200 replies to this topic

[qwksndmonster]

Since a lot of people have been posting thoughts on future roster possibilities all over the board lately (and resurrecting an old projection thread), I figured it'd be nice to have everyone's opinions on this in the same place.

For the purpose of this thread let's assume the Sabres get one of the top prospects in the draft (because dreaming is nice).  I want a turnaround like the Canucks had last year.

What's the roster you'd like to see next year? Make trades if you want to, but try to keep them in the realm of reality.  I kept trades to a minimum in mine because I have no idea who's going to be available right now.

I'd like something along these lines:

'A' Vanek - Hodgson - Bullish RW with some skill acquired in trade or FA(DOAN DOAN DOAN DOAN DOOOOAAAAAAN )
Ennis - MacKinnon - Bullish RW wth some skill acquired in trade or FA(Clowe -ish player? Like what Clowe was when he used to score? Maybe Marcus can step in if he keeps getting better?)
'C' Ott - Grigorenko - Leino
Tropp - Flynn - Foligno

Extra forward: Kaleta

'A' Ehrhoff - Physical stay at home defender so Ehrhoff can jump into the rush more often
Sekera- Myers
Weber - Pyssyk
Pardy (resign for cheap if we can?)

Miller
Enroth

Jettisoned for assets/players (these are the players that I would get rid of for sure; all other players on the roster are fair game if a good trade is there)
Pommer Stafford Leopold Regehr Gerbe

[qwksndmonster]

My scenario is heavily dependent on being able to draft MacKinnon.  It's still short a shutdown center and if we came away with Drouin we could have him instead of one of the bullish RWs and acquire a good defensive center (or try to acquire one anyway).  My hope is that we'll have enough ammunition in assets that we'll be able to get the trades done.

[Peppy22]

It all depends on how much it will take to re-sign Hodgson.... everything above 3.5 Million would be an overpayment so I hope Darcy(insert other GM) is smart enough to make a great deal.This is the "not so many moves" set-up for the next season. Not a huge chance to come true as I doubt, that Clarkson would sign with Buffalo. Clowe and Scuderi are a possibility.


Vanek Hodgson Pominville
Leino Grigorenko Clarkson
Drouin Ennis Foligno"A"
Clowe Ott"C" Kaleta

Tropp

Myers Ehrhoff"A"
Sekera Weber
Scuderi Pysyk

Sulzer

Miller
Enroth


Clowe: No idea how serious his shoulder injury is. That would be a concern.
Scuderi: Dude has won 2 Cups and is the veteran on D we could need. Other than that with Myers(yes still Myers), Pysyk, McNabb und McCabe we have a bunch of Draft Prospects who can make the next step next year.


I know what you are thinking.... WHAT OTT ON THE 4TH LINE? I am looking at a team that is able to roll 4 lines equally here as all 4 lines would have a scoring touch. So our 4th line would obviously play more than just 6 minutes per game.

I have watched Clowe playing some games last year and damn I thought he would be a nice addition. He has not scored this year however it looks as if more players arent really finding the right gear with that short camp and short season.

Clowe,Clarkson and Ott would be nice grit on our team as well.

I still have Kaleta on the team hoping that he finally turns into the player he needs to be. If he doesn't to it, trade him.

Gerbe is obviously out. I would try to trade him at the deadline, although I am not sure that we would find any teams that would take him. Hecht will not be back, Regehr, Leopold and Stafford will hopefully be traded as well.

I would try to re-sign Sulzer as well. He is a cheap 7th man and very reliable.

Edited by Peppy22, 19 March 2013 - 04:42 PM.

[thesportsbuff]

Peppy22, on 19 March 2013 - 04:41 PM, said:

It all depends on how much it will take to re-sign Hodgson.... everything above 3.5 Million would be an overpayment so I hope Darcy(insert other GM) is smart enough to make a great deal.

