I agree GhostfaceWu, but Risto can defend to some extent, he's great 3/4 defender, and a point producer, on the PP as well. So, let's just say it would be a piece type deal, just for the sake of friendly conversation. Is RNH even available at this time, or do you think the Oilers will wait until that trade deadline in 2 years to move him, before his contract is up, or re-sign him?
It would be no secret to anyone on the Oiler board that I am a fan of RNH so take this post with that in mind. But I doubt RNH is available unless we are talking a package that would see a significant upgrade either offensively or a true top pairing defenseman. But I would be shocked if he was available for Risto.
My argument is strictly from the Oiler's perspective. I will leave it up to Sabre's fans to comment on their side of the deal.
What the Oilers need is better defensemen 5 vs 5 long term. Someone who can push Larsson to a second pairing, someone who can handle the defensive side of a top pairing while being able to really contribute to the offense at ES would be helpful. But this is not Risto.
Here are the ES numbers over the last 3 years:
ES points:
1) Nurse 68 in 208 = .3269 pts/g
2) Risto 63 in 230 = .2739 pts/g
3) Klefbom 52 in 209 = .2488 pts/g
4) Larsson 51 in 224 =.2278 pts/g
5) Russell 46 in 218 = .2110 pts/g
So over an 82 game schedule Risto would outscore Larsson at ES by a little less than 4 points based on these rates. And the gap between Nurse and Risto is larger than the gap between Risto and Larsson.
As for the eye test when I watch Risto at ES I do not see a dynamic offensive defenseman. In particular I don't see a guy who is really any better than what the team already has in getting the play started. Given the weaknesses he has defensively trading RNH for him would not make a whole lot of sense for the Oilers. They have a far better chance of one of their young defensemen (Bouchard, Bear, Persson) filling the RHD role on the pp than they do that one of their prospect forwards can fill RNH's shoes.