It requires a mix of definition and opinion. Ristolainen's bad qualities include a lack of defensive zone awareness and an inability to exit the zone, effectively. He does other things well, these are just his largest flaws.
- TheSabresTaco

He does have good aspects as well, mostly on the O and the occasional physicality brought to games against the Russian Ovi and Kuch.

IMO, a defenseman must be actually able to first play D effectively, then be able to transition efficiently...both areas he suffers in. For all that is said about +/- being a team stat and accounting for empty nets ... being so far from a even player is very much alarming. It isn't the raw number, it is the relative value.

I will miss his toughness for those 6 or 7 games a season though.

Beyond false is a bit extreme.
While you are right, those cap dumps mostly go away after next season, thay are in fact on this roster for the upcoming off-season and are in fact holding back a fair amount of cap space that could be used now to improve the team.
We all female dog about Okposo's contract, and rightfully so due to its size and length given production.
However, we then can't merely blow off the impact on the limitations this off season from $12.75 wasted on:
-Scandella $4.0.m
-Hunwick. $2.25m
-Sheary. $3.0m
-Sobotka. $3.5m
- IonSabres

Sobotka could be bought out and we’d save $3M this year although it would cost $1M against our cap next year. Hunwick isn’t a deal I’d think that would be tough to offload. Sheary has value I’m sure even if the return is minuscule. Scandella could be moved in the right deal as well. It’s a lot easier to move impending UFA’s rather then a guy like Okposo who has 4 years left on his deal.

Why does everyone want to give up so much for players, Risto has value all by himself in a deal. Why should we give up all this extra. I'll keep Risto over Trouba. This is Jacob Trouba not Brent Burns.
- SABRES 89

Simply said, gotta give to get.
Yes, Risto has value however I think it it beginning to decline with his lackluster defensive play.
The acquisition of Montour makes him somewhat redundant, therefore expendible.
Trouba is young, big, right-handed, can skate, scores, has playoff experience, on a winning team.
There is alot to like.

Simply said, gotta give to get.
Yes, Risto has value however I think it it beginning to decline with his lackluster defensive play.
The acquisition of Montour makes him somewhat redundant, therefore expendible.
Trouba is young, big, right-handed, can skate, scores, has playoff experience, on a winning team.
There is alot to like.
- IonSabres

Risto is 24 he's not on the decline, he plays almost 28 minutes a night. Yea he's gonna be a minus at times. People are so quick to get rid of him and then he will be the next person that's talked about 1,000 times on this blog how "we gave another one away". No chance Botterill gives up all that to move Risto. Let the Rangers have him.

Sobotka could be bought out and we’d save $3M this year although it would cost $1M against our cap next year. Hunwick isn’t a deal I’d think that would be tough to offload. Sheary has value I’m sure even if the return is minuscule. Scandella could be moved in the right deal as well. It’s a lot easier to move impending UFA’s rather then a guy like Okposo who has 4 years left on his deal.
- Pegullaville

Sure, anything can be done, but will it?
Botts has a lot if work to do then, just to get that cap space back,
in addition to his priorities of
-finding a coach, likely his last chance in blue and gold
-getting a 2C and not further cripling the cap in years 3+
-finding a #1/2 RW depending on where they slot Reino
-finding Dahlin's partner
-drafting properly

And running the Canadian team

Risto is 24 he's not on the decline, he plays almost 28 minutes a night. Yea he's gonna be a minus at times. People are so quick to get rid of him and then he will be the next person that's talked about 1,000 times on this blog how "we gave another one away". No chance Botterill gives up all that to move Risto. Let the Rangers have him.
- SABRES 89

Opinions vary on Risto.
The analytics community would say that your D is better without him than with him.
The eye test says holy crap more times than not in the D zone
He gets a fair amount of points (~40%) on the PP, where Montour is a better option thereby marginalizing his O value

His play may not be declining pts wise, his value is absolutely declining based on his defensive lapses.

Opinions vary on Risto.
The analytics community would say that your D is better without him than with him.
The eye test says holy crap more times than not in the D zone
He gets a fair amount of points (~40%) on the PP, where Montour is a better option thereby marginalizing his O value

His play may not be declining pts wise, his value is absolutely declining based on his defensive lapses.
- IonSabres

I can care less about analytics, his value is not in decline.

