BY: DANFORD
BUFFALO, NY – I am frustrated. As coined by Letterkenny, the Sabres need to “Figure it Out”
With nine games under their belt (or 15 percent of the season), I have not seen anything from the Buffalo Sabres that has shown me they deserve to be in the playoffs this year. Comprised of two first overall picks, two second overall picks, and a slew of young, Top 10 draftees, the Sabres cannot for the life of them figure out how to use their dominance on paper and translate it onto the ice.
So, without further ado, here are three quarrels I have with the Sabres that need to be addressed.
I. Jack Eichel STILL Needs to Learn How to Play Defense.
For some reason unknown to me, this is a very polarizing topic. When asked about Jack’s poor defensive play, there is a strong group of fans that claim, “He doesn’t need to be good at defense because he’s so overwhelming at offense.” This is the most absurd statement I’ve ever heard.
In what may be a shock to some, hockey is not football (gasp!). There are no players dedicated solely to offense or defense. Sure, hockey has forwards and defensemen whose roles either lean more offensively or more defensively, but at the end of the day, every player is responsible for some offensive or defensive effort when in the opponent’s zone or your own, respectively.
This is ESPECIALLY true for centers. While wingers may lean into a more offensive role, centers are the ‘Midfielders of Hockey’ – they are the ‘third defenseman’ back when the puck crosses into your own zone. That’s been the rule. If you’ve played hockey at any level, you know that’s true. If the center does not get back and help defend against the opponent’s rush or effectively cover the opposing center (among other things), your team virtually loses a defender, setting up the opponent for more success. And you know who plays first line center for the Buffalo Sabres? Jack Eichel.
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger needs to put forth a strong initiative to make Eichel’s defensive play stronger.
II. Rasmus Dahlin Needs to Be Let Loose.
This has to be one of the most frustrating issues I have with the Sabres. Dahlin is INSANELY talented with his skating, his stickhandling, and his general awareness on the ice. Combine all those things together, and you have the traits of an all-star FORWARD, let alone a defenseman.
Dahlin’s unique skill set seems to have landed him in a limbo state with the Sabres. They don’t know how to use him effectively. Once in a blue moon, Dahlin will have flashes of brilliance, but this is nothing compared to the insane moves and goals he put up in juniors. Yes, this is the NHL, but he was #1 overall for a reason. If we’re going to have the next Paul Coffey on our team, we might as well use him in a similar fashion.
Release Dahlin from his defense-heavy cage and let the kid go wild.
III. The Petty B.S Between Krueger and Skinner Needs to Stop.
This is just plain ridiculous, if true. I firmly believe that if the Sabres fail to make the playoffs again, this particular point is brought to the limelight and Krueger gets sacked (who gets the reference?).
Why is Skinner, one of our highest paid players, relegated to the fourth line? Replaced by…who? Tage Thompson? Really?
The drama between these two needs to end. I don’t care what it is. Hug it out or whatever adults who make millions of dollars do.
Skinner should still be on Eichel’s line. Why? Because together, they were one of the most unstoppable, dynamic duos in the league. Bring that back. Sure, things were different when the team only had 3 good skaters up front a few years ago, but times have changed. The Sabres have solid depth to work with. Switch wingers if you have to. Whatever it takes. Cut the crap and put Skinner with someone who can get him the puck.
What are YOUR frustrations with the Buffalo Sabres? Let us know in the comments below!
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