Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Dennis Gilbert was signed by the Buffalo Sabres this past offseason to be a depth defenseman that knows how to keep himself ready, while also playing a physical game.
When you talk to his teammates, you hear about a guy that works hard, and will always have their back.
"He’s unbelievable. He’s a guy that every team wants," said Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin of his fellow blue liner. "He brings it all every day, and he’s a team-first guy. He absolutely loves Buffalo, he loves being here. He loves the boys, and we’re really lucky to have him."
Many of you know Gilbert's from Western New York, and enjoys the fact that he gets to put on the blue and gold.
"It was a dream of mine as a kid, so it’s been really cool," said Gilbert on Monday following practice. "I wish we were doing better, but the big thing I’ve learned about being around this group is everybody really cares about each other. I’m not saying I haven’t had that everywhere, but to this extent and the closeness I’ve had with the guys, it’s not something that happens across the league. So for me, personally, being home, it’s been amazing. I’m really close with my family, and to be able to see them, Christmas, Thanksgiving, stuff like that, it’s been great being home."
When Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff played in the NHL, he had some teammates that filled a role just like Gilbert does. He says those players were admired.
"It meant everything. I think 90% of the teams have a guy like that, that won’t play a lot, but will be a guy that will be there for you, whether its some type of physicality challenge or being a great guy inside the room, and is there in a second when anything occurs on the ice. I think it means a lot," said Ruff on Monday.
Gilbert has only played in 15 of the Sabres' 43 games this season, as they’re carrying eight defensemen. In 28 fewer games, Gilbert is second on the team with 43 minutes in penalties.
You’re not looking for offense from Gilbert on a nightly basis. You’re looking for someone who will be steady and physical.
Gilbert knows how to keep himself ready for when Ruff hands him a game jersey.
"It’s taking every day really seriously, and if you’re going to go a few days or a week or two without playing, you’ve got to treat your practices like games and prepare for those reps to be your most dialed in, so you’re ready to go when you’re called upon," Gilbert said.
Being physical is how Gilbert has been in the NHL, but what about before that?
"It’s something that I’ve always kind of had, and it’s become a focal point as my career has gone along," he said. "I’ve always had that physical edge, and being there for teammates has always been a part of me, because I was raised to take care of people around you."
There are no grey areas between Gilbert and Ruff.
"Lindy’s a very direct guy, and I personally like that," Gilbert said. "It’s very black and white what he expects from me, and that makes it easy on me to just go out and do those things. It’s be hard to play against, don’t get scored on, and be physical and bring energy in the room and on the bench."
In Thursday’s game against the Ottawa Senators, Brady Tkachuk walloped Jason Zucker from behind and only got a two-minute minor penalty. It was a vicious hit that should’ve been a major penalty, fine and a suspension. He got none of that, though.
Gilbert tried to address the situation, and challenged the normally tough Ottawa captain, but he declined. My guess is he remembers the beating he took from Gilbert in the game earlier this season in Buffalo.
Gilbert wasn’t expecting a player like Tkachuk to decline.
"I don’t want to throw gasoline on the fire, but I thought he would, for sure," Gilbert recalled. "I think he’s a world class player, a great leader. I have a lot of respect for him and how he plays the game, but I was a little taken aback that he didn’t want to address it right away. But we decided, as a team, that we have enough guys in here that can be physical on him. We had a bunch of guys that had big hits on him, and keep making his night as painful as possible. And then ultimately, it ends up happening super late in the game when I was least expecting it. Funny how that goes, but we were all committed to sending a message on behalf of 'Zucks' that that’s not going to fly with our team."
Tkachuk also got as close as he could to Gilbert, and hugged him before dropping the gloves, making it difficult for the big Sabres defenseman to connect any punches.
As far as Zucker goes, he’s been in this league a long time, and knows what a good teammate is.
"He’s a guy that, honestly, any team in this league would be happy to have him," said Zucker of Gilbert on Monday. "He’s one of those guys that I give a ton of credit to, because they get scratched 'X' amount of games and they’re expected to play at a high level and he does that.
"He’s got everyone’s back. He’s not afraid to get in there, sticks up for anybody, so he’s a great teammate. I’m happy to have him on my team."
MONDAY’S LINES:
Forwards:
Zucker – Cozens – Thompson
Peterka – McLeod – Tuch
Benson – Krebs – Quinn
Malenstyn – Kozak – Lafferty (Aube-Kubel)
Defense:
Dahlin – Byram
Bryson – Clifton
Power – Jokiharju
Samuelsson – Gilbert