This is like those Kapanen for Larsson trades.. but much bigger "good player for **** player" difference..

To me, Ristolainen is better than Larsson and Kapanen is arguably better than Tuch (although that one is close in my opinion). I think Buffalo might have to add in this to account for the difference in contract length, but I think their value is similar.

Where do you see the difference?

Well firstly for me Risto is just as bad as Larsson and wouldnt trade for either of them with gun to my head.. but Tuch is just much better player.. I dont get what value Risto has. He is bad.. maybe offensive value of some sorts.. I think BUF adds 2nd to Risto for Tuch.

Again, no

To be completely honest...........Sabres would regret this trade

Appreciate the reply. I've come to the conclusion that I just view Risto higher than the majority of people online, so I'm not gonna try and sway you. But thanks for elaborating!

I honestly agree for the most part. I think the defense will look a whole lot more bleak (outside of Dahin) without him than people realize, and someone like Montour will quickly become the new whipping boy because of that. And Risto would look great on another team.

But I think it is more than obvious that Botterill is looking to deal him, and I think a trade like this can at least fill another hole that this team has.

Vegas doesn’t do that

1. In Vegas Risto is a third pairing guy. He’s not playing over either Martinez or Schmidt at this point.

2. With a flat Vegas probably cannot add another million dollars at this point.

Is Martinez one of those guys that works better on his off hand? I was thinking he'd be at LD.

Good point on 2, didn't factor in their cap situation.

Martinez does prefer his off hand. And he plays with Theodore who can also go the other way if needed. Theodore played the right side until they paired those to two in March

So I take it that in your opinion, Vegas is fine at RD?

Maybe the stuff I read about them looking for help there was before the Martinez trade.

It’s possible it was
From before the deadline . I think they are fine for now. Although Martinez only has a year left on his deal.

Plus like I mentioned the money is an issue too. Unless they moved Stastny as well.

Is Stastny a guy they'd be looking to move for cap reasons? I could see Buffalo being interested in him as a stopgap 2C, but not if he commands a high price.

I kinda figured they would be against that as they're contending now.

I don’t know if they definitely want to move him or not, I just think if they do wanna move someone he’s the most obvious.

Stastny would be very good there in my opinion as the 2C for a year. I always thought Buffalo and him make a good pairing for a season.

I wouldn’t call him a cap dump, so they’re not gonna package a pick or prospect to get rid of him. But I think if someone offered a mid round pick or mid type prospect they would listen. Like if you told me Tage Thompson for him I could see that happening

@Shootica
@Vegasloveforthebills

Wow it is amazing to see a conversation in which two people are exchanging thoughts without any denigration.
First, let me say, Ristolainen has played about 24 min/gm for at least 4 different coaches
He is big, he is young, he hits (he likes to hit), he plays in all situations, he plays against other teams top lines, he has four 40 pt seasons and he will not turn 26 until after next season starts.
Please check out how old Burns and Chara were before they had three 40 pt/seasons.
Second, how bad can the Buffalo defense be when they ranked 9th in the NHL for fewest 5 on 5 goals allowed.
Remember Hutton could not see the puck for about 6 weeks and went win-less over a 12 game stretch.
Third, we have not seen the best of Ristolainen.
Fourth, Buffalo has the cap space to sign a good top 6 forward so it will not be under great pressure to undersell any player.
Fifth, Does anyone expect Skinner to do as poorly next year. My goodness who was his centerman?
Finally, I love reading your exchange of ideas. Great thread.

@Boomer125
I completely agree, Tuch will not be as good for the Sabres and Ristolainen will excel for the Knights.

The Sabres do not have the capspace and will likely have to undersell on a player like Risto. I believe Risto still has untapped potential, but he will never reach it with the Sabres. I think Vegas is a perfect fit for him, and if I'm the Sabres, I would try to create a package surrorund Risto=picks for Tuch and Stastny

I could see a package like that, Risto and a later pick for Tuch and Stastny. Or even like a mentioned earlier, instead of a pick a player Buffalo may be ready to move on from?

Then no reason to sign Granlund above, which in this mock up, saves a little bit of money between Stastny and Granlund.

As I’m looking, I could Get creative and see something like Tuch/Stastny for Risto/Johansson and a 4th or Thompson?

Vegas saves 1-1.5 and gets a mid round pick
Or young player. Sabres get a young RW, one year 2C and it really only costs them 1.5 million and a pick/player.

Like I mentioned before though, I dont know if Vegas wants to spend 5.5 on a 3rd pairing guy. I mean they traded Miller last year to save 3.85 on the 3rd pairing.

As a different option, Buffalo could offer up Brandon Montour instead of Risto. Montour is a RFA who I'd project to get 3.5-4M in an extension. He doesn't bring the physical side that Risto does, but is a good puck mover and would be more affordable if he's going to be a third pairing option.

He probably has more value than Risto in most Sabres fan circles, although I think RIsto is the better defenseman. I'd call their value a wash, depending on how long of an extension you'd give him.