This is a super solid post. 👍

Fans of risto will see less wrong with his game and vise versa
- Boss34

I see both sides of the argument. Jumping down the Gohf’s throat though when he’s posting perfectly valid points isn’t fair though.

Analytics don’t tell the whole story, nor does the eye test. Risto lies somewhere between both sides of the coin, however absolving him completely for getting his teeth kicked in on a nightly basis just because he gets his number called to do so isn’t right either.

I posted all of it. Dahlin got the easier matchups but in the common scenarios you can make direct comparisons in, risto was still far far worse.
- robz228

When prodded for it

But this point is very rarely brought up,
and immensely reasonable

All we hear instead is stuff like,
“Risto got caved in again”
- jdfitz77

Because I think he’s so extraordinarily bad at getting out of his own zone that it’s impossible to appreciate anything he does well.

He's mostly after my post which is fine, I should have put out all the stats, or just not posted.

Found it interesting he saw the biggest chunk of his 5v5 time with the Larsson line.
- Michael Ghofrani

It’s not just your post
It’s just easy to use that as an example of the constant things ppl will trash Risto about while leaving out the other factors involved that lead to the disparity

When prodded for it
- jdfitz77

I didn’t look up or post any stats until you started asking

Michael did though, I guess

It’s not just your post
It’s just easy to use that as an example of the constant things ppl will trash Risto about while leaving out the other factors involved that lead to the disparity
- jdfitz77

I mentioned this in one of my other posts but Im fully aware that there's a right role for him where he could flourish. Unfortunately, there are 3 guys on this team who can all fill that role for less $.

Because I think he’s so extraordinarily bad at getting out of his own zone that it’s impossible to appreciate anything he does well.
- robz228

Again,
a much more valid way to get your point across

If u aren’t gonna show both sides of the coin,
at least say why

The only explanation I have is that they think he can consume the hardest minutes without getting scored on too much. He’s usually pretty good at that. It’s ugly and they get outshot badly but the shots are lower danger.

This frees up the other 2 pairs to try to win the rest of the game against easier competition.
- robz228

I want to expand on this. I think this is a byproduct of the team being bad and trying to micromanage the game to a level where they can get small advantages in places. Letting risto get throttles for 20 minutes a game might open up 6 or 7 minutes for someone else to do better than they normally would.

A good team would never be okay with this. Your top players playing your top minutes should be the ones controlling the game.

His draft position and ability to handle this role physically led to a big time overpayment and he’s shoehorned into a role he can’t play now.

They absolutely need to move on from him by the time they will be a contender.

I agree

Risto, 8 shot blocks and I think hits. I'm not sure how analytics will read that. If the shots got through, maybe goals, maybe not? Maybe the forwards up front shouldn't have allowed entry so easy to set up for shots? Maybe guys on the wings should have covered the point? Analytics have holes too.
- GilPerreault11

Wouldn’t have to block as many shots or hit as many people if we spent more time in the other teams zone. Those are a direct correlation with time spent in our own zone. Risto getting praised for hitting people because we can’t transition the puck up the ice when he’s out there is like the kid getting a participation medal for “trying”.

Perception is in the eye of the beholder I guess.

I mentioned this in one of my other posts but Im fully aware that there's a right role for him where he could flourish. Unfortunately, there are 3 guys on this team who can all fill that role for less $.
- Michael Ghofrani

Now this is a much more worth discussion point than the particular quote of yours i took exception with

Now you say others can fill his role,
but what do u define his role as when u say that?
Bc we are a fairly “soft” team
If we had other defensemen that were tough to play against, I think many of the Risto supporters would fall more in line with the idea of trading him

I want to expand on this. I think this is a byproduct of the team being bad and trying to micromanage the game to a level where they can get small advantages in places. Letting risto get throttles for 20 minutes a game might open up 6 or 7 minutes for someone else to do better than they normally would.

A good team would never be okay with this. Your top players playing your top minutes should be the ones controlling the game.

His draft position and ability to handle this role physically led to a big time overpayment and he’s shoehorned into a role he can’t play now.

They absolutely need to move on from him by the time they will be a contender.
- robz228

Very well said.

Also Im all kinds of sick so if some of my posts seem like utter nonsense Id like to shift some of the blame on my sinuses

Wouldn’t have to block as many shots or hit as many people if we spent more time in the other teams zone. Those are a direct correlation with time spent in our own zone. Risto getting praised for hitting people because we can’t transition the puck up the ice when he’s out there is like the kid getting a participation medal for “trying”.

Perception is in the eye of the beholder I guess.
- Pegullaville

There’s also 4 other guys out there with him
Is he the only one that has to get the puck out of the zone?

Very well said.

Also Im all kinds of sick so if some of my posts seem like utter nonsense Id like to shift some of the blame on my sinuses
- Michael Ghofrani

Get well soon sir
Being sick suuuuucks

Now this is a much more worth discussion point than the particular quote of yours i took exception with

Now you say others can fill his role,
but what do u define his role as when u say that?
Bc we are a fairly “soft” team
If we had other defensemen that were tough to play against, I think many of the Risto supporters would fall more in line with the idea of trading him
- jdfitz77

I mean, tough to play against is very subjective. There are lots of defensemen who don't necessarily lay out players but are willing to get into battles (and win them).

