Quoting: CapFriendlysFinest
Is Dahlin comfortable on the RHD thought? I always thought he played exclusively on the LHD before the Sabers and up until this year. I would likely look at something more along these lines.
Dahlin and Lub (Lub showed he can play top mins with Reilly last season, allows Dahlin to push play while he stays back)
Powers and Jok (top 4 mins for Powers this season is key for his development)
Samulesson and Other (likely a Holl or DFD from UFA).
I think that gives the most growth for the players but still allows that set up of having in the future not a DP1 DP2 DP3 but having 3 pairings you run 14-18 mins a night equally.
Why does it always take a non-Buffalo ACGM to understand how to put together a line up.
Both Colorado and Tampa (I was lazy and did not check the other final four teams) both had 3 LHD and 3 RHD all playing on their natural sides.
In Europe they like to have their defensemen taking the point shot closer to the center of blue line.
In USA the coaches like to make it easier for the Defensemen to retrieve puck when it is shot around the boards.
Granato is a very smart coach, he also understands it is difficult for a LHD playing on the right side to back hand to puck out of the defensive zone.
Teams will attack the Right side defender if he is left handed by dumping the puck to his side of the zone, it is called the left wing lock.
Nearly all Buffalo ACGM's think Granato will put Dahlin on the RHD, your pairing makes tons of sense and I hope Granato does that.
I would also like to pick up Holl, he hits and makes few errors and would be a solid #3 pairing with Samuelsson.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment.