Michael Pachla: A case for Rasmus Ristolainen to start in Rochester

Ruhwedel has to clear waivers to go to Rochester I believe

As much as I find a lot of what Matthew Coller says is laughable, I agree with him when he says Ristolainen is the Sabres best prospect including Sam Reinhart.

Guy is an absolute stud in the making

Michael, thanks for another good blog...you are hitting them out of the park. I really enjoy reading them and your take on things...keep it up!

I too think Risto should play down as the Amerks become one of the best development legs in the minor leagues. Letting the young guns develop together is far more important than playing on the Sabres this year. Hopefully it is a start to a proud tradition going forwards...now if they could change that damn contract withe the CHL we could have both Reihart and Zoro there too, but oh we'll it is what it is.

Go Sabres...30th here we come! ... Just in front of The Isles!

Ruhwedel has to clear waivers to go to Rochester I believe
- Dunkster19

Another outstanding Blog !

Financially I believe his deal is 2 way this year , 1 way next year . I do not believe he has played enough games in the NHL yet to have to clear waivers.

As much as I find a lot of what Matthew Coller says is laughable, I agree with him when he says Ristolainen is the Sabres best prospect including Sam Reinhart.

Guy is an absolute stud in the making
- sbroads24

I must say that I really like the prospects of Jake McCabe..I do think he will be a tough SOB to play against and another leader with great character...can't wit to see this team in 2-3 years once we get the three #1s from next years draft inserted into the lineup! I'm Jonesing for it already!

Michael, thanks for another good blog...you are hitting them out of the park. I really enjoy reading them and your take on things...keep it up!

I too think Risto should play down as the Amerks become one of the best development legs in the minor leagues. Letting the young guns develop together is far more important than playing on the Sabres this year. Hopefully it is a start to a proud tradition going forwards...now if they could change that damn contract withe the CHL we could have both Reihart and Zoro there too, but oh we'll it is what it is.

Go Sabres...30th here we come! ... Just in front of The Isles!
- IonSabres

This was an excellent post...except the last part. I think the Isles will be the surprise of the East.

As much as I find a lot of what Matthew Coller says is laughable, I agree with him when he says Ristolainen is the Sabres best prospect including Sam Reinhart.

Guy is an absolute stud in the making
- sbroads24

I do like that both Ristolainen and Zardorov play with an edge when they are out there. They look like they are going after the person who killed their puppy when they are out there.

This was an excellent post...except the last part. I think the Isles will be the surprise of the East.
- Jeropotato

We have a vested interest in the Islanders performance . So here is they hoping they actually finish 30th . Ahead the Sabres in 29th . We have to count on Snow screwing it up some how !

We have a vested interest in the Islanders performance . So here is they hoping they actually finish 30th . Ahead the Sabres in 29th . We have to count on Snow screwing it up some how !





- Maximum Signal

I get it, just think you guys might be disappointed. Garth did pretty good this summer, after a laughable season of sillyness, I think.

I get it, just think you guys might be disappointed. Garth did pretty good this summer, after a laughable season of sillyness, I think.
- Jeropotato

Bite your tongue . He is not done yet . Somehow he will screw things up !

Bite your tongue . He is not done yet . Somehow he will screw things up !



- Maximum Signal

...yeah I suppose he still has time

DP

Great blog. I wish you had the same access as Garth does to the team. You're way better and you have a spell checker.

I must say that I really like the prospects of Jake McCabe..I do think he will be a tough SOB to play against and another leader with great character...can't wit to see this team in 2-3 years once we get the three #1s from next years draft inserted into the lineup! I'm Jonesing for it already!
- IonSabres

I think McCabe-Ristolainen will end up being our top pair

I agree Boo's. I'd rather see them forming chemistry and winning together than losing here. Start bringing them up in pairs permanently next year.

This was an excellent post...except the last part. I think the Isles will be the surprise of the East.
- Jeropotato

Really?
I think they're gonna be brutal
Only chance they've got to not be a bottom5 team is if Halak plays out of his mind... Which I suppose is possible... But he generally is as good as the team around him... And the NYI defense is pretty weak, actually it's awful
And they didn't bring in nearly enough talent to try & out score teams

Really?
I think they're gonna be brutal
Only chance they've got to not be a bottom5 team is if Halak plays out of his mind... Which I suppose is possible... But he generally is as good as the team around him... And the NYI defense is pretty weak, actually it's awful
And they didn't bring in nearly enough talent to try & out score teams
- jdfitz77

They actually are pretty deep now at forward. You might not like them but Kulemin and Grabo make them a better team, plus the goaltending upgrade...I think they carry on where the left off the lockout year, a full year of healthy JT goes a long long way for them.

Unless Buffalo signs or trades for another D, Risto will make this team.

Unless we go with this:

Myers - Gorges
Meszaros - Pysyk
Weber - Rudy

That last pairing

Really?
I think they're gonna be brutal
Only chance they've got to not be a bottom5 team is if Halak plays out of his mind... Which I suppose is possible... But he generally is as good as the team around him... And the NYI defense is pretty weak, actually it's awful
And they didn't bring in nearly enough talent to try & out score teams
- jdfitz77

And they gave up Moulson with nothing to show for it.

Unless Buffalo signs or trades for another D, Risto will make this team.

Unless we go with this:

Myers - Gorges
Meszaros - Pysyk
Weber - Rudy

That last pairing
- grand-magus

Rudys OK but Weber is

I almost tear up when I read a blog that is actually a good blog and it is about the Sabres, quite happy for the team to suck for another year, as long as there is progression, I don't see any point in trying to sneak into the playoff's. So would be pretty awesome for Risto to have another year to really dominate as long as the team improves and players improve that is the main thing and Nolan has another year to get a system in place.

All positive for the future going forward actually looking forward to the start of the season. Will Reinhart be with Buffalo or Rochester ?

Michael Pachla: A case for Rasmus Ristolainen to start in Rochester
- Michael Pachla

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They actually are pretty deep now at forward. You might not like them but Kulemin and Grabo make them a better team, plus the goaltending upgrade...I think they carry on where the left off the lockout year, a full year of healthy JT goes a long long way for them.
- Jeropotato

Kulemin & Grabovsky will produce roughly the same amount of goals they lost with Moulson/Vanek
They might be "deeper" but it's still a mediocre group besides Tavares
And they stunk all year with him in the lineup

But all that aside...
Their biggest problem will again be their horrible defense
Since that lockout season, they've continually lost their top defenders and not replaced them

And they gave up Moulson with nothing to show for it.
- sippyd

Yeah, but losing a trade doesn't mean they will lose more hockey games.