Right, but there wasn't pressure to reduce any of there roles. That's what I found interesting. I don't remember Sutter saying that Doughty couldn't handle 25 min a night
- sbroads24

Bylsma was on GR talking about Risto. Says he thinks he played Risto too much and might cut back his ice time .

No excuses. I'm at my work computer
- sbroads24

I thought it was some kind of down right nasty california slang that I just don't understand.

Garths thread is locked again
- SABRES 89

Showing 12 invisible posts.

Showing 12 invisible posts.
- cabin

Duck Soup

http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Bylsma-uses-numbers-in-different-ways/22844184

Last season Rasmus Ristolainen played an average of 25:17 per game with the numbers getting up around 28 minutes or more in the last half of the season. Dan Bylsma said that must change, “We asked a lot of him. We put him into a lot of tough situations and I think some of the numbers that roll out on him as far as Corsi and possession do reflect that, but frankly we played him too much at times. He’s not going to like to hear this, but he’s not a guy that should be getting 28 to 30 minutes per night although we did it to him and we put him in those situations. His number should be in the 24 minute per game range and that’s where you’ll see him be at this next year and his numbers will improve too because of that.”

Interesting read. Most cornerstone #1 D men play about 25+ minutes a night. Maybe a hint that they think they need to get another guy
- sbroads24

For a guy who supposedly makes minimal to no adjustments, I am happy to hear/read that as he is correct.

24 minutes a night is nothing to sneeze at, and I think fits with his age.

I wouldn't want to burn out a 22 year old who I think that highly of either, at least not yet, while the team is still in the formative stages.

Showing 12 invisible posts.
- cabin

Same here. When we heard August 15th that was the date he enters FA, not so I guess. I think he'll make his decision on Thursday and it will be all done.
- mhp

Yeah, it doesn't really change anything for me as I thought Wednesday at the absolute earliest for his decision anyway, but still it's another day of speculation.

Lol Garth is locked already.

Showing 12 invisible posts.
- cabin

Garth could write Pulitzer prize material and it would not matter. He is a Troll magnet now. Really nasty stupid trolls at that.

http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Bylsma-uses-numbers-in-different-ways/22844184

Last season Rasmus Ristolainen played an average of 25:17 per game with the numbers getting up around 28 minutes or more in the last half of the season. Dan Bylsma said that must change, “We asked a lot of him. We put him into a lot of tough situations and I think some of the numbers that roll out on him as far as Corsi and possession do reflect that, but frankly we played him too much at times. He’s not going to like to hear this, but he’s not a guy that should be getting 28 to 30 minutes per night although we did it to him and we put him in those situations. His number should be in the 24 minute per game range and that’s where you’ll see him be at this next year and his numbers will improve too because of that.”

Interesting read. Most cornerstone #1 D men play about 25+ minutes a night. Maybe a hint that they think they need to get another guy
- sbroads24

I don't think that's necessarily true. He's still young. Surprisingly it's the guys who are a bit older that tend to lead the league in TOI. Josi, and Brodie are the youngest guys in the top 20 at 26. Other than Risto obviously. Justin Faulk at 21st is 24 and after that you have to go down to Morgan Rielly at 28th who's 22. Rielly had 23:13

No need to rush him though either
Assuming McCabe continues to improve, and Bogosian plays like he did in the 2nd half of last year when he was finally healthy...
That 2nd pair should be able to absorb important minutes too
That'll help a lot
Gorges & Franson should be a solid 3rd pair as well
- jdfitz77

This is a good post. I think McCabe/Bogo are going to be a really solid second pair this year. I really liked Bogo's last 1/3 of the season. I imagine he was fully recovered from his injury by that time. Also, moving Gorges back to the 3rd pair is the right move. It will help solidify our D.

Risto @ 25 minutes a game will be much better than Risto @ 28 minutes per game. Plus Kuli should give him the defensive help - and nastiness - to take some of the pressure off of Risto.

Right, but there wasn't pressure to reduce any of there roles. That's what I found interesting. I don't remember Sutter saying that Doughty couldn't handle 25 min a night
- sbroads24

Bylsma said Risto couldn't handle 28-30. Not 25. There are probably 3 defensemen in the league that could handle 30 minutes a night.

This is a good post. I think McCabe/Bogo are going to be a really solid second pair this year. I really liked Bogo's last 1/3 of the season. I imagine he was fully recovered from his injury by that time. Also, moving Gorges back to the 3rd pair is the right move. It will help solidify our D.

Risto @ 25 minutes a game will be much better than Risto @ 28 minutes per game. Plus Kuli should give him the defensive help - and nastiness - to take some of the pressure off of Risto.
- SabreWest

Thanks
Continued improvement up front will keep the puck out of our own end too

As is...
We've got a good shot at the playoffs IMO
As long as Lehner holds up

Bylsma said Risto couldn't handle 28-30. Not 25. There are probably 3 defensemen in the league that could handle 30 minutes a night.
- Wetbandit1

He didn't play 28, he played 25, and Bylsma said he played him too much. I'm not saying he should absolutely play 28, just found his comment interesting.

Maybe it was part of contract negotiating in a way. If Bylsma comes out and says he's our workhorse franchise #1 guy publicly, maybe Risto's camp turns around and asks for more money

This is a good post. I think McCabe/Bogo are going to be a really solid second pair this year. I really liked Bogo's last 1/3 of the season. I imagine he was fully recovered from his injury by that time. Also, moving Gorges back to the 3rd pair is the right move. It will help solidify our D.

Risto @ 25 minutes a game will be much better than Risto @ 28 minutes per game. Plus Kuli should give him the defensive help - and nastiness - to take some of the pressure off of Risto.
- SabreWest

Risto didn't play 28. He played 25. Which is what high end D men play.

