bob_sauve28 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Today, it's Ristolainen. How good is he? Watching the Caps John Carlson in these playoffs makes me think they are on par overall as players, though not exactly the same style. Both really good players. Risto has so much room to grow I'd like to think he can be even better. Maybe in a few years a Norris candidate? I could see it but that's a pretty high bar to set so I'll say it's probably not going to happen. A nomination or two would be nice though. Obviously, Risto will need a lot of help around him. Look at the other players around Carlson and they are on the verge of being eliminated so the new GM will have to find a lot of new talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-90 W Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Absolutely, and as you pointed out he just needs the proper pairing partner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattPie Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Today, it's Ristolainen. How good is he? Watching the Caps John Carlson in these playoffs makes me think they are on par overall as players, though not exactly the same style. Both really good players. Risto has so much room to grow I'd like to think he can be even better. Maybe in a few years a Norris candidate? I could see it but that's a pretty high bar to set so I'll say it's probably not going to happen. A nomination or two would be nice though. Obviously, Risto will need a lot of help around him. Look at the other players around Carlson and they are on the verge of being eliminated so the new GM will have to find a lot of new talent. Absolutely, and as you pointed out he just needs the proper pairing partner. And he needs to be on a good team. I don't think many Norris candidates play on non-playoff teams; call it either bias or no player's raw numbers look good on bad teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudacek Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Dial his ice time back a bit so he can maintain his play a full season. I don't know about Norris, but he might be the best defenceman of his age group. Second best asset on the team, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-90 W Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Dial his ice time back a bit so he can maintain his play a full season. I don't know about Norris, but he might be the best defenceman of his age group. Second best asset on the team, IMO. Fully agree. Risto is an essential part of our core. He and ROR as A, Jack as C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 I dont see him getting much Norris consideration. He'll end up a tier below that IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlueGED Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 I dont see him getting much Norris consideration. He'll end up a tier below that IMO. I agree with this. And that's still good enough to be a top pair player on a Cup team. If he only gets to the tier below this, however, then Houston we have a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Flagg Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 I have strong belief in Ristolainen becoming one of the best defensemen this team has ever had. It's imperative to cut the sh!t now, though, and properly develop him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 I have strong belief in Ristolainen becoming one of the best defensemen this team has ever had. It's imperative to cut the sh!t now, though, and properly develop him. This team has never had a D-man that got much more than token consideration for Norris. He could be a tier below and still be the best defenseman ever to wear Sabres colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-90 W Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 This team has never had a D-man that got much more than token consideration for Norris. He could be a tier below and still be the best defenseman ever to wear Sabres colors. Jim Schoenfield and Phil Housley were exceptional. I expect Risto to be right there in that conversation of top Sabres defensemen all time when all is said and done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Jim Schoenfield and Phil Housley were exceptional. I expect Risto to be right there in that conversation of top Sabres defensemen all time when all is said and done. But neither, or Mike Ramsey who was also exceptional, garnered many Norris votes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-90 W Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 But neither, or Mike Ramsey who was also exceptional, garnered many Norris votes. I'm surprised Schoefield is before my time but wasn't he a perennial all star? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabres Fan in NS Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Would it be fair to say that the Norris goes to elite talent, as decided by the NHL. Look at the players that have won the award ... always elite. I like Risto and think he will be very good, but not elite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woods-racer Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Would it be fair to say that the Norris goes to elite talent, as decided by the NHL. Look at the players that have won the award ... always elite. I like Risto and think he will be very good, but not elite. Yah, it would be fair to say. I think you summed it up nicely NS. Personally, I'd rather have 3 very good defense-man than I can afford on my roster, rather than 1 elite and a couple of pretty goods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pi2000 Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 just needs to work on that +/- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huckleberry Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 Top 15 D in the league yes, norris consideration requires him to become top 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 I'm surprised Schoefield is before my time but wasn't he a perennial all star? Just 2 I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Flagg Posted May 9, 2017 Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 This team has never had a D-man that got much more than token consideration for Norris. He could be a tier below and still be the best defenseman ever to wear Sabres colors. Yep, I'm not comfortable predicting that he'll be Norris caliber yet. The potential is there but the path to it is highly volatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewookie1 Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Risto's offense is definitely on the way to becoming Norris worthy, his D however needs work in order to truly become an "elite" dman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Risto's offense is definitely on the way to becoming Norris worthy, his D however needs work in order to truly become an "elite" dman. Fortunately for him, offensive ability is considered far more than defensive ability when it comes to garnering votes for that award. Not saying he'll get votes, but needing to work on his play in his own end gives him a better shot than needed to significantly improve his offensive game. This is not Rod Langway's NHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Collection Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Since the Bobby Orr era the award has gone to one of if not the top scoring defenseman. The only exception I can recall is Rod Langway. Doughty's numbers were not eye popping either, but he drove their possession game. Risto's numbers will probably improve with a higher scoring lineup. He may get some consideration. He is big and likes to be physical. He does need to improve his defensive game to be considered elite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGR4GM Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Since the Bobby Orr era the award has gone to one of if not the top scoring defenseman. The only exception I can recall is Rod Langway. Doughty's numbers were not eye popping either, but he drove their possession game. Risto's numbers will probably improve with a higher scoring lineup. He may get some consideration. He is big and likes to be physical. He does need to improve his defensive game to be considered elite. Nic Lidstrom. Best defender doesn't need to be highest scoring. I do agree though they have to produce offence and drive possession. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJFIVEOH Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Absolutely, and as you pointed out he just needs the proper pairing partner. And he needs to be on a good team. I don't think many Norris candidates play on non-playoff teams; call it either bias or no player's raw numbers look good on bad teams. He doesn't need to have a great partner and a great team to be a Norris contender. Norris contenders MAKE their partner and team great. That's why they're Norris contenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkMeadow Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Fortunately for him, offensive ability is considered far more than defensive ability when it comes to garnering votes for that award. Not saying he'll get votes, but needing to work on his play in his own end gives him a better shot than needed to significantly improve his offensive game. This is not Rod Langway's NHL. Totally agree with what you said, and I'll take it one further. No, it's not Langway's NHL. It's Erik Karlsson's!! And he's a very worthy successor to Lidstrom. He's become elite by stepping up his defensive end work to nearly the same level as his offense. Definitely not physical, but superb positioning and shot blocking. It also helps to be able to skate like the wind! Risto is a different type of player obviously. Can he become elite? Fun to imagine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabre fan Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Clearly any new GM and coach will make it a priority to do whatever it takes to make Risto an elite defenceman who can compete on the same level as Karlsson, or any other top defenceman. Every team needs at least one of these type of defencemen to really be any good in the NHL. Over playing him is not the answer...pairing him with the right partner then fine-tuning his game is all it will take to put him in the elite company. I feel sorry for Pittsburg losing Letang right before the playoffs. If they lose, one can certainly look at his lose as a major factor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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