Sure, but the Flyers do not have to pay him top dollar if he has another poor season, which I don't believe he will. I think a lot of teams around the league are interested in watching how Risto does with the Flyers, given his poor analytics with the Sabres over the years.
- jd250

Depends on what your definition of top dollar is. He is going to get a raise over what he is making now along with significant term. Regardless of how well he plays. He would have to completely screw the pooch to not have strong value on the open market as a UFA defenseman. The contract situation is a vastly overlooked aspect of this trade. If you're going to trade a 1st and a 2nd for a 2nd pair defenseman, it should be for a player who is signed with significant years left in a flat cap environment. The Flyers have taken on significant risk with both Ellis and Ristolainen.

What part are you not understanding that ex selkes agent is licking his chops? His client is going to get paid big time. Do you disagree with that?
- hello it's me 2050

I predict Couts will sign an 6 year $45M contract with the Flyers.

I predict Couts will sign an 6 year $45M contract with the Flyers.
- jd250

I predict your prediction will be wrong.

Depends on what your definition of top dollar is. He is going to get a raise over what he is making now along with significant term. Regardless of how well he plays. He would have to completely screw the pooch to not have strong value on the open market as a UFA defenseman. The contract situation is a vastly overlooked aspect of this trade. If you're going to trade a 1st and a 2nd for a 2nd pair defenseman, it should be for a player who is signed with significant years left in a flat cap environment. The Flyers have taken on significant risk with both Ellis and Ristolainen.
- MJL

Being a GM is a risky job. Cant sit back and keep saying in 2 more years.

Risto is NOT going to be a 1 year rental, so everyone should get this thought out of their heads. First and foremost, Fletcher is a very competent GM and would not give up this much for a rental. Secondly, Fletcher has stated he has been wanting to get Risto for over 3 seasons now because he has a unique skill set of size, toughness, speed and the ability to play both PP and PK. Do you honestly think he's walking at the end of this year?? No freak'n way!
- jd250

Unless you can tell the future your statement is wrong. What if he poops the bed? still gonna resign him? What if he wants 7M per? Is cf going to pay rr more than Provorov? What if he looks at Philly and says why would I want to live here?

and serious lulz at using "fletcher", "competent", and "GM" in the same sentence

What part are you not understanding that ex selkes agent is licking his chops? His client is going to get paid big time. Do you disagree with that?
- hello it's me 2050

Why wouldn’t he get paid what he deserves ? You’re acting like this is some schlub that had a couple good seasons and is gonna cash out. He’s the best player on the team and has a great track record. Has shown zero sign of slowing down.

Why wouldn’t he get paid what he deserves ? You’re acting like this is some schlub that had a couple good seasons and is gonna cash out. He’s the best player on the team and has a great track record. Has shown zero sign of slowing down.
- ClaudeFather

I hope to God he resigns for 8 years and 8 + per. This is the type of deal you are rewarding for past performance. I do not think he will ever get to his career high of 76 again. Missing games this year due to injury, will that be a common theme going forward?

Being a GM is a risky job. Cant sit back and keep saying in 2 more years.
- hello it's me 2050

It got the las t guy fired.

Depends on what your definition of top dollar is. He is going to get a raise over what he is making now along with significant term. Regardless of how well he plays. He would have to completely screw the pooch to not have strong value on the open market as a UFA defenseman. The contract situation is a vastly overlooked aspect of this trade. If you're going to trade a 1st and a 2nd for a 2nd pair defenseman, it should be for a player who is signed with significant years left in a flat cap environment. The Flyers have taken on significant risk with both Ellis and Ristolainen.
- MJL

Yes, the Flyers are taking a risk, and I believe it had to be done to get this team moving again in the right direction. Like any risk, one of two outcomes can occur, either the risk was worth it or it wasn't. I am hopeful it will turn out well.

