Uh..no. The Sabres management has a responsibility to the Sabres. To ice a winning team. The idea that they are there to serve the players is tantamount to being a development program for the rest of the league. Prospects, capspace, roster players contract slots are all tools to ice a winning team. Use them.
He's slow and you can absolutely see that nightly, I don't think that's going to change. He's finding ways to be effective without the speed.
Yeah, these stats are fun but they can be dangerous if you try to use them to come to any conclusions about a player. Most of what is measured here falls into the “doesn’t matter very much” category to me.
Okay so do you want him to answer or do you want him to wait and talk about it with Adams? Like you call him a clown because he can't answer and then in the very next sentence, say it's not even up to him.
I actually disagree… He’s already contributing! If you look at any of the metrics people are reporting on here or on X, he’s clearly one of the top six players on the team and he’s actually on par analytic wise with Bedard. That’s not a guy that can afford to send back. Also, he can play defense so there’s not a lot of benefit for him to go back because what is he working on when he goes there? It’s not like he’s magically going to gain 20 pounds by going back to junior or get faster… Those things can happen in the NHL and will be pushed forward even faster because he needs to adapt.
No he won’t gain 20 this year but he won’t get killed either. He is light. He will not get the benefit of being a rookie after xmas. As for production, nobody is producing other than Peterka, so being in the top of that group is faint praise. He has played 9/20 and is on pace for 4 goals and 16 assists if you count availability. If you go by games 7 24. That is on the second line with favorable deployments. And are you bumping Quinn below him? Peterka? This shiny new toy syndrome gone off the rails. Sure if they keep him he most likely continues to be feisty, but if he moves down the lineup his minutes will go down. I would rather he be maximizing playing time, play wjc and see where he is at in the spring. Again jmho.
I also disagree, respectfully.
Boston’s coach was asked the same question and answered it. Because he’s not a clown. Also manages to ice 12-6 lineups, picked 2 goalies and wins games.
Assuming no other injuries, I'd solve the roster problem by waiving or dumping Olofsson. His game has regressed in all aspects. He makes so many dumb decisions with the puck, isn't scoring, and adds nothing when he doesn't have the puck. He was better last year. Not sure what's going on with him.
Need to move assets.. Package VO with a prospect or two and land that long term fixture that still has some cost control.
Honestly people say speed can be coached but it may just not be apart of his attributes, if speed could easily be coached into any hockey player there would be no slow players other than older guys who's bodies are already breaking down and everyone would be able to skate with McDavid.
I’m not saying he’s going to become a speed demon, just that he will be up to nhl speed and his brain will allow him to process even farther ahead once he hits that level when he has that extra second from slightly improving his speed.
