Nacho Libre Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Well Dahlin is the best, not sure that’s up for debate. I’m being obtuse though because I’m sure the intention is meant to be “greatest” (which is relative). Who’s the greatest? Harder to say. If it’s not Dahlin already, I’d imagine it’s him soon Quote
Flashsabre Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 It’s amazing the lack of top tier D men that the Sabres have had over their existence. Dahlin is the only Dman that has been mentioned among the top of their generation. Sabres have had some solid DMen but Dahlin is the only true number 1 they have had. As much as this will devastate some I think Power will get there too. A true number 1 Dman is the hardest piece to get in hockey. Leafs haven’t had one since 1970s Salming Quote
Porous Five Hole Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Just do it as a Mount Rushmore of Sabres D. Dahlin Ramsey Schoenfeld Ruff Honorable mention: Housley, Korab, Zhitnik Quote
Nacho Libre Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 (edited) Teppo Numminen could be up there depending on what counts. One of the best overall who’s played here who’s best years weren’t here Edited July 8 by Nacho Libre 2 Quote
Eleven Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Schoeny/Dahlin. Probably Dahlin. 7 minutes ago, Nacho Libre said: Teppo Numminen could be up there depending on what counts. One of the best overall who’s played here who’s best years weren’t here Quote
Nacho Libre Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 3 minutes ago, Eleven said: Schoeny/Dahlin. Probably Dahlin. On 5/2/2026 at 1:11 PM, Eleven said: I don't know what this means. 1 Quote
Eleven Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Just now, Nacho Libre said: noominoominnoominoominoom 2 Quote
PerreaultForever Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Such a difficult question because different eras required different skill sets. People are saying Schoeny was overrated but in that era he had the necessary combination of toughness and skill. With Korab (who was an absolute beast) as his partner you had a very elite pairing. Housley was offensively elite (although sometimes defensively challenged). He was in many ways a forward playing D and was perhaps ahead of his time. His style is more commonly found in today's game to say the least. The most underrated D man was unquestionably Bill Hajt. Just a steady steady stay at home guy who rarely made a mistake. Personal fave of mine. McKee was very good. Played a complete game all around. But I guess if I have to pick one I'm giving it to Ramsey. The reasons have already been outlined by others so no need to repeat them. Oh and the best guy for delivering net front cross checks to opponents was of course Larry Playfair 🙂 1 Quote
Rico7 Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Mike Ramsey Dahlin is on his way to being the best. Not there yet, but getting there. Tim Horton Bill Hajt 2 Quote
Pimlach Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 (edited) Dahlin Ramsey Housley Bill Hajt ( a guy no one really appreciated) McKee Schoenfeld Zhitnik Korab Edited July 8 by Pimlach 1 Quote
mjd1001 Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 51 minutes ago, Rico7 said: Mike Ramsey Dahlin is on his way to being the best. Not there yet, but getting there. Tim Horton Bill Hajt I personally would not pick Bill Hajt as the best, but I am suprised he isn't in more posters "top 5" lists. Quote
Taro T Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Just now, mjd1001 said: I personally would not pick Bill Hajt as the best, but I am suprised he isn't in more posters "top 5" lists. Mildly surprised when people start expanding their lists that there has been no love at all for Guevremont nor Ledyard. Calle Johansson (sp?) too. Quote
Weave Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 4 minutes ago, Taro T said: Mildly surprised when people start expanding their lists that there has been no love at all for Guevremont nor Ledyard. Calle Johansson (sp?) too. If we are going for all the feels, add Doug Bodger too. i tend to agree that Zhitnick was vastly underrated. I think he was a genuine 1D. 1 Quote
tom webster Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 2 minutes ago, Weave said: If we are going for all the feels, add Doug Bodger too. i tend to agree that Zhitnick was vastly underrated. I think he was a genuine 1D. I mentioned Bodger upthread after my first post. Calle J would have been top five if he wasn’t traded. I wasn’t that high on Ledyard. 1 Quote
dudacek Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 I think Dahlin is probably the only legit #1 the franchise has ever had. Zhitnik, Schoenfeld and Ramsey were legitimate #2s 1 1 Quote
Scottysabres Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Weave said: If we are going for all the feels, add Doug Bodger too. i tend to agree that Zhitnick was vastly underrated. I think he was a genuine 1D. For feels i have to put Soupy right below Ramsey, for no other reason then “The Hit”. Edited July 8 by Scottysabres Quote
