TBN: Sulzer done for the season
- Thread starter Djp
- Start date
La Cosa Nostra
Caporegime
- Jun 25, 2009
- 14,075
- 2,337
Ahh damn that's too bad. I really like Sulzer for what he is, a dependable third pairing guy. He has good chemistry with Ehrhoff, I wouldn't mind a 3 year/2.4 million dollar deal. You can't do much better then Sulzer for a #5/6 dman.
I don't mind him as a 6/7....but shoehorning him into the top 4 was a problem. Ehrhoff has been much better since Sulzer has been out.
Djp
Registered User
Buffalo only has Ehrhoff, Myers, and Sekera under contract next year with Weber and Brennan RFAs.
I see them keeping Sulzer on a 1 year deal because Buffalo does have Dmen coming up their system with 3 NHL ready by next year. He is icheap insurance if they dont pan out.
He has played far better here than with other teams. i think alot of that has to do with having fellow germans on the club.
brian_griffin
"Eric Cartman?"
Regardless of whether Sulzer is / isn't in future Sabre plans, in whatever role or capacity, hopefully this situation won't inlfuence / interfere opportunities to potentially move Leo, Robyn, or any other players, pre-trade-deadline.
When you're down a body in the overall organization, there's less flexibility, period, in what you can do.
When you're down a body in the overall organization, there's less flexibility, period, in what you can do.
Jacob582
Registered User
- Oct 16, 2012
- 9,586
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That's true. That is why I don't think they will waive Brennan to make room for Leino on the roster.
But they still have depth on D. They could move two D up from the AHL and still have enough D for Rochester (barring injury - here is where your less flexibility comes in)
Myers
Ehrhoff
Regehr
Sekera
Weber
Leopold
Brennan
Pardy
McNabb
Pysyk
Crawford
Biega
MacKenzie
Schiestel
Leduc
Fienhage
Mit Yarrum
HoF Turd Shiner
- Apr 1, 2010
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- 112
RazielMoshman
Registered User
Ron C.
Registered User
I don't think Sulzer gets enough credit on this board. He seems to be pigeon-holed as a bottom pairing guy, but he never looked out of place with Ehrhoff.
In fact, I thought he was our third best defenseman behind Hoff and Sekera. Just an objective opinion based on what I see on the ice, independent of his career prior to the Sabres. Am I nuts?
In fact, I thought he was our third best defenseman behind Hoff and Sekera. Just an objective opinion based on what I see on the ice, independent of his career prior to the Sabres. Am I nuts?
Jacob582
Registered User
- Oct 16, 2012
- 9,586
- 3,159
You're not nuts. But I would also put him behind Weber and Regehr. Myers has turned his game around the last few games.
Sulzer is okay when he keeps it simple, is not pressed too much on the forecheck, and plays against weaker competition.
If anything, he gets way more credit than he deserves.
He is completely carried by Ehrhoff and not only does his play show it, the stats do too.
Christian Ehrhoff is 2nd in the league (minimum 10GP to cut out outliers) in Corsi Relative at 27.3, meaning he is the single best driving force behind possession on the team this season and one of the most important to his team in the league.
The telling stats are With Or Without You, though (database is a bit behind but still useful).
The Sabres with Ehrhoff on the ice generate 48.8% of the Corsi events, while they generate a measly 38.3% without him.
The Sabres generate 50.4% of Corsi events while Sulzer is paired with Ehrhoff (roughly 80% of Sulzer's ice time this season), while they only generate 25.4% of events with Sulzer on the ice without Ehrhoff.
The Sabres with Ehrhoff and without Sulzer generates 48.6% of events.
So, tl;dr:
Ehrhoff is a dominant creator of offensive chances.
Ehrhoff's numbers show almost no notable improvement when paired with Sulzer (+1.8%).
Sulzer's numbers are massively improved when paired with Ehrhoff (+25%).
Conculsion: Sulzer is a marginal talent carried by a dominant one.
tsujimoto74
Moderator
- May 28, 2012
- 29,948
- 22,134
Thank you.
I would have said "Sulzer sucks at hockey and looks passable as a sixth man when paired with Ehrhoff," but this looks better
I'd love him on the same contract as a number 7 but would rather not have him in our starting 6. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there will be any better options with the UFA crop thin
vcv
Registered User
Sulzer was good last year, but his play came back down to earth. He's an okay #6 at best right now.
OcAirlines
Registered User
- Jul 18, 2009
- 2,693
- 14
Good depth guy who worked better with Ehrhoff than Myers does right now, I'd gladly take him again for next season. But of course a team is better of if they don't have to rely on someone like Sulzer to play in the Top-6.
