The Risto truthers still think he's good. He's still big and throws some good hits. He still plays 24 minutes a night and kills penalties. He still draws tough assignments. And the team is winning.

The Risto haters still think he sucks. He and McCabe have been on the ice for as many 5v5 goals as the other two pairs combined, and his point production has dried up now that he's not on the PP, like people said it would.

Status quo.
- matty12345

Im Risto indifferent. His hitting and toughness provides to the d what we don’t otherwise have in great quantities (McCabe, Scandella and maybe miller provide this to a lesser extent), but his hockey IQ is very low. His poor outlet passing and positioning in the d zone is mind numbing.

Johansson will be a free agent.
- buffalofan19

Doesn't matter, Vegas picked a few UFAs, also Jokiharju could be exempt if he doesn't play the requisite games this year, he's still a rookie, he only played 38 last year, so if he plays the majority of the year in Rochester, he'll be exempt.

Pilut will go down to Rochester.
- Swedish_Jesus

For now but he’s plenty good enough for the Sabres. Injuries are bound to happen and that may be the way he gets called up anyway

Im Risto indifferent. His hitting and toughness provides to the d what we don’t otherwise have in great quantities (McCabe, Scandella and maybe miller provide this to a lesser extent), but his hockey IQ is very low. His poor outlet passing and positioning in the d zone is mind numbing.
- turbo044

But is it mind-bottling?

Doesn't matter, Vegas picked a few UFAs, also Jokiharju could be exempt if he doesn't play the requisite games this year, he's still a rookie, he only played 38 last year, so if he plays the majority of the year in Rochester, he'll be exempt.
- Wetbandit1

Joker isn’t going to Rochester unless he suddenly regresses significantly

What Risto has done in the past is over, forget about it, he is playing good in this system this year. That's all that matters, the whole defense is playing good this year. Enjoy it, Risto brings a presence on the ice that nobody else on the team can

What Risto has done in the past is over, forget about it, he is playing good in this system this year. That's all that matters, the whole defense is playing good this year. Enjoy it, Risto brings a presence on the ice that nobody else on the team can
- Buff36

I'm with you on this. How is he playing now? If at the end of the year he's horrible....we can talk.

Joker isn’t going to Rochester unless he suddenly regresses significantly
- turbo044

I'm not saying he is, just that it's an option. And, maybe, for the future, a good one.

I'll be convinced the sabres are as good as they were last year when they go 10 and "O"

Doesn't matter, Vegas picked a few UFAs, also Jokiharju could be exempt if he doesn't play the requisite games this year, he's still a rookie, he only played 38 last year, so if he plays the majority of the year in Rochester, he'll be exempt.
- Wetbandit1

If i remember right, they can’t “pick” a UFA
But they can sign one, & that would count as their selection

I'll be convinced the sabres are as good as they were last year when they go 10 and "O"
- ziffles

According to the advanced stats, they're better, and decidedly so.

I'm not saying he is, just that it's an option. And, maybe, for the future, a good one.
- Wetbandit1

They probably will do that if there are no future injuries before Montour and Co. come back because it's the easiest thing to do, but I think it's a massive mistake. He's not only ready for the NHL, he makes this team better

If i remember right, they can’t “pick” a UFA
But they can sign one, & that would count as their selection
- jdfitz77

Exactly.

They probably will do that if there are no future injuries before Montour and Co. come back because it's the easiest thing to do, but I think it's a massive mistake. He's not only ready for the NHL, he makes this team better
- jcragcrumple

He makes Scandella look good.

They probably will do that if there are no future injuries before Montour and Co. come back because it's the easiest thing to do, but I think it's a massive mistake. He's not only ready for the NHL, he makes this team better
- jcragcrumple

I think Gilmour probably gets waived.

He makes Scandella look good.
- Swedish_Jesus

He's helped, but I figured Scandella would show some improvement under Krueger. Scandella didn't suck when he got here, he just got progressively worse under Housley

I think Gilmour probably gets waived.
- Wetbandit1

True, and realistically there will be injuries between now and then. I will be VERY curious to see how they handle Bogo if/when his hips are returned to a non-gelatinous state and the D is healthy. I dont see any place for him

Scandella was playing hurt last year, they said he had his ankle cleaned up in the offseason, could of played a roll in last year

Scandella was playing hurt last year, they said he had his ankle cleaned up in the offseason, could of played a roll in last year
- Buff36

Scandella couldn’t make an outlet pass to save his life last year. Jokiharju leads the team in controlled zone exits through 6 games. Scandella has done a good job playing within his means and deferring to the Joker to allow him to use his strengths of moving the puck up the ice.

I think Gilmour probably gets waived.
- Wetbandit1

If he is waived he is gone. There are a few teams that would grab any defenseman off another teams roster right now, Winnipeg is at the top of that list.

I would try to trade him to anyone besides Winnipeg for whatever I could get. Want to keep Winnipeg as desperate as possible for a possible trade to get Ehlers.

Scandella couldn’t make an outlet pass to save his life last year. Jokiharju leads the team in controlled zone exits through 6 games. Scandella has done a good job playing within his means and deferring to the Joker to allow him to use his strengths of moving the puck up the ice.
- Swedish_Jesus

No poop he played bad last year, never said he didn't, just said he was playing hurt, could of affected how he played

I'm with you on this. How is he playing now? If at the end of the year he's horrible....we can talk.
- gcomella34

How about this - Risto is playing well

so is Jake McCabe and Marco Scandella.

Is Risto that much better than either? Is he better than Brandon Montour?

With him being improved, he still doesn’t move the needle, at all, like a top pairing D should.

If there’s a team that wants him for a 2RW/C, it should’ve been done

Doesn't matter, Vegas picked a few UFAs, also Jokiharju could be exempt if he doesn't play the requisite games this year, he's still a rookie, he only played 38 last year, so if he plays the majority of the year in Rochester, he'll be exempt.
- Wetbandit1

"All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection"

Joker has to be protected.

If he is waived he is gone. There are a few teams that would grab any defenseman off another teams roster right now, Winnipeg is at the top of that list.

I would try to trade him to anyone besides Winnipeg for whatever I could get. Want to keep Winnipeg as desperate as possible for a possible trade to get Ehlers.
- Beethoven

Waivers are just as rigged as "offer-sheets", sure, theoretically you can offer-sheet a player, but in reality it rarely happens. same with waivers. Murray flat out said that there are players that are "hands off". That doesn't mean players that are "hands off" don't get claimed, but you're not going to go out of your way to work with a guy that does that to you.

If he is waived he is gone. There are a few teams that would grab any defenseman off another teams roster right now, Winnipeg is at the top of that list.

I would try to trade him to anyone besides Winnipeg for whatever I could get. Want to keep Winnipeg as desperate as possible for a possible trade to get Ehlers.
- Beethoven

Why not use him as part of a package for Ehlers?