It is still early to say. One of the motivations for this deal was player age. As far as I'm concerned it is playing out evenly. Ellis was hurt last year and he's hurt this year. Myers struggled last year and it looks like he's struggling this year too. In order for this deal to be a winner, Ellis has to play. Sounds harsh, but having him doesn't help the team if he isn't available to play when he's needed. Or if over a season, he can only play 50-60% of the games. I get it. He's great in the games when in the line up, couldn't agree more. We'll see how it plays out as the season goes along.
- BluehorseShoe64

As you say, it only becomes a good trade if he can be relied on to play. Not just early in the season, but more importantly later in the year along with (hopefully) the playoffs.

His cap implications and contract require him to be a consistent contributor, otherwise things become a problem.

It is still early to say. One of the motivations for this deal was player age. As far as I'm concerned it is playing out evenly. Ellis was hurt last year and he's hurt this year. Myers struggled last year and it looks like he's struggling this year too. In order for this deal to be a winner, Ellis has to play. Sounds harsh, but having him doesn't help the team if he isn't available to play when he's needed. Or if over a season, he can only play 50-60% of the games. I get it. He's great in the games when in the line up, couldn't agree more. We'll see how it plays out as the season goes along.
- BluehorseShoe64

So can Ellis control getting slashed last year and that is why he missed time with a hurt hand??? Far as I know they haven't released a peep about what is hurt other than lower body. If it was shot blocking and its his foot...is that injury prone? Working off half knowledge and supposition isnt being fair to the player.

People are worried about Risto against McDavid, I’m worried about Yandle and Seeler haha
- ClaudeFather

Focus on McDavid and GG will burn you. Or RNH. They just have a lot of quality weapons.

Their D and goaltending continues to be suspect, tho. Just assume that the Oils' stars will score 2-3, and hope your own guys can put pressure on Russell, Barrie, Ceci, et al and they'll buckle. And the real Mike Smith will stand up sooner or later.

Focus on McDavid and GG will burn you. Or RNH. They've just have a lot of quality weapons.

Their D and goaltending continues to be suspect, tho. Just assume that the Oils' stars will score 2-3, and hope your own guys can put pressure on Russell, Barrie, Ceci, et al and they'll buckle. And the real Mike Smith will stand up sooner or later.
- Tomahawk

Yea, the big guns are going to get on the board, just don’t let it be for a 3-4 spot.

So can Ellis control getting slashed last year and that is why he missed time with a hurt hand??? Far as I know they haven't released a peep about what is hurt other than lower body. If it was shot blocking and its his foot...is that injury prone? Working off half knowledge and supposition isnt being fair to the player.
- juiced

I read a report that said it was a hip/groin issue.


https://www.mcall.com/spo...jojur4fwcubg44-story.html

I read a report that said it was a hip/groin issue.


https://www.mcall.com/spo...jojur4fwcubg44-story.html
- MBFlyerfan

Well that’s not good. Very odd that they are the only people reporting on type of injury tho, no sources or anything. Could be bogus

So you think that they need Ristolainen, who in his entire career has never been steady in his own end to do that so Sanheim can join the rush more? Good luck. I have concerns about the pairing as a whole but my major concern is with Ristolainen and not Sanheim. Although I think he needs to and can play better.
You've been throwing around a lot of stats lately. I remember when you chastised me for using stats. Sanheim D zone start percentage is no where near 70%.

https://naturalstattrick....ines=single&draftteam=ALL
- MJL

That's right, Risto's is 73% while Sanheim's is closer to 60%. Again, my point is starting Sanheim so much more in the d-zone is not aligned to his strengths IMO, that is the point I am making.

And for a player that you say is not steady in his own end, I wonder why the coaching staff believes its good to start Risto in his own end 73% of the time? Perhaps they know something that you don't?

Yea, the big guns are going to get on the board, just don’t let it be for a 3-4 spot.
- ClaudeFather

The key for the Flyers is to stay out of the box, and do a good job slowing down MacDavid et al. in the neutral zone 5 on 5. If the Flyers start chasing the puck, which they have been doing the past 2 games against good teams, this will be a recipe ripe for penalties and then the flood gates will open.

I read a report that said it was a hip/groin issue.


https://www.mcall.com/spo...jojur4fwcubg44-story.html
- MBFlyerfan

Came from the coaches mouth the other day. Not sure if hip flexor or groin.

That's right, Risto's is 73% while Sanheim's is closer to 60%. Again, my point is starting Sanheim so much more in the d-zone is not aligned to his strengths IMO, that is the point I am making.

And for a player that you say is not steady in his own end, I wonder why the coaching staff believes its good to start Risto in his own end 73% of the time? Perhaps they know something that you don't?
- jd250

That's not accurate either. Ristolainen's is not 73% either. Perhaps you don't have the facts. Ristolainen has made 19 zone starts overall. That includes 3 offensive zone starts, 9 neutral zone starts and 7 defensive zone starts. So where are you getting 73% from?

