That's a pretty big, and important one thing, wouldn't you say? That's part of the reason he plays so many minutes as he creates his own problems.
- kingcong39

Hopefully that's something risto can overcome?

I like your post, it could be part of the extra minutes.

I have %100 faith in the coaching.
Krueger sees risto as a top minute defenseman
Good coaching

Haven't we had 3 shutouts in the last 6 games, with risto playing over 75 of those 180 minutes?

Credit is due in my opinion

Risto hasn't "sucked for all these years"

He had a terrible time under a terrible coach in phail lousley. Sick of losing.

Risto haters gonna have to keep qualifying their posts

Risto had a great game.....but

The one thing about risto that bothers me:

His indecision with the puck in our zone. He seems to choke a bit getting the puck out. I'm not sure if its mental or what? He just cant flip it out of the zone, it's either icing or picked off along the blueline/boards.

As a risto defender- he is fun to watch. Tough and always involved with the other team.
Hard to play against comes to mind
- Boss34

Here they come...
Those fancy charts...sorry they are so small...I assume you can pinch to expand.

You and I are representative of the two sides of this ongoing debate.
The Risto Apologists like to watch him play, the big hits, physical play, and talk about his points, while minimizing his defensive struggles...they explain it away that his horrible defensive play is directly attributable to the sucky team he has played on.
The Risto Realists look at him struggling defensively, low hockey IQ, horrible Transition game and wait for the next gaff everytime he is running around behind the net throwing puck up the wall blindly.
Realists are then called haters. We try to justify our position using charts that paint the picture of Advanced Stats to give meaning to our position on what we see.

He HAS BEEN bad defensively 5v5 for six years as shown below, and has been replaced on the PP by the likes of Dahlin, Montour, Miller ... soon to be Jokiharju as well.

Keep building value this year by riding a first place teams improved play, trade him to secure help offensively where needed. Ut is smart asset management.

That's a pretty big, and important one thing, wouldn't you say? That's part of the reason he plays so many minutes as he creates his own problems.
- kingcong39

Think it's mental, doesn't want to make that mistake, with the way things have gone the last few years, no confidence, with confidence think it will come.

Here they come...
Those fancy charts...sorry they are so small...I assume you can pinch to expand.

You and I are representative of the two sides of this ongoing debate.
The Risto Apologists like to watch him play, the big hits, physical play, and talk about his points, while minimizing his defensive struggles...they explain it away that his horrible defensive play is directly attributable to the sucky team he has played on.
The Risto Realists look at him struggling defensively, low hockey IQ, horrible Transition game and wait for the next gaff everytime he is running around behind the net throwing puck up the wall blindly.
Realists are then called haters. We try to justify our position using charts that paint the picture of Advanced Stats to give meaning to our position on what we see.

He HAS BEEN bad defensively 5v5 for six years as shown below, and has been replaced on the PP by the likes of Dahlin, Montour, Miller ... soon to be Jokiharju as well.

Keep building value this year by riding a first place teams improved play, trade him to secure help offensively where needed. Ut is smart asset management.













- IonSabres

Which category does Krueger, his coaching staff and the Sabres analytics department fall under?

Risto apologists
Or
Risto realists?

Which category does Krueger, his coaching staff and the Sabres analytics department fall under?

Risto realists
Or
Risto haters?
- Michael Pachla

Fixed for accuracy

Hopefully that's something risto can overcome?

I like your post, it could be part of the extra minutes.

I have %100 faith in the coaching.
Krueger sees risto as a top minute defenseman
Good coaching

Haven't we had 3 shutouts in the last 6 games, with risto playing over 75 of those 180 minutes?

Credit is due in my opinion
- Boss34

Credit is due to Mr Krueger, Mr Smith, and Mr Taylor for sure!
Risto has improved under their tutelage for sure...
So has Joker, McCabe, Scandella. And Miller has been a breath of fresh air, very solid.
Even Gilmour looked terrific last night.

Can't wait to see the impact this System and the Coaching Staff on Montour, and Pilut when he gets called up as well!!!

