Well, looks like I started something here. Really interesting, passionate debate. Thank You to everyone who put in a response. I think I need to add context to why I made the thread in the first place. This may place responses in a different context.
So, I am a Jets fan who lives in Vancouver. I watch as much Jets games as I can and that is well over half when work doesn't get in the way. I watch about 15-20 Canucks games and playoffs because well, they are right there, in front of your face, can't help it. I am shocked Quinn Hughes never came up in conversation but more on that later.
I find Detroit and Buffalo to be fascinating teams. I find how they have drafted and built their teams to be just awesome. The pieces they have assembled blow my mind. I am a huge fan of their prospect pools and young players. Its like walking down the street and observing the best looking woaman you have ever seen, salt to taste, and not being able to turn away.
Also, envy is a massive factor here for me too. I was reviewing my Winnipeg Jets young stars tournament roster and was all happy about Colby Barlow, Braydon Yager blah blah blah. Then I saw the defence. Outside Elias Salomonsson the defence was absolute complete trash. I would trade most, if not all, of my family members away to have names like Seider, Ericsson, Sandin-Pellika, Dahlen, Power and Byrum on my team. My brain would explode.
So, how much have I seen Dahlen or Seider play, not a lot, single digit viewings for both players, but I have watched hours of highlights on YouTube. I know, bad bad way to scout players, Guilty as charged.
So when I realized Seider's contract had yet to be signed I wondered if this would be possible. However, I didn't put the proposal through in a vacuum. The real reason as I reflect is an issue around balance. With Dahlen, Power and Byron all on the left (this was before I read feedback about Dahlen's play on the right) I wondered how Buffalo was going to structure their defence. Because before any of these young superstrars elevate their games they need strong partners. Cale Makar has Devin Toews, Quinn Hughes has Filip Hronek. Evan Bouchard has Aron Ekholm. Seider is not going to improve until he gets a better partner than Walman. So I wondered how on God's green earth is Buffalo going to get real partners for these wonderful d-men? How will they be supported to succeed or be stuck carrying around trash beside them for God knows how many years. Bowen Byrum was tried on his right side and failed. I don't think Owen Power is ready to do that, hence the thought of getting the right handed Seider on Buffalo's right side. Also, Power, Dahlen and Byron aren't physical d-men in the Seider way, so a fairly soft team like Buffalo would benefit in that way. I thought that perhaps, the offensive upside lost by Dahlen leaving would make them better in playoffs because of what Seider brings to the table and how everyone is on their preferred side and maximizes their ice time. Another guy that would help you greatly would be Rasmus Andersson. Different trade proposal for another time.
SO, I learned that Sabres fans here would strongly disagree with the assessment Dahlen is limited to his left side and does not play physical. The highlight packages I saw, and I found some 20 minute plus long, showed him making plays from equally the left and right sides of the ice.
Now ideally, surely Sabres fans can't argue with this, is the best way for Dahlen to move forward is for him to play on the side he performs best at, and then gets him a high end partner to play with for a long time. Maybe Samuelson, Jokijarju, or Clifton is that guy but they aren't Toews, Ekholm or Hornet that's for sure. Once the Dahlen issue is settled, then you can get Power and Byrum settled in on their best sides. I think you could create a defensive group that could be one of the best in NHL history. I think your group could be that good. Seriously.
Detroit has better balance and it would be tempting for them given how much offence Dahlin could provide them. However, even in the Lidstrom glory days they had a bruiser like Kronwall, although Ericsson could be their physical guy.
I would like to see what the analytics guys say about Dahlen on the left vs Dahlen on the right, that would be very interesting.
Clearly Sabres fans who watch him day after day have strong opinions and I had no idea he was as highly thought of in your market as he is.
Although I did not watch a ton of Sabres games I did last summer watch a few hours of Sabres off ice programming because I was curious about what their personalities were off the ice. This was before they had their disappointing season last year. The young guys were followed around playing golf and then going back to Dahlen's place and playing video games. Personality wise I found them reserved for young people. Certainly no one presented themselves as strong enough to challenge the room to play better in rough times. I saw features on Alex Tuch and Kyle Okposo and they were quite serious about improving the team but whatever they said fell on deaf ears. It appeared the team really needed more veterans. Take that for what it's worth as this is an observation made from far far away through promo material.
Quick thought on Quinn Hughes, him and Makar are the best 2 d in the league, Hughes is such an incredible skater he can twist and turn past any forechecker in the league without much effort. It's unreal to watch. No one, even Dahlen, has that skill. When you have that skill, you don't need to be big or have a booming shot or lay out guys with bodychecks. His skating is from another planet.
I am a Jets fan and its not easy giving Canucks players praise, because this city is filled with west coast douchebags like you wouldn't believe, so this is painful praise I am giving here.
I know missing the playoffs for so long is incredibly frustrating, but you are on the precipice of something really big. Don't lose sight of that fact. Now that you have Zach Benson you're in even better shape. I hope your management can fill in the right supporting cast.
