I agree, I would be happy with MAF mentoring Levi, that Dad role makes sense to me.

This is an excellent thread on roster building in the NHL:

https://twitter.com/woodg...&t=hqR9TYIpzRsCOAnvTWKdTw
- washedup20

Some of the highlights, for me:

They have a great analytics department, as do COL, TBY, WSH, PIT (until Rutherford left) which is every team that's won the Cup since 2015 with STL being the exception.

So when fans/media point at TOR and say LOLANALYTICS they have no idea what they are talking about.

They have a very solid Dcorps.
No pair needs heavy sheltering. They do shelter their 3rd because that's just good deployment but if they're out vs the other team's best they can usually hang as long as they need to.

The lessons seem to be:
-don't worry about what happened yesterday, will doing "this move" make us better tomorrow? Have no ego.

-have players who fill specific roles (shooter/passer/transporter/ board work) on each line

-have a solid Dcorp where any pair isn't an obvious liability. If they aren't elite, then make sure they are big with long arms.

-Hire players who push the rest of the roster down, this makes everyone better.

You brought it up, not 89. Sure, so you have to eat more dead cap down the road!! Go away
- Buff36

Wrong. SABRES 89 originally stated here on this site that Diggs is a pos and needs to be traded, especially after he stormed off the field after the loss to the Bengals.

Wrong. SABRES 89 originally stated here on this site that Diggs is a pos and needs to be traded, especially after he stormed off the field after the loss to the Bengals.
- RichardRoma

OK, so awhile back

MAF came out and stated he was tired of moving around. Wants to stay in Minnesota.. now, if they don't want him.. I guess he's an option? He fits the archetype of what Kevo wants in there.
- TheSabresTaco

If he moves this year it will be back to the Pens for a Last dance style retirement, I was using him as an example of what type of goalie that 36 is looking for.

Guy played 46gms last year with a .908 Save % and 2.96 Gaa I believe. We are in the playoffs if we had those numbers last year.
- Buff36

Only thing with MAF playing for the Wild is their D-structure was one of, if not the best in the league.
Buyer be ware, unless: 1) Granato gets these guys playing defensively aware
2) Adams secures a solid 2nd Pairing guy.

Some of the highlights, for me:

They have a great analytics department, as do COL, TBY, WSH, PIT (until Rutherford left) which is every team that's won the Cup since 2015 with STL being the exception.

So when fans/media point at TOR and say LOLANALYTICS they have no idea what they are talking about.

They have a very solid Dcorps.
No pair needs heavy sheltering. They do shelter their 3rd because that's just good deployment but if they're out vs the other team's best they can usually hang as long as they need to.

The lessons seem to be:
-don't worry about what happened yesterday, will doing "this move" make us better tomorrow? Have no ego.

-have players who fill specific roles (shooter/passer/transporter/ board work) on each line

-have a solid Dcorp where any pair isn't an obvious liability. If they aren't elite, then make sure they are big with long arms.

-Hire players who push the rest of the roster down, this makes everyone better.
- kingcong39

Great post, if you measure the Sabres organization by these metrics, what grade would they receive?

IMO the bolded is where they fail miserably

Only thing with MAF playing for the Wild is their D-structure was one of, if not the best in the league.
Buyer be ware, unless: 1) Granato gets these guys playing defensively aware
2) Adams secures a solid 2nd Pairing guy.
- IonSabres

I personally have no use for maf. But he will get a 2nd pair guy. Mark it down.

I'll go Beyond Beady™ if they roll Levi/UPL.
- TheSabresTaco

I am with you with an exception. If they role out with UPL/Levi I will be fine with it, if they somehow land a TOP four RHD, maybe another stay at home defensive Dman and a power forward like a Tyler Bertuzzi.

UPL does have all the tools to be a starter in the NHL but he has played for shatty defensive teams.

Question, if we fix our D corp does UPL have better numbers?

I am with you with an exception. If they role out with UPL/Levi I will be fine with it, if they somehow land a TOP four RHD, maybe another stay at home defensive Dman and a power forward like a Tyler Bertuzzi.

UPL does have all the tools to be a starter in the NHL but he has played for shatty defensive teams.

Question, if we fix our D corp does UPL have better numbers?
- hehateme

I mean maybe. Even when he was playing “well” he was playing at league average.

I personally have no use for maf. But he will get a 2nd pair guy. Mark it down.
- TheSabresTaco

There is a fun article out there about how if Gibson had less of a role he’d be a better goalie.

He starts out hot and then gets absolutely destroyed all season because the Ducks are bad and burns out.

Maybe if there was a team that could lighten his load………….

