So his effort is not there...

Is he capable of filling the right side on the top line? That takes a whole different caliber of defenseman to play against top lines.

You specifically said Sabres fans addressed his effort. Those 2 stats address effort. Theirs a lot of people, specifically Sabres fans, that say things that make no sense. But they get enough of themselves together to repeat the same made up garbage over and over again that everyone starts to believe. Thats why 3 years on im still having to defend McCabe who has statistically been one of there better d men over that period of time, but because he has like 13 points every defaults to calling him bad, and then you call those people out stats and data and they have no answer for you

I've always liked McCabe. In most cases it seems like the more points a defenseman has the worst he is at defense.

I don't understand the point you trying to make when I just stated I'll have to watch him myself even though you basically implying that you're the only Buffalo fan with hockey sense which sounds pretty farfetched. It doesn't matter though, Risto is not a fit for Toronto!

Holl played 20 minutes game, no PP time and killed penalties. It nonsensical fantasy that 3rd pairing Dmen (and probably your worse Dmen) can be sheltered in their 16 minutes a game for 82 games. All Dmen play against all forwards.

Im just saying, just cause "Sabres fans" say it doesnt mean its a reality.

i will let statistics do it

I like the kid but his style of play and his defensive woes would not fit well with Rielly who also has defensive woes at times

Don't play him with Rielly, next question

Leafs wont trade for him and not pair him with rielly. Muzzin has Holl and Lehtonen will have dermott. This will leave rielly needing a partner. Having Ristolinen on any pairing but the 1st is a waste of a trade. In general Dubas will be looking for a partner for Rielly and ristolinen aint the player we need.