Mitts still has high end 2C upside, Risto has carved out a pretty good career before the age of 24 and still has a career ahead of him, Nylander could very well earn a full time role this year and prove us all wrong, or at least be used as a trade chip to acquire a peace that can be a part of the puzzle for this team.
- Pegullaville

#positiveville

I guess I'm still at the same place then. Why should I be excited for 7oa if it's not that valuable? If GMs don't value it highly, why should I?
- jcragcrumple

You seem to have a blind spot on this

7-OA will get you a Top 6 F...maybe Top 3 in this year's draft IF things turn out very well. Would you honestly trade a NHL proven 2C production wise player for that? If you do, you hope to hell that Top 3 turns out to be true...else, why take on the risk that the projection actually materializes.

Now, add in the risk of taking on a $6m 4th liner for 4 years with NO ADDITIONAL value provided.
The value is in a deficit position. Adding1 potentially Top 6 player, for one who has already proven to be one is a certain way to work yourself out if a job. Add in taking on a poop contract...fvck, you might just as well say you lost your love for GMing

Why would a team ever do that?
FULL STOP

Now, consider completely separate that a team in need of say 2-3 more Top 6 F's has a high probability of acquiring that asset with 7-OA that will provide excellent value while on an ELC, which enables Cap space to be spent on another player. There is your high value.

Refs blew that call big time. F ucking brutal.
- BeadyEyedDouche

Disgusting, ref was ten (frank)ing feet away looking right at it, perfect angle and calls it two goddamn minutes.

#positiveville
- Boss34

Risto has his faults defensively no doubt. Having a better team though and playing him in the right situations will help him. I don't believe a d-man is a finished product at 24 by any means and experience will only help him. If not, I'm sure he can fetch a great return in a trade. Mittelstadt has only played 82 games and its way too early to turn the page on him. I've voiced my opinions of Nylander several times, I hope he can prove me wrong and turn out to be a top 6 forward and play a role on this team moving forward.

Risto has his faults defensively no doubt. Having a better team though and playing him in the right situations will help him. I don't believe a d-man is a finished product at 24 by any means and experience will only help him. If not, I'm sure he can fetch a great return in a trade. Mittelstadt has only played 82 games and its way too early to turn the page on him. I've voiced my opinions of Nylander several times, I hope he can prove me wrong and turn out to be a top 6 forward and play a role on this team moving forward.
- Pegullaville

He’s played 400 games. He’s had his frame since 19.

This is it

How is McAvoy still in this game? How was that only a minor penalty? DoPS should have called McAvoy during the break to schedule his hearing for tomorrow.

I hate Boston!

How is McAvoy still in this game? How was that only a minor penalty? DoPS should have called McAvoy during the break to schedule his hearing for tomorrow.
- JetpackJesus

I can't make sense of it either, the official was empathic and looking right at it!

He’s played 400 games. He’s had his frame since 19.

This is it
- OneKaneOneCup

Burns didn’t record his second 40 point season until he was 28, Risto has had 3 straight. Nick Foligno wasn’t this good of a player when he was in Ottawa. It took Couterier 4 seasons to eclipse 40 points. Some players regardless of position take longer then others, you never know when the light is going to come on for a d-man.

It’s one thing trading ROR away when the guy is going to decline in a few years anyways, if we move Risto and he becomes a pillar on another team’s blue line for 10 years that will hurt.

Another (frank)ing POST! WTF?

Burns didn’t record his second 40 point season until he was 28, Risto has had 3 straight. Nick Foligno wasn’t this good of a player when he was in Ottawa. It took Couterier 4 seasons to eclipse 40 points. Some players regardless of position take longer then others, you never know when the light is going to come on for a d-man.

It’s one thing trading ROR away when the guy is going to decline in a few years anyways, if we move Risto and he becomes a pillar on another team’s blue line for 10 years that will hurt.
- Pegullaville

Absolutely correct,

Risto and / Zadorov should still be on this team

Burns didn’t record his second 40 point season until he was 28, Risto has had 3 straight. Nick Foligno wasn’t this good of a player when he was in Ottawa. It took Couterier 4 seasons to eclipse 40 points. You never know when the light is going to come on for a d-man. It’s one thing trading ROR away when the guy is going to decline in a few years anyways, if we move Risto and he becomes a pillar on another team’s blue line for 10 years that will hurt.
- Pegullaville

Burns is an outlier. That’s not the norm. I also don’t judge how good a D man is based on his point totals.

If Ristolainen had strong underlying numbers to suggest he was ready to break out and it was the team holding him back, I’d agree. It’s the opposite. He’s been a problem

I’m sure he can be a fine #4 2nd PP unit D man for us if they can’t get a premium return. But he isn’t going to suddenly think the game better because he’s 26 instead of 24

This announcer is simply fantastic!
Makes the game so much more exciting.

Boston is screwed!



the infamous 2-0 lead

And all Boston has to do is beat the caniacs for the hallowed STANLEY CUP

Rask is playing out of his mind

Burns is an outlier. That’s not the norm. I also don’t judge how good a D man is based on his point totals.

