No to using '23-'24 merely for evaluation purposes. It will then be time to make moves to readjust the roster based on having much more data available to determine and project hat the have and where their holes are.


Of course, there will always be on-going evaluation.

I would hope those moves become tweaks rather than significant moves...although I suspect a major trade and some UFA additions will be necessary as well.

Now, what are the answers to these questions:
-Is Tage a true 1C, or does he just play one on TV? Will he regress, or take another step. If he regresses, do the Sabres need to find a true 1C?
-What is Cozens, C or W? L1, L2 or L3?
-What is Mitts, C or W?, L1, L2 or L3?
-What is Krebs, C or W? L1, LW or L3
-What is JJ? LW 1, 2 or 3? Does he move to RW?
-What is Quinn? RW 1, 2 or 3? Does Donny create Tage 2.0 with him?
-Do they have leadership to fill Girgs departure?
-What is Comrie, Starter or BU?
-What is Lyubushkin 2nd or 3rd pairing.
-Is Dahlin best suited for L or R?
-Is Samuelsson a 1Lhd, 2LhD or 3LhD?
-WTF is Johnson doing?
-WTF is Portillo doing?
-Can Levy take another step forward
-What is Joker? 2nd or 3rd?

Do they need to spend $9m+ on a 40G scorer, or do they have suitable scoring up front and need more grit?
Is it wise to add a Cat-like player at $9m+, when Dahlin and Skinner are at $9m, Tage could be knocking on the door at $7-$8m and hopefully Power raising his hand at a $6m Bridge deal?

I think 1 more year to flush-out as many data-driven answers and solid projections is wise.
- IonSabres

Second dimension here is: even if you're ready to move on from some players, what are those moves? In 23/24 Roch will be loaded, but KA has shown to be exceptionally conservative with development. Are you going to trade Mitts/VO for a replacement, with Savoie, Kulich, Ostlund, and Rosen getting close?

Everything they said this year applies to next. 'Want to be here', 'can't block prospects', 'need to pay our own soon', etc.

Did a lot of back reading, People think we will be the next Tampa (outlier) and it won’t be like every other team where prospects fall short.

Tampa is the only team to run a gauntlet like this.

Hell were not even close to Pittsburgh, Colorado, Toronto.

3 drafted stars and a bunch of garbage after that.

Everyone seems convinced that draft and develop will 100% win a cup though and no other moves are necessary.
- ImThatGuy

Well it’s obvious they have to add when the next step comes but it’s not happening now. Comrie was the best option in goal unless the plan was to trade our 3 star prospect goalies. Then I could see a pitch to Campbell or even a trade for Gibson.

One forward I thought we definitely missed out on was Mason Marchment. No chance Kadri ever signs with us.

Defense I was hoping for Chychrun to be Dahlin or Power’s partner. Still have my fingers crossed for that.

- jochfr

Second dimension here is: even if you're ready to move on from some players, what are those moves? In 23/24 Roch will be loaded, but KA has shown to be exceptionally conservative with development. Are you going to trade Mitts/VO for a replacement, with Savoie, Kulich, Ostlund, and Rosen getting close?

Everything they said this year applies to next. 'Want to be here', 'can't block prospects', 'need to pay our own soon', etc.
- Lunaion

I think what needs to be considered is, the Sabres know that even if they made the most optimal moves they could have this year, the playoffs were likely a stretch.

The 2023 draft is the best draft since 2015. There are tons of forwards with top line upside to be had in the top 10 this year.

If you finish bottom 10 and luck into Bedard, Michkov, or Fantilli, then I’ll be hard pressed to find a team with a brighter upside in the Eastern Conference taking into consideration a 5 year timeline.

I think what needs to be considered is, the Sabres know that even if they made the most optimal moves they could have this year, the playoffs were likely a stretch.

The 2023 draft is the best draft since 2015. There are tons of forwards with top line upside to be had in the top 10 this year.

If you finish bottom 10 and luck into Bedard, Michkov, or Fantilli, then I’ll be hard pressed to find a team with a brighter upside in the Eastern Conference taking into consideration a 5 year timeline.
- Pegullaville

,


after 11 years, at what point is enough enough


dahlin
power
samuelsson
tage
cozens
skinner
tuch
quinn
peterka
krebs


three first round picks this year
levi
johnson
rosen


that's not including all the second and third round prospects drafted and in the next draft

TL;DR
- penguininnevada

Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodologically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball... I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.

Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodologically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball... I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.
- SUCKITBEADY

oh my

I think after 200 nhl games with the same team

you are who you are
- homiedclown

I respect your opinion but, hockey players are human and everyone develops at their own pace.

