Only Scandella was better in CF% rel, and only Jokiharju and Scandella were better in xGF%. See? I can make the stats say whatever I want too!
- Wetbandit1

The people who claim stats have no context are always the ones who take them out of context.

Pound for pound, centers are absolutely more valuable than wingers. I would never argue that. But watching Eichel play with Foligno and Girgensons would just be (frank)ing sad.
- TheSabresTaco

Sure, but if you swapped out Skinner’s $9M with let’s say Haula, Burakovsky, and Dzingel is there a drop off ? With the way Eichel, Mojo, Mitts, Hutton/Ullmark and the defence group playing the way it is me thinks not.

McCabe would be fine as a third pairing d-man with scaled back minutes. I think the Risto comparison to Phanuef was right on the nose (pun intended). Risto is fine #4 and has proven he can quarterback a PP but both of these defenders play too many defensive minutes.
- Swedish_Jesus

Because you know? Why?

8-1-1

Err...
- TheSabresTaco

It's a joke trade.

I think Risto has no hockey IQ and am his toughest critic. In saying that I thought he was fine tonight, McCabe struggled mightily. He’s rarely mentioned but Miller is SO good in his own net, from clearing the front to getting the puck out. Eichel is on pace for 115 points, Dahlin 82, Hutton 42 wins
- turbo044

I ask, what is your background that your criticism should be acknowledged?

8-1-1 ; enjoy it.

This goes back months. Sbroads said assists don’t matter to make a long story short.
- Swedish_Jesus

Lmao. Yes, verbatim i said assists don’t matter.

Dude take the L on Skinner and move on

Really? From the kid who thinks they shouldn't have re-signed Skinner to his deal?
- Wetbandit1

It will be interesting to see who does get traded, Botts has options and will trade the one who gets him the return he wants. We all might be surprised.
- Buff36

I agree. By being patient and betting on your player, or commodity, Botts rightly believed RISTO, while flawed, has a value that Botts has set, if he doesn't get equal to that in return he stays, RISTO is really having fun right now, did you see his smile when he and Jack won it in OT? He isn't the sharpest tool in the shed but is a dude I would want with me in a dark alley or the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Remember, Size and strength isn't just for punishing the opposition, but absorbing hits from the strongest on the other team. It's an unheralded job that players like, McCabe, Risto, Sobotka, Okposo, Gerginsens and Miller provide and it's vital.

That being said, I believe Botts is sitting pretty with a Variety of available D-Men as their price keeps rising the better we play. It's a Win-Win for us. Whichever player gets us the best Top6 or Centerman has to go, of the following

Scandella only if packaged with a player like Tage might bring back a Top 6

but straight up,

McCabe Risto Montour

ALL bring a variety of BIDS from teams with different needs and different forward depth. Risto hasn't surprised me this year. He brings good and bad, mostly good so far, he really does seem more engaged when the team is doing well, he is an emotional player and I wouldn't want to take that out of him.

Lmao. Yes, verbatim i said assists don’t matter.

Dude take the L on Skinner and move on
- sbroads24

Taking an L after game 10 of an 8 year contract. This also coming from someone who prides themselves on analytics. I miss One Kane One Cup.

Discussing the roster is kinda what we do here. If that somehow offends you, SIR YOU CAN SIMPLY NOT READ MY POSTS, SIR!
- matty12345

Not it. You are a bitter soul. I merely stated that we can relish in the start.

You, if you wish to be sour, can go sit in the corner.

The people who claim stats have no context are always the ones who take them out of context.
- matty12345

“Stats don’t tell the whole story!!!!”

Risto gets 2 points - “Risto was great his two points tell the whole story!!”

Taking an L after game 10 of an 8 year contract. This also coming from someone who prides themselves on analytics. I miss One Kane One Cup.
- Swedish_Jesus

Buddy, you called Skinner a second liner repeatedly. Stop acting like all you said was he was gonna be bad in years 5-8.

And I was just busting balls with the Emmanuel Sanders joke

This goes back months. Sbroads said assists don’t matter to make a long story short.
- Swedish_Jesus

Secondary assists, ones on the PP especially, but now that Dahlin has a handful, literally passing to Eichel, the thing he female dogged about Risto forever, it's totally fine.

