How about this - Risto is playing well

so is Jake McCabe and Marco Scandella.

Is Risto that much better than either? Is he better than Brandon Montour?

With him being improved, he still doesn’t move the needle, at all, like a top pairing D should.

If there’s a team that wants him for a 2RW/C, it should’ve been done
- OneKaneOneCup

You’re saying he’s a top pair defender. And in our current situation he has had to play that role. He is paid as a second pairing defender.

I agree, all things considered, if we could trade him for a good 2C or 2RW we should.

Why not use him as part of a package for Ehlers?
- Der Kaiser

Because I am not that smart.

You’re saying he’s a top pair defender. And in our current situation he has had to play that role. He is paid as a second pairing defender.

I agree, all things considered, if we could trade him for a good 2C or 2RW we should.
- Beethoven

Hes being deployed like one, and while playing a solid game, isn’t moving the needle either offensively or defensively.

He’s been good. So has Jake McCabe, Scandella, Miller, Jokiharju and Dahlin apart from a few periods.

People seem to want this both ways .

When Ristolainen was playing 25 min a night on a bad team racking up 40 points, the talking points were always how he’d be this 50-60 point top pairing D on a good team.

Well, he’s on a good team. Where are the all-star caliber results?

In reality he’s one of 6 guys all playing well and is on pace for 30 points, while still playing 24 min

"All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection"

Joker has to be protected.
- Lunaion

Jack and Sam did not, and they were both entering their 3rd years. If Jokiharju doesn't play the required games this year, that means going into 21-22 he will only have 2 years.

Waivers are just as rigged as "offer-sheets", sure, theoretically you can offer-sheet a player, but in reality it rarely happens. same with waivers. Murray flat out said that there are players that are "hands off". That doesn't mean players that are "hands off" don't get claimed, but you're not going to go out of your way to work with a guy that does that to you.
- Wetbandit1

I don't think it's nearly as rigged, but we sure do talk a lot about it for something that only happens across the entire league a few times a year.

How about this - Risto is playing well

so is Jake McCabe and Marco Scandella.

Is Risto that much better than either? Is he better than Brandon Montour?

With him being improved, he still doesn’t move the needle, at all, like a top pairing D should.

If there’s a team that wants him for a 2RW/C, it should’ve been done
- OneKaneOneCup

Well who is a top pairing d on this team right now, Risto is 24yrs old, I mean why can't he be, the past is the past. Funny when you have a team playing good team defense how much better all your Defensmen look. I mean with how bad the Sabres TEAM'S have been since Risto got here, had no factor in his play.

Jack and Sam did not, and they were both entering their 3rd years. If Jokiharju doesn't play the required games this year, that means going into 21-22 he will only have 2 years.
- Wetbandit1

I quoted the rule. Next year will be Joker's 3rd pro year, entering his 4th. There's no question that he's eligible.

Hes being deployed like one, and while playing a solid game, isn’t moving the needle either offensively or defensively.

He’s been good. So has Jake McCabe, Scandella, Miller, Jokiharju and Dahlin apart from a few periods.

People seem to want this both ways .

When Ristolainen was playing 25 min a night on a bad team racking up 40 points, the talking points were always how he’d be this 50-60 point top pairing D on a good team.

Well, he’s on a good team. Where are the all-star caliber results?

In reality he’s one of 6 guys all playing well and is on pace for 30 points, while still playing 24 min
- OneKaneOneCup

Agreed

I never said he’s an all star. I just think he is a good value at what he makes. Kind of hard to produce as many points when you lose your PP time to Dahlin, but your point is well taken.

The thing with Risto is he is one of the few players on the Sabres who is tough and hard to play against. I am the first to admit he has shortcomings. He is prone to making bad decisions here and there. Sometimes he finishes a check at the expense of leaving someone wide open. I am not as down on his positioning and breakout passes as some. But I never said he was elite, I never said he is perfect. But he is good. He plays hard and plays an important role. Not all dmen can play 25 minutes a night. He is capable offensively. He blocks shots and does a lot of stuff we take for granted.

I am not going to defend him being all star caliber. I am not going to defend him being a #1 defenseman. I will defend him being a good value considering what he does for the team versus his cap hit.

Waivers are just as rigged as "offer-sheets", sure, theoretically you can offer-sheet a player, but in reality it rarely happens. same with waivers. Murray flat out said that there are players that are "hands off". That doesn't mean players that are "hands off" don't get claimed, but you're not going to go out of your way to work with a guy that does that to you.
- Wetbandit1

"I'm thinking about claiming Elie"

"Interesting"

"Does that bother you?"

