To be fair, the Sabres have a system in place that severely limits the defense to lead or join the rush, which Dahlin excels at.
- ImThatGuy

I agree, ralph held dahlin back last season somewhat and we really only have 1 other great player to help him.

Although 13 goals is ridiculously low considering the pp opportunity. 141 games played thru 2 seasons.

Moving forward dahlin should score once every 6 or 7 games. 12-15 with no excuses.

How many other #1 overalls have 13 thru 2 seasons?
Matthew's had 4 in his 1st game.
I realize they play different positions

I agree, ralph held dahlin back last season somewhat and we really only have 1 other great player to help him.

Although 13 goals is ridiculously low considering the pp opportunity. 141 games played thru 2 seasons.

Moving forward dahlin should score once every 6 or 7 games. 12-15 with no excuses.

How many other #1 overalls have 13 thru 2 seasons?
Matthew's had 4 in his 1st game.
I realize they play different positions
- Boss34

Based on your entire post before the last sentence, it seems questionable that you do understand the difference in positions.

Based on your entire post before the last sentence, it seems questionable that you do understand the difference in positions.
- kingcong39

Should've just said, "Marc-Andre Fleury" and left it at that.

Based on your entire post before the last sentence, it seems questionable that you do understand the difference in positions.
- kingcong39

Ok, so you're happy with dahlin and his 13 goals in 2 years at the nhl level?

Dude was drafted as the best potential nhl defenseman ever selected.

Falls short of my expectations, I'm sure you had him for a bakers dozen though.

I agree, ralph held dahlin back last season somewhat and we really only have 1 other great player to help him.

Although 13 goals is ridiculously low considering the pp opportunity. 141 games played thru 2 seasons.

Moving forward dahlin should score once every 6 or 7 games. 12-15 with no excuses.

How many other #1 overalls have 13 thru 2 seasons?
Matthew's had 4 in his 1st game.
I realize they play different positions
- Boss34

Was there nothing impressive about the rate he was racking up assists ?

His assist totals and ability to QB a PP was impressive for any d-man of any age, never mind a teenager.

Ok, so you're happy with dahlin and his 13 goals in 2 years at the nhl level?

Dude was drafted as the best potential nhl defenseman ever selected.

Falls short of my expectations, I'm sure you had him for a bakers dozen though.
- Boss34

Well your other 1OA comparables are completely useless and irrelevant, but this one is better:

Ekblad 1OA first 2 years:

159 gp - 75p

Dahlin 1OA first 2 years:

141gp - 84p

Well your other 1OA comparables are completely useless and irrelevant, but this one is better:

Ekblad 1OA first 2 years:

159 gp - 75p

Dahlin 1OA first 2 years:

141gp - 84p
- jcragcrumple

Even more impressive considering we have been a defensive oriented team (at least this past season under Ralph)

You're surprised the death of a civil rights icon generated more sympathy than the death of Richard Milhous Nixon?
- jcragcrumple

Buying this at $3.20 a share

Was there nothing impressive about the rate he was racking up assists ?

His assist totals and ability to QB a PP was impressive for any d-man of any age, never mind a teenager.
- Pegullaville

Yes , I agree. I liked his game overall.

How many goals would you have guessed after 2 seasons though?

Ekblad had 27 thru 2 seasons. (Non covid shortened or concussed seasons)

Probably more than 13?

I think it's a legit beef, and I was kinda agreeing with 3ERROR.

Fell short of my expectations. Just an opinion

Well your other 1OA comparables are completely useless and irrelevant, but this one is better:

Ekblad 1OA first 2 years:

159 gp - 75p

Dahlin 1OA first 2 years:

141gp - 84p
- jcragcrumple

Girgensons 12 goals in 69 games this season

Dahlin 13 goals in 141 games in his career.

Ponder that comparison

Yes , I agree. I liked his game overall.

How many goals would you have guessed after 2 seasons though?

Ekblad had 27 thru 2 seasons. (Non covid shortened or concussed seasons)

Probably more than 13?

I think it's a legit beef, and I was kinda agreeing with 3ERROR.

Fell short of my expectations. Just an opinion
- Boss34

And a poor one as usual.

Go tell the Lightning fans that Hedman and his 7 goals in his first 2 seasons didn't meet your expectations.

Girgensons 12 goals in 69 games this season

Dahlin 13 goals in 141 games in his career.

Ponder that comparison
- Boss34

Yeah, and Dahlin doesn't have a shutout either. What are we doing here? We're comparing forwards and defensemen?

Go back to my comparison of the 1st two seasons of Ekblad and Dahlin. Dahlin has more points in fewer games. Would you be happier if he had fewer points but more goals? So instead of having 44 points, would you have been happier if he had 15 goals and 35 points overall?

Nick Lidstrom had 18 goals his first 164 games.

Obviously overrated.

And a poor one as usual.

