Risto is the mystery moving forward


he is down to around 25 minutes a night, 5% less playing time then the past few years


which is about where he should be playing, maybe a minute less but that's it as he is on the #1 pp unit


he also just turned 24 and is about to come into his prime


the key, which everyone ignores


if Dahlin is going to play the left, Risto is perfect for this team


if Dahlin is going to play the right, sell Risto if someone overpays
- homiedclown

Risto also only gets 44% o zone starts in those 25 minutes a night he plays. He’s relied on heavily defensively hence why we see him making more defenisive mistakes then other players. He plays against other teams top talent. When Dahlin comes into his own and gets more defensive zone starts we’ll truly appreciate Risto’s value. Imagine how many more points Risto would get with a competent middle 6 of our lineup and 55% O-zone starts instead of 45% ? He’s just fine. A lot more problems on the team then Risto.

I'm not comparing risto to hedman or dahlin.

More so the other 200 nhl defenseman currently
And 50 or so past Sabres defenseman.

Risto is still just 24.
Defenseman play years in the minors to develop their craft.
- Boss34

what does risto do better now vs 2 years ago though?

hedman is 4 years older, but has been playing at this elite level since he was 22 IMO, 2 years younger then risto


I don't see the growth in risto

I don't see the regression I saw in myers, but also don't see improvement
- homiedclown

Good points . We need to compliment Dahlin. Risto can be it . Rest of this season should out the D on what IS working .

Risto also only gets 44% o zone starts in those 25 minutes a night he plays. He’s relied on heavily defensively hence why we see him making more defenisive mistakes then other players. He plays against other teams top talent. When Dahlin comes into his own and gets more defensive zone starts we’ll truly appreciate Risto’s value. Imagine how many more points Risto would get with a competent middle 6 of our lineup and 55% O-zone starts instead of 45% ? He’s just fine. A lot more problems on the team then Risto.
- Pegullaville

again, what if dahlin is going to play the right, and a team offers to overpay for risto?

Exactly. Risto makes the flashy plays every now and then, and sometimes they are incredibly impressive, but he doesn’t do the little things well
- sbroads24

He hits well
He scores well
He blocks shots well

He has some defensive lapses .
They constantly rotate his d partner

So you like him but, advanced stats and little things bother you?

for those who think Risto is really good


watch Hedman for a 5 or 6 game stretch


he does so many little things w/o effort that risto has yet to be consistent at doing
- homiedclown

That’s like saying though if you thought Reinhart was good look what McDavid is doing. Risto will be just fine in a year or two just like Reinhart is just fine supplementing Eichel or being a 55-60 point guy on Mittelstadts wing next year.

Good points . We need to compliment Dahlin. Risto can be it . Rest of this season should out the D on what IS working .
- cabin

agreed


if it's dahlin-risto let it play out


if it's

player x, dahlin
player y, risto in 12 months, explore options

Risto will be just fine in a year or two j.
- Pegullaville

we have been saying this for 3 years now though

hedman is 4 years older, but has been playing at this elite level since he was 22 IMO, 2 years younger then risto


I don't see the growth in risto

I don't see the regression I saw in myers, but also don't see improvement
- homiedclown

Isn't risto on pace for 10 points more then his season average?

His point total appears to be growing.

That's what he is, a hard hitting offensive defenseman

Isn't risto on pace for 10 points more then his season average?

His point total appears to be growing.

That's what he is, a hard hitting offensive defenseman
- Boss34

yup

and with that style, they need a left d shutdown to play with risto, they don't have it

and figure out the shutdown to play with dahlin, whatever side he is on, and they don't have that

oh to have a mike ramsey and a bill hajt to play with those 2 for 10 years

we have been saying this for 3 years now though
- homiedclown

Once we move Risto we spend 5 years trying to look for a competent top 4 RHD. Tatar is going to score 25 goals this year and he was a throw in. Pacioretty and JVR have missed handfuls of games this year and will still score around 20+. We got Skinner for peanuts. Hoffman was acquired for next to nothing. We just traded away two guys that will score 25+ goals this year. How many RHD have/will be traded ? We can fill our needs in free agency (short term) and free agency (long term) up front without having to move Risto.

we have been saying this for 3 years now though
- homiedclown

will be hard to replace what he does bring .

yup

and with that style, they need a left d shutdown to play with risto, they don't have it

and figure out the shutdown to play with dahlin, whatever side he is on, and they don't have that

oh to have a mike ramsey and a bill hajt to play with those 2 for 10 years
- homiedclown

Good post and glad to have you back around.

Jay McKee as well

will be hard to replace what he does bring .
- cabin

Especially on a team with no secondary scoring

Especially on a team with no secondary scoring
- Boss34

Even a Risto type D man will be expensive . We can just hope he does mature and be what we hoped in a year or 2 .

Even a Risto type D man will be expensive . We can just hope he does mature and be what we hoped in a year or 2 .
- cabin

Aside from a few bad plays on defense.

Risto is exactly what I could hope for. I love his game.

He does many things above average and few below

Aside from a few bad plays on defense.

Risto is exactly what I could hope for. I love his game.

He does many things above average and few below
- Boss34

Yes . and closer to star power than what we have had . Remove him and we are set back.

agreed


if it's dahlin-risto let it play out


if it's

player x, dahlin
player y, risto in 12 months, explore options
- homiedclown

Risto is the opposite of what they need in a partner for Dahlin. He needs reliable, responsible partner so that he can get up and take risks. I don't see them playing together.

Guhle added to AHL roster for all star game. He replaces Zach Redmond.

for those who think Risto is really good


watch Hedman for a 5 or 6 game stretch


he does so many little things w/o effort that risto has yet to be consistent at doing
- homiedclown

Hedman might be the 2nd best defenseman in the league, JFC. That's even worse than comparing Risto to Dahlin.

again, what if dahlin is going to play the right, and a team offers to overpay for risto?
- homiedclown

Sure, I'd do it regardless of Dahlin, but what is an overpayment to you?

Guhle added to AHL roster for all star game. He replaces Zach Redmond.
- mhp

Nice . Nice change from allstars nominated the past bunch of years .

I can appreciate your list.

Myers was fun for a year or 2
Tallinder/lydman combo

Soupy
Zhitnik
Risto


Honerable mention: past 30 years

Mike Ramsey
Dean Kennedy
Bob Bougner
Rhett Warner
Jay wells
- Boss34

I'll take this a step further. Daryl Shannon gets my nod for most unsung D man, along w Warrener. Shannon was (frank)ing SOLID, and always seemed to make the correct, simple play.

Sure, I'd do it regardless of Dahlin, but what is an overpayment to you?
- Wetbandit1

They aren't trading Risto

I'll take this a step further. Daryl Shannon gets my nod for most unsung D man, along w Warrener. Shannon was (frank)ing SOLID, and always seemed to make the correct, simple play.
- Powerslave

Good post . so many good players over the years . hard to rank them.