Straight Talk: 1st Line: what do Sabres really have on this roster?

[mjd1001]

1 minute ago, Pimlach said:

I am a Tuch fan.   

This is the best assessment of him I have read here.  I myself could not come up with all the data that backs your assessment.  By so many measures he one of the better player on this team.  

Of course I am disappointed in his recent two bad turnovers that both led to goals against.   Despite those mistakes,  @pi2000 just put up some stats (TRpm and +/-) that shows Tuch is still one of the better players on the team.  

All that said, Tuch is almost 30 and going forward  will have to rely more on experience and vet savvy than speed.  He strikes me as a guy that will figure this out and still be a key contributor for several years to come.  

He left one of the best teams in the league to play for the home town team and has been a good soldier.   But right now Tuch should be asking for a trade, not a long term extension.  I think this next big life change that he is facing is a distraction for him.   A poor GM like Adams let this negotiation go for too long and Adams faces getting less for him or overpaying to keep him.  .  

He can go to any contending team and play middle 6, still score 25+ goals, still kill penalties, and enjoy the game.  He should be asking to go and I hate to say it, but this team is still miles away from contending for a Cup.  Just getting the 7/8 spot  in the conference is not close to getting to the top 4-6 teams in the league.  

I just wish we had a GM that could either get the right value for him or sign for just 2-3 year extension - But we have Adams. 

Tuch SHOULD be a slightly better version of Zucker on a good team going forward into his early 30s....as you said playing 'middle six' minutes.  If he can make that adjustment to his game where he doesn't rely on his declining speed.

As you said, it doesn't look like this roster would be the best place for that (for the next few years if he stays here, he will be asked to do TOO much, more than he would likely be capable of doing into his 30's).

[PerreaultForever]

7 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

And they've needed that second top-line guy for several seasons.

If the current Sabres regime remains in power, and provided they throw enough money at him and doesn't go JJP, just take Tuch off the top line and replace him with Doan. (Which opens the spot for Rosén in the top 6.) Rinse and repeat.

Oh definitely. I am quite sure in Adams mind he's thinking "I don't need anybody here. I have Helenius, Kulich back, Östlund and Rosen so more than enough forwards and Mrtka will play D, Levi will fix goaltending and then we will surge. Don't need a thing. " Some people will believe that is true too. 

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

Oh definitely. I am quite sure in Adams mind he's thinking "I don't need anybody here. I have Helenius, Kulich back, Östlund and Rosen so more than enough forwards and Mrtka will play D, Levi will fix goaltending and then we will surge. Don't need a thing. " Some people will believe that is true too. 

Some ppl believe the earth is flat but we don't need to mention them when talking about things. 

I don't think anyone left cares much about the pipeline which has players years away.