that's a good point...but there's also a good chance that dahlin furthers his development which would lead to a huge payday on a long, lucrative deal that only buffalo would be able to offer
- Michael Pachla

Wouldn't the above thought process also be a reason to sign him to at least a 5 year deal now, if not longer, rather than messing around with a 2 year bridge deal and all that would mean after that deal is up?

That's not even considering Dahlin's mindset if the team offers him a shorter term deal than Jokiharju or Mittelstadt.

We've seen what impact there is when the team shows a lack of commitment to a player.

Agree Rat!! I like him coming over in the deal.
- Buff36

Lack of experience too. I personally believe he's a mid round talent, for sure. And he's shown in short samples that he may even be a 1st, second round talent.

I think a 3 year deal would be horrendous for Dahlin as that would mean he would have one year left of RFA status before being a UFA.

Either a 5 year deal at $5.5M per or a 6 year deal at $6M-$6.5M per for me, to buy up a UFA year or 2 while leaving Dahlin time to sign a monster long term deal later.
- kingcong39

I agree going longer term with Dahlin.
He may never turn out to be Hedman, and he doesn't need too, especially now with Power coming to help eat major minutes.
As far as his partner goes, if Joker can't step into that role and be more defensively responsible, then they may have to target a suitable player from FA.

Oh christ. What's your motive for continuing the narrative?
- TheHank

make the yingyang great again

Takes 2 to tango. You don't know what reasoning Dahlin would have for signing on the dotted line. Perhaps he believes he can heavily outplay 6M by year 6 and would rather not wait for that payday. I see your angle, which could also be an occurrence. But he could also say, by year 3, those guys are getting 2.5 and I'm getting 7+.
- TheSabresTaco

I feel like you're mixing two scenarios together.

If Dahlin doesn't want to sign for longer then 2 years, so be it.

If all the Sabres offer is a 2 year deal, there's a chance Dahlin would be wondering regarding the Sabres commitment.

Lack of experience too. I personally believe he's a mid round talent, for sure. And he's shown in short samples that he may even be a 1st, second round talent.
- TheSabresTaco

Good Post, fun to watch Levi and Portillo hopefully play this year and grow. Like mhp said could be some very good competition in a few years.

make the yingyang great again
- TheSabresTaco

its none of my concern

Absolutely, for a Sabres team without "a plan"

Kinds seams like a plan.

-Give me a % on eichel starting for the Sabres in October
-% of playing this season in the blue and gold
-% of ever playing again for the Sabres
- Boss34

I've given up on thinking what is gonna happen with Eichel. I have no (frank)ing clue anymore.

Wouldn't the above thought process also be a reason to sign him to at least a 5 year deal now, if not longer, rather than messing around with a 2 year bridge deal and all that would mean after that deal is up?

That's not even considering Dahlin's mindset if the team offers him a shorter term deal than Jokiharju or Mittelstadt.

We've seen what impact there is when the team shows a lack of commitment to a player.
- kingcong39

first off, he's younger than both of those players and though he has the pedigree of a first-overall pick, he's been below average for his skill-level...this is not to say he's a bust at all, but there's hasn't been a consistent wow-factor for a player touted as a franchise-changing defenseman...glimpses, yes...and enough of them to know that he can still reach that high level...


as an example contract-wise:

2 yrs=$11m total plus, say 8yrs. at $9m an $8.3m AAV

5yrs=$30m total plus 8 yrs. at $11m comes out to $9m AAV

Good points.

My uncle ion talked up Johnson's game. I really like his skating, effortless stride for the USA team.

So basically Samuelson is just ahead "temporarily ".....

He looked the part of a nhl defenseman, especially covering for the bottom pairing , worst defenseman in the league as his partner....
- Boss34

Kris Baker has Johnson ahead of Samuelson on the depth chart...and Samuelsson ahead of Bryson.
I like Samuelson for a 3rd pairing, due to size, defensive focus and physicality.
Assuming Dahlin stays on the left side as 1st pairing ...it will be interesting how Johnson, Bryson and Power all fit in and who goes.

Lack of experience too. I personally believe he's a mid round talent, for sure. And he's shown in short samples that he may even be a 1st, second round talent.
- TheSabresTaco

I think that lack of experience is partly due to being not as tall as the others, as he was passed over for taller kid goalies. Then he did the smart thing and played in the lower Canadian junior league so he wouldn’t ruin his NCAA eligibility.

its none of my concern
- TheHank

he's a big boy, he can handle himself

I stated 6x6, above.

Sorry, excluding Dahlin.. I think they're both equally useful players, I like them both equally. I know it sounds like a cop out, but I think maybe by year 3 you get more value out of Mitts. So, let's say Mitts.
- TheSabresTaco

That's a very fair post. Appreciate the opinion.

I think they give dahlin the max 8 year length, based partially on the "buffalo " factor.
He's gonna want out sooner than later, so the longer the contract, the better the return? Maybe?
* as long as we do not overpay too much.

