Annual expectations thread 2022/23: #45 Casey Fitzgerald

[dudacek]

It wasn’t that long ago Casey Fitzgerald was having trouble fitting in to the 6-man rotation for Rochester. But his play during the season’s first half for the Amerks earned him a call-up and a serious look-see from the Sabres to close the year out.

Don Granato didn’t hesitate to throw him to the wolves, although his TOI dropped from a little over 19 minutes in February, to 15:11 in April.

His +/- was ugly considering the fact he only played 36 games. His Corsi was better, comparable to Jokiharju and Samuelsson at 48%. He finished 2nd on the team in hits/60 and 5th in blocked shots/60.

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=170288

Fitzgerald — who signed with the Sabres after 4 full college seasons despite being eligible for free agency — made an impression on his Rochester coaches, who described him as a self-made, all-situations, 1st-pairing player at that level.

He also made an impression on fans in Buffalo with his willingness to play physical, step up for his teammates and generally attack the game.

It remains to be seen whether he has enough size and skill to supplement that effort and turn himself into a full-time NHLer. If he doesn’t, he can no longer be sent down without being exposed on waivers.

What do you expect from Casey Fitzgerald?

Edited September 7, 2022 by dudacek

[Weave]

I hope he doesn’t get picked up by another team on waivers, but I think biding his time in a 7/8 role and waived to go to Rochester is about 50/50 odds.

[PerreaultForever]

I think he will give it a gritty effort when called upon but he won't make the starting line up. I personally prefer him to Bryson, but I don't think the Sabres agree. 

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

I see Casey being the guy that pushes these young defensemen to not only bring it every night, but ensure they are showing game over game improvement.  Because he is going to be there to step in if Power shies away from the physical play, or Samuelson loses confidence, someone gets injured, etc.  Casey is the guy on the team that is looking for that opportunity to show his value and I'm excited to see what he does in '22-'23 if he gets a regular spot for 8-10 games. 

I think he beats out Pilut for the 7th D role on the team this year at some point because he has a broader skillset, and plays fearless.  I'm rooting for Pilut too, but IMO he has a lot more to prove than Fitz.  

[nfreeman]

I think there will be a spirited 3-way battle for the 6-7-8 slots among Casey, Bryson and Pilut.  It seems most likely that Bryson will win out initially, especially because Boosh will probably be the other guy on the 3rd pair, so some offense and puck-carrying will be needed from Boosh's partner, but I wouldn't be surprised with any outcome.  In any case due to injuries elsewhere in the D corps, 2 of those 3 will likely end up playing a lot.

I like Fitzie and the edge he brings.  It's an area where the Sabres are a bit deficient.  He just needs to improve his decision-making in the D zone, which will come with experience.

[Pimlach]

He should battle for the 6/7 spot with Bryson.  I guess with Pilut, we have a battle for 6/7/8.  
 

I like Fritz’s moxie (grit). 

Edited September 7, 2022 by Pimlach

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, SHAAAUGHT!!! said:

I see Casey being the guy that pushes these young defensemen to not only bring it every night, but ensure they are showing game over game improvement.  Because he is going to be there to step in if Power shies away from the physical play, or Samuelson loses confidence, someone gets injured, etc.  Casey is the guy on the team that is looking for that opportunity to show his value and I'm excited to see what he does in '22-'23 if he gets a regular spot for 8-10 games. 

I think he beats out Pilut for the 7th D role on the team this year at some point because he has a broader skillset, and plays fearless.  I'm rooting for Pilut too, but IMO he has a lot more to prove than Fitz.  

I think Lybushkin is here if Power shies away from anything (which I don't see happening). 

As to the second part, Mattias Samuelson losing confidence under this coaching staff and knowing what we know about Muel's personality seems highly unlikely. 

[triumph_communes]

He’s bad

[Taro T]

32 minutes ago, triumph_communes said:

He’s bad

His comparables (not necessarily skills wise, but more overall talent level) are the Ruhwedels of the league.  He's a 7/8 and if we're lucky a 6 because injuries will get him into ~20 games. 

[Curt]

I expect him to be a good soldier and a hard worker, but mostly in practice.  I think he will be scratched as the 7/8 most nights but will bring some aggression on the few days he does get into games.

[French Collection]

10 hours ago, nfreeman said:

I think there will be a spirited 3-way battle for the 6-7-8 slots among Casey, Bryson and Pilut.  It seems most likely that Bryson will win out initially, especially because Boosh will probably be the other guy on the 3rd pair, so some offense and puck-carrying will be needed from Boosh's partner, but I wouldn't be surprised with any outcome.  In any case due to injuries elsewhere in the D corps, 2 of those 3 will likely end up playing a lot.

I like Fitzie and the edge he brings.  It's an area where the Sabres are a bit deficient.  He just needs to improve his decision-making in the D zone, which will come with experience.

I would add Clague in that battle, he has NHL experience.

Edited September 7, 2022 by French Collection

[dudacek]

16 minutes ago, French Collection said:

I would add Clague in that battle, he has NHL experience.

To lesser extent Davies and Priskie as well.

Those 3, Pilut and Fitzpatrick are all 24-26 and proven at the AHL level.

They’re all be coming hard for Bryon’s #6 slot and it will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

[dudacek]

I think he’s borderline to make the team because I don't know if he’s one of the 23 best players.

Edited September 9, 2022 by dudacek

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I think he will be the 7/8 maybe even 9/10, or bust.

If he is waived there is about a 60/40 chance that he will be claimed by some other team.

I could also see him traded for some pick or other.

If the Sabres were further along (similar position as the 2006 team) I think they would keep him up with the team and in the press box until needed by injury necessity.

+++++

I like him and his grit, but the Sabres have better options at D now.

[Norcal]

I expect Casey to be a good little soldier and accept any role he's given with a can do attitude and hellfire. 

I think Casey will play a couple dozen games providing tough play and a willingness to stick up for his teammates as needed. 

[SwampD]

I think he scores 20+ this year.

[Weave]

9 hours ago, SwampD said:

I think he scores 20+ this year.

Wrong Casey?

[Taro T]

9 hours ago, SwampD said:

I think he scores 20+ this year.

 

5 minutes ago, Weave said:

Wrong Casey?

Nah, right Casey.  The truly amazing thing is he'll do it while only playing in 24 games. 😉

 

[DarthEbriate]

34 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Nah, right Casey.  The truly amazing thing is he'll do it while only playing in 24 games. 😉

Playing some EA NHL...whatever the year is. Fitzgerald wins the Art Ross.

[Curt]

1 hour ago, Weave said:

Wrong Casey?

I saw an ESPN prediction that Casey NELSON was going to score 20+ for the Sabres this season.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Seems like the Sabres have way too many Caseys hanging around.

Surely, they can't all score 20+ this coming season.

[SwampD]

2 hours ago, Weave said:

Wrong Casey?

Wouldn’t it be somethin’, though?

[Taro T]

52 minutes ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:

Seems like the Sabres have way too many Caseys hanging around.

Surely, they can't all score 20+ this coming season.

Why not?  This ain't baseball & we don't care if they can't get dates. 😉

 

[DarthEbriate]

2 hours ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:

Seems like the Sabres have way too many Caseys hanging around.

Surely, they can't all score 20+ this coming season.

How many Caseys do we got on this ship anyway? I knew it... I'm surrounded by Caseys. Keep scoring, Caseys!