Dahlin
Risto
Scandella
Guhle.

We have a better top 4 than the leafs.

If Dahlin did make the switch to the right:

Guhle-Dahlin
Scandella-Risto

Could be awesome. or throw McCabe up there on the left and Guhle slides down to 3 with Nelson. Let Dahlin carry someone
- jcragcrumple

I'd say it's about equal, not better. We'll probably have the best player of either d-core, but at this point id still take Rielly and Gardiner over anyone not name Dahlin. Guhle will eventually get to that point though.

If Dahlin is as good as we all hope he is (which I believe to be the case), he's going to play whatever side he damn well pleases.
- buffalofan19

"I want to play rover"

"That's not a position in this sport"

"It is now"

"I want to play rover"

"That's not a position in this sport"

"It is now"
- Sabresfan-365

"Right or left D, rasmus?

"middle d. 4 forwards"

man the 2011 draft was by far the most bizarre/intriguing in recent years.


I remember clearly how Couturier was the #1 for like 6 months and then in december when his WJC didn't go so well scouts back tracked hard on him after calling him the next toews.

They scrambled hard to find a consensus which by april was Nugent-Hopkins (barely). Couturier became a high risk pick. Now finally 7 years later, Couturier has actually turned into a toews clone and potentially one of the best guys from that draft class.


I think this was also the draft where they cautioned everyone against Scheifele as well, (frank)ing scouts

I'd say it's about equal, not better. We'll probably have the best player of either d-core, but at this point id still take Rielly and Gardiner over anyone not name Dahlin. Guhle will eventually get to that point though.
- Sabresfan-365

Who do you think Dahlin will pair up with or find a mentor in on the current Sabres roster or do you think there might be a need for an older, still capable to be acquired for these next 2-3 crucial developmental seasons?

Who do you think Dahlin will pair up with or find a mentor in on the current Sabres roster or do you think there might be a need for an older, still capable to be acquired for these next 2-3 crucial developmental seasons?
- Larsson_fan

I mean, it sounds good in theory, but the organization is 0 for 2 in this regard.

They genuinely thought the answer to Myers' problems was that he needed tallinder in his life so they reacquired his ancient ass.

And they paired Ristolainen with Gorges for way too long. I'd love for them to add a vet puck mover and perhaps defensively above average guy, but the price for that guy (right handed no less) is kind of rich for this team right now.

I would just insulate him. Pair him with Nelson, who is probably the best defensive guy on this team right now, shelter him early on and have him slowly earn his way to a bigger role. We all know d-men take time, no need to rush him in a la Risto

I mean, it sounds good in theory, but the organization is 0 for 2 in this regard.

They genuinely thought the answer to Myers' problems was that he needed tallinder in his life so they reacquired his ancient ass.

And they paired Ristolainen with Gorges for way too long. I'd love for them to add a vet puck mover and perhaps defensively above average guy, but the price for that guy (right handed no less) is kind of rich for this team right now.

I would just insulate him. Pair him with Nelson, who is probably the best defensive guy on this team right now, and shelter him early on and have him slowly earn his way to a bigger role. We all know d-men take time, no need to rush him in a la Risto
- Sabresfan-365

Scandella is 10 years older and has 450 games under his belt. A mentor doesn't have to play the same style to be able to point out details in a game to a rookie.
He also doesn't have to be 39 years old.

I'd say it's about equal, not better. We'll probably have the best player of either d-core, but at this point id still take Rielly and Gardiner over anyone not name Dahlin. Guhle will eventually get to that point though.
- Sabresfan-365

Dahlin
Reilly
Risto
Gardiner
Scandella
Dermott/Guhle
Guhle/Dermott

Rest of them are interchangeable on each roster. McCabe, Hainsey, Nelson, Zaitsev fill out respectable roles on any bottom pair.

Who do you think Dahlin will pair up with or find a mentor in on the current Sabres roster or do you think there might be a need for an older, still capable to be acquired for these next 2-3 crucial developmental seasons?
- Larsson_fan

McCabe is a former captain and a solid young vet, Bogo knows pressure of being a high pick, and Risto wears an A. They should be good. If they were able to move Bogo or Beaulieu and sign an over-the-hill Teppo Numinnen type, that would be fine too, though

Scandella is 10 years older and has 450 games under his belt. A mentor doesn't have to play the same style to be able to point out details in a game to a rookie.
He also doesn't have to be 39 years old.
- seedy

Scandella also isn't very good lol, that's more so what i was getting at re: acquiring a puck moving vet d-man

Dahlin
Reilly
Risto
Gardiner
Scandella
Dermott/Guhle
Guhle/Dermott

Rest of them are interchangeable on each roster. McCabe, Hainsey, Nelson, Zaitsev fill out respectable roles on any bottom pair.
- Pegullaville

Gardiner may have had a rough playoffs, but he's still a better d-man than Risto.

I mean, it sounds good in theory, but the organization is 0 for 2 in this regard.

They genuinely thought the answer to Myers' problems was that he needed tallinder in his life so they reacquired his ancient ass.

And they paired Ristolainen with Gorges for way too long. I'd love for them to add a vet puck mover and perhaps defensively above average guy, but the price for that guy (right handed no less) is kind of rich for this team right now.

I would just insulate him. Pair him with Nelson, who is probably the best defensive guy on this team right now, and shelter him early on and have him slowly earn his way to a bigger role. We all know d-men take time, no need to rush him in a la Risto
- Sabresfan-365

You’re absolutely correct, but I see many of your Bretheren penciling him in on the top pair already. Those vets were obviously the wrong guys for Myers and Risto...is there nobody better in free agency?