If Ristolainen had strong underlying numbers to suggest he was ready to break out and it was the team holding him back, I’d agree. It’s the opposite. He’s been a problem

I’m sure he can be a fine #4 2nd PP unit D man for us if they can’t get a premium return. But he isn’t going to suddenly think the game better because he’s 26 instead of 24
- OneKaneOneCup

Great post there Kaner.
Montour has taken his 2nd Pairing RhD position.
He isn't good enough for 1st Pairing.
3rd Pairing? No thanks, not for $5.4 and not someone who can't play a D-system.

Hell, move him to 2RW or 3RW.

Burns didn’t record his second 40 point season until he was 28, Risto has had 3 straight. Nick Foligno wasn’t this good of a player when he was in Ottawa. It took Couterier 4 seasons to eclipse 40 points. Some players regardless of position take longer then others, you never know when the light is going to come on for a d-man.

It’s one thing trading ROR away when the guy is going to decline in a few years anyways, if we move Risto and he becomes a pillar on another team’s blue line for 10 years that will hurt.
- Pegullaville

Chara didn't hit 40 points until his seventh season at age 27. He didn't make his first ASG until his sixth season. For defensemen, I just don't buy the "they are what they are" argument if they're still in their mid-20s.

Also, god I hate the Bruins.

EDIT: I'm not saying Risto is going to improve, just that it's absolutely a real possibility. Also, I am open to trading him if the return makes sense for the Sabres. But I wouldn't trade him just to trade him.

Burns is an outlier. That’s not the norm. I also don’t judge how good a D man is based on his point totals.

If Ristolainen had strong underlying numbers to suggest he was ready to break out and it was the team holding him back, I’d agree. It’s the opposite. He’s been a problem

I’m sure he can be a fine #4 2nd PP unit D man for us if they can’t get a premium return. But he isn’t going to suddenly think the game better because he’s 26 instead of 24
- OneKaneOneCup

I’m fine trading him if we get a long term answer down the middle to give us a three headed monster going forward. It’s also possible we draft that particular Centre at 7OA and keep risto and be better off for it. I just think RHD are hard to come by and if we move him it better be worth it.

Well the run looks to be over for columbus it was fun while it lasted

4 goal posts tonight for (frank) sakes (frank) boston

You seem to have a blind spot on this

7-OA will get you a Top 6 F...maybe Top 3 in this year's draft IF things turn out very well. Would you honestly trade a NHL proven 2C production wise player for that? If you do, you hope to hell that Top 3 turns out to be true...else, why take on the risk that the projection actually materializes.

Now, add in the risk of taking on a $6m 4th liner for 4 years with NO ADDITIONAL value provided.
The value is in a deficit position. Adding1 potentially Top 6 player, for one who has already proven to be one is a certain way to work yourself out if a job. Add in taking on a poop contract...fvck, you might just as well say you lost your love for GMing

Why would a team ever do that?
FULL STOP

Now, consider completely separate that a team in need of say 2-3 more Top 6 F's has a high probability of acquiring that asset with 7-OA that will provide excellent value while on an ELC, which enables Cap space to be spent on another player. There is your high value.
- IonSabres

A page ago you were saying that we'll get a top-6 or maybe top-3 forward within 2 years with that pick. It seems like the value is wildly exaggerated if we make the pick, and undervalued if we trade it

Great post there Kaner.
Montour has taken his 2nd Pairing RhD position.
He isn't good enough for 1st Pairing.
3rd Pairing? No thanks, not for $5.4 and not someone who can't play a D-system.

Hell, move him to 2RW or 3RW.
- IonSabres

After watching these playoffs, seems as thou speed is important but size still wins out in the playoffs, I was really hopeful the league was opening up after the Predators and Vegas had successes.

Risto has his faults defensively no doubt. Having a better team though and playing him in the right situations will help him. I don't believe a d-man is a finished product at 24 by any means and experience will only help him. If not, I'm sure he can fetch a great return in a trade. Mittelstadt has only played 82 games and its way too early to turn the page on him. I've voiced my opinions of Nylander several times, I hope he can prove me wrong and turn out to be a top 6 forward and play a role on this team moving forward.
- Pegullaville

I know I kid with you, but you have a positive attitude.
Keep up the good work
👏

I’m fine trading him if we get a long term answer down the middle to give us a three headed monster going forward. It’s also possible we draft that particular Centre at 7OA and keep risto and be better off for it. I just think RHD are hard to come by and if we move him it better be worth it.
- Pegullaville

I think he has value to other teams who think they can fix him.

If not they better pair him with Pilut because that actually kinda worked

Well the run looks to be over for columbus it was fun while it lasted

4 goal posts tonight for (frank) sakes (frank) boston
- ieetbred

Dont forget the Unexplained non-call on a Vicious, Targeted, Head-shot,

McAvoy needs to be suspended by the league for that hit or I call BS!