I just cant believe botterill and probably murray turned down (probably) good offers for Risto.

The cat's out of the bag and GMs must have evolved and we're never going to get anything for him now
- robz228

Taylor Hall topping that list kinda hurts

(Shaq dunks over the point guard inexplicably guarding him who picks up his 5th foul, getting shaq to 60 points on the night)

Gotta love his tenacity

Ristolainen played 2 mins less than dahlin at 5v5 and was on the ice for nearly double the shot attempts against.

The version of the Sabres that's a bonafide playoff team doesn't have him on the roster.
- Michael Ghofrani

Totally agree, and that's not even considering what kind of extension he's going to be looking for at age 28.

My fascination with Mitts has 200% changed to a fascination with Cozens. Mitts is soft to me, Cozens is anything but soft
- turbo044

Mittelstadt has the skill level. When this organization realizes he will be a winger at the NHL level that will help. Mitts also taking his physical conditioning seriously will also help.

avalance forwards just feasted when risto/montour were out there
- robz228

Yet scored zero 5 on 5 goals against them.

I was the furthest of a fan of Risto coming into this year but his -45 last year is +3 this year, by far the best of any dman on the team. He’s also leading the team in TOI and hits. You get rid of him you’ll just be looking to replace him and it may not be as easy as you think

I just cant believe botterill and probably murray turned down (probably) good offers for Risto.

The cat's out of the bag and GMs must have evolved and we're never going to get anything for him now
- robz228

I'm not a huge fan of Montour, he's tasked with being Ristolainen's partner while playing LHD. I'm curious how Montour would perform playing his natural position with a quality partner.

At this point you may be looking at just picks and moving his cap hit. Then try to use your minor surplus to address other areas of need.
- Michael Ghofrani

Seems like we are on the same wave length. I brought this up as well a few months ago. If the best package is picks/prospects I take that 10/10 rather than forcing a trade for a player who can play now. We could always parlay the picks and prospects into a forward.

Yet scored zero 5 on 5 goals against them.

I was the furthest of a fan of Risto coming into this year but his -45 last year is +3 this year, by far the best of any dman on the team. He’s also leading the team in TOI and hits. You get rid of him you’ll just be looking to replace him and it may not be as easy as you think
- turbo044

well, considering the other team spent almost the entire time risto was on the ice in our zone, you're basically forfeiting playing offense by putting him out there

I'm not a huge fan of Montour, he's tasked with being Ristolainen's partner while playing LHD. I'm curious how Montour would perform playing his natural position with a quality partner.
- kingcong39

Montour is a curious case. He has great speed, can make the breakout passes and feed the transition game but he always leaves you wanting more or can’t put it all together.

I do agree with you though he should be playing his natural side with a bonafide LHD who isn’t McCabe.

Yet scored zero 5 on 5 goals against them.

I was the furthest of a fan of Risto coming into this year but his -45 last year is +3 this year, by far the best of any dman on the team. He’s also leading the team in TOI and hits. You get rid of him you’ll just be looking to replace him and it may not be as easy as you think
- turbo044

If you believe plus minus is mainly a team statistic, then you're looking for a physical defenseman to play reasonable minutes. How hard is that to find?

Yes, I'm simplifying his skills, but they need to trade a defenseman for a quality forward. Ristolainen and Montour are the two obvious candidates.

Ristolainen played 2 mins less than dahlin at 5v5 and was on the ice for nearly double the shot attempts against.

The version of the Sabres that's a bonafide playoff team doesn't have him on the roster.
- Michael Ghofrani

Perhaps Dahlin is playing more protected 5 on 5 minutes. Is Risto playing more against Colorado’s to line? Defensive zone starts? What do those fancy analytics say about this?

If you believe plus minus is mainly a team statistic, then you're looking for a physical defenseman to play reasonable minutes. How hard is that to find?

