I dont feel like getting into a full blown argument over it. Skills wise, its clearly obvious Dahlin has boatloads of talent and a reason he went #1. He will be our #1 D man in all situations very very very soon. My opinion is as of right now Ristolainen is our most all around polished guy.

He’s ok. He’s not an impact player. I’d be fine if he’s kept as long as he stops getting 25 minutes a night.
- sbroads24

He's a good #3

Get's power play points and isn't a complete tire fire (Scandella)

I dont feel like getting into a full blown argument over it. Skills wise, its clearly obvious Dahlin has boatloads of talent and a reason he went #1. He will be our #1 D man in all situations very very very soon. My opinion is as of right now Ristolainen is our most all around polished guy.
- Sabre_Tooth

Risto's polished isn't as good as Dahlin's rookie season

That's the issue you don't see

and I like Risto

Do all the people who want Quennville realize that he missed the playoffs with what was on paper a better team than what we have now?

Is it possible that Quennville benefited from having a stacked ass chicago team?

Is it possible that perhaps save for a few truly elite coaches, that most are a product of what they have to work with?

Are the issues with the roster about usage? lineups? Would a different coach make Ristolainen less of a liability at 26 minutes a night or is that doomed to fail regardless?

Could a new coach make Kyle Okposo less of a doorknob out there?

Does having a new guy behind the bench address the clear issues of depth both on the blue line and up front?
- Sabresfan-365

The only reason I don't want Q is the same reason I don't want any coach that won a cup. It's next to impossible for a coach to win cups with multiple teams. I think there's only been three, the last being Bowman. Laviolette might be the next.

Risto's polished isn't as good as Dahlin's rookie season

That's the issue you don't see

and I like Risto
- Stripes77

Agree to disagree

He was thrown to the wolves as the only competent defenseman when he was like 19. hes still only what 23/24? You can play him in pretty much every situation. There's a reason we turned down a 1 for 1 with EDM for Hall.
- Sabre_Tooth

So I agree he was rushed. I agree he is a competent top4 defender, probably (to me anyways) would be fine as a #3. Can log PP minutes. Seems to do much better when paired with Dahlin or Pilut, not sure why.

But if you could go back in time, you take Hall for Risto 9 days a week. That was a no brainer that GMTM, if true, (frank)ed us on.

So I agree he was rushed. I agree he is a competent top4 defender, probably (to me anyways) would be fine as a #3. Can log PP minutes. Seems to do much better when paired with Dahlin or Pilut, not sure why.

But if you could go back in time, you take Hall for Risto 9 days a week. That was a no brainer that GMTM, if true, (frank)ed us on.
- RhinoFan

However the other piece to that puzzle is do the Sabres still end up with Dahlin?

If you go back that season post Larsson for Hall trade you would want that trade all day everyday

I also can understand why Murray didn't pull the trigger as there was NOBODY else on the blue line besides Bogo who was on the IR all the time.

But that was a trade that should have been done.

I’m the smartest, most reasonable person I know.
- TheHank

How close do you sit to the ice?

Asking for a friend.

However the other piece to that puzzle is do the Sabres still end up with Dahlin?

If you go back that season post Larsson for Hall trade you would want that trade all day everyday

I also can understand why Murray didn't pull the trigger as there was NOBODY else on the blue line besides Bogo who was on the IR all the time.

But that was a trade that should have been done.
- Stripes77

Didn't think of that.

Maybe? Hall-Eichel would have been one of the best duos in the league. Does that get us out of last place though?

Either way, it was certainly, as you said, a deal that you take.

How close do you sit to the ice?

Asking for a friend.
- ImThatGuy

First row..... from my 55inch hdtv

Risto's polished isn't as good as Dahlin's rookie season

That's the issue you don't see

and I like Risto
- Stripes77

Block shots?
Hits?
Net front toughness?
Sense of urgency?

Risto

This is the disagreement

What caliber you and others think he is, is wildly different from some us
- sbroads24

I don't think Risto would be bad if he could focus at being a stay at home defenseman.

First row..... from my 55inch hdtv
- TheHank

Hank...mine is bigger than yours....LOL.

He’s ok. He’s not an impact player. I’d be fine if he’s kept as long as he stops getting 25 minutes a night.
- sbroads24

He's a huge impact player, both positive and negative. There's very few nights where he's just quietly decent. When plays more conservative, he's at his worst.

