Who gets the boot? Who is at the top of your list?

[Zamboni]

Who gets the boot? What three roster players do you want out of the Sabres organization before next season?

 

I asked this poll question a couple weeks ago. Here are the top five results with the most votes.

 

Bryson … 45 votes

Olofsson … 35 votes

Clague … 19 votes

Okposo … 17 votes

Anderson … 15 votes 

 

I think Clague will stay in the mix in the organization. And maybe maybe maybe Okposo for one more season.
 

Discuss ….

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by Zamboni

[Buffalonill]

Olofsson 

 

 

[Dr. Who]

Bryson is the one that simply can't be on the roster. If he's there, KA has failed the off-season because it means he hasn't brought in enough quality veteran D. Olofsson next. He should have some trade value, more I think than some folks imagine. I don't think you have to include Anderson. He's done and it would be just mean to kick a fella on the way out. I'd like Okposo to retire, but if he wants to stay he's going to get the year. I agree that Clague is good enough to have a place in the organization.

I thought this thread was going to be about posters. Though I mainly just lurk, I had a list . . . 

[GASabresIUFAN]

From last years’ team pretty much anyone not named:

Skinner, Tuch, Thompson, Peterka, Quinn, Cozens, Mittelstadt, Krebs, and Greenway up front.  Dahlin, Samuelsson, Power and Lyubuskin ( for now) on defense and Levi in goalie.

Jost, Jokiharju, VO, KO, Girgensons, Stillman, Bryson, Clague, UPL and Comrie should all be replaced. Anderson and Vinnie are already gone.

What KA will do - off my replacement list, only VO, Clague and Bryson will be moved or not re-signed.   KO and Z will return if they want to, but don’t expect anything but a 1 year deal.  Jost also probably gets a year.  I suspect Comrie will start the year in Rochester or get claimed if waived.  If Comrie outperforms UPL in camp, then UPL gets traded. 

After next season any returnees from my replacement list, such as Stillman and Comrie will be allowed to walk.

[Pimlach]

If we want to get better then need to improve upon Bryson and Clague. 

If we want to get better we need to leverage the overabundance of wealth at forward and replace it help on defense and goalie.  VO is the likely guy to go.  

[French Collection]

This is the only list that Bryson is #1 on. Turnovers, no offense, can’t win a battle, pushover and a few other faults. He was given many chances to become a mainstay as a homegrown guy but he has not worked out and in my opinion should not even be #8D.

VO is next on my list. 28 goals is good but he is no longer good enough to be a top 9 player. He doesn’t do any other tasks well. Even on the PP I find him lacking any creativity, he stands and waits for Dahlin/Power to tee it up for him. He doesn’t move it around or look for lanes. I much prefer Quinn, who will only get better. People say you can’t replace 28 goals but I think you do it by committee. Quinn/Peterka/Krebs improvement alone could do it but Greenway/Rousek and another UFA should put that number of goals in the rear view mirror. The Sabres don’t need to make a big splash on a UFA forward, just a steady 2-way grinder who can chip a few in and a C that can win draws as a bonus. I suggested Jonathan Toews as a 4C 13F option.

I understand the love for KO, the leadership he brings and the bond he has formed with the young guys and the staff. I hope he realizes that he no longer helps much on the ice and that it is time to retire. If he really wants his 1000 games I can see a path for that, I just don’t want him being a regular for 82 games. He doesn’t bring enough on the ice and he will be that much older/slower in October. His leadership has helped changed the culture of the team for the better but I want the next captain to be ultra competitive to the point where participation medals are melted down and shot into space to replace the asteroids that fall onto earth. This is another reason I would like to have Toews brought in to mentor the leaders (Dahlin, Tuch, Cozens) on what it takes to get to the next level.

I don’t care about Girgs one way or the other. One year deal max.

[PerreaultForever]

Well I don't think the guys like Clague matter because they're not really starting roster players anyway. Bryson's arguably out as well. So you move on from VO, doubt you get much disagreement there, and then I personally want the entire bottom of the roster redone so I do want to move on from Girgs and Kyle. My preference is also upgrading to make Jokiharju no longer relevant but I doubt that happens. 

Anderson as a new goalie coach? idk, but I'm not sure the one we have is getting it done. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

40 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

My preference is also upgrading to make Jokiharju no longer relevant but I doubt that happens.

Welcome to the darkside.

[Taro T]

Allowed to walk out the door as they are UFA's:  Anderson, Hinostroza, and Okposo.  (Yes, Kyle'll be back, but he shouldn't be IMHO.)