Risto is 24 he's not on the decline, he plays almost 28 minutes a night. Yea he's gonna be a minus at times. People are so quick to get rid of him and then he will be the next person that's talked about 1,000 times on this blog how "we gave another one away". No chance Botterill gives up all that to move Risto. Let the Rangers have him.
- SABRES 89

55 will be traded this June!

Montour makes him expendable (plus the young D core in the system). Get that top 6 forward this team desperately needs.

Plus it’s either Duchene or Skinner! I would rather Duchene! Carolina looks pretty good this year without 53, something not right in Skinner land?

Opinions vary on Risto.
The analytics community would say that your D is better without him than with him.
The eye test says holy crap more times than not in the D zone
He gets a fair amount of points (~40%) on the PP, where Montour is a better option thereby marginalizing his O value

His play may not be declining pts wise, his value is absolutely declining based on his defensive lapses.
- IonSabres

I partially blame Housley, Bylsma and Teddy for not realizing that despite his size and meanness, Risto is an offensive defenseman.

I mean, holy crap, it's not hard to figure out. Yet he's consistently below 50% o zone starts.

If his value is declining, it's because his useage doesn't align with the type of player he is. The Sharks are smart enough to start Karlsson in the o zone 60% of the time. So news flash to the next coach, if Risto stays (which seems unlikely), he is an OFFENSIVE defenseman

Karlsson has a P/60 of 1.5 to Risto's 1.3

Is Karlsson obviously the better defenseman? Yes, undoubtedly. But he also gets the benefit of correct useage

Sure, anything can be done, but will it?
Botts has a lot if work to do then, just to get that cap space back,
in addition to his priorities of
-finding a coach, likely his last chance in blue and gold
-getting a 2C and not further cripling the cap in years 3+
-finding a #1/2 RW depending on where they slot Reino
-finding Dahlin's partner
-drafting properly

And running the Canadian team
- IonSabres

Idk if he will or not but I’m not going to assume he isn’t going to do anything. The cap space is the last thing that crosses my mind when it comes to issues with this club. If Botts needs to create cap space, he will. Those are probably the easiest moves he’ll be able to make in comparison to all of the things on your proposed to do list.

Beyond false is a bit extreme.
While you are right, those cap dumps mostly go away after next season, thay are in fact on this roster for the upcoming off-season and are in fact holding back a fair amount of cap space that could be used now to improve the team.
We all female dog about Okposo's contract, and rightfully so due to its size and length given production.
However, we then can't merely blow off the impact on the limitations this off season from $12.75 wasted on:
-Scandella $4.0.m
-Hunwick. $2.25m
-Sheary. $3.0m
-Sobotka. $3.5m
- IonSabres

Right. Short term, sure, these guys are all on one year contracts now. But my post was more about long term albatrosses, which Botts is not responsible for any. I am fully convinced that not a single one of those contracts will get in the way of our objectives in FA. You find ways to dispose of salary, any of those above salaries, even Bogo and/or Risto, if you need to. It wouldn't be very hard. Not nearly Okposo-hard.

Why does everyone want to give up so much for players, Risto has value all by himself in a deal. Why should we give up all this extra. I'll keep Risto over Trouba. This is Jacob Trouba not Brent Burns.
- SABRES 89

Jacob Trouba is the far superior of a defenseman to Risto.

I can care less about analytics, his value is not in decline.
- SABRES 89

case closed....

I wouldn't say Montour makes him expendable as much as I would rather say Dahlin and Montour both make him expendable. His offense is replaced by those two, especially on the PP which is Risto's bread and butter. His physicality is one of my favorite traits, but you'd rather find someone with maybe less offense, which is already provided by the two above, for greater defensive presence, such as.. Jacob Trouba.

I wouldn't say Montour makes him expendable as much as I would rather say Dahlin and Montour both make him expendable. His offense is replaced by those two, especially on the PP which is Risto's bread and butter. His physicality is one of my favorite traits, but you'd rather find someone with maybe less offense, which is already provided by the two above, for greater defensive presence, such as.. Jacob Trouba.
- TheSabresTaco

When exactly does he do this? They only times I see him play with grit is against Russian superstars, OV & Kuch, I like Risto, but he often disappears physically for long stretches of games...

I partially blame Housley, Bylsma and Teddy for not realizing that despite his size and meanness, Risto is an offensive defenseman.

