Player Discussion Mattias Samuelsson, LHD, Hurt Again

[Jacob582]

On my phone and I first thought "they have to work out how to clone Henri".

Henri's Hot Take:
Cloning?

Overrated

 

[GOALOFSSON]

Henri's Hot Take:
Cloning?

Overrated

It's not for him.

We can clone Dahlin instead and have two on the same pair. We could make more but people might get suspicious.

 

[Jacob582]

On topic:

It should be an option for Samuelsson to start the year in Rochester next season if he doesn't clearly win a spot in training camp. He is exempt from waivers.

 

[Zman5778]

On topic:

It should be an option for Samuelsson to start the year in Rochester next season if he doesn't clearly win a spot in training camp. He is exempt from waivers.

And to piggyback on something I said in a previous GDT, where I mentioned that it'd be a violation of the Geneva Accords if Samuelsson is sent back to Rochester............................

I can actually understand it if he's sent back once Bryson and Miller get healthy, given the numbers game. Once Miller and/or Hagg and/or Butcher and/or Pysyk are gone...............THEN Samuelsson should be up full time.

Fully healthy, I can understand/forgive the Sabres for running with:
Dahlin-Joker
Bryson-Miller
Hagg-Pysyk
X: Butcher

But as soon as one of them is either out for the season or traded.........Samuelsson has earned being a full-time NHLer.

 

[Chainshot]

And to piggyback on something I said in a previous GDT, where I mentioned that it'd be a violation of the Geneva Accords if Samuelsson is sent back to Rochester............................

I can actually understand it if he's sent back once Bryson and Miller get healthy, given the numbers game. Once Miller and/or Hagg and/or Butcher and/or Pysyk are gone...............THEN Samuelsson should be up full time.

Fully healthy, I can understand/forgive the Sabres for running with:
Dahlin-Joker
Bryson-Miller
Hagg-Pysyk
X: Butcher

But as soon as one of them is either out for the season or traded.........Samuelsson has earned being a full-time NHLer.

With Miller out long-term, it seems like Samuelsson should be getting NHL reps for the next month or more at least.

 

[GOALOFSSON]

One thing I do not want to see is Johnson or Power in the NHL at the start of next season. They both need to start in Rochester and earn it. It is important not to skip these developmental steps.

Rochester will be stacked with Power and Dahlin

 

[Zman5778]

With Miller out long-term, it seems like Samuelsson should be getting NHL reps for the next month or more at least.

Yep. But then we'll need to showcase him so we can shoot him into.......errrrrr......ahem...........trade him to another team at the deadline.

 

[Chainshot]

Yep. But then we'll need to showcase him so we can shoot him into.......errrrrr......ahem...........trade him to another team at the deadline.

Yes, the space race for Miller's services shouldn't be an issue. I'm hoping they aren't completely hung up on keeping players down if they show they can play at this level. Trickling in some bodies now instead of just trying to get all the rookies in at once seems like it would work better than just trying to go all young.

 

[Chainshot]

Glad the play of the player is converting those who didn't like the pick at the time.

 

[Husko]

I'm just surprised the man is able to make it end to end in one shift considering all we heard about him being the worst skater since Brad Brown himself.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm just surprised the man is able to make it end to end in one shift considering all we heard about him being the worst skater since Brad Brown himself.

There were a few of us (maybe even a few who had watched him) who did say it wasn't that bad.

That said, he's done nicely in how he uses what he has and has worked on improving his stride. There is no issue with his mobility and he's very controlled in what he does so he's very often exactly where he needs to be before the play.

 

[Husko]

There were a few of us (maybe even a few who had watched him) who did say it wasn't that bad.

That said, he's done nicely in how he uses what he has and has worked on improving his stride. There is no issue with his mobility and he's very controlled in what he does so he's very often exactly where he needs to be before the play.

