I think we need to calm down a touch on Ristolainen.

He was on a very bad team for his whole career while being asked to play top minutes each and every night against the opposition's best. Now he can play a 2nd pair role on a better team which should help him.

I understand the argument for giving up what they did to get him, but he's nowhere near as bad as some make him out to be.

I'll take a top 4 of Provorov, Ellis, Sanheim and Ristolainen over what they've been trotting out there last season.
- Pelle31Forever

He is on the last year of his deal so he has UFA leverage. Ask yourself if you are confident in Ristolainen being a key member of the Flyers D core for the future and in the quest for the cup? To me it's not that Ristolainen is a bad player. It's that he is a player with question marks in his game, is not cost controlled on a team that is now capped out in a flat cap league and you gave up a 1st and a 2nd to get him. That's not smart in my view.

I guess I just watch hockey for fun and rather see what happens than stress myself out about the endless statistics that can be found. Is it a great trade? No. Am I going to lose sleep over it? No.
- funmaster18

When I first came to Philly 30+ years ago just into my twenties, I thought the Eagles were the greatest thing in entertainment in the city outside the peepshows on Market St.

At that time, a skinflint owner essentially cut the knees off a team that could have been one of the greatest ever. He made a guy who should never have risen about D-coordinator the coach. He let the only legit weapon his franchise qb had walk. He let the greatest DE of all time walk. He wouldn't pay to get a decent offensive line so that every play was the qb spinning around like a dervish in the backfield.

But boy, could the D play a physical game? Many here will remember the cheap entertainment. The maniacal, howling crowds in Veterans stadium screaming for blood.

Well, that team never won more than 1 playoff game. Of course not. That team was designed to entertain, not win.

We are now entering that level of blatant cynicism in the realm of the Flyers.

I think we need to calm down a touch on Ristolainen.

He was on a very bad team for his whole career while being asked to play top minutes each and every night against the opposition's best. Now he can play a 2nd pair role on a better team which should help him.

I understand the argument for giving up what they did to get him, but he's nowhere near as bad as some make him out to be.

I'll take a top 4 of Provorov, Ellis, Sanheim and Ristolainen over what they've been trotting out there last season.
- Pelle31Forever

Agreed. I think people forget just how embarrass the Defense was last year as well. They needed to make significant changes.

And I while I don’t like giving up 1st’s we can’t overlook the fact this group is looking to win now and that covid has made scouting this year’s crop incredibly hard. At least we are getting a known commodity. And if for some reason it doesn’t work they can move him at the deadline and recoup a large portion of the cost they paid today.

I think we need to calm down a touch on Ristolainen.

He was on a very bad team for his whole career while being asked to play top minutes each and every night against the opposition's best. Now he can play a 2nd pair role on a better team which should help him.

I understand the argument for giving up what they did to get him, but he's nowhere near as bad as some make him out to be.

I'll take a top 4 of Provorov, Ellis, Sanheim and Ristolainen over what they've been trotting out there last season.
- Pelle31Forever

Nonsense. The team might as well fold.

When I first came to Philly 30+ years ago just into my twenties, I thought the Eagles were the greatest thing in entertainment in the city outside the peepshows on Market St.

At that time, a skinflint owner essentially cut the knees off a team that could have been one of the greatest ever. He made a guy who should never have risen about D-coordinator the coach. He let the only legit weapon his franchise qb had walk. He let the greatest DE of all time walk. He wouldn't pay to get a decent offensive line so that every play was the qb spinning around like a dervish in the backfield.

But boy, could the D play a physical game? Many here will remember the cheap entertainment. The maniacal, howling crowds in Veterans stadium screaming for blood.

Well, that team never won more than 1 playoff game. Of course not. That team was designed to entertain, not win.

We are now entering that level of blatant cynicism in the realm of the Flyers.
- PT21

Please. We have a well rounded roster for the first time in a decade and a coach who has seen two Stanley Cup Finals from behind the bench.

He is on the last year of his deal so he has UFA leverage. Ask yourself if you are confident in Ristolainen being a key member of the Flyers D core for the future and in the quest for the cup? To me it's not that Ristolainen is a bad player. It's that he is a player with question marks in his game, is not cost controlled on a team that is now capped out in a flat cap league and you gave up a 1st and a 2nd to get him. That's not smart in my view.
- MJL

What if he’s re signed? Bills comment was that he likes risto at 2d. Not at 1d. This is where I expect him to be slotted. And that he needs to be re signed. I expect that is the plan but who knows if it’ll come to fruition.

