I highly doubt this has anything to do with Ristolainen. He's still AHL eligible, and that's probably where he at least starts the year.
- buffalofan19

Agreed in the short term... but long term? We have the following RD in the NHL/AHL:

Risto
Miller
Montour
Nelson
Joki
Borgen
Fitzgerald

That's a lot of players that are either already in the NHL or knocking on the door...

I know I didn't include Bogo... his contract is up after this year

Can someone tell me how I should feel about this please?
- ajb2493

Jokiharju will be a 1st pair defenseman for you for a very long time.

HOF HC Joel Q played him 1st pair to start last season. Then idiot rookie Swedish Tier 2 coach Colliton sends him to World Juniors (where he teamed with Kappo Kakko to win Gold), then to Rockford.

Joki was among the Hawks 4 best defensemen last year. A HUGE win for the Sabres. Congrats!

Agreed in the short term... but long term? We have the following RD in the NHL/AHL:

Risto
Miller
Montour
Nelson
Joki
Borgen
Fitzgerald

That's a lot of players that are either already in the NHL or knocking on the door...

I know I didn't include Bogo... his contract is up after this year
- ajb2493

"You can never have too many defensemen."

Buffalo,

The only team In the NHL to have a bottom 6 of all d-men

"You can never have too many defensemen."
- buffalofan19

I just listed the right d. Add the LD to that list, and well... while you can never have too many defensemen, Buffalo seems to be trying to test the limits of that assertion.

Agreed in the short term... but long term? We have the following RD in the NHL/AHL:

Risto
Miller
Montour
Nelson
Joki
Borgen
Fitzgerald

That's a lot of players that are either already in the NHL or knocking on the door...

I know I didn't include Bogo... his contract is up after this year
- ajb2493

Joki will be in the NHL to start the year.

Book it.

Buffalo,

The only team In the NHL to have a bottom 6 of all d-men
- ImThatGuy

Risto to 2RW confirmed

Smart trade by Botts

I just listed the right d. Add the LD to that list, and well... while you can never have too many defensemen, Buffalo seems to be trying to test the limits of that assertion.
- ajb2493

maybe this affords them the opportunity to get rid of some of the dead weight d contracts in bogo, nelson, hunwick.. just to name a few

Can someone tell me how I should feel about this please?
- ajb2493

I really don't understand this deal from the Hawks. Joker is a top 4 dman easily in this league and so young. No idea why we would trade him for Nylander. As a Hawks fan I say Buff easily wins this deal.
Maybe Bowmen thought it was for his brother in Toronto?

Risto to 2RW confirmed
- jcragcrumple

can he play center? we still need that 2C

Blackhawks fans on twitter seem to be upset.

Is he actually legit? Or just another 3rd pairing tweener type?
- RhinoFan

Legit Basically gave up a future number one or number two defenseman that will be steady As hell and plays Like the rumored Kaberle that we always used to be after

maybe this affords them the opportunity to get rid of some of the dead weight d contracts in bogo, nelson, hunwick.. just to name a few
- SabresFaninIndiana

Bogo to LTIR. Hunwick and Nelson loaned to underground fight clubs TBD.

Joki will be in the NHL to start the year.

Book it.
- ImThatGuy

That’s already set in stone he basically took The same path as risto

can he play center? we still need that 2C
- SabresFaninIndiana

Dahlin

Legit Basically gave up a future number one or number two defenseman that will be steady As hell and plays Like the rumored Kaberle that we always used to be after
- gerbe75pts

Dahlin and Joki as a future D pairing for the next 10+ years?

What's Joki's MO? offensive D-man, or more of a stay at home type?

Dahlin and Joki as a future D pairing for the next 10+ years?

What's Joki's MO? offensive D-man, or more of a stay at home type?
- ajb2493

Puck moving d-man.

Puts up points pretty well.

I like this a lot.

Dahlin and Joki as a future D pairing for the next 10+ years?

What's Joki's MO? offensive D-man, or more of a stay at home type?
- ajb2493

I don't know, but he did have 12 points in 38 games, which is far from terrible for a 20-year-old defenseman.

Anyone call this trade or are we willing to admit that "sources" died with Darcy and GMTM?

Our RD depth is non existent.

Ok Risto has to be gone now right?

Anyone call this trade or are we willing to admit that "sources" died with Darcy and GMTM?
- soljor09

Oh please.... do we really need to get into that now?

Oh please.... do we really need to get into that now?
- ajb2493

pssst.. ignore it

I still would like to know who plays defense on this team. Another guy who starts 60% of the time in the O-Zone.

Everything I’ve read on Joki says that he is a future top pairing defensemen and NHL ready right now. He was LOVED by Coach Q and played top 4 minutes before he was fired.

Everything I read says dude is a stud guy. Just a STUD.