Ross Rhea

yup, wasn't willing to take the hit to make the play

Sounds like a case of being way overused early in the season by bad coaches. 4 crap coaches and tons of losing in his 6 years obviously have taken it's toll on Risto, but yes let's keep piling on because he is the problem.

Interesting there is the huge disparity between Ristos and EK offense and defensive zone starts. Seems the one year where their zone starts were close their other numbers were close. Wonder what EK corsi would be if he had d zone starts comparative to Ristos and vice versa.

I know right, also show me a GM who wouldn't want him on their team. The top team in the league was very very interested and wanted him, but yeah here in Buffalo the armchairs have it all figured out and Risto is unworthy of being a Sabre because he is just horrible, yet the love affair with ERod is, well, It's comical to say the least.

Right, considering it's late in the year, Buffalo has been off since sunday, Toronto got shut out in Nashville last night and had to travel back a time zone to Buffalo and play tonight, and they worked Buffalo bad. 1000% unacceptable performance, Phil should be fired tomorrow, he stinks as coach.

Botterill survives and Housley doesn't.

Craig Berube in St Louis, came in half way through the year and turned them around in a big way. Does St Louis have tons more talent than Buffalo? IMO, Housley isn't getting the job done. Would love to see Taylor as coach next year, love his interviews, great guy, really good coach.

Yup I did, but who is scared of a physical Skinner, Eichel, Reinhart or Dahlin. C'mon on other teams laugh at them trying to be physical!

I agree, then the question is why do they lack tenacity? Is it the make up of the players personalities or the the way they are coached? I think it is both, more rugged guys are needed and a better coach is needed. IMO a mixture is needed of rugged and finesse players to accomplish a balance of hard to play against players, we don't have that, not even close. Sick of teams taking liberties. It's gotta stop!

Why not them, are they looking for someone else to do the dirty work, they have a free license to be as physical as they want but refuse. Can't cry about it, do something about it, this team turtles when they get physicalled ( if thats a word). Look in the mirror dudes and push back, really it's ok, you might gain a whole lot more respect if you do!

That's why Tampa wanted him at the trade deadline and there isnt a GM that wouldnt want him. Hmmmm...... he must have something that is appealing, but not here in Buffalo, we just poopoo anything remotely good and complain how it's been soooooooo long.........

So were you on board with trading OReilly last year, after all he was a -23. This year he is a +22 did he magically become +45 better? or is it coaching? or is it better players? cause Risto, just like OReilly last year have/had garbage players around him. Maybe a call to JBots is in order as this boards knows sooooo much more than he does! IMO, to give up on Risto is asinine.

Yup, but start watching closely as he is a minutes eater and on the ice but not necessarily responsible for the goals against. Not saying he isn't responsible some times but more often than not the other players are not doing their job or goalie lets in a soft one and the puck ends up in the net and Risto happens to be on the ice.

I'm keeping Risto, Dahlin and Montour, the rest are trade bait.

Disagree, he just turned 24 4 months ago. Yes, he has had 409 games played in 6 years but he's had 4 head coaches in those 6 years, have any of them been any good? As someone else up thread pointed out, how many crap players has he been paired with? I happen to think Risto has a lot more to offer with a good coach and better players. Not sold on Housley and a lot of these current players stink.

Just watched the game and yet again the opposing goalie played lights out. Every night the Sabres seem to go up against a guy having a Hasek kind of night. WTF!

Good for Beaulieu, he's ok, brought a little grit, I didn't mind him as a 6. Hopefully he can play more for the Jets.

I hope they don't trade Risto, Montour is a great addition and like Roman Josi for zone entries, who Housley had in Nashville. Risto, Montour, Bogo, Dahlin, McCabe, I really like those 5. Now they need to trade one or two of Baloo, Nelson, Scandy, Hunwick. Log jam on blue line now.

I think you just summed up most of but not all of Ristos problems, the garbage he has had to play with in his early career so far. Throw in his 4th head coach in 6 years and it's no wonder why the best of Risto hasn't been seen yet.

Lot of other useless players I would get rid of way before getting rid of Risto.

He was a -2 last night and the 2 goals against I seen when he was on the ice were not because of him but he takes the -2 for it. Sure he is responsible for some goals against but it sure does seem others don't do their job and the puck ends up in the net alot and he happens to be on the ice and take the minus for it. He just turned 24, no way would I trade him away.

schopp is an idiot

holy smokes Risto took the body

wow he was offsides no goal

5 year plan, lol, just stop! Doesn't take 5 years.