What ROC Americans are ready to move up?

[BigAl2526]

I'm a casual fan at best, so I'm asking more rabid fans what their opinions are.  The Rochester Americans are one of the better AHL teams.  I know Devon Levi was thought to be a candidate for being elevated, though the signing of Alex Lions by the Sabres probably changes that.  Are there any forwards that seem to be NHL ready and will actually make a difference for the Sabres?  I know the trade for Kesselring has bolstered the defense a little.  The draft picks, I know, will only help the defense in the future, if at all.

[pastajoe]

Defenseman Ryan Johnson has a chance to make the top 6, especially if Byrum gets traded. He’d be a bottom pair shutdown defender. It also looks like Kozak will get a chance to play 4th line center. The forward openings appear to be in the top six, so someone would have to blow Lindy’s socks off in training camp to get a look.

[Taro T]

15 minutes ago, BigAl2526 said:

I'm a casual fan at best, so I'm asking more rabid fans what their opinions are.  The Rochester Americans are one of the better AHL teams.  I know Devon Levi was thought to be a candidate for being elevated, though the signing of Alex Lions by the Sabres probably changes that.  Are there any forwards that seem to be NHL ready and will actually make a difference for the Sabres?  I know the trade for Kesselring has bolstered the defense a little.  The draft picks, I know, will only help the defense in the future, if at all.

Would consider Kulich to be the most likeliest of the Amerk F's to make the Sabres.  Kozak has an outside chance of making them on the 4th line.  Rosen, Östlund, Helenius, and Wahlberg might also get looks.  (But none will be on the big squad on opening night.)  Doubt any will be difference makers this year.  Kulich could be a difference maker but would much rather see him on the 3rd line than where he appears to be pencilled in on the top line.  He's good defensively for a guy as young as he is.  That stated, he got his lunch eaten last year regularly when going up against the top lines of top teams and there's no reason to believe it'd be that much different this year, at least early on.

Would be surprised if any other Amerk forward made the big club out of the gate.

Johnson is the most likely D-man to start the year in Buffalo, but if Byram and Samuelsson are both back he's a long shot.  (Expect they'd be better off letting him play in the A than have him riding the pine as the 8 in Buffalo.)  Don't believe either of the big Russians will be ready out of the gate.  Johnson will get opportunity.  The 2 Rooskies might also.

Would expect Levi to start the year in Ra-cha-cha, but he'll be up at some point.

Edited 10 hours ago by Taro T

[PromoTheRobot]

Here's my dark horse, it's Zach Metsa. 

[The Jokeman]

27 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Would consider Kulich to be the most likeliest of the Amerk F's to make the Sabres.  Kozak has an outside chance of making them on the 4th line.  Rosen, Östlund, Helenius, and Wahlberg might also get looks.  (But none will be on the big squad on opening night.)  Doubt any will be difference makers this year.  Kulich could be a difference maker but would much rather see him on the 3rd line than where he appears to be pencilled in on the top line.  He's good defensively for a guy as young as he is.  That stated, he got his lunch eaten last year regularly when going up against the top lines of top teams and there's no reason to believe it'd be that much different this year, at least early on.

Would be surprised if any other Amerk forward made the big club out of the gate.

Johnson is the most likely D-man to start the year in Buffalo, but if Byram and Samuelsson are both back he's a long shot.  (Expect they'd be better off letting him play in the A than have him riding the pine as the 8 in Buffalo.)  Don't believe either of the big Russians will be ready out of the gate.  Johnson will get opportunity.  The 2 Rooskies might also.

Would expect Levi to start the year in Ra-cha-cha, but he'll be up at some point.

Samuelsson ain't going anywhere with way KA went off on rumors we were going to cut him.

[Taro T]

1 minute ago, The Jokeman said:

Samuelsson ain't going anywhere with way KA went off on rumors we were going to cut him.

Agreed.  The only way he's going away is if Dallas says, you know, that Byram kid looks like a good centerpiece in a package for Robertson and the Sabres end up needing to move Samuelsson in a separate deal to wind up cap compliant come October.  (And that AIN'T happening.  But it is nice to dream.)

[dudacek]

Kulich is already a Sabre.

Ryan Johnson, Tyson Kozak and Isak Rosen are of an age and experience where they could or should be making the move.

As things stand right now, I give Kozak even odds to be the 14th forward.

I expect they’ll keep Bryson as the 7 and get Johnson lots of work in the minors, even if Johnson outplays him in camp. Johnson might beat him out though if an injury opens up a top 6 spot.

Rosen almost certainly will not; he’s not the dawg the Sabres are looking to be adding this year. His only shot IMO is an injury or meltdown to both Quinn and Kulich.

Novikov has a real outside shot if Samuelsson is hurt, but I think he’s more of mid-season call-up. The other young players - Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg, Komorov - aren’t seasoned enough.

Devon Levi has a job if he earns it, but I suspect it will not be handed to him this time.

Edited 9 hours ago by dudacek

[The Jokeman]

Just now, Taro T said:

Agreed.  The only way he's going away is if Dallas says, you know, that Byram kid looks like a good centerpiece in a package for Robertson and the Sabres end up needing to move Samuelsson in a separate deal to wind up cap compliant come October.  (And that AIN'T happening.  But it is nice to dream.)

Yeah and if be more pissed that we let Jacob Bernard-Docker go as he was a cheap defender that could replace Samuelsson imo. 

[Ctaeth]

Couple of the defenders i could see with the Sabres.  Johnson, Novikov, and potentially Metsa.  However, the glut of last pairing defenseman the sabres have will probably prevent any of them from getting a real look this year.  

