Is it time to consider taking away the C from Dahlin or does that do nothing and lose the player?

[DarthEbriate]

2 hours ago, GoPuckYourself said:

I’m probably 1 of the more harsher critics of Dahlin. His offensive game is really good but his situational awareness especially at key times is mid to mediocre imo and his defensive game still to me is mid not elite but I still blame coaching, this guy should be a Drew Doughty who can score by now and it’s pretty sad that he isn’t.

With all that said stripping the C from him makes little sense or any of the others this season at least as Dahlin is our best player on the ice most nights.

I'd love to see Dahlin be a little more composed in close games when folks purposely try to get him off his game. Just face wash them and let it go from there; the refs will let that go.

But, I don't think Doughty is who you're thinking of as someone Dahlin needs to aspire to offensively; Dahlin's offensive numbers are already better.

Doughty's career high in goals is 16. Dahlin has already had seasons of 15 and 20 (and pacing for 13+ this year despite missing time). Doughty's career high in points is 60, which would be considered a disappointment for Dahlin in any of his next 5 seasons (barring long-term injuries).

And Doughty was always surrounded by superior teams (except maybe a brief lapse in 2018-20), established talent, and he's averaged about 3 minutes more per game thus far in their careers.

When folks look back at their careers in 2050, there's a good chance Dahlin's offensive numbers put Doughty's to shame.

[DarthEbriate]

3 hours ago, JP51 said:

Quite honestly, less of an issue with Cozens, he at least gets pissed off when we lose.... Power and Muel are completely indicative of what this team is about... have the physical capability to play the game properly like real hockey players but not the will... they either hide or are injured at the first sign of contact... clearly based on management choosing them we see what they value in a skater... 

The sad part about Muel is once upon a time he was willing, and for a bit there was the most physical defenseman not named Lyubushkin. Perhaps even an inspiration to Dahlin's growth. But his body just cannot cash the checks, and worse, his brain now knows it and he plays accordingly.

[inkman]

18 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

I'd love to see Dahlin be a little more composed in close games when folks purposely try to get him off his game. Just face wash them and let it go from there; the refs will let that go.

But, I don't think Doughty is who you're thinking of as someone Dahlin needs to aspire to offensively; Dahlin's offensive numbers are already better.

Doughty's career high in goals is 16. Dahlin has already had seasons of 15 and 20 (and pacing for 13+ this year despite missing time). Doughty's career high in points is 60, which would be considered a disappointment for Dahlin in any of his next 5 seasons (barring long-term injuries).

And Doughty was always surrounded by superior teams (except maybe a brief lapse in 2018-20), established talent, and he's averaged about 3 minutes more per game thus far in their careers.

When folks look back at their careers in 2050, there's a good chance Dahlin's offensive numbers put Doughty's to shame.

Great. I guess we can hang our hat on that.  Winning games.  Not so much. 

[Jorcus]

On 1/13/2025 at 12:55 PM, JP51 said:

When I read Hamilton say that it is becoming apparent that Dahlin couldnt lead this team I immediately thought... get him a better team then... 

 

I am not sure of the context of that Hamilton quote but I remember hearing him a number of times last summer that Dahlin should be the captain. A lot of that was Hamilton's view of Dahlin in practice. Either way he is the captain and despite a number of issues of the what he does inside the context of a game he has not done anything nearly so bad to get demoted. Why create a new problem you don't need to. 

[thewookie1]

13 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

I'd love to see Dahlin be a little more composed in close games when folks purposely try to get him off his game. Just face wash them and let it go from there; the refs will let that go.

But, I don't think Doughty is who you're thinking of as someone Dahlin needs to aspire to offensively; Dahlin's offensive numbers are already better.

Doughty's career high in goals is 16. Dahlin has already had seasons of 15 and 20 (and pacing for 13+ this year despite missing time). Doughty's career high in points is 60, which would be considered a disappointment for Dahlin in any of his next 5 seasons (barring long-term injuries).

And Doughty was always surrounded by superior teams (except maybe a brief lapse in 2018-20), established talent, and he's averaged about 3 minutes more per game thus far in their careers.

When folks look back at their careers in 2050, there's a good chance Dahlin's offensive numbers put Doughty's to shame.

Dahlin has become more volatile since taking up the captaincy. He always had the occasional dumb penalty but its far more pronounced this season.

I get the sense he internalizes a lot of qualms he has with different things from team play to reffing. But now as captain he's in a pressure cooker and while he most certainly tries to keep a lid on it; there seems to be a specific point in which he snaps and just sees red. We could really use a vet defenseman with some knowledge that could give Dahlin some techniques for calming while mentoring Power

[JP51]

1 hour ago, Jorcus said:

 

I am not sure of the context of that Hamilton quote but I remember hearing him a number of times last summer that Dahlin should be the captain. A lot of that was Hamilton's view of Dahlin in practice. Either way he is the captain and despite a number of issues of the what he does inside the context of a game he has not done anything nearly so bad to get demoted. Why create a new problem you don't need to. 

I am with you... what he said specifically was Dahlin is incapable of leading this team.... my thought was then... put some real players around him. 

1 hour ago, DarthEbriate said:

The sad part about Muel is once upon a time he was willing, and for a bit there was the most physical defenseman not named Lyubushkin. Perhaps even an inspiration to Dahlin's growth. But his body just cannot cash the checks, and worse, his brain now knows it and he plays accordingly.

I honestly think you are right he is playing not to get injured... he was one I had really high hopes for... then... well... you see it... 

[JP51]

1 hour ago, thewookie1 said:

Dahlin has become more volatile since taking up the captaincy. He always had the occasional dumb penalty but its far more pronounced this season.

I get the sense he internalizes a lot of qualms he has with different things from team play to reffing. But now as captain he's in a pressure cooker and while he most certainly tries to keep a lid on it; there seems to be a specific point in which he snaps and just sees red. We could really use a vet defenseman with some knowledge that could give Dahlin some techniques for calming while mentoring Power

desperately... that plays physical and actually plays... 

[LGR4GM]

6 hours ago, inkman said:

You call out every mediocre player on the Sabres vs our HOF in waiting franchise defenseman who someone managed to completely miss on a puck that he had dead to rights.  He needs to never make that mistake.  He also needs way better situational awareness.  Several times a game he does something that makes me ask if he understands fundamental hockey.  I’m genuinely curious. He makes the most difficult play almost exclusively. 

Lmfao. 

Yea our HoF defender lost to a HoF center. 

He doesn't do it several times a game. In fact he actually is excellent but you got him here, he got his pocket picked. Of course this play happens to every nhl defender at times but the difference is their teammates help. There's no mutual support on this team, it's a major problem. You know this play solely because it ended in a goal. 

I hope he gets traded. I can't imagine how good he'd be on a real team without Wilford coaching the defense. 

[JohnC]

29 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Lmfao. 

Yea our HoF defender lost to a HoF center. 

He doesn't do it several times a game. In fact he actually is excellent but you got him here, he got his pocket picked. Of course this play happens to every nhl defender at times but the difference is their teammates help. There's no mutual support on this team, it's a major problem. You know this play solely because it ended in a goal. 

I hope he gets traded. I can't imagine how good he'd be on a real team without Wilford coaching the defense. 

My worry is that Dahlin gets so frustrated with the dismal situation he is in with this amateurishly run franchise that he demands to be traded, as like our other best players did. Being one of the better players in the league and never having the opportunity to participate in the playoffs certainly has to get him thinking about "what if" I was with a serious organization.