Jacob582
Registered User
- Oct 16, 2012
- 9,552
- 3,134
Open competition for spots come camp, anything is possible.
I agree. Plus, the prospects are on audition this week and at Traverse City. Lots of opportunities to be seen by Sabres staff.
Open competition for spots come camp, anything is possible.
I might be in a minority with my opinion, but I think Zad will need at least one year seasoning in Rochester, maybe even more. (after his next year in London). He's clearly still searching his game and identity. He has had an identity as an shutdown d-man, which he adopted from Russia. His first year in OHL he played more in a mold of this risk avoiding shutdown d-man, with glimpses of offense. Not until last season he was really depended on more offensive role and responsibility and his confidence did skyrocket. He still needs adjusting finding the right balance between his ultra active and even flasyh plays and more careful and defensive oriented plays. He's not stupid player, but he's not exactly the next Lidström. That's why he needs more time and experience to learn the right balance. I don't think he has found that balance even in juniors yet. And I'm pretty sure he will need to have that adjustment at pro level as well, and that adjustment, at least partly, comes through try and error, and Roch is the right place to have errors.
But regardless of this, I think he absolutely has all the tools and even toolset to become really dominant first pairing d-man (not maybe the true #1 but a real stud with a right partner (like Risto...)). I just think that it will take more time than many of us think. He's physically ready, but his mind is not as mature.