Who's the best defensemen in Sabres history?

[LGR4GM]

Idk, it's summer and I was curious who ppl think this is. 

[tom webster]

I think Rasmus Dahlin but since his career is still a work in progress I’ll go with two;

All around, Mike Ramsey

Offensive, Phil Housley

 

[Taro T]

Dahlin is the only #1 D man they've ever had.

#2 on the list would be Ramsey.

Over a partial season, #2 on the list would be Tallinder.  What could've been had he not broken his arm.

#3 on the list would be Schoenfeld.

PS - Housley made Svoboda and Bryam look like Rod Langway in their own end by comparison.

[Weave]

54 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I think Rasmus Dahlin but since his career is still a work in progress I’ll go with two;

All around, Mike Ramsey

Offensive, Phil Housley

 

I don’t think there can be any other realistic answer.

[Pimlach]

55 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Dahlin is the only #1 D man they've ever had.

#2 on the list would be Ramsey.

Over a partial season, #2 on the list would be Tallinder.  What could've been had he not broken his arm.

#3 on the list would be Schoenfeld.

PS - Housley made Svoboda and Bryam look like Rod Langway in their own end by comparison.

Pretty Harsh Taro.  😂 
 

[tom webster]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

Dahlin is the only #1 D man they've ever had.

#2 on the list would be Ramsey.

Over a partial season, #2 on the list would be Tallinder.  What could've been had he not broken his arm.

#3 on the list would be Schoenfeld.

PS - Housley made Svoboda and Bryam look like Rod Langway in their own end by comparison.

I think Schoeny was overrated, to be honest. I’d put Zhitnik, Hajt, and maybe a couple others over him.

[Taro T]

46 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I think Schoeny was overrated, to be honest. I’d put Zhitnik, Hajt, and maybe a couple others over him.

I considered going with Zhitnik at 3.  Captaining a Stanley Cup Finalist earns bonus points.  Even if he can't sing.

[JoeSchmoe]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

Dahlin is the only #1 D man they've ever had

Shhhh! Don't tell that to the Blackhawks! 🤣

[tom webster]

Just now, Taro T said:

I considered going with Zhitnik at 3.  Captaining a Stanley Cup Finalist earns bonus points.  Even if he can't sing.

I’ll give you the points for captaincy but as a defenseman I’d consider him on par with Lydman, Tallinder and maybe even Shmelik and Bodger. I think he lost something after he decided to be  less of a “tough guy,” even if I respected his reasoning.

[That Aud Smell]

I think it's already Dahlin. The Sabres have never had a horse like him on D.

If we're making three pairings (I know - that was not the question), I just want to make sure Billy Hajt gets a spot.

[inkman]

4 minutes ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Shhhh! Don't tell that to the Blackhawks! 🤣

Campbell or Byram? 

[tom webster]

Just now, inkman said:

Campbell or Byram? 

You know, I completely forgot about Campbell. He wouldn’t be near my top five but for a short period of time he’d be in my top ten.

[JoeSchmoe]

3 minutes ago, inkman said:

Campbell or Byram? 

I'm talking about the 75-million dollar man.

[inkman]

Just now, tom webster said:

You know, I completely forgot about Campbell. He wouldn’t be near my top five but for a short period of time he’d be in my top ten.

7 mill a year 20 years ago seems like pure lunacy. Now it’s a severe bargain. Crazy. 

Just now, JoeSchmoe said:

I'm talking about the 75-million dollar man.

I know. It’s just an interesting factoid that the Blackhawks have now pilfered two less than ideal number one defenseman from the Sabres. 

[Taro T]

17 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I’ll give you the points for captaincy but as a defenseman I’d consider him on par with Lydman, Tallinder and maybe even Shmelik and Bodger. I think he lost something after he decided to be  less of a “tough guy,” even if I respected his reasoning.

Also Zhitnik loses a few points for his stubbornness regarding his stick.  People forget, but during Ramsey's last year on the bench in Buffalo, he made Zhitnik change his stick blade and suddenly every other shot wasn't bound for the 300 level.

As soon as Rammer headed back to Minny, Zhitnik went back to his old stick.  With predictable results.

Zhitnik should get points for having to deal with Smehlikclearsit...notout for most all of his Sabres career and he was one of my personal favorite Sabres of all time.  But still, probably have him 4th not 3rd.  (Again, nearly went with him over Schoeny and could proabably be convinced to see that one your way.)

[xzy89c1]

 Ramsey!!!!!!! Blocking shots at the aud!

It is Dahlin

 

[The Jokeman]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

I considered going with Zhitnik at 3.  Captaining a Stanley Cup Finalist earns bonus points.  Even if he can't sing.

Brian Campbell was better than Zhitnik ten fold. 

[inkman]

Do 3 of the top 10 Sabres defenseman of all time currently reside on this season's roster? 

[The Jokeman]

1 minute ago, inkman said:

Do 3 of the top 10 Sabres defenseman of all time currently reside on this season's roster? 

When all said and down think Dahlin will be the best. I'll admit that was ready to toss Muel aside prior to last season and not in love with Power as some others. Either one of them could fall in the top 10 but more towards 9 and 10 but I'd have to deep diving to really say yes or no. 

[LGR4GM]

4 minutes ago, inkman said:

Do 3 of the top 10 Sabres defenseman of all time currently reside on this season's roster? 

If Samuelsson has another 4-5 seasons like what he just did, at least 2 will. 

[dudacek]

Ramsey is one of my all-time favourite players and Zhitnik is severely underrated but it’s Ras and it’s not close.

Be very interesting to see where Mule and Power sit when the dust settles. The season Sammy just had was prime Rammer.

[R_Dudley]

5 hours ago, Taro T said:

Dahlin is the only #1 D man they've ever had.

#2 on the list would be Ramsey.

Over a partial season, #2 on the list would be Tallinder.  What could've been had he not broken his arm.

#3 on the list would be Schoenfeld.

PS - Housley made Svoboda and Bryam look like Rod Langway in their own end by comparison.

I agree with the above 1 and 2 as it stands at this point in time.  

I also like some of the other D's brought up that would slot into a top 10. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 hours ago, inkman said:

Do 3 of the top 10 Sabres defenseman of all time currently reside on this season's roster? 

No.  Dahlin sure, but Mule isn’t close to Ramsey’s level.  So far Mule is way below Schoeny and Korab.  

Korab is 11th in games played by D, 4th in goals, 6th in points and 4th in PIMs.  He had 2 50 pts seasons with the Sabres and 5 40+ pt seasons.  He is one of the most underrated D ever to play for us along Doug Bodger.  

Power so far is an unknown so far.  Call me when he gets to 700 games with the team.

[PASabreFan]

Since it's defensemen plural, the obvious answer is Smehlikzhitnik.

[JP51]

Best Defenseman not named Dahlin for me

Mike Ramsey overall

Korab - best combined (D, Scoring, and policing/physicality) 

Hajt - best stay at home

Van Boxmeer - Best shot

Svoboda - Best skater

Housely - I hated him but he needs to be on the list someplace.. but I really hated that guy after he let McGuire get hit while he was down and stepped out of the way of Richer's shot that won the Series in OT... amongst other gutless play... he was the most talented offensive defenseman I have seen in a Sabres uni. 

Schoeny - a bit over rated but my fave so I had to put him here lol