Player Discussion Mattias Samuelsson, LHD (USNTDP), The Antidote, Distributing Cobra Strikes

[Sabresfansince1980]

No I don’t. The defensive log jam extends beyond the NHL. We’ve had Fitzgerald either scratched or playing wing a lot this year. Hardly beneficial for his development. I don’t want to Samuelsson going pro only to waste a year of development in the same situation.

Ahh. I assume Nelson and Gilmour are gone, and one of the AHL guys (probably Borgen) moving up to Buffalo after a RHD trade opens a spot over the summer.

 

[Jim Bob]

A) The Sabres/Amerks have way more depth at RHD than at LHD right now.

B) Bogosian, Nelson, and Gilmour are all UFAs this summer.

If Samuelsson signs, the LHD in Rochester next year could be Hickey, Bryson, and Samuelsson if Gilmour, Paetsch, and MacWilliam aren't retained.

 

[Bendium]

I have high hopes for Samuelsson becoming a lockdown, heavy to play against defensive dman in our top 4. However, it is likely 2-3 years out before making the NHL and 3-5 years before being ready for a full season of top 4 minutes and responsibilities. There is LD room in Rochester, and with his size he should be fine making the transition physically. I expect he will sign his ELC this year and start his pro career.

 

[Tatanka]

Watched the Broncos vs NE Omaha over the weekend. Samuelson is going to need the gal the Leafs hired. His feet are not NHL caliber. He has no burst in short space, i.e. net front corner, and he is not gonna jump in the play as he will be lagging too far behind. He is smart and aggressive but that footspeed looks like a huge hurdle.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[tsujimoto74]

 

[joshjull]

 

[Chainshot]

Im glad he had the debut he had. I still fear he will always be measured by the player that he is not, rather than the player he is.

 

[Gabrielor]

Im glad he had the debut he had. I still fear he will always be measured by the player that he is not, rather than the player he is.

The fact that he didn't hear basically a word about him after the first turnover was a good sign.

The only time I expect to hear his name when he's a regularly is on a particularly notable physical play, shot block, or the odd goal.

I love the element he and Borgen will bring, but that doesn't mean it'll show up on the standard score sheet.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Dude had to go against Crosby for his NHL debut. And nobody complained. Not even Pens fans. That’s an impressive debut, and what he should strive for.

 

[truthbluth]

He was solid. If that’s what we get out of him, just solid, the team will be improved.

 

[Husko]

I always liked the pick and player. The only legitimate red flag I've heard is if his mobility and skating are where they need to be to be a legitimate top 4 shutdown guy. That's often the difference between top 4 defensive specialists and 3rd pairing tough guy types. How did his skating look in his debut? Can he keep up?

 

[explore]

I always liked the pick and player. The only legitimate red flag I've heard is if his mobility and skating are where they need to be to be a legitimate top 4 shutdown guy. That's often the difference between top 4 defensive specialists and 3rd pairing tough guy types. How did his skating look in his debut? Can he keep up?

During last night's game, from my viewing he was hesitant moving the puck forward and kept passing it back to Risto. He didn't look very mobile, a part of it may be a lack of confidence--I think he probably needs another year or two down in Rochester before he's ready for full time NHL duties

 

[HaNotsri]

I always liked the pick and player. The only legitimate red flag I've heard is if his mobility and skating are where they need to be to be a legitimate top 4 shutdown guy. That's often the difference between top 4 defensive specialists and 3rd pairing tough guy types. How did his skating look in his debut? Can he keep up?

He didn't skate with the puck much but when he did he looked ok. Skating didn't look like an obvious weakness to me.

 

[HaNotsri]

Fell asleep before the third but based on the first two periods last game he definately has top 4 potential long term. Doesn't look one dimensional at all.
Would like him to play as a top pairing d in Rochester for a season or two instead of just trying to survive in the NHL.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

His skating has never been a weakness. He’s a good skater.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I don’t think he’s going back to rochester

 

[HaNotsri]

I don’t think he’s going back to rochester

This season or ever?
I'd really like him to get a chance to play all situations and be a leader on the ice.

 

[Der Jaeger]

This season or ever?
I'd really like him to get a chance to play all situations and be a leader on the ice.

ever

 

[Bendium]

This season or ever?
I'd really like him to get a chance to play all situations and be a leader on the ice.

Agree with this. It really helps development to get that playing time in all situations under less performance pressure than the NHL. I feel every player regardless of draft position should have to learn and earn their way up the ladder.

 

[Buffaloed]

Appert called him his #1 dman in Rochester when he got called up. He takes a very serious approach to the game. He's a workaholic that's constantly trying to improve in every area. He reminds me of Chara in that regard. Chara was a big lunkhead that kept getting better every year.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Agree with this. It really helps development to get that playing time in all situations under less performance pressure than the NHL. I feel every player regardless of draft position should have to learn and earn their way up the ladder.

Samuelsson’s game is NHL ready. He is what he is right now. He’ll become better at what he does right now, but he’s not going to develop some new skill set in Rochester.

Samuelsson is the big, reliable, smart defenseman you put out against top lines. He makes good outlet passes and won’t cough the puck up. He won’t be rattled by pressure. He won’t be knocked off the puck. He’ll clear the crease.

He’s never going to be a killer hitter. He’ll hit but it’s not the focus of his game. He’s never going to drive offense. He’s never going to be a rah-rah guy.

I’ve been typing this since he was drafted: he plays a safe, NHL game and will be a valuable defender.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Samuelsson’s game is NHL ready. He is what he is right now. He’ll become better at what he does right now, but he’s not going to develop some new skill set in Rochester.

Samuelsson is the big, reliable, smart defenseman you put out against top lines. He makes good outlet passes and won’t cough the puck up. He won’t be rattled by pressure. He won’t be knocked off the puck. He’ll clear the crease.

He’s never going to be a killer hitter. He’ll hit but it’s not the focus of his game. He’s never going to drive offense. He’s never going to be a rah-rah guy.

I’ve been typing this since he was drafted: he plays a safe, NHL game and will be a valuable defender.

You'd almost think he styled his game off his father

 

[Bendium]

Samuelsson’s game is NHL ready. He is what he is right now. He’ll become better at what he does right now, but he’s not going to develop some new skill set in Rochester.

Samuelsson is the big, reliable, smart defenseman you put out against top lines. He makes good outlet passes and won’t cough the puck up. He won’t be rattled by pressure. He won’t be knocked off the puck. He’ll clear the crease.

He’s never going to be a killer hitter. He’ll hit but it’s not the focus of his game. He’s never going to drive offense. He’s never going to be a rah-rah guy.

I’ve been typing this since he was drafted: he plays a safe, NHL game and will be a valuable defender.

He is way to young to suggest he has nothing more to develop. I would rather he play first pair minutes in Rochester next year than third pair minutes in the NHL. I think a year latter he is a better defensemen long term my way. We just disagree.

 

[Der Jaeger]

He is way to young to suggest he has nothing more to develop. I would rather he play first pair minutes in Rochester next year than third pair minutes in the NHL. I think a year latter he is a better defensemen long term my way. We just disagree.

i didn’t say he’s got nothing to develop. He’s going to get better at what he does. But he’s not turning into a pp point man with an extra year in Rochester. Not his game.