How do you know how he plays in a reduced role? Hes never not played 25mins a game
- DirtyDan

Did last year, and actually had a ok season.

Sbroads was referring to Risto
- Pegullaville

Yeah how does he know hes only a bottom pairing d-man? HES ONLY EVER PLAYED TOP MAN WHILE BEING HERE.

Jeez. get a grip.

Did last year, and actually had a ok season.
- Buff36

This is what im saying. HEs clearly not a #1... but hes definitely not a bottom pairing guy

Risto actually makes an effort in his own zone though. Where as Dahlin has no clue how to tie a guy up or even skate backwards
- DirtyDan

Ristolainen is outstanding at taking himself out of position in the d zone to make a hit.

He's also adroit at hitting or tying up a player in the d zone right after they score a goal.

That's some effort.

Next contestant up tomorrow am...Just waiting for the submission!

Ristolainen is outstanding at taking himself out of position in the d zone to make a hit.

He's also adroit at hitting or tying up a player in the d zone right after they score a goal.

That's some effort.
- kingcong39

Better to be slow than to just not even give an effort.... Like when Dahlin got beat down the length of the ice after giving the puck away the other night.

Can't harp on one kid and not the others.

I can distinctly remember 3 times he beat the tar heals off of someone in retaliation of a hit. I think this is from a while ago, but if I remember right MacInnis that Dougherty kid hard a little earlier. Someone fought him and lost, so Borgen stepped up and...well...you saw.

Nice find.
- RhinoFan

Just put it out there that we will have that soon, the kid can throw down when needed, and Samuelsson is nasty to. I don't care Tage got his Ass handed to him, he did something that has been missing from this team for awhile he stepped up, earned some respect.

Your saying Borgen would score the game winner for your country in the biggest tournament you'll ever play in before coming to a NHL franchise to be there #1.

Now you crucify him because apparently hes only worth about 10 mins a game. While literally having no one else to be that #1 d-man because your management absolutely has sucked since you came here.

Makes sense. rip on your best d-man because hes never been given the proper help. Rip on Eichs for not having the proper help.

You guys make no sense half the time.

Who are we playing 25 mins a game in place of Risto? Borgen? A guy whos played 8 games in the Chel? Laughable
- DirtyDan

And this line of thinking is exactly why we have sucked for 8 years and why we don’t have Ehlers putting up 60-70 points on Eichel’s wing the last two seasons

Your saying Borgen would score the game winner for your country in the biggest tournament you'll ever play in before coming to a NHL franchise to be there #1.

Now you crucify him because apparently hes only worth about 10 mins a game. While literally having no one else to be that #1 d-man because your management absolutely has sucked since you came here.

Makes sense. rip on your best d-man because hes never been given the proper help. Rip on Eichs for not having the proper help.

You guys make no sense half the time.

Who are we playing 25 mins a game in place of Risto? Borgen? A guy whos played 8 games in the Chel? Laughable
- DirtyDan

He has rarely, if ever been this teams best D man over the past 8 years

Did last year, and actually had a ok season.
- Buff36

I'm having a difficult time telling much difference between the last 3 seasons or his entire career for Ristolainen.

He remains the same player: All the physical tools you'd want in a defenseman, and none of the hockey IQ.

Better to be slow than to just not even give an effort.... Like when Dahlin got beat down the length of the ice after giving the puck away the other night.

Can't harp on one kid and not the others.
- DirtyDan

So we weren't cutting Ristolainen slack 5 years ago in year 3?

It's year 8. He's not good

He has rarely, if ever been this teams best D man over the past 8 years
- sbroads24

I don't mean best as in defensively, best as in hes been played as our #1 since hes been here.

Better to be slow than to just not even give an effort.... Like when Dahlin got beat down the length of the ice after giving the puck away the other night.

Can't harp on one kid and not the others.
- DirtyDan

If somebody works hard but the results are negative, does the hard work matter?

So we weren't cutting Ristolainen slack 5 years ago in year 3?

It's year 8. He's not good
- sbroads24

Not good as #1.

Theres a difference.

You still think im saying hes bobby orr or something


We don't have a number 1 so in place we have Risto.

Blame management hes there.

I'm having a difficult time telling much difference between the last 3 seasons or his entire career for Ristolainen.

He remains the same player: All the physical tools you'd want in a defenseman, and none of the hockey IQ.






- kingcong39

Said he was ok in a reduced roll last year, which he was compared to most years.

I don't mean best as in defensively, best as in hes been played as our #1 since hes been here.
- DirtyDan

But that's entirely the issue.

I wouldn't harp on him if he was played as a middle pairing player that just wasn't as good as the hype when he came out.

But it's year after year, coach after coach. Always getting wrecked playing top minutes

If somebody works hard but the results are negative, does the hard work matter?
- kingcong39

Yes..... LOL

Im not going to want the guy that lets his man beat him because hes a soft p*ssy.

Time's change kid. I'm like a spider monkey on mountain dew now. 😉

Believe me, you would want me on your side.

Which conveniently I'm not 😀
- Boss34

Maybe in a limbo contest, probably not a fist fight.

But that's entirely the issue.

I wouldn't harp on him if he was played as a middle pairing player that just wasn't as good as the hype when he came out.

But it's year after year, coach after coach. Always getting wrecked playing top minutes
- sbroads24

WHO THE FRANK ARE YOU PUTTING THERE THEN?????

Jesus Christ you boys get taught how to read over there.

Yes..... LOL

Im not going to want the guy that lets his man beat him because hes a soft p*ssy.
- DirtyDan

Instead of accepting a hard worker with negative results, I'd be looking for somebody who posts positive results, and hopefully they're also a hard worker.

I wouldn't continually lean on the suspect performer for going on nearly a decade.

Your saying Borgen would score the game winner for your country in the biggest tournament you'll ever play in before coming to a NHL franchise to be there #1.

Now you crucify him because apparently hes only worth about 10 mins a game. While literally having no one else to be that #1 d-man because your management absolutely has sucked since you came here.

Makes sense. rip on your best d-man because hes never been given the proper help. Rip on Eichs for not having the proper help.

You guys make no sense half the time.

Who are we playing 25 mins a game in place of Risto? Borgen? A guy whos played 8 games in the Chel? Laughable
- DirtyDan

this is a valid point, but risto gets crushed in those minutes anyways so just let someone else get crushed in those minutes and see if risto can dominate the easier ones

Said he was ok in a reduced roll last year, which he was compared to most years.
- Buff36

Looks like his best year of the past 3 was the season Housley was the coach.

That's exactly what I was referring to. Those were his stats for his first 12 games, not the past 18.
- TheSabresTaco

Great , wasn't the discussion we were having.

Botterill is a fool for not extending sam at 8 x 8 when he had the chance.

Where did all those guy's go?

WHO THE FRANK ARE YOU PUTTING THERE THEN?????

Jesus Christ you boys get taught how to read over there.
- DirtyDan

Putting where? As our "#1"? Why do you need a "#1" D man to play 25-26 minutes when that guy sucks

How about just play all your defensmen around 18-20 minutes a night instead of the really bad one 26

This is what im saying. HEs clearly not a #1... but hes definitely not a bottom pairing guy

- DirtyDan

Risto is terrible, We should get a top 6 forward for him.

Love this angle too 😀