If you show Risto that you care now, and want him to be a big part of this team moving forward, then when he's 27-28 and wants another big contract (Given he lives up to his potential) He may be inclined to stay with the team and give us a hometown discount like Stamkos did for Tampa.
- sskkoo1

You want the Lotto numbers too ? That's a lot of wishfull thinking a long ways away.

I was worried about it as well, however the Bills linebackers aren't slow. Kap doesn't have the accuracy to beat the DB's and the 49er's running game is non existent against a very good run defense.

It is a trap game though, if the Bills lose no reason to watch the rest of the season, if they win they are supposed to win...
- Stripes77

Honestly I don't think Kaep is that bad. I think our CBs are going to be the difference in winning and losing. Play well and get a few turnovers and let the defense and run game do the rest.

If the Bills are 5-2 and lose to the Pats and Seahawks you have to beat the Bengals. So we'll see how that goes.

If someone offer sheets Ristolainen $6.5 the Sabres would most likely match. They know this. Ristolainen knows this, and so does every other team. It's the $7 or $8 million that would get the Sabres to walk away, and probably is what nobody else is willing to pay him.
- buffalofan19

What is compensation for a 6.5 M AAV offer sheet? If it is 2 or more 1sts, I don't think anyone is offering that much for him.

It's not INVESTING, its OVERPAYING...that is a bad thing.

You overpay on July 1st, you do not over pay on October 11th especially for one of your own.
- Stripes77

I still say give him the money but I agree that this is why they're standing their ground. He isn't worth that money yet. Play for 5.75 and show us you are. Something will happen. Eventually.

What is compensation for a 6.5 M AAV offer sheet? If it is 2 or more 1sts, I don't think anyone is offering that much for him.
- Hatboro_Swords

1st, 2nd, 3rd. At 7.5 it goes to 2 1sts, 1 2nd, 1 3rd

What is compensation for a 6.5 M AAV offer sheet? If it is 2 or more 1sts, I don't think anyone is offering that much for him.
- Hatboro_Swords

Under $7.250 I beleive; it is 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Over that number (maybe it is $7.5) it is 2 -1sts +

Under $7.250 I beleive; it is 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Over that number (maybe it is $7.5) it is 2 -1sts +
- IonSabres

number of years is relevant too. for example 7.25*8 comes out to 58 mil but when calculating the compensation that 58 mil is divided by 5 which increases the compensation you'd need to give up.

I still say give him the money but I agree that this is why they're standing their ground. He isn't worth that money yet. Play for 5.75 and show us you are. Something will happen. Eventually.
- Zschalberg

This is GMTM's first time negotiating with a RFA asking for big money, how this plays out with effect how other bigger named RFA's negotiate in the future. He has to be careful.

What is compensation for a 6.5 M AAV offer sheet? If it is 2 or more 1sts, I don't think anyone is offering that much for him.
- Hatboro_Swords

https://twitter.com/CapFr...31124825746513920/photo/1

This is GMTM's first time negotiating with a RFA asking for big money, how this plays out with effect how other bigger named RFA's negotiate in the future. He has to be careful.
- Stripes77

Also he's had 1 good year. Like seriously have we learned nothing from 57 and the other guy we got back in the kane deal?

You want the Lotto numbers too ? That's a lot of wishfull thinking a long ways away.
- cabin

This is GMTM's first time negotiating with a RFA asking for big money, how this plays out with effect how other bigger named RFA's negotiate in the future. He has to be careful.
- Stripes77

He hasn't committed ,so I would say he IS being careful

Also he's had 1 good year. Like seriously have we learned nothing from 57 and the other guy we got back in the kane deal?
- Sabresfan-365

you could make a case his last 2 months were meh

He hasn't committed ,so I would say he IS being careful
- cabin

or scared

This is GMTM's first time negotiating with a RFA asking for big money, how this plays out with effect how other bigger named RFA's negotiate in the future. He has to be careful.
- Stripes77

it seems like those on here that are saying just give him what he wants think that those of us saying they can't do that think we don't like him or don't want him on the team that bad. I can't speak for anyone else, but I hate the idea that he may not start the season on time. I think he's an important piece. But I can't fault Murray for standing his ground here. And really, if he wanted to, all he has to do is point to all those advanced stats that the analysts are pointing to saying he's not good to use as leverage.

We all know a good portion of the reason why those stats aren't great. But Risto needs to understand that they aren't completely invalid either and that they're part of the problem here.

- homiedclown

you could make a case his last 2 months were meh
- homiedclown

So then why is it on Murray that a deal isn't done? If a player with 1 good year where the last two months were "meh" wouldnt you draw a line in the sand as well?

or scared
- homiedclown

Or waiting for the other ball too drop.

you could make a case his last 2 months were meh
- homiedclown

Too many hard minutes for 1 player. It wears on you by the end of the season. It's not like the majority of those 26ish mins per game were spent in the offensive zone.

Too many hard minutes for 1 player. It wears on you by the end of the season. It's not like the majority of those 26ish mins per game were spent in the offensive zone.
- HonkFortheGoose

Seemed to be a ton of goals scored against us while Risto was on the ice.

Or waiting for the other ball too drop.
- cabin

Second this. Murray isn't alone in this. Anaheim and Lindholm are in the same place and once one goes I'd expect the other to follow quickly after.

Difference is Anaheim has better players other than Lindholm, whereas Risto is our best by far. We'll see how it goes.

Seemed to be a ton of goals scored against us while Risto was on the ice.
- cabin

True, but when you're always on the ice that's kind of going to happen, no?

He's good. He's not amazing. But he's good.

Seemed to be a ton of goals scored against us while Risto was on the ice.
- cabin

sounds like he is a bust.. lets just let him walk

True, but when you're always on the ice that's kind of going to happen, no?

He's good. He's not amazing. But he's good.
- Zschalberg

Agreed . He is good .

Without Ristolainen what is our team looking like game 1? Assuming ROR and Okposo play:

Ennis-ROR-Okposo
Kane-Eichel-Reinhart
Moulson-Girgensons-Grant
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta

Kulikov-Nelson
McCabe-Bogosian
Gorges-Franson
(No particular order on the pairings, just replacing Risto with Nelson)

Guhle might stay up, has what, 9 games before he has to go back down? Risto's absence could give him some time to try and prove he belongs in the NHL.