Ryan Wilson: Most overrated players - Atlantic Division Most overrated players - Atlantic Division

Ryan - I'm enjoying the segments you're doing here. Fun and discussion worthy.

Trying to be as objective as I can here. What I believe Ristolainen to be is not only a specialist, mostly, but he's also a top 4 talent that has been horribly miscast. As the hockey world knows, the Sabres defense has been a collection of misfits for the better part of a decade. He's been forced to play way above his level his entire career here, despite his unrefined defensive abilities. The guy needs 2nd pairing minutes versus secondary talent, and needs a stabilizing, at home talent (hello Mattias Samuelsson, in a couple years) on the 2nd line with him.

So in all, the guy can score and he can shut down middling talent. His assignments make him look over rated, not his abilities. He's a 23 year old average defender who's great on the powerplay. There's room for improvement, but any intelligent Sabres fan knows exactly what he is, at this point.

You nailed it with this list, man. Really well thought out selections

Ristolainen - all I can say is “amen”. Dude is awful

Ekblad - career trajectory reminiscent of Phaneuf. As a rookie, it looked like he was poised to rake in multiple Norris trophies. Now, he’s rarely mentioned among the best 20 or 30 dmen in the league

Zaitsev was a bargain in his first year, and then took a step back last season. Fingers crossed he can regain his old form

o·ver·rate
ˌōvərˈrāt/
verb
past tense: overrated; past participle: overrated

- have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved.

Risto is bad/overrated ... so are the Sabres overall ... Can’t believe Boston gave that contract out to DB almost as bad as Kesler contract. And the Leafs with that Zaitsev contract ughhh he’s a fringe Ahl’r he makes more than Montour that’s laughable ...

Boston: Marchand
Tampa: Stamkos
Toronto: Tavares
Buffalo: Eichel
Detroit: Everyone
Montreal: Price
Florida: Barkov
Ottawa: Karlsson

Risto is bad/overrated ... so are the Sabres overall ... Can’t believe Boston gave that contract out to DB almost as bad as Kesler contract. And the Leafs with that Zaitsev contract ughhh he’s a fringe Ahl’r he makes more than Montour that’s laughable ...
- dozerD10

The Sabres are overrated? Who thinks they're good? Sabres fans don't even think they're good.

Boston: Marchand
Tampa: Stamkos
Toronto: Tavares
Buffalo: Eichel
Detroit: Everyone
Montreal: Price
Florida: Barkov
Ottawa: Karlsson
- Rinosaur

Girardi and Boedker don't seem like they should be on this list. I can't imagine anyone in their right mind rating them highly.

Is Risto overrated?

The entire "smart" hockey world hates him and thinks he's trash. You can't be overrated when people think you're bad

Still glad he's on the Sabres. He does a little bit of everything. Guhle and Dahlin will raise the level of the d corps which should help him

Is Risto overrated?

The entire "smart" hockey world hates him and thinks he's trash. You can't be overrated when people think you're bad

Still glad he's on the Sabres. He does a little bit of everything. Guhle and Dahlin will raise the level of the d corps which should help him
- jcragcrumple

If anything, he's over rated by our coaches in part because he provides offense. And in part because no one is actually good enough to supplant him. And by the way, we're in 31st place.

Leafs fans asked this when Komisarek, Kessel and Phaneuf were voted as the most overrated players in the NHL.

We were told, yes they can still be considered overrated.

Hope that helps.

If anything, he's over rated by our coaches in part because he provides offense. And in part because no one is actually good enough to supplant him. And by the way, we're in 31st place.
- TheSabresTaco

Yeah, Bogo is always hurt, so the next two RHD were Nelson and Falk.

The dude gets a lot of hate, which is fine. He has to show he's better. If that's a move to the second pair this year, I'm fine with it. He could still have his play elevated by Dahlin.

I can't defend Zaitsev's contract, but he's given top 4 minutes because someone has to do it.

The coaching staff isn't over-rating him. They just don't have a better option.

Thank god we have the option of putting Serg with McD. Serg switched sides really well in the playoffs.

Girardi should ride the pine.

Boston: Marchand
Tampa: Stamkos
Toronto: Tavares
Buffalo: Eichel
Detroit: Everyone
Montreal: Price
Florida: Barkov
Ottawa: Karlsson
- Rinosaur

Wow that list is rough...

Yes, the majority of people already think he's bad by this point. That still leaves Girardi overrated.
- Ryan_Wilson

I can't defend Zaitsev's contract, but he's given top 4 minutes because someone has to do it.

The coaching staff isn't over-rating him. They just don't have a better option.
- Atomic Wedgie

I remember Cherry saying he wasn't a defenseman during his first year. Sure hope he can right the ship. I don't think they gave him that contract though to be in the bottom pairing, he was meant to play top 4.

Good list.

Boedker over Ceci? Interesting

- jmatchett383

It's one of the classic blunders!

Wow that list is rough...
- Mino42

Bunch of bums

you are an idiot, risto is definitely a top 4 denfenseman, his minutes just need to be managed better

If I had the time and energy, I'd like to see how each of these players could be traded for another one on the list to find better fits for the players and teams.


... but I am reaaaaalllll lazy.

Come on Jack Johnson! Mama needs a new pair of shoes!