This would not make sense in Buffalo's case. Risto is going to be great without having all the defensive pressure and minutes that he has been logging in recent years because of the obvious number one pick, Dahlin. The Sabres shouldn't be looking to get rid of him, in less if a team massively overpays for him. Which, in this instance, is not the package to get Risto out of Buffalo.

I think Buffalo passes on the Risto Trade. A young top pair RHD is to hard to replace.

My initial reaction agreed as I didn’t think Buffalo valued Ristolainen so low. Then again, looking back on it Corey Schneider was moved for 9th overall in 2013, a deal that worked out for Vancouver when you think about it as they snatched up Bo Horvat.

While it worked out for Vancouver that time, I do agree that Buffalo shouldn’t give Ristolainen for so low, especially under the assumption Boqvist or Hughes are no longer available by that pick.

What do you think would be a fair price for him?

It will come down to how much Buffalo thinks Boqvist, Bouchard, Dobson or Quinn are going to be top pairing guys. They could be better or worse than Risto, no one knows for sure. I think risking an already good player In Risto for an unknown is a risk that isn't needed.

I'd say this won't happen. Buffalo wants to be good right away. Those prospects may need a couple years of development which will delay their chances.

I definitely agree with that first paragraph. I definitely think Boqvist and Hughes will end up as top pairing guys, but then again, who really knows.

I’d say if they were to trade Ristolainen at all, it should be next year as his value will increase, assuming that he will have a much more improved season on an improved Buffalo team

As a Buffalo fan, I don't like it.

Like Marco said, it's really hard to give up a good defenseman for an unknown. I already think Risto in his prime will develop into a top pairing guy if he is paired with Dahlin

It’d be smarter to pair Dahlin up with someone physical...with leadership attributes...who can stand up for him...who is still somewhat young and locked up to a contract.

I know! Erik Gudbranson! Available for...anything! Please! Please?

Vancouver gets a steal for just a 1st round pick for Ristolainen.

I don't see Buffalo ever making a trade to give up Ristolainen unless there's a package deal. Just thinking out loud here, I think Ristolainen's value is something like : 1st round pick, 2nd rounder/decent prospect (projected top 6 or top 4 Dman) and a decent top4 dman/top 6 forward right now. The equivalent based on Vancouver's roster now I can see for Ristolainen would be: 1st round pick, Baertschi/Virtanen, and Tanev/Edler.

More than likely a young winger or dman that can make an immediate impact. Most likely someone with higher value than risto to overpay in order to entice the sabres. Or the same player with similar value to risto and an early round pick.

Just to clarify on a Vancouver perspective, Baertschi isn’t considered to be a projected top 6 forward, as IMO he already is one. Edler and Tanev are top pairing defenceman. Vancouver definitely should add more value, but doing a top pairing dman, top 6 winger, and the 7th overall pick for Ristolainen is insane.



Makes sense

If Buffalo wants to trade someone high-end I think it’ll be ROR. Ristolainen is too young and essential to the team.

Tanev and Edler are not top pairing defensemen. No way. They are both 3-4

Well no one knows for sure and that's the problem. If we knew Bouchard was going to be a 25 min 50 pt dman to start, than I think a lot of people would trade Risto in a second. Alas that's not how it works.

I entireley and completely disagree. Edler is a fricking workhorse and Tanev, when healthy, is such a reliable defenceman. I’d have them on my top pairing any day of the week and twice on Saturday night

i think a sign of how valuable a player is , is when other teams always try to take them away. risto and Reinhart seem to be highly coveted when people do trades with buffalo on here.

I think Buffalo would win that trade. Although, Buffalo should keep Risto this year and let Dahlin take some pressure off of him next season. Risto could flourish as a second pairing d man.

I really wsnt even bouchrd or adam boquist but i think this would be a great deal for the canucks.

I'm not going to debate this (I'd agree with you I think), just want to point something out.

Your "workhorse" Edler averaged 24:17 of ice-time a game this year. Tanev averaged 19:47.

Risto averaged 26:30 a game this year (26:28 the year before). Top 5 in the league, again. If we didn't have to play him like a Doughty/Hedman/Sutter then it would make things a little easier on him.

I would not expect Edler or Tanev to fill Risto's skates (not in minute munching, and certainly not in power play contribution or offensive production), in addition Risto is much younger and will be around much longer.

And the notion of trading him without getting some type of replacement back is pretty ugly. There is no reason to throw Dahlin into the same fire that we threw Risto in.

I do not think Risto is trade-able right now, unless we either get someone comparable back or it is a major overpay.

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