Speculation: Do we go after Ristolainen?

[Coachcorner]

We might be doing our thang. Looking out from our rearview window. Seeing that thang. We already got Polak n' Borgman skating hard. But we might get that treal thang with the devil in Ristolainen. He bouncing that grill up. Grilling everybody up and hitting that thang through the city.

 

[Trapper]

Let's take a look at what we could use from Buffalo:

We need a center:
O'Reilly: too expensive, trade ask too high.
Reinhart: better wing or center? Trade ask too high.
Girgensons: target. 3C.

We need a top 4 D (preferably RHD):
Risto: can't see Buffalo not asking for someone's brother in our organization.
Bogosian: oft injured. Probably not going to cost the big 3.
5 million cap hit for 2 more years. Is he worth it for the right deal?
Scandella: LHD. Who is playing the right side for us?

 

[Morgs]

I'd actually love to see him beside Gardiner on the 2nd pairing. Think he'd be a much better defenseman without the heavy minutes and with an actual partner.

No way I pay what they're asking though because I'm sure he's priced as a #1, and in my mind he's closer to a #4 + PP specialist.

 

[BlueForever75]

If its for another dman in the Leafs organization not name Reilly, Zaitsev, Gardiner, Llijgren or Dermott. And the Leafs have to give up Kapanen and a 2nd to go along with it. I'm all for it. Other then that the Sabres can keep him.

Somethin like Carrick, Kapanen and 2nd Rounder would be cool.

 

[BlueBaron]

I suppose we should get used to the idea of every available RHD being desired by some portion of our fan base until we have the top pairing RHD solution most of us are happy with.

This one seems a bit far fetched to me though. We are talking about a guy who is their what? #2 or 3 asset? He is young and plays a critical position. Do not see them trading him, do not see them trading him to us, do not see us parting with the assets it would take.

I am going to agree with Ulf in that I am not sure the "rebuild" is as done as some think. We have always had the philosophy of sheltering the young guys so I would not read too much into our summer FA signings. Marleau is here to be an example and leader more than anything and Hainsey appears to have been brought in to shelter Rielly. Next year represents what could be another major transition.

Yes I think we'll keep JVR, Komo and maybe Bozak for our playoff run but this is more about playoff experience and learning to win then Cup expectations in my opinion. Next year we are presumably replacing JVR with Leivo, Bozak is replaced by a shifted Nylander who is in turn replaced by Kapanen on the wing, Shosh can replace Komo, our bottom pairing is entirely in flux and could easily see Dermott on it, maybe even Timmy. So that may mean out going is JVR, Bozak, Komo and Polak and Carrick (I think he has no future here) all replaced by kids. Next year could be a heck of transition year but should also represent a roster far closer to our team going forward.

OEL, Karlsson and Doughty all hit the market the summer after next. I could see us moving for one of them next year to extend if we have an indication one of them wants to be here, ideally Doughty I guess. To me that is the ideal solution. There is no urgency, our window is pretty big and I just don't see paying much more than a first and some depth prospects (basically anyone but Kappy or Timmy) to upgrade our D, especially in view of that FA crop coming up soon and right after the transition year.

I'd love to have the player but do not see this one happening.

 

[The Podium]

Risto isnt what we need, just a slightly better version of Gardiner.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

Willie should hold equal or higher value, despite a pretty meh sophmore so far.

 

[Mess]

Willie should hold equal or higher value, despite a pretty meh sophmore so far.

Defensemen ( & Centres) hold much higher value than Wingers, particularly in trades.

If Nylander was a proven NHL centre his value would be higher.

Teams are always looking for top 6C or top pairing Dmen as upgrades so that would make Risto very very costly in trade as 23 year old 6-4, 220lbs RHD that can put up 45 point seasons would have a price tag most teams wouldn't want to pay.

 

[TheProspector]

Risto isnt what we need, just a slightly better version of Gardiner.

Risto is not better than Gardiner. Gardiner is better than Risto in practically every way -- the only visible exception being point shot on the PP.

5v5, adjusted numbers, past 3 seasons..

Gardiner 1.14 GS/60 to Risto's 0.39
Gardiner 52% CF to Risto's 45%
Gardiner's 0.51 P1/60 to Risto's 0.4
Gardiner's 51.4% xGF to Risto's 46.9%
Gardiner's 1.66% rel xGF to Risto's -0.57

It is hilarious how self-hating Leafs fans are. Guys, we're good now. Stop.

 

[The Podium]

Risto is not better than Gardiner. Gardiner is better than Risto in practically every way -- the only visible exception being point shot on the PP.

5v5, adjusted numbers, past 3 seasons..

Gardiner 1.14 GS/60 to Risto's 0.39
Gardiner 52% CF to Risto's 45%
Gardiner's 0.51 P1/60 to Risto's 0.4
Gardiner's 51.4% xGF to Risto's 46.9%
Gardiner's 1.66% rel xGF to Risto's -0.57

It is hilarious how self-hating Leafs fans are. Guys, we're good now. Stop.

Does that account for team? Toronto wasnt great in year 1 of your sample but 2 and 3 were significantly better than Buffalo.

Regardless, point being is Risto isnt what is needed at the moment

 

[Mess]

Risto is not better than Gardiner. Gardiner is better than Risto in practically every way -- the only visible exception being point shot on the PP.

5v5, adjusted numbers, past 3 seasons..

Gardiner 1.14 GS/60 to Risto's 0.39
Gardiner 52% CF to Risto's 45%
Gardiner's 0.51 P1/60 to Risto's 0.4
Gardiner's 51.4% xGF to Risto's 46.9%
Gardiner's 1.66% rel xGF to Risto's -0.57

It is hilarious how self-hating Leafs fans are. Guys, we're good now. Stop.

Problem being age difference in that comparison. You're comparing Risto at ages 20-22 and Gardiner at 25-27 as Gardiner is 4 years older.

How does Gardiner in his 1st 3 years in the league compare to Risto at same age and experience levels.

 

[Nithoniniel]

Girgensons: target. 3C.

This could be the guy.

Girgensons has a history of being very effective complementary player to more skilled linemates. As such, we could put him at #3C at cheap and give him two good wingers. He provides two-way game, grit, net front presence, and puck retrieval. Our talented wingers get too drive the offense.

Problem being age difference in that comparison.

Usage as well. Ristolainen is getting buried with tough matchups and often awful linemates. Gardiner has generally played in usage that got the most out of him, except for second half last year.

 

[613Leafer]

Ristolainen is 22. Even if they're "rebuilding", there's really no reason for them to trade him. We didn't sell off Kadri for futures when we were blowing it up and drafting Nylander/Marner/Matthews.

 

[rent free]

i'd rather get scandella and then put gardiner on the 3rd pairing. it'll cost cheaper and we'll be a better team because of it. a 1st and kapanen for scandella

 

[Mess]

Ristolainen is 22. Even if they're "rebuilding", there's really no reason for them to trade him. We didn't sell off Kadri for futures when we were blowing it up and drafting Nylander/Marner/Matthews.

Nylander for Risto type transaction gets a similar aged player back in return for Buffalo not futures and since they drafted Alex Nylander they could sell lots of tickets with the brothers flanking Eichel.