Risto right now is making $5.4M and a lot of people will say his play in Buffalo was not worth that price tag. If he somehow has another bad year here for another team, how much leverage does he really have in the open market to demand a significant raise? The most likely outcome is Risto will have a really good year with the fresh start, and he will cost the Flyers a bunch of money to retain. Ideally you are right, this is not the best circumstance for the Flyers to be in but if they believe in the player, as they seem to, does it really matter? If he was signed by another team to an extension and the Flyers obtained him, they would have to pay him anyway.

I predict your prediction will be wrong.
- hello it's me 2050

You know what they say about predictions? Humans suck at making them! We'll find out who sucks more at it in a little while

Yes, the Flyers are taking a risk, and I believe it had to be done to get this team moving again in the right direction. Like any risk, one of two outcomes can occur, either the risk was worth it or it wasn't. I am hopeful it will turn out well.

Risto right now is making $5.4M and a lot of people will say his play in Buffalo was not worth that price tag. If he somehow has another bad year here for another team, how much leverage does he really have in the open market to demand a significant raise. The most likely outcome is Risto will have a really good year with the fresh start, and he will cost the Flyers a bunch of money to retain. Ideally you are right, this is not the best circumstance for the Flyers to be in but if they believe in the player, as they seem to, does it really matter? If he was signed by another team to an extension and Flyers obtained him, they would have to pay him anyway.
- jd250

In my opinion, Ristolainen's play is never going to be so bad that his market value plummets. As far as they had to do it, I disagree. There would other moves that could've potentially been made. Fletcher has made it clear that he has coveted and targeted this player. Fletcher has put his job on the line with this move. The Ristolainen move is a move you make if you're on the cusp and need that last piece to round out your D for the right player. I have doubts both with the timing and if Ristolainen is the right player. I hope he is.

I hope to God he resigns for 8 years and 8 + per. This is the type of deal you are rewarding for past performance. I do not think he will ever get to his career high of 76 again. Missing games this year due to injury, will that be a common theme going forward?
- hello it's me 2050

I hope it god it happens just to piss you off

Unless you can tell the future your statement is wrong. What if he poops the bed? still gonna resign him? What if he wants 7M per? Is cf going to pay rr more than Provorov? What if he looks at Philly and says why would I want to live here?

and serious lulz at using "fletcher", "competent", and "GM" in the same sentence
- corduroy

I think the chances of Risto "pooping the bed" are slim and none! I have no problem paying a player what he is worth in the current market, and would not be upset at all to see the Flyers paying Risto well on his next deal, because that means Risto earned it this year and Fletcher was right to obtain him!

In my opinion, Ristolainen's play is never going to be so bad that his market value plummets. As far as they had to do it, I disagree. There would other moves that could've potentially been made. Fletcher has made it clear that he has coveted and targeted this player. Fletcher has put his job on the line with this move. The Ristolainen move is a move you make if you're on the cusp and need that last piece to round out your D for the right player. I have doubts both with the timing and if Ristolainen is the right player. I hope he is.
- MJL

Risto has to be the right player, or this will be a complete disaster! I mean, he is the only size and toughness the Flyers have, other than Morin. If Risto is a dud, the Flyers are completely screwed this year.

I hope it god it happens just to piss you off
- ClaudeFather

It will not piss me off in any way. I will thoroughly enjoy it. I am all about entertainment. I will sit back and crack up

In my opinion, Ristolainen's play is never going to be so bad that his market value plummets. As far as they had to do it, I disagree. There would other moves that could've potentially been made. Fletcher has made it clear that he has coveted and targeted this player. Fletcher has put his job on the line with this move. The Ristolainen move is a move you make if you're on the cusp and need that last piece to round out your D for the right player. I have doubts both with the timing and if Ristolainen is the right player. I hope he is.
- MJL

All about timing. Your timing is always 2 years away.

It will not piss me off in any way. I will thoroughly enjoy it. I am all about entertainment. I will sit back and crack up
- hello it's me 2050

You’re a franking weird guy

You’re a franking weird guy
- ClaudeFather

What would be even funnier is if ex selke tells them he is testing the free agent market.

