And his point is that there results aren’t. They are the worst two on the team besides McCabe who’s been atrocious at times at giving up shots.

I think Risto has been pretty good, but they just are not 23-25 min players
- sbroads24

what results?

yeah i dont think it has. Everything that was wrong last year is still wrong this year. Scandella's early season goal is offset by the fact that risto has generated next to nothing offensively.

i just think those two on the same pair doesn't work, especially at the minutes housley is giving them. I can't imagine it would actually fall apart for them if they switched up the pairings and reduced the top pair's minutes a bit.
- Sabresfan-365

am of the opinion that Housley's keeping this top-four intact until he, or they, feel dahlin is ready to play top-pairing minutes...

as for risto, didn't he just feed skinner the other night?


my god, we're five games in with a 3-2 record and a poopload of new players being worked into the lineup

what results?
- Michael Pachla

mentioned it in the other post you commented on. They may seem more engaged but what has it actually translated to? Their winning record isn't because of Risto and Scandella, in fact you could say it's impressive they have one in-spite of the fact that those two haven't done well in that role.

.

yeah i dont think it has. Everything that was wrong last year is still wrong this year. Scandella's early season goal is offset by the fact that risto has generated next to nothing offensively.

i just think those two on the same pair doesn't work, especially at the minutes housley is giving them. I can't imagine it would actually fall apart for them if they switched up the pairings and reduced the top pair's minutes a bit.
- Sabresfan-365

3A in 5 games?

They also said on the the broadcast against AZ that Risto was 19/20 on zone exits the game before. He's been getting tons of love for his vision on the breakout this year

am of the opinion that Housley's keeping this top-four intact until he, or they, feel dahlin is ready to play top-pairing minutes...

as for risto, didn't he just feed skinner the other night?


my god, we're five games in with a 3-2 record and a poopload of new players being worked into the lineup
- Michael Pachla

Is Ristolainen new? Yes he did feed skinner the other night. Does the one pass mean the pair has been much better than last year? I think they are what they are and beyond that I still don't think they're a good fit together.

3A in 5 games?

They also said on the the broadcast against AZ that Risto was 19/20 on zone exits the game before. He's been getting tons of love for his vision on the breakout this year
- jcragcrumple

I should clarify, the zone exit dig was at scandella, not risto. You know where Im going with the A's but I dont want to make this a powerplay debate

Is Ristolainen new? Yes he did feed skinner the other night. Does the one pass mean the pair has been much better than last year? I think they are what they are and beyond that I still don't think they're a good fit together.
- Sabresfan-365

fine...I have no problem with the top-four as constructed five games into the season, you do...


…

fine...I have no problem with the top-four as constructed five games into the season, you do...


…
- Michael Pachla

You also have no problem with the top pair seeing as many minutes as they have?

what results?
- Michael Pachla

Shots against, chances against.

Here’s an interesting tidbit. McCabe has taken the most D zone draws on the team. Ristolainen is third.

Shots against, chances against.

Here’s an interesting tidbit. McCabe has taken the most D zone draws on the team. Ristolainen is third.
- sbroads24

I also don't get the hate for Beaulieu-Nelson. Other than looking like every frat house bully from any college-centric movie ever, those two have played well in their role. It wouldn't kill them to give that pair a little more TOI and shave a bit off the top pair.

You also have no problem with the top pair seeing as many minutes as they have?
- Sabresfan-365

at this point five games into the season, no

mentioned it in the other post you commented on. They may seem more engaged but what has it actually translated to? Their winning record isn't because of Risto and Scandella, in fact you could say it's impressive they have one in-spite of the fact that those two haven't done well in that role.

.
- Sabresfan-365

To be fair, Scandella's goal was a game winner.

gotta admit I get a hankering for a quarterpounder w/cheese every now and then
- Michael Pachla

Shots against, chances against.

Here’s an interesting tidbit. McCabe has taken the most D zone draws on the team. Ristolainen is third.
- sbroads24

yet McCabe is getting grief here

To be fair, Scandella's goal was a game winner.
- adambuffalo

alright I'll take the L on that

yet McCabe is getting grief here
- Michael Pachla

I think McCabe has been really bad so far. Scandella too.

My point is that they are spreading the defensive responsibility out more than they did last year, and it still isn’t improving the “top pair” defensive numbers.

They should be split up.

yet McCabe is getting grief here
- Michael Pachla

I get why but he's more or less a babysitter right now so I try not to read into it.

I get why but he's more or less a babysitter right now so I try not to read into it.
- Sabresfan-365

He’s made some hilariously bad plays so far though

He’s made some hilariously bad plays so far though
- sbroads24

he has, im hoping as dahlin takes off mccabe can loosen the grip on his stick and just play.

I don't know man I think Risto has been noticeably better this year at his break out passing. for that matter so has all of the d-man. he hasn't been giving away the puck in his own zone nearly as much as last season.
Does the d need work still, yes but it's looked better then last years tire fire. and 5 games into the year I'll take it. My bet would be that they keep improving with the better coaching they are getting (Steve Smith)

Hi

it's time the best 20 or 21 skaters in the organization are with the big club


I could care less if we lose a few scrubs for nothing

get pilut, stinklander and olofsson with the big club soon

It's Nate Peterman appreciation day in Houston today


just sayin

It's Nate Peterman appreciation day in Houston today


just sayin
- homiedclown

That guy is robbing the NFL blind.

at this point five games into the season, no
- Michael Pachla

We finished last season 3rd worst in the league in Goals Against, we currently sit at 17th.

...so someone is doing something better on the back end and it's not just in goal.