dudacek Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Just now, tom webster said: I mentioned Bodger upthread after my first post. Calle J would have been top five if he wasn’t traded. I wasn’t that high on Ledyard. I would say Bodge is about where I’d put the floor for Daxon Rudolph: big, smart and dangerous on the PP. Quote
Taro T Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 48 minutes ago, Weave said: If we are going for all the feels, add Doug Bodger too. i tend to agree that Zhitnick was vastly underrated. I think he was a genuine 1D. As @dudacek said, would consider Zhitnik, Schoenfeld, and Ramsey as true #2's. Not QUITE true #1's. Quote
Night Train Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 Bill Hajt was amazing. He looked like someone skating for the 3rd time in his life. Yet he could poke the puck off the forwards stick and block shots at will. Was so happy to have him. Korab wasn't afraid of anyone and opponents would back off from him all the time when going for the puck. Intimidating every shift. Had the whole game during his time period. Quote
Weave Posted July 8 Report Posted July 8 The case for Alexei Zhitnik as a legit #1 defenseman… 96 regular season goals, puts him #140 all time for NHL defensmen. 471 points is #92 all time for NHL defensmen. All this while straddling the dead puck era. Team Russia silver medalist at Nagano 3 All star game appearances Time on ice stats didn’t start until ‘97-98, but starting then and through his Sabres career he averaged an astounding 25:33 of ice time. Averaged. He had a couple of seasons where his season average exceeded 26 minutes TOI. Insane usage. And so much of it was paired with a pylon. 7 seasons with Buffalo. By comparison, Dahlin is at 102 goals and 434 points in 8 seasons, averaging 23:23 of ice time. Dahlins highest TOI season would have been z’s 3rd highest season. Now, Dahlin is the better defender. Full stop. But Alexei is highly underrated. He’s got the counting stats to run with Ras. He was a 1D. Also Full stop. This dive into counting stats really drives home how the Sabres have absolutely wasted Dahlins career. 8 season with Buffalo and 1 playoff season. Fookin criminal. Quote
stenbaro Posted July 9 Report Posted July 9 11 minutes ago, Weave said: The case for Alexei Zhitnik as a legit #1 defenseman… 96 regular season goals, puts him #140 all time for NHL defensmen. 471 points is #92 all time for NHL defensmen. All this while straddling the dead puck era. Team Russia silver medalist at Nagano 3 All star game appearances Time on ice stats didn’t start until ‘97-98, but starting then and through his Sabres career he averaged an astounding 25:33 of ice time. Averaged. He had a couple of seasons where his season average exceeded 26 minutes TOI. Insane usage. And so much of it was paired with a pylon. 7 seasons with Buffalo. By comparison, Dahlin is at 102 goals and 434 points in 8 seasons, averaging 23:23 of ice time. Dahlins highest TOI season would have been z’s 3rd highest season. Now, Dahlin is the better defender. Full stop. But Alexei is highly underrated. He’s got the counting stats to run with Ras. He was a 1D. Also Full stop. This dive into counting stats really drives home how the Sabres have absolutely wasted Dahlins career. 8 season with Buffalo and 1 playoff season. Fookin criminal. Zhitnik was my favorite Buffalo Sabres d-man of all-time. If they needed him to skate 30 minutes a game he would have. He could play in all three zones well. Quote
dudacek Posted July 9 Report Posted July 9 22 minutes ago, Weave said: The case for Alexei Zhitnik as a legit #1 defenseman… 96 regular season goals, puts him #140 all time for NHL defensmen. 471 points is #92 all time for NHL defensmen. All this while straddling the dead puck era. Team Russia silver medalist at Nagano 3 All star game appearances Time on ice stats didn’t start until ‘97-98, but starting then and through his Sabres career he averaged an astounding 25:33 of ice time. Averaged. He had a couple of seasons where his season average exceeded 26 minutes TOI. Insane usage. And so much of it was paired with a pylon. 7 seasons with Buffalo. By comparison, Dahlin is at 102 goals and 434 points in 8 seasons, averaging 23:23 of ice time. Dahlins highest TOI season would have been z’s 3rd highest season. Now, Dahlin is the better defender. Full stop. But Alexei is highly underrated. He’s got the counting stats to run with Ras. He was a 1D. Also Full stop. This dive into counting stats really drives home how the Sabres have absolutely wasted Dahlins career. 8 season with Buffalo and 1 playoff season. Fookin criminal. As much as I appreciate this and Alex, he was a 35-point scorer. Was he used like a #1 in Buffalo? Absolutely. Was he closer to one than Temu hall-of-gamer Phil Housley? Absolutely. But even in the dead-puck era that’s where he falls short of being a true #1. Seeing you disagree with me makes me happy though. He was right there with Peca as the core of those Hasek teams and I never thought he got the recognition he deserved. What a horse. Quote
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