yah the leafs aren't rebuilding at all. from signing the 3 vets to offering jvr and a 1st for hamonic, theres no way this team is rebuilding.
Speculation: Do we go after Ristolainen?
- Thread starter SniperOnTheWing
- Start date
ULF_55
Moderator
ULF_55
Moderator
No they're still rebuilding, they just aren't on the way down like they were from the day Burke started his accelerated rebuild.
Concrete has been poured, but still lots of work to do.
Mess
Global Moderator
If you trade within the Div it would have to hurt both teams to make the trade IMO.
Nylander --- Eichel -- Nylander might be the only thing that has a remote chance.
6-4 220 lbs RH shot Dman that can put up 40+ points don't grow on trees and the 1/2 the league would be bidding on him.
ULF_55
Moderator
They still have to move out some UFA's, open up the spots for Kapanen and others, and find a top 2 defender.
that doesn't mean they're rebuilding. rebuilding would imply selling off pending ufa's, trying to get as much possible assets as you can, etc. the leafs will do the opposite of those. kapanen will be in the ahl for the rest of the year, barring injury and they will not get a top-2 defender. if they do, they will trade picks and prospects to get one, which is the exact opposite of rebuilding
ULF_55
Moderator
I completely disagree.
You are rebuilding until the rebuild is complete.
You don't tear down a house pour the foundation and claim your rebuild is complete.
Well, maybe Burke or Chiarelli does?
Atomos2
Registered User
ULF_55
Moderator
I guess we have to ask what the Sabres are looking for?
RNH, Russel and a conditional pick
for
Kane and Ristolainen
firstemperor
Registered User
- May 25, 2011
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He's only overrated by Sabre fans. Everyone else mostly thinks he sucks.
I would offer Gardiner (only because he ends up being a cap casualty regardless and we would need a LHD replacement) +
I'm sure other teams could offer a better package of futures
I would offer Gardiner (only because he ends up being a cap casualty regardless and we would need a LHD replacement) +
I'm sure other teams could offer a better package of futures
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
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Wouldn't be surprised if we were to inquire, but I'm skeptical there's a sensible deal to be made, if any deal at all. Obviously with the way the season is going and with a new GM in place, there might be a strong appetite to change things up quite beyond the usual selling off of pending UFAs. Ristolainen though is a young, signed player playing a solid role and at a position that's tough to acquire and even tougher to give up on easily. Unless they really don't like that contract moving forward, I can't imagine they're looking to move him, particularly to a very competitive divisional rival.
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
Lou should be fired on the spot if he even considered a Nylander for Risto trade scenario.
Trapper
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- Nov 21, 2013
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I don't even think Buffalo would start with Risto when it comes to trades. Plenty of time for that in the offseason. The team stinks. No amount of move this guy here and get that guy there is going to save this season. They are 31st overall in December. I would imagine the address the UFAs first and unload the deadwood if possible. If you are doing a tear down, remove the stink, you don't usually start with the 23/24 and under crowd.
Moving RR is pretty counter productive for Buffalo so I don't believe they'd move him unless a similar aged LD is coming back (i.e. Rielly). However, if they want to re-set, my suggestion on the mainboards was:
Gardiner/Zaitsev + lottery protected 1st + Kapanen
That deal would give them a prime defender of their choice, a mid-1st and an NHL ready blue chip winger prospect. They have no need for help at centre and I feel if they believe they have a legitimate shot at Dahlin or Boqvist in the draft, they'd be looking for a more quantity-based deal like above to address more holes. They need help at almost every position aside from centre and this deal would help there.
They'd likely prefer Zaitsev as their RD depth is non-existent and he's locked up for 7 years. Very few teams would be able to match that package, unless they offered a younger stud LD.
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
No but I'd be down to trade for Marco Scandella to add a somewhat reliable defensive presence to our second or third pairing.
BertCorbeau
F*ck cancer - RIP Fugu and Buffaloed
Story of Leafs fans summarized right here.
It's truly the battle of extremes. Leafs fans either heavily overrate their own players or fetishize other team's players to the extreme while severely underrating our players.
I'm not entirely sure if people realize just how bad Ristolainen is defensively.
Mess
Global Moderator
Dman scoring leaders last year
2016-17 NHL Hockey Stats and League Leaders - Points - National Hockey League - ESPN
Check out where 22 year old RR ended.
WTFMAN99
Registered User
- Jun 17, 2009
- 33,109
- 11,129
The team doesn't struggle to score though, and our PP is actually good. We struggle to defend. Risto doesn't appear to help us improve in our area of weakness.
He was definitely a main reason why Buffalo's PP was so good.
That's where his strength is. In the defensive zone, he's an adventure. I lol'd so hard the other night when he made a horrific read and ended up putting the puck on the tape of Crosby in his own zone.
