I don't think Ray Ray is looking to make a move. This roster is very good on paper and the real deficiencies have been addressed. But I totally agree that there are likely opportunities with teams trying to get cap compliant. If something very worthwhile was presented Shero could pull the trigger.

Buffalo's situation with Rasmus Ristolaninen is potentially one that comes to mind.
- Queenie_5_hole

Is he really that good?

I cant wait to see how Nico plays.
Maybe its me, but it feels like we have the same team to the current Avs... And that is crazy. It took only one month? to become that. Crazy!
- Leniwm1

... except we have neither an EJ, a Zadorov, nor do we have a Makar.

But we do have a bit more potency in line 2 and line 3.

Is he really that good?
- Leniwm1

Ristolainen is like Zacha - has all the tools to be a great player, but there's been a gap between what is expected and what was substantiated.

If Ristolainen was trained by Scott Stevens, he'd probably become a top 5 D in the league. But he's not that good at defence; other team's best players eat him alive.

I don't expect Shero to make a move: I think he looks at Pittsburgh's back-to-back cups as a model of success - they didn't have any shutdown on that team: they just outscored their opponents and counted on rock solid goaltending from Murray.

Is he really that good?
- Leniwm1

Ray Ray or Rasmus?

Ray yes. Rasmus Kinda. He's better then several of the guys on our defense and our interest would depend on what Ray expects to do with Vats. If Vats is going to be traded because we can't sign him it could be helpful to pick up someone like Rasmus. Of if not Vats, but someone like Mueller or Carrick and a pick.

But it depends on what could be worked out and how desperate Buffalo was. I was just using this as an example of what could happen, not really saying we should look for this.

Ray Ray or Rasmus?

Ray yes. Rasmus Kinda. He's better then several of the guys on our defense and our interest would depend on what Ray expects to do with Vats. If Vats is going to be traded because we can't sign him it could be helpful to pick up someone like Rasmus. Of if not Vats, but someone like Mueller or Carrick and a pick.

But it depends on what could be worked out and how desperate Buffalo was. I was just using this as an example of what could happen, not really saying we should look for this.
- Queenie_5_hole

I wish Pronger still played

You guys would hate yourself if Ristolainen was on the team. He is a defensive void. Don't let those point totals trick you into thinking he's good because he isn't. Half of his career assists are power play assists so it's not like he's lighting it up 5v5 or anything, and he is a possession anchor. When you complain about Butcher's "bad" defense, Ristolainen is actually that.

Ristolainen is like Zacha - has all the tools to be a great player, but there's been a gap between what is expected and what was substantiated.

If Ristolainen was trained by Scott Stevens, he'd probably become a top 5 D in the league. But he's not that good at defence; other team's best players eat him alive.

I don't expect Shero to make a move: I think he looks at Pittsburgh's back-to-back cups as a model of success - they didn't have any shutdown on that team: they just outscored their opponents and counted on rock solid goaltending from Murray.
- archromat

How can you compare Ristolainen to Zacha??????? Rist has 4 consecutive 40+ point seasons as a RD...... Zacha's best season is 25 points, and his OHL stats never indicated any offensive talents. These players are complete opposites in style, production, and position. I would love to add Rist to this club, but we have way too many RD already. Maybe Vats+Carrick+??? for Rist would work, but our RD is already fairly well established. Plus Buff already has 6 rostered NHL RD.

someone on a FB group posted these lines and I had to share, because..

Simmonds-Zajac-Palmieri
Gusev-Hischier-Hall
Bratt-Hughes-Zacha
Wood-Coleman-Anderson

different strokes for different folks.
- MartysBetter88

Talent wise, it is fairly well distributed, but I hate having so many guys on their off wings!!! Here is my dream, Shero trades Hall for Marner, who signs an 8 year 10M AAV deal, and extends Nico 8 years at 7M per.

Gusev Nico Palms
Bratt Hughes Marner
Coleman Zajac Simmonds
Boq Zacha Mcleod

You guys would hate yourself if Ristolainen was on the team. He is a defensive void. Don't let those point totals trick you into thinking he's good because he isn't. Half of his career assists are power play assists so it's not like he's lighting it up 5v5 or anything, and he is a possession anchor. When you complain about Butcher's "bad" defense, Ristolainen is actually that.
- Pomegrant

How do you know we don’t hate ourselves already?

How do you know we don’t hate ourselves already?
- Queenie_5_hole

I guess we all do

but this is the exact reason why advanced stats are important. Ristolainen is much worse than his counting stats look.

I guess we all do

but this is the exact reason why advanced stats are important. Ristolainen is much worse than his counting stats look.
- Pomegrant

His -41 last year doesn't look impressive either even if it is a bad stat.