I don't mean to derail the thread but I just wanted to throw in my two cents on this one piece. I don't think Hodgson is going to demand more than 3.5, but if there is one guy on the team worth overpaying it's probably him. How many years now have we been in need of a #1 center? Hodgson fell into our lap in perhaps Darcy's greatest trade ever. I don't think they're going to let him get away, even if it means overpaying a little bit.

But CoHo is still on his entry level deal and presumably his "big contract" is still a few years away.

[qwksndmonster]

Adding Stoll from the kings (D for F trade at deadline?) would be a good move.  Gritty shutdown center that wins lots of faceoffs.  That would let us use Grigorenko on the wing while he learns.

[Heimdall]

seeing at best we'll get drouin i think.

Vanek - hodgon - pominville
Ennis - grigorenko - drouin
Ott - Flynn - Foligno
Tropp - girgensons - kaleta

erhoff - mcnabb/regehr ( if not traded)
sekera - myers
Weber - pysyk

enroth
miller

I'd like that line up tbh

Leino and stafford will be traded or bought out after darcy gets fired.

Edited by Heimdall, 20 March 2013 - 02:23 AM.

[inkman]

qwksndmonster, on 20 March 2013 - 02:12 AM, said:

Adding Stoll from the kings

Why exactly are they trading him?

[X. Benedict]

inkman, on 20 March 2013 - 11:19 AM, said:

Why exactly are they trading him?

Stoll is a rich man's Guastad. 2 more goals a year on average.  

(I'm not sure if that's true...but it sounds truthy. BTW I like Stoll....and Goose for that matter)

[qwksndmonster]

inkman, on 20 March 2013 - 11:19 AM, said:

Why exactly are they trading him?

I've just sort of gotten used to hearing his name in trade rumors since last year.  They also have 8 RFAs and 4 UFAs that they may want to resign.  A lot of them are entry level deals, so they may want to save themselves the cap hit.

EDIT: And just to demonstrate the kind of guy I want to go after.

Edited by qwksndmonster, 20 March 2013 - 01:37 PM.

[SwampD]

X. Benedict, on 20 March 2013 - 11:45 AM, said:

Stoll is a rich man's Guastad. 2 more goals a year on average.  

(I'm not sure if that's true...but it sounds truthy. BTW I like Stoll....and Goose for that matter)

"Truthy"

I like it.

[todzilla]

What are the chances of Armia being on the team next season, it seems like it's time.

Vanek-Hodgson-Drouin (get him out there with the best players)
Ennis-Griegorenko-Armia
Foligno-Ott-Leino (still think Ville can be a help)
Flynn-Girgensens-Tropp-Kaleta

no more Stafford, Gerbe (boy if you could combine those 2 guys) Pommer.

Myers-McNabb
Ehrhoff-Sekera
Pysyk-FA D, tough vet

Miller
Enroth

I'd like to see Pommenville go at the deadline for picks/prospects, Stafford can go for a bag of pucks.
I wouldn't be against Miller going for a top 6 forward or high picks/top propect and rolling the dice with Enroth and FA vet goalie.

[ThirtyEight]

Vanek (7.143 R) - Hodgson (3.5 R) - Pommers (5.3 R)
Ennis (2.8 L) - Grigorenko (1.775 L) - Leino (4.5 L)
Folingo (0.9 L) - Ott (2.95 L) - Armia (1.275 R)
Miller (1.1 L) - Gordon (1.5 R) - Kaleta (1.086 R)
Thompson (1.1 L)
7 Lefts, 6 Rights
Total Cap: 33.7

Sekera (2.75 L) - Myers (5.5 R)
Mcnabb (0.9 L) - Ehrhoff (4.0 L)
Weber (1.3 L) - Pysyk (0.9 R)
Sulzer (1 L) - O'Byrne (2 R)
5 Lefts, 3 Rights
Total Cap: 18.4

Miller (6.25)
Enroth (1.3)
Total Cap: 7.5

Cap: 59.5

GM: Jim Nill (Detroit)
Head Coach: Larry Robinson (San Jose PK - could be a huge help to Myers as well)
Assistant Coaches: Tony Granato (Pittsburgh - Offense/PP), Patrick Roy (Quebec Remparts - defence)

2013 1st Round Pick: Barkov

I really like Scuderi, but we have so many left handed D-men that it seems like a waste. But then I do love him, so decisions, decisions. I'm still not happy with this line-up - we have too many LW (Ott, Foligno, Ennis, Vanek, Leino). If Armia isn't ready, I'd move Ott to RW and get a new 3rd line centre

Edited by ThirtyEight, 20 March 2013 - 03:42 PM.

