Is there a point where you start resting players?

[PromoTheRobot]

This run has been amazing but I would hate to see them burn out in the regular season. If you're Lindy, do you start resting your top players before the playoffs?

[Scottysabres]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

This run has been amazing but I would hate to see them burn out in the regular season. If you're Lindy, do you start resting your top players before the playoffs?

Yes, April ………. (checks schedule calendar) ………… 7th.

[K012010]

I would switch the Rochester and Buffalo rosters for the rest of the regular season if we win tonight. 

[Taro T]

7 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

This run has been amazing but I would hate to see them burn out in the regular season. If you're Lindy, do you start resting your top players before the playoffs?

What did he do in '06 and in '07 when they were just playing for seeding rather than making the dance?

Don't recall him resting many in those runs.  Probably gave Teppo a night or 2 off but not many else.

 

Kekalainen definitely stated that there'd be a few guys swapping out to get the new guys some ice time down the stretch with them ending with 20 games in 40 days.  Not sure what Ruff has said on the matter.

[mjd1001]

I would start moderating their minutes right now (even in close game, that 3rd pair of D-men needs to be getting more minutes).  As far as giving guys off, right now I'd go with anyone that has any 'bumps or bruises' (Like Tuch Tonight) gets their game or 2 off then. By the last week of the season, everyone would get a day off.

As long as you are IN the playoffs, I don't care about seeding or the potential extra home game or who you play nearly as much about being healthy and rested.

The good new is I think the single most important postion in the playoffs to not have a guy 'worn down' is goaltender...and it looks like none of the Sabres goaltenders will enter April with a heavy recent workload.

Ice time was handled really well last game vs San Jose.  All forwards were under 17 minutes except McLeod (who got 17:02), and no D-man reached 23 minutes (Dahlin only had about 20 and the 3rd pair guys were over 15.)  Keep alternating goalies and have your ice time allocated that way for most of the rest of the season and I'd be happy.

Edited March 12 by mjd1001

[DarthEbriate]

Definitely. A few back-to-backs remaining, and once you officially clinch the spot -- you can start to do some wholesale resting. In the short-term, you don't need to call it a rest day, but you want Schenn and Pearson to get familiar with their teammates in case they're needed.

I also want to see Wahlberg and Komarov make their debuts for 1 game (maybe 2 if their play is amazing). One NHL paycheck as a reward for their efforts. And heck, Ryan Johnson, too -- not a debut but to throw him a bone. "Here's some cash, kid. Sorry we abandoned the Amerks this year!" Johnson is under contract for 3 more seasons.

Zac Jones has to stay down though, as he's waiver eligible.

[PromoTheRobot]

25 minutes ago, Taro T said:

What did he do in '06 and in '07 when they were just playing for seeding rather than making the dance?

Don't recall him resting many in those runs.  Probably gave Teppo a night or 2 off but not many else.

 

Kekalainen definitely stated that there'd be a few guys swapping out to get the new guys some ice time down the stretch with them ending with 20 games in 40 days.  Not sure what Ruff has said on the matter.

I don't know if 05-06 was an Olympic year, but obviously with the condensed schedule rest days might be good idea. Take a player or two out every game. Maybe give Ellis a few games too.

 

[PerreaultForever]

There are many extra bodies so you can rotate people in and out for some rest without affecting the line up too much. This is a good luxury. This is where you have a new test for the trainers and medical staff. Constant evaluation of bumps and bruises. Dahlin gets a rough ride in a Tampa game maybe you sit him the next one (unless you sit him for that one) even if he says he's fine. It all depends on their health and how they feel. Young guys might be ready to go every night but also maybe they are not used to this long schedule and need some load management. It's a whole new thing for this team but not new for Ruff so I think he will manage it okay. Playoffs matter, first place does not. 

As an aside maybe the hiring of that fitness trainer has had more impact than we know about. Team certainly seems fit and full of energy at this point in the year doesn't it?

