A few good snippets from Spector's page today:

"The off-season departures of Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers, and Ben Chiarot depleted the Jets’ defense corps and linked them to Ristolainen earlier this summer. Byfuglien’s absence only heightens that speculation."

"Laine’s asking price could be much more than $6 million per season. Dixon suggested moving Laine might be worth exploring if it fetches two significant pieces on the blue line."

"Buffalos Sabres blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen declined to say if he’s asked for a trade but other NHL clubs assume he has. A recent injury to Brandon Montour, however, could affect the Sabres’ decisions."

"LeBrun reports the Ducks checked into Ristolainen but the Sabres’ asking price was high. While he didn’t indicate what it was, rumors throughout the summer suggest they’d want a top-six winger."

The devil's advocate in me wonders why we haven't had a coach help him in that area.
- thatsapickle

He's an offensive defenseman. They shouldn't ask him to play rigorous defensive minutes. That's how to "fix" Risto imo. Dont ask him to be something he's not

Ristolainen himself “I think we all know my D game needs to be better”

Apparently he himself knows what we have in him
- OneKaneOneCup

And how is it in any way a bad thing that a 25 year old defenseman knows what he needs to improve on? You assume that what we've seen is the finished product.

Just curious, who's the one GM out there that knows what we have in him? 😉
- adambuffalo

Tim Murray

And how is it in any way a bad thing that a 25 year old defenseman knows what he needs to improve on? You assume that what we've seen is the finished product.
- adambuffalo

24 years old

Laine over 6? Not over 8?

If we could sign Laine for 5x7.5, that would be a huge steal. I'd trade Risto and Borgen for that. Half the downside to Laine has been the assumption he wants skinner type money. But if he could be signed for 7-8, that's a great steal.

24 years old
- homiedclown

24 years and 328 days. Figured one of the haters would jump all over me for calling him a 24 y/o.

24 years old
- homiedclown

424 games played.

Girgensons is o my 25.

Still possible he’s a great 20 goal 2c

Don’t know what we have in him yet

424 games played.

Girgensons is o my 25.

Still possible he’s a great 20 goal 2c

Don’t know what we have in him yet
- OneKaneOneCup

He is 67% on face offs.

Giordano just won the norris, at risto's age he had 16 points in the nhl and 11 years later only has 5 40 point seasons in the nhl

- homiedclown

How is this possible? Gio is 35 years old. From what I've seen here, defenseman do not get any better after 25.

Can’t wait to have the Risto debate in 365 days from now after another year of defensive unawareness.

Maybe his 4th GM and 7th coach has the formula!
- OneKaneOneCup

This is my biggest point for people that say he needs the right system or more ozone starts. Hes had that many coaches/GMs, when is it more on Risto possibly not being good instead of its the coaches fault or the GM didn't bring in enough depth.
Sure hes played on bad teams, but a lot of elite dmen do and still manage to put up respectable numbers, last year Chabot put up 55 points in 70 gp with only a minus 12 on the worst team in the league, but some will give risto a pass because the Sabres are crap.

424 games played.

Girgensons is o my 25.

Still possible he’s a great 20 goal 2c

Don’t know what we have in him yet
- OneKaneOneCup

pretty sure d men peak around 28 and guys up front in years 23-24

but please continue

How is this possible? Gio is 35 years old. From what I've seen here, defenseman do not get any better after 25.
- adambuffalo

When Gio was 25 he had about 100 NHL games played, playing a small role.

You see the difference right?

How is this possible? Gio is 35 years old. From what I've seen here, defenseman do not get any better after 25.
- adambuffalo

I am amazed how al this losing makes us sound dumber then leaf fans

pretty sure d men peak around 28 and guys up front in years 23-24

but please continue
- homiedclown

Not really no. Especially ones who were full time NHL’ers at 19

This is my biggest point for people that say he needs the right system or more ozone starts. Hes had that many coaches/GMs, when is it more on Risto possibly not being good instead of its the coaches fault or the GM didn't bring in enough depth.
Sure hes played on bad teams, but a lot of elite dmen do and still manage to put up respectable numbers, last year Chabot put up 55 points in 70 gp with only a minus 12 on the worst team in the league, but some will give risto a pass because the Sabres are crap.
- Sabres1523

Erik Karlsson carried a lottery team to the ECF.

Rasmus Ristolainen makes guys worse when he’s on the ice

Not really no. Especially ones who were full time NHL’ers at 19
- OneKaneOneCup

keep telling yourself that

Rasmus Ristolainen makes guys worse when he’s on the ice
- OneKaneOneCup

When Gio was 25 he had about 100 NHL games played, playing a small role.

You see the difference right?
- OneKaneOneCup

Giordano in his mid-20's has more similarities to Casey Nelson than Risto.

Hutton, Ullmark, Scandella, Bogo, Nelson, McCabe, Sobotka, Larsson, Girgens, Tage, Reinhart, Casey, Wilson, Ellie, Pommer, E-Rod, Nylander, Pouliot, Okposo, Sheary, Berglund, Housley, Lehner, RoR, Benoit, Beaulieu, Tennyson


they all sucked because they played with Risto

Send Risto to Rochester and plan the parade baby


blow leafs blow

Don't get me wrong. It looks great.

I just hope it doesn't deter a Top Golf from coming to this area.

Hopefully, there's enough interest for both.
- buffalofan19

Top golf will never come to buffalo. There are so many bigger markets in line for them, just like basspro and ikea. I’ve been to a couple top golfs, if that oncore place ends up looking like the renderings at all, it’s going to be better than top golf anyways. You should feel fortunate they’re from buffalo or you’d never have the luxury of one of these types of places in the first place.

keep telling yourself that
- homiedclown

Can’t wait for another 4 years man. When Risto is 28 and has 750 games under his belt we’re finally going to know what we have!

Can’t wait for another 4 years man. When Risto is 28 and has 750 games under his belt we’re finally going to know what we have!
- OneKaneOneCup

Top golf will never come to buffalo. There are so many bigger markets in line for them, just like basspro and ikea. I’ve been to a couple top golfs, if that oncore place ends up looking like the renderings at all, it’s going to be better than top golf anyways. You should feel fortunate they’re from buffalo or you’d never have the luxury of one of these types of places in the first place.
- TheHank

top golf is over rated

nothing like hitting defective balls 80% the distance they should go and play bounce the ball off of concrete


their pretzel bites are good though

Can’t wait for another 4 years man. When Risto is 28 and has 750 games under his belt we’re finally going to know what we have!
- OneKaneOneCup

You're both wrong. Botterill's for sale sign clearly says "VERY RARE XL offensive defenseman. Original owner. no tire kickers. I know what I have."