Scottysabres

so what's the latest on Risto? Is Tampa out and we are now down to how many teams?

I'm still strong on hope Anaheim bites with a Rakell for Risto swap.

Who is this player again?

Multiple reports the Rangers have bought out Shattenkirk. That's another RHD on the market now. Anyone guess how this affects the market for Risto, if at all?

In all fairness, it just fits the narrative for moving Risto and the apparent defense rebuild Botterill has under taken. Could be another team though to, but given those persistent reports that Buffalo is in the thick of the Gardiner talks all through July, it just seems to fit. My fear isn't Gardiner off hand, he's a decent 3/4 puck moving LHD imo. My fear is what the return is for Risto. Man, I am really interested in whether it's a stand alone 1 for 1 type deal, a package of players scenario or a combo of players and picks. Also, the LW and LHD positions are heavy NHL caliber players, like more than we have slots for. Now the LW situation I could see slotting a player on the RW, but with 7 NHL caliber (and yes, I know, I know, that's loose with the term caliber ? ) something's gotta give there, no? And LHD, as well...….? Just all seems to fit is all. Then again, I could be looking at the girl in the cut off shorts walking by the CVS while across the street I completely missed the 4 babes in triangle bikini's walking by the water...………...so who knows. It's just a hunch ?

I'd surmise if they don't make the playoffs, he is gone. Hell, Murray got less time. Pegula's I am sure after 8 years are very short on patience just to make the playoffs. Just a suspicion.

If it is Gardiner to Buffalo I'd have to believe one of Scandella or Hunwick is gone. And given both the RHD and LHD depth signings, maybe both.

"Michael Russo said on the Russo-Souhan show that Jake Gardiner has a somewhat long term handshake deal in place with a team that has to move out a high priced defenseman to make his cap hit fit. And we know Buffalo's GM Jason Botterill has been in continuous talks with his agent." A strong suspicion Gardiners coming to Buffalo once Risto is moved.

I don't know honestly, but I watched quite a bit of Tampa this past season as I have eluded to in other posts. One of a very few teams I got to watch more than just the games with the Sabres. In any event, Point was just so versatile. I mean, the guy was bouncing between RW and C with no problem, he just looked so dam good. Of course, Cerilli wasn't playing with the talent Point was on those top lines, and that is a fair subject to key in on I would imagine. In the end, Cerilli looked decent as well, is on the last year of his ELC, and even if Point accepts a 2 yr bridge deal, it should be abundantly clear the Tampa defense definitely cost them a couple of those CBJ series games. It wasn't just the forwards, that defense caved, especially in the first and third games imo. With that being said, that RHD position is extremely weak for Tampa. They have Hedman and McDonough on the left locked up long term, they need at least 1 RHD minute eater that can rock the points while needing a bit of help in coverage, but is on a reasonable contract. Hence why I believe Risto and Tampa were meant for one another. But if I were Botterill, it's Point or nothing, from them. The reasoning is simplistic, their a division foe, already stacked offensively in the forward ranks, have the components on the left side of the D to drive game play and an addition like Risto would make an already formidable division/playoff run foe even more dangerous than they already are. My only concern on Point was his playoff performance, but, the entire Tampa forwards regiment didn't fair well in that series. With their defensive constantly getting bottled up and their forwards forced to the perimeter, I give CBJ a lot of credit, they smothered non puck possession D on Tampa like Bears on honey. Maybe Tampa views Risto as a part of the big body solution to that, who knows really, but, they definitely have interest, as well they should given that poor performance. If it's Tampa, it's Point or nothing from my vantage point in any event.

Tampa now at 75.9 mil, Point and Erne still to sign yet and their RHD situation is woefully lacking. Moving Cerilli while on his ELC due his first true contract next season doesn't help them at all. Combined with all those NTC's, somethings got to give in Tampa imo.

29 with 1 yr left, thank you. It's Sunday, I was to lazy to look it up :D.

This is a valid point. Scandella looked just horrible last season. But, he's only what, 30? Maybe some team needs some veteran LHD presence, not so much a reclamation project but a bounce back for a 1 or 2 yr contract? We can only hope...……….or, at least I do anyways.

This is a bit baffling to me as well.

Pretty obvious with McCabe and Ullmark he'll be well over the cap.

Hey, let Victor know, shoot high on these NHL goalies, lift that puck, his shot is so dam good. And tell him were counting on him this season, he'll be my jersey purchase this year, so pick a dam good number ? Oh, and have fun today ?

Streams, creeks, rivers and runoffs down in Cattarugus and Allegheny counties finally subsided enough to fly fish without sediment and rapid flow. Going to be a good weekend ?

Fair enough, but Beane and McDermottt have a playoff appearance under their belt with the Bills, the Sabres under Pegula, do not. And Hockey is Pegula's 1st love for sure.

Timo Kunnari broke the Tovanen to Jokerit story in Finland, he is heavily connected to Finnish hockey players, both in their leagues and leagues around the world. It wouldn't be posted if he didn't know something for sure, and definitely from the Risto camp as most of his writings according to Finnish hockey fans say it comes from the players camp. That tells me Botterill has spoken to Risto, something is about to happen, imo. I don't believe this. Not with how many years have now been gone by with this culture. When Pegula said it was time to start winning, he's not referring to a few more games. No, I believe the goal is the playoffs.

Risto's about to be dealt I'd surmise. MTV is a reputable Finnish source, the info almost always comes from the players camp in this Finnish publication. https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/suomalaistahti-rasmus-ristolainen-vaihtaa-seuraa-nhl-ssa/7493272#gs.sa5a0k Basically stating there is a trade either built or being built around Risto. That Risto's camp almost certainly gave this info, that means Botterill has most definitely spoke to Risto on it given JBots tight lips imho.

Rodriguez signing puts Buffalo close to the cap. With the McCabe arbitration case coming up on the 4th, my gut tells me Botterill is going to make a move to clear a bit of cap, most likely a guy like Sobotka, just a hunch.

I understand the thought process here, but no, just no. Skinner is quick, Jack not as quick but a feeder, Okposo most definitely would not be maximizing line 1's production. Hell, I'll go so far as to say Reinhart doesn't even come close on the RW to doing that. And that's not a knock on Reinhart, it's a testament to line members pure chemistry. We can do better, because if we can't, we aren't going much of anywhere with this roster imho.

The article is good. It states they could sign him right now, the question is, why haven't they? The Leafs are going to try and low ball Marker down to 9 or 10 mil imo. He won't bite and is steadfast at 11.5 is my guess.

Right now I'm unsure. To many moving parts....... Or not enough........ Depends on my alcohol intake the night before and which hand wakes up first....

When will we hear word on this?

I wish her the best. Hopefully she has a lot of good Hockey and Football to report on in the coming seasons. Either that or she'll be getting a crash course in how to remain the forever optimist.