[BMWR100RT]

ThirtyEight, on 20 March 2013 - 03:40 PM, said:

Cap: 59.5

Well thought out. So there's that!

[Peppy22]

bwahahahhaha

[Robviously]

Peppy22, on 20 March 2013 - 06:56 PM, said:

bwahahahhaha

F that, I'm not giving up on Sabretooth.

[X. Benedict]

Robviously, on 20 March 2013 - 06:59 PM, said:

F that, I'm not giving up on Sabretooth.

Is Dougy Allen a UFA next year?  
Maybe we could pick up a Salvation Army Singer and stay under the cap?

[Vanek-Man]

ThirtyEight, on 20 March 2013 - 03:40 PM, said:

Vanek (7.143 R) - Hodgson (3.5 R) - Pommers (5.3 R)
Ennis (2.8 L) - Grigorenko (1.775 L) - Leino (4.5 L)
Folingo (0.9 L) - Ott (2.95 L) - Armia (1.275 R)
Miller (1.1 L) - Gordon (1.5 R) - Kaleta (1.086 R)
Thompson (1.1 L)
7 Lefts, 6 Rights
Total Cap: 33.7

Sekera (2.75 L) - Myers (5.5 R)
Mcnabb (0.9 L) - Ehrhoff (4.0 L)
Weber (1.3 L) - Pysyk (0.9 R)
Sulzer (1 L) - O'Byrne (2 R)
5 Lefts, 3 Rights
Total Cap: 18.4

Miller (6.25)
Enroth (1.3)
Total Cap: 7.5

Cap: 59.5

GM: Jim Nill (Detroit)
Head Coach: Larry Robinson (San Jose PK - could be a huge help to Myers as well)
Assistant Coaches: Tony Granato (Pittsburgh - Offense/PP), Patrick Roy (Quebec Remparts - defence)

2013 1st Round Pick: Barkov

I really like Scuderi, but we have so many left handed D-men that it seems like a waste. But then I do love him, so decisions, decisions. I'm still not happy with this line-up - we have too many LW (Ott, Foligno, Ennis, Vanek, Leino). If Armia isn't ready, I'd move Ott to RW and get a new 3rd line centre

congratulations, you've managed to build a even softer team then Darcy regier. didn't think it was possible.

[ThirtyEight]

Vanek-Man, on 21 March 2013 - 04:44 AM, said:

congratulations, you've managed to build a even softer team then Darcy regier. didn't think it was possible.

Define soft

[Vanek-Man]

ThirtyEight, on 21 March 2013 - 04:47 AM, said:

Define soft

team toughness, not individual. fighting for the puck in the corners, battling in the offensive zone and only 2 of the 6 dmen are tough to play against. that's the big weakness this year, we're just too easy in our zone. when teams pepper us, it really takes a while for us to clear the puck. I like many of the adds you made (specifically miller and Gordon but that team would be too soft.

[ThirtyEight]

Vanek-Man, on 21 March 2013 - 04:55 AM, said:

team toughness, not individual. fighting for the puck in the corners, battling in the offensive zone and only 2 of the 6 dmen are tough to play against. that's the big weakness this year, we're just too easy in our zone. when teams pepper us, it really takes a while for us to clear the puck. I like many of the adds you made (specifically miller and Gordon but that team would be too soft.

One of the reasons I want Scuderi. The only move this team made over last season was Roy for Ott - this teams inability to clear the zone is new, so I think it is mostly in their heads. My bottom two lines have the ability to fight in the corners and be a good defensive lines. I'm also expecting Myers to be back on form, so that top line shouldn't need to battle in the corners too much.

