Hank Balling: 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres: 3RD – Mark Pysyk

Nice Read Hank!! He should be a steady D partner for Bryson or Samuelsson or Hagg.

Good job Hank

So the right side looks to be
-Joker
-Miller
-Pysyk

They still need a #1RhD IMO...but willing g to wait and see how Joker comes along.

On another note, interesting question was posed...
What is the 1 position on the Bill's that is most in need of an upgrade.

For me it is the DB...more specifically 2nd CB . If they could find that guy, perhaps it allows one of the guys to move down to Nickle back...which is my 2nd position to be upgraded.

On another note, interesting question was posed...
What is the 1 position on the Bill's that is most in need of an upgrade.

For me it is the DB...more specifically 2nd CB . If they could find that guy, perhaps it allows one of the guys to move down to Nickle back...which is my 2nd position to be upgraded.
- IonSabres

I agree, am hoping they sign Nelson to play 2CB
Edit: Never mind see he signed in Philly

nice...i remember one of the guys on wgr going off because they traded him...went on a relentless rant--something, something, analytics...

yeah, that was a fun trade because of the extreme reactions

33 years ago today… The Great One was traded

So the right side looks to be
-Joker
-Miller
-Pysyk

They still need a #1RhD IMO...but willing g to wait and see how Joker comes along.
- IonSabres

Yeah they really need to work on that side, went from having to many to barely having enough. I mean they only really have Laaksonen, Kukkonen and Lyckasen in the system and those last 2 haven't even signed there ELC's yet.

Nice Read Hank!! He should be a steady D partner for Bryson or Samuelsson or Hagg.
- Buff36

Thx.

That should be a fun camp battle

nice...i remember one of the guys on wgr going off because they traded him...went on a relentless rant--something, something, analytics...

yeah, that was a fun trade because of the extreme reactions
- Michael Pachla

Speaking of potential freakouts, Theo Fox over on the Hawks blog had this fun tidbit today

Brandon Hagel


Hagel's 3-year renewal is a bargain at $1.5M AAV. It was believed his push for the $2M range was one of the reasons why the re-signing took so long. Regardless, he's worth every penny and will even more if he raises his game to the next level each season towards his next deal.

Although it may seem lofty, a comparable for Hagel is former Lightning forward Yanni Gourde who is now with the Kraken. Like Gourde, Hagel is fearless, relentless, and skilled as a speedy puck hound who is effective in all zones. Both agitate by just buzzing around so much.

Offensively, Hagel is capable of consistently reaching the 40-50 point range as a middle 6 winger with an occasional outburst in the 50-60 range. As evidenced by his goal output last season, Hagel is willing to drive hard to the net and score garbage goals. He's not just finesse.

Speaking of potential freakouts, Theo Fox over on the Hawks blog had this fun tidbit today





- Hank Balling

oh my

https://theathletic.com/2...ailyemail&campaign=601983
That's fuggly!!!

Thx.

That should be a fun camp battle
- Hank Balling

Yeah I am hoping Samuelsson starts feeling more comfortable and his physical side starts showing.

https://theathletic.com/2757623/2021/08/09/with-a-10-year-playoff-drought-have-the-sabres-hit-rock-bottom/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983
That's fuggly!!!
- Buff36

Not signing Hagel was another one of Botterill's blunders.

Yeah I am hoping Samuelsson starts feeling more comfortable and his physical side starts showing.
- Buff36

LD-

Dahlin, Samuelsson, Power, Bryson, Johnson

RD-

Joker, free agent frenzy!!!

Not signing Hagel was another one of Botterill's blunders.
- G - Man

a needless loss, to be sure.

Not signing Hagel was another one of Botterill's blunders.
- G - Man

It's also a side effect of constantly changing GMs. GM gets fired and the new GM has no attachment or stake in player X

It's also a side effect of constantly changing GMs. GM gets fired and the new GM has no attachment or stake in player X
- Hank Balling

If he was doing his job right, he'd have looked past that.

Beane came in and traded Watkins and Darby. Used assets that he didn't draft to grab picks. One of them helped us obtain Allen. The other. Kelvin Benjamin. Sad face.

Hagel was a free asset deserving of an ELC for Rochester. I know we've had this discussion more than enough times. It was poor asset management. You're telling me you have to sign Cornel and Karabacek (signed by Murray) but not Hagel? (frank)ing nice.

Pysyk scored the most random goal in Sabres history...so he has that going for him

Pysyk scored the most random goal in Sabres history...so he has that going for him
- Stripes77

I cant believe I forgot about butt goal

I feel shame

LD-

Dahlin, Samuelsson, Power, Bryson, Johnson

RD-

Joker, free agent frenzy!!!
- TheSabresTaco

That's about right Taco!

If he was doing his job right, he'd have looked past that.

Beane came in and traded Watkins and Darby. Used assets that he didn't draft to grab picks. One of them helped us obtain Allen. The other. Kelvin Benjamin. Sad face.

Hagel was a free asset deserving of an ELC for Rochester. I know we've had this discussion more than enough times. It was poor asset management. You're telling me you have to sign Cornel and Karabacek (signed by Murray) but not Hagel? (frank)ing nice.
- TheSabresTaco

Botterill was way better at assessing D talent than forward talent. His hit rate on defensemen both pro and minor was better. It's easy to look at his defensive acquisitions and say "that's a Botterill defenseman"

He recognized the value of puck movers and stuck to what he knows well. Up front he never really nailed down a type. It was scattershot and often nonsensical