Reports are coming out that the Devils have interest in Rasmus Ristolainen.

I'd like to think this team, and Fitz, is smart enough to not give up any worthwhile prospect or pick for him right? RIGHT? I wouldn't give up anything more than a 4th or 5th for him, and even that's pushing it
- vlongo4419

Jack Hughes

Reports are coming out that the Devils have interest in Rasmus Ristolainen.

I'd like to think this team, and Fitz, is smart enough to not give up any worthwhile prospect or pick for him right? RIGHT? I wouldn't give up anything more than a 4th or 5th for him, and even that's pushing it
- vlongo4419

I agree. The report is coming from a Buffalo beat writer, saying the Devs have a glaring hole at RD with us losing Carrick. No I am serious, that is what he wrote. If it cost next to nothing sure for Risto. Otherwise no interest.

The only scenario in which taking Ristolainen makes sense is if Eichel is coming with him. Risto is dogpoop and there is no world taking him is good for a team.

Friedman in 31 Thoughts says he's heard similar to the Buffalo report that the Devils have interest in Risto. Also mentioned that he wonders if Devils would consider Gostisbehere, with Flyers adding a sweetener. And also said Hamilton makes sense as well.

Also mentioned that Alec Martinez likely doesnt return to Vegas and should do very well in free agency.

Again mentioned that Vince Dunn is available, and several teams are taking a long look at him.

Out of all these guys mentioned, in order of which i'm interested, i'd order them: Hamilton(5 year deal)>Dunn>Hamilton(max deal)>Martinez>Ghost>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Risto(and only if hes attached as a part of an Eichel or Reinhart deal lol)

I've seen you write just as long as practice what you preach.
- jtylerm

I am drinking decaf!

And I think your sentence got a bit mangled. No offense on that, I screw up plenty. I'm just saying I'm not 100% clear on what you were saying.

Friedman in 31 Thoughts says he's heard similar to the Buffalo report that the Devils have interest in Risto. Also mentioned that he wonders if Devils would consider Gostisbehere, with Flyers adding a sweetener. And also said Hamilton makes sense as well.

Also mentioned that Alec Martinez likely doesnt return to Vegas and should do very well in free agency.

Again mentioned that Vince Dunn is available, and several teams are taking a long look at him.

Out of all these guys mentioned, in order of which i'm interested, i'd order them: Hamilton(5 year deal)>Dunn>Hamilton(max deal)>Martinez>Ghost>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Risto(and only if hes attached as a part of an Eichel or Reinhart deal lol)
- vlongo4419

A good litmus test to know if your team has stupid management. Devils are screwed.


Benning and the Canucks are probably in on Risto too

A good litmus test to know if your team has stupid management. Devils are screwed.


Benning and the Canucks are probably in on Risto too
- Nucker101

I really want to believe our management isnt this stupid to give up anything of value to get Risto. The team is apparently very analytic-driven, and have put a ton of resources into it, so its a complete shock that there is actually interest in him considering how bad Risto's underlying numbers are. I would hope Dellow and Cane step in and block any type of trade attempt here

I really want to believe our management isnt this stupid to give up anything of value to get Risto. The team is apparently very analytic-driven, and have put a ton of resources into it, so its a complete shock that there is actually interest in him considering how bad Risto's underlying numbers are. I would hope Dellow and Cane step in and block any type of trade attempt here
- vlongo4419

Who are Dellow and Cane? Our analytic folks?

Wonder what the talk is really like. It seemed like Buffalo wanted to trade this guy for a big return last year (or the year before) and nothing got worked out. Seemed a lot of posters said Risto wasn't good then while Buffalo fans were advocating for massive package.

Seems with UFAs available, including guys we know like Kulikov and Murray that it would be a waste to trade real assets for someone not particularly good.

Reports are coming out that the Devils have interest in Rasmus Ristolainen.

