Quoting: HabsFan77
why does he suck??? Does he only think about offense or something or is a puckhog or what??
Quoting: Sabres923
His offense is fine. His defense is pretty bad due to a low hockey IQ. Hes great in 3v3 overtime though.
Quoting: Isles777
all tools no toolbox ...same thing with nurse + Matheson. Very few defenseman are talented enough to have a positive impact with low IQ.
Quoting: habsfan00
Ristolinen is actually a pretty damn good defenseman. hes just more of a ofencivly minded one
IDK why people "think" he sucks.
Too many people read and not watch.
He makes errors but all defensemen make mistakes, did anyone watch Brad May score on Ray Bourque?
At least four HC played him more than any other defenseman.
While one could argue when he first came to the NHL he was the ONLY NHL defenseman on the team.
That is not the case any more, Dahlin, Montour, are both top pairing defensemen and Miller, McCabe and Jokiharju are very solid.
Because the team has more defenseman depth, his ice time has been dramatically reduced.
He still plays against the other teams best lines, but his +/- was reduce from -41 last year to just -2 this past year.
He hits, plays in every situation, scores pts and seems to enjoy his role.
Let me add, big players take longer to develop, look at Chara's +/- early in his career.
He was rushed into the NHL.
He has flaws but over all he brings a lot to the game.
I would only trade him unless the return is remarkable.