You're first statement is false, the Sabres desperately need those roles filled. Properly filled roles would balance out the roster, improve defensive play and allow the skill players to do there thing.

What are the 12 higher problems for the Sabres over having an unbalanced roster?

NJ wins, so there is no comparison with them. They don't play soft either.

Reaves hasn't played in Vegas in years, they won in large part to their role players excelling at their roles. Those role players are huge and tough, so not sure what you are saying here.

This is not just about fighting like every single one of you reduce it too.
- washedup20

I extrapolated from you saying "watch them go get beat up". What is the solution to that?

TAXI FOUNTAS IS INNOCENT!!!!!!!!!!

I extrapolated from you saying "watch them go get beat up". What is the solution to that?
- Michael Ghofrani

Stop focusing on only drafting skill, a hockey team has roles, the organization needs to begin respecting those roles and filling them properly.

Draft/FA/Trades - all avenues are worth exploring. There is 0 reason to hyperfocus on one aspect of the roster.

Stop focusing on only drafting skill, a hockey team has roles, the organization needs to begin respecting those roles and filling them properly.

Draft/FA/Trades - all avenues are worth exploring. There is 0 reason to hyperfocus on one aspect of the roster.
- washedup20

If you're arguing that they should be drafting more players with "role player skill set" (like defensive forwards, or back end specialists on the PK) that's an argument I get, even if I'd prefer them to go the trade or FA route.

If youre saying the problem is the Sabres get beat up and they need to draft players to solve that issue, Im not sure it actually solves that issue if you think it's one.

If you're arguing that they should be drafting more players with "role player skill set" (like defensive forwards, or back end specialists on the PK) that's an argument I get, even if I'd prefer them to go the trade or FA route.

If youre saying the problem is the Sabres get beat up and they need to draft players to solve that issue, Im not sure it actually solves that issue if you think it's one.
- Michael Ghofrani

You can kill 2 birds with one stone.

The current GM publicly stated its an issue halfway through last season.

You can kill 2 birds with one stone.
- washedup20

Their presence won't stop other teams from going after their top guys. The solution is to ensure that your top guys can handle that heat.

I used NJ as the example and you mentioned that they aren't soft. You're right, but its not because they drafted role players who terrify other teams from going after Jack Hughes.

It's because in spite of looking like a baby lamb, Hughes can handle the physicality without crumbling. Need to hope that the current core is also capable of that.

You can kill 2 birds with one stone.

The current GM publicly stated its an issue halfway through last season.
- washedup20

He's drafted players like Nadeau, Kozak, Miedema, Strbak, Poltapov and Novikov, who are all those 'tough to play against' style of player with variable skillset.

He bought Lyubushkin and Clifton, and traded for Greenway and Stillman.

Short term, long term.

You can argue the effectiveness of each individual but he's still actively addressing the need.

Their presence won't stop other teams from going after their top guys. The solution is to ensure that your top guys can handle that heat.

I used NJ as the example and you mentioned that they aren't soft. You're right, but its not because they drafted role players who terrify other teams from going after Jack Hughes.

It's because in spite of looking like a baby lamb, Hughes can handle the physicality without crumbling. Need to hope that the current core is also capable of that.
- Michael Ghofrani

Hughes is a top talent in the game, Dahlin would be the Sabre I use as in the same boat as him dealing with the physicality of the game and they both can handle it.

Leadership/mentality have a large influence on how the young players joining a team will or will not adjust their gameplay to fill their roles.

The current leadership plays soft and quiet, and the GM says the team gets bullied. That's what I am pointing out. If the Sabres don't have to fight to get out of how they are perceived then fantastic.

So the Sabres drafting good middle 6 players in the early 2000's is related to this point how?

For the bolded, 3 GM's failed to properly fill those roles and the current roster is lacking the same.

I disagree with how you think a hockey roster should be constructed. I think you over value skilled roles and ignore the rest of what makes a team.
- washedup20

Girgensons and Okposo are very good in the role that they do.

The fact that most can’t see the value they bring isn’t a me problem

He's drafted players like Nadeau, Kozak, Miedema, Strbak, Poltapov and Novikov, who are all those 'tough to play against' style of player with variable skillset.

He bought Lyubushkin and Clifton, and traded for Greenway and Stillman.

Short term, long term.

You can argue the effectiveness of each individual but he's still actively addressing the need.
- TheSabresTaco

Not much to argue as none of them have properly filled a role.

Not much to argue as none of them have properly filled a role.
- washedup20

The active players don't have a role?

