LD Rasmus Dahlin (2018, 1st, BUF) Part 3

[Seiza]

How do you know about his life so much? Stalker? (Lol kidding).

Cool info.

Nah. Lidköping is a small town and I know people close to his family. Things like this tend to spread. He is an impressive young man.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Nah. Lidköping is a small town and I know people close to his family. Things like this tend to spread. He is an impressive young man.

Sure seems to be. On top of checking all the boxes as a player, he seems to be a very dedicated/hard-working kid and pretty humble, to boot. The Sabres are so lucky to have him.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Holy crap! Did you watch a whole ‘few of his games’? Stand back everyone! This guy’s authority is unassailable. Go on. Just how average is he?

Yea! That guy openly admitted he only saw a,small sample size and asked for clarification! Even though nothing in his post even hinted at him being an authority, let's try to act internet tough and attack him for it.

 

[ijuka]

Lol..... First time watching prospects I take it?

No ...

There are levels such as "works in NHL" and "doesn't work in NHL" and the value of things that do work in NHL are far greater than things that don't. The obvious example here, him walking through people with his stickhandling - I don't see that working very well in NHL. On the other hand, Matthews's, McDavid's stickhandling you could see could work in NHL. Take a look at how theirs differed from Dahlin's pre-draft.

That's not to say that it cannot work every once in a while. But if we remove those things, he's not really blown me away. Most attributes are a notch below the top.

 

[truthbluth]

Yea! That guy openly admitted he only saw a,small sample size and asked for clarification! Even though nothing in his post even hinted at him being an authority, let's try to act internet tough and attack him for it.

This is a thread full of, “I don’t see how Dahlin is that good.” Followed by, “Here’s some videos and literally every media scout unanimously agreeing he’s super good,” followed by, “I don’t see how Dahlin is that good.”

There are two full gotdamn threads of evidence.

These guys are here to troll, nothing more. And it’s getting old.

 

[ijuka]

This is a thread full of, “I don’t see how Dahlin is that good.” Followed by, “Here’s some videos and literally every media scout unanimously agreeing he’s super good,” followed by, “I don’t see how Dahlin is that good.”

I hope you're not talking about highlight videos? If you aren't, I'd be happy to see some more material. If they're the same highlight videos... Obviously seeing them for the 20th time wouldn't nudge my opinions in one direction or another.

Now, if we are to talk about some more relevant material like the actual matches played... I have some significant issues with his defensive game. I'm not a fan at all of the way he plays either with the puck or without it after his team gains possession in the defensive zone. With the puck he seems to make odd decisions(and poor execution relatively often), whereas without the puck he doesn't seem to get himself into good positions to be passed to and cheats heavily for offense. Actually, watching him completely leave the breakout to the others as he rushes to the blue line(with passing lanes to him blocked) has been pretty annoying for me to watch. I wonder how that'd fly in the long run...

Example:



Note that the passing lane to him isn't open, he goes to the blue line and chills there. I'm not sure if this is a specific coaching decision or what but a defenseman's responsibilities...

 

[gretskidoo]

Lol..... First time watching prospects I take it?

Nah, he's just Finnish.

He'd be talking about Dahlin being the next Bobby Orr were Dahlin Finnish instead of Swedish.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

This is a thread full of, “I don’t see how Dahlin is that good.” Followed by, “Here’s some videos and literally every media scout unanimously agreeing he’s super good,” followed by, “I don’t see how Dahlin is that good.”

There are two full gotdamn threads of evidence.

These guys are here to troll, nothing more. And it’s getting old.

I read through pages upon pages about Dahlin here on HF and barely see anything resembling actual hockey analysis. Like most threads here on HF, 1000's of posts are usually filled almost exclusively with lame fighting, people p[retending like they're "winning" meaningless arguments in front of an audience that couldn't care less, dishonest points and memes.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Ekblad's rookie season was exceptional. It's the third highest scoring season all time for an 18 year old defenseman (U19). Only Phil Housley and Bobby Orr has scored more at the same age.

