Kyle Okposo
- Theguywiththething

Ya know, after I wrote it, I (frank)in knew someone would say it.

Kyle's looking a little decrepit out there.

Kyle's looking a little decrepit out there.
- TheSabresTaco

This falls under splash decision. The blind loyalty to him when he clearly can’t compete at this level anymore needs to be addressed by Adams.

You think Benson was really hurt or Adams buying time by sitting him a couple? Is it 9 games by team or player before he needs to
sign or be sent back?
- lulags

I mean even if they keep him he's gonna sit occasionally. Was surprised they played him 4 games in a row actually with all the preseason games he played. Still a kid, I think he deserves to be here but you are gonna have to rest him here and there, never played this kind of schedule before. Sabres locked in there roster before the summer really started, Adams left himself really No leeway if prospects did take that step. Savoie looked decent last night, what if he has 2 more good games, what are you doing with him.

Not even trades necessarily. Just anything that impacts the roster
- lulags

I think he could have put more effort into the fourth line, made Kyle a part time player, moved Olofsson, and try to upgrade the top 4 by using jokiharju.

Really other than that most of these guys are here to stay. I mean Mittelstadt, Quinn, we're not moving these guys. Forget about the rest of them.

terrified, really

what splash trades are you looking for exactly? What franchise player were you hoping to send out?

why are some of you demanding we make room for all of these prospects like right now? The only guy who actually pushed the roster was the youngest (frank)ing kid in camp. The rest of them clearly needed to go back.

I don't need them to make a splash trade to fit Brandon (frank)ing Biro either.

He made room for Quinn, Peterka and Levi. If Benson earns it, I guarantee he'll make room for him too. And if those Rochester guys decide to push like Benson did, he'll either make room or trade them too.

Like yeah I guess it's interesting to project 1-3 year out, but to sit here oh well they shoulda traded (good player) for another guy because he needs to mix it up! Come on.
- TheSabresTaco

To sum up the post above: Don't get out ahead of decisions. Push them down the road, and wait until you're forced to make decisions.

Be reactive instead of proactive...?

This falls under splash decision. The blind loyalty to him when he clearly can’t compete at this level anymore needs to be addressed by Adams.
- lulags

Last year, he was able to play. Hindsight is always 20/20 unless we want to be revisionist but guys like Kyle and Erik Johnson mean a lot to this organization. If Kyle can't get his game going to becoming effective in his own zone, they need to start putting an effort into going out to find that guy.

He's not going to get traded. But to make it work you probably need to get rid of a goalie and you definitely need to get rid of Olofsson.

To sum up the post above: Don't get out ahead of decisions. Push them down the road, and wait until you're forced to make decisions.

Be reactive instead of proactive...?
- kingcong39

That's it right there, and how many are too many. If this roster explodes Fabulous!! But then you have to use your surplus of Prospects that will never see the ice as Sabres to help you for other pieces needed. Can't sit on them forever, value does drop.

I think he could have put more effort into the fourth line, made Kyle a part time player, moved Olofsson, and try to upgrade the top 4 by using jokiharju.

Really other than that most of these guys are here to stay. I mean Mittelstadt, Quinn, we're not moving these guys. Forget about the rest of them.
- TheSabresTaco

Mittelstadt is here to stay?

What are you paying him on his next deal, and for how long?

He could be north of a $6M cap hit.

What position is he ultimately playing? 2C, like now? Wing on one of the top 2 lines? 3C?

Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, Peterka, Quinn, and Mittelstadt make up 7 of a top 9.

That leaves 2 roster spots for a plethora of forward prospects.

If Greenway is here long term, that's 8 of the top 9 accounted for, and only one opening for a multitude of prospects.

To sum up the post above: Don't get out ahead of decisions. Push them down the road, and wait until you're forced to make decisions.

Be reactive instead of proactive...?
- kingcong39

Well then you didn't sum this up correctly, because that's not what I said.

This post is largely about not shoehorning prospects into this roster before they're actually ready to not only play here but to be effective here.

Well then you didn't sum this up correctly, because that's not what I said.

This post is largely about not shoehorning prospects into this roster before they're actually ready to not only lay here but to be effective here.
- TheSabresTaco

Spin it another way: What are you doing next season when at least 3 of the following are ready for NHL duty?

Benson, Savoie, Kulich, Rosen

If as many as 8 of their top 9 are already on the NHL roster long term, what is the plan?

Wait until the contracts of Skinner and Tuch expire, and then finally fully incorporate more prospects to the NHL roster?

Well then you didn't sum this up correctly, because that's not what I said.

This post is largely about not shoehorning prospects into this roster before they're actually ready to not only play here but to be effective here.
- TheSabresTaco

A very effective tool, why the hate?

Mittelstadt is here to stay?

What are you paying him on his next deal, and for how long?

He could be north of a $6M cap hit.

What position is he ultimately playing? 2C, like now? Wing on one of the top 2 lines? 3C?

Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, Peterka, Quinn, and Mittelstadt make up 7 of a top 9.

That leaves 2 roster spots for a plethora of forward prospects.

If Greenway is here long term, that's 8 of the top 9 accounted for, and only one opening for a multitude of prospects.
- kingcong39

Yes, he probably is. His utility on this team is virtually unmatched. His cap could be north of 6, sure. Again, he can play 9 forward positions.

At this point I'd argue trading Peterka is more prudent than trading Mittelstadt.