Traded:  Olofsson and UPL.  (And realize UPL will be back, but he shouldn't be, again IMHO.)

Buried in the AHL:  Bryson, Clague, and Comrie.  (This actually is likely to happen.)

The rest of the F's are brought back with Jost as a spare and Girgensons starting on the 4th line and hopefully made a spare by the end of the season because other players have taken that spot away from him.

The rest of the D come back with Stillman as the 7 or 8 and ideally not just 1 D gets added so the lesser of Jokiharju, Lyubushkin, or the 2nd new D becomes the 7.

[GoPuckYourself]

22 hours ago, Zamboni said:

Who gets the boot? What three roster players do you want out of the Sabres organization before next season?

 

I asked this poll question a couple weeks ago. Here are the top five results with the most votes.

 

Bryson … 45 votes

Olofsson … 35 votes

Clague … 19 votes

Okposo … 17 votes

Anderson … 15 votes 

 

I think Clague will stay in the mix in the organization. And maybe maybe maybe Okposo for one more season.
 

Discuss ….

 

 

 

I hope they keep Olofsson/Clague and redo all the others, Olofsson if nothing else is a 28 goal scorer regardless of how he got them. Okposo is a great leader but he brings not much else to the table, Anderson is done, Bryson is just no, I don't want to talk about how I despise his play. Getting bigger/tougher/2way style of players should be the priority this offseason imo.

[Crusader1969]

2 hours ago, Taro T said:

Allowed to walk out the door as they are UFA's:  Anderson, Hinostroza, and Okposo.  (Yes, Kyle'll be back, but he shouldn't be IMHO.)

Traded:  Olofsson and UPL.  (And realize UPL will be back, but he shouldn't be, again IMHO.)

Buried in the AHL:  Bryson, Clague, and Comrie.  (This actually is likely to happen.)

The rest of the F's are brought back with Jost as a spare and Girgensons starting on the 4th line and hopefully made a spare by the end of the season because other players have taken that spot away from him.

The rest of the D come back with Stillman as the 7 or 8 and ideally not just 1 D gets added so the lesser of Jokiharju, Lyubushkin, or the 2nd new D becomes the 7.

I have a feeling Girgs will get a multi year deal elsewhere and is gone 

If Krebs is ready to move up the lineup , the top 9 are pretty well seT.  Either way, I’ll assume KO is back, 10 of the 14 forwards they will open the season with are pretty well set. 
I think they bring back Jost as well 

final 3 roster spots will be a battle -Rousak and Kulich are possibilities.  Thinks Savoie is most likely to start season with Sabres 

maybe a UFA is signed to play 4th line minutes. Someone who would be ok with a shorter term deal and hopefully can bring a bit more grit and offence than Girgs 

Olofsson and Vinny are also not here next season

maybe there’s a team that needs a PP specialist that we can flip VO to.  
 

on D Bryson should not be on the 23 man roster.   He belongs in the AHL.  
Hopefully there is a guy in UFA market who they think they can play in the top 4   Dumba seems to be a good fit to me  

I would then like to see them trade a draft pick (2nd round) and mid tier prospect to Calgary for one of their Dmen in the last year of their contracts

It may not be a popular thought but I would love to see Zadorov back on the team.  Though seems he loves Calgary and wants to spend rest of the career there BUT has also said a lot of good things about the city of Buffalo   
He would be a physical force on the bottom pair and his game has seemed to mature under Sutter.

[Crusader1969]

My opening night lineup

Skinner Thompson. Tuck

JJP.       Cozens.     Quinn

Savoie. mitts.  Greeenway

Bunting    Krebs.  KO

extra -   Jost , Rousak 

Samuelsson      Dahlin

Power      Dumba

Zadorov    Jokiharju 

extra - Lyubushkin 

Levi    Raanta 

 

 

[Mr Mellow]

Bringing back Zadorov, huh? I think I like it. Haven't seen a lot of him lately but I was impressed. Dumba would be a great pick up but I'm not sure KA has the nads to go for both of them. I like your wish list though...

[Doohicksie]

4 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

My opening night lineup

Skinner Thompson. Tuck

JJP.       Cozens.     Quinn

Savoie. mitts.  Greeenway

Bunting    Krebs.  KO

extra -   Jost , Rousak 

Samuelsson      Dahlin

Power      Dumba

Zadorov    Jokiharju 

extra - Lyubushkin 

Levi    Raanta

Zadorov will never be a Sabre again, nor do I want him.  He takes too many undisciplined penalties.

