I don't think we should expect him to be suddenly good defensively. I think we should maximize his offensive instincts. I know he's big and tough, but he's closer to Karlsson than Chara imo. I just don't see that role here with Montour. But maybe Krueger sees it like you do. We shall see
- jcragcrumple

It’s the “suddenly” part that i object to
It wouldn’t be all of the sudden
We have seen Risto be good defensively,
even dominant
It’s just inconsistent and not often

Is it not possible that with a good defensive coach (idk if Kruger is or isn’t), a legit talented partner (Dahlin) and a better team around him (we're getting there)...
that we could see the “good” Risto more frequently?

The guy has played with pretty mediocre partners his whole career
Who’s his best been? McCabe?

And on a team that’s constantly caved in,
with below average goaltending

Even playing a guy who is good defensively that much will result in bad numbers

I’ve seen him dominate the best competition at times
That’s cause for hope that he can do it more consistently
- jdfitz77

Common sense.

It does a body good !

It’s the “suddenly” part that i object to
It wouldn’t be all of the sudden
We have seen Risto be good defensively,
even dominant
It’s just inconsistent and not often

Is it not possible that with a good defensive coach (idk if Kruger is or isn’t), a legit talented partner (Dahlin) and a better team around him (we're getting there)...
that we could see the “good” Risto more frequently?
- jdfitz77

He’s the classic case of a player that plays only as good as what he surrounded by. He goes to Tampa and he’s a borderline all star. He’s a stallion and will feed off the competition from better teammates. When this team turns the corner he’ll be key.

He’ll kill us for a decade if he’s traded.

Nerd
- jcragcrumple

No, YOU eat it, nerd.

No, YOU eat it, nerd.
- Wetbandit1

Ok tuff fella

Was listening to Paul Hamilton the other day and he made it seem like he'd be surprised if Botteril released and sent down 2/3 of Larsson, Girgensons and Sobotka. Paul to his credit had a rarely refreshing take when he stated he thought all three did the same thing and you only needed one on your roster.

Then today, there was a Canadian interview with Kruger where he mentioned Larsson, Girensons, Sobotka and Okposo as experienced players he's spoken with and looks forward to coaching them....

Is it a requirement for Buffalo sports authorities to be dumber than the average GM and coach or just a coincidence? Is it Botterill being to stubborn with his assets that he doesn't want to let go of Sobotka because he traded for him? I just don't get how he could not look at his numbers and attitude last year and WANT to have him on this roster...It's refreshing looking at teams like Dallas and Colorado actually not retain RFA's because they sucked or wanted too much money for their bottom six roles.

Correct

He has gone on record and saying he likes that he gets 2 more years to look at a prospect

You know like it actually makes sense.

But Gerbe refused to acknowledge that it is actually a smart move.
- Stripes77

If he was named GM of the year and had plenty of “credit”

Then sure this strategy would be fine

But not one Single GM in the NHL does this why because they know Canada produces great hockey players

100% would I have given up the 31st to move Okposo and that horrible contract.

100% would I have given up the 31st to move Okposo and that horrible contract.
- SABRES 89

We get it
Draft picks don’t matter to you

Ok tuff fella
- TheHank

Internet bully

We get it
Draft picks don’t matter to you
- jdfitz77

No they don't to get rid of a boat anchor of a contract, we get it, you want this to last another 5 years or so, you want to spend no money and want all the kids to take this team. News flash genius, that's not gonna happen.


It's not "we" but " YOU" , you want draft picks.

Schoop was being Schoop on WGR this afternoon, rambling about how T. Pegs said he would spend $ without a care and blah, blah, blah.

I called in and asked which NHL team has signed the highest Goal Scoring UFA on the Market...........dial tone

[quote=Pairo11]He’s the classic case of a player that plays only as good as what he surrounded by. He goes to Tampa and he’s a borderline all star. He’s a stallion and will feed off the competition from better teammates. When this team turns the corner he’ll be key.