Yes, I'm simplifying his skills, but they need to trade a defenseman for a quality forward. Ristolainen and Montour are the two obvious candidates.
- kingcong39

Fair enough- I wouldn’t trade Montour. Btw, saw that Guhle was sent down to the minors by Anaheim again

Perhaps Dahlin is playing more protected 5 on 5 minutes. Is Risto playing more against Colorado’s to line? Defensive zone starts? What do those fancy analytics say about this?
- turbo044

That won't be true likely as soon as the end of this season or the start of next season at the latest.

Very immature. Can he grown-up and become dedicated to his craft?
Timid, unsure, no confidence
Slow
Weak

I think he needs considerably more time than a mere 1/2 season in Roch.
I'd like for him to stay there for next season.
- IonSabres

Harsh, but not really unfair

Let’s say he does put in the work,
do u see him becoming a good top6 player?

Montour is a curious case. He has great speed, can make the breakout passes and feed the transition game but he always leaves you wanting more or can’t put it all together.

I do agree with you though he should be playing his natural side with a bonafide LHD who isn’t McCabe.
- Pegullaville

I'm in the radical boat that I'd trade both Ristolainen and Montour if they each bring back an impact forward.

Not really. Mittelstadt wasnt available according to everything I've heard. I believe that would have changed the offer drastically in our favor
- jcragcrumple

Maybe

Anyways... how do u view Mitts?
Ready to give up & move him?
Still think he can become a good top6 player?

I'm in the radical boat that I'd trade both Ristolainen and Montour if they each bring back an impact forward.
- kingcong39

I’d keep Montour and move Risto personally.

Perhaps Dahlin is playing more protected 5 on 5 minutes. Is Risto playing more against Colorado’s to line? Defensive zone starts? What do those fancy analytics say about this?
- turbo044

naturalstattrick has risto with 6 offensive zone faceoffs and dahlin with 5

risto definitely had the harder opponents, about 9 mins toi vs mackinnon vs dahlin's 2

risto also got crushed by compher/donskoi/jost where dahlin went about even vs them

Oh and special teams sunk us again, but they don’t matter.....

I'm in the radical boat that I'd trade both Ristolainen and Montour if they each bring back an impact forward.
- kingcong39

Well then we’d need to add on defense

naturalstattrick has risto with 6 offensive zone faceoffs and dahlin with 5

risto definitely had the harder opponents, about 9 mins toi vs mackinnon vs dahlin's 2

risto also got crushed by compher/donskoi/jost where dahlin went about even vs them
- robz228

And what about defensive zone faceoffs ?

Perhaps Dahlin is playing more protected 5 on 5 minutes. Is Risto playing more against Colorado’s to line? Defensive zone starts? What do those fancy analytics say about this?
- turbo044

he sees more offensive zone starts and that absolutely accounts for the increase in CF but the percentage difference in usage doesn't explain the gap in attempts against.

There's Quality of teammate issue too. Top pair sees plenty of time with the top line. Lots of nights where Dahlin pair is out there with Lazar. Not a knock on lazar who's fine, but he's not quite Eichel.

Yet scored zero 5 on 5 goals against them.

I was the furthest of a fan of Risto coming into this year but his -45 last year is +3 this year, by far the best of any dman on the team. He’s also leading the team in TOI and hits. You get rid of him you’ll just be looking to replace him and it may not be as easy as you think
- turbo044

Good post:
If you watch hockey and dont like hitting, or the rough physical out of risto.

Why watch hockey?

Montour is a curious case. He has great speed, can make the breakout passes and feed the transition game but he always leaves you wanting more or can’t put it all together.

I do agree with you though he should be playing his natural side with a bonafide LHD who isn’t McCabe.
- Pegullaville

He’s got no touch offensively

Good post:
If you watch hockey and dont like hitting, or the rough physical out of risto.

Why watch hockey?
- Boss34

i for one like to watch my favorite team have a remote chance at shooting on the other team's net let alone scoring on it