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Opening Night Roster

Created by: ashleyschaeffer
Team: 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres
Initial Creation Date: Jul. 13, 2022
Published: Jul. 13, 2022
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Pilut and Fitzgerald are the 7/8, Hinostroza can play up and down the lineup as the 13th forward, Bjork won't play much if Quinn and Peterka make the team. There is forward depth in Rochester but not D depth yet. I think Quinn and Peterka do stick and we have a team where all 4 lines and all 3 D pairs can play regularly. You can shield the younger players with the top line and the 4th line playing against the other team's top lines and if Dahlin and Samuelsson continue on their trajectory, they will become a legit 1st pair. Samuelsson and Lyubushkin will be the 1 PK pair, Dahlin and Power will QB the PP units, and Bryson and Jokiharju are a solid 3rd pair. Health in net and PK improvement can get this team in the mix in April.
Free Agent Signings
RESERVE LISTYEARSCAP HIT
2$1,000,000
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$1,000,000
2$1,000,000
2$1,000,000
Buyouts
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2023
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Logo of the PHI
Logo of the VGK
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Logo of the BUF
2024
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Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
2025
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ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
23$82,500,000$56,172,500$0$3,620,000$26,327,500
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$9,000,000$9,000,000
LW, RW
NMC
UFA - 5
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,400,000$1,400,000
C
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$4,750,000$4,750,000
RW, LW
UFA - 4
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$855,833$855,833 (Performance Bonus$82,500$82K)
LW, RW
RFA - 3
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$2,500,000$2,500,000
LW, C
RFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$894,167$894,167 (Performance Bonus$850,000$850K)
C, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$4,750,000$4,750,000
RW, LW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$412,500$412K)
C, LW
RFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$850,000$850K)
RW, LW
RFA - 3
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$825,000$825,000
LW, C
RFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$2,200,000$2,200,000
LW, C
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$6,000,000$6,000,000
RW
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$6,000,000$6,000,000
LD/RD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$925,000$925,000
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,800,000$1,800,000
G
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$916,667$916,667 (Performance Bonus$925,000$925K)
LD/RD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$687,500$687,500
RD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,500,000$1,500,000 (Performance Bonus$500,000$500K)
G
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,850,000$1,850,000
LD/RD
RFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$2,500,000$2,500,000
RD
RFA - 2
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,700,000$1,700,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$4,916,667$4,916,667
G
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,600,000$1,600,000
LW, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,000,000$1,000,000
LD
UFA - 1

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Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:01 p.m.
#1
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If Bjork is on the roster and Ruotsalainen isn't...
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Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:01 p.m.
#2
Lowly Sabres Fan
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I don't think Kevin Adams is done yet. I think we have a slight chance of seeing James van Riemsdyk being traded over from Philly with a 1st round pick in 2023. Johnny G is still in the works for the Flyers and they will need to move that cap space. Buffalo is one of three potential trade partners to get that done.
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Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:08 p.m.
#3
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Wait, did you just put the correct top pair together? Craaaazy stuff in AGM.
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:15 p.m.
#4
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Quoting: Riley816
If Bjork is on the roster and Ruotsalainen isn't...


Then it would be a SMART move

Makes no sense at all to have Routsalainen sitting in the Press box in Buffalo when he could be PLAYING in Rochester
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:19 p.m.
#5
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Quoting: Archarte
I don't think Kevin Adams is done yet. I think we have a slight chance of seeing James van Riemsdyk being traded over from Philly with a 1st round pick in 2023. Johnny G is still in the works for the Flyers and they will need to move that cap space. Buffalo is one of three potential trade partners to get that done.


