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Well, basically, what you've described is Samuelsson about 6 years ago. Definitely don't want to see him rushed and want him to be partnered up with a vet when starting out to let him get acclimated the right way. But, not convinced that vet is currently on the team. (And see finding a partner to break him and Johnson in at the NHL level as a MUCH less pressing issue than finally getting the top 4D right.)

To be clear, there has been no actual acknowledgement that this is happening, just Friedman relaying what he heard, after initially relaying that Adams might be shuffled upstairs.

He sure plays a safer game than Clifton. And he’s just as mean and far bigger. Issue is his feet: are they fast enough to keep up with the Mitch Marner’s of the world and is he smart enough to compensate. At the AHL level he is exactly the type the Sabres seem to lack at the NHL level.

Former Sabre Jaroslav Halak

The Sabres are 27th in xGF against. That's atrocious.

I've done the stats before. If you run a regression with faceoffs and win rate there's basically no correlation.

Went to 1 game. Noticed that Novikov hadn't been noticed at all, late in the 2nd, so made of point of watching him play. The reason he hadn't been noticed is he didn't carry the puck at all. All he did was shut down darn near every single rush the opponent made. He really looks like he'll be a good one. And would expect he'll be an injury call up pretty often this year. That said, would like his to start the year in Rochester.

So no stats... just observation... I think faceoffs can be over rated at times... i also think if you are a team that struggles with puck possession and play the man poorly that losing face offs more often than you win requires you to play in a place that you are not good more often... where a team that being strong on the puck and corner play is their strength I dont see it being as big of an issue.

Well, that's the thing. Yes, Dahlin could very well be better with a more traditional defensive D partner in the mold that Samuelsson is SUPPOSED to be. BUT he and Byram WERE really good together. Keep that pairing with Dahlin now actually in his prime and Byram FINALLY just about there as well. (Only 2 years of Byram here, but when you throw in all the years of Mittelstadt developing it makes for a really friggin' long time in the "growing pains" department.) Sure, look for the defensive guy that can fully unleash Ras, but while you're looking, run with what was working. That's 24-26 minutes a night that's fairly well locked down. If Power recovers and improves as he gets closer to his prime, that's another 23 minutes a night. So, you're looking at finding 34 minutes of ice time between your 4 and 5 D and 13 minutes a night from your 6 IF there are no PPs at all. Get 3 PPs and you've shaved nearly 6 minutes off how much the bottom 3 need to play. Maybe Bernard-Docker is your 4. He might be, he might not be; didn't see enough of him to say for certain. But figure out who should be the Power partner and then you need to add one or TWO low cost veterans that are actually useful (and the league is FULL of 3rd pairing guys; pretty much everybody ELSE can find them each year) and let Johnson and Novikov be the true 7 & 8 (with Bryson & whomever holding the press box spots and covering for a game or 2 until you can get the kids into town when injuries hit) and they SHOULD be able to play 13 or so minutes without killing you. The team CAN NOT afford to have Dahlin out. But the rest are replaceable; it's just when Byram or Power are out you're giving your bottom 3 more minutes than you want. BUT none of THAT matters as the team sure does seem h*ll bent on getting rid of Byram. So, they don't just need to find Power's partner (presuming it isn't B-D) but also, and more importantly, need to find Dahlin's primary partner. (And with the minutes he eats, he isn't just riding one guy.) So, friggin' frustrating.

What? That's honestly nonsense. You might misinterpret analytics or not have enough data to form the full picture but to claim they don't align with reality is just hogwash. There's basically no correlation between team win% and faceoff win% I haven't looked in 2 years but bad faceoff teams aren't the non playoff ones. Edit: I looked it up. Buffalo was 7th worse in FO%. Calgary, Minnesota, and Colorado were all worse.

Analytics don't always line up with reality. As @GoPuckYourself points out, how often do we see our D standing around watching as opponents get behind them and score? I think the Sabres need at the very least an attitude adjustment on defense.

I’m getting the sense that this role will not be filled. Also the fact that there have been no changes to the coaching staff is…something.

