I need to see Risto on the Flyers this year before I judge this. Risto has been awful but honestly who hasn't on Buffalo. Maybe a new team and city brings out a much better player. If not, then this is a tough trade for Philly. Either way I think Buffalo got the most value they possibly could've for Risto so good on them.

Sources say that the Flyers have been trying to peddle Ghost + JVR for Gaudreau or Nylander. No luck.

But I've heard that the Leafs said if you can do Risto + JVR then we can keep talking.

So Flyers made a couple of sweet deals for Risto and are now pitching Risto + JVR for Nylander. The delay is Hyman. If he signs with the Oilers then the Leafs will pull the trigger. They like a Rielly-Risto top pair.

Dominoes and sources.

I'm starting to think fans of other teams are getting mad because everything going on is revolving around the Flyers. Maybe their teams should do something. I mean 2/3rds of the league needs to move out money.

I need to see Risto on the Flyers this year before I judge this. Risto has been awful but honestly who hasn't on Buffalo. Maybe a new team and city brings out a much better player. If not, then this is a tough trade for Philly. Either way I think Buffalo got the most value they possibly could've for Risto so good on them.
- torfc23

The only issue with the whole new team thing is risto has almost played 500 games I can’t see his play drastically improving.

Id like someone to explain what Risto does well that helps his team win and justifies his cap hit.
- jfkst1

He plays every game and gives you full effort. He doesn't get hurt. He is a solid power play quarterback. He has spent his entire saber career playing against the very best players of the opposition and the most minutes on the team. That was a mistake.

He is as physical as a player comes in today's NHL but he is not a top-pairing defenseman and shouldn't play more than 21 minutes in a game. If you can fix his head you have as physically gifted a defenseman as there is. It seems to me though he plays a certain way, and it's not going to change.

I need to see Risto on the Flyers this year before I judge this. Risto has been awful but honestly who hasn't on Buffalo. Maybe a new team and city brings out a much better player. If not, then this is a tough trade for Philly. Either way I think Buffalo got the most value they possibly could've for Risto so good on them.
- torfc23

Hopefully both teams benefit, but nothing will be known until the season starts.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Buchnevich to STL for Blais and a 2nd in 2022

He plays every game and gives you full effort. He doesn't get hurt. He is a solid power play quarterback. He has spent his entire saber career playing against the very best players of the opposition and the most minutes on the team. That was a mistake.

He is as physical as a player comes in today's NHL but he is not a top-pairing defenseman and shouldn't play more than 21 minutes in a game. If you can fix his head you have as physically gifted a defenseman as there is. It seems to me though he plays a certain way, and it's not going to change.
- lacaprup

The good news is Risto won't be asked to play any top pair minutes unless something big happens, but that can be said about any team and their players.

I wouldn't be shocked one bit to see Provy-Ellis rocking 30+ minute nights, where the other pairs will be splitting the rest.

He plays every game and gives you full effort. He doesn't get hurt. He is a solid power play quarterback. He has spent his entire saber career playing against the very best players of the opposition and the most minutes on the team. That was a mistake.

He is as physical as a player comes in today's NHL but he is not a top-pairing defenseman and shouldn't play more than 21 minutes in a game. If you can fix his head you have as physically gifted a defenseman as there is. It seems to me though he plays a certain way, and it's not going to change.
- lacaprup

+1

He's either going to fit into the Flyers' system or he isn't.
But it was obvious that the D men we've gotten rid of didn't (or couldn't) fit into it either, so it's worth a shot. Risto is big, has snarl, isn't afraid to hit, makes the other team keep their head up, and gives you 100% every game.

I really don't see the problem.
Banking on future picks/players (13th pick in a weak year)? That's a crapshot at best.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Buchnevich to STL for Blais and a 2nd in 2022
- Eklblad

So basically the Rags just got whatever they could.

+1

He's either going to fit into the Flyers' system or he isn't.
But it was obvious that the D men we've gotten rid of didn't (or couldn't) fit into it either, so it's worth a shot. Risto is big, has snarl, isn't afraid to hit, makes the other team keep their head up, and gives you 100% every game.

I really don't see the problem.
Banking on future picks/players (13th pick in a weak year)? That's a crapshot at best.
- Nh_kong

He had been crapped on to a point by sabresfans where many of them had assumed he was worth a second round pick at best. Even though Rob Ray has said on the radio several times many scouts he's talk to throughout the season have expressed interest in Risto from a number of different teams.

He had been crapped on to a point by sabresfans where many of them had assumed he was worth a second round pick at best. Even though Rob Ray has said on the radio several times many scouts he's talk to throughout the season have expressed interest in Risto from a number of different teams.
- lacaprup

I would agree with that.
Unfortunately for Sabres fans, they have a very weak team (no offense meant). It's a team sport. A couple of good players can't carry the whole team....

Kind of like the Flyers last year. A couple of good players can't carry a team who won't, or can't, play the coach's system.

So you either change the system to suit your players, or you change your players to suit your system.

This is a good trade.

Are you kidding me?

Ghost didn't want to play D.
Hagg simply couldn't play D.