Honestly, looking at the Metro teams, which one scares you the most? I think the Islanders are clearly the favorite, especially with Anders Lee coming back. Do the Caps scare you? I think the Flyers match up well against the Caps. How about Pittsburgh? I actually think the Flyers right now are better than them. Carolina? Its close but again I think the Flyers are right there with them. The Rangers? Columbus? New Jersey? The Flyers are better than these teams. I would definitely be surprised, sadly, if the Flyers were not in the top 3 of the Metro and seriously challenging for the top spot.
- jd250

Caps have only missed the once in the past 14 seasons.
Pens haven't missed the PO's at all in the past 15 seasons.
And yeah, the Islanders should still be PO-bound.

So that likely leaves a number of teams fighting tooth and nail for the lone remaining spot, all of which are within a stone's throw of each other on paper.

Problem is, none of those teams have the same kind of SIGNFICIANT question mark in net that's currently hanging over the Flyers' heads. If Carter Hart can't get himself right you're left betting that Martin Jones can put up his first SV% over .900 in three seasons.

If the team has another bad goaltending year, they're done, no matter how good/bad Risto/Ellis/Atkinson are.

Caps have only missed the once in the past 14 seasons.
Pens haven't missed the PO's at all in the past 15 seasons.
And yeah, the Islanders should still be PO-bound.

So that likely leaves a number of teams fighting tooth and nail for the lone remaining spot, all of which are within a stone's throw of each other on paper.

Problem is, none of those teams have the same kind of SIGNFICIANT question mark in net that's currently hanging over the Flyers' heads. If Carter Hart can't get himself right you're left betting that Martin Jones can put up his first SV% over .900 in three seasons. If the team has another bad goaltending year, they're done, no matter how good/bad Risto/Ellis/Atkinson are.
- Tomahawk

The penguins 100% have a question mark in net

Caps have only missed the once in the past 14 seasons.
Pens haven't missed the PO's at all in the past 15 seasons.
And yeah, the Islanders should still be PO-bound.

So that likely leaves a number of teams fighting tooth and nail for the lone remaining spot, all of which are within a stone's throw of each other on paper.

Problem is, none of those teams have the same kind of SIGNFICIANT question mark in net that's currently hanging over the Flyers' heads. If Carter Hart can't get himself right you're left betting that Martin Jones can put up his first SV% over .900 in three seasons. If the team has another bad goaltending year, they're done, no matter how good/bad Risto/Ellis/Atkinson are.
- Tomahawk

Right now I think the order of the division will be:

1. Islanders
2. Flyers
3. Carolina
4. Capitals
5. Penguins
6. Rangers
7. Devils
8. Columbus

I just don't think the Penguins are that good, and I think the Caps are getting older and have serious holes on defense. I think as the year goes on, it will be the Islanders, Flyers and Hurricanes battling it out for the top spot.

The penguins 100% have a question mark in net
- ClaudeFather

POs were ugly but they were a top-10 SV% team last season.

POs were ugly but they were a top-10 SV% last season.
- Tomahawk

I think both Hart and Jones will have good years because the system and players in front of them will be better. I predict both will have around a .915 save % this season.

I guess I am in a predicting mood today, we'll see how bad I am soon enough.

I think both Hart and Jones will have good years because the system and players in front of them will be better. I predict both will have around a .915 save % this season.

I guess I am in a predicting mood today, we'll see how bad I am soon enough.
- jd250

It's the offseason, hope springs eternal.

I think both Hart and Jones will have good years because the system and players in front of them will be better. I predict both will have around a .915 save % this season.

I guess I am in a predicting mood today, we'll see how bad I am soon enough.
- jd250

A lot of the goals Hart gave up were bad and very savable. That can't happen again. That didn't have much to do with the defense despite it being poor imo.