Dahlin is taking a leave of absence to return to Sweden

[Sidc3000]

6 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

I hope Rasmus and his fiancée can enjoy as much time together as they may. He should take all the time he needs to reset.

 

On the hockey side...   I blame Bryson! 
(And good thing they've got a 1OA and 4OA defenseman ready to just take over those 25+ minute nights and PP time and 60-point campaigns.)

Absolutely. I’ve said that if he is being bothered being away from his fiancé the he needs to be with her and not playing. Family first.

 

[pastajoe]

Metsa will probably be called up, but I wouldn’t mind if Novikov or Komarov were given a look.

[Taro T]

Good for him.  Some things are more important than hockey.  This is one of them.

Thought he started the season well, even though his teammates (other than Lyon and 1 or 2 others) didn't, but he hasn't been "right" on the ice for at least the last 2 weeks.

Let him be with his fiance and help her deal with what she's dealing with and then when his head is back where for his job it needs to be then come back and lead this team to a miraculous playoff run.  Expect people will keep them in their prayers and thoughts and hopefully that spiritual or psychic energy help them.

 

Does this mean the team learned from Ullmark's problems dealing with his dad's death and from Lehner's personal demons he ended up dealing with pretty much on his own while he was here?  Here's to hoping.

[Porous Five Hole]

3 minutes ago, pastajoe said:

Metsa will probably be called up, but I wouldn’t mind if Novikov or Komarov were given a look.

It could also be Zac Jones if they’re looking for offense. He has 13 assists in 11 GP so far. The Russians aren’t ready.  

[GASabresIUFAN]

You can kind of tell Dahlin’s heart hasn’t been in it this season and that is perfectly understandable.   
 

He needs to be with his fiancé and given the issues with the Sabres, his absence will open opportunities for others to step up or prove they need to go (see Power).

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, Brawndo said:

 

His fiancée is doing well, it’s a temporary leave with no timetable for his return 

 

1 hour ago, tom webster said:

This is the right thing to do but man, this team needs some sort of spiritual cleansing.

Who's idea was it? Because I would have suggested it to Ras. He has to get his head right.

Now where does Tage need to go?

[DarthEbriate]

Just now, Porous Five Hole said:

It could also be Zac Jones if they’re looking for offense. He has 13 assists in 11 GP so far. The Russians aren’t ready.  

They're also in save the season mode. It has to be either Johnson (has played plenty on the right side in the NHL and college already) or Jones for now.

Sadly, there will probably be plenty of time for Novikov and Komarov to get their "here's a glimpse of NHL speed" look by mid-December.

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, Sidc3000 said:

Perfect timing. Dahlin knows the team isn’t progressing and will lose the next several games. He’ll be doing some sole searching while home and I have a feeling he will come back to with an ultimatum. 

Like what? "Trade me or I'll keep playing like s**t?"

[PromoTheRobot]

44 minutes ago, Goldseatsaud said:

Going home and retire probably mentally tired of the Sabres BS as well

We are all feeling very sorry for Ras, but what exactly is this "Sabres BS" that he's supposedly dealing with? Educate me because I don't have no idea.

Edited 1 hour ago by PromoTheRobot

[Bangarang]

He should do what's best for himself and his family. This team is going nowhere with or without him

[SwampD]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

We are all feeling very sorry for Ras, but what exactly is this "Sabres BS" that he's supposedly dealing with? Educate me because I don't have no idea.

Sure you do.

[PromoTheRobot]

Just now, Bangarang said:

He should do what's best for himself and his family. This team is going nowhere with or without him

Is this based on last night? Are we giving up over one game? We all act like the Sabres are a fragile bunch of snowflakes, but how about the fan base?

[mjd1001]

As for Dahlin, there are a lot of reasons why he might be playing better/worse than last year. Opponents, time on ice, who he's paired with, etc.

But as far as his performance, some metrics:

Last year (all based on even strength): 

-Goal for every 17.5 minutes on ice, Goal allowed every 21.2 minutes on ice. 

-Expected goals:  one for every 18.6 minutes. Expected allowed 1 every 20.3 minutes.

This year (all based on even strength):

-Goal for every 39 minutes on ice, Goal allowed every 15.2 minutes on ice (way, WAY worse than last year)

-Expected goals:  one for every 21.4 minutes. Expected allowed 1 every 16.1 minutes.

So yeah, again, could be a lot of reasons, but when he is on the ice, the team is getting chances/giving up chances (expected goals) a LOT worse than last year....and actual goals for/goals against are also a lot worse than last year.

He's not himself.  This really should be a good thing for him, obviously personally (that goes without saying) but regarding hockey he may need it also.

[PromoTheRobot]

2 minutes ago, SwampD said:

Sure you do.

I can guess. Playoff drought? No palm trees? What do either have to do with this season and team, that is still (checking standings) at .500? 

