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Forums :: Blog World :: Hank Balling: Ready Or Not, Here They Come
Author Message
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:15 PM ET
Played the same style last year as he will this year
Mins might be the problem here
Hopefully power is playing 22-23 a night by mid season

- Anderdog


Yeah. The usage of the d men will be one of the most interesting things to follow this season. Does Dahlin maintain undisputed 1st pairing minutes due to his offensive play? Does Power establish himself as a reliable two-way guy and eat some of those minutes?

Power will take his lumps, as all young d men do. I was encouraged to see that the transition game Power showed in college seemed to translate to the NHL in the short sample size we saw. I was unabashedly a Luke Hughes guy that draft but Power has the elite measurables.

It'll be fun to watch
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:19 PM ET
Yeah. The usage of the d men will be one of the most interesting things to follow this season. Does Dahlin maintain undisputed 1st pairing minutes due to his offensive play? Does Power establish himself as a reliable two-way guy and eat some of those minutes?

Power will take his lumps, as all young d men do. I was encouraged to see that the transition game Power showed in college seemed to translate to the NHL in the short sample size we saw. I was unabashedly a Luke Hughes guy that draft but Power has the elite measurables.

It'll be fun to watch

- Hank Balling




I edited my post

Power played over 20 minutes 7 of 8 games
That's ridiculous

Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:22 PM ET
I edited my post

Power played over 20 minutes 7 of 8 games
That's ridiculous

- Anderdog


If Power and Dahlin both jump into being undisputed 22-minute-a-night defensemen, being a 3rd-pairing d man on the Sabres will be the easiest job in sports πŸ‘
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:30 PM ET
If Power and Dahlin both jump into being undisputed 22-minute-a-night defensemen, being a 3rd-pairing d man on the Sabres will be the easiest job in sports πŸ‘
- Hank Balling



Then why did he pay Bryson,1.85 a year
Again hagg at one year for $ 800,000
Would of been the Smart move

But if you can get 48-50 minutes out of ur top 4
Life is good
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:33 PM ET
[quote=Anderdog]

Love Bryson's wheels but his offensive production hasn't matched the chances/eye test. I didn't understand the two-year deal for nearly $2 a year (other than the team's need to get to the cap floor)
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jul 25 @ 6:35 PM ET
If Power and Dahlin both jump into being undisputed 22-minute-a-night defensemen, being a 3rd-pairing d man on the Sabres will be the easiest job in sports πŸ‘
- Hank Balling


After 200+ games of Joker, I don't get why they feel the need to see another season. He really hasn't improved in that time and doesn't complement what they have.
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:38 PM ET
After 200+ games of Joker, I don't get why they feel the need to see another season. He really hasn't improved in that time and doesn't complement what they have.
- Lunaion


Agreed. I think originally we were just happy to get something useful for the lesser Nylander but he hasn't taken a step
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:38 PM ET
[quote=Hank Balling]


Wanted one thing done this year

Understand and agree on holding off on forward help this year


Defense is close
Rather had a veteran LD with some snarl

Goalie is where my money would of been spent
Who/how
I don't know
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jul 25 @ 6:45 PM ET
Agreed. I think originally we were just happy to get something useful for the lesser Nylander but he hasn't taken a step
- Hank Balling


Just a little underwhelmed by bringing back him, Bryson, and Fitz. Such an obvious way to improve the team. Nothing against Lyubushkin, just wanted more.

It's an org that couldn't move on from Bjork. I'm expecting too much.
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:49 PM ET
Just a little underwhelmed by bringing back him, Bryson, and Fitz. Such an obvious way to improve the team. Nothing against Lyubushkin, just wanted more.
- Lunaion



Hey
It's only the 4 th week in July
Plenty of time 😜


Joking aside
Still some teams above cap
I do believe gonna be some more movement
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 25 @ 6:49 PM ET
Just a little underwhelmed by bringing back him, Bryson, and Fitz. Such an obvious way to improve the team. Nothing against Lyubushkin, just wanted more.

It's an org that couldn't move on from Bjork. I'm expecting too much.