Look at tage or


The former #23 had 40 goals in his 1st 167 games.

Popped in 30 + last season.

Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodologically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball... I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.
- Hank Balling

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way..

,


after 11 years, at what point is enough enough


dahlin
power
samuelsson
tage
cozens
skinner
tuch
quinn
peterka
krebs


three first round picks this year
levi
johnson
rosen


that's not including all the second and third round prospects drafted and in the next draft
- homiedclown

So we can acknowledge that the Leafs have secondary scoring issues due to lack of talent on ELC’s, but you’re now saying that the Sabres having an embarrassment of riches coming through the pipeline is a bad thing.

Oh the horror of having waves of young players knocking on the door year after year

Can we all agree that the Sabres have some big decisions to make over the next 2yrs. It will go a long way in the future of this club.

Can we all agree that the Sabres have some big decisions to make over the next 2yrs. It will go a long way in the future of this club.
- Buff36

Yes, along with the most difficult part: Finding that high end talent that will push the team over the finish line.

From the outside looking in I believe the GM is doing his players a disservice not bringing in a quality goalie. This team can really take some steps forward if they had that.

Players play differently when they know they have someone to count on in net. This team is poised for a breakthrough. Need that goalie.

Yes, along with the most difficult part: Finding that high end talent that will push the team over the finish line.
- kingcong39

Well I am not saying anything about that, pretty much stated my feelings. You only have so many contracts and some many spots, gonna be a blockade if they don't.

Can we all agree that the Sabres have some big decisions to make over the next 2yrs. It will go a long way in the future of this club.
- Buff36

Next off-season, they could essentially punt again. That would setup a million decisions the following year.

Next off-season, they could essentially punt again. That would setup a million decisions the following year.
- Lunaion

That's what I am worried about, and then the cycle starts all over.

That's what I am worried about, and then the cycle starts all over.
- Buff36

KA hasn't signed anything close to a long term deal yet. How is that going to go on a team that is putting off trying?

From the outside looking in I believe the GM is doing his players a disservice not bringing in a quality goalie. This team can really take some steps forward if they had that.

Players play differently when they know they have someone to count on in net. This team is poised for a breakthrough. Need that goalie.
- furio16

How do we know Comrie isn’t that guy ?

Also, giving 5 years to Campbell or Kuemper is risky business.

How do we know Comrie isn’t that guy ?

Also, giving 5 years to Campbell or Kuemper is risky business.
- Pegullaville

Time will tell. I would have went with a more proven goalie. Maybe give a 4 year deal with higher per year money?

How do we know Comrie isn’t that guy ?

Also, giving 5 years to Campbell or Kuemper is risky business.
- Pegullaville

I agree about Campbell and Kuemp. Too much money and term for their performance. Comrie is a low risk option while waiting for Levi’s ascension.

It does seem as though KA is just waiting for Devon to take over, but we may be waiting several years for that to happen. He seems to like a slower path. Two full years in Rochester, perhaps?

This coming season is definitely another wait-and-see situation. And if KA were to be honest, he’s probably hoping for a top ten pick over a charge towards the bottom rung of the playoff bracket.

From the outside looking in I believe the GM is doing his players a disservice not bringing in a quality goalie. This team can really take some steps forward if they had that.

Players play differently when they know they have someone to count on in net. This team is poised for a breakthrough. Need that goalie.
- furio16

Good post

Last season turned around with the solid back to back games at home vs. The rangers and caps.

Upl brought it, both games, and the team responded.

I respect your opinion but, hockey players are human and everyone develops at their own pace.

Look at tage or


The former #23 had 40 goals in his 1st 167 games.

Popped in 30 + last season.
- Boss34

at some point, you need to go after the biffs instead of letting them bully you for 11 straight years

literally bringing everyone back says remain calm, all is well

just punch biff in the nuts once

-marty

How do we know Comrie isn’t that guy ?

Also, giving 5 years to Campbell or Kuemper is risky business.
- Pegullaville

I think a comrie/6k split is more aggressive then a comrie/anderson split

esp with houser and subban coming back

at some point, you need to go after the biffs instead of letting them bully you for 11 straight years

literally bringing everyone back says remain calm, all is well

just punch biff in the nuts once

-marty
- homiedclown

Am I missing something?

All.was well the past 31 games , right?

Weren't we a playoff team over the past 40% games the sabres played?

Were we just lucky?
I really can't see anyone regressing terribly, more progression if anything. Hopefully healthy