When should Dahlin start carrying a heavier load?

[dudacek]

The Atheltic’s Ryan Stimson follows up yesterday’s look at the forwards by looking today at the D.

https://theathletic.com/633072/2018/11/16/stimson-how-rasmus-dahlins-underlying-stats-make-a-strong-argument-to-give-him-more-ice-time/

“Going back to 2015 when we started collecting this data, the backs that create the most shots through primary passes and have at least 1000 minutes tracked in the data set are Erik Karlsson, John Klingberg, and Victor Hedman. Karlsson is at 8.8 per 60 minutes.”

So far this year, Dahlin is at 9.5 despite being 4th on the Sabres blueline in ice time.

One could argue his usage is helping him succeed, but a time is coming when he will claim his destiny as the best Sabres defenceman of all time.

When should Phil release the hounds?

Edited November 16, 2018 by dudacek

[pi2000]

Next season.

He's 18.

If you give him too many minutes this season he'll struggle in the 2nd half due to mental and physical fatigue.

[dudacek]

“It’s very likely, if not certain, that Dahlin is already the best back on this Sabres team. The question then becomes: “Why isn’t Phil Housley giving him more minutes?”

“...it’s not like the Sabres have a top four like Nashville ahead of Dahlin. I say give him the minutes and see how it goes. When looking at the components of play that we have to evaluate how players arrive at their on-ice results, Dahlin is clearly top of the class.

“...would the team rather continue with subpar results from many of the other backs on the roster? Or, take the opportunity to give Dahlin more minutes and see if he can improve the team’s fortune more often? If he’s able to keep his numbers, then the team stands to improve in multiple categories: breakouts, entries, shot locations, etc.

[erickompositör72]

33 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

Next season.

He's 18.

If you give him too many minutes this season he'll struggle in the 2nd half due to mental and physical fatigue.

I agree. Don't "Risto" him

[GASabresIUFAN]

49 minutes ago, dudacek said:

The Atheltic’s Ryan Stimson follows up yesterday’s look at the forwards by looking today at the D.

https://theathletic.com/633072/2018/11/16/stimson-how-rasmus-dahlins-underlying-stats-make-a-strong-argument-to-give-him-more-ice-time/

“Going back to 2015 when we started collecting this data, the backs that create the most shots through primary passes and have at least 1000 minutes tracked in the data set are Erik Karlsson, John Klingberg, and Victor Hedman. Karlsson is at 8.8 per 60 minutes.”

So far this year, Dahlin is at 9.5 despite being 4th on the Sabres blueline in ice time.

One could argue his usage is helping him succeed, but a time is coming when he will claim his destiny as the best Sabres defenceman of all time.

When should Phil release the hounds?

Luke, this is your destiny. It took Luke 3 movies and 12 years to achieve his destiny. Can we give Ras at least this season to grow into the role?

Edited November 16, 2018 by GASabresIUFAN

[bg17]

When did they start calling them “backs”? Hope it doesn’t catch on 

 

[Taro T]

Really am fine with him getting primarily 3rd pairing duty, realizing he'll slide up to 2nd pairing if injuries hit.  Start him w/ 2nd pairing minutes next year & as soon as his play demandsit, then slide him to top pairing.  Whether that happens next season, or the following doesn't really matter IMHO.  He'll be on that top pairing for at least 8 additional years & we really won't remember nor care that he spent an entire season & a half getting comfortable with the role.

Heck, he still doesn't get any appreciable PK time.  Let him get some of that down the stretch before we start worrying about giving him 28 minutes / night against Crosby & Malkin.

[LGR4GM]

16 hours ago, pi2000 said:

Next season.

He's 18.

I agree. Give him a full season, then a full offseason to reflect and develop. Then, release the Dahlin. 

Edited November 17, 2018 by LGR4GM

[klos1963]

19 hours ago, dudacek said:

The Atheltic’s Ryan Stimson follows up yesterday’s look at the forwards by looking today at the D.

https://theathletic.com/633072/2018/11/16/stimson-how-rasmus-dahlins-underlying-stats-make-a-strong-argument-to-give-him-more-ice-time/

“Going back to 2015 when we started collecting this data, the backs that create the most shots through primary passes and have at least 1000 minutes tracked in the data set are Erik Karlsson, John Klingberg, and Victor Hedman. Karlsson is at 8.8 per 60 minutes.”

So far this year, Dahlin is at 9.5 despite being 4th on the Sabres blueline in ice time.

