Thoughts on Ristolainen

[BernyBoyD]

What are your thoughts on Ristolainen? What?s your predictions for the next few years and why?

Starting to look at my 12 keepers for next year and was thinking of keeping Gostisbehere, Jones and Ristolainen (leveraging Gardiner for picks).

Seems Ristolainen still has the vibe surrounding his rookie year, but is he for real? He?s eating up minutes, but production isn?t there yet... at least the elite level... if he remains healthy, and Buffalo turns things around (2 big IFs I know)? The possibility for Buffalo to draft Dahlin affects his value?

Thx for the help!

Quick notes for league #1:
- traded Silfverberg for Reinhart
- traded Talbot and Okposo for F. Anderson (Tor) and Pacioretty (before injury)
Was trying to push for the championship...

[The Bottlenecker]

I like RR for a 40 point guy with additional stats in the Hits and blocks categories.

[BernyBoyD]

Worth keeping Ristolainen over Gardiner? I feel Gardiner?s value is maxed out, while there?s a lot more room for Ristolainen

[The Bottlenecker]

Worth keeping Ristolainen over Gardiner? I feel Gardiner?s value is maxed out, while there?s a lot more room for Ristolainen

I think Gardiner is a safe bet for 40- 45 point each year, while Ristolainen may sneak in a few 50 point seasons. Risk vs. Reward. Ristolainen would be my choice over Gardiner for the potential to score more.

[StuntMan12]

45-55 pt guy the next 3 years. Didn't do as well as I thought this season but Buffalo was a tire fire from the beginning.

[Bubba55]

Risto's value in a multi cat is huge. In a pts only, that value is decreased, but like the others have stated he should be a lock for 40 pts with very realistic upside as high as 55. I see Gardiner with similar potential numbers, this is close.

I'd try and fleece a Leaf Fan on Gardiner (:

Seriously, shop them both and see what the better return might be. I suspect it might be Gardiner but either way with a fair return you should be just fine.

[Wonko]

45-55 pt guy the next 3 years. Didn't do as well as I thought this season but Buffalo was a tire fire from the beginning.

I agree with this assesment. Risto is on a 46 point pace this season even with the horrific year Buffalo has had. He is only 23. Large body D men tend to take a little longer to acquire full potential. I like him to average around 50 points a season through his prime.

Obvously, in multi-cat leagues Ristolainen's value goes up immensely.

[FrozenInferno]

Risto missed a bunch of games with a back injury early on this season too which hurt his production and hampered his momentum. It took him a while to get into a groove again after that. He might have fallen just shy of 50pts had he played the whole season with no injuries to set him back.

[donpaulo]

I am sure Sabres fans are hoping for more consistency from him, but until ownership sticks to a strategy and creates an atmosphere that fosters that plan I am afraid the team is floating midstream without any guidance.

Until Pegula does this I think it hampers team developments.

Perhaps Botterill, Sexton and Housley can stop the bleeding and get things back on track.

Then again you can't fix losing the lottery on McDavid

Too many stupid contracts offered by previous management

Moulson
Ehrhoff
Leino
Hodgson

just yuck !

I would discount Ristolainen, not because he isn't talented but because the team is cursed

[delaney8]

If Buffalo gets Dahlin he may not be able to reach his upside. If they don't he could be fantastic. I think there is room to improve their PP.

[BernyBoyD]

I agree! I'll shop both and get max value. Even though I think Gardiner is a safer bet for 40-45 pts, I'll hope a leaf fan will overpay and I'd risk the upside with Risto.

[BernyBoyD]

Thx everyone! Your comments helped, and confirmed my vision. Updated my signature. I think Gardiner's value is better, so I'll probably find a buyer.

[fungchen3]

I am a huge Rasmus fan. I think if you trade him now Berny, you will regret it. Let's see where Dahlin ends up, but either way, when the Swords get cooking, Ristolainen will hit 50. Mark my words. He's a young, Finnish Shea Weber in terms of his presence on the PP. He'll likely never hit Hedman level, but his upward curve will be like Hedman's in a way - once things pan out, he'll be a gem. You don't want to be the guy who bailed on him a year or two before the boom.

[staticRhymes]

I'm curious what people think about Riso's potential now with Buffalo winning the Dahlin sweepstakes.

[Daydream Nation]

I'm curious what people think about Riso's potential now with Buffalo winning the Dahlin sweepstakes.

As a Risto owner I am curious about this as well. I think in the short term it will have little impact. The question comes down to if they are paired together for 5-on-5 and/or on PP1.