Even if pertro didn't leave yet, I still wouldn't give that up for risto

I would do all of this except i wouldn't sign sekera and have mccabe/borgen be the 3rd pair, i'd also not sign simmonds and play okposo, would put us closer to the self imposed cap anyways.

STL filling a hole that doesn't exist with one of the worst defensemen in the NHL is a bold strategy

him and faulk. Oh god

If were paying Okposo 6 mil we are playing him

Ristolainen is not as bad as people make him out to be, and.yes the hole doesn’t exist now but it will if Pietro walks. The problem in Buffalo is he’s asked to anchor the defense and play in every situation including the pk and he’s had to do it in buffalo where he’s never had an elite partner like a Parayko on that top pair, he has had success with Marco Scandella who is also on the Blues now. He actually had a bettter year defensively under Kreuger last year than people realize and I’m sure he’d do fine in St. Louis, especially considering he’s going to be half the cost of most workhorse defenseman they can get if Peitro leaves, and plus if he does, they will have a gaping hole on the right side of guys who can play 20 minutes a night, as well as the power play and he has also been one of the best power play defenseman in the league over the past five years

For a third line grinder and a draft pick or two, it’s a reasonable offer if the need is there and I think it could be. And If he does leave I almost gaurentee the Blues call us

He will play..,,it’s just a matter of Competition. He competes with the other fourth liners

The only reason I want Simmonds back is because as a depth guy or 13th forward, he’s good for the room and has grit toughness but also he’s another option for the front of the net on the power play

the hole doesnt exist because risto would still be a third pairing RD behind parayko and faulk. I can find someone for way cheaper in FA to fill that hole.

Ahhh my bad I was thinking parayko was a left D

if risto was a LD id probably be on this. I think him and parayko would be an elite pairing like you said earlier though.