Edited Aug. 9, 2019 at 5:47 p.m.
Quoting: Skyraider112
Toffs isnt the kind of player we would look for.
100% disagree and here's why:
1. Like Skinner last year and Vesey this year, he comes on an affordable, expiring contract - meaning, if things don't work out for him and/or the team, the Sabres aren't handcuffed cap-wise beyond this season. Their cap space for 2020-21 isn't impacted.
2. Like Skinner did last summer before becoming a Sabre, Toffoli comes off a down-year in LA and in need of a change of scenery - meaning, his market value is probably lower than what it will be when he likely rebounds this season with another 20+ goal season (which he's done in 3 of his 6 NHL seasons so far).
3. Like was the case with Skinner, Toffoli is from the Toronto area so the chance to play home games in front of friends and family will not only lead to a motivated but happy player.
4. Despite his off-year in production last season, Toffoli was 1 of only 13 players in the entire league whose possession stats for generating offensive chances and for preventing scoring chances against when he was on the ice were both on the positive side of metrics. He's been over a 50% Corsi player for his entire career. He would be the defensively-responsible member to cover for Eichel and Skinner when they lapse on their coverages. Although he can play on either specialty team, the majority of his production is at 5-on-5......again, a dire need for Buffalo's roster.
5. Although he only had 13 goals last year, Toffoli took over 200 shots for the 4th time in past 5 years and drove play from the wing......which is what the Sabres would want for anyone replacing Reinhart on Eichel's line if the 1st line is to remain as potent as it was last year. How many players do the Sabres have that can come close to generating 226 shots on net (not counting those that don't get registered)?
6. Toffoli is a Cup winner with playoff experience - which we hear Botterill as recently as this week say over and over again how valuable that is for him to add in the Sabres' locker room.
7. Toffoli is durable, playing a full season 3 of the last 4 seasons.
8. You noted Ristolainen's offensive stats but the reality is that Toffoli's 251 point in 437 GP I still better than Ristolainen's 194 points in 424 GP....and it's hard to overlook the disparity of Toffoli's +80 over 6 seasons to Ristolainen's -143 over the same time span.
Finally, of all the possible scenarios for teams needing defensive help and having offensive assets to help Buffalo's needs, a trade with LA seems the most realistic. The Sabres won't find a center for the 2nd line that is available and an upgrade over Johansson, Mittelstadt or Rodrigues. Targeting young wingers like Ehlers or Rakell also seems unrealistic without an overpayment. Given that the GM of the Kings was an offensive-minded defenseman with a mean streak and physical edge during his playing days, I suspect that Ristolainen may have a rosier impression in Blake's eyes than perhaps some other GMs.
In my opinion, the case for chasing Toffoli as a trade target is a no-brainer.