I don't think Dahlin will put up more points than Ekblad in his first season.

As a rookie season, it was far from exceptional relative to other recent rookie of the year winners.

If you’re talking about 18 year old rookies only, I’m not sure Ekblad qualifies. He was 19 years old for almost half his rookie year.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I read through pages upon pages about Dahlin here on HF and barely see anything resembling actual hockey analysis. Like most threads here on HF, 1000's of posts are usually filled almost exclusively with lame fighting, people p[retending like they're "winning" meaningless arguments in front of an audience that couldn't care less, dishonest points and memes.

HF in a nutshell.

 

[VictorLustig]

As a rookie season, it was far from exceptional relative to other recent rookie of the year winners.

If you’re talking about 18 year old rookies only, I’m not sure Ekblad qualifies. He was 19 years old for almost half his rookie year.

Hmm are you sure about that?

Elite Prospects - NHL Stats All-time season

Way more difficult to produce as a defenceman at that age.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Hmm are you sure about that?

Elite Prospects - NHL Stats All-time season

Way more difficult to produce as a defenceman at that age.

Sure about Ekblad being an average Calder winner? Yes.

Of the last five winners, his Calder winning season was objectively the weakest of the five.

 

[Snippit]

I read through pages upon pages about Dahlin here on HF and barely see anything resembling actual hockey analysis. Like most threads here on HF, 1000's of posts are usually filled almost exclusively with lame fighting, people p[retending like they're "winning" meaningless arguments in front of an audience that couldn't care less, dishonest points and memes.

The reality is most people haven't seen Dahlin play in the SHL. We've just seen highlights and been told great things by the scouts.

So instead the thread is filled with pretty lame comments

 

[Boxscore]

I am a huge Dahlin fan but I would temper expectations a little bit. While he reminds me of a young, raw, super talented Ray Bourque, some of the things he did in Sweden will not work in the NHL. That said, I think he's smart enough to already know this, so I wouldn't expect him to even try the same moves in the NHL. He will also need to be conscious of cutting inside with his head up.

 

[VictorLustig]

Sure about Ekblad being an average Calder winner? Yes.

Of the last five winners, his Calder winning season was objectively the weakest of the five.

Nah, I'd say it's definitely up there with the other 4.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Nah, I'd say it's definitely up there with the other 4.

Ok, we’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.

 

[Signupnow]

Jesus. these ekblad comparisons again. Ekblad had the world fooled, not me however i saw the truth.. Ekblad had an impressive rookie season indeed for his age. altho for his age he isnt the typical 18 year old, he already had the beard, the man body and everything that comes along which is why i stated back then that he wont improve alot from here. bullying kids in his juniors as well..

You look at rasmus he still has a body of a child. None of what he did is because he was alot stronger and bigger than his opponents.

 

[stampedingviking]

Holy crap! Did you watch a whole ‘few of his games’? Stand back everyone! This guy’s authority is unassailable. Go on. Just how average is he?

OK Mr Smartarse, instead of the stupid comments, why don't you answer the question?

I admitted I only saw a few of his games in Sweden and he didn't stand out so I asked for clarification of just why exactly he's touted as being so good. Jeez pal, get over yourself!

 

[sabrebuild]

I hope you're not talking about highlight videos? If you aren't, I'd be happy to see some more material. If they're the same highlight videos... Obviously seeing them for the 20th time wouldn't nudge my opinions in one direction or another.

Now, if we are to talk about some more relevant material like the actual matches played... I have some significant issues with his defensive game. I'm not a fan at all of the way he plays either with the puck or without it after his team gains possession in the defensive zone. With the puck he seems to make odd decisions(and poor execution relatively often), whereas without the puck he doesn't seem to get himself into good positions to be passed to and cheats heavily for offense. Actually, watching him completely leave the breakout to the others as he rushes to the blue line(with passing lanes to him blocked) has been pretty annoying for me to watch. I wonder how that'd fly in the long run...

Example:



Note that the passing lane to him isn't open, he goes to the blue line and chills there. I'm not sure if this is a specific coaching decision or what but a defenseman's responsibilities...