- Nh_kong

Same with Risto. His metrics are dreadful. The Sabres were murdered when he was on the ice.

The only issue with the whole new team thing is risto has almost played 500 games I can’t see his play drastically improving.
- Sabres1523

Did he have any good partners during his tenure? I'm assuming he played with Dahlin but I'm not too sure what your guys pairs have looked like over the last few years.

I think the hope would be that reduced minutes and playing with Sanheim can "fix" his shortcomings but you're right, there's a very good chance Risto was part of the core problem and wont really improve and not someone simply dragged down by the team like ROR for example.

Same with Risto. His metrics are dreadful. The Sabres were murdered when he was on the ice.
- eternal_flames

The entire team was dreadful.

Quit looking at the stats, and look at/watch the player!

-18 last year, -163 on his career.

The price was too much.
He’s an improvement, but there will be great players available at 13.
- itsallfalse

Name a Sabre that has had a positive +/- in the past five years.

Did he have any good partners during his tenure? I'm assuming he played with Dahlin but I'm not too sure what your guys pairs have looked like over the last few years.

I think the hope would be that reduced minutes and playing with Sanheim can "fix" his shortcomings but you're right, there's a very good chance Risto was part of the core problem and wont really improve and not someone simply dragged down by the team like ROR for example.
- torfc23

Sanheim also sucks and is probably on Chuck's list of players to give away.....

The entire team was dreadful.

Quit looking at the stats, and look at/watch the player!
- Nh_kong

WaTcH tEh GaEmZ!!1!

You obviously haven't. He's not good defensively. Good luck though!

I'm starting to think fans of other teams are getting mad because everything going on is revolving around the Flyers. Maybe their teams should do something. I mean 2/3rds of the league needs to move out money.
- Glak18

I’d rather my team not make any moves than make bad ones. How can you possibly think Risto is worth what Philly gave up for him? Way too much.

Sanheim also sucks and is probably on Chuck's list of players to give away.....
- Nh_kong

Oh really? I thought he was one of the better ones there. Well in that case someone like Suter? I'm sure there's a decent 2LD would would fit well with Risto and shelter him who isn't too overpriced.

Did he have any good partners during his tenure? I'm assuming he played with Dahlin but I'm not too sure what your guys pairs have looked like over the last few years.

I think the hope would be that reduced minutes and playing with Sanheim can "fix" his shortcomings but you're right, there's a very good chance Risto was part of the core problem and wont really improve and not someone simply dragged down by the team like ROR for example.
- torfc23

I don’t think he played a ton with dahlin looked good paired with McCabe this year, he’s definitely been miscast in Buffalo, but he hasn’t just struggled defensively, he’s been caved in.
Many defenders and forward looked better than he was on the ice, if risto is insulated I think he could be very good, but if your asking him to be a shut down dman I don’t know if he can play that game.
He hits and is physical, give 100% effort but he just makes some of the worst decisions I’ve seen defensively I do hope he does good tho, depends on how he’s used.

Oh really? I thought he was one of the better ones there. Well in that case someone like Suter? I'm sure there's a decent 2LD would would fit well with Risto and shelter him who isn't too overpriced.
- torfc23

LOL, well, that's the ultimate goal, now isn't it?
Sanheim isn't very good, really. Serviceable.....but nothing to write home about. Average at best. Dime a dozen defenseman.
Honestly, the Flyers would probably be better served by bringing in one other guy (for cheap) on D and bringing up some of the kids.

JM2CW.

WaTcH tEh GaEmZ!!1!

You obviously haven't. He's not good defensively. Good luck though!
- eternal_flames

Agree and he’s not putting up the 40-50 point seasons anymore like he was years ago.

+1

He's either going to fit into the Flyers' system or he isn't.
But it was obvious that the D men we've gotten rid of didn't (or couldn't) fit into it either, so it's worth a shot. Risto is big, has snarl, isn't afraid to hit, makes the other team keep their head up, and gives you 100% every game.

I really don't see the problem.
Banking on future picks/players (13th pick in a weak year)? That's a crapshot at best.
- Nh_kong

He’s either going to fit in the Flyers system or he’s not? But the draft is a crapshoot lol! We know what Risto is and it’s not worth a 1st round pick plus, no matter how you slice it. Guaranteed whichever player is picked at 13 will have more value and potential than Risto.

I don’t think he played a ton with dahlin looked good paired with McCabe this year, he’s definitely been miscast in Buffalo, but he hasn’t just struggled defensively, he’s been caved in.
Many defenders and forward looked better than he was on the ice, if risto is insulated I think he could be very good, but if your asking him to be a shut down dman I don’t know if he can play that game.
He hits and is physical, give 100% effort but he just makes some of the worst decisions I’ve seen defensively I do hope he does good tho, depends on how he’s used.
- Sabres1523

He sounds eerily like Luke Schenn 2.0 to me. Very physical and huge expectations early but thrown into a situation and minutes above where he could play and it ruined him. Maybe with sheltering he can be solid like you said. Could be very tough though. Luke Schenn never found his game ever again and just became a 7th D.

Given his size and potential playstyle if sheltered, he's honestly probably a perfect Flyers style defenseman if he works out.