Confirmed Signing with Link: [PIT] Juuso Riikola signs extension (2 years, $1.15M AAV)

[MMC]

Click to read more...

 

[Empoleon8771]

That is...uh, surprising I'd say.

I guess it's a fine amount of money for a #7D, but I really don't get the vibe that Sullivan trusts him much. Also, where are these changes to the defense if you just keep everyone and re-sign all of your UFAs and RFAs?

 

[QJL]

Riikola is excellent defensively. He deserves a consistent spot in the lineup next year.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Riikola is excellent defensively. He deserves a consistent spot in the lineup next year.

No he's not.

Riikola is an adventure defensively and has a tendency to make boneheaded decisions that lead to odd-man breaks. He's definitely better than Johnson so he should be in over Johnson, but him putting up great analytical results in a super sheltered role doesn't make him excellent defensively.

 

[QJL]

No he's not.

Riikola is an adventure defensively and has a tendency to make boneheaded decisions that lead to odd-man breaks. He's definitely better than Johnson so he should be in over Johnson, but him putting up great analytical results in a super sheltered role doesn't make him excellent defensively.

 

[Empoleon8771]

You posting Riikola's analytics doesn't disprove what I said at all. Literally the last sentence was "him putting up great analytical results in a super sheltered role doesn't make him excellent defensively"

Look at his QoC, he got baby soft minutes.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

That is...uh, surprising I'd say.

I guess it's a fine amount of money for a #7D, but I really don't get the vibe that Sullivan trusts him much. Also, where are these changes to the defense if you just keep everyone and re-sign all of your UFAs and RFAs?

Considering Sullivan's absolute refusal to use him, this seems like a waste of money and cap space to me.

And this is coming from someone who is a fan of his. I just think that signing a guy who Sullivan, for whatever reason, has zero interest in playing is dumb at this point.

Totally get it from Riikola's point of view. Even if he's sitting in the stands for the next two seasons, he's getting paid a lot more money to do that than go back home and play.

 

[ownal]

He should have played a lot more to get the experience. Really hope he is the LD on our third pairing.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Happy that he was signed again

 

[Maurice of Orange]

Nice little deal for Riikola.
Had really good possession numbers for a replacement bottom pairing defenseman.

 

[Michoulicious]

Mandatory post.



Edit: Damn, someone was faster.

 

[PensandCaps]

He's a good player to have. Tons of tools, plays tough, Can skate, shoot...

If he was a smarter player he would be a top 4 guy.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

The exciting implication is that with Dumoulin, Pettersson as regulars and POJ ready or near ready that Jack Johnson may be gone. (Let me dream, please).

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Throat lozenger could at least skate or pass the puck out of our zone with no issues unlike he who shall remain nameless.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Glad to see him earn a contract, and this should mean youth should be taking over the bottom pairing.

 

[SomeDude]

Guy uses the hip check like its 1986. For that reason alone he should be playing regularly.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Hey guys, has anyone made the cough lozenges joke yet?

 

[Zirakzigil]

Hey guys, has anyone made the cough lozenges joke yet?

No. You totally should.

 

[Jerkbait]

No he's not.

Riikola is an adventure defensively and has a tendency to make boneheaded decisions that lead to odd-man breaks. He's definitely better than Johnson so he should be in over Johnson, but him putting up great analytical results in a super sheltered role doesn't make him excellent defensively.

He is a capable 6/7 guy.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Happy that he was signed again

Not gonna lie , i was waiting for this post while scrolling down