I think if they're really worried about the physical aspect there are FA's every year that go for very little that can skate and keep forwards in check at the net front at 3rd pair minutes.

Im just not all that bothered by being soft tbh.

I see both sides of the argument. Jumping down the Gohf’s throat though when he’s posting perfectly valid points isn’t fair though.

Analytics don’t tell the whole story, nor does the eye test. Risto lies somewhere between both sides of the coin, however absolving him completely for getting his teeth kicked in on a nightly basis just because he gets his number called to do so isn’t right either.
- Pegullaville

Not sure how risto has 7 hits and 8 blocked shots and somehow was terrible ?

Theres always a middle ground. More in the real world.

If your getting seasons next year, its montour that should be moved of the 2.

Get well soon sir
Being sick suuuuucks
- jdfitz77

Thank you! I'm sure there's an assortment of medication i can find that can at least make me feel a bit better lol

I see both sides of the argument. Jumping down the Gohf’s throat though when he’s posting perfectly valid points isn’t fair though.

Analytics don’t tell the whole story, nor does the eye test. Risto lies somewhere between both sides of the coin, however absolving him completely for getting his teeth kicked in on a nightly basis just because he gets his number called to do so isn’t right either.
- Pegullaville

But the problem is the overall exaggerated comments that come constantly

Here’s what should be addressed:
Is there a role for Risto’s skill set that he can succeed in?
If the answer is yes, then u keep him

You play him in the right role,
like we finally have been with Girgs & Larsson for example

You don’t ship him out like we did O’Reilly

There’s also 4 other guys out there with him
Is he the only one that has to get the puck out of the zone?
- jdfitz77

Sure, but there’s 100’s of examples of this with tons of different partners and line mates.

It’s been 7 years of it already

I mean, tough to play against is very subjective. There are lots of defensemen who don't necessarily lay out players but are willing to get into battles (and win them).

I think if they're really worried about the physical aspect there are FA's every year that go for very little that can skate and keep forwards in check at the net front at 3rd pair minutes.

Im just not all that bothered by being soft tbh.
- Michael Ghofrani

Hope you feel better.

Most of the guys on here that have played at an Advanced level can tell you, there are certain guys that you know aren't going to be fun to play against.

Its gonna be a long game. At some point you may have to fight them ect.

Risto is a beast and other players know what he brings.


Also:

They probably know he has a hard time clearing the zone when pressured too 🙂

But the problem is the overall exaggerated comments that come constantly

Here’s what should be addressed:
Is there a role for Risto’s skill set that he can succeed in?
If the answer is yes, then u keep him

You play him in the right role,
like we finally have been with Girgs & Larsson for example

You don’t ship him out like we did O’Reilly
- jdfitz77

Sure, but if there are other players that would succeed in that same role that are cheaper how can you not entertain moving him ?

I’m sure the reason he is still here is because Botts is holding out for what he believes is fair value for his services.

We have a surplus of RHD and we have deficiencies in our forwards corps. Something has to give.

I mean, tough to play against is very subjective. There are lots of defensemen who don't necessarily lay out players but are willing to get into battles (and win them).

I think if they're really worried about the physical aspect there are FA's every year that go for very little that can skate and keep forwards in check at the net front at 3rd pair minutes.

Im just not all that bothered by being soft tbh.
- Michael Ghofrani

You should be
Playoffs get physical
And it’s rare that the soft team beats the team the team that’s hard to play against

And i don’t mean have a whole team of guys only like Risto & Simmonds
But you’ve gotta have some balance at least

Not sure how risto has 7 hits and 8 blocked shots and somehow was terrible ?

Theres always a middle ground. More in the real world.

If your getting seasons next year, its montour that should be moved of the 2.
- Boss34

If we don’t spend as much time in our own zone, he doesn’t have to block as many shots or hit people due to the fact he coughed up the puck in an attempt to transition it up the ice.

Look I like the raw attributes that Risto brings as well, I happen to think the cons outweigh the pros.

Sure, but there’s 100’s of examples of this with tons of different partners and line mates.

It’s been 7 years of it already
- sbroads24

Of him being used incorrectly on bad teams

And Corsi is a terrible stat
We’ve been agreeing a lot lately
But we’ll never agree on using Corsi as a metric to define individual play

Sure, but if there are other players that would succeed in that same role that are cheaper how can you not entertain moving him ?

I’m sure the reason he is still here is because Botts is holding out for what he believes is fair value for his services.

We have a surplus of RHD and we have deficiencies in our forwards corps. Something has to give.
- Pegullaville

Ok, like who??

You should be
Playoffs get physical
And it’s rare that the soft team beats the team the team that’s hard to play against

And i don’t mean have a whole team of guys only like Risto & Simmonds
But you’ve gotta have some balance at least
- jdfitz77

I don’t think the Bruins beat the Leafs last year because they were more physical, they beat them because Rask played out of his mind games 5 through 7 and carried it forward the rest of the way.