Risto is a good defenseman without the puck. He routinely makes the wrong decision with the puck that results in the other team continuing to create chances.

These two things can coexist, which is where the "watch the game" people like to see him break up a play in the corner or stuff a zone entry, but fail to acknowledge what an icing or a turnover mean when a better play is available.
- robz228

He has improved on giving up the blue line way too easily, but the bad icings and turnovers will just never go away.

He also predictably is a non-factor offensively off of PP1.

He’s played the most minutes 5 on 5 and has 1 secondary assist in 9 games.

Risto is a good defenseman without the puck. He routinely makes the wrong decision with the puck that results in the other team continuing to create chances.

These two things can coexist, which is where the "watch the game" people like to see him break up a play in the corner or stuff a zone entry, but fail to acknowledge what an icing or a turnover mean when a better play is available.
- robz228

Scandella seems to have improved wildly by deferring to Jokiharju, in that respect. His last 3 years here you'd almost exclusively see Scandella throw the puck into traffic without rhyme or reason, where this year he is excelling by reversing the play and letting Jokiharju make the transition.

Eichel always gets going around game 20 and Dahlin has another few levels to hit.

For all the poop Mitts takes he’s got 6 points in 9 games and is a +5 with limited PP time. If he can continue to progress that definitely speeds up the timeline.
- Swedish_Jesus

Yup just wait till dahlin finds himself. We will really start taking off.

With all the ass-aching it’s worth noting that the Sabres are 7-1-1, and have shown an ability to win *even while* they’ve shown that they have room to improve.

And I don’t want to admit I drank the Kool-Aid this early in the season, but if we think Ralph Krueger has finished teaching this very young group, we’re making a terrible mistake.

There are more strides forward coming. And I like that.
- Der Kaiser

Marcus Johansson is my hero

Marcus Johansson is my hero
- jcragcrumple

Very underrated player that’s for sure.

Marcus Johansson is my hero
- jcragcrumple

Watching him play is just another reminder of how stacked those washington teams were and how in the world did they not win multiple cups.

Watching him play is just another reminder of how stacked those washington teams were and how in the world did they not win multiple cups.
- robz228

We haven't had a smooth, talented player like him on the 2nd line probably since Tim Connolly was still good. ROR was probably more talented, but Mojo is a different style all together. His calmness and puck handling in the neutral zone is a joy to watch.

He has improved on giving up the blue line way too easily, but the bad icings and turnovers will just never go away.

He also predictably is a non-factor offensively off of PP1.

He’s played the most minutes 5 on 5 and has 1 secondary assist in 9 games.
- sbroads24

I feel like the defense in general has been giving up the blueline a bit easier on the west coast trip compared to prior to that. I much prefer when they stand up at the blueline, even when bad reads happen. I hate when they back off the blueline, almost to the faceoff circles.

This team
Is fun to watch. Happy days. We are good again!

We haven't had a smooth, talented player like him on the 2nd line probably since Tim Connolly was still good. ROR was probably more talented, but Mojo is a different style all together. His calmness and puck handling in the neutral zone is a joy to watch.
- jcragcrumple

Just a joy, no but seriously he is pretty smooth, Krueger seems to be pulling the right strings, we actually have 4 strong lines, well once Jack's line gets going.

He has improved on giving up the blue line way too easily, but the bad icings and turnovers will just never go away.

He also predictably is a non-factor offensively off of PP1.

He’s played the most minutes 5 on 5 and has 1 secondary assist in 9 games.
- sbroads24

No, he has 2 ESA and 1 PPA. Again, my fault for living in the alternate universe.

That’s on pace for 27 points which is more than a “non-factor”

No, he has 2 ESA and 1 PPA. Again, my fault for living in the alternate universe.

That’s on pace for 27 points which is more than a “non-factor”
- Beethoven

Is the number one defenseman who can't get his team out of his own zone scoring 27 points in a season really something you want to say is good?

Vs Anaheim - really bad

Vs LA - not great but won

Vs SJ - pretty damn good and won

Coming home and trending up. In Ralph I trust.

No, he has 2 ESA and 1 PPA. Again, my fault for living in the alternate universe.

That’s on pace for 27 points which is more than a “non-factor”
- Beethoven

You’re right his one assist came right after the PP.

That’s still an absolute non factor for the minutes he’s played

He’s 8th in the NHL in 5 on 5 ice time and....... 52nd in 5 on 5 scoring.

That isn’t good

Risto's best attribute is allowing other players to play easier minutes. They still get pummeled when he's on the ice.

Maybe thats good enough for a team to be good. We'll see.

Pekar had a 5 point game last night for Barrie. He's got 11 goals in 11 games.
- mhp

Lots of people see pekar as a bottom forward I see him being a impact player on the 2 ND line

And Cozens was terrible last night I don't no if he was sick but he was over thinking everything last night he needs to work on understanding how to play center

Is the number one defenseman who can't get his team out of his own zone scoring 27 points in a season really something you want to say is good?
- robz228

Risto stans are funny

For the last three years

“He’s a consistent 40 point D man” Was the #1 argument for him

Now they won’t have that. I’m looking forward to them just pointing to our record as the main defense for him

Risto stans are funny

For the last three years

“He’s a consistent 40 point D man” Was the #1 argument for him

Now they won’t have that. I’m looking forward to them just pointing to our record as the main defense for him
- sbroads24

He's still getting deployed as a defensive defenseman. Actually moreso now than ever before. 3 points in 9 games isn't all that surprising

He's still getting deployed as a defensive defenseman. Actually moreso now than ever before. 3 points in 9 games isn't all that surprising
- jcragcrumple

of course not I told you it would happen

of course not I told you it would happen
- sbroads24

Well I have no idea why they're still using him as a defensive defenseman, but here we are. I guess it's because they dont feel anyone else can do it

Risto stans are funny

For the last three years

“He’s a consistent 40 point D man” Was the #1 argument for him

Now they won’t have that. I’m looking forward to them just pointing to our record as the main defense for him
- sbroads24

I just want a solid argument for what he is doing good that results in a net positive. Its really hard for me to come up with something besides eating hard minutes and not getting totally slaughtered.

Hes getting d zone starts and hard matchups, while having about a break even scoring chance %. I'm willing to listen to your big minute guy breaking slightly under even and your depth winning you games as a viable strategy.

Thats the best i can come up with.

Well I have no idea why they're still using him as a defensive defenseman, but here we are. I guess it's because they dont feel anyone else can do it
- jcragcrumple

They’re using everyone pretty evenly in O zone starts


The leader in Ozone starts is Miller with 24

Ristolainen has 19, McCabe has 20, same with Dahlin.

Lots of people see pekar as a bottom forward I see him being a impact player on the 2 ND line

And Cozens was terrible last night I don't no if he was sick but he was over thinking everything last night he needs to work on understanding how to play center
- gerbe75pts

He scored a nice goal. Looking at this team now what we are missing in the top 6 is speed and size and Cozens fits the bill there.

People will find anything to female dog about on these boards, Risto has made mistakes, all D do, there are 4 other guys on the ice not just him. He usually draws the toughest assignments, we are 7-1-1, and he has helped get us there. Would I like to see more points yes, but I would like to see are number 1 line start putting more points on the board too. Stop female dogING and start enjoying.

People will find anything to female dog about on these boards, Risto has made mistakes, all D do, there are 4 other guys on the ice not just him. He usually draws the toughest assignments, we are 7-1-1, and he has helped get us there. Would I like to see more points yes, but I would like to see are number 1 line start putting more points on the board too. Stop female dogING and start enjoying.
- Buff36

It took 10 minutes