Speculation: Ristolainen Trade Discussion - The Return

[Rasmus CacOlainen]

I was expecting this type of Risto, but I was expecting this after he was traded. This worries me because he may have checked out already. What held him back and what also drives him is his competitive nature. He put his team on his back since he got here and this lead to him constantly taking risks, which often lead to losses. If he gets traded, we will get a great return, but have we surrounded Dahlin with enough to prevent him from putting the team on his back and going down Risto's path?

No, we haven't. Risto should stay until we are sure the like of Montour, Joker, Bryson, Samuelsson, Borgen can take over at the back and help Dahlin with quality depth. Right now none of these are a certainty.

 

[BananaSquad]

He isn’t going anywhere if he keeps looking this good next to Dahlin.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Am I the only one that wasn't all that impressed with him last night? He played ok against a much lower level of competition, but still makes the little boneheaded plays that lead to possession for the OTHER team. Is he really going to be able to play that well against Tavares, Bergeron and Barkov lines all year? That's what you need to ask yourself.

Also, Risto has historically played better at the beginning of the season. Do fans really want to give him 1st pairing minutes again and watch him wear down by December?

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I’d still take a first rounder for Risto, wonder if that’s even being offered

 

[Jim Bob]

Am I the only one that wasn't all that impressed with him last night? He played ok against a much lower level of competition, but still makes the little boneheaded plays that lead to possession for the OTHER team. Is he really going to be able to play that well against Tavares, Bergeron and Barkov lines all year? That's what you need to ask yourself.

Also, Risto has historically played better at the beginning of the season. Do fans really want to give him 1st pairing minutes again and watch him wear down by December?

I don't want to start the season with a RHD top 3 of Miller, Nelson, and Joker given what we have seen so far this preseason.

Jokiharju has been making poor decisions at a faster rate than Risto.

And given the Montour & McCabe injuries on top of Pilut and Bogosian still in rehab mode and the defensive depth is already shallow and we haven't even started the season.

It will be interesting to see if they can pull off a deal for a package like what Faulk returned that doesn't immediately weaken the D depth. But, I doubt Botts can pull that off.

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

hey this Risto guy's pretty good maybe we shouldn't trade him after all


HF boards, the land that you can be a 24 yr. old 40+ pt. d-man and still considered to suck as if it's for the rest of your career.

 

[Hasekperreault23]

Am I the only one that wasn't all that impressed with him last night? He played ok against a much lower level of competition, but still makes the little boneheaded plays that lead to possession for the OTHER team. Is he really going to be able to play that well against Tavares, Bergeron and Barkov lines all year? That's what you need to ask yourself.

Also, Risto has historically played better at the beginning of the season. Do fans really want to give him 1st pairing minutes again and watch him wear down by December?

Actually he played really well and against the leafs as well.Yes he and McCabe start out strong then fade.Will see with less ice time but so far been very happy with his play

 

[Hasekperreault23]

I’d still take a first rounder for Risto, wonder if that’s even being offered

Not taking a first rounder unless it's top 5 .Need an established forward around his age or keep him

 

[Shootica]

He isn’t going anywhere if he keeps looking this good next to Dahlin.

That doesn't mean he shouldn't be traded. That just reinforces that we shouldn't be trading him for anything less than a comparable young forward or high end prospect.

Also, Risto has historically played better at the beginning of the season. Do fans really want to give him 1st pairing minutes again and watch him wear down by December?

If it means his trade value goes up in the meantime and he wears down on a different team, sure.

 

[Gabrielor]

Still holding out hope for risto for 2C. Even at the 11th hour.

We really need it

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Not taking a first rounder unless it's top 5 .Need an established forward around his age or keep him

I’m hoping botterill will take whatever he can get and run. The guy sucks and doesn’t have value because he shouldn’t have value

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Not taking a first rounder unless it's top 5 .Need an established forward around his age or keep him

I respectfully disagree. I truly think Risto is a bad player in the parts of the game that actually help a team to win. I'm legit worried that him not being on PP1 is going to tank his point totals, and thus crater his trade value.

