He isnt a diff maker in any way. Come on man.

They did overpay to me. Whether or not they talked to to or pursued other plyers I do not know. There were guys out there available. To me the GM clearly wanted RR and he was going to get him.
- hello it's me 2050

Yes, Fletcher wanted RR and stated he and his staff had been talking about getting Risto for a few years before they were able to get him this summer. But why is this? Because CF likes tall, blonde Finish men? Or maybe because CF and this staff know the guy can play the game well and adds the elements this team needed?

Yes, Fletcher wanted RR and stated he and his staff had been talking about getting Risto for a few years before they were able to get him this summer. But why is this? Because CF likes tall, blonde Finish men? Or maybe because CF and this staff know the guy can play the game well and adds the elements this team needed?
- jd250

So far Ristolainen has not proven Fletcher to be correct. We'll see how he does tonight.

Bottom line is you have to reply like this because the facts are not on your side. You have a forum here to show and to try and prove that I don't know what I'm talking about. Have at it. Good luck
- MJL

I don't have to prove anything, everyone knows already! You get a reply like this because its crystal clear to me that no facts are going to change your mind about Risto, none, zilch, so its really not worth the typing any longer. You are pissed off that CF had the audacity to trade two 2 picks away for a proven NHL player, because, Oh Gosh ... we are mortgaging our future!! you do not have an objective bone in your body when it comes to this topic, so there is no sense to continue a conversation that I know will just go in circles and end up right back here. You hate the trade, you hate Risto as a player, and there will never be anything Risto can do about it, and to me, that's sad!

I don't have to prove anything, everyone knows already! You get a reply like this because its crystal clear to me that no facts are going to change your mind about Risto, none, zilch, so its really not worth the typing any longer. You are pissed off that CF had the audacity to trade two 2 picks away for a proven NHL player, because, Oh Gosh ... we are mortgaging our future!! you do not have an objective bone in your body when it comes to this topic, so there is no sense to continue a conversation that I know will just go in circles and end up right back here. You hate the trade, you hate Risto as a player, and there will never be anything Risto can do about it, and to me, that's sad!
- jd250

Minutia.

Ristolainen can play like a top defenseman who is worth what they traded for him and what it will cost to re-sign him. That's what he can do about changing my mind. Pretty simple actually. He's played one game where he looked like a good player.

Everyone knows.


You haven't offered any facts. You have an opinion but ignore the facts.

So far Ristolainen has not proven Fletcher to be correct. We'll see how he does tonight.
- MJL

Again, it doesn't matter to you! The guy can score 10 goals and make a game saving stop and it wouldn't matter! He Sucks! His advanced metrics are awful! We mortgaged our future for him, how stupid we were to do such a crazy thing! We could instead have had another 18 year old prospect playing in the minors somewhere waiting to get a concussion, and OH ... we could have had Haag who is waaaay better than Risto anyway! And how could I forget, we gave up that 2nd round pick which was guaranteed to be the next Nikita Kucherov!!

Again, it doesn't matter to you! They guy can score 10 goals and make a game saving stop and it wouldn't matter! He Sucks! His advanced metrics are awful! We mortgaged our future for him, how stupid we were to do such a crazy thing! We could instead have had another 18 year old prospect playing in the minors somewhere waiting to get a concussion, and OH ... we could have had Haag who is waaaay better than Risto anyway! And how could I forget, we gave up that 2nd round pick which was guaranteed to by the next Nikita Kucherov!!
- jd250

This is what a meltdown looks like.

This is what a meltdown looks like.
- MJL

Not a meltdown .. just regurgitating what you have been spewing over the past few months since the trade went down, with maybe some slight bling added to it for effect!

Not a meltdown .. just regurgitating what you have been spewing over the past few months since the trade went down, with maybe some slight bling added to it for effect!
- jd250

Has Risto been as bad as MJL says, probably not, but on the flip side he has been nowhere near as good as you seem to think.

Bottom line is that Risto is a liability most nights, that is a FACT. And it has been that way his entire career.

What he does bring is a physical element that does change the way teams play when he is on the ice, but his lack of hockey sense and overall poor decision making seems to wash any benefit that has on most nights.

His last game was by far his best game in a Flyers uniform and I hope as he gets more comfortable that trend continues. But at 27, most people recognize he is what he is and what we see from him this year is no different than when he was in Buffalo.

A roster player and 2 high draft picks including a first was an overpay for a guy on an expiring contract who has been proven to be a drag on every player he is on the ice with over the length of his ENTIRE career. That is a FACT.

What the Flyers paid for Ristolainen while also considering his contract situation was a significantly large price to play for a player that has been mediocre his entire career. So what is your thinking based on? What evidence is there that he will be a big difference maker. He hasn't been a difference maker in his entire career.
- MJL

It's amazing to me how some folks get mesmerized by a few hits here and there, and his overall skills, but completely seem to miss his constantly being out of position and/or unaware of the play around him. So far, he's had all of one good game as a Flyer.

Again, if he was a guy making 2-3 million and the cost to acquire him had been Hagg and a 2nd, I'd be fine with him on the 3rd pair. However, that is not the case and, as I expected, he's been a big disappointment. I'm really dreading the extension that I fear Fletcher is going give him.

Bottom line: you don't know what you are talking about! Fact! Not opinion! Your bias against Risto makes it impossible to have an intelligent conversation with you about this topic.
- jd250

Your fanboy love of Risto is much more ridiculous.

Yes, Fletcher wanted RR and stated he and his staff had been talking about getting Risto for a few years before they were able to get him this summer. But why is this? Because CF likes tall, blonde Finish men? Or maybe because CF and this staff know the guy can play the game well and adds the elements this team needed?
- jd250

Well Chuck fletcher's track record speaks for itself.

