Sabres pick #8 Rasmus Ristolainen

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

 

 

Ya I'm not sure the over-reaction was warranted but I'd still rather Risto over Nurse. However, I sure wouldn't have had the same reaction as Devine had Risto went 4th.

 

 

 

I really wouldn't conisder having Nurse over Risto 'a goldmine pick'.

 

How about Monahan? Because there was just a big of a chance that happened. Jones goes 5, Maybe Calgary goes Lindholm over Monahan as was consensus. Edmonton passed on Nichushkin....they already have 379 #1 forwards.....so they go Nurse.

 

BOOM! you are sitting on a large, natural center...who just happens to be crushing it right now. You also have teams drooling to get into the pick.

 

I don't know if you play fantasy football....but I'm sure many who do take a look at their draft spot before the draft. "Ah, I've got #7....there are 5 legit #1 RB's I'd love to have, and I could live with Calvin Johnson. Dang....too bad I'm not at 6."

 

So what happens....some clown comes in and takes Drew Brees #3, Calvin Johnson goes #6....and all of a sudden, Jamal Charles drops into your lap.

 

The problem is, the Sabres look like the clowns who wanted Brees at 3,7, whenever. The guy who wanted Brees at #12 isn't PO'd because he is too busy laughing at the guy who wasted a pick there and now has a shot at his #7 ranked guy if one more team reaches.

 

 

[Eleven]

There's plenty to bitch about without hypotheticals that didn't and wouldn't happen. And Devine didn't have months to think about it; it was a spur-of-the-moment reaction. I think some folks are putting too much thought into it. Let's focus on the innumerable real problems with this team.

[Weave]

There's plenty to bitch about without hypotheticals that didn't and wouldn't happen. And Devine didn't have months to think about it; it was a spur-of-the-moment reaction. I think some folks are putting too much thought into it. Let's focus on the innumerable real problems with this team.

 

Probably to the bolded. But, this is an internet forum and there is nothing positive to discuss so...... what the hell.

 

My take, Devine miscalculated who other teams were targeting and the fear of not getting a ready-for-primetime D man was real.

 

I know folks have griped about there being no plan. I disagree. i think there was a definite plan. 2012 they went for two centers, one a sure thing, the other high risk/ high reward. I think the plan for 2013 was to do the same with defence. Risto going at 4 would have made them go to plan B, and naturally no one wants plan B.

[Derrico]

How about Monahan? Because there was just a big of a chance that happened. Jones goes 5, Maybe Calgary goes Lindholm over Monahan as was consensus. Edmonton passed on Nichushkin....they already have 379 #1 forwards.....so they go Nurse.

 

BOOM! you are sitting on a large, natural center...who just happens to be crushing it right now. You also have teams drooling to get into the pick.

 

I don't know if you play fantasy football....but I'm sure many who do take a look at their draft spot before the draft. "Ah, I've got #7....there are 5 legit #1 RB's I'd love to have, and I could live with Calvin Johnson. Dang....too bad I'm not at 6."

 

So what happens....some clown comes in and takes Drew Brees #3, Calvin Johnson goes #6....and all of a sudden, Jamal Charles drops into your lap.

 

The problem is, the Sabres look like the clowns who wanted Brees at 3,7, whenever. The guy who wanted Brees at #12 isn't PO'd because he is too busy laughing at the guy who wasted a pick there and now has a shot at his #7 ranked guy if one more team reaches.

 

I got Charles at 5 and I'm laughing my way to a 7-0 start. Does that count? Again, I wasn't saying that I reacted that way, I was clarifing what Dudacek was trying to say.

[dudacek]

Risto at four might have meant Zadorov at eight, IMO.

But max Domi was clearly the other guy they were targeting this year if you watch that Columbus video.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

 

 

Probably to the bolded. But, this is an internet forum and there is nothing positive to discuss so...... what the hell.

 

My take, Devine miscalculated who other teams were targeting and the fear of not getting a ready-for-primetime D man was real.

 

I know folks have griped about there being no plan. I disagree. i think there was a definite plan. 2012 they went for two centers, one a sure thing, the other high risk/ high reward. I think the plan for 2013 was to do the same with defence. Risto going at 4 would have made them go to plan B, and naturally no one wants plan B.

 

The draft is the single biggest day of the year for every franchise. They have dozens of guys planning for it for 12 months+, and it is the only thing they had to worry about for months.

 

You should have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan Z ready to roll on a moment's notice. I know that is not the strong suit of the Sabres' front office for sure.

 

It just seemed to be a lot of disgust and panic involved for an asset that didn't deserve disgust and panic at that point in time.

 

I really don't care, and I like Devine's passion as a scout. I hope he is right.

 

 

 

I got Charles at 5 and I'm laughing my way to a 7-0 start. Does that count? Again, I wasn't saying that I reacted that way, I was clarifing what Dudacek was trying to say.

 

Good job!

 

Just trying to draw a comparison. If Brees was there at 7 and the first 6 picks went to plan...then you take Brees if you like him and he makes sense. If the guy at 3 right before he picks, says he's eating a bowl of Gumbo....you don't panic and say, "Oh Jesus...he's eating F###ing Cajun....he's gonna go with Brees!"

