So he was doing his job in the corners and along the boards, something Skinner didn't have to do. Never said they were the best linemates, but at that time it was working.
- Buff36

Correlation =/= causation. Sobotka was fortunate to be put there because there were no other RW options. For a short time Skinner's innate skill made the move look fine.

Sobotka sucks. Maybe he can cheaply replace Taylor Hall in AZ with Selke Larry as his center

+\- isn’t really a good stat tbh. It’s a team stat more then anything that shows if your team as a whole is good at 5v5. For example, Risto could have stood at the blue line for 3 min while the forwards cycle constantly and Jack buries one. Risto gets a +1 for standing there
- SDSabre

BUt being 2nd in D scoring would say hes not sitting back swatting butterflys.

There’s no denying he played sig better in 19/20 then 18/19. Was almost night and day. But he’s best as a #4 and coaches always see all the physical tools he has and fall in love
- SDSabre

He was significantly better last season compared to the prior season? Strongly disagree with that.

What's that stupid movie line about thinking youre out, and then they pull you back in.

Larry Larsson for One Sea once Eichel is traded
- sbroads24

Let's rock. 1C Larry

BUt being 2nd in D scoring would say hes not sitting back swatting butterflys.
- hubie

He played a lot with Eichel. That's a huge help to his stats, and yet he still wasn't good.

He played a lot with Eichel. That's a huge help to his stats, and yet he still wasn't good.
- kingcong39

My question would be then would you rather have say Mikey Grabner or fill in the blank 3rd liner for him? The replacement isn't worth it

He was significantly better last season compared to the prior season? Strongly disagree with that.






- kingcong39

Guess not then. From the eye test, and traditional stats, yeah he was much better. We agree that +/- isn’t the best stat, but jumping from -41 to -2 says something

He played a lot with Eichel. That's a huge help to his stats, and yet he still wasn't good.
- kingcong39

Not directed at Hubie or anyone in particular but I have to always laugh when people bring up he's a 40-45 point D man. That's impressive? Hundreds of minutes with Eichel on the PP and 45 points in the tops? That erases being bad in your own end?

Guess not then. From the eye test, and traditional stats, yeah he was much better. We agree that +/- isn’t the best stat, but jumping from -41 to -2 says something
- SDSabre

Ralph played a massively conservative defensive style, and Ristolainen did play better than normal for the first part of last season, but as the season wore on, he reverted to exactly what he has always been, and the numbers reflected that.

He is who he is as a played: full of skill and zero hockey IQ.

Let some other team attempt to magically fix him.

My question would be then would you rather have say Mikey Grabner or fill in the blank 3rd liner for him? The replacement isn't worth it
- hubie

I'd take a literal bag of pucks, because the Sabres will be better when they stop playing him 23 minutes a night, and start playing the 3-4 D men they have that are better

My question would be then would you rather have say Mikey Grabner or fill in the blank 3rd liner for him? The replacement isn't worth it
- hubie

I'd rather have a pick, a prospect, and the cap space to spend on somebody better.

That would absolutely be entirely worth it.

I'd take a literal bag of pucks, because the Sabres will be better when they stop playing him 23 minutes a night, and start playing the 3-4 D men they have that are better
- sbroads24

All of this!

Not directed at Hubie or anyone in particular but I have to always laugh when people bring up he's a 40-45 point D man. That's impressive? Hundreds of minutes with Eichel on the PP and 45 points in the tops? That erases being bad in your own end?
- sbroads24

I get it, but what y'all keep not speaking on is the point of the person we deal him for isn't going to be that great either. Its not like 8 and Risto gets us Monahan. it gets you a guy like Lucic or Bennett.

If hes as bad as everyone says then looks like we need to do the Marc Staal deal

Ralph played a massively conservative defensive style, and Ristolainen did play better than normal for the first part of last season, but as the season wore on, he reverted to exactly what he has always been, and the numbers reflected that.

He is who he is as a played: full of skill and zero hockey IQ.

Let some other team attempt to magically fix him.
- kingcong39

Hey I’m not saying keep Him or he’s good.. but we can’t say he sucks, but at the same time demand a GM get a top six forward for him, or the GM isn’t doing his job

The Sabres defense would be vastly improved if they took the $5.4M they are paying Ristolainen and applied it to the following 2 players:

$4M Dylan DeMelo (RHD)
$1.4M Jon Merrill (LHD)

Hey I’m not saying keep Him or he’s good.. but we can’t say he sucks, but at the same time demand a GM get a top six forward for him, or the GM isn’t doing his job
- SDSabre

I am not advocating that there should be some kind of great return for Ristolainen.

I am advocating for getting rid of him, even if means the return is futures and cap space, and then using that cap space on better players.

I'd rather have a pick, a prospect, and the cap space to spend on somebody better.

That would absolutely be entirely worth it.
- kingcong39

I wouldn't trust this organization to draft a player of significance but that is my .02 good thing payday was yesterday so I can give all these .02 and .25 for the meters.

IM not saying hes good im not saying he has to stay. But today hes in a Okposo category of getting rid of is more costly then keeping

Ralph played a massively conservative defensive style, and Ristolainen did play better than normal for the first part of last season, but as the season wore on, he reverted to exactly what he has always been, and the numbers reflected that.

He is who he is as a played: full of skill and zero hockey IQ.

Let some other team attempt to magically fix him.
- kingcong39

Trumps got the Rona

I am not advocating that there should be some kind of great return for Ristolainen.

I am advocating for getting rid of him, even if means the return is futures and cap space, and then using that cap space on better players.
- kingcong39

Where are we getting better players from? draft FA Trades?

I get it, but what y'all keep not speaking on is the point of the person we deal him for isn't going to be that great either. Its not like 8 and Risto gets us Monahan. it gets you a guy like Lucic or Bennett.

If hes as bad as everyone says then looks like we need to do the Marc Staal deal
- hubie

I would trade Ristolainen in 3 seconds for Bennett.

I wouldn't trust this organization to draft a player of significance but that is my .02 good thing payday was yesterday so I can give all these .02 and .25 for the meters.

IM not saying hes good im not saying he has to stay. But today hes in a Okposo category of getting rid of is more costly then keeping
- hubie

The bold is just not true, as other teams have approached the Sabres numerous times about trading for Ristolainen, as recently as last offseason when the Jets offered Ehlers as part of a deal, and the Sabres stupidly said no.

I'd take a literal bag of pucks, because the Sabres will be better when they stop playing him 23 minutes a night, and start playing the 3-4 D men they have that are better
- sbroads24

it would be sweet if we had a coach he put players in positions to succeed and make the team better in the process.... nope lets through risto out 28 minutes a night and Dahlin 16 in highly defensive situations.

The bold is just not true, as other teams have approached the Sabres numerous times about trading for Ristolainen, as recently as last offseason when the Jets offered Ehlers as part of a deal, and the Sabres stupidly said no.
- kingcong39

yeah i don't think that there isn't people looking to trade for him, i think he was/is over valued on the trade market by buffalo gms

I would trade Ristolainen in 3 seconds for Bennett.
- kingcong39

I would not, but that's just me