One could argue his usage is helping him succeed, but a time is coming when he will claim his destiny as the best Sabres defenceman of all time.

When should Phil release the hounds?

I think Dahlin will force the issue by his play when he is ready. He is not our top defenseman now, he's playing well but still making mistakes. I think they are handling him very well and he'll get his chances. He was on the top PP unit at times yesterday and was firing some shots, so I think we'll see more PP time for him. He's contributing quite well for an 18 year old.

[JCBoston]

It seems like he gives up at least one bad giveaway every game.  I'm certain this will change over time, but for now, he's still learning the game.

[Eleven]

I see a lot of "next season" here and I'm thinking not next, but the season after.  The Sabs still have Risto and he is better than this board gives him credit for.

[MakeSabresGrr8Again]

1 hour ago, JCBoston said:

It seems like he gives up at least one bad giveaway every game.  I'm certain this will change over time, but for now, he's still learning the game.

The best thing about him is that when he coughs up the puck , he is very capable of recovering without the need for a teammate to cover his mistake.

[LGR4GM]

4 hours ago, JCBoston said:

It seems like he gives up at least one bad giveaway every game.  I'm certain this will change over time, but for now, he's still learning the game.

No, he'll probably always have a giveaway. He is so creative offensively that it will happen but it's not an issue. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

I think we have our answer

[LGR4GM]

3 minutes ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

I think we have our answer

Now. 

[TrueBlueGED]

I think he's the best Dman on the roster, and I don't think it's especially close. He's freaking unreal with how he thinks the game.

[PerreaultForever]

Patience people patience. They are doing the right thing. He is growing all the time, just as is Mittlestadt. Patience. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

At the start of the season I thought we would be thrilled if he put up 25-30 pts much like Hedman and Karlsson did their 1st years.  However, Dahlin hit 10 pts today in just 20 games and it has seemed almost effortless.  His vision and smart plays lead to both points tonight.  He is just such a pleasure to watch.  So with 10 pts in 20 games, Dahlin is on a 40 pt pace.  

The Dahlin/Petterson ROY race is heating up.

[calti]

speaking of Bobby Orr.. Orr had 41 pts at age 18 and 120 pts  at age 21.

The bizarre thing of course is that he was basically done at 26 due to a trashed knee. And is in the debate with Gretzky,Lemieux,Howe as the greatest player ever.(not incl goalie DOM fans)

Wouldnt it be great to have another Buffalo all-time great superstar to watch for many years?  OJ,Gil,Bruce,Dominic...........Dahlin??? 

[French Collection]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

At the start of the season I thought we would be thrilled if he put up 25-30 pts much like Hedman and Karlsson did their 1st years.  However, Dahlin hit 10 pts today in just 20 games and it has seemed almost effortless.  His vision and smart plays lead to both points tonight.  He is just such a pleasure to watch.  So with 10 pts in 20 games, Dahlin is on a 40 pt pace.  

The Dahlin/Petterson ROY race is heating up.

He has not garnered the attention yet, but a few more games like this and it may get mentioned. The stats are ramping up for Dahlin and the highlight reel as well.

Dahlin plays a tougher position, is a year younger and has a physical side to his game. I am biased, but he gets my vote if he builds on this last game.

[nfreeman]

He really took over that game last night when his team needed a boost, innit?

[LGR4GM]

Dahlin last night was SHL Dahlin. Jumping into plays and making things happen. 

In the 3rd last night he has the puck behind our net and waits for the line change. There's 2 forecheck guys. As he steps out to make the pass, the back forecheck slides to the winger on the wall and the front one flips his stick to also try and cover that. Without any effort Dahlin fires a perfect pass straight up the middle to a waiting player. I've seen us force that pass to the half wall 100 times but Dahlin just adjusts and bam, clears it. 

[LGR4GM]

https://twitter.com/SabresStats/status/1063978741573906432?s=19

Rasmus Dahlin had 5 points (1G, 4A) in the first 16 games.

He has 5 pts (1G, 4A) in the last 4 games.  #settlingin

[Wyldnwoody44]

Speaking of Dahlin and loads.... He blew his all over the wild last night, it was a Swedish geyser of awesomeness! 

[Doohicksie]

When does he take a heavier load?  Well in the Minnesota game, the D TOI ranged from 18:24 to 22:29.  That's practically even.  Dahlin had 19:14, and he didn't play any PK time which is why he was less than some others.  In the bigger picture, I think this is wonderful from the standpoint of not leaning on any D (or D pair) too much so that none of them is dragging at the end of the game.