I never saw enough of him to have an opinion. I remember liking the pick and his mobility being a noted positive even if he didn't have elite speed. But then in his draft+1-2 seasons this narrative of him being Brad Brown slow starting popping up and I never really understood where it came from. Either way, very happy to see the strides he's made.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I never saw enough of him to have an opinion. I remember liking the pick and his mobility being a noted positive even if he didn't have elite speed. But then in his draft+1-2 seasons this narrative of him being Brad Brown slow starting popping up and I never really understood where it came from. Either way, very happy to see the strides he's made.

I’m shocked he knows how to even tie his skates based on what we heard

 

[Chainshot]

I never saw enough of him to have an opinion. I remember liking the pick and his mobility being a noted positive even if he didn't have elite speed. But then in his draft+1-2 seasons this narrative of him being Brad Brown slow starting popping up and I never really understood where it came from. Either way, very happy to see the strides he's made.

There was also the commentary that he didn't produce enough offensively at development levels - seems that too has flown out the window since his relatively simple game (finding the open man, putting pucks on net, and putting things in deep when there is no play at the line) actually works. He's gone 5-23-28 in just 43 AHL games with almost zero PP time.

 

[The Blunder Years]

How the hell is he only 21

 

[elchud]

He doesn't turn the puck over. It's/He's so cool.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

There was also the commentary that he didn't produce enough offensively at development levels - seems that too has flown out the window since his relatively simple game (finding the open man, putting pucks on net, and putting things in deep when there is no play at the line) actually works. He's gone 5-23-28 in just 43 AHL games with almost zero PP time.

Those aren't the numbers of a defense-only, stay-at-home d-man. I'm more impressed with Matty every time I see him play.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

I'm honestly shocked at how good he is. Him with Pysyk is nearly a perfect shutdown pair right now.

Samuelsson is beyond ready for the show now. Not sure this guy should be thought of as a third pairing guy. He has legit Top 4 shutdown ability right now imo.

I've never seen a stronger left side forming, it's truly uncanny. We legit have 5 guys competing for top 4 spot on the left side coming up. Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, Bryson, Johnson ... that's wild, as most of these guys are ready to assume that role today with Johnson being the only question mark in my eyes, but even he seems to project easily there.

 

[dortt]

I'm honestly shocked at how good he is. Him with Pysyk is nearly a perfect shutdown pair right now.

Samuelsson is beyond ready for the show now. Not sure this guy should be thought of as a third pairing guy. He has legit Top 4 shutdown ability right now imo.

I've never seen a stronger left side forming, it's truly uncanny. We legit have 5 guys competing for top 4 spot on the left side coming up. Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, Bryson, Johnson ... that's wild, as most of these guys are ready to assume that role today with Johnson being the only question mark in my eyes, but even he seems to project easily there.

It's a great problem to have. However, if Samuelson stays on the left side, he's going to be getting 12 minutes a night in a couple of years. Dahlin and Power will deserve to both play the BIG minutes

To think, we may be in position to be able to make moves to greatly improve other aspects of the team in the not too distant future

 

[Jacob582]

How is Samuelsson's outlet passes?

Is he relying on Pysyk a lot to do this?

 

[Chainshot]

It's a great problem to have. However, if Samuelson stays on the left side, he's going to be getting 12 minutes a night in a couple of years. Dahlin and Power will deserve to both play the BIG minutes

To think, we may be in position to be able to make moves to greatly improve other aspects of the team in the not too distant future

They've been leaning on him as a PKer so far. That's a place he can rotate in and give them excellent minutes while keeping Dahlin and Power fresher.

 

[Matt Ress]

What a refreshing addition. Question is: can we find a RH Bryson from another team. Bryson doesn't have gaudy numbers or draft status but a very effective player. He'd be underrated on the market and you hate to lose that team value but it would almost be criminal to sit him in the press box for 40 games.

 

[truthbluth]

He better never see Rochester again

 

[HaNotsri]

He better never see Rochester again

Not even for the playoffs? I'm thinking that a longer season can benefit the young players that missed a lot of game due to covid.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Not even for the playoffs? I'm thinking that a longer season can benefit the young players that missed a lot of game due to covid.

Also depends on what happens at the deadline. If we move Hagg, Miller and Butcher than I'd imagine he's staying for good.