Not a meltdown .. just regurgitating what you have been spewing over the past few months since the trade went down, with maybe some slight bling added to it for effect!
- jd250

He hated the Ellis trade, that alone should tell you what he thinks of Chucks moves. Not sure what trade chuck would have to make for him to think Chuck did well. PRob nothing short of a superstar....but you cant trade youth for him thats for sure

Again, it doesn't matter to you! The guy can score 10 goals and make a game saving stop and it wouldn't matter! He Sucks! His advanced metrics are awful! We mortgaged our future for him, how stupid we were to do such a crazy thing! We could instead have had another 18 year old prospect playing in the minors somewhere waiting to get a concussion, and OH ... we could have had Haag who is waaaay better than Risto anyway! And how could I forget, we gave up that 2nd round pick which was guaranteed to be the next Nikita Kucherov!!
- jd250

not much difference

He hated the Ellis trade, that alone should tell you what he thinks of Chucks moves. Not sure what trade chuck would have to make for him to think Chuck did well. PRob nothing short of a superstar....but you cant trade youth for him thats for sure
- bradster

Myers and Patrick are really lighting it up for their new teams.

Has Risto been as bad as MJL says, probably not, but on the flip side he has been nowhere near as good as you seem to think.

Bottom line is that Risto is a liability most nights, that is a FACT. And it has been that way his entire career.

What he does bring is a physical element that does change the way teams play when he is on the ice, but his lack of hockey sense and overall poor decision making seems to wash any benefit that has on most nights.

His last game was by far his best game in a Flyers uniform and I hope as he gets more comfortable that trend continues. But at 27, most people recognize he is what he is and what we see from him this year is no different than when he was in Buffalo.

A roster player and 2 high draft picks including a first was an overpay for a guy on an expiring contract who has been proven to be a drag on every player he is on the ice with over the length of his ENTIRE career. That is a FACT.
- MBFlyerfan

It's just my opinion but I think my analysis of Ristolainen has been accurate. Like BiggE said above, if he was a 3rd pair player and was cheaper to acquire, he would be fine. His underlying numbers have always been awful. His scoring numbers have always been propped up by the situations he was put in. Situations here that he is not likely to have much time in.
Here is the disconnect. Many don't realize what makes a quality defenseman in todays NHL. If a defenseman on the ice causes your team to play with the puck more, that's a good defenseman. If a defenseman on the ice causes your team to play without the puck more. Regardless of how well he defends and Ristolainen is a mediocre defender, than that is not a good defenseman. Now with that being said, there is a role in the NHL for the latter player on teams. However you don't give up 1st round picks and pay 6M a year for that player. That's what the Justin Braun's are for.

It's just my opinion but I think my analysis of Ristolainen has been accurate. Like BiggE said above, if he was a 3rd pair player and was cheaper to acquire, he would be fine. His underlying numbers have always been awful. His scoring numbers have always been propped up by the situations he was put in. Situations here that he is not likely to have much time in.
Here is the disconnect. Many don't realize what makes a quality defenseman in todays NHL. If a defenseman on the ice causes your team to play with the puck more, that's a good defenseman. If a defenseman on the ice causes your team to play without the puck more. Regardless of how well he defends and Ristolainen is a mediocre defender, than that is not a good defenseman. Now with that being said, there is a role in the NHL for the latter player on teams. However you don't give up 1st round picks and pay 6M a year for that player. That's what the Justin Braun's are for.
- MJL

So then they should have kept Ghost?

Risto hasn’t been as good as id hope (so far) but he missed time and hopefully he’s getting into a groove after the WSH game. Having said this, if he doesn’t have the best year it may be easier to keep him and can get him cheaper. If that’s even the end goal for Chuck.

Yay another day to beat a dead horse.
RR is a bad trade...
RR is a good trade....
RR moved his skate the wrong way on play X Y Z...
RR should have picked up someone in the slot.
RR should not have made that hit on that play
I know more cause I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
I know more cause my third cousin made it to the AHL.
You all are so brilliant it is scary,
CF should be paying close attention to MJL
cause he knows it all.

Risto hasn’t been as good as id hope (so far) but he missed time and hopefully he’s getting into a groove after the WSH game. Having said this, if he doesn’t have the best year it may be easier to keep him and can get him cheaper. If that’s even the end goal for Chuck.
- arichardson22

What's cheaper. He's a UFA. I doubt there is a cheaper option.

Yes, Fletcher wanted RR and stated he and his staff had been talking about getting Risto for a few years before they were able to get him this summer. But why is this? Because CF likes tall, blonde Finish men? Or maybe because CF and this staff know the guy can play the game well and adds the elements this team needed?
- jd250

Dude, did you just out the Flyers GM?

What's cheaper. He's a UFA. I doubt there is a cheaper option.
- MJL

Whatta brilliant point!!!

Yay another day to beat a dead horse.
RR is a bad trade...
RR is a good trade....
RR moved his skate the wrong way on play X Y Z...
RR should have picked up someone in the slot.
RR should not have made that hit on that play
I know more cause I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
I know more cause my third cousin made it to the AHL.
You all are so brilliant it is scary,
CF should be paying close attention to MJL
cause he knows it all.
- konalover711

rinse and repeat, after this chat we can talk about how hextalls drafts were awesome, then how we should never get rid of youth, and hold onto youngsters forever

What's cheaper. He's a UFA. I doubt there is a cheaper option.
- MJL

larson savard oleksiak all make less than RR. there are always other options.

At least Samu cant be ruined by the flyers development any longer.

larson savard oleksiak all make less than RR. there are always other options.
- hello it's me 2050

I was hoping for savard or a trade for Manson...we did need someone physical. But i'm not upset with RR, just think we over paid a bit.

Larsson and Ole were gone before free agency started