Im not really sure if there are moves we can make to put us in the playoffs next year.

I see us having a season like Detroit is having this year.
- Pegullaville

You don't even have to make the playoff's but you can field a team that can compete and grow, make next year the 1st year with this group and start trying to fill the gaps.

Like you just said use the late 1st's for a power forward/gritty defenseman. It's too obvious this year what the plan is, Adams ask these players to want to be here, it's beneficial to give them a reason to want to.


Saying all this, Gerbe did mention they are trying to add more 1st's and make a splash to get a number 1C if they don't draft one, I don't see it but it could also explain why they won't make any moves yet.

Depth, the Sabres have no depth, they have a lot of similar style players. They need to define roles and fill them before depth can even begin.

Butcher played LW last night Pegs, there is no real depth in this organization yet.
- washedup20

Be careful with the bold.

The Sabres tried that under Ralph and for the most part, those role player sucked.

I think what you're looking for are more players that play like Tuch, and I wholeheartedly agree with that.

Be careful with the bold.

The Sabres tried that under Ralph and for the most part, those role player sucked.

I think what you're looking for are more players that play like Tuch, and I wholeheartedly agree with that.
- kingcong39

Ralph was an absolute moron. He didn't know how evaluate players and put them in roles to succeed, that doesn't mean hockey teams don't have defined roles.

Each line should have Grinder, Playmaker and a finisher. Ralph was possibly the worst of all time at executing this. Even if the line was Mackinnon McDavid and Matthews, Mack would win the battles to gain possesion give it to Mcdavid who would possess the puck until he could find Matthews to finish.

The Sabres roster has speed and skill but lacks that skilled grit other than Tuch. Thats the void in this organization that shouldnt be filled by an 18 year old drafted this or next season joining a young talented core.

You don't even have to make the playoff's but you can field a team that can compete and grow, make next year the 1st year with this group and start trying to fill the gaps.

Like you just said use the late 1st's for a power forward/gritty defenseman. It's too obvious this year what the plan is, Adams ask these players to want to be here, it's beneficial to give them a reason to want to.


Saying all this, Gerbe did mention they are trying to add more 1st's and make a splash to get a number 1C if they don't draft one, I don't see it but it could also explain why they won't make any moves yet.
- washedup20

I don’t think we necessarily lack size in looking at next years roster.

Dahlin/Samuelsson/Power are big boys on the back end. Dahlin is starting to use his size more.

Tuch is a big boy, Okposo/Girgensons play with grit. Tage/Cozens are still filling out and won’t be push overs in time. Cozens laid out Chychrun last night

Krebs/Peterka/Quinn play bigger than their size and aren’t afraid of contact.

I don’t really think about the production/results of this years roster considering all of the impending UFA’s that will be gone and the fact that all of our younger players are going to be better next season.

Be careful with the bold.

The Sabres tried that under Ralph and for the most part, those role player sucked.

I think what you're looking for are more players that play like Tuch, and I wholeheartedly agree with that.
- kingcong39

Exactly

It’s why you just stay the course. Overpay a few FA on one year deals next year to hit the cap then be ready to roll in 2023-24 with best cap in the league and all our young players ready to break out and our draft picks last year and this year hitting Rochester to develop or fill in for depth
- Fattony1187

Development isn’t linear, this approach has proven to not work, over and over and over again

I don’t think we necessarily lack size in looking at next years roster.

Dahlin/Samuelsson/Power are big boys on the back end. Dahlin is starting to use his size more.

Tuch is a big boy, Okposo/Girgensons play with grit. Tage/Cozens are still filling out and won’t be push overs in time. Cozens laid out Chychrun last night

Krebs/Peterka/Quinn play bigger than their size and aren’t afraid of contact.

I don’t really think about the production/results of this years roster considering all of the impending UFA’s that will be gone and the fact that all of our younger players are going to be better next season.
- Pegullaville

Tuch is the only player on that list that can play this role at the level the Sabres are trying to get to and haven't gotten to in over a decade. Maybe he's all thats needed but I don't think so.

If you have the chance to add established, good NHL’ers, you do.

Outside of Cozens, Krebs and probably Power, you can’t bank on any of these prospects yet.