I think a lot of players can go into the corners, it is about a philosophy of doing the little dirty things as well as playing a solid game. Ruff's game was built around a run and gun - there was not much battling at either end of the boards. Rolston's is to let the opponent take as many shots as possible, but ensure those shots are from low scoring locations - also the trap, he loves it

O'Bryne is also tough to play against, so a lot of the time he could/would be in

[Vanek-Man]

ThirtyEight, on 21 March 2013 - 05:13 AM, said:

One of the reasons I want Scuderi. The only move this team made over last season was Roy for Ott - this teams inability to clear the zone is new, so I think it is mostly in their heads. My bottom two lines have the ability to fight in the corners and be a good defensive lines. I'm also expecting Myers to be back on form, so that top line shouldn't need to battle in the corners too much.

I think a lot of players can go into the corners, it is about a philosophy of doing the little dirty things as well as playing a solid game. Ruff's game was built around a run and gun - there was not much battling at either end of the boards. Rolston's is to let the opponent take as many shots as possible, but ensure those shots are from low scoring locations - also the trap, he loves it

O'Bryne is also tough to play against, so a lot of the time he could/would be in

without adding top-6 grit, the only guy there who remains as the only guy who is willing to go to the net is Vanek, which means he plays less with the puck at his stick but also he'll get hit and abused and eventually hurt, like every other season. Without any kind of toughness on the 2nd line, and in your proposal there is none, Ennis would never get enough space to be able to play his game. we'd be way too easy to play against.

the RR style you described is a desperate brand of hockey, which awful teams use to give themselves a chance with a hot goaltender. our expectations should be higher.

[weave]

What are the chances this team has 3 or 4 rookies on it next season? Could we be looking at a team with Grigorenko, Armia, Pysyk (or McNabb), and whoever we draft this year all in the lineup at the same time?

Wow.

[Robviously]

weave, on 21 March 2013 - 08:07 AM, said:

What are the chances this team has 3 or 4 rookies on it next season? Could we be looking at a team with Grigorenko, Armia, Pysyk (or McNabb), and whoever we draft this year all in the lineup at the same time?

Wow.

It'll be Grigorenko, Pysyk, and McNabb for sure.  I can't imagine Grigorenko being back in the Q, Pysyk looks like he's ready to start getting NHL experience, and it's probably time for McNabb to sink or swim in the NHL.

I'd rather have Armia in Rochester (at least to start) and only Jones/Drouin/MacKinnon are draft picks that we'd play immediately (and I'm definitely skeptical that we'll get any of them).

You have a good point though.  Even having three rookies on the team all at once is going to be rough, especially with the team's leadership up in the air (i.e. maybe we're trading our captain and alternate captains).

[weave]

Robviously, on 21 March 2013 - 08:17 AM, said:

It'll be Grigorenko, Pysyk, and McNabb for sure.  I can't imagine Grigorenko being back in the Q, Pysyk looks like he's ready to start getting NHL experience, and it's probably time for McNabb to sink or swim in the NHL.

I'd rather have Armia in Rochester (at least to start) and only Jones/Drouin/MacKinnon are draft picks that we'd play immediately (and I'm definitely skeptical that we'll get any of them).

You have a good point though.  Even having three rookies on the team all at once is going to be rough, especially with the team's leadership up in the air (i.e. maybe we're trading our captain and alternate captains).

I know Armia is eligible to play in Rochester next season but he's in a league that is at a higher level of play than the AHL now.  He may start in Rochester but if his game translates well in North America I don't see how he stays in Rochester for a full season.

[Peppy22]

Vanek-Man, on 21 March 2013 - 04:44 AM, said:

congratulations, you've managed to build a even softer team then Darcy regier. didn't think it was possible.