I don't think Ray Ray is looking to make a move. This roster is very good on paper and the real deficiencies have been addressed. But I totally agree that there are likely opportunities with teams trying to get cap compliant. If something very worthwhile was presented Shero could pull the trigger.

Buffalo's situation with Rasmus Ristolaninen is potentially one that comes to mind.
- Queenie_5_hole

I would agree, he is not looking to make a move, but if some cap stretched team comes a knocking, snd they will, he will be listening. And Ritso will cost too much (supposedly a first and a good prospect) for what he does.

His -41 last year doesn't look impressive either even if it is a bad stat.
- Queenie_5_hole

yeah, it is a bad look. there are times in which a defenseman who plays a lot of minutes but isn't an offensive guy on a bad team is good at defense but he isn't going to put up points and the team in front of him isn't going to score so his +/- is bad. Risto just actually gets torched and is garbage.

Btw. This was somewhat interesting. Specifically the mini documentary of Connor Carrick.
https://www.allabouttheje...12-19-consistency-edition - queeny

That was a really good documentary, i wish all our players had a youtube channel

That was a really good documentary, i wish all our players had a youtube channel
- cu45161

Carrick was a pretty decent prospect and successful in the AHL. He might be a really solid 3rd pair guy. We will see but, but it’s a nice return for Lovejoy.

We are gonna have 3 rookies on the team. Is their skill good enough to combat the "rookieness" ?

We are gonna have 3 rookies on the team. Is their skill good enough to combat the "rookieness" ?
- Leniwm1

Not sure what "rookieness" is, but Hughes/Smith/Boq/Gusev are all highly vetted as studs ready to make the big step. Rookies continue to enter the league with larger impacts than ever before. Our 2019-2020 class looks like an A+ group

Not sure what "rookieness" is, but Hughes/Smith/Boq/Gusev are all highly vetted as studs ready to make the big step. Rookies continue to enter the league with larger impacts than ever before. Our 2019-2020 class looks like an A+ group
- bikeguy99

rookieness = small frame, inexperience, uncomfortable, etc.. pretty much puberty

I don't think Ray Ray is looking to make a move. This roster is very good on paper and the real deficiencies have been addressed. But I totally agree that there are likely opportunities with teams trying to get cap compliant. If something very worthwhile was presented Shero could pull the trigger.

Buffalo's situation with Rasmus Ristolaninen is potentially one that comes to mind.
- Queenie_5_hole

I would love that but who goes on the right side? Subban, Severson?

... except we have neither an EJ, a Zadorov, nor do we have a Makar.

But we do have a bit more potency in line 2 and line 3.
- archromat

Well.......Given Tampa's cap crunch, something has to give on LD which could work for us. With Hedman being untouchable, and McD having another very strong season, I am left believing that Sergachev could be moved. If they keep him, they would likely have 22M committed to 3 LD, and that is poor distribution. McD better fits their win-now, and I feel we have what they need to address their shutdown and grinding deficiencies. So....Hypothetical:

To Njd: Sergachev + Palat and Condon for cap reasons
To Tampa: Zajac 50% retained + Coleman

You guys would hate yourself if Ristolainen was on the team. He is a defensive void. Don't let those point totals trick you into thinking he's good because he isn't. Half of his career assists are power play assists so it's not like he's lighting it up 5v5 or anything, and he is a possession anchor. When you complain about Butcher's "bad" defense, Ristolainen is actually that.
- Pomegrant

What about spread sheets and his height?

yeah, it is a bad look. there are times in which a defenseman who plays a lot of minutes but isn't an offensive guy on a bad team is good at defense but he isn't going to put up points and the team in front of him isn't going to score so his +/- is bad. Risto just actually gets torched and is garbage.
- Pomegrant

He does play for buff

Well.......Given Tampa's cap crunch, something has to give on LD which could work for us. With Hedman being untouchable, and McD having another very strong season, I am left believing that Sergachev could be moved. If they keep him, they would likely have 22M committed to 3 LD, and that is poor distribution. McD better fits their win-now, and I feel we have what they need to address their shutdown and grinding deficiencies. So....Hypothetical:

To Njd: Sergachev + Palat and Condon for cap reasons
To Tampa: Zajac 50% retained + Coleman
- bikeguy99

they are not getting rid of Sergachev. no way jose.

What about spread sheets and his height?
- shvingter88

they say he sucks lol

Well.......Given Tampa's cap crunch, something has to give on LD which could work for us. With Hedman being untouchable, and McD having another very strong season, I am left believing that Sergachev could be moved. If they keep him, they would likely have 22M committed to 3 LD, and that is poor distribution. McD better fits their win-now, and I feel we have what they need to address their shutdown and grinding deficiencies. So....Hypothetical:

To Njd: Sergachev + Palat and Condon for cap reasons
To Tampa: Zajac 50% retained + Coleman
- bikeguy99

How do you come up with your trade proposals?