He's a huge impact player, both positive and negative. There's very few nights where he's just quietly decent. When plays more conservative, he's at his worst.
- Lunaion

Lol, yeah I agree

Dahlin is our #1 d-man already. Risto is a good player and will benefit from playing with Pilut as he is good and what Risto lacks (possession and first pass out of the zone). Risto should not be moved as we have nothing to replace him with. Dahlin’s last 15 games according to advanced statistics even makes Hedman and Karlsson look weak.

https://twitter.com/brian.../1084857689493200896?s=21

Click the link if you don’t believe me.

Lol, yeah I agree
- sbroads24

I'm surprised you're on risto after yesterday's game?

Scandella
Bogo
Bowl u

These guys flat out suck.

Also, expectations change as a season progresses.

For example a company sets a $100MM sales forecast.

They blow Q1 sales out of the water, ahead by $20MM.
Q2 sales are some of the worst in recent memory.

They are still on pace for right around $100MM sales.

Should they just stay the course, because they are on pace or make changes?
- ImThatGuy

Yes, 100%. Because until you have more data you don't know which one was truly the anomaly. And like almost everything, the truth is somewhere in between. As long as the overall trend is in the right direction(it is) then you don't make drastic moves for the hell of it. Auston Matthews has 1 goal in the last 10 games, he should obviously be put on the 4th line because he sucks.

Comparing Risto vs Dahlin past 15 games.

https://twitter.com/rk_st.../1084856118915026944?s=21

He's a huge impact player, both positive and negative. There's very few nights where he's just quietly decent. When plays more conservative, he's at his worst.
- Lunaion

There isn't a player in the league that plays as much as Risto that doesn't get embarrassed.

I do find it a bit amusing that people somehow poop on Risto because the most hyped defenseman to come out in 40 years is better than him. "Well, an 18 year old is better than him", let's hope so, JFC.

Dahlin has been sublime at times, but he's also made more than his fair share of big-time (frank) ups that have ended up in the back of the net. Yeah, he's a rookie, and hopefully he learns, he's still making some of those same mistakes. I'm not worried about it and I think he will learn, but he doesn't get a free pass just because he's a rookie.

There isn't a player in the league that plays as much as Risto that doesn't get embarrassed.

I do find it a bit amusing that people somehow poop on Risto because the most hyped defenseman to come out in 40 years is better than him. "Well, an 18 year old is better than him", let's hope so, JFC.

Dahlin has been sublime at times, but he's also made more than his fair share of big-time (frank) ups that have ended up in the back of the net. Yeah, he's a rookie, and hopefully he learns, he's still making some of those same mistakes. I'm not worried about it and I think he will learn, but he doesn't get a free pass just because he's a rookie.
- Wetbandit1

Im not poopting on Risto because Dahlin is great, Risto wasn't good before Dahlin got here too.

At that level of ice time, it's pretty clear who belongs and who doesn't. Cause those guys are either taking advantage of that ice time and producing or they are getting caved in.

I get that him being in that role isn't his fault and i can even be convinced that in the right role he's good and has a future here. But the amusing part for me is those who think he is still succeeding in his current role.

If he was top pair caliber we are a playoff team

I'm surprised you're on risto after yesterday's game?

Scandella
Bogo
Bowl u

These guys flat out suck.
- Boss34

I had given up on BOGO but he has been very good this year. His partner for most of last night (McCabe) had a rough night.

Attaboy!!!

While you're at it, practice a bit with pluralization, OK??
- Der Kaiser

I just don't understand how you dont see that Ristolainen is the best defenseman on this team.
- Sabre_Tooth

I don't know if this is serious or not.

I'm one of Risto's biggest fans here, but Dahlin is better.

If it was sarcastic, never mind and carry on.

However the other piece to that puzzle is do the Sabres still end up with Dahlin?

If you go back that season post Larsson for Hall trade you would want that trade all day everyday

I also can understand why Murray didn't pull the trigger as there was NOBODY else on the blue line besides Bogo who was on the IR all the time.

But that was a trade that should have been done.
- Stripes77

Hindsight is 20/20. I dont know the timeline of that trade proposal, but until we got Dahlin, or Defense core looked just as bad as Edmontons.