I mean, holy crap, it's not hard to figure out. Yet he's consistently below 50% o zone starts.

If his value is declining, it's because his useage doesn't align with the type of player he is. The Sharks are smart enough to start Karlsson in the o zone 60% of the time. So news flash to the next coach, if Risto stays (which seems unlikely), he is an OFFENSIVE defenseman

Karlsson has a P/60 of 1.5 to Risto's 1.3

Is Karlsson obviously the better defenseman? Yes, undoubtedly. But he also gets the benefit of correct useage
- jcragcrumple

I wouldn't really say his value is declining (as several posters suggest). I would say he's been badly used forever. Having a defined plan and role for him, he's a very valuable, middle pairing D. Any teams lacking a strong D on the PP would be wise to take a look at him. If we didn't have Dahlin, I'd be much less in favor of trading him.

Sure, anything can be done, but will it?
Botts has a lot if work to do then, just to get that cap space back,
in addition to his priorities of
-finding a coach, likely his last chance in blue and gold
-getting a 2C and not further cripling the cap in years 3+
-finding a #1/2 RW depending on where they slot Reino
-finding Dahlin's partner
-drafting properly

And running the Canadian team
- IonSabres

I think jbotts already has a 95% idea of what he is doing with the current roster.

Trade deadline day already laid the foundation for a few trades I'm sure

They probably have the coaching choice narrowed down to a couple of guys.
Jbotts will get to see the swedish coach in person at the worlds.
He will see which nhl teams get upset and possibly a coach fired.
Also , which ahl coach looks good

Idk if he will or not but I’m not going to assume he isn’t going to do anything. The cap space is the last thing that crosses my mind when it comes to issues with this club. If Botts needs to create cap space, he will. Those are probably the easiest moves he’ll be able to make in comparison to all of the things on your proposed to do list.
- Pegullaville

I think we had like the same post.

When exactly does he do this? They only times I see him play with grit is against Russian superstars, OV & Kuch, I like Risto, but he often disappears physically for long stretches of games...
- hehateme

https://www.foxsports.com...qual=1&sortOrder=0&page=1

He's 33rd in the league in hits per game

Edit: that includes a lot of guys who played like 20 or fewer games too

I think jbotts already has a 95% idea of what he is doing with the current roster.

Trade deadline day already laid the foundation for a few trades I'm sure

They probably have the coaching choice narrowed down to a couple of guys.
Jbotts will get to see the swedish coach in person at the worlds.
He will see which nhl teams get upset and possibly a coach fired.
Also , which ahl coach looks good
- Boss34

I'm glad he's taking his time. Clearly the field wasn't impressive enough to hire a guy now. Wait for hockey to be over in the NHL, AHL and Worlds, talk to the most interesting guys.

When exactly does he do this? They only times I see him play with grit is against Russian superstars, OV & Kuch, I like Risto, but he often disappears physically for long stretches of games...
- hehateme

..no.

https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/stats?season=2018&category=DEFENSE&group=1&sort=12&time=0&pos=0&team=0&qual=1&sortOrder=0&page=1

He's 33rd in the league in hits per game

Edit: that includes a lot of guys who played like 20 or fewer games too
- jcragcrumple

if he is playing 28 mins a night and plays physical he should be #1 in the league or at least top 5 in hits... Again, I like Risto, but he is replaceable and if we can get a cost controlled #2 Center (Rikard Rakell) I would trade him...

Edit: Looks at total hits and see's Risto is 12 and top 5 for D men... I take it back, but I still stand by trading him if we can get a proven #2 center for him....

if he is playing 28 mins a night and plays physical he should be #1 in the league or at least top 5 in hits... Again, I like Risto, but he is replaceable and if we can get a cost controlled #2 Center (Rikard Rakell) I would trade him...
- hehateme

If you remove guys who played under 40 games, he's 17th

He also played 24:38

I agree that there are many compelling arguments to trading Risto, but physicality is absolutely one his strong traits

Jacob Trouba is the far superior of a defenseman to Risto.
- TheSabresTaco

Superior how? he's not Bobby Orr for Christ sake, people over value players on this site so much.

Superior how? he's not Bobby Orr for Christ sake, people over value players on this site so much.
- SABRES 89

You would need to look at the advanced stats, which, doesn't seem like something you're gonna do