Weave Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 I don't get excited over prospects anymore. I just don't. But watching Ulffie's nephew over the last few games is bringing out something in me that I haven't had in a long time, excitement for a prospect. This kid has poise beyond his years, man strength, and the will to use those attributes to gain advantage in the zone. He plays like a man among men already. The Buffalo Sabres have lacked a dominant stay at home defender since Mike Ramsey's heyday. This kid is looking to me like the lockdown top pair guy that makes good teams hard to play against. If this team ever shores the rest of this ***** up, Samuelsson will be a difference maker. He won't have the flash Dahlin has, but he'll be talked about with reverence among the Sabres loyal when his career ends. Fight me. 8 1 Quote
French Collection Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 I’m not sold on him being more than a 4-5 stay at home guy. He may fill that role very capably. He plays a simple game and needs to make better and quicker decisions with the puck. That will come with experience. He is the one that keeps Irwin in the press box so I am happy with that. He is young and developing, he may become a Mike Ramsey. I would take Kjell with some Ulf sprinkled in. 3 Quote
Eleven Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 He reminds me a bit of Mike Weber. And this team could use a Mike Weber. 7 Quote
mjd1001 Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 34 minutes ago, French Collection said: I’m not sold on him being more than a 4-5 stay at home guy. He may fill that role very capably. He plays a simple game and needs to make better and quicker decisions with the puck. That will come with experience. He is the one that keeps Irwin in the press box so I am happy with that. He is young and developing, he may become a Mike Ramsey. I would take Kjell with some Ulf sprinkled in. If he becomes an 'average-to-good' stay at home guy, then I'd be elated with that. But he actually has to become that, not just be someone who we slot into that role. Pair him with your 2nd best puck moving D-man on a 3-4 pairing and I'm happy. Quote
Pimlach Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 I think he can become a solid NHL defenseman. He will add much needed size and strength. What pairing he is in also depends on who else is on the team. left - Dahlin, Bryson/ McCabe (Injured), Samuelson/Irwin right - Joker, Risto, Miller/Borgen, Develop - Davidson, Fitzgerald, Quote
GASabresIUFAN Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 He is Kjell’s son. No relation to Ulf. I’ve said before he is a better version of Bergen and that was pretty obvious last night. 1 Quote
Weave Posted April 24, 2021 Author Report Posted April 24, 2021 17 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said: He is Kjell’s son. No relation to Ulf. I’ve said before he is a better version of Bergen and that was pretty obvious last night. I thought Kjell and Ulf were related Quote
GASabresIUFAN Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 1 minute ago, Weave said: I thought Kjell and Ulf were related No. Just very large Swedish players with the same last name. Quote
triumph_communes Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 Ristolainen has appeared much more physical when paired with Samuelsson. As if someone finally has his back Wd don’t need him to be much. He’s making some bonehead breakout plays but I’m not seeing him get burned. 1 Quote
Gabrielor Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 Really love him and Borgen, and the element they bring. They need the right partners though (speed). Quote
Weave Posted April 24, 2021 Author Report Posted April 24, 2021 4 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said: The new Jay McKee The thing I notice most about Samuelsson (he needs a nickname so I do think need so many letters) is stylistically he is similar to McKee, Krupp, Ramsey, his size and strength already allows him to be “heavier” than they were. He really gets guys off the puck with seeming ease. 2 Quote
JohnC Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) He's not a banger type of player like Risto who grabs your attention with hits. He's a defenseman whose game is predicated on positioning and intelligence. In his short stint he already has shown that he is one of the most efficient players on the unit. The unit is now comprised of players who have different complementary styles that this staff should be able to knit together and form a well rounded unit. I like him a lot as a player. Edited April 24, 2021 by JohnC 4 Quote
Curt Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) I’m optimistic. He has been a little up and down these first few games, but he is a very young D, just turned 21 last month, so no surprise there. I know that he has the reputation of big stay at home D, but he has actually produced decent offensive numbers at lower levels, something Borgen has never had for comparison. I’m curious to see if some of that translates. When he was drafted, I was concerned about his skating, but it seems like it’s going to be good enough for him. Hopefully he can be good enough in transition, great in front of the net and corners, pushing guys around and winning pucks, but then also making high quality breakout passes. Edited April 24, 2021 by Curt 1 Quote
LGR4GM Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 5 minutes ago, Derrico said: Don’t tell LGR Why? Looks like his foot speed has improved, was his only major hang up. Quote
LGR4GM Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 Samuelsson was ranked 31st on my list that year and was taken 31st. I don't really have any issues with the pick. Quote
Eleven Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) 13 minutes ago, LGR4GM said: Samuelsson was ranked 31st on my list that year and was taken 31st. I don't really have any issues with the pick. He was taken 32d so you are way off as usual. Edited April 24, 2021 by Eleven 3 5 Quote
dudacek Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) I’ve been lobbying for this kid since he was drafted. People hear big and they default to Mike Wilson or Justin Falk but he has never been just “big”. He has always been a leader, a rock, and a defensive presence, sucking up big minutes against the best players on every team he’s ever played on. He is a Clydesdale and is going to play in this league for a long, long time. Edited April 24, 2021 by dudacek 2 Quote
Curt Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 I for one am just glad that this thread is official. I’m tired of all the non-official Mattias Samuelsson threads. 2 2 Quote
Carmel Corn Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 I am very optimistic about his future. He is a 21 year old "MAN" out there and can be one of our foundational "shut-down" defenders in time. Quote
dudacek Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) Because his name came up in another context, on some level, Samuelsson reminds me of Mike Grier. That combination of exceptional strength, leadership and trustworthiness in battle. Edited April 24, 2021 by dudacek 2 Quote
Flashsabre Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) The league went through a stretch where every dman drafted was a “puck moving defencemen”. Being a defensive defenceman equaled not being a good defenceman. But the more things change the more they stay the same in hockey. You will always need players who are solid in their own end, can pin players along the board, use their size and reach to break up plays. Mattias will play a long time and fill a big defensive/leadership role. His offensive totals will surprise too. He won’t impress with open ice hits but he will clear guys in front of the net and pin them in the corners. Edited April 24, 2021 by Flashsabre 2 Quote
drnkirishone Posted April 24, 2021 Report Posted April 24, 2021 Reminds me of a less hittee mckee Quote
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