Despite believing that's part of the cost, all that would do is turn this team more into Colorado than it already is.
- TheSabresTaco

Agreed...

he has peaked.
- jochfr

He peaked 4 years ago, moron.

He's not, but I stuck up for Tyler Myers for 3 years so I get it.

If we win a cup it will be with a guy better than Ristolainen as the #1
- sbroads24

Risto is currently the fourth-best defenseman in the division. Maybe higher. Comparing Tyler Myers to Ristolainen is absurd. One was an offensive defenseman, the other is an all situations defenseman. As for finding a defenseman, you won't find anybody who can play in all situations as he does.

Hell, he's better than any defenseman Pittsburgh had on their cup-winning team

I hope you didn't miss the "But Miller's better" argument after beating Montreal.

A true classic.
- TheSabresTaco

No I saw there was posts about Lehner getting pulled the previous game and I hit that little "X" button on the top of the page

No I saw there was posts about Lehner getting pulled the previous game and I hit that little "X" button on the top of the page
- Stripes77

Ah, you left too soon!

So Rasmus Ristolainen, 22, will never be elite? Go on.
- TheSabresTaco

I don't think so. You're welcome to.

Risto is a franchise defenseman. Risto is probably elite now, and will rightly be considered moving forward. He plays 30 minutes a night on a team that can't score 5-on-5 and he's only a -2
- jcragcrumple

this is a solid post.

I don't think so. You're welcome to.
- sbroads24

Just curious. What defines "elite" and what makes you think he won't develop any farther than he has up to this point in his 3-years-away-from-average-prime-age-of-defensemen?

I don't think so. You're welcome to.
- sbroads24

Let me get this straight

Season 1 20 points -32
Season 2 41 points -21
Season 3 on pace for 50 points and is only a -2 even though "most of his points come on the PP" has peaked at 22 years old?

Risto is currently the fourth-best defenseman in the division. Maybe higher. Comparing Tyler Myers to Ristolainen is absurd. One was an offensive defenseman, the other is an all situations defenseman. As for finding a defenseman, you won't find anybody who can play in all situations as he does.

Hell, he's better than any defenseman Pittsburgh had on their cup-winning team
- jcragcrumple

You think he's better than Letang? Jesus Christ

Just curious. What defines "elite" and what makes you think he won't develop any farther than he has up to this point in his 3-years-away-from-average-prime-age-of-defensemen?
- TheSabresTaco

Because his underlying numbers are brutal for a "elite" player.

And no I don't think he's peaked

You think he's better than Letang? Jesus Christ
- sbroads24

Letang is not an all around defenseman so, yeah.

Despite believing that's part of the cost, all that would do is turn this team more into Colorado than it already is.
- TheSabresTaco

I dont disagree, but the D played pretty well the last game. Also I don't know his plan for the expansion draft, but moving players that would need to be protected might be part of his plan. I like McCabe, but if you want a Colorado player, that would be (as you stated) part of the cost.

Who knows, just keep hearing we are in the talks with Colorado and I can't believe that is true if we are not offering McCabe up in the deal. Maybe we are getting a dman back that Murray likes? Colorado has little D that I would want though.

You think he's better than Letang? Jesus Christ
- sbroads24

If you look at Letang's career Risto is on a pretty similar path except Risto is scoring more in his 3rd year than Letang and he doesn't have a lineup of Malkin and Crosby to play with either

You think he's better than Letang? Jesus Christ
- sbroads24

Yes, I think he's better than Kris Letang. He's also more durable than, and he plays more minutes than Kris Letang.

Letang is not an all around defenseman so, yeah.
- Khmylev

Yeah, he is. Letang is great on both O and D

Yeah, he is. Letang is great on both O and D
- sbroads24

Please confirm that with Pens fans. My cousin strongly disagrees about his defensive talent.

Please confirm that with Pens fans. My cousin strongly disagrees about his defensive talent.
- TheSabresTaco

Sorry, but fans have the worst opinions of their own players. I'm a Winnipeg fan so my opinion of the Sabres matters more

Kulikov back at practice.

Hopefully his case of butthurt has been cured

Because his underlying numbers are brutal for a "elite" player.

And no I don't think he's peaked
- sbroads24

What are these underlying numbers, are they independent of partner and team performance, and have they not improved with age?

Letang is a minus 5 on a team with a plus 35 goal differential. elite.

Sorry, but fans have the worst opinions of their own players. I'm a Winnipeg fan so my opinion of the Sabres matters more
- sbroads24

So your opinion of Letang's D talent is legit but his is not. Why do you do what you do.

(Not by us) but does Drew Miller get claimed?

I say yes, maybe Nashville? (They claim everyone!) Weird now that Detroit had a couple injuries (Vanek, Larkin) they might want him back. Can they claim their own player? lol

(Not by us) but does Drew Miller get claimed?

I say yes, maybe Nashville? (They claim everyone!) Weird now that Detroit had a couple injuries (Vanek, Larkin) they might want him back. Can they claim their own player? lol
- Lilroot9

I admit I'm slightly intrigued by his PK abilities, something we need quite badly.

What are these underlying numbers, are they independent of partner and team performance, and have they not improved with age?
- TheSabresTaco

His 5 on 5 scoring is brutal
His relative corsi is brutal
His shot suppression is brutal

I like him as a player. I think he's good. But just looking as his point total, and minutes are incredibly misleading. They go hand in hand. If we had Shattenkirk I'd guarantee Risto's point totals come down, and hopefully his defensive numbers get better.

He's a 1B/2A type of player who's being leaned on like he's Viktor Hedman