I put a lot of stock in bill opinion

He is on the last year of his deal so he has UFA leverage. Ask yourself if you are confident in Ristolainen being a key member of the Flyers D core for the future and in the quest for the cup? To me it's not that Ristolainen is a bad player. It's that he is a player with question marks in his game, is not cost controlled on a team that is now capped out in a flat cap league and you gave up a 1st and a 2nd to get him. That's not smart in my view.
- MJL

I gotta see him play before I can answer if I see him with a future in Philly. If he knows his role and plays well, why not? I don't know what an extension would look like for him but again, let's just see how he plays.

I totally understand your point about what they gave up to acquire him. I honestly do. However, if for some reason he doesn't play that well, you could

A: trade him him at the deadline next season and try to get that 2nd rounder back or some pick for him or

B: let it ride out the whole year and let him go and you don't need to worry about a contract for him. Sort of a blessing in disguise. Just wash your hands from him. I'm not upset about losing Haag or a 2023 2nd. Again losing a first round for nothing stings a little, but it's not worth it for me to worked up over.

He is on the last year of his deal so he has UFA leverage. Ask yourself if you are confident in Ristolainen being a key member of the Flyers D core for the future and in the quest for the cup? To me it's not that Ristolainen is a bad player. It's that he is a player with question marks in his game, is not cost controlled on a team that is now capped out in a flat cap league and you gave up a 1st and a 2nd to get him. That's not smart in my view.
- MJL

Don’t like putting up the first, add in they are taking a leap of faith that Risto will play better with a better team and you are rolling the dice. Then the contract. On the flip side it is only one year and they can move on if they like. They will recover and pick but a net loss. If it does work out, then you can resign, he is only 26 and you can use term to keep the cap hit down.

I think once they brought in Ellis the Seth Jones’s of the world were no longer an option, Risto is in the price range the flyers need to be in.

What if he’s re signed? Bills comment was that he likes risto at 2d. Not at 1d. And that he needs to be re signed. I expect that is the plan but who knows if it’ll come to fruition.
- Hextall271

They have to re-sign him, don't they? They just gave up a 1st and a 2nd. So what is that going to cost? How much and for what term? They now have Ellis for 6M over 6 years. Couturier needs to be re-signed. Giroux is due up. Hart will get a bridge deal. What happens when a young forward breaks out? What happens when Farabee becomes the 35-35 player I think he can be? Hart rounds into form and is due up?

Don’t like putting up the first, add in they are taking a leap of faith that Risto will play better with a better team and you are rolling the dice. Then the contract. On the flip side it is only one year and they can move on if they like. They will recover and pick but a net loss. If it does work out, then you can resign, he is only 26 and you can use term to keep the cap hit down.

I think once they brought in Ellis the Seth Jones’s of the world were no longer an option, Risto is in the price range the flyers need to be in.
- wcorvette

If they move on or if Ristolainen walks, it's a disaster and Fletcher should be fired.

They have to re-sign him, don't they? They just gave up a 1st and a 2nd. So what is that going to cost? How much and for what term? They now have Ellis for 6M over 6 years. Couturier needs to be re-signed. Giroux is due up. Hart will get a bridge deal. What happens when a young forward breaks out? What happens when Farabee becomes the 35-35 player I think he can be? Hart rounds into form and is due up?
- MJL

Well. We trade coots for a 1st, let g walk and slap the c on farabee.

Agreed. I think people forget just how embarrass the Defense was last year as well. They needed to make significant changes.

And I while I don’t like giving up 1st’s we can’t overlook the fact this group is looking to win now and that covid has made scouting this year’s crop incredibly hard. At least we are getting a known commodity. And if for some reason it doesn’t work they can move him at the deadline and recoup a large portion of the cost they paid today.
- hereticpride

Dude, Sabres have been trying to dump Risto for years. The question always was: how much money would they need to hold back? Would they get a 2nd or have to settle for a 3rd given the contract?

They held back nothing. They gave up a first, 2nd and a serviceable 6/7.

Good luck with said recouping.

If they move on or if Ristolainen walks, it's a disaster and Fletcher should be fired.
- MJL

I think half the fan base is calling for his firing as of right now even if we re sign him.

I literally had a sabres fan call me and say it’s the first time in 10 years the sabres made him happy
- Stayin alive

It’s why they are and have been one of the biggest jokes in the NHL since they came into the league. They are horrible and have been horrible almost every single year. A Sabres fan telling me something is bad pretty much means it’s good in my book. I have said it before, I am not a big fan of Ellis or Ristolainen but i am a fan of the Flyers actually doing something for a change…and especially since he is actually a tough player, something this team is sorely lacking.