Edited 1 hour ago by PromoTheRobot

[Taro T]

Just now, Bangarang said:

He should do what's best for himself and his family. This team is going nowhere with or without him

You don't know that.  Many teams have had a star player go absent for a while and the team managed to play better without that player when they've known they have to step up to keep things going AND they've known the player will return in a reasonable time frame.

You can pick your play up for a time.  Eventually it gets to be too much.

And, there's also the fact that Dahlin hasn't been right on the ice for a couple of weeks at least.  Maybe 100% of Byram and Power (or any of the other 3 regulars) can replace 75% of Dahlin in those minutes and the lesser guys working at 100% can replace what those guys would've been doing as well.

They need to decide they're going to win for their captain and step up and make it happen.  They've been getting the goaltending (for the most part) they need to be able to do that.  Now show they're professionals and let the emotion of wanting to do it for their captain come through.

Rally for Ras.

[Mango]

Not blaming fans here. But it likely isn't a coincidence he took off after getting boo'd off the ice....again this season. 

Not a good effort last night. Thompson and Tuch have to do more in games like that. 

If my wife was recovering from a heart transplant I'd also be like "WTF am I even doing here". 

Edited 1 hour ago by Mango

[PromoTheRobot]

Just now, Mango said:

Not blaming fans here. 

But it likely isn't a coincidence he took off after getting boo'd off the ice....again this season. 

Not a good effort last night. Thompson and Tuch have to do more in games like that. 

If my wife was recovering from a heart transplant I'd also be like "WTF am I even doing here". 

Could be. But if Ras is being honest he knows why folks are booing. We also cheer loudly when they play well. And if he's REALLY being honest, he knows he's part of the reason things are going badly.

[Bangarang]

8 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Is this based on last night? Are we giving up over one game? We all act like the Sabres are a fragile bunch of snowflakes, but how about the fan base?

No, it's not based only on last night. I don't depend on this team for my happiness. I just set my expectations accordingly for what is clearly a flawed team, coaching staff, and front office. 

[PromoTheRobot]

C'mon, @LGR4GM. Spell it out for me. Your "thumbs down" isn't an explanation. Spell. It. Out.

1 minute ago, Bangarang said:

No, it's not based only on last night. I don't depend on this team for my happiness. I just set my expectations accordingly for what is clearly a flawed team, coaching staff, and front office. 

48 hours ago we felt like the team was improving. As soon as they take a dump on the ice now we are giving up.

[Mango]

2 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Could be. But if Ras is being honest he knows why folks are booing. We also cheer loudly when they play well. And if he's REALLY being honest, he knows he's part of the reason things are going badly.

I don't disagree with you. But I think moments like these are pretty simple. 

"What the fork am I even doing here. I am not playing like myself, my buds aren't carrying the load, and I am getting boo'ed at home? And for what, so my wife can almost die all by herself. Peace, I am out, call me when you guys give a shirt?". 

(Hopefully he directs the "you guys" at Pegula and Adams)

 

[DarthEbriate]

My fear in all of this (from the hockey side) is that Adams/Pegula read this as a "doesn't want to be here". Much like ROR's end of season interview.

[Drag0nDan]

18 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

As for Dahlin, there are a lot of reasons why he might be playing better/worse than last year. Opponents, time on ice, who he's paired with, etc.

But as far as his performance, some metrics:

Last year (all based on even strength): 

-Goal for every 17.5 minutes on ice, Goal allowed every 21.2 minutes on ice. 

-Expected goals:  one for every 18.6 minutes. Expected allowed 1 every 20.3 minutes.

This year (all based on even strength):

-Goal for every 39 minutes on ice, Goal allowed every 15.2 minutes on ice (way, WAY worse than last year)

-Expected goals:  one for every 21.4 minutes. Expected allowed 1 every 16.1 minutes.

So yeah, again, could be a lot of reasons, but when he is on the ice, the team is getting chances/giving up chances (expected goals) a LOT worse than last year....and actual goals for/goals against are also a lot worse than last year.

He's not himself.  This really should be a good thing for him, obviously personally (that goes without saying) but regarding hockey he may need it also.

He (tuch and thompson too) has hit the post quite a few times this year.  

[PromoTheRobot]

5 minutes ago, Mango said:

I don't disagree with you. But I think moments like these are pretty simple. 

"What the fork am I even doing here. I am not playing like myself, my buds aren't carrying the load, and I am getting boo'ed at home? And for what, so my wife can almost die all by herself. Peace, I am out, call me when you guys give a shirt?". 

(Hopefully he directs the "you guys" at Pegula and Adams)

 

I know we all want to blame the owner and GM but they don't play the games. When are the players held to account? Ras has his excuse. What's Tage's?

Edited 1 hour ago by PromoTheRobot

[Porous Five Hole]

1 minute ago, DarthEbriate said:

My fear in all of this (from the hockey side) is that Adams/Pegula read this as a "doesn't want to be here". Much like ROR's end of season interview.

You cannot be serious.

[spndnchz]

It’s God’s so speed ✌️