I am not opposed to trading Risto, but I would want a very nice piece in return. To me though, what your stats show is that GMs should be very interested in McCabe, who I think is easier to part with. I admit I am partial to Risto. I really enjoy watching him play

Nice job assembling the stats
- jcragcrumple

I would be fine moving McCabe too, and have even suggested it but I don’t think he gets what Risto would.

I think though since he can play the right side and has with Dahlin at different times this year he could step into that role if they moved 55 for a bonafide top 6’er

If we could get a draisitl type player for Risto (maybe +) I think i could live with moving on from Risto.

He is great when he is on his game and not being overworked by the coaching staff
- Shadman306

I also don't think we'd be selling high on Risto right now.

Offensive, physical RHD never go out of style

I would be fine moving McCabe too, and have even suggested it but I don’t think he gets what Risto would.

I think though since he can play the right side and has with Dahlin at different times this year he could step into that role if they moved 55 for a bonafide top 6’er
- sbroads24

I agree. For the right guy, I'm down. I'd have to hear names though.

Interesting stat IMO

Since 2016-17 (last 2 1/2 years) at 5 on 5

Goals

Risto 10
McCabe - 6

Primary assists

Ristolainen- 15
McCabe 14

Total points

Ristolainen - 44
McCabe - 34


Not that big of a difference, until you see the minutes played in that span

Risto - 3727
McCabe 2804

900 more minutes and just 10 more 5 on 5 points

With Dahlin and Pilut, I’m not sure Risto is even the third best offensive D man we have.

Regardless of opinion on him. We should sell high
- sbroads24

Here’s a genuine question I havent really considered before - how do those numbers at /60 compare to other U25 NHLers?

If they’re sort of mediocre, then selling high and taking advantage of his reputation to obtain an inflated price is the right move.

If they’re both pretty good, then it suggests we should just retain valuable and producing assets.

I am not opposed to trading Risto, but I would want a very nice piece in return. To me though, what your stats show is that GMs should be very interested in McCabe, who I think is easier to part with. I admit I am partial to Risto. I really enjoy watching him play

Nice job assembling the stats
- jcragcrumple

I understand why people are cautious about moving Risto

I like watching him play (when he is playing well)

If you get a good offer for him you must listen...but I would have a plan in place to get another RHD for the top 4, like maybe send St. Louis's first back to them for Parayko...

Then move Risto for a much needed 2nd line center + (if his value is high around the league you could get more than just 1 player for him)

Blues 1st plus Nylander for Parayko

Risto and 1 of these three Bailey/Malone/ O'Regan for RNH and Puljujarvi

Basically what I mean is you don't trade Risto unless you have a plan in place to replace him on the blue line (I don't think McCabe is good enough to be a 20 minute player)

If we could get a draisitl type player for Risto (maybe +) I think i could live with moving on from Risto.

He is great when he is on his game and not being overworked by the coaching staff
- Shadman306

I think it's a myth that he plays better with fewer minutes.

I understand why people are cautious about moving Risto

I like watching him play (when he is playing well)

If you get a good offer for him you must listen...but I would have a plan in place to get another RHD for the top 4, like maybe send St. Louis's first back to them for Parayko...

Then move Risto for a much needed 2nd line center + (if his value is high around the league you could get more than just 1 player for him)

Blues 1st plus Nylander for Parayko

Risto and 1 of these three Bailey/Malone/ O'Regan for RNH and Puljujarvi

Basically what I mean is you don't trade Risto unless you have a plan in place to replace him on the blue line (I don't think McCabe is good enough to be a 20 minute player)
- Stripes77

I would rather package him with more to get the best player in the trade. An impact player.

Paul Hamilton
‏Verified account @pham1717

Beaulieu said this is only about playing time. He loves Buffalo and loves this team.

I would rather package him with more to get the best player in the trade. An impact player.
- TheHank

Yeah, that's where I'm at too. A package of futures, prospects and an underperforming kid does nothing for me. Give me a very dynamic, impact forward

Here’s a genuine question I havent really considered before - how do those numbers at /60 compare to other U25 NHLers?

If they’re sort of mediocre, then selling high and taking advantage of his reputation to obtain an inflated price is the right move.

If they’re both pretty good, then it suggests we should just retain valuable and producing assets.
- Der Kaiser

Depends on usage IMO

Some guys like Seth Jones had similar numbers a few years ago but was buried on a deep Nashville team, since hes went to CBJ he’s exploded as a top D man.

Thing with Risto is he’s been given a ton of responsibility since a young age, but also a ton of advantages by getting to be on the ice with Eichel and get top PP time.

Not all young guys get that, some have to “earn” it

I would rather package him with more to get the best player in the trade. An impact player.
- TheHank

It's not about getting the best player

It's about getting the right players for the team

If you could get

A top 4 RHD
A second line center
A third line winger who should develop into a top 6 winger

for

A top 4 RHD
A 1st round pick
A former 1st round prospect
A C prospect

I would call that a win

Basically it would be

ROR and Bailey for Parayko Thompson and Sobotka
Risto and Nylander for RNH and Puljuarvi

I think you make that trade

The Athletic says Brassard has an 8-team list in his NMC. Winnipeg being one he has on the list. Any word if we are on his list?

LeBrun:
"Brassard, it should be noted, has eight teams listed in his modified no-trade clause. Not sure if Winnipeg is on that list or not but I’m told by a source that he would be OK with Winnipeg, just as he would have been a year ago had things worked out with that trade instead."
- Sabre_Tooth

That I don't know, I didn't know he had a no trade list. Schenn was mentioned last week within the Sabres but I found out just now.

