BlowLeafsBlow123

The headcase part of the Cozen conundrum is a huge piece, at least from my perspective. I always try to take note of the players that play well in (more) meaningful games against better teams. That was almost never Cozens. He seemed to feast when the team was feasting in high-scoring affairs or getting some secondary PP assists. His breakout year was a lot of him passing to Dahlin, then over to Thompson for a PP goal or Quinn/Peterka driving the 2nd line. He's hardly ever the primary play driver on big goals, like you see with a Tuch or Peterka (Quinn a few years ago) for instance. If you can remember back to when Mitts was still here, he seemed to play well in those games. I think of the OT winner on RJ's last call and a lot of scoring during that final playoff push that missed by one point. Cozens was a ghost during those games. I started turning on him late that year as he completely vanished down the stretch and the bad play persisted for two more seasons. He has his best games after we're all but eliminated, just look at the last few games last season. I just don't think he's a big time player and while he may have another 60 point year in him, he'll never be worth that contract based on his overall play.

Exactly. Perhaps Norris can be a guy that pops in a goal in a tight game. Cozens tended to play worse in those types of games and would instead make a crucial error like the other night against SJ.

Low hockey sense ... which has always been his issue even going back to juniors. The fact that the Sens traded a center to get him shows they'll use him there. Huge mistake.

Listen, if they're not willing to give up Byram and Cozens for a 100-point capable 1C, then I don't know what to say. I agree with @mjd1001's Cozens takes fully. This is an albatross contract and we're running out of runway to get rid of it before the rest of the league catches up. He's still thought of highly around the league as he's young and he's on the lowly Sabres, plus is a Team Canada favorite from his WJC and World Championships. It'd be highway robbery to get rid of that contract plus Byram, who is going to cost $7-$8M long-term and a little less on a bridge deal walking him to UFA. Personally I think we still need to build the D around Dahlin and Power, with better defensive d-men as their partners. Plus it allows them to shift a bunch of players within their lineup to the proper roles. Tage can be a 2C, McLeod or Kulich as the 3C...Krebs back to 4C = lots of options. We also have several center prospects coming up, with Helenius being the most likely Top 6 (2-way) capable player.

Benford, Rapp, Von, Rasul and we're good. Von gives them someone teams still have to at least account for as a pass rusher. I'm not sure any of our other guys strike fear into a team. Keep the lockdown corners and our current best safety and think we have one of the better defenses for the playoffs.

I'd guess that if Bryson, Gilbert or Clifton have a rough night it'll give Ruff the runway to put him back in. At this point, they're on a three-game winning with this exact group of defenders. I think he knows that the top 4 looks better (last game no withstanding) as currently constructed and perhaps has data from last year that shows that Joki was a drag on Power. The other thing to consider is that they could be actively shopping him as we speak, and don't want to risk injury. They'd be smart to sell him off before the deadline to a team needing a righty that might pay a little more to have him for the majority of the season. We have decent depth and still have Ryan Johnson down in the AHL, who looked like an NHL'er most nights last season. Plus Novikov might be close to ready for third pairing duty. The only problem is...it leaves Connor Clifton as your only true right shot. Adams would likely need to at least get someone else in that can play on the right. Personally, I'm good with it. Jokiharju just doesn't do anything well and is soft. I honestly prefer Bryson's game overall, and he's a much better defender and more adept at skating the puck out of trouble. I find Joki's hockey IQ to be quite low, especially in the offensive zone where his go-to move is to just shoot with no traffic in front. My opinion is that Ruff watched it for the first few based on reputation more than anything, but quickly realized he was the weak link and prefers a more rugged bottom pair. It makes sense.

Cozens will be lucky to hit 10 this year. He looks completely incapable of doing anything productive, let alone burying pucks.

I LOVE Zach Benson and think he's going to be most impactful. Lindy will quickly trust Benson as a go-to guy and put him on the ice a lot. I could easily see Zach having a 55-60 point year and being the best playmaker on the team. He can fit on either of the top three lines and be the play driver. Just a fantastic hockey player that we're very lucky to have gotten so late in there first round last year. This is a tough poll though, as all three are primed for a great season. I just think they're all ready to pop and become household names around the league. Peterka does seem to fit like a glove with Thompson and Tuch and has ten times the speed of Skinner who was one of the slowest skaters in the league last year. It's hard to see Peterka taking a step back on the goal scoring, and you have to imagine his assists go up on that line. I see him being a 30 goal guy with close to 60 points as well. I've always held Quinn in high regard as well. He's probably the most skilled winger in their entire system and certainly has the highest point potential. I do see him getting to around a point per game type of player. Just not sure it'll happen this year. I see him also in that 50-60 point range with very good 2-way ability, which is an underrated part of his game. His hockey IQ, like Benson's is off the charts. They're exactly what a guy like Cozens need. I voted Zach Benson for most points, a bit tongue in cheek and a bit hopeful that he's the next Marchand-type winger in the league. That said, it could easily be any of these guys which is a great problem to have. Hey you never know? If Cozens finds some defensive ability under Lindy, and Quinn magically turns into a 40+ goal guy, we could have our version of Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta 🙂

