Michael Pachla: The Rasmus Ristolainen saga is front and center once again In an interview with Finnish TV, Ristolainen says "situation is open" and he'll be in an NHL training camp.

first

losers still in the old blog

I'm obviously in the trade Risto camp, haven't been quiet about it. I don't hate him, but he is our most valuable piece that we can stand to lose - i.e. he ain't untouchable.

If we can get a RNH or Trocheck type for him, that's all I can ask for.

Get rid of him. Botterill talks about players who want to be a part of the solution. Well he doesn't.

Liked Risto a lot, but with him gone, we'll get a look at Jokiharju all year. It really shouldn't be that hard to trade him for a RW who is an upgrade over Sheary. Just get it done

I'm obviously in the trade Risto camp, haven't been quiet about it. I don't hate him, but he is our most valuable piece that we can stand to lose - i.e. he ain't untouchable.

If we can get a RNH or Trocheck type for him, that's all I can ask for.
- BeadyEyedDouche

i'm in the keep-him camp...unless he definitely wants to be traded

I'm obviously in the trade Risto camp, haven't been quiet about it. I don't hate him, but he is our most valuable piece that we can stand to lose - i.e. he ain't untouchable.

If we can get a RNH or Trocheck type for him, that's all I can ask for.
- BeadyEyedDouche

Honest question, what makes him valuable? Cause it can’t be age, draft position and toughness.

Honest question, what makes him valuable? Cause it can’t be age, draft position and toughness.
- Ross77

He hits things and once every ten games makes an impressive offensive play.

Other than that he can be seen missing body checks while allowing a clean zone entry and making a 7 foot pass to Eichel to get a secondary PP assist.

There’s not much actual value

11 teams showed interest in a recently bought out Shattenkirk. I’m sure Risto has value. I also think he will do extremely well wherever he ends up so we better get a good return back.

Honest question, what makes him valuable? Cause it can’t be age, draft position and toughness.
- Ross77

Tyler Myers just got $7m to hit people in the shins with outlet passes.

Enough said

Wow

Tyler Myers just got $7m to hit people in the shins with outlet passes.

Enough said
- jcragcrumple

Just because Botterill makes it look easy to acquire RHD it doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable.

and last year we heard"Orielly is slow and not worth the money. The only thing the guy does well is win faceoffs" ...look how that one turned out. I'm just sick and tired of watching guys come and go and nothing changes..We strengthen one part of the roster, while weakening another. Just seems to be an endless cycle of chasing our tail. On another note: Can someone tell me when this vaunted group of kids selected in the draft will ever start to show up? Every year we hear how the talent pool is supposedly so good in Buffalo...and year after year, we get nothing out of it except trading them to someone else who might actually be able to develop a draft pick.

He hits things and once every ten games makes an impressive offensive play.

Other than that he can be seen missing body checks while allowing a clean zone entry and making a 7 foot pass to Eichel to get a secondary PP assist.

There’s not much actual value
- sbroads24

I heard similar things about ROR

Tyler Myers just got $7m to hit people in the shins with outlet passes.

Enough said
- jcragcrumple

Not arguing that point at all, Myers is ass. I’m just tired of people having “value” because they play big minutes poorly and were drafted high.

I heard similar things about ROR
- Michael Pachla

We should all expect that if he's given better zone starts for another team, he'll put up 50+

But why would we keep a malcontent, especially when we have 3 brand new RHDs?

We had no replacement for ROR. We do for risto, and we need a RW/C. Seems too easy

We should all expect that if he's given better zone starts for another team, he'll put up 50+

But why would we keep a malcontent, especially when we have 3 brand new RHDs?

We had no replacement for ROR. We do for risto, and we need a RW/C. Seems too easy
- jcragcrumple

Not saying we should keep him if he doesn't want to be here. If he wants out and Botts can get a good return then fine. Make the trade. But the prevailing theme amongst many here (and elsewhere) is that he's worthless or at best has limited value. Very similar to what was said about ROR

I heard similar things about ROR
- Michael Pachla

I always thought ROR was over rated (still do) and even I will say they aren’t in the same league as players.

Ristolainen is and always has been a below average defensemen.

We should all expect that if he's given better zone starts for another team, he'll put up 50+

But why would we keep a malcontent, especially when we have 3 brand new RHDs?

We had no replacement for ROR. We do for risto, and we need a RW/C. Seems too easy
- jcragcrumple

And this is why points are a terrible way to evaluate defensemen

I always thought ROR was over rated (still do) and even I will say they aren’t in the same league as players.

Ristolainen is and always has been a below average defensemen.
- sbroads24

You bagged on ROR at every turn highlighting all of his shortcomings, both perceived and real. I've seen the same thing concerning Risto.

77-

Maybe the fact that risto scores points makes him valuable?

You kinda left out that part.
Scoring is important

Toughness is still part of hockey. He brings that as well.

You bagged on ROR at every turn highlighting all of his shortcomings, both perceived and real. I've seen the same thing concerning Risto.
- Michael Pachla

Except one was always actually good. One has never been.

77-

Maybe the fact that risto scores points makes him valuable?

You kinda left out that part.
Scoring is important

Toughness is still part of hockey. He brings that as well.
- Boss34

It definitely doesn’t help the win column

Not saying we should keep him if he doesn't want to be here. If he wants out and Botts can get a good return then fine. Make the trade. But the prevailing theme amongst many here (and elsewhere) is that he's worthless or at best has limited value. Very similar to what was said about ROR
- Michael Pachla

Botterill probably should have thought about that before acquiring his new d men and effectively announcing "for sale: like new d man who wants out. No tire kickers. I know what I have"

Except one was always actually good. One has never been.
- sbroads24

Good is relative. ROR was better than good, which is how you best described him. We found out that he was much bettet than that when placed in a situation conducive to winning.