresIUFAN

Leaving Novikov and Neuchev off list while leaving Pekar and Lyckasen on the list makes me question how much effort they put into writing the article. When do we see our prospects forcing their way permanently onto Buffalo’s roster (if ever)? For example: Kulich - He’ll almost certainly spend most of 2023/24 in Rochester, but I see him in the opening night roster in 24/25. I see him taking VO’s roster spot. What about Benson, Savoie, Östlund, Rosen, Neuchev, Wahliberg, Johnson, Strbak, and Novikov? The two defenders, Novikov and Johnson, I think have the clearest road to the NHL. E Johnson, Joki and Lyubuskin are all on one year deals. I think R Johnson makes the team in 24/25. Novikov will probably need to years of AHL experience, but given his 90 games in the K, he could force his way into the conversation for 24/25 as well.

Didn’t we have a thread like this for then 27/28 year old Jeff Skinner? In that thread wasn’t Skinner referenced to as a one dimensional player, who had terrible defensive metrics and his contract was the worst in hockey? Our friend Skinner still isn’t great defensively, but he certainly improved. Any worries about him taking a regular shift in the playoffs? I think VO still has a chance to turn it around. He essentially has a 40 or so game runway to prove to management (and the fans) that he is part of solution (at least for this season). Regardless of how this turns out, I doubt VO is here after this coming season.

This is basically the same roster that potted 293 goals last year. I don’t think “hope” is an issue. Both JJP and Krebs improved over the course of last season and there is no reason to think these guys won’t continue to progress. That said, the youth on the roster is the reason KO and Z were brought back. I do find it funny that the writers, ESpn and the Athletic, are more worried about the 13th forward on a team that scored 293 goals vs being worried about a goaltending trio that has a grand total 95 NHL career starts between them. The presumed starter has the least experience of the trio with 7 late season starts and his backups have career quality save %’s of .422 and .465.

Wheeler's top 50 draftees not in the NHL. https://theathletic.com/4665381/2023/07/18/nhl-top-prospects-rankings-connor-bedard/ 12. Benson 24. Savoie 25. Kulich HM - Östlund and Rosen Biggest quibble is he has Ohgren at 40 despite being outplayed by Östlund on the same team.

Mittelstadt. He'll move into the top 6 and has earned that opportunity. As to the rest, there is every reason to believe they'll improve on last year's numbers. JJP will be another year older and another off-season stronger. The difference between the player who started the year in Buffalo and the player who excelled at Worlds is miles apparent. The World's JJP showed how much confidence he's gained and he should blossom this season. I think a 50 pt season is well within his reach. VO scored 28 goals last season. That's top 6 production for most of the NHL. Krebs should produce more in the expanded role of 3rd line center vs 4th line-checking center he played last year. Greenway is perfectly capable of potting 15g this season. Honestly, I'm not worried about production from players 1-9 at forward and we know what we are going to get from the 4th energy line. Last season the Sabres had 4 30+ goal scorers, VO at 28 and another 5 forwards with 10-15 goals. In addition, Krebs potted 9 in a 4th line role. As to depth beyond the top 12, Murray has 21 games and was re-signed. Management also likes Biro and Rousek has earned his opportunity. If management is unhappy with the depth in camp, decent depth players like Pius Suter, Adam Erne, Nick Ritchie, and Max Comtois are still un-signed. If we have learned anything about KA's development strategy is that he isn't going to actively place roadblocks in front of his young players. If management feels someone is ready, they'll get an opportunity. To me, his status quo approach to the forward group indicates that he feels Rousek, Biro, and possibly others are ready to fill in if injuries strike. Justin Richards (3 NHL games) was also signed this off-season.

On paper, he is the 13th forward as of right now. The situation gets a little complicated if management wants to give Savoie or Benson a tryout. Personally I don't think either is NHL ready, but who knows for sure until we see them play. I also agree that Kulich isn't NHL ready either, but my guess is he will be by mid-season this coming year. The very status quo forward groups in Buffalo and Rochester is an indication to me that management is confident it's forward depth in the system to help out if injuries hit.

That was the Athletic opinion not mine. I was paraphrasing from the article.

