Proposal: Ristolainen

[Martin Skoula]

That's a pretty ridiculous metric to use considering like 3 Sabres have reached that mark in the last 6 years.

Last season Reinhart, Pomminville, Guhle, Kane, O'Rielly, and Rodrigues hit 50%. 2016/17 had 4 full-time (40 GP+) above 50%. 2015/16 had another 4. Risto has never been higher than 4th best among D during that span.

If you're going to make things up, pick something that isn't remarkably easy to Google and prove wrong.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

Risto will have a monster year, ridiculous to trade him for a mediocre Swede

Then a mediocre Swede is as good as a great Finn.

 

[Jim Bob]

Last season Reinhart, Pomminville, Guhle, Kane, O'Rielly, and Rodrigues hit 50%. 2016/17 had 4 full-time (40 GP+) above 50%. 2015/16 had another 4. Risto has never been higher than 4th best among D during that span.

If you're going to make things up, pick something that isn't remarkably easy to Google and prove wrong.

Risto was 3rd on the Sabres D last year in CF% Rel (behind Fedun & Bogosian). And his CF% Rel was better than Scandella who was the other big ice time D for the Sabres last season.

Risto isn't a lockdown defender.

But, he also isn't a soft, offensive only D, either.

The problem with Risto is that there has been so little defense talent around him that he hasn't been able to just settle into a role that fits his strengths and hides his weaknesses.