I think we all agree Risto belongs nowhere near the top pair. But on a good team on the 2nd pair with 60% ozone starts and PP1 time, he could absolutely put up 50 points.

You can throw numbers around all day, but McCabe will never touch that
- jcragcrumple

So then
Dahlin-Montour
Pilut-Risto
McCabe-Bogo
Nelson/ Hunwick

Unless they plan on hanging onto Scandella or Borgen on the big club, we need to add a defenseman esp with Bogo and Pilut out

So then
Dahlin-Montour
Pilut-Risto
McCabe-Bogo
Nelson/ Hunwick

Unless they plan on hanging onto Scandella or Borgen on the big club, we need to add a defenseman esp with Bogo and Pilut out
- mattmoulson

I don't think Montour belongs on the top pair. I also think the Sabres should trade Risto to get a forward, preferably a center or RW. Montour makes Risto redundant

But I can see it coming, when Risto goes to another team, and gets favorable offensive useage like Burns, he's gonna put up 55+ and people will cry.

So I hope the return is good

I think we all agree Risto belongs nowhere near the top pair. But on a good team on the 2nd pair with 60% ozone starts and PP1 time, he could absolutely put up 50 points.

You can throw numbers around all day, but McCabe will never touch that
- jcragcrumple

Any player will pad their stats on the #1 PP unit of a “good team”

This statement means little because again, points are an awful measurement of “good” for a defensemen

Any player will pad their stats on the #1 PP unit of a “good team”

This statement means little because again, points are an awful measurement of “good” for a defensemen
- OneKaneOneCup

It's literally the measuring stick for the Norris. There are better defensemen than Burns - many in fact - but he scores a bazillion points, so he gets the Norris.

Again, Risto isn't as good, but if he was used like Burns, he would look a whole lot better

In a world where he’s in an absolutely outclassed role.

Like 55 is now
- OneKaneOneCup

And if he's traded, he will become great and we'll look like fools again.

Let's see what Ralph can do with him first. Sound good ?

And if he's traded, he will become great and we'll look like fools again.

Let's see what Ralph can do with him first. Sound good ?
- kritter65

Please don’t compare him to ROR

Ryan O’Reilly actually had good (not great) numbers for the most part in a tough role.

Ristolainen is bad all around

I don't think Montour belongs on the top pair. I also think the Sabres should trade Risto to get a forward, preferably a center or RW. Montour makes Risto redundant

But I can see it coming, when Risto goes to another team, and gets favorable offensive useage like Burns, he's gonna put up 55+ and people will cry.

So I hope the return is good
- jcragcrumple

I don't think he does either but I'm not sure what a better option would be, in terms of style it would be perfect to pair Borgen with with Dahlin but can't pencil him in for those minutes

Because he's good at it and McCabe isn't.

They're different players. This is why people don't trust analytics in a vacuum
- jcragcrumple

Even on bad teams, 5 guys get PP time and inflated production because of it. Some of them get overrated because of it. Surely we've had a few of those, and it's easy to argue that Risto might be one of them. If McCabe got top PP minutes for a full season, his point total would surprise a lot of people, and he'd certainly be overrated because of it.

I don't think he does either but I'm not sure what a better option would be, in terms of style it would be perfect to pair Borgen with with Dahlin but can't pencil him in for those minutes
- mattmoulson

They need to trade for one. This d corps makes no sense as presently constructed. There's no one on it who can actually play defense

Sabres and Rangers spoke 2 times regarding Vesey and also they talked to the Jets regarding Laine.

Jake a 40 point player ? In what world NHL 20
- gerbe75pts

for starters

a world where tage, okposo. sobotka, sheary and scott wilson are not in your top 9

I would move him in a package for trouba though

mccabe, nylander and pick 31

Even on bad teams, 5 guys get PP time and inflated production because of it. Some of them get overrated because of it. Surely we've had a few of those, and it's easy to argue that Risto might be one of them. If McCabe got top PP minutes for a full season, his point total would surprise a lot of people, and he'd certainly be overrated because of it.
- Lunaion

The is "anyone can play PP" falacy as promoted by James Tanner. Being good at the PP is a skill, a skill that Risto has

It's literally the measuring stick for the Norris. There are better defensemen than Burns - many in fact - but he scores a bazillion points, so he gets the Norris.

Again, Risto isn't as good, but if he was used like Burns, he would look a whole lot better
- jcragcrumple

So when he stays on the Sabres, the expectation should be for him to hit 55 points on a second pair, right? Assuming the team gets some things fixed.

I’m just unsure of the whole point. Who cares what he doesn’t somewhere else on the second pair?

I also am struggling to find 55 point second pair D men if someone can help me out

Sabres and Rangers spoke 2 times regarding Vesey and also they talked to the Jets regarding Laine.
- SABRES 89

Do we get a discount because we already gave up a 3rd for Vesey

Sabres and Rangers spoke 2 times regarding Vesey and also they talked to the Jets regarding Laine.
- SABRES 89

laine is interesting

Sabres and Rangers spoke 2 times regarding Vesey and also they talked to the Jets regarding Laine.
- SABRES 89

Risto for Laine, sure.

But Laine is not a good all around player

Sabres and Rangers spoke 2 times regarding Vesey and also they talked to the Jets regarding Laine.
- SABRES 89

Interesting.

Sabres and Rangers spoke 2 times regarding Vesey and also they talked to the Jets regarding Laine.
- SABRES 89

thanks 89.

laine is interesting
- homiedclown

At his best, its worth pursuing. But he hasn't played like that in quite some time.

So when he stays on the Sabres, the expectation should be for him to hit 55 points on a second pair, right? Assuming the team gets some things fixed.

I’m just unsure of the whole point. Who cares what he doesn’t somewhere else on the second pair?

I also am struggling to find 55 point second pair D men if someone can help me out
- OneKaneOneCup

Sure, give him 65% ozone starts like Brent Burns for 18-20 minutes a night on PP1, and he gets 55 points

Risto for Laine, sure.

But Laine is not a good all around player
- OneKaneOneCup

So ? If you can teach Ov how to play D you can do the same with laine and he will score 45-50 a year

At his best, its worth pursuing. But he hasn't played like that in quite some time.
- Sabresfan-365

Outside of Ristolainen and the 31st pick I’m not giving up much else of substance for a guy you’re going to overpay

But the goals are the goals

Outside of Ristolainen and the 31st pick I’m not giving up much else of substance for a guy you’re going to overpay

But the goals are the goals
- OneKaneOneCup

Essentially yeah.

At his best, its worth pursuing. But he hasn't played like that in quite some time.
- Sabresfan-365

1 dimensional player that has been moved down the line several times


but I don't hate it, esp with pp goals and team speed needing to be improved

he would be a core piece moving forward, perhaps the end of reinhart as a sabre

At his best, its worth pursuing. But he hasn't played like that in quite some time.
- Sabresfan-365

Just need to get rid of fortnite that’s his only problem