The whole D Corp has generally looked very good.
Amazing what a strong transition game can do for the team.

Risto hasn't "sucked for all these years"

He had a terrible time under a terrible coach in phail lousley. Sick of losing.

Risto haters gonna have to keep qualifying their posts

Risto had a great game.....but

The one thing about risto that bothers me:

His indecision with the puck in our zone. He seems to choke a bit getting the puck out. I'm not sure if its mental or what? He just cant flip it out of the zone, it's either icing or picked off along the blueline/boards.

As a risto defender- he is fun to watch. Tough and always involved with the other team.
Hard to play against comes to mind
- Boss34

solid

Which category does Krueger, his coaching staff and the Sabres analytics department fall under?

Risto apologists
Or
Risto realists?
- Michael Pachla

Not sure...it would make a great blog if you could get an interview with him.
He is on every show it seems...must have time for a terrific blogger

Which category does Krueger, his coaching staff and the Sabres analytics department fall under?

Risto apologists
Or
Risto realists?
- Michael Pachla

there is a reason he still leads the team in ice time, by a mile


he turns 25 tomorrow, played 5 and a half seasons on perhaps the worst team the sabres iced in five and a half years

those that hate him will hate him no matter what


I noticed every sabre improve this season so far with a new coach, except maybe skinner who I feel already peaked

Risto turns 25 tomorrow, D men blossom later then wingers
Mark Giordano had about 50 games in the nhl when he turned 25

Risto Polyanna's
Or
Risto Realists?

Now, Accurately Fixed

Credit is due to Mr Krueger, Mr Smith, and Mr Taylor for sure!
Risto has improved under their tutelage for sure...
So has Joker, McCabe, Scandella. And Miller has been a breath of fresh air, very solid.
Even Gilmour looked terrific last night.

Can't wait to see the impact this System and the Coaching Staff on Montour, and Pilut when he gets called up as well!!!

The whole D Corp has generally looked very good.
Amazing what a strong transition game can do for the team.
- IonSabres

I think the biggest thing that helped the defense is having forwards that understand they have a defensive responsibility while on the ice too. That and having more balanced forward lines.

I think the biggest thing that helped the defense is having forwards that understand they have a defensive responsibility while on the ice too. That and having more balanced forward lines.
- adambuffalo

Spot on, I agree.

Here they come...
Those fancy charts...sorry they are so small...I assume you can pinch to expand.

You and I are representative of the two sides of this ongoing debate.
The Risto Apologists like to watch him play, the big hits, physical play, and talk about his points, while minimizing his defensive struggles...they explain it away that his horrible defensive play is directly attributable to the sucky team he has played on.
The Risto Realists look at him struggling defensively, low hockey IQ, horrible Transition game and wait for the next gaff everytime he is running around behind the net throwing puck up the wall blindly.
Realists are then called haters. We try to justify our position using charts that paint the picture of Advanced Stats to give meaning to our position on what we see.

He HAS BEEN bad defensively 5v5 for six years as shown below, and has been replaced on the PP by the likes of Dahlin, Montour, Miller ... soon to be Jokiharju as well.

Keep building value this year by riding a first place teams improved play, trade him to secure help offensively where needed. Ut is smart asset management.













- IonSabres

Great post

I appreciate the argument and your opinion

People see different things on the same player and play

As a season ticket holder I love what he brings.
Exciting player, big hitter and doesn't take poop. Without bogo, he's even more important.

As a team: were soft and gonna get crushed when teams realize what the la kings did to us.

His physical presence to me is enough to forgive the brain cramps. It is frustrating though for sure.

Michael brought up some great points with the new coaching staff. Why cant they bring his game to a more consistent basic game?

He also can stretch pass out of the d zone. Keep an eye out for it monday. Let's discuss it tuesday. 🤝

there is a reason he still leads the team in ice time, by a mile


he turns 25 tomorrow, played 5 and a half seasons on perhaps the worst team the sabres iced in five and a half years

those that hate him will hate him no matter what


I noticed every sabre improve this season so far with a new coach, except maybe skinner who I feel already peaked

Risto turns 25 tomorrow, D men blossom later then wingers
Mark Giordano had about 50 games in the nhl when he turned 25
- homiedclown

What is very interesting, and I'm very surprised this hasn't been asked of Ralph yet is...

