Rousek seems like a lock. 13th forward. I'm pretty sure okposo comes back and plays another season.

Someone offering you million (s) to play in the nhl.

If the Sabres really want him back, he'll be back IMO
- Boss34

He could, just think the way he talked and some of the things he said. He knows it's there Team know.

Pretty sure the Sabres have their 2023-24 forward core set. Maybe add 1 forward...

Tage tuch skins
Peterka cozens quinn
Savoie mitts #12
Okposo krebs girgensons

*kulich is an easy 2nd year roxhester guy IMO. Very young and could use another year.
- Boss34

Reminder that the illustrious Girgensons put up 17 points in Rochester in his D+2 year before sticking full time in Buffalo.

Kulich is miles ahead and has earned the opportunity to make the team. GM says he doesn't want to block prospects, let's see if he's truthful.

Reminder that the illustrious Girgensons put up 17 points in Rochester in his D+2 year before sticking full time in Buffalo.

Kulich is miles ahead and has earned the opportunity to make the team. GM says he doesn't want to block prospects, let's see if he's truthful.
- Lunaion

Ridding the team of olofsson to not block savoie makes sense.

Removing the defensive minded forwards with a young defensive group and younger goaltending seams unlikely.

I not saying girgensons is "better" then rousek or savoie, I just think he brings something defensively that these kids wont learn for years.

Donnie uses the KOG line at key points of the game, no way he gives that advantage away IMO.

Reminder that the illustrious Girgensons put up 17 points in Rochester in his D+2 year before sticking full time in Buffalo.

Kulich is miles ahead and has earned the opportunity to make the team. GM says he doesn't want to block prospects, let's see if he's truthful.
- Lunaion

Thought we were slowing down on Kulich

Sabres were 4 wins away from being better than the Lightning.

Idk about the “shutdown defenseman” part. He’s great at preventing zone entries, but susceptible to mistakes when possession is established. He & Ekblad often ended up scrambling around. Idk what a year playing for Sutter has done for him, though,
- Ratsreign

https://thewincolumn.ca/2...as-a-number-one-defender/

This was pre Sutter ^^ but I think that play would qualify as shut down, at the very least he is a high end, right handed defender. Exactly what we need, whether it's him or someone else.

His cap hit isn't bad, good hockey player. Will his body last with the style he plays.
- Buff36

Yeah, that's the question. Some guys fall apart, some don't. IMO it's good he was such a late bloomer, he's only played just over 300 games. To put that in perspective, Hanifin is at 517.

Thought we were slowing down on Kulich
- Buff36

Just an opinion, but kulich being such a young prospect, I think he could and will see another year in Rochester.

Yes, that means blocking him with a vet. Not blocking all the rookies....

I find it very difficult to see savoie, kulich and rousek all making the roster. Rousek seems ahead in the pecking order. The fact that he played and scored with buffalo last season.

Sabres were 4 wins away from being better than the Lightning.
- TheSabresTaco

Which is a lot?

Which is a lot?
- sbroads24

Well it's going 4-4 instead of 0-8 or whatever in November.

Or give us 2 extra wins in March or November.

Don't stomp on my hope today.

Just an opinion, but kulich being such a young prospect, I think he could and will see another year in Rochester.

Yes, that means blocking him with a vet. Not blocking all the rookies....

I find it very difficult to see savoie, kulich and rousek all making the roster. Rousek seems ahead in the pecking order. The fact that he played and scored with buffalo last season.
- Boss34

Really just depends on Okposo, Girgs and Jost. If all three are back, even Rousek may be back in Rochacha. As one isn't resigned it opens the door for one of those three. I'm hoping Jost is the only one back personally, but doubt that's how it unfolds based on KA's interviews.

Well it's going 4-4 instead of 0-8 or whatever in November.

Or give us 2 extra wins in March or November.

Don't stomp on my hope today.
- TheSabresTaco

I put a ? in there because I wasn't sure if you were saying it was a lot or a little.

With the loser point, 8 points or 4 wins is the equivalent of a superstar player. It's a lot IMO

Just an opinion, but kulich being such a young prospect, I think he could and will see another year in Rochester.

Yes, that means blocking him with a vet. Not blocking all the rookies....

I find it very difficult to see savoie, kulich and rousek all making the roster. Rousek seems ahead in the pecking order. The fact that he played and scored with buffalo last season.
- Boss34

Going on history alone in how the group handles prospects, Kulich received zero callups.

That is contrary to what was offered to Quinn and Peterka. I would be highly surprised if Kulich was here to start the season*

*Injuries not included

Thought we were slowing down on Kulich
- Buff36

Things change. A year ago, I'd have said he needed a season and a half in Roch. Two if he had a tough first year. He far exceeded expectations. He's earned a chance to compete for a job in camp.

