Michael Pachla: Brandon Montour injury clouds Sabres blueline highlights Ristolainen rumors With Montour and Zach Bogosian out, the Sabres probable righties for opening night are Rasmus Ristolainen, Colin Miler, Henri Jokiharju and Casey Nelson

This does cloud Risto trade possibilities....

Cant make decisions for the future of the franchise based on injuries for the first month of the season.

That said, the Risto trade scenario seemingly ended once camp opened imo. We'll see what Krueger can do. Interesting look for Cozens there

No matter how many times ya’ll tried. You can’t keep the Nelson out of the lineup.

Where’s 8.4 % at ?

Where’s 8.4 % at ?
- gerbe75pts

It's just the preseason so I want to hit myself for taking anything away from these games, but:

1. Mittelstadt looked slow, really bad at passing, and all around out of place, the exact same as last year. Might mean nothing, but I would have loved to see him take the preseason by storm.

2. The team looked like it didn't care much in the Columbus game. Kind of sucks we have to talk about being 'flat' and 'lack of effort' already. I just once want effort not to be a huge talking point about this team.

3. Asplund looks NHL ready. Hope he gets a shot.

This does cloud Risto trade possibilities....
- turbo044

would be a particularly ballsy move on botts' part...however, methinks the return would be stellar

The Montour injury hurts for sure. I think he would be a more likely trade candidate than Risto to be honest. I know JBotts just traded for him in March, but that was before Krueger was hired. Based on Krueger's comments when hired where he said he was looking forward to working with Risto, I don't think he wants him traded. Miller and Jokiharju were acquired after Krueger was hired. Risto is on a very good contract and Montour will be an RFA. None of the guys that were brought in have proven that they are a better option than Risto yet.
Chabot just signed $8m/8. Another offensive dman getting paid crazy money. He did have a good 2nd year offensively, but doesn't play defense very well. I would think that Dahlin will be at least $10m if this is where these contracts are headed.

It's just the preseason so I want to hit myself for taking anything away from these games, but:

1. Mittelstadt looked slow, really bad at passing, and all around out of place, the exact same as last year. Might mean nothing, but I would have loved to see him take the preseason by storm.

2. The team looked like it didn't care much in the Columbus game. Kind of sucks we have to talk about being 'flat' and 'lack of effort' already. I just once want effort not to be a huge talking point about this team.

3. Asplund looks NHL ready. Hope he gets a shot.
- matty12345

He's the only top-6 (or top-9) Sabre not on that main group. It might be a challenge to him presented by management. Might be nothing. Depends if you want to read into the preseason, which i guess we all do at our own peril.

The Montour injury hurts for sure. I think he would be a more likely trade candidate than Risto to be honest. I know JBotts just traded for him in March, but that was before Krueger was hired. Based on Krueger's comments when hired where he said he was looking forward to working with Risto, I don't think he wants him traded. Miller and Jokiharju were acquired after Krueger was hired. Risto is on a very good contract and Montour will be an RFA. None of the guys that were brought in have proven that they are a better option than Risto yet.
Chabot just signed $8m/8. Another offensive dman getting paid crazy money. He did have a good 2nd year offensively, but doesn't play defense very well. I would think that Dahlin will be at least $10m if this is where these contracts are headed.
- adambuffalo

The GM that is still the GM of the Sabres traded a top d prospect and a 1st round pick for him not even a year ago. The GM is on record for saying when he made that trade it brought excitement to the locker room and he was the age and type of player he is looking to build with.

If Montour is traded instead of Risto than 050 and Fitz can have this place.

Asplund deserves a real shot at 3C. He has played very well so far. Regarding Mitts, time for him to step up.

I'm here for the arguments.

The sabres suck, we're doomed. No one wants our players, unless the deal favors them.

We will always be tanking, McDavid wouldn't make them a winner. Poor us, life sucks... Did I do that right?

Asplund deserves a real shot at 3C. He has played very well so far. Regarding Mitts, time for him to step up.
- SabreWest

3C

or 2C


the chemistry he has with olofsson is really good

Skinner-Eichel-Cozens
Olofsson-Asplund-Reinhart
Vesey-Casey-Johansson
Sheary-E-Rod-Tage


that would be a much faster team then we have seen in a long long time

I'm here for the arguments.
- jochfr

I prefer dope and liquor but what do I know

Asplund will never be better than Pysyk

Dahlin-Ristolainen
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

3C

or 2C


the chemistry he has with olofsson is really good

Skinner-Eichel-Cozens
Olofsson-Asplund-Reinhart
Vesey-Casey-Johansson
Sheary-E-Rod-Tage


that would be a much faster team then we have seen in a long long time

I really like that line-up. It provides 4 solid lines, assuming that the young guns all play up to their potential. You could even swap Reinhart and Johansson. If you played the Asplund line as a 3rd line, it gives them even better matchups they could capitalize on.

Dahlin-Ristolainen
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
- doppelthat

Someday, they won't lie about cutting his minutes.

Also, we don't know how this defense will shape up. Especially with Pilut, Montour and Bogo floating around.

It's insanely encouraging to see Joker floating around the top 4.

Preseason pledge, buds.

A lot to watch if today's 'gold' team is the one iced on Friday. Cozens at 2C, Asplund 3C, Olofsson, The Swede Trio chemistry, Ruotsalainen effectiveness on the 4th line, maybe Vesey looks better with Reinhart and Eichel..

Lot to look at.

3C

or 2C


the chemistry he has with olofsson is really good

Skinner-Eichel-Cozens
Olofsson-Asplund-Reinhart
Vesey-Casey-Johansson
Sheary-E-Rod-Tage


that would be a much faster team then we have seen in a long long time
- homiedclown

I really like these line combos but where does that leave Okslopoke? Minors like Moulson deal?

I really like these line combos but where does that leave Okslopoke? Minors like Moulson deal?
- lulags

IMO that would be the best lineup

so pick your one reserve, lockport larry

bury the rest in rochester

Michael Pachla: Brandon Montour injury clouds Sabres blueline highlights Ristolainen rumors
With Montour and Zach Bogosian out, the Sabres probable righties for opening night are Rasmus Ristolainen, Colin Miler, Henri Jokiharju and Casey Nelson
- Michael Pachla

This in the very least, ensures Botts is not even answering the phone on Risto unless the offer is
stellar at least

IMO that would be the best lineup

so pick your one reserve, lockport larry

bury the rest in rochester
- homiedclown

Hard to argue. It gives us 4 solid with speed up and down