"No, I just didn't realize you were that hard up"

I don't think it's nearly as rigged, but we sure do talk a lot about it for something that only happens across the entire league a few times a year.
- Lunaion

I had never considered it before Bandit posed it as an idea, but I find it hard to believe that some guys like Ho Sang shouldn't be claimed.

And closer to home, we know it in fact did happen with Pominville and the Panthers back in the day

Well who is a top pairing d on this team right now, Risto is 24yrs old, I mean why can't he be, the past is the past. Funny when you have a team playing good team defense how much better all your Defensmen look. I mean with how bad the Sabres TEAM'S have been since Risto got here, had no factor in his play.
- Buff36

👍

Disneyversalbuzz

Am I doing it right?
- buffalofan19

Kinda,

Marriage buzz, Especially GERBE buzz

It that better?

Oh yea, how about those Sabres!

After some thought, I believe Bogo is the man out. Probably not going to get anything in return (mid-late round pick 4-6 range) and might need to retain some $.

On his last year, and doesn't fit the current/future mold for this team.
- Sabre_Tooth

Donate him to the league they sent Moulson.

I had never considered it before Bandit posed it as an idea, but I find it hard to believe that some guys like Ho Sang shouldn't be claimed.

And closer to home, we know it in fact did happen with Pominville and the Panthers back in the day
- jcragcrumple

I don't see it. We're talking about guys who didn't make their teams, and with Ho Sang, there's a lot of baggage.

For all we joke about Elie, he was a high 2nd rounder.

They probably will do that if there are no future injuries before Montour and Co. come back because it's the easiest thing to do, but I think it's a massive mistake. He's not only ready for the NHL, he makes this team better
- jcragcrumple

Don’t think so, why would jbotts tell him to look for a house then send him down?

There’s a story on wgr that Sheary returned to practice today and is updated as day to day. Not sure if this is old news and already discussed. It was the first I heard of it.

There’s a story on wgr that Sheary returned to practice today and is updated as day to day. Not sure if this is old news and already discussed. It was the first I heard of it.
- Beethoven

Read more post less, ha just kidding. Old news but good news, I'd like for him to replace sobotka. But we all know its e-rod who's a goner.

Jalen Ramsey to Rams for (2) 1sts and a 4th. Yuck, no thanks. Good luck Rams, they need to work cap magic to win in a year or two.

I'll reserve judgment on the Sabres "legitness" until the end of November.

I'll reserve judgment on the Sabres "legitness" until the end of November.
- feetontheair22

Ahhh I am much later. How about after the all star break. They broke down in starting in the middle of December and full on tanked after that

Ahhh I am much later. How about after the all star break. They broke down in starting in the middle of December and full on tanked after that
- Sabretooth9

Real hockey doesn’t start till January. Real football doesn’t start till mid November. Until then it’s hoping to put yourself in a good position.

Okay so I didn't realize we are #1 in the league with a huge goal differential...

This feels A LOT different than the win streak last year. I enjoyed the 10-game streak like everyone, but most of us were throwing caution to the wind...

What that win-streak represents, in hindsight, is a team's potential shining through for a large chunk before coaching ultimately did them in. We saw what the team was capable of, under the right influence. Nightmare on Elm St. seems to have calmed the room.

What a difference.

Now just keep Bogosian and his cocaine away from the locker room and everything will be fine. Talk about a cancer - his rehab is 100% the reason for his "long-term injury". He is a well-known cocaine/ecstasy addict - but is a good DJ

Okay so I didn't realize we are #1 in the league with a huge goal differential...

This feels A LOT different than the win streak last year. I enjoyed the 10-game streak like everyone, but most of us were throwing caution to the wind...

What that win-streak represents, in hindsight, is a team's potential shining through for a large chunk before coaching ultimately did them in. We saw what the team was capable of, under the right influence. Nightmare on Elm St. seems to have calmed the room.

What a difference.

Now just keep Bogosian and his cocaine away from the locker room and everything will be fine. Talk about a cancer - his rehab is 100% the reason for his "long-term injury". He is a well-known cocaine/ecstasy addict - but is a good DJ
- BeadyEyedDouche

I mean Reinhart loves the snow too. Kadri’s snow addiction doesn’t seem to be effecting the Avs right now. The Kings haven’t won a cup since half half the team got booked for it.

Kuznetsov was the only stupid one that got caught but over 50% of the league mixes it up don’t kid yourself.

How about this - Risto is playing well

so is Jake McCabe and Marco Scandella.

Is Risto that much better than either? Is he better than Brandon Montour?

With him being improved, he still doesn’t move the needle, at all, like a top pairing D should.

If there’s a team that wants him for a 2RW/C, it should’ve been done
- OneKaneOneCup

Have u considered that deal may not have been available?
Bc u keep going on & on like Botts had those types of offers & just passed

Kroogs is cool.