I'd say also, no movement clauses vs. More money should play into the Sabres favor.

Hit the cap floor by paying a bit more , to have the freedom of moving him when/ where unconditionally

Wouldn't the above thought process also be a reason to sign him to at least a 5 year deal now, if not longer, rather than messing around with a 2 year bridge deal and all that would mean after that deal is up?

That's not even considering Dahlin's mindset if the team offers him a shorter term deal than Jokiharju or Mittelstadt.

We've seen what impact there is when the team shows a lack of commitment to a player.
- kingcong39

The smart play is to lock him up longer term and get him out of RFA status.
The Aho and KK situations should be heeded as a warning shot.

That's a very fair post. Appreciate the opinion.

I think they give dahlin the max 8 year length, based partially on the "buffalo " factor.
He's gonna want out sooner than later, so the longer the contract, the better the return? Maybe?
* as long as we do not overpay too much.

I'd say also, no movement clauses vs. More money should play into the Sabres favor.

Hit the cap floor by paying a bit more , to have the freedom of moving him when/ where unconditionally
- Boss34

either go 2/3 or go 8

first off, he's younger than both of those players and though he has the pedigree of a first-overall pick, he's been below average for his skill-level...this is not to say he's a bust at all, but there's hasn't been a consistent wow-factor for a player touted as a franchise-changing defenseman...glimpses, yes...and enough of them to know that he can still reach that high level...


as an example contract-wise:

2 yrs=$11m total plus, say 8yrs. at $9m an $8.3m AAV

5yrs=$30m total plus 8 yrs. at $11m comes out to $9m AAV
- Michael Pachla

Freddy and Smith screwed his head so bad that Granato had to become a psychologist his 1st 2 weeks. They took away "his gzme" by restricting all Dmen from lugging the puck up ice...get the puck, pass to a forward quickly was their mantra..and stay back. It was anything but what they originally defined as playing as a 5 man unit.
I'm excited to watch his development accelerate under The Don.

Freddy and Smith screwed his head so bad that Granato had to become a psychologist his 1st 2 weeks. They took away "his gzme" by restricting all Dmen from lugging the puck up ice...get the puck, pass to a forward quickly was their mantra..and stay back. It was anything but what they originally defined as playing as a 5 man unit.
I'm excited to watch his development accelerate under The Don.
- IonSabres

Good Post lon!!

Kris Baker has Johnson ahead of Samuelson on the depth chart...and Samuelsson ahead of Bryson.
I like Samuelson for a 3rd pairing, due to size, defensive focus and physicality.
Assuming Dahlin stays on the left side as 1st pairing ...it will be interesting how Johnson, Bryson and Power all fit in and who goes.
- IonSabres

given our lack of RD

I fully expect Dahlin to be flipped to RD when Power plays with the big club

That's a very fair post. Appreciate the opinion.

I think they give dahlin the max 8 year length, based partially on the "buffalo " factor.
He's gonna want out sooner than later, so the longer the contract, the better the return? Maybe?
* as long as we do not overpay too much.

I'd say also, no movement clauses vs. More money should play into the Sabres favor.

Hit the cap floor by paying a bit more , to have the freedom of moving him when/ where unconditionally
- Boss34

winning changes everything

Freddy and Smith screwed his head so bad that Granato had to become a psychologist his 1st 2 weeks. They took away "his gzme" by restricting all Dmen from lugging the puck up ice...get the puck, pass to a forward quickly was their mantra..and stay back. It was anything but what they originally defined as playing as a 5 man unit.
I'm excited to watch his development accelerate under The Don.
- IonSabres

totally agree...smith is often overlooked as having a huge hand in all of this

Kris Baker has Johnson ahead of Samuelson on the depth chart...and Samuelsson ahead of Bryson.
I like Samuelson for a 3rd pairing, due to size, defensive focus and physicality.
Assuming Dahlin stays on the left side as 1st pairing ...it will be interesting how Johnson, Bryson and Power all fit in and who goes.
- IonSabres

Absolutely.

Dahlin - power has the ridiculous effect.....
Top nhl pairing on paper ( maybe ever)
2 #1OA'S - pretty rare

Theres 1/2 the game. including important minutes. Probably go cheaper and younger for the rest of the defense.

Johnson and Bryson appear more offensively talented to me. Probably a little more time needed to really evaluate?

winning changes everything
- homiedclown

ummm...what exactly is this "winning" thing you speak of?

winning changes everything
- homiedclown

How's that plan been working over the last decade ?
😀😀😀

Good point though, maybe pay dahlin 8 now, instead of having him loooose his love for the game after tank4 and tank5 the dignity sequel

ummm...what exactly is this "winning" thing you speak of?
- Michael Pachla

I'm guessing the "offseason" type of winning.

I've given up on thinking what is gonna happen with Eichel. I have no (frank)ing clue anymore.
- mhp

I'm not sure if it's gotten any play here but Kyle Okposo said he's been skating with Eichel.

Maybe that doesn't mean anything, maybe it does