I don’t hate Ristolainen as a player, he’s ok, and can make some highlight reel plays.

But he keeps playing 5-10 more minutes more than McCabe when there’s almost no difference between the two
- sbroads24

That's up to Housely, Smith, and Hajt though. It's not like Risto says F you and jumps over the boards and plays those extra minutes.

Why are you guys being so negative and fighting 😕

Just forget this game and move forward .

It’s not like the season is over with still plenty of time to make the playoffs
- gerbe75pts

I hate to put it this harshly, but they don't 'owe' those people anything. Ever heard the phrase short term pain for long term gain? That's exactly the position this team is in, mostly due to the prior clown of a GM, and thankfully the current GM understands that.
- kingcong39

Bingo x2

That's up to Housely, Smith, and Hajt though. It's not like Risto says F you and jumps over the boards and plays those extra minutes.
- Pegullaville

But he does say "I'm gonna keep using this stick that breaks on me every time I take a slap-shot"

and

"I'm going to constantly get stuck skating in circles in the corners and turn the puck over"

And there’s still a good chance that happens.

Montreal was at home against Colorado who’s been utterly terrible lately.

We need a few bounces and we’re beating Carolina and we handled the #1 team pretty well
- sbroads24

I respect your positivity but, this particular roster is not good enough.

We have known for quite some time now that we need a 2C.

I see many on here talk about 1st round picks like they are locks in hockey, they certainly are anything but!

If there is an accomplished NHL player that can come in immediately and you know that he will improve your hockey club now,
you make a deal and use one of those 'who knows' 1st round picks if that is what it takes.

I don't pretend to know what and who is available in the upcoming NHL draft but I heard anyway, that it isn't that great this year.
And again, you never know what you're going to get in an NHL entry draft.

If I can get a proven 2C NHL'er with a franchise friendly term and money contract to help my team now, I kiss a 1st round pick buh bye.

But that's me anyway.

I really, really hate these kind of takes.

We buy tickets, concessions, merchandise.

Yes, they owe the fans.
- BeadyEyedDouche

So stop spending your money.

Problem solved.

59 points in 62 games. But Ovechkin had good numbers and people blamed him too, so who knows?

Edit: Shooting 16.9% and doesn't even play 18 minutes a game.
- Wetbandit1

I swear I remember reading and hearing many complaints about his compete level against Washington when they lost that series last year.

I respect your positivity but, this particular roster is not good enough.

We have known for quite some time now that we need a 2C.

I see many on here talk about 1st round picks like they are locks in hockey, they certainly are anything but!

If there is an accomplished NHL player that can come in immediately and you know that he will improve your hockey club now,
you make a deal and use one of those 'who knows' 1st round picks if that is what it takes.

I don't pretend to know what and who is available in the upcoming NHL draft but I heard anyway, that it isn't that great this year.
And again, you never know what you're going to get in an NHL entry draft.

If I can get a proven 2C NHL'er with a franchise friendly term and money contract to help my team now, I kiss a 1st round pick buh bye.

But that's me anyway.
- Over50

You heard wrong. This year's draft is deep.

But he does say "I'm gonna keep using this stick that breaks on me every time I take a slap-shot"

and

"I'm going to constantly get stuck skating in circles in the corners and turn the puck over"
- BeadyEyedDouche

Goalie needs to stop the puck too. every team gets shots through. some more than others on any given night.
We lost vs the best team in the league tonight.

Move on

But he does say "I'm gonna keep using this stick that breaks on me every time I take a slap-shot"

and

"I'm going to constantly get stuck skating in circles in the corners and turn the puck over"
- BeadyEyedDouche

Once Dahlin comes into his own, Risto will be situated perfectly on the 2nd pairing. Is he Dion Phanuef 2.0 ? Maybe but Dion Phanuef was a good player who was miscasted as Risto is now. Top 4 RHD are tough to come by and 5.4M is a good salary compared to what d-men will be making over the next couple of years. Would I have liked Taylor Hall ? damn right. But did we need to move Risto to get Skinner ?

So stop spending your money.

Problem solved.
- Powerslave

That problem was Powersolved years ago

Goalie needs to stop the puck too. every team gets shots through. some more than others on any given night.
We lost vs the best team in the league tonight.

