I don't really think anyone here cares about this sheeps opinion.
LD Rasmus Dahlin (2018, 1st, BUF) Part 3
- Thread starter garnetpalmetto
- Start date
I don't really think anyone here cares about this sheeps opinion.
Kcb12345
Registered User
- Jun 6, 2017
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Dahlin will AT LEAST be Klingberg imo, and I'm a Stars fan. And he is gonna be better defensively than Klingberg too.
Just watch once he gets top PP time
- Jan 22, 2007
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Actually,
The poster who brought up Ekblad indirectly makes a good point for everyone to consider - and it has to do with his "situation" and not his "skill set."
Let's look back on Erik Karlsson as a reference. I said this early on when Karlsson won his first Norris Trophy, that he is lucky he was drafted by Ottawa. The Senators decides to give Karlsson tons of leash to learn, make mistakes, and boost his confidence while learning on the job. He was never penalized, benched or discouraged from taking risks and creating. The results: Multiple Norris Trophies by age 24 and is regarded as the greatest offensive defensive of his generation, and one of the best ever. I am fully convinced that if Karlsson were drafted by a team that was ultra-patience, too conservative, and too hard on him for taking risks, he would never ended up the player he was/is today.
The problem I have always had with Ekblad is in how the Panthers have used him from day one. In my opinion, the reason Ekblad is not regarded as a top, young defenseman is because his point totals are average and he doesn't have the chance to shine on the PP and garner attention. Shame on Florida for doing that to him.
Does anyone else notice that when Ekblad is in International tournaments, i.e. North American Young Stars in the World Cup, and he is used on the PP and given free reign to create that he looks absolutely fantastic? He joins the rush and uses his very good shot to create offense and looks like a full-mean, impact defenseman who you can build a team around. So, why isn't Ekblad extended the same freedoms in Florida? Why isn't he given leash to create and offered the opportunity to be a mainstay on the top PP? Poor coaching and team philosophy. Oh, "Florida has Keith Yandle." So what? You don't stifle the growth and creativity of your young, franchise defenseman to appease a 30+ year vet like Yandle. Doing so is foolish, especially long-term.
The way Ekblad is being utilized in Florida is terrible IMO and I see immediate parallels to the way Buffalo is content on handling Dahlin, and it's terrible.
Yes, Dahlin is 18, and a rookie, blah, blah, blah. But he is also the most talented player on the team and the future of the franchise (along with Eichel). He should be given every opportunity out of the gate to shine, build his confidence, and create like Erik Karlsson was. He shouldn't be insulated, overly-guarded and put in the background like Aaron Ekblad mostly is.
I'm very disappointed (and surprised) that Phil Housley is in control of this. As for those saying, "Dahlin is a rookie and needs to earn PP time over established vets!", who are we talking about here?? Kyle Okposo?? He stinks. Rasmus Ristolainen?? Very nice player, but he's 22 with no pedigree. For the record, I am completely in favor of having both Dahlin and Ristolainen on the main PP, because it makes sense. I'm not anti-Ristolainen by any means. Just making a point. It's not like the Sabres PP features Hedman, Karlsson, Crosby, Malkin and McDavid.
The poster who brought up Ekblad indirectly makes a good point for everyone to consider - and it has to do with his "situation" and not his "skill set."
Let's look back on Erik Karlsson as a reference. I said this early on when Karlsson won his first Norris Trophy, that he is lucky he was drafted by Ottawa. The Senators decides to give Karlsson tons of leash to learn, make mistakes, and boost his confidence while learning on the job. He was never penalized, benched or discouraged from taking risks and creating. The results: Multiple Norris Trophies by age 24 and is regarded as the greatest offensive defensive of his generation, and one of the best ever. I am fully convinced that if Karlsson were drafted by a team that was ultra-patience, too conservative, and too hard on him for taking risks, he would never ended up the player he was/is today.
The problem I have always had with Ekblad is in how the Panthers have used him from day one. In my opinion, the reason Ekblad is not regarded as a top, young defenseman is because his point totals are average and he doesn't have the chance to shine on the PP and garner attention. Shame on Florida for doing that to him.