If keeping the players fresh is high on his priority list, and
He doesn't yet trust Dahlin and Joker later in the game...
Why doesn't he pair Scandella and Miller together to eat into McCabe and Risto's overutilization?
Seems he could balance the TOI a bit better by using other veteran Dmen who are playing very well themselves

Not sure...it would make a great blog if you could get an interview with him.
He is on every show it seems...must have time for a terrific blogger
- IonSabres

Thx...but I'm not that high up the sports writing hierarchy. WGR has the most access to him. Every Wednesday

there is a reason he still leads the team in ice time, by a mile


he turns 25 tomorrow, played 5 and a half seasons on perhaps the worst team the sabres iced in five and a half years

those that hate him will hate him no matter what


I noticed every sabre improve this season so far with a new coach, except maybe skinner who I feel already peaked

Risto turns 25 tomorrow, D men blossom later then wingers
Mark Giordano had about 50 games in the nhl when he turned 25
- homiedclown

I'm stickin by what I wrote yesterday.

To me he and McCabe are like a journeyman QB taking the pressure off of the franchise QB

Now, Accurately Fixed
- IonSabres

Pollyanna Phil was a good one from Harrington

Thx...but I'm not that high up the sports writing hierarchy. WGR has the most access to him. Every Wednesday
- Michael Pachla

Maybe not. But the quality of your writing would say you absolutely should be,

What is very interesting, and I'm very surprised this hasn't been asked of Ralph yet is...

If keeping the players fresh is high on his priority list, and
He doesn't yet trust Dahlin and Joker later in the game...
Why doesn't he pair Scandella and Miller together to eat into McCabe and Risto's overutilization?
Seems he could balance the TOI a bit better by using other veteran Dmen who are playing very well themselves
- IonSabres

He doesn't seem to like breaking up pairings, maybe he doesn't want to overuse Scandella, he did have ankle surgery. Can't think of anything with Miller, he's been solid

I still dont think this team needs both Montour and Risto. Pick one guy

I like pilut, young exciting guy that we didnt have to purposely lose to acquire.

Replacing risto with pilut would provide an even softer team.

Nhl playoffs are a long battle. Something that jack and risto are built for.

Prospects are prospects
Borgen, and Samuelson will be in the mix soon.

Gilmore deserves to be on the big club
- Boss34

Who is suggesting this?

Pilut wouldn’t be asked to be our #1 D man.

there is a reason he still leads the team in ice time, by a mile


he turns 25 tomorrow, played 5 and a half seasons on perhaps the worst team the sabres iced in five and a half years

those that hate him will hate him no matter what


I noticed every sabre improve this season so far with a new coach, except maybe skinner who I feel already peaked

Risto turns 25 tomorrow, D men blossom later then wingers
Mark Giordano had about 50 games in the nhl when he turned 25
- homiedclown

Because he doesn’t trust the young players yet.

Is there a reason Sobotka has more ice time than Mittelstadt? Do you think Krueger thinks Sobotka is the better player?

He doesn’t trust the young guys on D yet. That doesn’t mean he thinks Risto is far superior.

Risto was the third D out in OT behind Jokiharju and Dahlin, who are the future 1/2

Because he doesn’t trust the young players yet.

Is there a reason Sobotka has more ice time than Mittelstadt? Do you think Krueger thinks Sobotka is the better player?

He doesn’t trust the young guys on D yet. That doesn’t mean he thinks Risto is far superior.

Risto was the third D out in OT behind Jokiharju and Dahlin, who are the future 1/2
- sbroads24

Or because Risto played the last minute and half of the 3rd.

I think the biggest thing that helped the defense is having forwards that understand they have a defensive responsibility while on the ice too. That and having more balanced forward lines.
- adambuffalo

Nice very true

#goalsdon'tmattermuch
- homiedclown

they actually dont matter at all when they occur on the powerplay