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

Best group of defensive pairs they put out since 2010.

Just dropped in to give us some golden insight?
- MJL

Question for you. So I’m sure you remember lots of people thanking the stars that hextall was gone. Too conservative. The rebuild was taking too long and what good are the picks if we’re not moving forward etc.

Now they’ve got a gm with a mandate to go for it all right away. Again people aren’t happy. My point is, as a fan base We can’t have it both ways.

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

Definitely part of rolling the dice. But if he is going to walk they will flip him at the deadline

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

Imo they wouldn’t have given up what they did without being confident they could sign him. Why they didn’t give more for jones.

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
- Hextall271

Chuck said he will only move that piece for a player that can help now and in the future. I believe this means he intends to sign Ristolainen. He would have had talks with Risto’s camp to make sure they can get something done.

Chick said he will only move that piece for a player that can help now and in the future. I believe this means he intends to sign Ristolainen. He would have had talks with Risto’s camp to make sure they can get something done.
- peesinwind

I’ve thought about that as well. Wonder if that’s the case.

This question has been asked the last 4-5 years frankly, and it always gets answered the same way. Risto made a horrid team worse.

Here is the best article I found. Stats can be unreliable, but when the stats are overwhelmingly in one direction, over a large enough sample, chances are the stats aren't wrong, its you who is the idiot if you go against it.

The article is also nice in that it breaks down a couple of plays frame by frame.

https://infernalaccess.su...-jersey-devils-should-not
- PT21

Hmmm....hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things...sorry just a quote from Shawshank, got distracted. So many examples of high draft picks not working out till they get a change of venue. I am not sure of the defensive quality of the forwards that surrounded him. Dahlin isn't living up to his first overall billing either. You might be right...hope not....really not that I want to prove how right I am, just want to see this team truly competetive again, its been a long time between cups

Best group of defensive pairs they put out since 2010.
- peesinwind

Risto will wow you for 3 games then he will do
Risto type things and you will
Be wishing you never traded for him. He is not very good at defense

Please announce the ex selke 8 year 9 million plus per extension. Followed by Captain Comfort 4 years 5.5 per. Need to keep the fan base engaged.

Hmmm....hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things...sorry just a quote from Shawshank, got distracted. So many examples of high draft picks not working out till they get a change of venue. I am not sure of the defensive quality of the forwards that surrounded him. Dahlin isn't living up to his first overall billing either. You might be right...hope not....really not that I want to prove how right I am, just want to see this team truly competetive again, its been a long time between cups
- DANCER

This team is much better then 2 weeks ago. The only prices they lost had trouble fitting in and Myers. Draft picks matter for the future for sure but they are going for it. They have some pieces and if things click like two years ago and the up grades come through this team is competitive. With some young pieces still in the farm system.

Chuck is not done yet. Count on it.

Chuck said he will only move that piece for a player that can help now and in the future. I believe this means he intends to sign Ristolainen. He would have had talks with Risto’s camp to make sure they can get something done.
- peesinwind

Agree.

Anyone else think of how this may impact jones. Columbus must be asking for the world now. Watch another just walk away.

Please announce the ex selke 8 year 9 million plus per extension. Followed by Captain Comfort 4 years 5.5 per. Need to keep the fan base engaged.
- hello it's me 2050

https://twitter.com/snaxo...tatus/1418639779441303559

Leave it to the Flyers to trade for such a polarizing player…if Bill thought Ghost was that way, Risto is going to really divide some fans. But the Question I have remaining is what’s next ? Are they done? Is there more to come ? Seth Jones just went to Chicago….so there’s that.

Leave it to the Flyers to trade for such a polarizing player…if Bill thought Ghost was that way, Risto is going to really devise some fans. But the Question I have remaining is what’s next ? Are they done? Is there more to come ? Seth Jones just went to Chicago….so there’s that.
- landros 2

Had to be willing to extend, Seth Jones wasn’t coming here so please don’t even bring it up

Anyone else think of how this may impact jones. Columbus must be asking for the world now. Watch another just walk away.
- Peter Richards

We’ll know shortly …he’s going to Chicago.

Risto will wow you for 3 games then he will do
Risto type things and you will
Be wishing you never traded for him. He is not very good at defense
- hehateme

He is better then Myers right now. That may change but as of now he is an upgrade on that second pair. I like Myers. I like Ristolainen better but I will wait to game 4 before weigh in on this.

Best group of defensive pairs they put out since 2010.
- peesinwind

So just counting the defensemen changes…

Out
4/5 offensive-minded PP specialist
5 all-round young d-man with question marks on upside
6/7 solid defensive d-man

In
1/2 all-around veteran
4/5 physical d-man

Just got to wait and see how the group looks together.

Had to be willing to extend, Seth Jones wasn’t coming here so please don’t even bring it up
- ClaudeFather

I promise that’s the last time.

I promise that’s the last time.
- landros 2

Lol get ready for people to say why didn’t we just get Seth Jones !

So just counting the defensemen changes…

Out
4/5 offensive-minded PP specialist
5 all-round young d-man with question marks on upside
6/7 solid defensive d-man

In
1/2 all-around veteran
4/5 physical d-man

Just got to wait and see how the group looks together.
- NC Flyers Fan

I think Risto is better then that. Funny some of my buddy’s love the guy …while the younger Analytical crowd hate him….the end result is the Flyers are a better team today then a week ago. Contender ? Not quite…but they are headed in the right direction.

Lol get ready for people to say why didn’t we just get Seth Jones !
- ClaudeFather

I won’t say it, but it hurts a little. Made me laugh that he is probably friends with Ellis. Perhaps in a year Jones feels differently.

I think we will enjoy watching Risto in Orange and Black. Big, physical kid. Did we overpay, absolutely. Are more moves coming, I freaking hope so.

At least you didn’t pay Jones 10 mil a year.

Jones extension 7 yrs @ 9.5 per yr- oh boy