Does anyone else notice that when Ekblad is in International tournaments, i.e. North American Young Stars in the World Cup, and he is used on the PP and given free reign to create that he looks absolutely fantastic? He joins the rush and uses his very good shot to create offense and looks like a full-mean, impact defenseman who you can build a team around. So, why isn't Ekblad extended the same freedoms in Florida? Why isn't he given leash to create and offered the opportunity to be a mainstay on the top PP? Poor coaching and team philosophy. Oh, "Florida has Keith Yandle." So what? You don't stifle the growth and creativity of your young, franchise defenseman to appease a 30+ year vet like Yandle. Doing so is foolish, especially long-term.
The way Ekblad is being utilized in Florida is terrible IMO and I see immediate parallels to the way Buffalo is content on handling Dahlin, and it's terrible.
Yes, Dahlin is 18, and a rookie, blah, blah, blah. But he is also the most talented player on the team and the future of the franchise (along with Eichel). He should be given every opportunity out of the gate to shine, build his confidence, and create like Erik Karlsson was. He shouldn't be insulated, overly-guarded and put in the background like Aaron Ekblad mostly is.
I'm very disappointed (and surprised) that Phil Housley is in control of this. As for those saying, "Dahlin is a rookie and needs to earn PP time over established vets!", who are we talking about here?? Kyle Okposo?? He stinks. Rasmus Ristolainen?? Very nice player, but he's 22 with no pedigree. For the record, I am completely in favor of having both Dahlin and Ristolainen on the main PP, because it makes sense. I'm not anti-Ristolainen by any means. Just making a point. It's not like the Sabres PP features Hedman, Karlsson, Crosby, Malkin and McDavid.
We're itching to see Dahlin on PP1. Housley is thus far keeping him away from other situations where his skating and vision could be exploited too - 4-on-4, 4-on-3.
I guess the Sabres have to pretend they're in the hunt for a playoff spot, and they need to play the veterans to have a realistic shot. (Sorry, guys, the necessary 35+ point improvement isn't happening, although I'll be happy to eat those words if I'm wrong.) Maybe when we're out of the playoffs by the magical US Thanksgiving weekend, Housley will loosen the reins on Dahlin. Maybe Housley will be gone himself by then, and his replacement will turn him loose.
PatrikBerglund
Registered User
- May 29, 2017
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Housley is a horrible coach, what else is new. I hope he gets the axe soon or he will ruin Dahlin.
BowieSabresFan
Registered User
- Nov 18, 2010
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I would like to see Dahlin on pp1 too. However, the power play is currently working pretty well, and I am never a fan of trying to fix what ain’t broken.
Oh, and it’s his third game. So far, I have no issues with the way Housley is handling Dahlin. Maybe revisit this one in another 30 games or so?
Oh, and it’s his third game. So far, I have no issues with the way Housley is handling Dahlin. Maybe revisit this one in another 30 games or so?
Remember when everyone was skeptical of Hedman? Me too. Dahlin will be fine.
What the actual f*** am I reading in this thread?
tsujimoto74
Moderator
- May 28, 2012
- 31,185
- 24,533
Coincidentally, remember when Hedman started putting up a lot of points and those people stopped questioning how good he was? I'll let you all guess which of these years you think that happened in:
(Hint: it's the obvious choice. That year is also when Hedman finally started seeing significant PP time.) So, to those shitting on Housley a whopping 3 games into Dahlin's career, I ask: do you think Hedman was developed wrong?
Yeah your analysis on ekblad is pretty bad. It’s on him and only him. His skating sucks.
Artorius Horus T
sincerety
Sabres are 2 and 1, hows that bad coaching? Maybe Dahlin (at the moment) just isn't good enough, ever thought of that?
Housley being a hall of famer d-man and one of the best offensive d-men ever play the NHL, sees this as well.
He isn't the tank commander, he isn't there to create a superstar out of Dahlin, he actually is there so that your team could win games,
if Dahlin doesn't make it, then he doesn't, end of story. (obviously he will, eventually,
i was only making a point)
Artorius Horus T
sincerety
Dahlin will be fine, obviously, but his development will take years, as it did for Hedman, ( it took Hedman 5 years to develop BTW ).
I know. Personally doubt it'll take that long for Dahlin though, he's going to be gooood.
PatrikBerglund
Registered User
- May 29, 2017
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Housley knows absolutely zero about everything aside from pretty much power play, which is where he got most of his points. He should be a power play coach, not the head coach of an NHL team.