Thoughts on this deal? Seems like many of us might've viewed him differently than the organization. I see him as the extra forward but this deal would lead me to believe he's in the starting lineup night one.

Stephenson would be a perfect add to this roster. They desperately need to insulate the minutes that Thompson and Cozens get, as they're just not up to the task of playing all the hard minutes. However, I'm starting to wonder if Cozens needs to be made into the matchup guy to go against top lines. Perhaps giving him wingers that can help him be that guy is the way to move forward and put a little less scoring expectations on him. He's simply not someone who is going to consistently finish and create high-levels of offense. The goal should be to create lines that play a specific role. Just some random thoughts on guys and would love to hear some thoughts: -Skinner needs to be minimized, if not removed from this roster. We cannot go into next year thinking of him as a top 6/top PP guy imo. If they want to start changing the make up of the roster, this is the best place to start that change. He's one of the most frustrating players I've ever watched, especially when he's not burying 30+ per year. I think last season was his absolute peak and it'll be tough sledding from here, which makes it a real shame they couldn't squeak into the playoffs and at least end the drought. -Greenway should be looked at as a Bottom 6 guy, and preferably on a defensive 4th line and top PK. Imagine him and Girgs as the wings, with a really solid 4th line center. I think that's a line that could really help. Where's prime Johan Larsson when you need him? -Quinn is one of their top offensive talents and should start getting top offensive minutes, including top PP. Obviously he needs to stay healthy to do so. Hoping this year was simply poor luck and not the beginnings of an injury prone career. I could see a line with Thompson (also needs to get healthy) working well, as Quinn has high hockey IQ to make up for Tage's shortcomings there. I think another top line talent or two is still needed to properly fill out this roster. We need a line that can put fear into the other team. Skinner, Tage and Tuch were good, but teams have figured out how to shut them down and it's been tough for them since about the mid-point of last season. They need players that think the game quicker with Tage and can make better passes. A true top line winger or center is the biggest hole on the roster, again IMO. I have major reservations about Tage and that he can ever get back to the pinnacle we saw last season, as again teams started to figure out how to shut him down rather quickly. -Make a match up line that can go against top lines while also creating offense. Perhaps this could be Benson Cozens and Tuch. That would be a good mix a speed, forechecking and IQ (Benson). Tuch and Benson are stronger two-way guys and can take pucks away, while Cozens is improving in that regard. I think that line could win their match up on a lot of nights and still put up okay numbers. -What is Peterka? I've found his game to be supremely frustrating since about the first month or two of the season. He's very much a soft, perimeter player that has very low hockey IQ. He's basically Evander Kane without the physicality and toughness. To me, he might be another piece that can help change the look of the team as trade bait. Thoughts? Perhaps I'm too impatient with him. -I pose this question to the board...what do you do with your third line for next year? Do they become a secondary offensive line or more of a shutdown type of line? I'm not sure we have the elite level first line that produces enough that you can't have a decent amount of scoring coming from your third line. I think the big question will become ... what is Krebs? Is he a legit top 9 center or not? My gut tells me that he's simply not good enough, but I'll give him a little bit more time to see if something clicks. Otherwise, it might be time to think about moving him in a deal to get some better players in here. Can a Krebs line with Skinner and Peterka provide secondary scoring punch in a diminished role? Not sure I'd be comfortable going in to the season with that in mind. -Lastly, which prospects do folks see making it next year? It seems very difficult to project at this moment. I think there's a decent chance that Savoie jumps ahead of Kulich and Rosen. He might be that young Danny Briere type that this roster desperately needs. Really hopeful that he can be a center in the NHL.

Disagree, they should be rotating EJ and Clifton imo. Having both of them on the same pair spells disaster typically. Ryan Johnson is already a top 3-4 guy on this squad and needs to be treated as such. When someone's ready, they're ready and should be utilized.

