Photo MICHELINE VELUVOLU
By Brandon J. Koch
After a disastrous start on the blue line for the Buffalo Sabres, many fans are wondering why management is not giving Brendan Guhle from Rochester a call up.
The defense core has dealt with injuries and struggling play. Bogosian, Gorges, Beaulieu, and now Rasmus Ristolainen have all been injured. We have seen AHL type and 7th defensemen play high minutes in these games.
So why not Guhle? The team called up Zach Redmond this morning. Head coach Phil Housley said Guhle wasn’t considered at all for a call up. They want him to concentrate on his development.
In my opinion, this is smart. We’ve seen a glimpse of Guhle last season before he went back to junior, played in junior playoffs, and then finished with Rochester.
After being assigned to Rochester during camp this fall, it was almost a given at least to me, that he would stay the whole year there. Think about it, Jason Botterill since day one has preached development. He’s the top Sabres prospect. They want him to be properly developed. Another sign? The defensemen that have played so far instead of Guhle. He has more talent than them, by far. Why put the kid through this mess when he can be playing 20+ minutes a game in Rochester? No brainer to me.
After a slow start, Guhle has put up 5 points the last three games. He’s getting more into the rush, has adapted and grown into the minutes he’s getting. We know he has offensive skill, the part the Sabres want him to develop in is being that shutdown man.
Know matter how this season will go for the Sabres, I will be tuned into every Rochester game.
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