It’s possible
Philly has come out & said they don’t wanna trade the 1st
So maybe meet them halfway, so to speak
Demand the 1st from them, but send them back their 2nd that we currently have

Sabres get:
JVR, Philly ‘23 1st

Philly gets:
Philly ‘23 2nd (back), Cap space


Deal should work for both sides
Especially since we can hold half of JVRs salary & get a pick for him at the deadline
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:20 p.m.
#6
rktkt66
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Quoting: Archarte
I don't think Kevin Adams is done yet. I think we have a slight chance of seeing James van Riemsdyk being traded over from Philly with a 1st round pick in 2023. Johnny G is still in the works for the Flyers and they will need to move that cap space. Buffalo is one of three potential trade partners to get that done.


Like the failed trade with Ottawa that would have netted the 7th overall pick, I don't see the dream scenario of the JVR+1st rumor happening - especially with the Flyers right now at only $3M cap space left. If Gaudreau is seeking $10M+ as rumored, even if the Flyers dump JVR, they'd be right at the cap by adding him. But, heck, I'll take their 23' 1st anyday if they gift it to Buffalo for JVR's cap dump. Sabres would probably retain 50% on JVR and try to turn around and deal him elsewhere for a lower pick - they sure don't want to have him eat a roster spot that Quinn and Peterka should get.
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Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:23 p.m.
#7
rktkt66
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Quoting: Buffalove
Then it would be a SMART move

Makes no sense at all to have Routsalainen sitting in the Press box in Buffalo when he could be PLAYING in Rochester


I do worry what Ruotsalainen's (and Pilut's) mindsets will be now if the Sabres approach each for new deals - with Hinostroza and Bryson signed, it seems that Ruotsalainen would be destined to stay in the AHL, which he's said isn't his goal. Pilut apparently is OK with a 2-way deal and time in Rochester but I can't believe he'd want that to be forever - the best he seems likely to get now is being the 7th guy in Buffalo and press box resident. Hope neither walks away because both seem capable of making an impact at Sabres roster eventually.
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:27 p.m.
#8
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Quoting: rktkt66
Like the failed trade with Ottawa that would have netted the 7th overall pick, I don't see the dream scenario of the JVR+1st rumor happening - especially with the Flyers right now at only $3M cap space left. If Gaudreau is seeking $10M+ as rumored, even if the Flyers dump JVR, they'd be right at the cap by adding him. But, heck, I'll take their 23' 1st anyday if they gift it to Buffalo for JVR's cap dump. Sabres would probably retain 50% on JVR and try to turn around and deal him elsewhere for a lower pick - they sure don't want to have him eat a roster spot that Quinn and Peterka should get.


100% agree with the trade, then trade away for two additional picks in 2023. I don't see any point in keeping JVR either, but it would be a good move if it is available to Buffalo. JVR only has $4M remaining to be paid of the $7M AAV cap hit. The base is $5M and $1M of that has already been paid as a bonus.
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:28 p.m.
#9
Stripes77
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The only thing I would switch is Cozens to center and Mitts to the wing
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.
#10
rktkt66
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The defense pairings will be a hot topic all summer leading to training camp - at least, the bottom 2 pairings since Samuelsson-Dahlin looked perfect together last season. Granato loves Jokiharju so it's hard to see him drop to the 3rd pair ice time but, at same token, Power will get tested by other teams as a rookie they try to be physical on (like happened with Dahlin as a rookie) so having a physical partner like Lyubushkin to defend him has some logic. Leafs were hesitant to use Lyubushkin in top 4 role so it seems he'd be just as good a partner for the smaller, faster Bryson on 3rd pairing. Defensively, Bryson showed a lot more signs of needing someone to cover for his play than Power did.

Rest of the lineup looks realistic and what will likely happen (though I suspect, given his great showing at World Championships, Cozens may slot at LW rather than RW and, with his defensive awareness, be a better linemate for Krebs-Quinn. A 3rd line of Peterka-Mittelstadt-Olofsson looks good to me.