Go tell the Lightning fans that Hedman and his 7 goals in his first 2 seasons didn't meet your expectations.
- RhinoFan

I believe the goal output will increase for Dahlin as he increases his strength. As he gets stronger he will be able to get more shots through from the point.

I don’t believe he’s anywhere close to his ceiling one bit.

I believe the goal output will increase for Dahlin as he increases his strength. As he gets stronger he will be able to get more shots through from the point.

I don’t believe he’s anywhere close to his ceiling one bit.
- Pegullaville

The coach applying a non-somnambulist style would surely help as well.

Even more impressive considering we have been a defensive oriented team (at least this past season under Ralph)
- Pegullaville

i thought the sabres play was pretty offense... to watch

The coach applying a non-somnambulist style would surely help as well.
- kingcong39

I know I’m out on a limb on this one but I did not mind our structure at 5v5 at all.

Now we need to figure out the special teams however.

I don’t believe the structure at even strength was a problem, however the overall talent of the forward group was a problem.

I know I’m out on a limb on this one but I did not mind our structure at 5v5 at all.

Now we need to figure out the special teams however.

I don’t believe the structure at even strength was a problem, however the overall talent of the forward group was a problem.
- Pegullaville

My problem is the style he applied is sub optimal compared to the best players on the team.

I understand why he employed that strategy when looking at the entirety of the forward group, however, it was counter to the talents of the defense group.

Ultimately, the play it safe style is what many coaches employ, and I'm far from convinced that Ralph will change with a more talented group.

I'm also in the minority, but I care about more than the team winning. I also value an entertaining brand of hockey, as it is entertainment after all.

I believe the goal output will increase for Dahlin as he increases his strength. As he gets stronger he will be able to get more shots through from the point.

I don’t believe he’s anywhere close to his ceiling one bit.
- Pegullaville

Doubt many people think he's reached his peak. Agreed.

Most defenders take longer to develop than forwards. Not as bad as goalies, but there's a difference for sure. Dahlin is still undersized physically. As he matures, that will naturally improve as will his scoring ability.

Personally though, I see him more as the nasty set up guy. His shot has never been amazing. I'd be happy with 8-12 goals if he's getting 50-60 apples in his prime.

You're surprised the death of a civil rights icon generated more sympathy than the death of Richard Milhous Nixon?
- jcragcrumple

it's not like he brought jobs to his district in atlanta

or raised the community out of poverty

or improved the lives of children in his district



all I remember him for is playing the race card time after time in congress



I am sure he did great things in the 60's but 10 days of this "savior" is 9 more then 99.9999999999% of people get

I agree, ralph held dahlin back last season somewhat and we really only have 1 other great player to help him.

Although 13 goals is ridiculously low considering the pp opportunity. 141 games played thru 2 seasons.

Moving forward dahlin should score once every 6 or 7 games. 12-15 with no excuses.

How many other #1 overalls have 13 thru 2 seasons?
Matthew's had 4 in his 1st game.
I realize they play different positions
- Boss34

he needed more ice time in season 2

Ralph cut it 10 percent

I think he should have received more pk duty once the season was lost and a chance to be more offensive then he was


I would like to see dahlin in a fun and gun offense

Doubt many people think he's reached his peak. Agreed.

Most defenders take longer to develop than forwards.
- RhinoFan

myers peaked in year 2

My problem is the style he applied is sub optimal compared to the best players on the team.

I understand why he employed that strategy when looking at the entirety of the forward group, however, it was counter to the talents of the defense group.

Ultimately, the play it safe style is what many coaches employ, and I'm far from convinced that Ralph will change with a more talented group.

I'm also in the minority, but I care about more than the team winning. I also value an entertaining brand of hockey, as it is entertainment after all.
- kingcong39

I don’t think Ralph has to change his style. I believe offensive creativity stems from overall player talent.

Eichel, Sabres bias aside, truly had a Hart ballot type of season and was not effected by our style of play.

I believe if we upgrade our forward talent while continuing to defend as a 5 man unit, we will be a very tough team to play against.

Even with the lack of 2C, I still stand by the fact that if our goaltenders had not have let in 20 more goals than expected we would have made a 16 team playoffs this year never mind a 24 team playoff.

Does that suggest that we do not need to score more goals ? Absolutely not, of course we need to score more goals. However we were good enough to be a playoff team this past season and I think Ralph deserves more credit then he is getting now.

And a poor one as usual.

Go tell the Lightning fans that Hedman and his 7 goals in his first 2 seasons didn't meet your expectations.
- RhinoFan

Go the (frank) away.

Go wish some more harm on a 75 year old human being you piece of sh!t

Ok, so you're happy with dahlin and his 13 goals in 2 years at the nhl level?

Dude was drafted as the best potential nhl defenseman ever selected.

Falls short of my expectations, I'm sure you had him for a bakers dozen though.
- Boss34

first 2 years pronger had 10 goals and 44 points in 124 games


dahlin had 13 goals and 84 points in 141 games