He doesn't put up nearly enough points in all situations to justify the defensive lapses and im not talking about the misplay from last game. He's always been labeled an offensive d-man but all his offense is generated on the power play.

So at best we're talking some Green/Phaneuf Hybrid. Thats not a guy you want on your top pair.
- Sabresfan-365

I’ve been wanting to believe Rist is a #2 for two 2 years.
It isn’t happening. His defense is lacking for that role, and he doesn’t carry the mail either. Perfect 3-4.

Risto is a 1/2 a point guy for his career with terrible players surrounding him. Basically on a franchise who have been trying to lose his whole career.

I'm old school, points are points. 5 x 5, 5 x3 doesn't matter.

Go to the nhl website and look at goal difference.
The best 15 or 16 teams are in the playoffs.

The worst are at the bottom

It does not distinguish between pp, sh or 5 x 5.
- Boss34

when the majority of the game is played 5v5 and your so called top guy can only perform/produce when he's on the man advantage it absolutely matters.

I’ve been wanting to believe Rist is a #2 for two 2 years.
It isn’t happening. His defense is lacking for that role, and he doesn’t carry the mail either. Perfect 3-4.
- IonSabres

Agreed. Ive been waiting for him to take the next step. even if his partner is trash, and they definitely have been, youd think hed be able to take his offense to the next level.

Where's the oft-injured, disc spinning Bogo on your top 7 list for the Sabres? Nobody will trade for that albatross contract or player. IF we were to get Dahlin, I am guessing that Antipin is not part of the future. With the way he has been handled this year by the Sabres, I don't think he'll come back, even if we want him.
- SabreWest

The best answer is that they're projecting him to be injured.

On Antitpin, I don't know why people give him a pass this year, and dismiss the idea that he might just go home.

Beaulieu is also under contract for another year
- MCGUIZZY

good point, now we have 2

#7/8 defensemen with blowgo

good point, now we have 2

#7/8 defensemen with blowgo
- Boss34

Quantity over quality

when the majority of the game is played 5v5 and your so called top guy can only perform/produce when he's on the man advantage it absolutely matters.
- Sabresfan-365

Explain how the top goal differential teams are in?

If they are also 5 x 5 leaders, then sure you are correct.

But to pretend Kane is good because he does well 5 x 5 is a joke in my opinion.

Same goes for Ror. His 5 x 5 numbers are not good, I do not care. Maybe it's me.

good point, now we have 2

#7/8 defensemen with blowgo
- Boss34

Blow-u and Blow-go ... good thing we don’t have a player with “me” at the end of their name, lol.

Can we get them tickets on the bus with a Moulson? Expensive bus.

The best answer is that they're projecting him to be injured.

On Antitpin, I don't know why people give him a pass this year, and dismiss the idea that he might just go home.
- Lunaion

Maybe the sabres let antipin and his agent know:
Expect to play 40-50 games
The contract is who proof right?

Is he a rfa?

Blow-u and Blow-go ... good thing we don’t have a player with “me” at the end of their name, lol.

Can we get them tickets on the bus with a Moulson? Expensive bus.
- IonSabres

That's funny.
😀😀

Miko kovu?

Explain how the top goal differential teams are in?

If they are also 5 x 5 leaders, then sure you are correct.

But to pretend Kane is good because he does well 5 x 5 is a joke in my opinion.

Same goes for Ror. His 5 x 5 numbers are not good, I do not care. Maybe it's me.
- Boss34

7 of the top 10 teams in the league also happen to be top 10 in 5v5 goal differential.

STL and Anaheim are 11 and 13 respectively. Los angeles is the big outlier at 16th but they've conceded the third fewest amount of 5v5 goals in the nhl. They're relying on strong two way play for now although i imagine they'll make a play for a forward between now and the deadline.

That's funny.
😀😀

Miko kovu?
- Boss34

7 of the top 10 teams in the league also happen to be top 10 in 5v5 goal differential.

STL and Anaheim are 11 and 13 respectively. Los angeles is the big outlier at 16th but they've conceded the third fewest amount of 5v5 goals in the nhl. They're relying on strong two way play for now although i imagine they'll make a play for a forward between now and the deadline.
- Sabresfan-365

Kane? He is fabulous at the 5v5 hockeying.

