Confirmed with Link: Sabres agree with Mattias Samuelsson on a three-year, entry-level contract.

[Jim Bob]

Since this dropped during the update outage...

Let the complaining begin!

Click to read more...

 

[Chainshot]

I'm interested to see how he develops if/when things get going again.

 

[hizzoner]

I'm interested to see how he develops if/when things get going again.

I did not follow him and wonder how much development there was after his selection. He was considered a safe pick at the time with the size and defensive awareness we needed albeit lacking both elite skating and offensive ability.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'm interested to see how he develops if/when things get going again.

I am, as well.

I think he could fill in some gaps in what this team needs.

 

[Chainshot]

I did not follow him and wonder how much development there was after his selection. He was considered a safe pick at the time with the size and defensive awareness we needed albeit lacking both elite skating and offensive ability.

He will need to improve his footwork if he can and improve his processing speed as the play gets faster. It would be cool if his smart, positional play and physical play can merge as a pro. We have had so many d-men who make bad decisions on when and how to engage physically in the last... decade?... that getting a smart one would be nice.

 

[Chainshot]

I am, as well.

I think he could fill in some gaps in what this team needs.

Same. Safe, third-pairing guy for PK duty and the take-out part of a duo with one of their mobile RHD types (Laaksonen is the guy I wonder about as his future partner) is what I wonder at.

 

[Jim Bob]

I did not follow him and wonder how much development there was after his selection. He was considered a safe pick at the time with the size and defensive awareness we needed albeit lacking both elite skating and offensive ability.

He showed all the things at Western that people expected of him in his draft year.

Leadership - wore the A at Western as a sophomore and the C at the WJCs for the US.

Size and defensive ability - named a finalist for NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year as a sophomore.

He isn't going to light things up offensively. But, that isn't why he was drafted.

The big thing will be whether his skating and mobility becomes an issue as he moves to the AHL and eventually the NHL.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

The Sabres need a dedicated skating coach to work with him. Tweaking his twitch to get a more explosive start, and a quicker burst from turns will go a long way to turn him into a quality 5/6 dman.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[CowbellConray]

Would love to see him turn into a Cernak type of player. Minus the dirty hits of course. Decent skater, uses size and reach well, wont wow offensively.

 

[flashsabre]

A physical Bill Hajt would be a godsend.

 

[Gabrielor]

I'm rooting for him to become that mean, Cernak-type of Dman who would compliment a Dahlin, Pilut, Montour.

 

[missingmika]

Late season call up!?!?!

 

[dotcommunism]

Late season call up!?!?!

Given the uncertain nature of the NHL season right now, only ELCs that go into effect next season can be signed now. If there are further NHL games, Samuelsson will not be eligible to play in them, as he will not be party to an NHL contract during this league year. If the AHL season resumes, he could sign an ATO and play with the Amerks, however.

 

[SundherDome]

Reminds me of Weber

 

[VaporTrail]

Seems like an early Christmas present for Samuelsson, no ? From the reports I've heard is that he wasn't even close to being NHL ready

 

[joshjull]

Seems like an early Christmas present for Samuelsson, no ? From the reports I've heard is that he wasn't even close to being NHL ready

I think its more about his game needing to grow in the pros. He’s going to play with a nasty edge that can’t be used as much in college. He can grow that part of his game more in the AHL while also working on his footwork/skating.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Buffaloed]

If he plays a smart, simple, physical game in camp he could be on the Sabres opening day roster.

 

[joshjull]

If he plays a smart, simple, physical game in camp he could be on the Sabres opening day roster.

He’s one of those guys I think would be more effective as a pro than he was in college. Or at least the nasty, physical edge he can play with won’t be restricted like it is in college. Which allows him to play a more intimidating physical game as a pro.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

He could easily be a smart play to see what you have in camp, and if he's capable, putting him on the third pair, and not spending useless dollars on a one year UFA. Using the Sandin situation in Toronto to use that money in goal tending and forward depth. A Markstrom / Ullmark tandem would be a Swede we need, and send Hutton out for a conditional 1 year rental 4th-6th round pick. He could be solid for a competing team.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Please let this kid pan out! Huge for our team (literally) to be able to shift Miller or Montour out for some offensive help. Maybe one day we’ll look young and strong on D. In a perfect world.
Dahlin-Joker
Johnson-Risto
Samuelsson-Borgen

size, grit, skill. A Couple of QBs, a couple of brick houses.

 

[Djp]

If he plays a smart, simple, physical game in camp he could be on the Sabres opening day roster.

I don’t want to rush him. Let him get Rochester experience in 20/21, he can get a shot in 21/22.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I will not be surprised if he makes the roster and plays well on the 3rd pair this season. He plays a very mature game for his age.