Can we just agree to disagree at this point? It's just easier for my mental health.
- PatC80

I watched allot of Sabres games last year. They're the home team on my Directv account. The Sabres had a good first half, but then fell apart. During the first half run, they were playing Ristolainen almost 30 minutes a night. He played the powerplay and penalty kill. He lined up against the opponents first line. They overplayed him and burned him out. The next best right-handed defenceman on the Sabres was Zack Bagosian. Now that guy is brutal. Ristolainen was starting to show that he was ready to make the next step as a very good defenceman. Phil Housley was a brutal coach and the team suffered. If Ristolainen had played 24 minutes a night and the team had acquired another good defenceman at midseason, they would have been in the mix for a wildcard position. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Sabres fan, but I did catch allot of their games, on nights that the Leafs didn't play.

Gotta get him hooked on the premo winger first, give him a taste of the goods..

Now give him a leaner diet of Naz, and Matthews can inject some Marnoin into his game.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Naw your boyfriend Willie is gonna have a reunion with Matthews and serve him easy tap-ins on a saucer all season.

Scoring goals? The most important thing in the game..
- ClarksonDavid

Look at his goals in the playoffs. How many did he create, and how many did he get and receive a pass for an open net? I'm just saying, he's really good, but I can see where Marner is coming from. His crazy dad not withstanding.

I’ll take young and up on new techniques anytime.

That’s also what I want in a masseuse.
- shack67

Masseuse.. can’t argue there.

Doctors and sports execs... again it’s a preference. Some people rather have devils they know.

How did he go for payday? He signed for market value. Good god
- burn

Market value 20 goals a season playing with Austin Matthews. When Matthews was injured, his points dried up. Overpaid and overrated. He makes more then Pasternak.

I watched allot of Sabres games last year. They're the home team on my Directv account. The Sabres had a good first half, but then fell apart. During the first half run, they were playing Ristolainen almost 30 minutes a night. He played the powerplay and penalty kill. He lined up against the opponents first line. They overplayed him and burned him out. The next best right-handed defenceman on the Sabres was Zack Bagosian. Now that guy is brutal. Ristolainen was starting to show that he was ready to make the next step as a very good defenceman. Phil Housley was a brutal coach and the team suffered. If Ristolainen had played 24 minutes a night and the team had acquired another good defenceman at midseason, they would have been in the mix for a wildcard stop. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Sabres fan, but I did catch allot of their games, on nights that the Leafs didn't play.
- PrinceLH

I like Ristolainen as well, just not at the cost of Nylander.

Naw your boyfriend Willie is gonna have a reunion with Matthews and serve him easy tap-ins on a saucer all season.
- Zezel

You say that...

😒

Why are people now saying that Marner and his agent wanted to sign before last season and made an offer? What's this revisionist history crap?

Doesn't anyone else remember Marner's agent going on about how Dubas sent them a "lowball" offer and they wouldn't sign because Marner deserved more and they'd prove it this season?

So Dubas was the one that actively tried to sign Marner before this season, yet several people on here have been going on about how Dubas should've tried to sign him...

All that said. I still think Marner ends up getting signed as a Leaf. We'll need to sit through a bunch more drama and then they'll sign for more than we'd like, but less than we feared.
- Thecakeisalie

The pundits said Marner wanted 9 per, which at the time was way too much. But then Dubas signs Willy to 6.9 and everyone went waaaaa?

I like Ristolainen as well, just not at the cost of Nylander.
- PatC80

I aswell, am pro-Risto.

Never understood the hate he gets.

The pundits said Marner wanted 9 per, which at the time was way too much. But then Dubas signs Willy to 6.9 and everyone went waaaaa?
- aminnes

Why people hate Willy is because he's a secondary piece. Matthews drives a line. Marner drives a line. Willy isn't capable of driving a line. He's a $5M hockey player. He decided to sit instead of signing a bridge deal or a proper value contract. His mercenary tactics should have ended his season. Dubas blinked and now he has a situation that is untenable in regards to the salary cap.

I like Ristolainen as well, just not at the cost of Nylander.
- PatC80

I just haven’t seen any evidence willie is willing to fight through people in playoffs when checking is tighter. No one denies his talents (he had nights he looked like he’s better than AM and MM) but not sure if he is willing to take one for the team when it counts.

I just see “I don’t want to get hurt in my job” attitude and if that continues, he is not worth his contract.

Why people hate Willy is because he's a secondary piece. Matthews drives a line. Marner drives a line. Willy isn't capable of driving a line. He's a $5M hockey player. He decided to sit instead of signing a bridge deal or a proper value contract. His mercenary tactics should have ended his season. Dubas blinked and now he has a situation that is untenable in regards to the salary cap.
- PrinceLH

Never have I seen a club fold so bad when they hold all the cards. RFA. In first place. Scoring like crazy. Don't need him.