Espn’s rating on the Sabres off-season to date. https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/insider/story/_/id/37989724/nhl-team-grades-free-agency-draft-trades-report-cards Why do these writers keep saying we need additional forward depth? Fairburn of the Athletic wrote the same thing. How much more depth are we supposed to have?

https://theathletic.com/4696719/2023/07/17/sabres-roster-projection-depth-free-agency/ Here is their best guess of the opening night roster L1 - Skinner TNT Tuch - Why mess with success? L2 - JJP Cozens Mitts - is this a place for Kulich or Savoie to earn a roster spot? L3 - Greenway Krebs VO - Playmaker Krebs gets a sniper, and VO gets to play with 2 guys who play 200 Feet. L4 - Girgensons Jost KO - Extras - Rousek and possibly Savoie D1 - Samuelsson Dahlin D2 - Power Clifton D3 - Jokiharju Johnson extra: Lyubushkin Out: Stillman and Bryson - They could try to sneak one or both down to Rochester if TP is willing to carry the big salary in Rochester. Joki has the most trade value. Goalies - Levi and UPL - Comrie getting sent down or traded when camp ends. I think this is a logical view of the team as of today. Imho UPL losses the goalie battle to Comrie for the backup job. I also think they'll carry 8 D and the battle will be between Stillman and Clague for that job. I also wonder if Jost goes to the 13th slot and Z moves to 4th line center opening a job for Rousek to play every day. I also wonder if the D pairings might become more fluid in game. For example, with the Sabres nursing a lead late, would Dg try a Johnson Samuelsson pairing to help shutdown an opponents top line?

My family was trying to avoid being murdered by the Czars and their henchmen when that conflict occurred. The truth is Atlanta and Houston are the biggest US markets without an NHL team. Unlike last time, Atlanta will have a deep pocket hockey-focused owner and expansion rules designed to give the team a chance. Also one of the NHL's TV partners is based here in the ATL. Build the right building and team and the Thrashers 2.0 will be a hit. It's also a recognition that Bettman's expansion program will remain Southern-focused. Dallas, Nash, Carolina, TB, and Fla are all doing well. Atl and Houston are the next pieces of that puzzle.

McDavid's next team will be the new Atlanta Thrashers or the new Houston Pilots

Have never posted there.

You wonder how long he sticks to his NHL dream. I’d love to see him get a chance, but the odds are so stacked against him in Buffalo.

Some of my favorites; the incoming Hasek trade, the Breire and Drury trades, and the Lydman trade.

His best chance may come next year as Mitts, Krebs, KO, VO, Z and Jost play out expiring contracts. (Krebs and Mitts are RFAs).

I think we are a long way from that conclusion. If it's 12 forwards, I'd take that as a sign management has a great deal of faith in Kulich or Rousek stepping in if necessary. In addition, Murray has NHL experience and they like Biro as well. We'll also be getting Quinn back at some point. I do agree 8 D will be on the roster. Last year's disaster with D injuries taught KA a valuable lesson; can't have enough capable D. I hope, like you do, that the 3 headed goalie monster is gone by the end of camp. I still have a faint hope that a capable goalie is on the way at some point this off-season.

I honestly don’t remember what I wrote about the trade, so I looked it up. I think my assessment from then has held up pretty well. Tuch has been way better than advertised. His personality and game has really come to define this group of Sabres for me. He is the definition of “want to be here”

The trading away of Eichel. It was the day the Sabres turned the corner and began to head in the right direction. This is not a shot at Jack, but a recognition that sometimes change can be a good thing.

Eichel.

The Calle Johansson trade is one I’ll never understand. Another is the McNabb and 2 2nds for Delo and Fasching. I’d sit well the day it was made and it’s worse now.

Is a guy who scored 21 EV goals and only 7 PP goals last season really only a PP specialist? VO will start the season on 2nd PP and the wing of the 2nd or 3rd line depending on what works in camp, with the 3rd line the most likely outcome. He’ll play 14 to 17 minutes a game depending on PP time and if he is better defensively. The real question regarding VO is what will his role be once Quinn gets healthy? The answer is up to VO. If he succeeds at becoming a better two way player, I can see Mitts returning to center the 3rd line, sending Krebs to 4th line center and Jost to the bench assuming everyone is healthy. If forwards are injured, VO likely keeps his role.

Well you project him at 44 pts. Is it really such a leap that if he plays better 2 way hockey this season he’ll hit 50 pts? By the way my claim was he was our best forward in the second half that season. That may have been somewhat hyperbole, but he had 26 pts (13g) with a +1, in his last 34 games, including 14 pts in the last 13 games at +4. He looked like he had turned the corner. This past season, he struggled defensively, but still managed a career high 28 goals. There aren’t many teams who can say that possibly their 9th best forward is capable of scoring 28 goal without 1st pp time.

I see you are upgrading him from hot garbage to a spotty 3rd line player. I expect to see a player giving everything on every shift this year as he knows he is working to earn a FA contract by year's end. I expect a player who makes hay on the 2nd PP and fills in on the 1st PP when needed. I also expect a better 2-way game this season. I expect to top 50 points this season.

I don't think so, but anything is possible.

Me? Never. Although admittedly, I do take the other side of some discussions because some notions shouldn't go unchallenged.