Agreed most of the D are too old to commit to your standard poopty free agent contract, But Tobias Estrom might be a good gamble ( injured too much tho). Probably the best bet is a 30-33 yr old #4 with 2 years left on a deal that can be had for cheap.

You’re absolutely correct, but I see many of your Bretheren penciling him in on the top pair already. Those vets were obviously the wrong guys for Myers and Risto...is there nobody better in free agency?

Agreed most of the D are too old to commit to your standard poopty free agent contract, But Tobias Estrom might be a good gamble ( injured too much tho). Probably the best bet is a 30-33 yr old #4 with 2 years left on a deal that can be had for cheap.
- Larsson_fan

Perhaps, you're right though it's slim pickings. My brethren are excited, as am I, but tempering expectations, Id start him on the third pair and try and balance out the minutes a little more than before.

You’re absolutely correct, but I see many of your Bretheren penciling him in on the top pair already. Those vets were obviously the wrong guys for Myers and Risto...is there nobody better in free agency?

Agreed most of the D are too old to commit to your standard poopty free agent contract, But Tobias Estrom might be a good gamble ( injured too much tho). Probably the best bet is a 30-33 yr old #4 with 2 years left on a deal that can be had for cheap.
- Larsson_fan

The thing is, though, Myers and Ristolainen struggled at the top line role because they simply aren't top pairing defensemen, not because they were put there too soon. Either you have it, or you don't. It might take a little longer to develop for some, but eventually, they'll figure it out.

That's not to say keeping him off the top pair to start isn't a smart move, just that if he starts there and ultimately fails, it will be because he just isn't good enough.

Scandella also isn't very good lol, that's more so what i was getting at re: acquiring a puck moving vet d-man
- Sabresfan-365

Not sure if veteran puck moving D men are available if they're good. If they're not good, we already have Scandella.

Gardiner may have had a rough playoffs, but he's still a better d-man than Risto.
- Sabresfan-365

Gardiner is 2x worse then Risto in the defensive zone even if you disregard his playoffs this year. He is fantastic offensively but is the last guy you want on the ice from your own red line in towards your goal.

The thing is, though, Myers and Ristolainen struggled at the top line role because they simply aren't top pairing defensemen, not because they were put there too soon. Either you have it, or you don't. It might take a little longer to develop for some, but eventually, they'll figure it out.
- buffalofan19

2 years ago one of the Buffalo bloggers considered Risto a Norris contender. I beleive he is a #2 top pair defender on most teams, provided the #1 is a stud. As talented as he is, Dahlin can’t step into the best league in the world as a successful #1 defender without a bunch of help.

Not sure if veteran puck moving D men are available if they're good. If they're not good, we already have Scandella.
- seedy

They're probably not that good, that's why id just start him off in a sheltered role.

2 years ago one of the Buffalo bloggers considered Risto a Norris contender. I beleive he is a #2 top pair defender on most teams, provided the #1 is a stud. As talented as he is, Dahlin can’t step into the best league in the world as a successful #1 defender without a bunch of help.
- Larsson_fan

Why not? Plenty of people are saying he will do exactly that.

Plus, for the first 10 games before Bogo gets hurt, we can roll 3 solid pairs

Dahlin-Risto
Scandella-nelson
McCabe/Guhle-Bogo

He's gonna be just fine

Gardiner is 2x worse then Risto in the defensive zone even if you disregard his playoffs this year. He is fantastic offensively but is the last guy you want on the ice from your own red line in towards your goal.
- Pegullaville

That's literally impossible since Ristolainen owns some of the worst defensive numbers in the NHL

That's not to say that Gardiner is some stud in his own end (far from it) but the gap between their defensive play isn't nearly as big as the gap offensively.

They're probably not that good, that's why id just start him off in a sheltered role.
- Sabresfan-365

If he can take a few minutes off Risto, i think it will help Risto look better.

man the 2011 draft was by far the most bizarre/intriguing in recent years.


I remember clearly how Couturier was the #1 for like 6 months and then in december when his WJC didn't go so well scouts back tracked hard on him after calling him the next toews.

They scrambled hard to find a consensus which by april was Nugent-Hopkins (barely). Couturier became a high risk pick. Now finally 7 years later, Couturier has actually turned into a toews clone and potentially one of the best guys from that draft class.


I think this was also the draft where they cautioned everyone against Scheifele as well, (frank)ing scouts
- Sabresfan-365

I begging For us to draft him that year

Not sure if veteran puck moving D men are available if they're good. If they're not good, we already have Scandella.
- seedy

There’s a plenty that could probably be had . You don’t think teams are looking at limiting the number of contracts they need to protect prior to Seattle?

I was thinking someone like Bouwmeester, Stralman, Sekeras, etc....

There are a lot better names out there but holy sheet are their a poopload of past their prime, overpaid defenders signed with 4-7 years remaining on their deals!

Get ready for another lockout boys

Why not? Plenty of people are saying he will do exactly that.

Plus, for the first 10 games before Bogo gets hurt, we can roll 3 solid pairs

Dahlin-Risto
Scandella-nelson
McCabe/Guhle-Bogo

He's gonna be just fine
- jcragcrumple

Yeah, Doughty was pretty good as a rookie. I’m sure he will amaze regardless.

If he can take a few minutes off Risto, i think it will help Risto look better.
- seedy

That Eichel/ROR/Dahlin/Risto/Reinhart power play, though...

Down a goal, extra attacker: Okposo

So many games we lost by a goal, or couldn't convert to tie it up late. The addition of a guy to really put that crew over the edge could make a huge impact.

Assuming there are no major moves