Thazs what I tried to adress with "my team". A clowe-ott-clarkson line would be awesome

[Sabres Fan In NS]

Robviously, on 21 March 2013 - 08:17 AM, said:

It'll be Grigorenko, Pysyk, and McNabb for sure.  I can't imagine Grigorenko being back in the Q, Pysyk looks like he's ready to start getting NHL experience, and it's probably time for McNabb to sink or swim in the NHL.

I'd rather have Armia in Rochester (at least to start) and only Jones/Drouin/MacKinnon are draft picks that we'd play immediately (and I'm definitely skeptical that we'll get any of them).

You have a good point though.  Even having three rookies on the team all at once is going to be rough, especially with the team's leadership up in the air (i.e. maybe we're trading our captain and alternate captains).

Oh, that's rich.  Really rich.

[26CornerBlitz]

This guy may be in the mix:
@BuffaloSabres
#Sabres have signed free agent forward Tim Schaller to a two-year, entry-level contract, MORE >>> http://ow.ly/1UsZas

[dudacek]

Rookies will be everywhere next year.
I expect Armia to be on the team in a hole left vacant by Stafford/Gerbe. We will sign a free agent veteran D, but Pysyk and McNabb will be in the mix for 6/7. Grigorenko and/or (hopefully) a top three pick will be looked at closely as well.
It's going to be a young team under the guidance of Mr Ott.

[Robviously]

dudacek, on 02 April 2013 - 09:24 AM, said:

Rookies will be everywhere next year.
I expect Armia to be on the team in a hole left vacant by Stafford/Gerbe. We will sign a free agent veteran D, but Pysyk and McNabb will be in the mix for 6/7. Grigorenko and/or (hopefully) a top three pick will be looked at closely as well.
It's going to be a young team under the guidance of Mr Ott.

Grigorenko has to be either in the NHL or back in Quebec.  I can't imagine the Sabres sending him back to the Q so he's probably on the team next year no matter what.

Pysyk and McNabb are almost certainly Sabres next year.  McNabb would probably be here now if not for the knee injury, and it's definitely time to find out what we have with him.

If the Sabres are smart, they'll give Armia at least half a season in Rochester to load up on playing time and get used to the North American game.  I'm worried he's going to get his head taken off if he comes straight to the NHL.  And looking at how Granlund has struggled since coming over for Minnesota is a good indication that even the best young players from the Finnish league aren't necessarily ready to come straight to the NHL and play well.

[LGR4GM]

dudacek, on 02 April 2013 - 09:24 AM, said:

Rookies will be everywhere next year.
I expect Armia to be on the team in a hole left vacant by Stafford/Gerbe. We will sign a free agent veteran D, but Pysyk and McNabb will be in the mix for 6/7. Grigorenko and/or (hopefully) a top three pick will be looked at closely as well.
It's going to be a young team under the guidance of Mr Ott.

Ott for assistant Captain?  well our rookies would learn some grit under that man.

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

LGR4GM, on 02 April 2013 - 09:30 AM, said:

Ott for assistant Captain?  well our rookies would learn some grit under that man.

I don't think we want Ott to have any responsibility involving talking to the officials. I think it's a bad idea.

[26CornerBlitz]

26CornerBlitz, on 02 April 2013 - 09:07 AM, said:

This guy may be in the mix:
@BuffaloSabres
#Sabres have signed free agent forward Tim Schaller to a two-year, entry-level contract, MORE >>> http://ow.ly/1UsZas

Kris Baker's thoughts on Schaller:

@SabresProspects
@SabresBuzz he'll bring good size and a solid work ethic down the middle. strong two-way blend, good on draws, some offensive upside.

[weave]

Well, this thread can take on a whole new look now.  Especially with it looking likely that Vanek gets moved.

I'd imagine Grigorenko is a shoo in to make the roster now.  And barring a trade for a RW in the offseason I'd imagine Armia is in blue/white/gold as well.

Ennis-Hodgson-Armia
Ott-Grigorenko-Stafford
Foligno- Larsson- Tropp
various grinders and pugilists

Gonna be a thin year in the forward ranks.

