Rasmus Ristolainen

[ridethesnow]

Do i want to keep this guy? I'm really not liking the buffalo factor... Heard more buzz about Zadorov lately than risto, but I seem to recall him scoring some pretty huge goals in the olympics... Could be putting burakovsky or khokalachev on my bench instead of him this season is my issue... I am a little low on reserve dmen so i would keep a solid dman prospect over a forward its just ... buffalo... ugh... Is he going to be that good?

[STLblues]

He had a pretty awesome world junior showing. I like him quite a bit, but who would you look at to replace him? He may get sheltered minutes somewhat protecting his plus minus

[Slug]

Really like Burakovsky but I think Ristolainen could end up being the best of your reserves on defense in a few years. I'd keep Risto here.

[Daydream Nation]

Risto is going to be a good one. I'd keep him.

[franklin]

With those cats, I'd keep him. Ristolainen have less value in points only league.

[petegreg21]

Risto will be a multi-cat stud IMO. I know it's a broad spectrum but I'd peg him somewhere in between a Gudas and a Pronger. I say that meaning I don't know where his offensive ceiling will land, but the PIMs, Hits and blocks are going to be pretty substantial.

[ICEJESTER]

Interesting....where are you guys finding the information to substantiate that he'll be a 100+ pim guy ? Everything I've read places him around the 40-65pim range once he fills into his frame. As that Sabres team develops over the next 3-4 years he projects to be a top 4 mainstay who's dependable in all situations but not outstanding in any one, more valuable on the ice than a poolie's roster ala a Carlson or McDonagh type. Possibly a progression similar to Hedman I'd think but maybe not as high end. Hope I'm wrong, I've got him as a future too and it would be awesome if he exceeded expectations.

[petegreg21]

Interesting....where are you guys finding the information to substantiate that he'll be a 100+ pim guy ? Everything I've read places him around the 40-65pim range once he fills into his frame. As that Sabres team develops over the next 3-4 years he projects to be a top 4 mainstay who's dependable in all situations but not outstanding in any one, more valuable on the ice than a poolie's roster ala a Carlson or McDonagh type. Possibly a progression similar to Hedman I'd think but maybe not as high end. Hope I'm wrong, I've got him as a future too and it would be awesome if he exceeded expectations.

Not that I watched any SM-Liiga games or know the breakdown of minor penalties vs major, but there seem to be a few instances that stick out on his stats sheet. 78 PIMs in 40 games in 2011-2012, 20 Pims in 6 games at the U20's in 2012-2013, 32 PIMS in 14 total U20 games in 2012-2013, even 30 PIMs for TPS U20's in 2010-2011. Again, not the best sample sizes, but he seems to have that mean streak to him. He's a very good hitter too from what I've seen so once he gains more confidence I just kind of see him evolving into a pretty dominant physical force.

[Bomm Bastic]

Interesting....where are you guys finding the information to substantiate that he'll be a 100+ pim guy ? Everything I've read places him around the 40-65pim range once he fills into his frame. As that Sabres team develops over the next 3-4 years he projects to be a top 4 mainstay who's dependable in all situations but not outstanding in any one, more valuable on the ice than a poolie's roster ala a Carlson or McDonagh type. Possibly a progression similar to Hedman I'd think but maybe not as high end. Hope I'm wrong, I've got him as a future too and it would be awesome if he exceeded expectations.

Yeah...he's no 100+ PIM guy. He'll have PIM, but not like that. Better not or Nolan will bench his ass.