Who will win the open spot for 7th defenseman?

[Jacob582]

Assuming no injuries and last year's players are on the team (including Franson).

“It’s easy to see the defensemen that are in the top six, then there’s a group of three or four,” said Bylsma

Vogl

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[Dingo44]

Nelson.

 

[Sabreality]

Falk

No sense in having Nelson in the pressbox (I dont see him at 6 over Franson to start the year), he should be getting big minutes in Roch. If injury hits, then Nelson gets the call up.

 

[Deleted member 27798]

If Falk is the 7th blueliner with the Sabres at the start of the season, that leaves the following blueliners(in no particular order) with the Amerks, correct?

Nelson
Strachan
Bennett
Geiger
Austin
Martin
Burgdoerfer
Fedun



Back to juniors...Guhle, Budik, Osmanski & Stephens

 

[kenfury]

Falk to start the season with Nelson and Franson rotating 6/7 from game 40 onward.

 

[Djp]

Nelson will not get the 7th spot...hes either playing regularly or going to Rochester. He isnt sitting in the press box.

 

[DeadGhost]

Echoing the above. They won't keep Nelson up as a reserve. Beating out Franson for the 6 spot... another story.

 

[ThunderD]

Echoing the above. They won't keep Nelson up as a reserve. Beating out Franson for the 6 spot... another story.

I voted for Nelson for just that reason. Let's see how healthy Franson is, the 2 of them can split time. Once one of them wins out, then we'll see.

 

[old kummelweck]

Franson. Not even sure why he's not listed.

 

[joshjull]

Franson. Not even sure why he's not listed.

Because its not going to be him based on Disco comment.

 

[old kummelweck]

Because its not going to be him based on Disco comment.

All I heard him say is that he's come to camp leaner and changed some stuff about his workout. Did he say he was top 6?

 

[joshjull]

All I heard him say is that he's come to camp leaner and changed some stuff about his workout. Did he say he was top 6?

He said there is a clear-cut 6 on defense. Then 3-4 guys battle for the 7th spot. I'm fairly confident Franson is among those 6.

 

[ThunderD]

Why so many votes for Justin Falk? Murray & Disco seem pretty big into the whole leftie-rightie sets and the left side is solid with Gorges, Kulikov & McCabe. I would imagine that the 7th D is going to be a rightie who will push the next weakest guy in the group which is the 3rd right D (probably Franson).

 

[Woodhouse]

Before whatever injury was announced, I probably would've said Fedun, as based on his limited NHL experience (12GP 2+5=7) and AHL consistency (avg. 8G, 33P over last four AHL years), he seemed overdue for a run as a 7D. Now, he's at a disadvantage since he's missing at least one week of camp, but I'll still give him the nod I guess.

Falk isn't a guy I really want to see in the lineup, but also someone I have no issue scratching, so I can see the case there. Burgdoerfer got praise from Trotz at past camps and finally got that NHL contract, so hard to say if he has more in him without isolating on him at camp and in exhibitions. I want Nelson and Guhle playing a lot, so Rochester and Prince Albert respectively for them, unless a camp injury gives them an opportunity to seize. Austin's depth for the Amerks, as are Strachan, Bennett, and Geiger.

 

[old kummelweck]

He said there is a clear-cut 6 on defense. Then 3-4 guys battle for the 7th spot. I'm fairly confident Franson is among those 6.

Given his contract, I would guess that's probably right. But from a performance standpoint, I don't see how he earns one of those spots.

 

[TimHorton7]

7th D

Before whatever injury was announced, I probably would've said Fedun, as based on his limited NHL experience (12GP 2+5=7) and AHL consistency (avg. 8G, 33P over last four AHL years), he seemed overdue for a run as a 7D. Now, he's at a disadvantage since he's missing at least one week of camp, but I'll still give him the nod I guess.

Falk isn't a guy I really want to see in the lineup, but also someone I have no issue scratching, so I can see the case there. Burgdoerfer got praise from Trotz at past camps and finally got that NHL contract, so hard to say if he has more in him without isolating on him at camp and in exhibitions. I want Nelson and Guhle playing a lot, so Rochester and Prince Albert respectively for them, unless a camp injury gives them an opportunity to seize. Austin's depth for the Amerks, as are Strachan, Bennett, and Geiger.

Well said. Burgdoerfer was a rock for Hershey last season. Can play shut down and on the PK. A nice thought for a #7. Could give solid time at #3-6. This gives the younger players ice time and experience. The #7 should never be a kid, and Burgdoerfer could push the #5-6 D to perform...we shall see.

 

[DeadGhost]

Safe to say the Falk window has closed.

 

[Jacob582]

Winner of this poll, as expected by most is Casey Nelson.





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