I'd just as soon bring back Risto.  (And no, I don't want him back either, but Zads is in the same boat for me.)

[Marvin]

4 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

My opening night lineup

Skinner Thompson. Tuck

JJP.       Cozens.     Quinn

Savoie. mitts.  Greeenway

Bunting    Krebs.  KO

extra -   Jost , Rousak 

Samuelsson      Dahlin

Power      Dumba

Zadorov    Jokiharju 

extra - Lyubushkin 

Levi    Raanta 

 

 

Skinner already gives the Sabres the stink of diving.  Add Bunting and they won't have a power play all season.

No interest in Zadorov's return.

[Broken Ankles]

39 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

Zadorov will never be a Sabre again, nor do I want him.  He takes too many undisciplined penalties.

I'd just as soon bring back Risto.  (And no, I don't want him back either, but Zads is in the same boat for me.)

Yep.  Plus Rasmus Andersson is better, has more term and is right handed.  If the Sabres are looking to extricate a defenseman from Calgary I hope it’s him. Or Weegar. But he just signed and extension. I wonder what Andersson would cost? 

[Zamboni]

Someone doesn’t watch Zadorov much if they want Zadorov on the Sabres. Nooooo thanks.

[ROC_exEMT]

Mostly lurker here ...

I don't know the rules that well but can an individual be both a rostered player AND assistant coach on a team?  If agreeable to both sides, couldn't Okposo be a part-time player on the team as well as an assistant coach?  Give him enough games to get to his 1000 game milestone (16? 18?) and let him play periodically or in the event of an injury.  When not playing he can continue to mentor and be that veteran presence that's always talked about.

 

[Doohicksie]

35 minutes ago, ROC_exEMT said:

Mostly lurker here ...

I don't know the rules that well but can an individual be both a rostered player AND assistant coach on a team?  If agreeable to both sides, couldn't Okposo be a part-time player on the team as well as an assistant coach?  Give him enough games to get to his 1000 game milestone (16? 18?) and let him play periodically or in the event of an injury.  When not playing he can continue to mentor and be that veteran presence that's always talked about.

I don't think there is anything precluding it, but if he's interested in coaching I'd think it more likely he will get his milestones and then retire to full time coaching.

[CallawaySabres]

I think all 5 should be gone, and that may just happen

[GASabresIUFAN]

@ NAF

You are more than welcome to disagree with me, but at least have the courtesy of saying what you disagree with.

23 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Jost, Jokiharju, VO, KO, Girgensons, Stillman, Bryson, Clague, UPL and Comrie should all be replaced.

Do you disagree that all these players should be replaced if we are going to become a championship-caliber team?  Do you disagree that most of these guys will probably be back next year to play out their contracts and then they won't be renewed? 

[Crusader1969]

12 hours ago, Broken Ankles said:

Yep.  Plus Rasmus Andersson is better, has more term and is right handed.  If the Sabres are looking to extricate a defenseman from Calgary I hope it’s him. Or Weegar. But he just signed and extension. I wonder what Andersson would cost? 

Lots.   Kulich or Savoie situation again . Why would Calgary contemplate trading him? They have 3 guys in their final year of contracts, don’t think they will be looking to trade one of their better ones who still has term left 

9 hours ago, Zamboni said:

Someone doesn’t watch Zadorov much if they want Zadorov on the Sabres. Nooooo thanks.

Are you sure about that? Flames fans seem to love him 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Crusader1969

[Crusader1969]

 

9 hours ago, Zamboni said:

Someone doesn’t watch Zadorov much if they want Zadorov on the Sabres. Nooooo thanks.

https://flamesnation.ca/news/nikita-zadorov-took-a-big-step-forward-in-both-zones-in-2022-23
 

this is from 5 days ago.  Or  Do you watch more Zadorov?

[Crusader1969]

9 hours ago, Zamboni said:

Someone doesn’t watch Zadorov much if they want Zadorov on the Sabres. Nooooo thanks.

https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/flames-coach-sutter-on-zadorov-hes-been-our-best-defenceman-clearly
 

Again, I’m sure you might be in tune with the flames a little bit more than their coach 

[Crusader1969]

9 hours ago, Zamboni said:

Someone doesn’t watch Zadorov much if they want Zadorov on the Sabres. Nooooo thanks.

How about the athletic’s beat reporter? Does he watch more flames ?

Nikita Zadorov

The goals were there for Zadorov, as were some errors and bad defensive plays at times. He can still improve when it comes to being a more steady presence, but his offence was tantalizing. A three-goal output in his final game of the year was also a great way to end the season.

Grade: B