I know many won't agree, but I think he's a third pairing defender at even strength, and a PP specialist on a good team. I think it's high time for us to take the best offer on the table, and move on. I feel he's in that Dion Phaneuf / Jack Johnson mold, where they're very talented and physical, but just don't have a head for the game.

 

[Team Cozens]

He isn’t going anywhere if he keeps looking this good next to Dahlin.

#KEEPRISTO

 

[Team Cozens]

I respectfully disagree. I truly think Risto is a bad player in the parts of the game that actually help a team to win. I'm legit worried that him not being on PP1 is going to tank his point totals, and thus crater his trade value.

I know many won't agree, but I think he's a third pairing defender at even strength, and a PP specialist on a good team. I think it's high time for us to take the best offer on the table, and move on. I feel he's in that Dion Phaneuf / Jack Johnson mold, where they're very talented and physical, but just don't have a head for the game.

If a team is looking to acquire Risto as a PP1 player, they know exactly why his point total would be down. Dahlin factor.
Kinda like Kadri was no longer a 30 goal scorer after Tavares arrived. Teams know what he can do in the 2C spot.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

If a team is looking to acquire Risto as a PP1 player, they know exactly why his point total would be down. Dahlin factor.
Kinda like Kadri was no longer a 30 goal scorer after Tavares arrived. Teams know what he can do in the 2C spot.

Fair point. I'd still rather trade him coming off a 40+ season and not waiting for his numbers to tank, which I strongly believe will happen.

 

[jc17]

If we trade Risto, Montour has to really establish himself as a consistent top 4 RD. Statistically hes been inconsistent

 

[Reddawg]

If we trade Risto, Montour has to really establish himself as a consistent top 4 RD. Statistically hes been inconsistent

Montour needs to do that anyway, but having Miller helps the right side tremendously.

 

[Fjordy]

Miller in all games looked our most stable and calm defender, of course he probably lacks speed, but he plays as simple and reliable as possible, he also has a very strong shot, he could be our PP2. I would be fine with Miller and Montour on the right side, and let such guys as Borgen, Joker and Fitzgerald fight for third place.

 

[jc17]

If Risto does end up in WPG I'd still like to find a way to get Copp

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Montour needs to do that anyway, but having Miller helps the right side tremendously.

Small sample size, but Montour's advanced stats next to Dahlin were quite good...borderline dominant offensively. Risto has been the only player to drag Dahlin down, so not sure what this organization is thinking right now.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

If Risto does end up in WPG I'd still like to find a way to get Copp

I'd love that, but I think they consider him dang near a core piece.

 

[Zman5778]

Hmmmm 2 preseason games or 424 regular season games. Wonder which we should base our evaluation on.

Notice the word "IF"? I'm full well capable of realizing his history. I'm also full well capable of realizing that young players can change the way they play as time passes. If you were to say back at age 24 that Brent Burns would be a Norris winner and multiple nominee.......most would want the same kind of drugs you were on.

 

[flashsabre]

Miller in all games looked our most stable and calm defender, of course he probably lacks speed, but he plays as simple and reliable as possible, he also has a very strong shot, he could be our PP2. I would be fine with Miller and Montour on the right side, and let such guys as Borgen, Joker and Fitzgerald fight for third place.

Miller is a great skater, don't know where the lacks speed is coming from.

 

[Aladyyn]

Notice the word "IF"? I'm full well capable of realizing his history. I'm also full well capable of realizing that young players can change the way they play as time passes. If you were to say back at age 24 that Brent Burns would be a Norris winner and multiple nominee.......most would want the same kind of drugs you were on.

Young Burns had way better numbers than Ristolainen ever has...

 

[Zman5778]

Young Burns had way better numbers than Ristolainen ever has...

On way better teams.