Depending on how camp goes, I do think we'll see UPL up fairly quick in NHL. Signing Anderson to be his mentor does no good when UPL is in Rochester; by Christmas, it could well be UPL-Comrie in the regular rotation and Anderson only filling in as spot duty (if he's healthy then).
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:49 p.m.
#11
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Quoting: Stripes77
The only thing I would switch is Cozens to center and Mitts to the wing


i think they're interchangeable and can both take draws. like they've done with skinner in the past. i just want to see peterka and cozens go on the rush together.
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:51 p.m.
#12
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Quoting: Buffalove
Then it would be a SMART move

Makes no sense at all to have Routsalainen sitting in the Press box in Buffalo when he could be PLAYING in Rochester


it's hard to tell ruotsalainen one more year in rochester but with girgensons, okposo, and bjork all being gone next year, there will be some minutes to be had next year.
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Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:52 p.m.
#13
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Quoting: rktkt66
I do worry what Ruotsalainen's (and Pilut's) mindsets will be now if the Sabres approach each for new deals - with Hinostroza and Bryson signed, it seems that Ruotsalainen would be destined to stay in the AHL, which he's said isn't his goal. Pilut apparently is OK with a 2-way deal and time in Rochester but I can't believe he'd want that to be forever - the best he seems likely to get now is being the 7th guy in Buffalo and press box resident. Hope neither walks away because both seem capable of making an impact at Sabres roster eventually.


What kind of an impact do u think these guys are gonna make in the NHL ?
Both have had their chances & are likely depth guys at best

If Pilut can’t beat out Bryson, then idc about him

And If Routsalainen walks away at some point, we have so much young forward talent we’ve drafted in the last few years (with more to come), that i just don’t care much about him either
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:55 p.m.
#14
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Quoting: Buffalove
It’s possible
Philly has come out & said they don’t wanna trade the 1st
So maybe meet them halfway, so to speak
Demand the 1st from them, but send them back their 2nd that we currently have

Sabres get:
JVR, Philly ‘23 1st

Philly gets:
Philly ‘23 2nd (back), Cap space


Deal should work for both sides
Especially since we can hold half of JVRs salary & get a pick for him at the deadline



maybe even put a condition on for just a pick swap in the first round if philly picks higher or it defaults to two 2s or something like that. there's a creative solution to be had. then, we can trade JVR with even more reduced salary to the coyotes so they hit the floor and don't have to spend as much actual money. that way, he doesn't take a spot from a young player.
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Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:55 p.m.
#15
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Quoting: ashleyschaeffer
it's hard to tell ruotsalainen one more year in rochester but with girgensons, okposo, and bjork all being gone next year, there will be some minutes to be had next year.


Exactly
And if we end up losing him at some point, then nbd
We’ve got tons of forward talent coming soon enough that we’ve drafted the last few years
Jul. 13, 2022 at 3:57 p.m.
#16
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Quoting: ashleyschaeffer
maybe even put a condition on for just a pick swap in the first round if philly picks higher or it defaults to two 2s or something like that. there's a creative solution to be had. then, we can trade JVR with even more reduced salary to the coyotes so they hit the floor and don't have to spend as much actual money. that way, he doesn't take a spot from a young player.


Yeah, something like that could work too
Jul. 13, 2022 at 4:29 p.m.
#17
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Quoting: Buffalove
Then it would be a SMART move

Makes no sense at all to have Routsalainen sitting in the Press box in Buffalo when he could be PLAYING in Rochester


Keep one of the worst, the worst, players in the NHL last year and risk losing Ruostalainen on waivers is a SMART move??
Jul. 13, 2022 at 4:35 p.m.
#18
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Quoting: Riley816
Keep one of the worst, the worst, players in the NHL last year and risk losing Ruostalainen on waivers is a SMART move??


Bjork won’t be playing, he’ll be in the Press box
Routsalainen is unlikely to be claimed imo
I’d rather have him PLAYING in Rochester than sitting in the Press box in Buffalo

And if someone did claim Routsalainen,
it really wouldn’t be a big deal at all
 
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