Hate to say it, but I think Krebs is a bust. He's not even getting good results on the 4th line in the eye test, analytics and counting stats. He's largely been ineffective outside a few bursts, especially more during his first year here. Every chance he's had with talent has been a huge disappointment in my eyes. I think he's a tweener and/or a decent 13th forward moving forward. He may get marginally better but overall has been quite honestly, a terrible piece in that trade 😞

I tend to agree, but have been burned enough times by Sabres prospects that I need to somewhat temper my excitement. I truly think it's much more likely he's a very good first liner or elite level second liner. My worst case scenario is one of absolute best third liners in hockey, which wouldn't be bad for 13th overall just not the steal we think we all made here. He's a better NHL'er at 18 than Reinhart was for sure. Like you said, once he gets stronger and his skating improves as a result, he'll be a nightmare for opponents. He's the type of player you'd rather have for playoff hockey than a more passive guy like Reinhart. But I don't want to put the cart too ahead of the horse on this.

Such a good post and call out! Sorry for triple posting here, but had to comment on this. I totally agree that these two are the future. I see so much potential in Jack Quinn due to the way he thinks the game. He's also equally adept at goalscoring and playmaking, so should be a top line guy in his prime. It's quite possible that Tage and company become second liners when we're ready to take the next step. The big question again becomes who centers these two potentially elite scoring wingers. Not sure Tage thinks the game or is defensively sound enough to be a true top line center on a contender. Hate to say it, but that could end up holding this team back at some point.

I think with one year left, a Skinner buyout could be in play. I believe it's much more palatable at that point. If Benson keeps developing as many of expect, they'll do what they need to do to sign him and likely long-term. He is looking like a core piece whether he develops into a true first liner or even a defensively responsible middle 6'er. Guys that can play a strong 2-way game, with a top notch IQ/processing speed with what looks like elite playmaking skills are fairly uncommon. The Sabres have had basically zero players like this for several years. Reinhart might've been the last to have many of these attributes. Obviously it's so early and things can certainly go downhill as teams figure him out or as the competition he faces gets steeper. But I see a dang good player there that has a lot of things you just can't teach in his game.

I don't think VO has the physical talent/skating to ever do what Eichel did to turn his career around. Eichel literally fell into a perfect and I mean perfect situation for him. While there was some pressure on him, he was largely insulated from needing to be THE guy. VO's time has come up and it's time the Sabres no longer accept players that neutralize and make you worse at Even Strength. While he's a PP weapon, he has made every line he plays on worse, including when he was with Eichel/Reinhart years ago. That said, VO has a place in this league and will catch on somewhere and probably be a solid 20-25 goal scorer. However I don't believe that'll be on a Stanley cup contending team that prioritizes competitiveness and ES play.

Not saying I want to sign Kane one way or another, but he easily replaces Skinner on PP1 and gives you A LOT better passing. Granted I've been a proponent of Skinner off PP1 for a long time as he's simply not good with the extra man. Kane's still an all-time great and may have something left to give and has the ability to make our PP1 a bit more dangerous. Imagine: Tage Tuch Kane Dahlin Cozens As for ES, Kane would need to be sheltered ala Olofsson. Problem is, we'd need to pair him with someone that can actually bury the puck, not Krebs and Greenway.

The reality is...no one. He makes $1.7M per year, which is pretty sizeable for a net negative player. That's basically a small albatross contract for a guy that is basically incapable of contributing meaningful minutes in the NHL.

Yes, yes it would. Having any of (non-toxic) Eichel, O'Reilly or Reinhart would be a huge help right now. Remember how good O'Reilly and Reinhart were when Eichel was hurt that one year? We are severely short on top-end talent with Savoie being the only hope for a first liner eventually (our new Briere!). I could maybe be talked into Östlund or Kulich getting there eventually, but the more likely scenario is for those guys to be good complimentary players. The organization is still going to need one or two top line talents in the system to become a real threat in the conference. Adding that to our d-core and (hopefully) Devon Levi, and they might have something legit. My hope is that some guys squeak free via trade next offseason, as we're going to be chocked full with prospects and not have enough spots for them to all develop. Look for guys like Mitts, Olofsson, Rosen, etc. to become trade-bait at some point. A Skinner buyout is still something I'd be looking at over the next couple of off-seasons. They are going to need that roster spot opened up, and to change the makeup of the team.

Yes, and is also shows the NHL team that there's a new standard that Bjork wasn't meeting. There will be no more passengers on this ride.

