Just checking in with you guys, hoping you're still happy with your purchase.
- TheSabresTaco

lol this is excellent customer service

Just like the analytics department. They hired more people so they must be the best.
- MJL

enough with that "less is more" crap, more is more!!!! lol

I agree. Couturier is the obvious choice followed by Atkinson.
- MJL

I was actually going to post the same.

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/goaltender/ufa/

numerous player on that list and I wont even include Hamilton.

The GM was fixated on RR. That is a fact. To resign him was just plain stupid. I can live with the trade (dont agree with it) but you cut your losses.

This myth about RR and his physicality is just that.

His job clearly isnt on the line.
- hello it's me 2050

But Hamilton has to want to come here. From what I recall he was never a realistic option.

And after not addressing the D the previous year of course he had to make these signings to keep his job.

Considering the lineup features at least 5 players that should be in the AHL, a guy who should be retired and it’s coached by a moron, I’m not sure how one could expect any type of positive outcome. I feel bad for Carter Hart, but I feel even worse for us fans who’ve been subjected to a decade of ineptitude with no end in sight.
- BiggE

I actually paid to go see that and couldn’t believe my eyes minutes into the game. We made the Red Wings look like they were still in their dynasty days.

Who would you have targeted instead? Your jobs on the line and you must make a move. Of who was available who would you have rather gone after?

The same people saying they would t have signed Risto are the same people who would have spent the entire season calling the Flyers soft.

It’s not like he was signed to be a 1a or even a 1b. That distinction goes to Glass Ellis
- black_francis

Saw Ristso quote last night.

This thread reads like a Sabres thread for Ristos entire career.

Hes big a tough, i guess.

He gets pushed around a lot and for some reason isn't great at clearing the front.

He brings a physical game, but everything else is average to below average.

constant arguments of his value and how he brings an added toughness.

Its giving me nightmares just thinking about it.

Who would you have targeted instead? Your jobs on the line and you must make a move. Of who was available who would you have rather gone after?

The same people saying they would t have signed Risto are the same people who would have spent the entire season calling the Flyers soft.

It’s not like he was signed to be a 1a or even a 1b. That distinction goes to Glass Ellis
- black_francis

I said it then...say it now, we could have had Hakinpaa for an extremely manageable contract.

But Hamilton has to want to come here. From what I recall he was never a realistic option.

And after not addressing the D the previous year of course he had to make these signings to keep his job.
- black_francis

I said exclude him.

He didn't address the D with any real upgrade by acquiring RR. Not sure why you and others cant see this to be true. He focused on RR from day 1. He also struck out on Jones.

No he had the built in covid excuse. He wasn't getting fired. He also over compensated his focus on the D. The goaltending was hideous last year. That was a bigger problem.

Saw Ristso quote last night.

This thread reads like a Sabres thread for Ristos entire career.

Hes big a tough, i guess.

He gets pushed around a lot and for some reason isn't great at clearing the front.

He brings a physical game, but everything else is average to below average.

constant arguments of his value and how he brings an added toughness.

Its giving me nightmares just thinking about it.
- ImThatGuy

Well then that’s speaks of the team as a whole. If he’s our “toughest” player and isn’t even really that tough, what’s that say about the rest of the group? With a lineup of guys like Frost, Farabee, Atkinson, TK - imagine how we’d get pushed around. Meanwhile, Sanheim is getting suplexed by Gerbe. Again, he fills a need as a 4th defenseman. Not just “clearing the porch” but punishing guys in the corners and overall being a presence that may dissuade a guy from running Frost.

He wasn’t brought in to be a 1a or 1b, the deal he signed is on or par with what he brings and what the market dictated.

I would like 1 draft pick back in acquiring him though

As well as not being able to score, he's also bad defensively. This is why he's been outscored 27 goals to 12 in very limited and sheltered 5on5 minutes.

He also can't kill penalties. Laczynski or Allison would be a huge upgrade at 4 RW.
- Feanor

Name the Best fourth line scorer in the league, and will you have them in your hockey pool next season? Aaaaaaannnnd….GO!

Saw Ristso quote last night.

This thread reads like a Sabres thread for Ristos entire career.

Hes big a tough, i guess.

He gets pushed around a lot and for some reason isn't great at clearing the front.

He brings a physical game, but everything else is average to below average.

constant arguments of his value and how he brings an added toughness.

Its giving me nightmares just thinking about it.
- ImThatGuy

He's the least effective physical player I have ever seen. His physical play does nothing to limit shot chances against, shots on net, scoring chances or goals. You see him on occasion make very good plays and know that he is capable. Has the raw skills and talent to be a very good player. However, he severely lacks hockey sense, is lackadaisical and is in essence a dumb player.

Well then that’s speaks of the team as a whole. If he’s our “toughest” player and isn’t even really that tough, what’s that say about the rest of the group? With a lineup of guys like Frost, Farabee, Atkinson, TK - imagine how we’d get pushed around. Meanwhile, Sanheim is getting suplexed by Gerbe. Again, he fills a need as a 4th defenseman. Not just “clearing the porch” but punishing guys in the corners and overall being a presence that may dissuade a guy from running Frost.