The people who claim stats have no context are always the ones who take them out of context.
- matty12345

Jesus, can you not read? Read the last sentence again.

Discussing the roster is kinda what we do here. If that somehow offends you, SIR YOU CAN SIMPLY NOT READ MY POSTS, SIR!
- matty12345

WILL YOU HAVE A LONG ISLAND ICED TEA AND RELAX, PLEASE

Secondary assists, ones on the PP especially, but now that Dahlin has a handful, literally passing to Eichel, the thing he female dogged about Risto forever, it's totally fine.
- Wetbandit1

Interesting, how often have I pointed to Dahlin’s points as to a factor in him playing well? Oh wait I haven’t

The people who claim stats have no context are always the ones who take them out of context.
- matty12345

It's funny, the people who yell about appealing to authority, do it even more than the people they female dog about.

Interesting, how often have I pointed to Dahlin’s points as to a factor in him playing well? Oh wait I haven’t
- sbroads24

You literally used it as a bludgeon on Risto. And not a peep about Dahlin.

You hate Risto, it's fine, but just be honest about it. Don't try and use bullpoop to hide behind.

You literally used it as a bludgeon on Risto. And not a peep about Dahlin.

You hate Risto, it's fine, but just be honest about it.
- Wetbandit1

Oh god STFU. I said it wasn’t impressive to pass the puck 7 feet to the right to Eichel

Just like it’s not impressive when Dahlin does it.

It’s “fine” when either do it. However it doesn’t come close to making them good

It sure seems like people here are happier when the Sabres lose, cuz they get to say “I told you so”, in reference to their personal whipping boy. Too bad for them there’s only been one regulation loss. Tough season so far.

You literally used it as a bludgeon on Risto. And not a peep about Dahlin.

You hate Risto, it's fine, but just be honest about it. Don't try and use bullpoop to hide behind.
- Wetbandit1

Accurate and concise as your usual Bandit

I agree. By being patient and betting on your player, or commodity, Botts rightly believed RISTO, while flawed, has a value that Botts has set, if he doesn't get equal to that in return he stays, RISTO is really having fun right now, did you see his smile when he and Jack won it in OT? He isn't the sharpest tool in the shed but is a dude I would want with me in a dark alley or the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Remember, Size and strength isn't just for punishing the opposition, but absorbing hits from the strongest on the other team. It's an unheralded job that players like, McCabe, Risto, Sobotka, Okposo, Gerginsens and Miller provide and it's vital.

That being said, I believe Botts is sitting pretty with a Variety of available D-Men as their price keeps rising the better we play. It's a Win-Win for us. Whichever player gets us the best Top6 or Centerman has to go, of the following

Scandella only if packaged with a player like Tage might bring back a Top 6

but straight up,

McCabe Risto Montour

ALL bring a variety of BIDS from teams with different needs and different forward depth. Risto hasn't surprised me this year. He brings good and bad, mostly good so far, he really does seem more engaged when the team is doing well, he is an emotional player and I wouldn't want to take that out of him.
- MEBSabresFAN

Great post, we can all post who we think should get traded, but we shall see.

Pound for pound, centers are absolutely more valuable than wingers. I would never argue that. But watching Eichel play with Foligno and Girgensons would just be (frank)ing sad.
- TheSabresTaco

You have reached peak Bylsma

Buddy, you called Skinner a second liner repeatedly. Stop acting like all you said was he was gonna be bad in years 5-8.

And I was just busting balls with the Emmanuel Sanders joke
- sbroads24

Last time I checked he’s playing on the 2nd line right now no ? Is Mojo the #1 Center ? I also said it’s a lot of money to give to a guy with a career high of 63 points over 8 seasons.

You proceeded to say that goals are worth 2x more then assists. I don’t know if you watched the game tonight but I saw a few pretty primary and secondary assists tonight. Points are points anyway you slice it.

Oh god STFU. I said it wasn’t impressive to pass the puck 7 feet to the right to Eichel

Just like it’s not impressive when Dahlin does it.

It’s “fine” when either do it. However it doesn’t come close to making them good
- sbroads24

Dude come on, Have you not seen what Dahlin does with some of those passes?????

He literally floated backwards one game and ghosted a pass across to Jack.

yes there are a ton of easy touch passes that get One-timed but getting the goalie to bite or going no look, or behind his back are things RISTO Can't do