Artorius Horus T
sincerety
lawrence
Registered User
- May 19, 2012
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I believe at this point, he might not be as good or effective on the powerplay as some other guys. Something like this is normal among 18 year olds on the team.
Andrei Svechnikov only played 11 minutes. That's not even 2nd line forward minutes. I think the players will have to earn their spot rather then be given to them. Housley also doesn't want to give Dhalin the impression everything is handed to him early. He's treating him like any other player on the team.
HaNotsri
Regstred User
- Dec 29, 2013
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1. Our powerplay percentage: 37.5% not sustainable but why would you change the pp when it’s been a focus area during the pre-season and it seems to be working fine? 4 righties might seem like much but the idea is probably for Okposo to feed Eichel, Risto to complement Eichel with another one timer threat and Reinhart close to the net since it’s his speciality.
Ideally Dahlin will replace Okposo but Housley...
2. Dahlin has been great and could have had a couple of goals already. He himself states that he’s trying to play it safe and that he will play more aggressive when he’s used to the league. I expected him to stabilize our third pairing this year but he’s alreadt our best d-man. No one has the ability to defend like him. As a whole our D sucks but Dahlin has already had a really positive effect on McCabe. You can see McCabe starting to do Dahlin moves and actually keep the puck within the team and attacking the blueline.
Ideally Dahlin will replace Okposo but Housley...
2. Dahlin has been great and could have had a couple of goals already. He himself states that he’s trying to play it safe and that he will play more aggressive when he’s used to the league. I expected him to stabilize our third pairing this year but he’s alreadt our best d-man. No one has the ability to defend like him. As a whole our D sucks but Dahlin has already had a really positive effect on McCabe. You can see McCabe starting to do Dahlin moves and actually keep the puck within the team and attacking the blueline.
jvr32
Registered User
- Oct 24, 2016
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Never seen such fabricated bullshit here. Embarrassing analysis on Ekblad. Check your facts because you were not paying attention. In the 2014-15 rookie season Ekblad had 2:48 PP TOI/GP which was the second most of all skaters in the team, 2:50 next season, 2:47 season after that. And he actually started last season on the PP1 too, but was dropped to PP2 because simply put he isn't as good and smooth as Yandle on the point. The problem is him. There is a good reason why he averages about only 20 assists in a season while Yandle gets to 40 assist a season. He has a better shot than Yandle does but that's about it. When Ekblad is on the point alone, the PP1 spends too much time is recovering the puck from the own zone.
What is this discussion? Reading these comments, it sounds like Dahlin was struggling. He has looked great in his first 3 games. Are we going to judge his first 3 games on points? Really?
Dahlin should not try to play it safe, he should be out there trying things, doing mistakes and learn from them.
Sansbacon
Registered User
He’s playing more of a stay at home defensive role, while occasionally jumping up in the play and showing flashes of the dynamic offense he possesses.
It’s only been 3 games, but he already showed that he’s our best defenseman by the second half of the first game. He’s going to be outstanding.
- Jan 22, 2007
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Ekblad scores 10+ goals and close to 40 points with no top PP time lol. How many points would a young Shea Weber have scored if he didn't play top PP minutes?
Ekblad would be a 55 point scorer if he was a top PP mainstay. While his skating is not elite, it's not "bad" by any stretch.
These teams need to think big picture here. Kids like Ekblad and Dahlin were megastars at their levels. All players want to produce, all players want PP time, all players want their points. What message does it send to your "franchise players" if you are not putting them in the best positions to flourish offensively?
The way Florida has misused Ekblad is borderline criminal. And the Sabres not putting Dahlin on PP1 is an absolute joke... he's the most creative player on the team without question.
The Canucks sure had no problem putting Pettersson in positions to succeed and look at him go.
Tasty Biscuits
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- Jan 22, 2007
- 14,839
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Dahlin is not struggling. The issue is not with Dahlin, it's with the Sabres not putting him in a better situation to produce offensively out of the gate.
When you look at rookies who really soar... Keller, Barzal, Boeser, McAvoy, Pettersson, McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, Laine, etc. they are usually given a good opportunity to produce offensively right away, that helps them build confidence, and they emerge and grow from there. The ones who are overly-sheltered and "held back" tend to see their confidence run hot and cold and it sometimes takes a year to "reset."