So can Ellis control getting slashed last year and that is why he missed time with a hurt hand??? Far as I know they haven't released a peep about what is hurt other than lower body. If it was shot blocking and its his foot...is that injury prone? Working off half knowledge and supposition isnt being fair to the player.
- juiced

Fair question. Lucky for you the NHL doesn't operate the same way the NFL does. When an NFL player has an injury that will put him on the shelf for a while, the player has time to recover short and long term, but after a while teams move on. Wins are dependent on player attrition, which ultimately impacts revenue. Even in hockey, you couldn't have too many roster spots tied up with people who can't play. We're obviously not near that point yet, but the Flyers do have a lot of players on the shelf when you look at both the AHL and NHL rosters. This is the half of knowledge we have. And if the organization starts to have trouble with depth due to the number of players on the shelf, there will be an unfair impact felt by the organization somehow. It is a business after all.

That's not accurate either. Ristolainen's is not 73% either. Perhaps you don't have the facts. Ristolainen has made 19 zone starts overall. That includes 3 offensive zone starts, 9 neutral zone starts and 7 defensive zone starts. So where are you getting 73% from?
- MJL

19-9 = 10

10-7 = 3

carry the one and you get 73

Oilers stayed in Vegas for a couple extra days for “bonding” purposes. Jump on em early !

Thru his WHL standout years he was piling up offensive numbers. Looked assertive with the puck on his stick. Carried the puck well and had a lot of points in his last season.
So far we have seen very very little from him offensively which was what his strengths were along with being a good skater.
Add to add to that he’s struggling in his own end and we have a player who no longer knows what his strengths are, not do the coaches maybe?
- Buzzo

He did lose offensive mojo. I think that happens when a dman makes miscues in d zone and then corrects it by "keeping it simple" which is just code for flip the puck out to center ice/whip around boards at every opportunity. We draft these guys for points and controlled exit/entry, we should tolerate the occasional defensive misplay or bad positioning in O zone. I hate hearing that "keeping it simple" phrase from a defender.

19-9 = 10

10-7 = 3

carry the one and you get 73
- corduroy

12 out of 19 zone starts are outside of the defensive zone.

Whatever the cause, it's pretty wild that out of a defense core that once included Provorov, Sanheim, Myers, Ghost, and Hagg. A group of young men that was supposed to be such a strength...

That only Provorov really remains as the one without serious valid questions to his NHL game.

With Zamula, and York knocking on the door I do wonder how much longer Travis has in Philadelphia beyond this season. I say that as a fan of his.
- FlyerFan3260

the way we roll
they will suck too. I remember time when Sanheim was in Junior I thought this kid is going to be a diamond, now we have a lump of coal....

We have not met our bust quota yet.
Frost Zamula and the rest will balance the universe and we will draft a Diamond.

Oilers stayed in Vegas for a couple extra days for “bonding” purposes. Jump on em early !
- ClaudeFather

bail bonding?

12 out of 19 zone starts are outside of the defensive zone.
- MJL

1+2 = 3

9-2 = 7

reverse equation and you get 73

I mean it just simple math man -- figure it out

My eye test tells me Sanheim has looked like a deer in headlights so far this season. The stats, advanced and practical, bear that out. IMO he needs to figure out what kind of player he wants to be, it seems like he still doesn't know.
- MBFlyerfan

I think you may be right about him not knowing who he is. He wants to be an offensively active defenseman but he really needs to muscle up and put on some mass. If he has that confidence I think it would bode well for his over all game

Oilers stayed in Vegas for a couple extra days for “bonding” purposes. Jump on em early !
- ClaudeFather

So they call hookers and gambling bonding now....
Agreed advantage us.

19-9 = 10

10-7 = 3

carry the one and you get 73
- corduroy

I had to take my shoes off to check your math but
your figures check out and
that drunk GM you're arguing with is wrong, as usual.

1+2 = 3

9-2 = 7

reverse equation and you get 73

I mean it just simple math man -- figure it out
- corduroy

His defensive zone start percentage is not 73%. It is simple math. That would mean that 3/4 of his zone starts would be in the defensive zone. 7 out of 19 is not 73%. It's 36%

That's right, Risto's is 73% while Sanheim's is closer to 60%. Again, my point is starting Sanheim so much more in the d-zone is not aligned to his strengths IMO, that is the point I am making.

And for a player that you say is not steady in his own end, I wonder why the coaching staff believes its good to start Risto in his own end 73% of the time? Perhaps they know something that you don't?
- jd250

The zone start numbers are skewed by past couple of games. The entire team took a lot more defensive zone draws because the ice was effectively tilted.

Sanheim + Risto were on the ice for a lot of DZ starts, but so were Giroux, TK, Yandle, etc. It was less of a coach's decision and more because they were getting their asses kicked.

Oilers stayed in Vegas for a couple extra days for “bonding” purposes. Jump on em early !
- ClaudeFather

Can we confirm if they invited Lehtera?we may be in trouble if they did

His defensive zone start percentage is not 73%. It is simple math. That would mean that 3/4 of his zone starts would be in the defensive zone. 7 out of 19 is not 73%. It's 36%
- MJL

Its a joke