It’s not annoying at all. Frankly I sympathize greatly with it. This was me last summer with Skinner. I need to see an incredible argument to convince me the Buffalo Sabres are at a “just get rid of him” stage to see benefit, with pretty much *anyone*. The sabres are beyond little. its like in The Other Guys were he gives Will Ferrell’s character a flat wooden gun. I need to see this franchise not shoot itself in the foot with the most basic of tools before I trust their evaluations on much of anything

The big question becomes whether Reimer is capable of playing at the same level if given a heavy workload. I'm not sure that he can. What I can say is that it would be a big risk to again assume that UPL can be a primary goalie for us. That would be a big risk.

LOL now thats where stats come in... I do remember Ruff on multiple occasions lamenting our poor faceoffs... maybe it improved at the end of the season... I dont know... but it seemed we lost critical ones.. a lot...

The D was bad. UPL was worse. If we had Reimer level play in net all season this discussion would be vastly different.

Im not sure the Sabres were that bad on faceoffs this season.

Stats are great... but honestly, the chances this D gives up especially at critical times they are bad... to make it better our goaltending sucks too... They are honestly both bad...In addition, they do not play complimentary hockey with the forwards, the are terrible on faceoffs... horrible in the clutch, dont control the puck down low... So much wrong with this team.... I do not think you can exclusively blame the defense... but they are certainly part of the problem. Stats are a great prelim... they eyes are as well.

I don’t really like the Reinhart comp because Reinhart elevated Eichel demonstrably Skinner would be a better comp. Skinner very much played well next to Eichel, didn’t drag him down, Jack was phenomenal in utilizing him (rebounds).. As you know: I’m the one guy who isn’t throwing skinner out there as a negative. But it’s not wholly a positive. But I wanted to keep skinner. And I’d keep Byram too if we can get the right price and we can’t trade him for better Ya I mean once upon a time VO - Eichel - Skinner was the best ES possession line in hockey There was a stretch I remember it specifically

This falls in the catagory of "you cant make this sh(t up"... then again everything they do does... and I am sure he didnt have a conversation with him... I can here the conversation now... TP: Well Kevyn, what do you think about Holland... KA : (sheepishly) well Terry great guy had some success.. why TP: Well I was thinking we might hire him to be your assistant Lackey.... KA: well... uhm... we could do that... there are other options I was thinkng of though TP : well of course why dont we call him anyways to see if he is interested LA: Sure Tero! I have an idea, lets have Stahl give him a call give him something to do! TP: Brilliant KA: Ok Terry I let him know... wanna take a break and go eat Crayons!!! I have been saving the purple ones for you!! TP" Yeah!!!!!!

Dahlin has benefited hugely from Byram. They have been the most effective first-pairing in the NHL: I believe it is something like 35 ES goals for, 15 against, playing against the other team's best players. I hope repeating this is starting to get annoying. Those are real goals. Not imaginary ones. Doesn't matter, I know. Dahlin will be at 70% with Samuelsson too. That 51% is probably a typo.

Exactly, and this is why this Byrum decision IMO is so crucial. Dahlin and Power are already getting top $, do the Sabres really want to have a 3rd that offers a skill set that might just be a little too much overkill for this defense group? Should the Sabres move BB for the right defenseman that has some term and some experience that can help Power especially? Or Trade Power? Buyout Samuelsson? Such a huge off season IMO on how this franchise will look the rest of the decade.

I haven't watched him but I've heard only positives about Novikov. He's been the far and away +/- leader on ROC the last two seasons. What kind of assignments is he getting? Could he be the guy that gets Clifton a regular spot in the press box next season?

The key speaking only for me is that yes he’s been good with Dahlin but Dahlin hasn’t benefited. Players don’t seem to benefit from him. The best argument for him then is that he isn’t bringing Tage and Dahlin down. Ie he’s pliable enough that the good of Dahlin is able to course through him and we see it in his numbers. But D who play well with Dahlin aren’t that uncommon, in fact that’s the MAIN extra benefit of having a 1st overall like Dahlin. being good with good players is ok but it’s a far cry from being good with average players or even making good players better Which brings the contract into the conversation: we aren’t going to be able to pay him what he’s actually worth which I do know is an idea you are accounting for