Move on
- cabin

ur meen

Once Dahlin comes into his own, Risto will be situated perfectly on the 2nd pairing. Is he Dion Phanuef 2.0 ? Maybe but Dion Phanuef was a good player who was miscasted as Risto is now. Top 4 RHD are tough to come by and 5.4M is a good salary compared to what d-men will be making over the next couple of years. Would I have liked Taylor Hall ? damn right. But did we need to move Risto to get Skinner ?
- Pegullaville

Skinner is no Taylor Hall

I think Ristolainen is more valuable bringing another player in.

Besides for a couple players, this team is filled with 4th liners. No secondary scoring what so ever, it sucks this is still going on. But it is what it is I guess.

ur meen
- BeadyEyedDouche

No.. Have kids and and reminded me of them .

No.. Have kids and and reminded me of them .
- cabin

Well, you are my long-lost father at 5'10" and 160lbs

Besides for a couple players, this team is filled with 4th liners. No secondary scoring what so ever, it sucks this is still going on. But it is what it is I guess.
- SABRES 89

Y DONT U STOP LIKE WATCHING OR SUMTING BE PASHENT

Well, you are my long-lost father at 5'10" and 160lbs
- BeadyEyedDouche

I respect your positivity but, this particular roster is not good enough.

We have known for quite some time now that we need a 2C.

I see many on here talk about 1st round picks like they are locks in hockey, they certainly are anything but!

If there is an accomplished NHL player that can come in immediately and you know that he will improve your hockey club now,
you make a deal and use one of those 'who knows' 1st round picks if that is what it takes.

I don't pretend to know what and who is available in the upcoming NHL draft but I heard anyway, that it isn't that great this year.
And again, you never know what you're going to get in an NHL entry draft.

If I can get a proven 2C NHL'er with a franchise friendly term and money contract to help my team now, I kiss a 1st round pick buh bye.

But that's me anyway.
- Over50

Do you want to trade a first round pick plus more, and potentially much more, for someone like Brayden Schenn, who might be available and would definitelt help the forward core, but he's only signed for one more season? I most certainly do not. I'd prefer the best team long term with the best chance to win the cup rather then the beat team right now to maybe win a series in the playoffs.

That problem was Powersolved years ago
- BeadyEyedDouche

Then what's your problem, douche nozzle?

I hate to put it this harshly, but they don't 'owe' those people anything. Ever heard the phrase short term pain for long term gain? That's exactly the position this team is in, mostly due to the prior clown of a GM, and thankfully the current GM understands that.
- kingcong39

Respectfully, I disagree.

They do "owe the fans".

Without the fans, they wouldn't be here.

Then what's your problem, douche nozzle?
- Powerslave

I NEVER KNEW MY FATHER

You heard wrong. This year's draft is deep.
- Powerslave

Still a crap shoot.
NHL drafts always are.

I respect your positivity but, this particular roster is not good enough.

We have known for quite some time now that we need a 2C.

I see many on here talk about 1st round picks like they are locks in hockey, they certainly are anything but!

If there is an accomplished NHL player that can come in immediately and you know that he will improve your hockey club now,
you make a deal and use one of those 'who knows' 1st round picks if that is what it takes.

I don't pretend to know what and who is available in the upcoming NHL draft but I heard anyway, that it isn't that great this year.
And again, you never know what you're going to get in an NHL entry draft.

If I can get a proven 2C NHL'er with a franchise friendly term and money contract to help my team now, I kiss a 1st round pick buh bye.

But that's me anyway.
- Over50

I don't know many teams looking to give up one of those however. The NHL is moving towards drafting and developing your own. If you look at a majority of the top 6 centres around the league many of them were drafted or acquired by trading highly regarding prospects who were drafted high. Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones comes to mind. Tampa has drafted 80% of their team and used trades and free agency to round out the roster. Toronto has drafted most of their roster while getting lucky with Tavares. Winnipeg and Nashville (apart from McPhee gifting them Forsberg) have drafted and developed. At the end of the day Buffalo's success comes down to drafting and developing. Buffalo historically hasn't drafted well and thats why we needed to start the rebuild in 2011. Saying 1st rounders are useless however is completely false. We have 4 lottery tickets in the next two years to fill our top 9 and round out our Defense.

I NEVER KNEW MY FATHER
- BeadyEyedDouche

I knew the truth would reveal itself.

B-E-D senior doesn't know what he missed.