I'm not sure they do that, and here's why:

They likely start him slow on the 2nd pair with somebody they already have, like Nelson, and Dahlin is as good as advertised, he'll be on the top pair before long, and the only player on the team capable of playing those kinds of minutes is Risto, at least right now.
- kingcong39

I think I laid out why they'd consider doing that. Nothing against Nelson, but he's hardly the guy you'd pick to mentor Dahlin. Frankly, I'm not sure Risto is either. Maybe they are thinking Bogo or McCabe. I just think this is something they are considering carefully.

Risto deserves the chance to see what he can do in a 2 spot.
Eventually, IMO He falls to 2nd pairing.
I could see Borgen being Dahlen’s partner in a few years...stay at home Dman to let Dahlen run wild with the puck.
- IonSabres

Honesty some fans hold on hope for these players way to long and then boom trade value is gone

If a team is going to pay a nice package you take it


For example the hall trade im sure half the fanbase never wanted to trade to trade Ristolainen for hall but now 99% would we overrated him so bad

I think that was his point though, nobody presently on this team is a solid #2 to pair with a gifted #1 and play those minutes.
That has proven to be Risto undoing, being overused.
- IonSabres

What realistic vet UFA is capable of playing those minutes

Risto playing 25 minutes a night with Dahlin is a giant difference compared to who he has playing with, to be fair.

I think I laid out why they'd consider doing that. Nothing against Nelson, but he's hardly the guy you'd pick to mentor Dahlin. Frankly, I'm not sure Risto is either. Maybe they are thinking Bogo or McCabe. I just think this is something they are considering carefully.
- Lunaion

if he's everything he's cracked up to be, he probably doesn't need much, if any, mentoring...in that case, I think chemistry might be the most important aspect of who his d-partner will be

I think I laid out why they'd consider doing that. Nothing against Nelson, but he's hardly the guy you'd pick to mentor Dahlin. Frankly, I'm not sure Risto is either. Maybe they are thinking Bogo or McCabe. I just think this is something they are considering carefully.
- Lunaion

You did, and I disagree.

If Dahlin is as good as advertised, how much 'mentoring' is he going to need? Further, if he ends up playing top pair minutes for at least the 2nd half of the season, what free agent D is capable of handling that workload, outside of Carlson, who they have little chance of signing?

if he's everything he's cracked up to be, he probably doesn't need much, if any, mentoring...in that case, I think chemistry might be the most important aspect of who his d-partner will be
- Michael Pachla

I think he’s paired with Nelson or Bogosian. I think Bogo can actually be a good partner due to # of games played in the league and helping him transition into the league as a top pick in a draft class and all the attention that comes with it.

I think he’s paired with Nelson or Bogosian. I think Bogo can actually be a good partner due to # of games played in the league and helping him transition into the league as a top pick in a draft class and all the attention that comes with it.
- Pegullaville

If they don't sign Carlson, which they have next to no chance to sign, I believe he starts with Nelson and it won't be long until he's paired with Risto, unless the Dahlin - Nelson pair are crushing it and they play the top 4 close to evenly.

if he's everything he's cracked up to be, he probably doesn't need much, if any, mentoring...in that case, I think chemistry might be the most important aspect of who his d-partner will be
- Michael Pachla

I disagree. Talent and experience and two very different things.

If they don't sign Carlson, which they have next to no chance to sign, I believe he starts with Nelson and it won't be long until he's paired with Risto, unless the Dahlin - Nelson pair are crushing it and they play the top 4 close to evenly.
- kingcong39

Hedman played 21 minutes a night in his rookie season

Ekblad played 22 minutes a night


with a hall of fame d man behind our bench, I see no reason to expect Dahlin to get anything less than 22 minutes a night

gloves come off and we finally turn this f@cking corner

After a cursory bout of research, Ty Dellandrea is the guy I'm hoping falls to the Sabres for the first pick of round two. It would be a minor upset, maybe but not out of the realm of possibility.

https://www.milehighhocke...ellandrea-scouting-report
- PrinceChill

Nice read, thanks for sharing.
Write up makes me think of O’Reilly but faster.

I disagree. Talent and experience and two very different things.
- Lunaion

I call experience, experience

I think he’s paired with Nelson or Bogosian. I think Bogo can actually be a good partner due to # of games played in the league and helping him transition into the league as a top pick in a draft class and all the attention that comes with it.
- Pegullaville

very interesting

What realistic vet UFA is capable of playing those minutes

Risto playing 25 minutes a night with Dahlin is a giant difference compared to who he has playing with, to be fair.
- kingcong39

Your points are fine.
I’m not a believer in Risto as a 2 due to his defensive liabilities...he f’s-up more than I want my #2 to do.
I’d be fine with an elder statesman on the right with Dahlin, stay at home and let Dahlin continue to grow his O game without the high level of risk by being paired with a defensively week partner.
Just my thoughts .

You did, and I disagree.

If Dahlin is as good as advertised, how much 'mentoring' is he going to need? Further, if he ends up playing top pair minutes for at least the 2nd half of the season, what free agent D is capable of handling that workload, outside of Carlson, who they have little chance of signing?
- kingcong39

l8

I disagree. Talent and experience and two very different things.
- Lunaion

how much mentoring did mcdavid need?

I disagree. Talent and experience and two very different things.
- Lunaion

Spot on.
Jesus, the kid is 18, he needs time to mature...ala Jack.

Your points are fine.
I’m not a believer in Risto as a 2 due to his defensive liabilities...he f’s-up more than I want my #2 to do.
I’d be fine with an elder statesman on the right with Dahlin, stay at home and let Dahlin continue to grow his O game without the high level of risk by being paired with a defensively week partner.
Just my thoughts .
- IonSabres

That's fine if you prefer that, just know that the elder statesman is going to need to play 22 minutes a night. Not many available are capable of doing that.

If they somehow got Juolevi, the 7th, and a cap dump (that would likely have to happen) for ROR, they could immediately have a deep, and promising defense group organizationally.

That's also assuming Dahlin is good with playing the right side.
- kingcong39

That is the side he usually plays

how much mentoring did mcdavid need?
- Michael Pachla

Not sure, but our boy Jack needed 2-1/2 years of it

playing dahlin on the right side on smaller ice is pointless. He's played the majority of his career at LHD and he's far more likely to succeed on his strong side, especially on smaller ice.

Not sure, but our boy Jack needed 2-1/2 years of it
- IonSabres

He didn't need mentoring. He needed competency on wings and blue line. It's 3 years, Im still waiting on it.

That is the side he usually plays
- Mentalorgasm5

Where are people getting this from? He spent far more time on his left side than right

playing dahlin on the right side on smaller ice is pointless. He's played the majority of his career at LHD and he's far more likely to succeed on his strong side, especially on smaller ice.
- Sabresfan-365

finally, we agree again


we do have a ton of LD's though

how much mentoring did mcdavid need?
- Michael Pachla

He spent his rookie season playing consistently with Eberle and/or Pouliot. Smart, calculated move by Edmonton (even with the flack I'll take for saying anything positive on Pouliot). So, my answer is, more than you're suggesting.

Dahlin was moved to the right side for offensive zone faceoffs and when he was bumped up to top pair to play with almqvist as a way to shelter him