I see what you're saying, I understand what you're getting at, but you either keep a guy who actually does his job well, or you send him out for a top 3 caliber defenseman in the offseason or TDL and expect one of Benson, Kulich, Rosen or Savoie to be ready to positively contribute.

If you want to win, you better be damn sure it's a net positive. And they want to win.

A very effective tool, why the hate?


- Theguywiththething

I'm just a h8r. upl STINKS

Should have never brought both back, maybe 1
- Buff36

Agreed.

Spin it another way: What are you doing next season when at least 3 of the following are ready for NHL duty?

Benson, Savoie, Kulich, Rosen

If as many as 8 of their top 9 are already on the NHL roster long term, what is the plan?

Wait until the contracts of Skinner and Tuch expire, and then finally fully incorporate more prospects to the NHL roster?
- kingcong39

what if they're not ready though.

I suppose if you'd like to set up a scenario for me that says this guys ready, that guys not, I guess I can answer what I would do.

Haven't we already learned a billion times and most recently through Kulich not making it and Benson does (at least 9) to not make these assumptions

I'm just a h8r. upl STINKS
- TheSabresTaco

what if they're not ready though.

I suppose if you'd like to set up a scenario for me that says this guys ready, that guys not, I guess I can answer what I would do.

Haven't we already learned a billion times and most recently through Kulich not making it and Benson does (at least 9) to not make these assumptions
- TheSabresTaco

If they are not ready, than the assumed value from the potential of these high 1st round picks is reduced and continues to reduce each season.

Then you have the roster we are looking at and a prospect pool of less impactful players, how do you plan to improve? Linear progression seems to be the path chosen by the front office and hope some of these guys hit.

The cost so far is 3 seasons, 1 where the entire "core" of the NHL roster had career years. The holes remain the same and the prospects in the system do not play the style to fill those roles. Other GM's notice this and just wait out Adams to pick these players up for pennies.

Yes, he probably is. His utility on this team is virtually unmatched. His cap could be north of 6, sure. Again, he can play 9 forward positions.

At this point I'd argue trading Peterka is more prudent than trading Mittelstadt.

I see what you're saying, I understand what you're getting at, but you either keep a guy who actually does his job well, or you send him out for a top 3 caliber defenseman in the offseason or TDL and expect one of Benson, Kulich, Rosen or Savoie to be ready to positively contribute.

If you want to win, you better be damn sure it's a net positive. And they want to win.
- TheSabresTaco

Wouldn't you expect for more than one of Benson, Savoie, Kulich and Rosen to be ready to positively contribute on the NHL roster next season?

Wouldn't you expect for more than one of Benson, Savoie, Kulich and Rosen to be ready to positively contribute on the NHL roster next season?
- kingcong39

Does anyone know if Ostlund even plays hockey anymore?

What happened with that one?

Wouldn't you expect for more than one of Benson, Savoie, Kulich and Rosen to be ready to positively contribute on the NHL roster next season?
- kingcong39

Thought Benson positively impacted the roster already IMO

Yes, he probably is. His utility on this team is virtually unmatched. His cap could be north of 6, sure. Again, he can play 9 forward positions.

At this point I'd argue trading Peterka is more prudent than trading Mittelstadt.

I see what you're saying, I understand what you're getting at, but you either keep a guy who actually does his job well, or you send him out for a top 3 caliber defenseman in the offseason or TDL and expect one of Benson, Kulich, Rosen or Savoie to be ready to positively contribute.

If you want to win, you better be damn sure it's a net positive. And they want to win.
- TheSabresTaco

They should use Mitts as trade bait for that Top 4 Dman.
The issue is when. I think the TDL for that target is ultra difficult to pull off...it happens, but it will be difficult...I guess maybe hope Calagary goes in the ditch and wants young forwards, picks and a prospect.
It could help that he is an RFA if he decides to waits for the offseason...but then other teams play the wait for the price to drop game..which would be manifested in Adams having to increase the rest of the assets offered.

I think moving him vs re-signing is the move to make largely due to future Cap implications...he is going to need players on Bridge and ELC's.

what if they're not ready though.

I suppose if you'd like to set up a scenario for me that says this guys ready, that guys not, I guess I can answer what I would do.

Haven't we already learned a billion times and most recently through Kulich not making it and Benson does (at least 9) to not make these assumptions
- TheSabresTaco

You're thinking Benson, a player who made the NHL roster in his rookie season, may not be ready for next season?

You're thinking Kulich and Rosen will need 3 AHL seasons before being ready?

Even if you hold 3 of the 4 back yet another season, if 8 of your top 9 is accounted for long term, how does the picture change for the season after next?

You're kicking the can in hopes decisions get made for you.

That's not being proactive.

Kisakov looks different, getting better, Rosen has really taken that step. Turning into a really good 200ft player. Kozak keeps improving. It's not just the top end guys growing. So many pieces and so few spots left on the puzzle.

They should use Mitts as trade bait for that Top 4 Dman.
The issue is when. I think the TDL for that target is ultra difficult to pull off...it happens, but it will be difficult...I guess maybe hope Calagary goes in the ditch and wants young forwards, picks and a prospect.
It could help that he is an RFA if he decides to waits for the offseason...but then other teams play the wait for the price to drop game..which would be manifested in Adams having to increase the rest of the assets offered.

I think moving him vs re-signing is the move to make largely due to future Cap implications...he is going to need players on Bridge and ELC's.
- IonSabres

I like the idea of sending a player who doesn't do his job well out the door for a top 3 defenseman.

I'm sure other teams are looking to deal a quality defenseman for a player that doesn't do his job well.