I put a ? in there because I wasn't sure if you were saying it was a lot or a little.

With the loser point, 8 points or 4 wins is the equivalent of a superstar player. It's a lot IMO
- sbroads24

I don't think it is a lot.

I think it's the absence of Samuelsson. I'm going to stick with that even though a lot of people hate to hear it.

Instead of just saying "lucky Sam" we could just as easily point to the lack of competence once our top 4 guys are missing.

They had all the opportunity in the world to call up Kulich as one of their 4 call ups, bench Olofsson for eternity and let him play until the end of the season.

They chose not to. Not even a single game.

Now these playoffs, they may notice some defensive changes in his game that allows him to get a long look deep into camp.

But their common play is call up the year prior and battle next camp.

Ekholm seems like he’s a big addition for Edmonton.

Mark Staal will be replaced next year, but he is better than most think he is at this point in his career. Although slow as hell, he’s been pretty steady throughout the year, and even better down the stretch. Played all 82 games. Safe and stay home, usually doesn’t pinch in foolishly, but he will sneak in occasionally. Fun fact- Staal has been paired with Montour every game this season. He is reliable to stay home and free Montour up to do the things he does. Pleasantly surprised by Staal this season, in all honesty. FL still will upgrade with upcoming cap space, though.
Maybe a minimum salary one year deal as Sabres 7th D/mentor for Power & Co?
- Ratsreign

That's wild to me. Had no idea. If he's still serviceable, probably a much more logical target than breaking the bank for Weegar. Only concern is it's still another stop gap situation and not much coming up the pipeline.

I don't think it is a lot.

I think it's the absence of Samuelsson. I'm going to stick with that even though a lot of people hate to hear it.

Instead of just saying "lucky Sam" we could just as easily point to the lack of competence once our top 4 guys are missing.
- TheSabresTaco

And while that's fair, do the Lightning get extra points for missing Cirelli for 24 games? Or Cernak for 12?

Sabres were really healthy this year for the most part. It's partly why I am a little skeptical that we take a big step without a few nice additions

Going on history alone in how the group handles prospects, Kulich received zero callups.

That is contrary to what was offered to Quinn and Peterka. I would be highly surprised if Kulich was here to start the season*

*Injuries not included
- TheSabresTaco

Couldn't you chalk that up to lack of opportunity? They had very few forward injuries and almost no callups.

Really just depends on Okposo, Girgs and Jost. If all three are back, even Rousek may be back in Rochacha. As one isn't resigned it opens the door for one of those three. I'm hoping Jost is the only one back personally, but doubt that's how it unfolds based on KA's interviews.
- QuinnFan

I'm hoping just girgensons for another season.

Okposo is shot
Jost is a product of donnie the center whisperer's system IMO and makes too.much.

I'm just guessing with rousek being the 1st call up last season, he's on deck , along with savoie.

You could be right though, rousek may be Rochester bound for another season.

Its tricky wording when it comes to "blocking " a young guy. Very fine line.

And while that's fair, do the Lightning get extra points for missing Cirelli for 24 games? Or Cernak for 12?

Sabres were really healthy this year for the most part. It's partly why I am a little skeptical that we take a big step without a few nice additions
- sbroads24

Very fair to look at the ifs and buts of every team. any scenario and how it could have been different is simple conjecture.

my point is, we're damn close.

I want real adds, and we don't need many. We know what those are. A competent G with Levi and a true top 4 guy who's style gels with, but may not always play with, Power. Take a good look at the bottom 6 and see what you can do to shape it from outside the org.

Put a lot of focus into special teams this summer and fall.

And finally, the further development of the under let's say 26 club will continue and those guys will get better.

Rousek seems like a lock. 13th forward. I'm pretty sure okposo comes back and plays another season.

Someone offering you million (s) to play in the nhl.

If the Sabres really want him back, he'll be back IMO
- Boss34

But they shouldn’t.

Couldn't you chalk that up to lack of opportunity? They had very few forward injuries and almost no callups.
- Lunaion

No. Rousek was both a regular and emergency.

There's absolutely no reason this team could not get Kulich to come up instead during one of those stints. Or play in place of Peterka for a few games.

I have a reasonably strong feeling ZG won't be back.

Things change. A year ago, I'd have said he needed a season and a half in Roch. Two if he had a tough first year. He far exceeded expectations. He's earned a chance to compete for a job in camp.
- Lunaion

Kinda the last person you need to say anything on Kulich!! Been saying for awhile he deserves a shot. Just slowed down on him because I started to agree with some of the board.