Edited by weave, 04 April 2013 - 12:16 PM.

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

weave, on 04 April 2013 - 12:15 PM, said:

Well, this thread can take on a whole new look now.  Especially with it looking likely that Vanek gets moved.

I'd imagine Grigorenko is a shoo in to make the roster now.  And barring a trade for a RW in the offseason I'd imagine Armia is in blue/white/gold as well.

Ennis-Hodgson-Armia
Ott-Grigorenko-Stafford
Foligno- Larsson- Tropp
various grinders and pugilists

Gonna be a thin year in the forward ranks.

I wouldn't count on Vanek getting moved prior to the deadline. I don't think the return for Thomas drops significantly between the Draft and the Deadline.

[TrueBluePhD]

weave, on 04 April 2013 - 12:15 PM, said:

Well, this thread can take on a whole new look now.  Especially with it looking likely that Vanek gets moved.

I'd imagine Grigorenko is a shoo in to make the roster now.  And barring a trade for a RW in the offseason I'd imagine Armia is in blue/white/gold as well.

Ennis-Hodgson-Armia
Ott-Grigorenko-Stafford
Foligno- Larsson- Tropp
various grinders and pugilists

Gonna be a thin year in the forward ranks.

That's hideous.  It's a shame I'm not up on the 2014 draft prospects to start prepping "____ for ____" rhymes

Glass Case Of Emotion, on 04 April 2013 - 12:33 PM, said:

I wouldn't count on Vanek getting moved prior to the deadline. I don't think the return for Thomas drops significantly between the Draft and the Deadline.

On the latter, look at the return Iginla got versus Pominville.  I think the value tanks at the deadline.

[LabattBlue]

weave, on 04 April 2013 - 12:15 PM, said:

Ennis-Hodgson-Armia
Ott-Grigorenko-Stafford
Foligno- Larsson- Tropp
various grinders and pugilists

Gonna be a thin year in the forward ranks.

I would be shocked if the forward ranks look like this come October.    We would have a firm grasp on the #1 pick come lottery time.

[weave]

Glass Case Of Emotion, on 04 April 2013 - 12:33 PM, said:

I wouldn't count on Vanek getting moved prior to the deadline. I don't think the return for Thomas drops significantly between the Draft and the Deadline.

If he moves in the offseason he's not really as rental.  I'd be surprised if he doesn't garner more value in the offseason.

LabattBlue, on 04 April 2013 - 12:38 PM, said:

I would be shocked if the forward ranks look like this come October. We would have a firm grasp on the #1 pick come lottery time.

Unless we acquire more NHL ready forwards in the offseason this is what we've got, no?

Edited by weave, 04 April 2013 - 12:41 PM.

[shrader]

Glass Case Of Emotion, on 04 April 2013 - 12:33 PM, said:

I wouldn't count on Vanek getting moved prior to the deadline. I don't think the return for Thomas drops significantly between the Draft and the Deadline.

Having a full year to work on a new deal for Vanek vs. bringing him on as a rental.  Vanek's trade value is only going to decrease as the season wears on next year.  Pominville doesn't draw the sizable return he got yesterday if he didn't have that year left on his contract.

[Peppy22]

If the Sabres Move Miller and Vanek, I think there will be players coming to Buffalo that would be in the lineup right away.... so difficult to say how the team could look like...

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

TrueBluePhD, on 04 April 2013 - 12:35 PM, said:

On the latter, look at the return Iginla got versus Pominville.  I think the value tanks at the deadline.

weave, on 04 April 2013 - 12:40 PM, said:

If he moves in the offseason he's not really as rental.  I'd be surprised if he doesn't garner more value in the offseason.

Iginla's return was a future 2nd round pick different from the Pominville return. Thomas Vanek's power-play ability will be greatly coveted at the deadline. I don't think it will be a significant piece of value lost between the draft and the deadline. Maybe an additional mid-tier prospect or mid-round pick. And this gives the Sabres an opportunity to at least try and extend him this summer.