I mean maybe. Even when he was playing “well” he was playing at league average.
- ImThatGuy

I know, I Think UPL is not the answer but I would surely like to se him in front of a defensively competent team before I totally give up on him.

There is a fun article out there about how if Gibson had less of a role he’d be a better goalie.

He starts out hot and then gets absolutely destroyed all season because the Ducks are bad and burns out.

Maybe if there was a team that could lighten his load………….
- ImThatGuy

he lost last lovin feeling........

I mean maybe. Even when he was playing “well” he was playing at league average.
- ImThatGuy

Granato didnt install conviction in him yet, summer training is primarily focused on downloading conviction

Only thing with MAF playing for the Wild is their D-structure was one of, if not the best in the league.
Buyer be ware, unless: 1) Granato gets these guys playing defensively aware
2) Adams secures a solid 2nd Pairing guy.
- IonSabres

Pretty much think that goes with any goalie they bring in. Sabres shouldn't have any goalie facing that many High Danger shots throughout the year. Sabres need to start playing a bit of team defense along with getting a Top 3-4 Dman

I mean maybe. Even when he was playing “well” he was playing at league average.
- ImThatGuy

He had a .917 sv% a year ago.

So do you mean that is bad for a rookie goalie, or even league average?

I know, I Think UPL is not the answer but I would surely like to se him in front of a defensively competent team before I totally give up on him.
- hehateme

Smart ^^

Smart ^^
- RhinoFan

Got ripped apart many anight defending UPL last year. Yes he had his troubles, but no goalie should have to face the onslaught he did on a lot of nights.

There is a fun article out there about how if Gibson had less of a role he’d be a better goalie.

He starts out hot and then gets absolutely destroyed all season because the Ducks are bad and burns out.

Maybe if there was a team that could lighten his load………….
- ImThatGuy

yeah we chatted about that yesterday. i dont want the contract risk. and i really dont want to have to talk myself into liking him.

Got ripped apart many anight defending UPL last year. Yes he had his troubles, but no goalie should have to face the onslaught he did on a lot of nights.
- Buff36

Exactly. Get this kid some help, let him get in a rhythm and IMO you could literally have an Ullmark/Swayman type tandem for many years, on the cheap. I don't see how that isn't more enticing to folks tbh. I understand the calls for wins, but having two goalies tied here for the next decade at reasonable cap hits could set us up in a huge way.

Go buy CH and we're back looking for another goalie this time next year.

He had a .917 sv% a year ago.

So do you mean that is bad for a rookie goalie, or even league average?
- RhinoFan

No I mean last year when he was winning games with a .900 or sub .900 save %.

January - .907 sv% and a 3.06 gaa.

That’s average.

UPL was downright awful at times, for a big goalie he makes himself very small. There was a picture out there of a game taken when you can’t see him behind the shooter because of how small he makes himself.


Also a 9 game sample size isn’t great.

Exactly. Get this kid some help, let him get in a rhythm and IMO you could literally have an Ullmark/Swayman type tandem for many years, on the cheap. I don't see how that isn't more enticing to folks tbh. I understand the calls for wins, but having two goalies tied here for the next decade at reasonable cap hits could set us up in a huge way.

Go buy CH and we're back looking for another goalie this time next year.
- RhinoFan

Yet Devon Levi and Craig Anderson playing with the same rag tag group as y’all call them severely outperformed UPL.

Please discuss.

Got ripped apart many anight defending UPL last year. Yes he had his troubles, but no goalie should have to face the onslaught he did on a lot of nights.
- Buff36

Guys who were worse in goals saved above expected, which takes into account the danger of a shot, regardless of the amount you're facing:

Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin
Kaapo Kahkonen
Jack Campbell
Jonathan Quick
Ville Husso
Felix Sandstrom

Well just got text from my Buddy!! I don't think it's to much different then talked about. Adams if definitely trying to land a Dman. Interesting name I was told Devon Toews and they want a C who can win Face/offs and add some grit and Offense. Can't be chasing the puck as much as they do.

Guys who were worse in goals saved above expected, which takes into account the danger of a shot, regardless of the amount you're facing:

Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin
Kaapo Kahkonen
Jack Campbell
Jonathan Quick
Ville Husso
Felix Sandstrom
- TheSabresTaco

You know whose name isn’t on this list…….

Okay I’m done now.

Yet Devon Levi and Craig Anderson playing with the same rag tag group as y’all call them severely outperformed UPL.

Please discuss.
- ImThatGuy

Sabres actually started playing a semblance of a Defensive system when Levi got here. And yes Anderson did, but he's a Vet and only had to face it once every 2 weeks