First round picks are only good if they develop and we are spotty at best in that regard. For every TK and Provorov you have Patrick and Morin; every Farabee has his O’Brien. It’s early yet but we had two chances to draft Caufield last draft and traded back once and then drafted York instead. That one may be hard to swallow if Caufield is annually scoring 40 goals starting in a couple years, even if York is a second pair d-man by then.

Trying to consider this a different way. 5 on 5 Risto’s most recent partner with most time paired together was McCabe followed by Montour and Bryson. How do those guys compare to Sanheim?
- NC Flyers Fan

Maybe no one wants to hear this but Sanheim is a pretty significant upgrade in partner for Risto. Everyone wanted Sanheim to grow his game and carry that second pairing anyway.

It’s definitely a full revamp of the Flyers defense. [,/] “check”

Please. We have a well rounded roster for the first time in a decade and a coach who has seen two Stanley Cup Finals from behind the bench.
- hereticpride

This is an entertain the masses season. I give you strong odds Morin plays the position Hagg left.

Meltzer and some lackeys still defending this sack of poop franchise Im sure.

Eat it up bud, and get those first round championship banners ready.

This POS organization living on its glory days, is a model for mediocrity and incompetence.

Just a little outside insight. About an hour ago on NHL Radio Network when the trade was discussed, the one host was actually laughing in disbelief that “Adams actually got a 1st and a 2nd for Risto”. He went on to say, while laughing, “you go, you might just get all that you want for Eichel after all.”

It’s why they are and have been one of the biggest jokes in the NHL since they came into the league. They are horrible and have been horrible almost every single year. A Sabres fan telling me something is bad pretty much means it’s good in my book. I have said it before, I am not a big fan of Ellis or Ristolainen but i am a fan of the Flyers actually doing something for a change…and especially since he is actually a tough player, something this team is sorely lacking.

First round picks are only good if they develop and we are spotty at best in that regard. For every TK and Provorov you have Patrick and Morin; every Farabee has his O’Brien. It’s early yet but we had two chances to draft Caufield last draft and traded back once and then drafted York instead. That one may be hard to swallow if Caufield is annually scoring 40 goals starting in a couple years, even if York is a second pair d-man by then.
- darkerens

Look at what the Flyers had to give up to trade for two defenseman. I'll take a good young 2 way puck moving D man over a player like Caufield every time. It's amazing how fans have anointed Caufield.

Meltzer and some lackeys still defending this sack of poop franchise Im sure.

Eat it up bud, and get those first round championship banners ready.

This POS organization living on its glory days, is a model for mediocrity and incompetence.
- flyer_nutter

Just dropped in to give us some golden insight?

Agreed. I think people forget just how embarrass the Defense was last year as well. They needed to make significant changes.

And I while I don’t like giving up 1st’s we can’t overlook the fact this group is looking to win now and that covid has made scouting this year’s crop incredibly hard. At least we are getting a known commodity. And if for some reason it doesn’t work they can move him at the deadline and recoup a large portion of the cost they paid today.
- hereticpride

All very good points. I was throughly disgusted by how many games we got absolutely caved in 9 6 nothing. Zero pushback or ability to defend. If with less minutes risto can be more effective on that 2nd pair, then this might work.

I just never saw standing pat as being an option. I didn’t want to lose Myers at all but you have to give to get. No one is going to help you out because they’re nice. Simply put this team hasn’t won jack for about a decade and they’ve decided to try to try to go for it for good or bad.

They have to re-sign him, don't they? They just gave up a 1st and a 2nd. So what is that going to cost? How much and for what term? They now have Ellis for 6M over 6 years. Couturier needs to be re-signed. Giroux is due up. Hart will get a bridge deal. What happens when a young forward breaks out? What happens when Farabee becomes the 35-35 player I think he can be? Hart rounds into form and is due up?
- MJL

Then you lose young player because you’re capped out. Per usual stupid flyers

Meltzer and some lackeys still defending this sack of poop franchise Im sure.

Eat it up bud, and get those first round championship banners ready.

This POS organization living on its glory days, is a model for mediocrity and incompetence.
- flyer_nutter

Exactly. (frank) this team already.

Meltzer and some lackeys still defending this sack of poop franchise Im sure.

Eat it up bud, and get those first round championship banners ready.

This POS organization living on its glory days, is a model for mediocrity and incompetence.
- flyer_nutter

I guess you are right. ✅

Just a little outside insight. About an hour ago on NHL Radio Network when the trade was discussed, the one host was actually laughing in disbelief that “Adams actually got a 1st and a 2nd for Risto”. He went on to say, while laughing, “you go, you might just get all that you want for Eichel after all.”
- mikeyo27

When I first started catching up on this thread, I truly thought it was a joke. Like someone just shooting the breeze for laughs. So much so that I did not even bother searching until 5 posters said the same thing.