Cave.

I watched allot of Sabres games last year. They're the home team on my Directv account. The Sabres had a good first half, but then fell apart. During the first half run, they were playing Ristolainen almost 30 minutes a night. He played the powerplay and penalty kill. He lined up against the opponents first line. They overplayed him and burned him out. The next best right-handed defenceman on the Sabres was Zack Bagosian. Now that guy is brutal. Ristolainen was starting to show that he was ready to make the next step as a very good defenceman. Phil Housley was a brutal coach and the team suffered. If Ristolainen had played 24 minutes a night and the team had acquired another good defenceman at midseason, they would have been in the mix for a wildcard position. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Sabres fan, but I did catch allot of their games, on nights that the Leafs didn't play.
- PrinceLH

You claim to watch a lot of sabre games, and this is what we get?

Masseuse.. can’t argue there.

Doctors and sports execs... again it’s a preference. Some people rather have devils they know.
- gamerdoc

True. But I see older professionals all the time who should have retired years ago. For a lot of them it’s just plain greed.
Most of us can remember a teacher or prof who were old and absolutely terrible at their job but they would have to be dragged out kicking and screaming.

Not me. I was offered a retirement program at 55 and my first thought was where do I sign.

Look at his goals in the playoffs. How many did he create, and how many did he get and receive a pass for an open net? I'm just saying, he's really good, but I can see where Marner is coming from. His crazy dad not withstanding.
- aminnes

All of them and none?

I aswell, am pro-Risto.

Never understood the hate he gets.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

He’s an overrated PP specialist, and he sucks defensively. Career 98 points at EV, and 95 PP points.

To put in perspective, Rielly has 162 points at EV and 79 on the PP.

I aswell, am pro-Risto.

Never understood the hate he gets.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

What's aggravating, is that he's available right now. He requested a trade and the Sabres are shopping him. He checks many of the boxes that the Leafs need. A large right handed defenceman that eats minutes. He has a mean streak and really can be a douchebag when he's ornery. He skates well and can block shots. He's at the same level as Zdano Chara was at his age. Chara was miscast with the Islanders and Senators and left in free agency, to become a future Hall of Famer. Sometimes, you have to look at the body of work and take the gamble. Something like the Raptors, when they grabbed Kawai Lenard. Kawai was also on the outs and had played only a handful of games the previous year. The team and the fans ran him out of town. Now he's a playoff MVP. I don't thing Ristolainen is in that category, but he does fill a massive hole on a depleted defense. What's the other option? $7M for Tyler Meyers on a long term contract?

Why people hate Willy is because he's a secondary piece. Matthews drives a line. Marner drives a line. Willy isn't capable of driving a line. He's a $5M hockey player. He decided to sit instead of signing a bridge deal or a proper value contract. His mercenary tactics should have ended his season. Dubas blinked and now he has a situation that is untenable in regards to the salary cap.
- PrinceLH

Wonderful.

He’s an overrated PP specialist, and he sucks defensively. Career 98 points at EV, and 95 PP points.

To put in perspective, Rielly has 162 points at EV and 79 on the PP.
- Steven_Seagull

Considering how bad leafs pp was at the end of the season, he might be the piece we need!

Wonderful.
- burn

Yep.

Considering how bad leafs pp was at the end of the season, he might be the piece we need!
- gamerdoc

Fair point.

I like Ristolainen as well, just not at the cost of Nylander.
- PatC80

He was minus 41 last season

What's aggravating, is that he's available right now. He requested a trade and the Sabres are shopping him. He checks many of the boxes that the Leafs need. A large right handed defenceman that eats minutes. He has a mean streak and really can be a douchebag when he's ornery. He skates well and can block shots. He's at the same level as Zdano Chara was at his age. Chara was miscast with the Islanders and Senators and left in free agency, to become a future Hall of Famer. Sometimes, you have to look at the body of work and take the gamble. Something like the Raptors, when they grabbed Kawai Lenard. Kawai was also on the outs and had played only a handful of games the previous year. The team and the fans ran him out of town. Now he's a playoff MVP. I don't thing Ristolainen is in that category, but he does fill a massive hole on a depleted defense. What's the other option? $7M for Tyler Meyers on a long term contract?
- PrinceLH

Huh

Wasn't kwahi a finals mvp previous? They didn't take a flyer on him. They got one of the best players in the league. No where near the same situation

I can't take this anymore. See you guys in October.

I can't take this anymore. See you guys in October.
- Zezel

Is prince and Max going to stop posting in October?