No they don't to get rid of a boat anchor of a contract, we get it, you want this to last another 5 years or so, you want to spend no money and want all the kids to take this team. News flash genius, that's not gonna happen.


It's not "we" but " YOU" , you want draft picks.
- SABRES 89

YOU are wildly mischaracterizing what I WANT

Also,
why is it so hard for u to see any type of opinion that disagrees with yours?
Is it really necessary for you to be so rude???

Schoop was being Schoop on WGR this afternoon, rambling about how T. Pegs said he would spend $ without a care and blah, blah, blah.

I called in and asked which NHL team has signed the highest Goal Scoring UFA on the Market...........dial tone
- MEBSabresFAN

Were u actually “on air” for him to give u a response?

What time? I’d love to go to the audio vault & see what he actually had to say

YOU are wildly mischaracterizing what I WANT

Also,
why is it so hard for u to see any type of opinion that disagrees with yours?
Is it really necessary for you to be so rude???
- jdfitz77

Another typical ending after a social interaction with Fitz.

He’s the classic case of a player that plays only as good as what he surrounded by. He goes to Tampa and he’s a borderline all star. He’s a stallion and will feed off the competition from better teammates. When this team turns the corner he’ll be key.

He’ll kill us for a decade if he’s traded.
- Pairo11

So he will be better if he plays with better people in sheltered minutes? For whom is this not true?

It's funny that nobody ever says these things about Hedman, Karlsson, or even Dahlin.

So he will be better if he plays with better people in sheltered minutes? For whom is this not true?

It's funny that nobody ever says these things about Hedman, Karlsson, or even Dahlin.
- Slump Buster

Dahlin barely made Risto 'better'.

If Risto played at least half the year with Pilut, his numbers would be so much better.

So he will be better if he plays with better people in sheltered minutes? For whom is this not true?

It's funny that nobody ever says these things about Hedman, Karlsson, or even Dahlin.
- Slump Buster

He’s clearly never going to be either of the above.

He’s on a good contract, is a right-handed shot and is physical (the only guy on the team pretty much).

How do you replace him when there’s already a gaping hole on this defense ?

Dahlin barely made Risto 'better'.

If Risto played at least half the year with Pilut, his numbers would be so much better.
- TheSabresTaco

Risto was successful with pilut because pilut could actually make a break out pass, skater the puck up, or do something with it

Bogo was Notorious last year for d to d pass to dahlin and then dahlin the break out machine would get the puck up the ice. Bogo looks good and the Sabres get the puck out.

https://soundcloud.com/si...play-with-kouleas-alberga

Just Ralph chattin'. Draw what you will from it, but he urges fans to be patient and wait for free agency.
- TheSabresTaco

It definitely seems like Kruegs cares about what the fans are thinking.

You think he lurks in here? Or maybe an active poster?

It definitely seems like Kruegs cares about what the fans are thinking.

You think he lurks in here? Or maybe an active poster?
- Chris16

I think Fitz is Ralph. It's either Fitz or Beady

He’s clearly never going to be either of the above.

He’s on a good contract, is a right-handed shot and is physical (the only guy on the team pretty much).

How do you replace him when there’s already a gaping hole on this defense ?
- Pairo11

How do you replace a guy that isn't very good at playing D? The question answers itself. By the end of the season he was playing in the low 20s every night - we can replace that.

I think Fitz is Ralph. It's either Fitz or Beady
- TheSabresTaco

Wow so you're saying he's been a mole for years on this board stirring spirited debates and studying fan thought patterns just anticipating the day when he got the Sabres coaching gig? Diabolical.

I was going to suggest he was someone that just joined in the past month, but I like your theory even better.

How do you replace a guy that isn't very good at playing D? The question answers itself. By the end of the season he was playing in the low 20s every night - we can replace that.
- Slump Buster

So he’s not even a 3rd pairing guy ?