That was video clip you wanted to show to provide an example of his poor positioning off the puck.

Just so I understand.

 

[Ace]

That was video clip you wanted to show to provide an example of his poor positioning off the puck.

Just so I understand.

I’m dumbfounded. He knows they have the puck right? And that it isn’t 1956?

Like...the point here is...”you know what I hate? When someone with game breaking skill puts himself in position to use it and doesn’t consider two different mistakes that wouldn’t be his that he is no longer in position to cover for!” Here they made only one. And all was fine. The idea is he should be trailing plays? I mean...for real? This isn’t bubble hockey where you have to stay in your line. If he moves up like that the system will see a forward drop back. So I guess it would actually take three mistakes that aren’t his. Four if we count that post.

 

[ijuka]

That was video clip you wanted to show to provide an example of his poor positioning off the puck.

Just so I understand.

It just was an example of what I was talking about. It wasn't a cherry picked example with poor consequences or anything, just something he does all the time.

 

[Castle8130]

I hope you're not talking about highlight videos? If you aren't, I'd be happy to see some more material. If they're the same highlight videos... Obviously seeing them for the 20th time wouldn't nudge my opinions in one direction or another.

Now, if we are to talk about some more relevant material like the actual matches played... I have some significant issues with his defensive game. I'm not a fan at all of the way he plays either with the puck or without it after his team gains possession in the defensive zone. With the puck he seems to make odd decisions(and poor execution relatively often), whereas without the puck he doesn't seem to get himself into good positions to be passed to and cheats heavily for offense. Actually, watching him completely leave the breakout to the others as he rushes to the blue line(with passing lanes to him blocked) has been pretty annoying for me to watch. I wonder how that'd fly in the long run...

Example:



Note that the passing lane to him isn't open, he goes to the blue line and chills there. I'm not sure if this is a specific coaching decision or what but a defenseman's responsibilities...

I actually think that video was against your point more than it was for it. Dahlin recognized that his teammates rotated, and skated alongside the weak side boards with no-one covering him. His teammates failed to make a not so complicated pass, but it was okay since Dahlins teammates (Teammates he originally recognized were covering for him) were covering for him. This gave him enough time to get back and outnumber the opposition.

 

[ijuka]

I actually think that video was against your point more than it was for it. Dahlin recognized that his teammates rotated, and skated alongside the weak side boards with no-one covering him. His teammates failed to make a not so complicated pass, but it was okay since Dahlins teammates (Teammates he originally recognized were covering for him) were covering for him. This gave him enough time to get back and outnumber the opposition.

What would have been your opinion if his teammate had been forechecked hard, causing a turnover and a goal against? Can't believe I have to explain that what actually ended up happening afterwards isn't the important thing.

 

[Castle8130]

What would have been your opinion if his teammate had been forechecked hard, causing a turnover and a goal against? Can't believe I have to explain that what actually ended up happening afterwards isn't the important thing.

It was a pretty standard play to get an odd man rush the other way. If that player was really getting forechecked that hard, the defender behind the net would've noticed that and moved towards the front of the net. The player in the corner just needed to fling it around the boards. In simple hockey games, you would probably want your players to be in front of the net at all times. Creative thinking like what you saw in that play, gets you more scoring opportunities.

 

[ijuka]

It was a pretty standard play to get an odd man rush the other way. If that player was really getting forechecked that hard, the defender behind the net would've noticed that and moved towards the front of the net. The player in the corner just needed to fling it around the boards. In simple hockey games, you would probably want your players to be in front of the net at all times. Creative thinking like what you saw in that play, gets you more scoring opportunities.

You again are making the mistake of analyzing that specific play, ignoring me saying that that's a frequent thing he does all the time and that this was merely an example. He doesn't just read the situation and do this once in a blue moon, when everything's ripe for it. That's where watching him play comes in.

And the reason that's important is indeed because forechecking in NHL is much rougher and you can't do stuff like that. If he can flip a switch and stop - great. Who knows.