I don't think that's necessarily true. He's still young. Surprisingly it's the guys who are a bit older that tend to lead the league in TOI. Josi, and Brodie are the youngest guys in the top 20 at 26. Other than Risto obviously. Justin Faulk at 21st is 24 and after that you have to go down to Morgan Rielly at 28th who's 22. Rielly had 23:13
- Wetbandit1

22-24min for top pair
20-22min for 2nd pair
16ish for Gorges & Franson

Seems to me like that would be a pretty decent breakdown

22-24min for top pair
20-22min for 2nd pair
16ish for Gorges & Franson

Seems to me like that would be a pretty decent breakdown
- jdfitz77

IMO we need a 2nd guy to play the 22-24.

Risto didn't play 28. He played 25. Which is what high end D men play.
- sbroads24

I agree w Bylsma that he played Risto too much
It showed in the 2nd half last year
Idk if he got tired or overwhelmed or whatever...
But it doesn't look like he's read for all those minutes yet

We should have a more balanced defense this year though
So that should help

IMO we need a 2nd guy to play the 22-24.
- sbroads24

Kulikov is gonna get a shot
If he doesn't work out, then I think McCabe could continue to improve enough to jump in
I've always thought he'd end up paired w Risto anyways

http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Bylsma-uses-numbers-in-different-ways/22844184

Last season Rasmus Ristolainen played an average of 25:17 per game with the numbers getting up around 28 minutes or more in the last half of the season. Dan Bylsma said that must change, “We asked a lot of him. We put him into a lot of tough situations and I think some of the numbers that roll out on him as far as Corsi and possession do reflect that, but frankly we played him too much at times. He’s not going to like to hear this, but he’s not a guy that should be getting 28 to 30 minutes per night although we did it to him and we put him in those situations. His number should be in the 24 minute per game range and that’s where you’ll see him be at this next year and his numbers will improve too because of that.”

Interesting read. Most cornerstone #1 D men play about 25+ minutes a night. Maybe a hint that they think they need to get another guy
- sbroads24

I'll draw your attention to the bolded in your own post.

Risto didn't play 28. He played 25. Which is what high end D men play.
- sbroads24

He played it at the end of the season. Which is what Bylsma was alluding to. Bylsma said 28-30 is too much and that he'd like to see him at around 24. Yes, his season average was 25:16, but there were a ton of games near the end of the season where he was playing 28+.

The guys playing those 28+ are all at least 26. Risto is 21.

I'll draw your attention to the bolded in your own post.



He played it at the end of the season. Which is what Bylsma was alluding to. Bylsma said 28-30 is too much and that he'd like to see him at around 24. Yes, his season average was 25:16, but there were a ton of games near the end of the season where he was playing 28+.

The guys playing those 28+ are all at least 26. Risto is 21.
- Wetbandit1

Which is weird because Bogo was healthy at the end of the year. Were those maybe OT games?

Edit: He played a ton in January. Not really at the end of the year

Kulikov is gonna get a shot
If he doesn't work out, then I think McCabe could continue to improve enough to jump in
I've always thought he'd end up paired w Risto anyways
- jdfitz77

I think they still need a bona fide top 2. Neither Kuli or McCabe are that.

Doesn't mean that player has to be paired with Risto either

I think they still need a bona fide top 2. Neither Kuli or McCabe are that.

Doesn't mean that player has to be paired with Risto either
- sbroads24

Idk if Fowler is that guy either though?
So we might be better off seeing how McCabe can continue to develop & how Kulikov fits into the mix

I know I bring it up a lot...
But Murray does have to keep in mind who he's gonna protect in the expansion draft & how bringing in another defenseman would affect that

Idk if Fowler is that guy either though?
So we might be better off seeing how McCabe can continue to develop & how Kulikov fits into the mix

I know I bring it up a lot...
But Murray does have to keep in mind who he's gonna protect in the expansion draft & how bringing in another defenseman would affect that
- jdfitz77

I don't think he is.

We need our Muzzin/Stralman/Hjalmarrson type of go-to player outside of Risto.

Turbo - from the beginning, you have explained this consistently and in a way that makes sense, adding small tidbits each time. Seems reliable.

But as definitive as you've been, if Vesey goes elsewhere you won't have any way to escape.
- Der Kaiser

I'm aware of this but am comfortable with what I've heard/said. It's tough to be 100% when he hasn't talked with any teams other than Buffalo and Nashville but they are very impressed with the Sabres. Summary of reasons:
Jack
Living with Jack and Samson
Sabres drafted his best friend in 3rd round this year
Jack
Boston is a 50 min flight for family
Young building team
Main competition is Boston, and intense media scrutiny - ask Hayes and his dad
Jack
Stability of 2nd contract with Buffalo
Position on jack samson line
The hands off way the sabres have handled things
Jack
There's prob more

I think they still need a bona fide top 2. Neither Kuli or McCabe are that.

Doesn't mean that player has to be paired with Risto either
- sbroads24

Even without bringing in another defenseman,
We should be significantly better overall
Each spot in the lineup will be better than last year IMO

Risto > Risto... Just gonna get better
Kulikov > Gorges... Might not be ideal, but still better
Bogo > Bogo... He looked good healthy in the 2nd half
McCabe > McCabe... Like Risto, will continue to improve
Gorges > Franson... Should be pretty solid against lesser competition
Franson > Weber/Pysyk... Ok, maybe not. But he should be "ok"

I'm not saying we'll be like the Ducks or Preds defense
But I do like the direction we're headed

Improved play by the forwards will help too

Goaltending is my bigger concern