Depends on usage IMO

Some guys like Seth Jones had similar numbers a few years ago but was buried on a deep Nashville team, since hes went to CBJ he’s exploded as a top D man.

Thing with Risto is he’s been given a ton of responsibility since a young age, but also a ton of advantages by getting to be on the ice with Eichel and get top PP time.

Not all young guys get that, some have to “earn” it
- sbroads24

I’m not referring only to Risto, but also to McCabe - and doesn’t reducing it to 5v5 and controlling for /60 give us the best comparison we can get?

I would want to limit it to U25 because those are the guys that fit our window.

It's not about getting the best player

It's about getting the right players for the team

If you could get

A top 4 RHD
A second line center
A third line winger who should develop into a top 6 winger

for

A top 4 RHD
A 1st round pick
A former 1st round prospect
A C prospect

I would call that a win

Basically it would be

ROR and Bailey for Parayko Thompson and Sobotka
Risto and Nylander for RNH and Puljuarvi

I think you make that trade
- Stripes77

Agreed, a few significant moves altering the core composition of this team are in order, in the off-season. If you deal Risto and target a stronger defensive top 4D, you should come out ahead. Knowing your #1D is comfortable on either side opens up options.

That I don't know, I didn't know he had a no trade list. Schenn was mentioned last week within the Sabres but I found out just now.
- SABRES 89

I don't watch a lot of the Blues, is Schenn good?

Agreed, a few significant moves altering the core composition of this team are in order, in the off-season. If you deal Risto and target a stronger defensive top 4D, you should come out ahead. Knowing your #1D is comfortable on either side opens up options.
- Lunaion

Agreed

The thing that I like about Botterill is he knows this a puzzle with lots of moving parts

Murray on the other hand seemed to be so fixated on getting one specific player.

Botterill is playing Chess

Murray was playing go fish

I don't watch a lot of the Blues, is Schenn good?
- Shadman306

Schenn would be a great pick up for the Sabres and he has 1 year left on his deal as well

Schenn would be a great pick up for the Sabres and he has 1 year left on his deal as well
- Stripes77

What kind of price would we have to pay for that?

What kind of price would we have to pay for that?
- Shadman306

With the Blues winning I am not sure they would move him at this point

But he would probably cost their 1st if I had to guess

Beaulieu can call it whatever he wants, but demanding playing time "either here or somewhere else" is the same thing as demanding a trade. Go to your boss and demand that you're going to get more money either at your current job or somewhere else. Now pretend you're not very good at your job. If you don't get laughed out of the office your boss is a saint.

Agreed

The thing that I like about Botterill is he knows this a puzzle with lots of moving parts

Murray on the other hand seemed to be so fixated on getting one specific player.

Botterill is playing Chess

Murray was playing go fish
- Stripes77

JB is building for long-term success, and doesn't seem at all pressured to make short-term moves to keep his job. GMTM pitched an aggressive, risky quick re-build, then doubled down as things didn't work out.

Interesting stat IMO

Since 2016-17 (last 2 1/2 years) at 5 on 5

Goals

Risto 10
McCabe - 6

Primary assists

Ristolainen- 15
McCabe 14

Total points

Ristolainen - 44
McCabe - 34


Not that big of a difference, until you see the minutes played in that span

Risto - 3727
McCabe 2804

900 more minutes and just 10 more 5 on 5 points

With Dahlin and Pilut, I’m not sure Risto is even the third best offensive D man we have.

Regardless of opinion on him. We should sell high
- sbroads24

I bet you were not high on Tyler Myers. I am curious which defensive player you like in the NHL at 5.4. If you compare Bogo's numbers to Risto, where do you stand on that. A team defense is just that. Myers or Risto might not be a true 1D (and I think there are only 16 or so in the league), he certainly is serviceable and does his job. He is not a league leading point producer and not a stay at home guy, he does it all above average, and he plays in every roll.

On a side note, the PP has been bad, the teams should go back to 4 forwards and leave Dahlin back there. Move Risto to the second unit and move up someone else (the secondary scorer we don't have).

JB is building for long-term success, and doesn't seem at all pressured to make short-term moves to keep his job. GMTM pitched an aggressive, risky quick re-build, then doubled down as things didn't work out.
- Lunaion

We will all be much happier in another season...once the Year of Transition is behind us and JBoots has had another TDL, Draft and Offseason to leverage in reshaping the current roster

JB is building for long-term success, and doesn't seem at all pressured to make short-term moves to keep his job. GMTM pitched an aggressive, risky quick re-build, then doubled down as things didn't work out.
- Lunaion

Use the draft picks this year. Rid yourself of the deadweight, then make that kind of decision next season. Like you said, Murray moved to fast. It’s not that the ROR trade was terrible, it was just a year early. If Murray takes another year to asses what we have then we possibly have Eichel-Matthews/Dubois-ROR down the middle right now. Or Laine/Tkchuck on Eichel’s wing.

Use the draft picks this year. Rid yourself of the deadweight, then make that kind of decision next season. Like you said, Murray moved to fast. It’s not that the ROR trade was terrible, it was just a year early. If Murray takes another year to asses what we have then we possibly have Eichel-Matthews/Dubois-ROR down the middle right now. Or Laine/Tkchuck on Eichel’s wing.
- Pegullaville

I really wish we had a Tkachuk on this team....