I have to say that I'm really thrilled Donny is not being stubborn with his lines. There were a few points last year where he was, but was maybe more out of necessity due to lack of depth. It was clear as day that it just wasn't a good line construction for the first two games. The top line with all shooters and no one to do the dirty work was a poor coaching move, plain and simple. The good news is he learned to recognize that quickly, which could be where the analytics folks are helping him. I get what Donny was trying to do with having Tuch spark another line, but Olofsson was not the guy needed to replace him on the that top line. Hino would've been better in that spot if we're being honest. Tuch is the straw that stirs the drink, and can hopefully get our two goal scorers going. They need to at least remain a net positive, as they were getting absolutely caved in at ES. IMO, he really nailed it with today's practice lines. I love that they're trying Asplund at Center on the 2nd line. He could be another gem down the middle for the bottom 9. If Mitts is better at draws, he can always step in to take faceoff and shift to wing. The beauty of having C depth, even with some guys forced to the wing. Also, I think Asplund is possibly too good for a traditional 4th line role. I'd say he could be perfect on a third line for a good team, but good enough to play up when needed. Mitts may get a little more freedom as a winger. Side note on Asplund, I'm really hoping he's that next long-term deal that maybe looks outrageous to the casual and non-Sabres fans, but will be a steal for years to come. There's likely never been a cup winner that didn't have one or two guys like him. He's our modern-day Jochen Hecht and just might have a 50-60 point season in him. Keeping the Cozens/Peterka pairing was smart, while recognizing that Hino and Cozens also have chemistry. Quinn with Girgs and Okposo actually might allow him to get more touches, while those two create space. If they're starved for offense late in the game, they could always swap Hino and Quinn and try to get that Peterka/Quinn chemistry rolling. I'll be shocked if this lineup does worse than the last two games, where the top 6 just didn't get it done. My guess is we'll see a bit more cohesion up front. We get to see the real value of having depth throughout the roster. When the lines are constructed properly, they'll be much harder to dominate like Florida did. Especially if Power gets the yips out of his system, we could see some really good hockey coming our way.

That's a great way to put it regarding their construction. When you take an objective look at our team, our first line might be in the bottom 5 of the league. However, if each of them can put up high 60s in points and we can get 55-60 out of one or two other guys below them we might be competitive. I do think you're correct in that our path to winning more than we lose is by our bottom 9 being better than other teams. That certainly seems to be where we have the advantage over several teams in our conference, but requires a couple very nice rookie/sophomore seasons and continued scoring touch from Okposo and Girgs. I really think if Cozens continues his step and can somehow become a 55-60 point two way center, a lot of our problems will work themselves out.

Indeed that's exactly what I'm doing. While yes, we've improved our team play and scoring overall, we still do not match up well with the big dogs of the league (except for Toronto of course). The top of our conference is a bunch of deep rosters full of big, fast, skilled, and mean teams (Tampa, Florida, Boston, Carolina, Pittsburgh, etc.). We simply don't have the horses to go line for line with them, especially when Donny is busy experimenting with the makeup of the lines. By the time some new contracts kick in over the next few years, Tage will be an average paid second line center, so I see that point fully. I just hope the management realizes that it's unlikely for him to blossom much more than he has. They should take that house money they found and use it to the fullest, but please don't settle. The search for a real # 1 center that can hopefully play a strong 2-way game is still on. I personally don't see that guy on this roster or in the system, unless one of the recent first rounders really really develops. We'll see how the year goes, but I would think they're still going to target centers in the 2023 draft in what will likely be one more top 10ish pick.

Longtime lurker, first time poster ... They look slower than they should, and that's because they're not in rhythm and the lines are jiving outside of the bottom 6. They seem to struggle with the bigger/faster teams with strong two-way centers at the top of their lineup. I think one of the biggest reasons for this is Tage simply isn't good enough to fight through Barkov and Bergeron bearing down on him. His splits again Boston and Florida last season are paltry at best and should be of concern moving forward: Against FL/BOS in 21/22 season: 8 Games - 1G 3A -9 Is it just me or is that not a potential issue? I'm sure those guys do that to a lot of lesser first lines but if our goal is an eventual cup contender, we need someone that can go toe to toe with these guys a bit more effectively. He got skunked in 5 out of those 8 games. Oddly enough, he was also skunked by Ottawa in both games he played against them last year and now this year as well. He feasted on teams like Montreal, Philly and even Toronto, who play a less structured game. However, I'm concerned that we're hitching our wagon to a Center that isn't able to step his play up against better opponents with any regularity and it seems to be a certain type of team that simply shuts him down. Perhaps this points to him being better suited as a complimentary player, but that contract would suggest they see him as at least a 1B Center. I'm willing to give him this season to figure it out getting top minutes, but if things don't get better against the good teams they will need to consider re-allocating top line minutes accordingly. We could really use Cozens developing into a true 2-way beast, because he might be able to force the issue against the big boys.