I wouldn’t consider Risto a whiff, really.

He’s just a 2nd pairing D man. Sure you could do much better at pick 8 but he’s not Morin
- sbroads24

It could be worse he could be Bobby Sanguinetti

Or Pysyk

I wouldn’t consider Risto a whiff, really.

He’s just a 2nd pairing D man. Sure you could do much better at pick 8 but he’s not Morin
- sbroads24

yeah not a whiff as in bust more as in they were probably hoping for an anchor for the blueline when they made that pick

yeah not a whiff as in bust more as in they were probably hoping for an anchor for the blueline when they made that pick
- Sabresfan-365

I mean i can disagree...but i think we all know where you, I, and sbroads stand on the Risto issue lol

I mean i can disagree...but i think we all know where you, I, and sbroads stand on the Risto issue lol
- feetontheair22

lol yeah i guess so. Im not sure too many people still think he's a top pairing guy. Even Botts before the year started called him a good top 4 guy.

I mean i can disagree...but i think we all know where you, I, and sbroads stand on the Risto issue lol
- feetontheair22

I’m just of the mind that if Ristolainen, and to an extent O’Reilly were as good as their reputations, we wouldn’t be in 30th.

Eichel is fantastic. He has the numbers (5 on 5 too) to back it up.

The other guys don’t. They don’t suck. They just aren’t that good.

My opinion of course

It could be worse he could be Bobby Sanguinetti

Or Pysyk
- Der Kaiser

Don't twist the knife!

Eichel currently tied for 6th in 5v5 goals.

I’m just of the mind that if Ristolainen, and to an extent O’Reilly were as good as their reputations, we wouldn’t be in 30th.

Eichel is fantastic. He has the numbers (5 on 5 too) to back it up.

The other guys don’t. They don’t suck. They just aren’t that good.

My opinion of course
- sbroads24

Regardless of where you think Risto should be...I think we can all agree that this constant turnover of coaches and D-partners has hampered his ability to develop.

Yes

throw in a second rd pick in 2019 and will borgen


does that make it close?
- homiedclown

No no no

I’m just of the mind that if Ristolainen, and to an extent O’Reilly were as good as their reputations, we wouldn’t be in 30th.

Eichel is fantastic. He has the numbers (5 on 5 too) to back it up.

The other guys don’t. They don’t suck. They just aren’t that good.


My opinion of course
- sbroads24

They are good players. They need depth to really bring their game up. Only Eichel can do that.

I don't like O'rielly, mainly because he plays like a hunchback with a warrior stick. Without him this team is significantly worse though.

Regardless of where you think Risto should be...I think we can all agree that this constant turnover of coaches and D-partners has hampered his ability to develop.
- feetontheair22

I agree with that to an extent but he's 23 now and i know d-men develop a lot differently than forwards but at this point the bulk of his developing has already come and gone.

They are good players. They need depth to really bring their game up. Only Eichel can do that.

I don't like O'rielly, mainly because he plays like a hunchback with a warrior stick. Without him this team is significantly worse though.
- washedup20

Yes, agreed. Just not “core” good.

O’Reilly is a good 2nd line center who’s deployed like he’s Bergeron or Kopitar.

Risto plays the minutes of Karlsson with half the results.

Depth is a major issue, but so is star power IMO.

Yes
- MLew65

I agree

No no no
- MLew65

I don’t feel that strongly about it.

lol yeah i guess so. Im not sure too many people still think he's a top pairing guy. Even Botts before the year started called him a good top 4 guy.
- Sabresfan-365

Just about everyone on the Sabres, save Eichel, ROR and Kane are playing at least a line higher than their production/capabilities. K

I wouldn’t consider Risto a whiff, really.

He’s just a 2nd pairing D man. Sure you could do much better at pick 8 but he’s not Morin
- sbroads24

I laughed when Philly picked him
Totally called that bust
Plus, it allowed Zadorov to drop to us
And we probably couldn’t have made the O’Reilly trade without him
Although, I like that trade still & you don’t, so I guess u might see the whole scenario differently

And I think you’re overly harsh on Risto

It could be worse he could be Bobby Sanguinetti

Or Pysyk
- Der Kaiser

How’s Pysyk doing in Florida?
I know they re-signed him, but I haven’t watched them play at all

Keep him and Ullmark in Rochester. They are too good for this edition of the Sabres and they may actually help them win some games that they shouldn't this year. The year is shot - might as well aim for #30 or #31.

I’m just of the mind that if Ristolainen, and to an extent O’Reilly were as good as their reputations, we wouldn’t be in 30th.

Eichel is fantastic. He has the numbers (5 on 5 too) to back it up.

The other guys don’t. They don’t suck. They just aren’t that good.

My opinion of course
- sbroads24

I think their numbers will improve as the team around them gets better

Guys like Eichel, who can put up great numbers on a crappy team, are few & far between

Regardless of where you think Risto should be...I think we can all agree that this constant turnover of coaches and D-partners has hampered his ability to develop.
- feetontheair22

It certainly hasn’t helped
Stability does matter imo
Especially with youngsters

I think their numbers will improve as the team around them gets better

Guys like Eichel, who can put up great numbers on a crappy team, are few & far between
- jdfitz77

Just look at Edmonton

I think their numbers will improve as the team around them gets better

Guys like Eichel, who can put up great numbers on a crappy team, are few & far between
- jdfitz77

In what sense though? Ristolainen has gone from gorges to kulikov to scandella, each one was an upgrade.

His numbers would definitely improve if he wasnt being asked to do so much but that's kind of the problem. His numbers could go up if he isn't being treated like a core player, which means were short a few of those.

Just look at Edmonton
- Der Kaiser

Not sure I get the comparison

Yes, agreed. Just not “core” good.

O’Reilly is a good 2nd line center who’s deployed like he’s Bergeron or Kopitar.

Risto plays the minutes of Karlsson with half the results.

Depth is a major issue, but so is star power IMO.
- sbroads24

I guess that’s fair...
but idk that anyone is saying Risto is Karlsson?

O’Reilly is deployed like that bc we don’t have anything behind him
We’ve got 2 lines
A legit 3rd line will help this team A LOT

That’s why I wanted to see Sam at center
But he looked pretty bad with mediocre linemates
I’m surprised to still see him struggling so much
He’s not gonna be a difference maker,
but I at least thought he could be good

You may have been right about him after all