I honestly don't know where these trades are coming from but Risto is more valuable then Anthanasiou. Buffalo doesn't do this deal without Detroit adding.

DET isn't trading Athanasiou unless they're getting like Reinhart back (i don't really get it either, I just know that Athanasiou is like literally untouchable to any DET fan, he is really fast and fun to watch though)

No. He isnt

Athanasiou is 2 years older than reinhart and much less accomplished

I think you're valuing Risto then. Both the same age and I think Risto has the higher potential. Actually surprised you're not pioneering for him.

Risto has played over 400 games. He is what he is.

AA is more valuable to the Wings. He scored 30g and yeah it could be fluke but it has been 10yrs since they have had 30 goal scorer. About the last 5 years they have had trouble scoring at all. Risto is good offensively but he is awful in his own zone and he turns the puck over like he's playing for the other team.

You're kidding right? No way does Ristolainen have more value then Andreas Athanasiou that's a joke. AA straight up for Risto is way more then fair. But Detroit still doesn't touch this deal. As Risto isn't what we need.

400 games in the NHL before turning 25 and consistently being in the leagues top 10 of minutes played in every one of those seasons is a misuse of a player like him though. I think he is a product of his environment and needed sheltering early on and didn't get it, now he struggles in his own zone. I think his problems are fixable and as he enters his prime think he will pull it together.

AA is a second line center who just broke 50 points for the first time. Risto is the same age and has been over 40 points every year he has been in the league while also being in the top 10 players in minutes played every year he has been in the league. You say he is bad because he sucks in his own zone but really he is just over played and out matched against the top lines of the Atlantic, which are matchups most defenceman don't get for another year or 2.

Risto is a great Offensive Dman no denying that, But at the same time sucks at the backend. Detroit needs a puck moving Dman that has a strong 200 foot game. And Rasmus Ristolainen isn't that player and trading either AA or Mantha for him only delays our rebuild even longer.

I don't think Mantha would ever be in the discussion, that kid is very good. But AA, I think will be a tradeable asset with Veleno making the jump in 2021, just depends on how Rassmusen develops. And like I said, Risto is bad defensively but he has also been playing against teams top lines his entire career, doing that for 20+ minutes a night before you're even 25 would make any defenseman look bad defensively.

It probably doesn't mean a whole lot in the real world but it's something to think about:

Just about every Sabers fan on this site is desperately trying to move Risto.

Just about every Wings fan on this site keeps saying Mantha and AA aren't going to be traded for Risto.

Ya I never said Mantha. AA is far more likely though, and Buffalo fans think they will be better off with Miller and Montour back there, which has yet to be proven. I think Buffalo should keep Risto, see what he can do while playing less then 25 minutes a night and take him away from the top line players.


Think of it this way, Risto gets traded, turns 25, goes to a team where he isn't playing 25 minutes a night, doesn't have to play against top line competition every night, and maybe has a consistent coach, what happens? He is now in his prime, playing easier minutes, less minutes and gets more chances offensively. He could very well end up being a 50+ point defenseman making the All Star team every year.

its two sides of the coin, Risto can be what everyone thinks he is now and still be a decent offensive dman or he could enter his prime, learn from a decent coach and become a Norris contender.