Let's be honest about this. Leopold has been offensively very helpful and he`s having a career season here (although injured right now). Fortunately his defensive lapses are not too many, not as many as Sekera or Butler. He`s not afraid to shoot the puck, unlike Tallinder or Lydman. He perfectly compliments Montador which make one of the better defensive lines this season.
Let's be honest about this. Leopold has been offensively very helpful and he`s having a career season here (although injured right now). Fortunately his defensive lapses are not too many, not as many as Sekera or Butler. He`s not afraid to shoot the puck, unlike Tallinder or Lydman. He perfectly compliments Montador which make one of the better defensive lines this season.
Overall, I think he's been the team's best defenseman this season.
So I like what you're throwing down here, and I would subscribe to more
I wonder what it is about Lindy's system where some defensemen just happen to work, like Leopold and Monty.
It seems like it favors smooth-skating, positionally guys who don't have to be overly physical.
Either way, it's worked well with us getting decently priced UFA's and watching them flourish.
While I don't think I'd call Montador a "smooth skater", I can agree that Lindy's system is odd in that it can make mediocre defensemen very valuable and highly touted ones such as Kalinin disposable.
While I don't think I'd call Montador a "smooth skater", I can agree that Lindy's system is odd in that it can make mediocre defensemen very valuable and highly touted ones such as Kalinin disposable.
Kalinin found the fast track out of the NHL once he left the Sabres.
While I don't think I'd call Montador a "smooth skater", I can agree that Lindy's system is odd in that it can make mediocre defensemen very valuable and highly touted ones such as Kalinin disposable.
While I don't think I'd call Montador a "smooth skater", I can agree that Lindy's system is odd in that it can make mediocre defensemen very valuable and highly touted ones such as Kalinin disposable.
Kalinin did himself in by being a basket-case out on the ice. Ruff's system had zero to do with that.
I'm in the group of people who have been pleasantly surprised by Leopold's play this year - while I expected the defensive lapses he's had, I didn't anticipate the extent of offense he'd bring.
However, I'd like to see if he repeats it next season as well or if he falls off. We all remember the FA signing of Spacek to a similar 3 year deal. Spacek was mediocre in Year 1, great in Year 2 and mediocre again in Year 3.
I'm hoping Leopold won't suffer the same kind of up and down career as a Sabre.
Leopold's 34 points are a career high and have him in the league's top 25 among defencemen. His goal Saturday was his first in 12 contests, but also set a personal best.
"It's been a good year," Leopold said. "As of late it's been a little bit tougher, but we're winning as a team and that's all that really matters."
Quote:
For maybe the first time in his NHL career, Leopold is comfortable in his role and in his skates in Buffalo.
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