He wasn’t brought in to be a 1a or 1b, the deal he signed is on or par with what he brings and what the market dictated.

I would like 1 draft pick back in acquiring him though
- black_francis

He doesn't fill a need. They need is to have quality dman in your top 4.

He nor anyone else will dissuade anyone from going after Frost or anyone else. Those days are long long long long gone. They aint ever coming back.

Who would you have targeted instead? Your jobs on the line and you must make a move. Of who was available who would you have rather gone after?

The same people saying they would t have signed Risto are the same people who would have spent the entire season calling the Flyers soft.

It’s not like he was signed to be a 1a or even a 1b. That distinction goes to Glass Ellis
- black_francis

I am sure he had 10's of other options. The fact is CF locked in on RR years ago and did whatever it took to get him. He shot his shot and it looks to be an error. Now he is stuck with him for five years.

He's the least effective physical player I have ever seen. His physical play does nothing to limit shot chances against, shots on net, scoring chances or goals. You see him on occasion make very good plays and know that he is capable. Has the raw skills and talent to be a very good player. However, he severely lacks hockey sense, is lackadaisical and is in essence a dumb player.
- MJL

Doesn’t he lead the league in blocked shots?
He’s 7th in the league in hits.

I’d like to give him (and the rest of the team) a fighting chance with a good coaching staff from the start and not this jumbled mess with an incompetent interim coach thrown in the middle. Wishful thinking I know

Well then that’s speaks of the team as a whole. If he’s our “toughest” player and isn’t even really that tough, what’s that say about the rest of the group? With a lineup of guys like Frost, Farabee, Atkinson, TK - imagine how we’d get pushed around. Meanwhile, Sanheim is getting suplexed by Gerbe. Again, he fills a need as a 4th defenseman. Not just “clearing the porch” but punishing guys in the corners and overall being a presence that may dissuade a guy from running Frost.

He wasn’t brought in to be a 1a or 1b, the deal he signed is on or par with what he brings and what the market dictated.

I would like 1 draft pick back in acquiring him though
- black_francis

Now we are all the way up to him getting suplexed?


I hope you are never called in as a witness for anything.

I don’t even like Risto that much but some of you are acting as though Chuck signed him to play top minutes against the leagues best as a 1A.

I am sure he had 10's of other options. The fact is CF locked in on RR years ago and did whatever it took to get him. He shot his shot and it looks to be an error. Now he is stuck with him for five years.
- mickel25

As I said I could live with the trade. The double down part just shows me he isn't a good GM. Not that I rally needed that to show it

Now we are all the way up to him getting suplexed?


I hope you are never called in as a witness for anything.
- MBFlyerfan

He took him to the turnbuckle and off the top rope

I said exclude him.

He didn't address the D with any real upgrade by acquiring RR. Not sure why you and others cant see this to be true. He focused on RR from day 1. He also struck out on Jones.

No he had the built in covid excuse. He wasn't getting fired. He also over compensated his focus on the D. The goaltending was hideous last year. That was a bigger problem.
- hello it's me 2050

People were buying that covid excuse too....smh.

Maybe when Morin gets healthy we can trade Risto since he’s the same player. Never seen them in the same room at the same time..
- black_francis

lol

Will Couts be the Captain?
What weighs against that?
He's such a quiet guy. His internal flame is there but can he gain the team's controls of its furnace?
I'm unsure as to his psychology. Will he decide to remain in his current role?
Can he completely recover from his surgery? I haven't seen (crickets from the club) any information to make my 'medical' evaluation.
So, will he be prepared, physically and mentally, to do the work?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Just checking in with you guys, hoping you're still happy with your purchase.
- TheSabresTaco

They're returning him back to you guys. Receipt is still valid.

They're returning him back to you guys. Receipt is still valid.
- Pelle31Forever

Yeah but we opened him

Since we are back to our daily bashing of RR......name one coach that RR has had that was a good coach? Good coaches put players in a position to succeed with their skill set. Mind you i would like RR more for $1M less. But he is going to be here for a few years, so this daily RR talk gets old fast.

Who would MJL have targeted instead of Risto?
- bradster

Agree. Same convo now since last summer.

And should be clear. Targets are RR fletch and jb250.

I just try to avoid reading certain posters same old nonsense. Cuts it down to like two posts per page that are interesting.

I don’t even like Risto that much but some of you are acting as though Chuck signed him to play top minutes against the leagues best as a 1A.
- black_francis

I don't think anyone thinks that. I think people are disappointed that instead of selling him at the deadline in a lost season, he was re-signed for 5 years while not having a particularly good year or proving that playing in Buffalo was the source of his shortcomings.

That is 5 mil they could've used elsewhere. Hell, they could've used it on a better defenseman in free agency!