Just look around the league at tons of high end prospects that just never panned out to be what everyone thought

It’s going to happen to a few of our prospects

Tuch is the only player on that list that can play this role at the level the Sabres are trying to get to and haven't gotten to in over a decade. Maybe he's all thats needed but I don't think so.
- washedup20

I agree with your overall viewpoint and having guys on each line that fill their roles.

I can see an argument for upgrading over Asplund for a guy with size that can also handle the defensive responsibilities on a line.

I think Olofsson is a decent role player but I find him redundant with the young guys we have coming up.

I do agree we need a physical stay at home guy for Dahlin.

Sabres have 4 centers who's floor projects as a Trochek level player, you want to pay him $5-$6m the last few years of a 6 year contract?
- Wanchuk

I like him. Was hoping a 3 yr deal would work

If you have the chance to add established, good NHL’ers, you do.

Outside of Cozens, Krebs and probably Power, you can’t bank on any of these prospects yet.

Just look around the league at tons of high end prospects that just never panned out to be what everyone thought

It’s going to happen to a few of our prospects
- sbroads24

I’ve been on this train for awhile.

Fla/VGK picks will be in the high 20s.

Look at the last 15 drafts. The chance of finding top 6 talent there is very very low.

Development isn’t linear, this approach has proven to not work, over and over and over again
- sbroads24

It worked with numerous teams that won multiple cups

Wow. Page after page of respectful, intelligent hockey conversation. This place can be alright.

I like him. Was hoping a 3 yr deal would work
- Michael Pachla

I'd love him on a 3 year deal, I just always assume guys his age want something longer. By all means, overpay for a 3 year deal, but anything longer and I'd be hesitant

It worked with numerous teams that won multiple cups
- Fattony1187

Like?

Like?
- ImThatGuy

Pittsburgh and Chicago are the only ones you can argue and they made big trades, and also drafted generational players.

We won’t have a generational player or anything close to it

I’ve been on this train for awhile.

Fla/VGK picks will be in the high 20s.

Look at the last 15 drafts. The chance of finding top 6 talent there is very very low.
- ImThatGuy

Well you can find them, even lower than that. You just need a decent scouting staff and some luck. Quite a few players playing right now drafted there or even lower 2nd 3rd rnd

Well you can find them, even lower than that. You just need a decent scouting staff and some luck. Quite a few players playing right now drafted there or even lower 2nd 3rd rnd
- Buff36

I found where Botterill got his draft choices, look at what this site choose for Sabres late 2 picks haha...


http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/

Well you can find them, even lower than that. You just need a decent scouting staff and some luck. Quite a few players playing right now drafted there or even lower 2nd 3rd rnd
- Buff36

If you go year by year, round by round, there aren't many top 6 guys drafted past pick 20. It was surprising how few guys come out of the draft past the early first round. Sure it can be done, but it's rare that one team will continually pull talent out of later picks.

I don’t play Gm mode on Xbox or anything but...
Is Samuelsson going to be stuck behind Dahlin and Power on the left side?

Samuelsson for Owen Tippett ?

If you go year by year, round by round, there aren't many top 6 guys drafted past pick 20. It was surprising how few guys come out of the draft past the early first round. Sure it can be done, but it's rare that one team will continually pull talent out of later picks.
- Wanchuk

Tampa Bay, but that wasn't the post or just 1 team

I don’t play Gm mode on Xbox or anything but...
Is Samuelsson going to be stuck behind Dahlin and Power on the left side?

Samuelsson for Owen Tippett ?
- Ratsreign

Na, Samuelsson could be perfect for the 3rd LD and PK. You want Bryson?

Tampa Bay, but that wasn't the post or just 1 team
- Buff36

Tampa is the outlier. The draft seems so random after the top 13 or so. Granted you can't trade all your picks year after year, but the position the sabres are in, I would absolutely trade those two late firsts for a long term solution at RD.

Na, Samuelsson could be perfect for the 3rd LD and PK. You want Bryson?
- Wanchuk

No

Tampa is the outlier. The draft seems so random after the top 13 or so. Granted you can't trade all your picks year after year, but the position the sabres are in, I would absolutely trade those two late firsts for a long term solution at RD.
- Wanchuk

Oh so would I