We're good. I like it here. Our very own dysfunctional hockey family.
- Khmylev

It's very rarely dull, that's for sure.

Kane? He is fabulous at the 5v5 hockeying.
- IonSabres

In december sure.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a trade.

According to a breaking news report from Toronto Maple Leafs Public Relations, the teams has traded 32-year-old veteran center Eric Fehr to the San Jose Sharks. In exchange the Maple Leafs will be getting a 7th round draft pick from the Sharks organization.

Not sure if im late...

Risto is a 1/2 a point guy for his career with terrible players surrounding him. Basically on a franchise who have been trying to lose his whole career.

I'm old school, points are points. 5 x 5, 5 x3 doesn't matter.

Go to the nhl website and look at goal difference.
The best 15 or 16 teams are in the playoffs.

The worst are at the bottom

It does not distinguish between pp, sh or 5 x 5.
- Boss34

Only thing is that in the playoffs, the Refs swallow their whistles...so, if you heavily rely on the PP (I like to PP), then you are handcuffed. The odds say Gotta be good at the 5v5

In december sure.
- Sabresfan-365

It’s always Christmas in Kane’s mind

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a trade.

According to a breaking news report from Toronto Maple Leafs Public Relations, the teams has traded 32-year-old veteran center Eric Fehr to the San Jose Sharks. In exchange the Maple Leafs will be getting a 7th round draft pick from the Sharks organization.

Not sure if im late...
- jochfr

Must be to rid themselves of a contract...getting ready for College players? That would be pretty attractive.

Except who would give up someone so sound defensively for Risto?

Defensive d-man doesn't mean what it used to mean. These days it's a guy who can limit chances/time spent in d-zone and quickly turn defense into offense.

Dumoulin did this pretty well for the Pens

The bigger issue is that it's a projected line up based on sub 20% odds.
- Sabresfan-365

Fair enough
But someone has to get Dahlin

If we don’t...
then i guess our best hope is that whoever we get for Kane can help on defense

And that we can trade Same for a promising defenseman as well

I don’t think it’s likely we get a “#1” is either scenario,
but maybe they end up being a couple 2/3s that we can add

Pitt won without a top pair quality guy,
so it can be done

Only thing is that in the playoffs, the Refs swallow their whistles...so, if you heavily rely on the PP (I like to PP), then you are handcuffed. The odds say Gotta be good at the 5v5
- IonSabres

Not sure how common this is since the Sabres haven't been in the playoffs in forever and I don't have cable, but, I remember back in 98-99, the Sabres and the Stars had the #1 and #2 PP and PK during the playoffs

Fair enough
But someone has to get Dahlin

If we don’t...
then i guess our best hope is that whoever we get for Kane can help on defense

And that we can trade Same for a promising defenseman as well

I don’t think it’s likely we get a “#1” is either scenario,
but maybe they end up being a couple 2/3s that we can add

Pitt won without a top pair quality guy,
so it can be done
- jdfitz77

Why are you so dismissive of Hughes and Boqvist? Just because they arent in the headlines doesnt mean they cant be difference makers too.

Far more likely to get a top pair guy out of that then whatever throw in we get for kane. Lets be honest, the ship has sailed (was never there imo) on getting a difference maker for him

Reinhart is such a wild card value wise its hard to know.

Maybe the sabres let antipin and his agent know:
Expect to play 40-50 games
The contract is who proof right?

Is he a rfa?
- Boss34

Not sure what you mean there. He was only permitted to sign a 1 year ELC. He's RFA, but he could simply elect to go back to the KHL. It's been a miserable season for him. I don't know why people spin it any other way.

Not yet. I also have high hopes for Guhle, but he starts with the 3rd pairing.
- jzabawa

I’m good with that
I was more projecting what the defense would look like for the next 5years or so

Even if we win the draft lottery does anyone think Dahlin is going to be a #1 X-men next year? I mean seriously he might never turn into a #1 guy, he could just be a better Brian Campbell. I think asking him to play on the #1 pair in the first year is a stretch.