 

You hope he takes Brees because then you get a more valuable player if you really had Brees at 7 and you pick at 7.

 

The psychology behind just says that they probably would have taken Ristolainen at 5 if they made that trade with Carolina. Imagine how batsh!t crazy some of us would be going now if the guy has 0 points and is a constant healthy scratch while Monahan is lighting up the league?

 

Not a big deal. Plenty of time to see if he was right. Heck, I was scared of taking Seth Jones in the top 4 so I could see how he dropped. I would have taken over Risto though.

[qwksndmonster]

There's plenty to bitch about without hypotheticals that didn't and wouldn't happen. And Devine didn't have months to think about it; it was a spur-of-the-moment reaction. I think some folks are putting too much thought into it. Let's focus on the innumerable real problems with this team.

Thank you. For instance: Why is Risto a healthy scratch instead of Weber? Instead of Tallinder?

[Jsixspd]

Thank you. For instance: Why is Risto a healthy scratch instead of Weber? Instead of Tallinder?

 

Exactly. He looks better than those guys do. Maybe they're worried about the awfulness and bad attitude of the current Sabres ruining him, though?

[TrueBlueGED]

Thank you. For instance: Why is Risto a healthy scratch instead of Weber? Instead of Tallinder?

 

Well, he's been the worst possession defender on the team by a decent margin. I'd still probably play him over Weber or McBain at this point, but I don't think he's so clearly been better than the three you mentioned.

[qwksndmonster]

Well, he's been the worst possession defender on the team by a decent margin. I'd still probably play him over Weber or McBain at this point, but I don't think he's so clearly been better than the three you mentioned.

I only mentioned two. And I'm looking at this from more of a rotate the D-men point of view. If we're going to have so many on the roster, then sit Weber for his atrocious play, or give Hank a one game breather. There is absolutely no reason to scratch Ristolainen for two games in a row.

[TrueBlueGED]

I only mentioned two. And I'm looking at this from more of a rotate the D-men point of view. If we're going to have so many on the roster, then sit Weber for his atrocious play, or give Hank a one game breather. There is absolutely no reason to scratch Ristolainen for two games in a row.

 

Counting is hard, okay?

 

I looked at the stats on Tallinder today, and was quite surprised at what I found. He's no Ehrhoff, but he's given his zone starts and competition, he's several worlds above Weber and McBain. And before anyone says it, I think that's more a function of how bad those two have been then Tallinder being particularly impressive :lol:

[qwksndmonster]

I've really liked the way Hanks been playing. But his body is not going to hold out 82 games and I noticed him getting burned a lot against Boston. It just grinds my gears that the first priority of this team isn't player development.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

I've really liked the way Hanks been playing. But his body is not going to hold out 82 games and I noticed him getting burned a lot against Boston. It just grinds my gears that the first priority of this team isn't player development.

 

Burned a lot against Boston?

 

I need double blades to support my ankles, and I'm pretty sure I have a 2-1 shot to skate around Tallinder at this point......

[TrueBlueGED]

Burned a lot against Boston?

 

I need double blades to support my ankles, and I'm pretty sure I have a 2-1 shot to skate around Tallinder at this point......

 

And he's still he light years better than Weber, whom you believe is one of two players capable of salvaging this team's season.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

 

 

And he's still he light years better than Weber, whom you believe is one of two players capable of salvaging this team's season.

 

When Weber and Ott give up on you....it's over. The reason this team did comparatively well the 2nd half last year is because Rolston let them work off instinct. They were sick of Lindy and his system.

 

Now it looks as if the system survives. Rolston may have been the beneficiary of chaos.

 

I don't know anymore how bad anyone is..... It's like Hiroshima right now.

[TrueBlueGED]

When Weber and Ott give up on you....it's over. The reason this team did comparatively well the 2nd half last year is because Rolston let them work off instinct. They were sick of Lindy and his system.

 

Now it looks as if the system survives. Rolston may have been the beneficiary of chaos.

 

I don't know anymore how bad anyone is..... It's like Hiroshima right now.

 

One thing I've noticed about Rolston is the verbiage he uses. There's a lot of "they need to figure it out" and "if you don't play the right way" and so on. I don't think that sits well with the vets. At least when it was officially going down the toilet with Lindy, he did a lot of "it's my responsibility to get them to play better, get out of the gate faster". If Ron had legit NHL credentials maybe it would work, but he doesn't.

[qwksndmonster]

When Weber and Ott give up on you....it's over. The reason this team did comparatively well the 2nd half last year is because Rolston let them work off instinct. They were sick of Lindy and his system.

 

Now it looks as if the system survives. Rolston may have been the beneficiary of chaos.

 

I don't know anymore how bad anyone is..... It's like Hiroshima right now.

It really sucks to see how much further on we'd be if Darcy had a sack. Instead of trading away Pommer, Vanek, and Miller at the deadline and ensuring the Sabres got a shot at MacKinnon or Barkov. He just traded Pominville, which gave the team the I traded your captain shakeup to boost them to useless victory. Pommer had a down year last year anyways, so losing him wasn't too big of a deal.