As far as the forwards go, I dont think anyone is ready to be promoted (aside from occasional injury callups).  Closest are rosen and Östlund.  Edit:  forgot kozak.  Hes ready for a full time 4th line spot probably 

Goalie... levi

Edited 9 hours ago by Ctaeth

[Taro T]

46 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Kulich is already a Sabre.

Ryan Johnson, Tyson Kozak and Isak Rosen are of an age and experience where they could or should be making the move.

As things stand right now, I give Kozak even odds to be the 14th forward.

I expect they’ll keep Bryson as the 7 and get Johnson lots of work in the minors, even if Johnson outplays him in camp. Johnson might beat him out though if an injury opens up a top 6 spot.

Rosen almost certainly will not; he’s not the dawg the Sabres are looking to be adding this year. His only shot IMO is an injury or meltdown to both Quinn and Kulich.

Novikov has a real outside shot if Samuelsson is hurt, but I think he’s more of mid-season call-up. The other young players - Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg, Komorov - aren’t seasoned enough.

Devon Levi has a job if he earns it, but I suspect it will not be handed to him this time.

Agree that Kulich is a lock to make this year's Sabres team.  But what pro team did he last play for last season?  

[Scottysabres]

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

Kulich is already a Sabre.

Ryan Johnson, Tyson Kozak and Isak Rosen are of an age and experience where they could or should be making the move.

As things stand right now, I give Kozak even odds to be the 14th forward.

I expect they’ll keep Bryson as the 7 and get Johnson lots of work in the minors, even if Johnson outplays him in camp. Johnson might beat him out though if an injury opens up a top 6 spot.

Rosen almost certainly will not; he’s not the dawg the Sabres are looking to be adding this year. His only shot IMO is an injury or meltdown to both Quinn and Kulich.

Novikov has a real outside shot if Samuelsson is hurt, but I think he’s more of mid-season call-up. The other young players - Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg, Komorov - aren’t seasoned enough.

Devon Levi has a job if he earns it, but I suspect it will not be handed to him this time.

Great insight on this post. Well done.

i know I’m going to be feathered on this one, but our fin rookie. He looks ready.

[LGR4GM]

4 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

Great insight on this post. Well done.

i know I’m going to be feathered on this one, but our fin rookie. He looks ready.

Konsta Helenius?

He's not even remotely ready for the NHL. That's nuts. 

[Scottysabres]

Just now, LGR4GM said:

Konsta Helenius?

He's not even remotely ready for the NHL. That's nuts. 

It is. But literally LG, we have nothing else, at least in my humbled opinion. I don’t like it, but no one is coming here, and after watching many videos on him, ya, offensively, he’s the most naturally ready. I hate saying it, but hell LG, at this point, why not give him 8 games? 

[LGR4GM]

47 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

It is. But literally LG, we have nothing else, at least in my humbled opinion. I don’t like it, but no one is coming here, and after watching many videos on him, ya, offensively, he’s the most naturally ready. I hate saying it, but hell LG, at this point, why not give him 8 games? 

He's not ready. 

[Porous Five Hole]

50 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

It is. But literally LG, we have nothing else, at least in my humbled opinion. I don’t like it, but no one is coming here, and after watching many videos on him, ya, offensively, he’s the most naturally ready. I hate saying it, but hell LG, at this point, why not give him 8 games? 

He’s just not mature enough yet.  He was the youngest player in the AHL last year. And he had a nice second half. He was also decent in the playoffs.  But he needs to build off of that.
 

He’s not better than anyone in Buffalo yet. And to me, making the Sabres better is not making them younger with untested Amerks prospects. 

[oddoublee]

I'd say all of them....but we barely have real cap room to bring anyone of significance in. 

Our team is a sack of sorry potatoes. 

[spndnchz]

10 minutes ago, oddoublee said:

I'd say all of them....but we barely have real cap room to bring anyone of significance in. 

Our team is a sack of sorry potatoes. 

Why?

[oddoublee]

1 minute ago, spndnchz said:

Why?

14 years. Blow off

[spndnchz]

1 minute ago, oddoublee said:

14 years. Blow off

Blow what? Steam?

[oddoublee]

Just now, spndnchz said:

Blow what? Steam?

Piss off? Better? Your question was dumb. Yes, there are such things as dumb questions

[Porous Five Hole]

It might not be popular right now, but I have long term high hopes for Noah Östlund.  His rookie year second half in the AHL was great as a 21 year old.  He’s silky out there. He’s not close to being an NHL player, but he has the makings of a true top six forward down the line.  

[spndnchz]

15 minutes ago, oddoublee said:

14 years. Blow off

 

27 minutes ago, oddoublee said:

I'd say all of them....but we barely have real cap room to bring anyone of significance in. 

Our team is a sack of sorry potatoes. 

 

16 minutes ago, oddoublee said:

14 years. Blow off

 

13 minutes ago, oddoublee said:

Piss off? Better? Your question was dumb. Yes, there are such things as dumb questions

Do you hear yourself?

[oddoublee]

3 minutes ago, spndnchz said:

 

 

 

Do you hear yourself?

Sure do! Sabres suck. Thanks for giving me all this attention to further vent!

[Porous Five Hole]

Just now, oddoublee said:

Sure do! Sabres suck. Thanks for giving me all this attention to further vent!

Why are you taking that out on a fellow Sabres fan? Telling someone to piss off? The people here are your brothers and sisters. Our community is better than this.  

[oddoublee]

15 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said:

Why are you taking that out on a fellow Sabres fan? Telling someone to piss off? The people here are your brothers and sisters. Our community is better than this.  

Meh. He was purposely antagonizing with his 'why' question with no further context. He knows it. He wasn't being innocent.