Chad D’s Latest Mock Offseason

[Thorny]

Just now, GASabresIUFAN said:

First things first: Dahlin/Dobson is a non-starter.  Dahlin prefers the right side and although we have seen time and again Dahlin can play with anyone, if we are bringing in a Dobson he needs to anchor his own pair. 

We need a partner for Power (if we are keeping him) and while Dobson is an experienced RHD, Dobson's game doesn't not match up well with Power as they are similar style players except Dobson is slightly more aware defensively.  Dobson was most effective the last 2 season playing with the physical Alex Romanov.  

If we are bringing in Dobson, we need to move on from Clifton, Power, Byram and probably Samuelsson.  

?????  Dahlin

????? Dobson

Samuelsson?  JBD

 

I think the “Dahlin prefers the right” thing is a regurgitated myth. I could easily be wrong but I’ve searched many times and have never found more than his insistence he doesn’t care 

[GASabresIUFAN]

4 minutes ago, Thorny said:

I think the “Dahlin prefers the right” thing is a regurgitated myth. I could easily be wrong but I’ve searched many times and have never found more than his insistence he doesn’t care 

https://www.notedhockey.com/p/rasmus-dahlin-and-playing-the-offhand - He played mostly right side in Sweden.  

Not only is it not a myth, there are plenty of articles floating around that says he is more effective from the right side.  

 

I'm wondering if we are looking at the wrong NYI FA.  What about trading for RFA Alex Romanov.  He is a physical LHD and he has proven he can play 22 minutes a night and he effective playing with a Power like partner in Dobson.  I'm wondering if he would be a perfect pair for Dahlin.  

[Thorny]

26 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

https://www.notedhockey.com/p/rasmus-dahlin-and-playing-the-offhand - He played mostly right side in Sweden.  

Not only is it not a myth, there are plenty of articles floating around that says he is more effective from the right side.  

 

I'm wondering if we are looking at the wrong NYI FA.  What about trading for RFA Alex Romanov.  He is a physical LHD and he has proven he can play 22 minutes a night and he effective playing with a Power like partner in Dobson.  I'm wondering if he would be a perfect pair for Dahlin.  

So, no quote ever that he prefers the right? Eh? 

And the deep dives on Dahlin have him slightly better on the left  

Edited 14 hours ago by Thorny

[JohnC]

26 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

Samuelsson's 2 most common partners, by a lot, were Dahlin and Power.  And, unless I'm recalling incorrectly, he ended the season back with Dahlin (Byram with Clifton, Power with Bernard-Docker). I don't think Samuelsson is going anywhere.

This might be a hot-take, but I think there are many head coaches in the league, and a few who are currently unemployed, who would look at a 6 man D of Dahlin, Byram, Power, Samuelsson, Clifton, and B-Docker, and view them as more than good enough to be in the playoffs with.  Contend with?  No.  But wild-card and make some playoff noise?

I apologize to all if my comments on Ruff are getting repetitive and boring, but he was a huge mistake. 

My problem with the Ruff selection as HC isn't directed toward Ruff being selected as it is to the nonexistent/fraudulent process used to hire him. It was another Pegula whimsical hire. Is he a good HC at this stage of his respectable career? I don't know. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt right now. He inherited a team that wasn't smartly assembled and was required to take on the coaches already on staff. It was a third-rate hiring process by a third-rate Pegula organization.  

I look at the members of the blueline unit that you listed. If you are able to parlay Byram plus assets to add another good second pairing caliber blueliner, you have a respectable group that will be even better if the forwards learn to play a more responsible two-way game. In my assessment, I'm expecting Power and Samuelsson to be better. Also, the Docker acquisition is a credible lower pairing add on to that unit.  Few people would rate it as a high-end group but it can be a better than respectable unit. Some smart tweaking can better round out that unit.  

[Thorny]

33 minutes ago, Thorny said:

So, no quote ever that he prefers the right? Eh? 

And the deep dives on Dahlin have him slightly better on the left  

This is his standard/closest I can find:

“I actually like the right side a lot,” Dahlin said, eliciting images of Red Wings great Nicklas Lidstrom. “I can play both, so it doesn’t matter.”

(i could swear a few years ago I read something about him liking the right on O specifically and the left while on D, but can’t find it for life of me)

So it’s not an obstacle - he can play either side. I’ll see if I can find the deep dive 

here it is, slightly better on left:

Great article 

“Lastly, in Dahlin’s case, he experienced a relative xGF uptick playing on his natural side. That said, he was so proficient on his off-hand that he was the logical choice to handle the lion’s share of off-hand duties in 2022-23. Again, a testament to the coaching staff (and likely the analytics staff) for handling things the way they did in that regard.”

could have changed slightly since then. I think the main takeaway is Dahlin can play either side so it shouldn’t limit any incoming transaction 

Edited 14 hours ago by Thorny

[SwampD]

6 hours ago, JohnC said:

When it comes to music I'm a dullard. The era I'm still musically attached to is MoTown.  Don't mock me because I deserve empathy for being so far out of touch. 

 

There is no band Internal Disgruntlement. I was joking.

I mean, maybe there is, but they certainly don’t have 3 albums.

I mean, maybe they do, but the third one certainly isn’t a masterpiece.

I mean, maybe it is, but I’ve never heard it.

 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, SwampD said:

There is no band Internal Disgruntlement. I was joking.

I mean, maybe there is, but they certainly don’t have 3 albums.

I mean, maybe they do, but the third one certainly isn’t a masterpiece.

I mean, maybe it is, but I’ve never heard it.

 

You are having a good time mocking me. It’s apparent to all that I’m out of step and out of tune.

True story: In grammar school at graduation my malicious music teacher told me not to sing at the ceremony but to just mouth the words and fake singing. 😀

[Rasmus_]

On 6/20/2025 at 3:52 PM, LGR4GM said:

I just need 9oa and Samuelsson for Dobson? Done. Sign me up. Like now. 

Yes please.

 

[SwampD]

5 hours ago, JohnC said:

You are having a good time mocking me. It’s apparent to all that I’m out of step and out of tune.

True story: In grammar school at graduation my malicious music teacher told me not to sing at the ceremony but to just mouth the words and fake singing. 😀

You think too highly of yourself. My jokes have nothing to do with you. I’m just having fun.