[K-9]

One thing I've noticed about Rolston is the verbiage he uses. There's a lot of "they need to figure it out" and "if you don't play the right way" and so on. I don't think that sits well with the vets. At least when it was officially going down the toilet with Lindy, he did a lot of "it's my responsibility to get them to play better, get out of the gate faster". If Ron had legit NHL credentials maybe it would work, but he doesn't.

 

Excellent point. It looks more and more as though RR is in over his head.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[IKnowPhysics]

I enjoyed Risto dumping that Stars forward late in the third last night. He's growing his ability to play a solid, dependable game, and as he gets more comfortable, he'll sometimes come out of left field and make an enormous physical play. I'm enjoying it a lot. Zadorov does this too. Opponents don't seem to expect to get absolutely rocked by the rookie teenagers, which makes it all the sweeter and funnier.

 

Here's Risto dumping some schmo into the bench: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/?id=2013020096-280-h

[drnkirishone]

so ya........ I stand by my opinion that he was a hot mess to start the season. But I have been impressed lately with him. He seems to be calming down in his defensive coverage, he is bringing a Brian Cambell'esce big hit game, he is playing physical on the boards, and he is improving his decision making on the point. I think Zadarov stepping in has had a positive impact on risto. After Myers, MAG, and McNabb I am withholding judgement until next season on Risto. But I am impressed thus far

[LGR4GM]

And he's still he light years better than Weber, whom you believe is one of two players capable of salvaging this team's season.

I think what we are seeing with Weber is his max ability. He is a #5 guy at best and you can't play him like a #1 shutdown guy unless he has legitimate help. Weber like many players on this team is being used in situations and positions he simply isn't suited for. That being said, I am deeply disappointed in his play thus far.

 

When Weber and Ott give up on you....it's over. The reason this team did comparatively well the 2nd half last year is because Rolston let them work off instinct. They were sick of Lindy and his system.

 

Now it looks as if the system survives. Rolston may have been the beneficiary of chaos.

 

I don't know anymore how bad anyone is..... It's like Hiroshima right now.

Yea, idk if its the system or the player or the coach or maybe it is everything is sucking.

 

and to the bolded do you mean a glowing pile of ash and debris left in the wake of the Nuclear Bomb that is this disaster of the past year or so?

[LTS]

so ya........ I stand by my opinion that he was a hot mess to start the season. But I have been impressed lately with him. He seems to be calming down in his defensive coverage, he is bringing a Brian Cambell'esce big hit game, he is playing physical on the boards, and he is improving his decision making on the point. I think Zadarov stepping in has had a positive impact on risto. After Myers, MAG, and McNabb I am withholding judgement until next season on Risto. But I am impressed thus far

 

I just want to think for a moment where the 4/6 defense in the lineup are : Risto, Zadarov, Myers, McNabb... that's some serious size. Of course that's a very low probability, but it would be pretty cool (if they played at a high level).

[Derrico]

so ya........ I stand by my opinion that he was a hot mess to start the season. But I have been impressed lately with him. He seems to be calming down in his defensive coverage, he is bringing a Brian Cambell'esce big hit game, he is playing physical on the boards, and he is improving his decision making on the point. I think Zadarov stepping in has had a positive impact on risto. After Myers, MAG, and McNabb I am withholding judgement until next season on Risto. But I am impressed thus far

 

I agree that I think Zadarov has had a really positive effect on Risto's game. From my vantage point (only watching the games on tv so far) he's turned his game around right around when Zadarov was inserted into the lineup.

 

He's been as advertised in the physical department IMO. He doesn't go out of his way to make several huge hits a game like Z but he usually has one or two nice ones a game. When the play is there to be physical he usually takes advantage. I really liked his game against Dallas.

[TrueBlueGED]

I think what we are seeing with Weber is his max ability. He is a #5 guy at best and you can't play him like a #1 shutdown guy unless he has legitimate help. Weber like many players on this team is being used in situations and positions he simply isn't suited for. That being said, I am deeply disappointed in his play thus far.

 

Thing is, if Weber can't be trusted in a shut down role, then what the hell is he doing on this roster? He doesn't add anything offensively or on the PP, so he shouldn't be getting protected offensive minutes (which he has been...thanks Ron). He's not going to lead the rush effectively. So if he can't eat at least reasonably tough defensive assignments, what value is he really adding?

[Weave]

Thing is, if Weber can't be trusted in a shut down role, then what the hell is he doing on this roster? He doesn't add anything offensively or on the PP, so he shouldn't be getting protected offensive minutes (which he has been...thanks Ron). He's not going to lead the rush effectively. So if he can't eat at least reasonably tough defensive assignments, what value is he really adding?

 

That is a common problem for teams. Depth players. He's a depth player. Even on really good teams there are guys on the last lines/pairs that aren't good enough to be lockdown or offense. As depth players go, he's not bad really. But you still need to give your depth players protected minutes. Ideally, he's only the ice when the other teams' depth players are on the ice.