- Lunaion


Again, agreed on all counts
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jul 25 @ 6:50 PM ET
Hey
It's only the 4 th week in July
Plenty of time 😜


Joking aside
Still some teams above cap
I do believe gonna be some more movement

- Anderdog


or they are on summer vacation, we probably should be too
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

Jul 25 @ 7:00 PM ET
https://youtu.be/b-3bQ2mBg7E

Anybody ever been to this place

Heading there late November
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 25 @ 7:34 PM ET
Think Lyubushkin is gonna surprise some people. He played pretty good in Toronto.
SDSabre
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 02.05.2014

Jul 25 @ 7:44 PM ET
Agreed. I think originally we were just happy to get something useful for the lesser Nylander but he hasn't taken a step
- Hank Balling


Defenseman always peak at 22 years old or younger right?

He showed flashes of being a pretty good 4 from time to time. Consistency will be his downfall if he never gets there. I personally don’t think him and Dahlin ever gelled even tho it was force fed by Ralph for 1.5 years. I’d be hesitant to write him off, 200+ games withstanding.
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jul 25 @ 7:50 PM ET
Think Lyubushkin is gonna surprise some people. He played pretty good in Toronto.
- Buff36


I hope and think so as well. Anything can happen, but he played pretty well up north. If he just focuses on securing the D Zone and he lets Powers handle the Transition and O-zone distribution, that combo should work nicely.
It hopefully works as smoothly as Scandella and Joker when they were partnered...Scandella upon gaining possession in the D-Zone looked for his 1st pass to be to Joker who then transitioned the puck up ice. Do that, all is good.
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 25 @ 7:52 PM ET
Defenseman always peak at 22 years old or younger right?

He showed flashes of being a pretty good 4 from time to time. Consistency will be his downfall if he never gets there. I personally don’t think him and Dahlin ever gelled even tho it was force fed by Ralph for 1.5 years. I’d be hesitant to write him off, 200+ games withstanding.

- SDSabre


Point taken
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Jul 25 @ 7:55 PM ET
I hope and think so as well. Anything can happen, but he played pretty well up north. If he just focuses on securing the D Zone and he lets Powers handle the Transition and O-zone distribution, that combo should work nicely.
It hopefully works as smoothly as Scandella and Joker when they were partnered...Scandella upon gaining possession in the D-Zone looked for his 1st pass to be to Joker who then transitioned the puck up ice. Do that, all is good.

- IonSabres


You are assuming he's going to be on the 2nd pair with Power...?
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jul 25 @ 7:58 PM ET
You are assuming he's going to be on the 2nd pair with Power...?
- kingcong39


Honestly, I think you may see all 3 pairings scrambled for some time this upcoming season.
Edit - But yes, I do see that as 1 pairing to be tried.

Do you expect the pairings to be static and set already?
Mentalorgasm5
Buffalo Sabres
Location: "F-" Robert, NY
Joined: 06.29.2007

Jul 25 @ 8:11 PM ET
Looks like no Sabres here, but I do see Sam Reinhart in the top 50.


- kingcong39
no eichel...
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jul 25 @ 8:13 PM ET
no eichel...
- Mentalorgasm5


33
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 25 @ 8:16 PM ET
I hope and think so as well. Anything can happen, but he played pretty well up north. If he just focuses on securing the D Zone and he lets Powers handle the Transition and O-zone distribution, that combo should work nicely.
It hopefully works as smoothly as Scandella and Joker when they were partnered...Scandella upon gaining possession in the D-Zone looked for his 1st pass to be to Joker who then transitioned the puck up ice. Do that, all is good.

- IonSabres

Lyubushkin has a nice 1st pass, I have actually been talking him up for a bit. Think he will compliment Power in transition with that. Let Power just play hockey and learn, plus take care of the kid when need be.
Slump Buster
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I root for draft picks but not the team, apparently, NY
Joined: 10.24.2006

Jul 25 @ 8:16 PM ET
After 200+ games of Joker, I don't get why they feel the need to see another season. He really hasn't improved in that time and doesn't complement what they have.
- Lunaion


At times he has looked pretty good and other times not as much. I think his success seems to be tied to who he is playing with and the style of play. I thought he looked good at the end of last year. Still.... at worst he is a cheap bottom-pair guy.
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jul 25 @ 8:17 PM ET
33
- IonSabres



Wonder where he's ranked after next season
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 25 @ 8:20 PM ET
no eichel...
- Mentalorgasm5


If anyone is looking for a top-100 NHL players featuring Sabres, this one has Tage and Dahlin

https://www.espn.com/fant...-23-rankings?platform=amp
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