Hughes is a top talent in the game, Dahlin would be the Sabre I use as in the same boat as him dealing with the physicality of the game and they both can handle it.

Leadership/mentality have a large influence on how the young players joining a team will or will not adjust their gameplay to fill their roles.

The current leadership plays soft and quiet, and the GM says the team gets bullied. That's what I am pointing out. If the Sabres don't have to fight to get out of how they are perceived then fantastic.
- washedup20

And the Devils don't? Their team captain is literally soft as butter lmao.

If you're getting bullied is the solution to get someone else to stand up for you or for you to stand up against it?

That's my argument. Greenway, clifton, stillman. The toughness they add may make some fans happy, but it absolutely doesn't deter the core from being targeted.

Idk maybe im wrong and it does. hard to know for sure until they actually play a playoff game.

Girgensons and Okposo are very good in the role that they do.

The fact that most can’t see the value they bring isn’t a me problem
- Swedish_Jesus

Like I said, I disagree with how you think a team should be built.

The active players don't have a role?
- TheSabresTaco

They have a role, they do not fill it properly.

Girgensons and Okposo are very good in the role that they do.

The fact that most can’t see the value they bring isn’t a me problem
- Swedish_Jesus

So you don't think there were a half dozen guys that could've been gotten that could play that some role but better?

And the Devils don't? Their team captain is literally soft as butter lmao.

If you're getting bullied is the solution to get someone else to stand up for you or for you to stand up against it?

That's my argument. Greenway, clifton, stillman. The toughness they add may make some fans happy, but it absolutely doesn't deter the core from being targeted.

Idk maybe im wrong and it does. hard to know for sure until they actually play a playoff game.
- Michael Ghofrani

Touche on the NJ captain lol

The players brought in to fill those roles fail at their jobs.

I could be wrong as well, but if the last seasons playoffs are any indication of what they will be going forward, the Sabres have problems.

Girgensons and Okposo are very good in the role that they do.

The fact that most can’t see the value they bring isn’t a me problem
- Swedish_Jesus

Bro

So you don't think there were a half dozen guys that could've been gotten that could play that some role but better?
- RhinoFan

On Okposo, perhaps.

Girgensons is useless offensively and may not hit much but you can count on two hands the amount of players that are better than him defensively in the entire league. That holds some merit.

Touche on the NJ captain lol

The players brought in to fill those roles fail at their jobs.

I could be wrong as well, but if the last seasons playoffs are any indication of what they will be going forward, the Sabres have problems.
- washedup20

I think a lot of these players can hold their own. When you remove Bryson and Olofsson you're already getting players in their place with more jam, Clifton included.

Dahlin and Sam are hard to play against. Power will get there. Stillman, Clifton.

Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, tough guys to play against. Quinn and Peterka hopefully grow into that. Greenway's job is to open space for the middle 6. They need to be coached to play a more intimidating game.

Girgensons and Okposo are very good in the role that they do.

The fact that most can’t see the value they bring isn’t a me problem
- Swedish_Jesus

Sure in some facets, didn't need both especially when your PK ranked what 28th in the league.

I think a lot of these players can hold their own. When you remove Bryson and Olofsson you're already getting players in their place with more jam, Clifton included.

Dahlin and Sam are hard to play against. Power will get there. Stillman, Clifton.

Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, tough guys to play against. Quinn and Peterka hopefully grow into that. Greenway's job is to open space for the middle 6. They need to be coached to play a more intimidating game.
- TheSabresTaco

Yes, I couldn't agree more on coaching, and I'll add leadership too. It's a must.

I think a lot of these players can hold their own. When you remove Bryson and Olofsson you're already getting players in their place with more jam, Clifton included.

Dahlin and Sam are hard to play against. Power will get there. Stillman, Clifton.

Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, tough guys to play against. Quinn and Peterka hopefully grow into that. Greenway's job is to open space for the middle 6. They need to be coached to play a more intimidating game.
- TheSabresTaco

Some of them aren't even done filling out, and you don't have to throw a 100 hits to be tough to play against. Being strong on the puck is tough to play against. Peterka and Kulich will become that I believe.

Some of them aren't even done filling out, and you don't have to throw a 100 hits to be tough to play against. Being strong on the puck is tough to play against. Peterka and Kulich will become that I believe.
- Buff36

If this guy fills out anymore the league is in trouble.

If this guy fills out anymore the league is in trouble.
- JCSabs06

He's gonna be a handful

Girgensons and Okposo are very good in the role that they do.

The fact that most can’t see the value they bring isn’t a me problem
- Swedish_Jesus

you spelled staal and fast wrong