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ErikGudbranson

Member Since
Sep. 7, 2023
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Vancouver Canucks
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Toronto Maple Leafs
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Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 18 at 9:44 p.m.
Thread: Out there
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Skyraider112</b></div><div>The organization loves Samuelsson and rightfully so. Many Sabres fans on this site seem not to like him and try either trading him for scraps or having him play 3rd pairing instead of top 4. He's a legit shutdown D-man with size, physicality, and great skating ability. Invaluable to the Sabres team. He didn't play amazing this season but that doesn't mean he still isn't a key part of the future moving forward. Heck Dylan Cozens has had a down year but he's still key. Samuelsson isn't on the team for offense, I could care less if he only puts up 5 points in 82 games. He's there to block shots, shutdown the other teams' offensive dynamos, and be a great leader on and off the ice.</div></div>

The problem isn't his offense, it's that he doesn't do any of the stuff you listed, but he gets all the credit for the work of whatever pair he's on. Like for some reason, its impossible for Sabres fans (not saying you just generalizing a sample on say twitter) to attribute defensive work to Power, because he doesnt hit. Or Dahlin, because he turns the puck over a lot. But in game, he's consistently torched for speed by the opposing teams top players. And his skill with the puck is unfortunately abysmal. I don't even mean offensively, like the puck skills you'd want a defensive d-man to have (stretch pass, d to d etc.) . Dahlin's expected goals against per 60 both last year and this year were noticeably better with Jokiharju than Samuelsson. Which doesn't say much other than it's pretty clear that the top pair will go as far as Dahlin takes it, regardless of the perceived reputation his partner has.

There are probably little things he does well but not enough to make up for everything else and not enough to warrant his cap hit. Smart teams are able to add defense only players pretty regularly at bargain prices through free agency or trade. Dedicating a long term contract to one never made any sense and if they can find someone who would take him off their hands, and send someone/thing helpful back, that would be very ideal.
Forum: Armchair-GMSep. 22, 2023 at 2:10 p.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMSep. 18, 2023 at 1:03 p.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMSep. 18, 2023 at 12:38 p.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMSep. 18, 2023 at 12:34 p.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMSep. 13, 2023 at 10:14 p.m.
Thread: Unfortunately keeping Panarin
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>ErikGudbranson</b></div><div>Would you think they'd consider moving trouba?</div></div>

Personally I don't, and here's why:

1) I think the org is getting out of the business of trading captains like they did in the past with Callahan and McDonagh

2) Trouba, while overpaid, is one of the only people on the team to show an ounce of effort when it counts. He hates to lose and it's obvious. When you have people who are just there for their paycheck and don't care about winning, I think it's important to hang onto the guys w/ heart. Which is why Kreider will also never be traded

3) By the time Trouba's contract is up, Braden Schneider will be about 25 and in prime form to take his spot and slot in seamlessly

Now, I don't know if they are going to re-sign Trouba after the current deal, but I don't think they are getting rid of him anytime soon