[TageMVP]

Resting players? Is the regular season over already? Lol this isn't basketball 

Treat EVERY game as if you need to win in order to make the playoffs 

EVERY GAME 

[tom webster]

As long as Lindy doesn’t take any advice from the American baseball team, I think we will be alright.

[Taro T]

10 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I don't know if 05-06 was an Olympic year, but obviously with the condensed schedule rest days might be good idea. Take a player or two out every game. Maybe give Ellis a few games too.

 

Could see Ellis getting maybe a game or 2.  But don't understimate how much he's currently easing the load on the other 2 guys.  Lyon has had to dress 1 time in the last ~month that he wasn't the starter (and he didn't even leave the dressing room that day) and UPL hasn't done so once.  That's a lot of built in "rest" days for those 2.

Expect it's more likely they send Ellis down to Ra-cha-cha for a 1 or 2 game "conditioning assignment" right before playoffs begin to let him actually get in some game action prior to the playoffs.  And also expect that come playoffs, UPL dresses when Lyon starts and Lyon dresses when UPL starts.  It's nice to have an EBUG that can actually play, but Ruff isn't going to risk playing Ellis in the playoffs if their backs aren't against the wall.

[SabreFinn]

I remember Panthers did rest a lot of players during the last games the season with Brunette. Hard to say what happened there but they seemed to lose their game and got kicked out 4-0 by Bolts in 2nd round. 

[Big Guava]

No.

[Mustache of God]

Not until you have home ice advantage through the playoffs locked up. So maybe the final game of the season against the Stars.

[Weave]

Third periods, probably.  I’d seriously consider giving Ras and Tuch a game.  Maybe Tage too given the extra games hes played.

[Eleven]

1 hour ago, PromoTheRobot said:

don't know if 05-06 was an Olympic year

It was.  That was the year that we kept chanting "USA" for Miller after he was passed over.

Edited March 12 by Eleven

[Pimlach]

There are enough players available to rest anyone that is banged up without sacrificing any points. The standings are still very tight.  

I want to clinch the playoffs first, then win the division and get some home ice advantage ofr4 the playoffs.   

[Dude]

Yes.  March 14th and April 8th.

[kas23]

I would be playing Norris every other game. 

[Night Train]

Not a bad thought late in the year on back to back games. 

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

This run has been amazing but I would hate to see them burn out in the regular season. If you're Lindy, do you start resting your top players before the playoffs?

Depending on where we are in April, I would heavily consider sitting Dahlin and Thompson against Tampa. 

[kas23]

6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Depending on where we are in April, I would heavily consider sitting Dahlin and Thompson against Tampa. 

Not a bad idea. Either of those 2 go down, so do our SC aspirations. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

@PromoTheRobot

I think you got your anwer tonight.  Tuch out as well as Kesselring.

[msw2112]

I would keep the pedal to the metal until final seedings are determined.  I don't think they'll catch Colorado, but they have a reasonable chance to catch Carolina and secure home ice throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.  That doesn't mean they might not rotate goalies or give a guy who's a little banged up the night off, or use the third and fourth lines more late in a game with a big lead, but the focus has to remain on clinching various milestones:  1) playoff spot; 2) top-3 in the division; 3) division title; 4) conference title; 5) league title (if they can mathematically and realistically catch Colorado - and I don't think they can).  It's a little early to start resting up for the playoffs.  I did see one commentator saying that Norris should get some nights off and I can get behind that one.  He's extremely talented and valuable, but also extremely injury-prone, so reducing the chances of him getting injured is sensible.

[PerreaultForever]

I mentioned this in the game thread but it seems appropriate here. I think Östlund is burning out. He needs some rest now. Rookie burn out. Not unusual. 

7 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Depending on where we are in April, I would heavily consider sitting Dahlin and Thompson against Tampa. 

Dahlin yes but Thompson can handle it. Rest him in a different game if needed.