I'd like to think this team, and Fitz, is smart enough to not give up any worthwhile prospect or pick for him right? RIGHT? I wouldn't give up anything more than a 4th or 5th for him, and even that's pushing it
- vlongo4419

I agree with you, tho Risto is will likely command more than a 4th or 5th rd. It's so hard to give him a proper valuation. Everybody thrives when leaving Buffalo, and the 26 year old has already notched 4 consecutive 40+ point campaigns. Then again, his 5.4M AAV is not indicative of today's market, given his career worst 18 point season. My guess is, if Fitz is serious, his goal will be a B-level prospect in exchange for Risto. Something like Boq/Maltsev who can jump into their lineup with some room for growth, while costing nothing. Let's keep our picks tho, as this has been the hardest season to scout, and the draft could hold more golden nuggets than previous years in later rounds.

I really want to believe our management isnt this stupid to give up anything of value to get Risto. The team is apparently very analytic-driven, and have put a ton of resources into it, so its a complete shock that there is actually interest in him considering how bad Risto's underlying numbers are. I would hope Dellow and Cane step in and block any type of trade attempt here
- vlongo4419

You'd definitely hope so. I wouldn't take Risto unless the Sabres were giving up a decent pick/prospect with him and/or retaining salary.

Even Sorokin was there before Lou! He's only added Varlamov, Pageau, Palmieri, Zajac and Greene. I love Zajac and Greene, but they are easily replaceable pieces at this point in their careers and therefore insignificant. Varlamov was mediocre for both Washington and Colorado before coming here. Varly is only seeing success now b/c all Trotz's teams elevate their goalies. Once the Isles give Varly the boot in favor of Sorokin, Varly will go right back to being mediocre on another team. Essentially adding Varly, Pageau and Palms to most other teams would not make them a playoff team.
- jtylerm

This is just me personally, but I think your argument would be a lot more convincing if you weren’t trying to spin every bit of it against Lou. If he finds players that excel in this team when they likely wouldn’t excel elsewhere, that’s a good move. He’s finding ways to fill in the roster with guys who contribute. Varlamov struggled elsewhere but has been very good for the Islanders—that’s not a knock against Lou, it’s something in his favor. Palmieri and Pageau have been very good for the Islanders. Greene doesn’t seem to do much on the ice, but he’s one of the last guys to leave it after a game. He’s clearly an important leadership figure to the team.
Lou also found a guy who had never had a winning season, Robin Lehner, and brought him in for a year where he became a vezina finalist. Then he managed not to overpay to keep him. He’s kept the goaltending situation steady while still leaving plenty of space for burgeoning talent. These are good management decisions.

The vast majority of what is keeping the Islanders in the playoffs is b/c of what was here BEFORE Lou ever came. The best thing he did for the Isles was hire Trotz, but again, Trotz did NOT come to the Isles specifically for Lou.

Maybe he didn’t come specifically for Lou (which I’m assuming you’re just assuming?), but he came. Lou secured him almost immediately after he left the Caps. It was a franchise-changing hire he made.

I'm not saying Lou was always useless. I'm specifically talking about from 2010 and on. We had a good run in the 2012 playoffs but that was mostly luck. The 2012 team was NOT a super talented team. It's very rare that Stanley Cup winners don't have a lot of serious talent.

Again, if you’re going to ignore the positives, obviously it’s going to be all negative. But they made the finals, and their team that year had three 30 goal scorers in addition to Elias, Zajac, Henrique, Sykora and others. The defense was certainly unexceptional, but it was a pretty decent team. Probably a better offense than the eventual winners, who had Dustin Brown co-leading them in scoring.



Lou inherited a great situation with the Islanders and subsequently made moves that allowed them to take the next step. There are plenty of ways GMs could have screwed up what the Isles had, which Lou hasn’t done (yet).

A good litmus test to know if your team has stupid management. Devils are screwed.


Benning and the Canucks are probably in on Risto too
- Nucker101

You’re hired