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
- bradster

There are options though. Assuming RR plays the way he has always played I do not see a raise for him at all. Then again Chuck almost always overpays. RR should get a deal similar to Savard or Larsson; still based on "potential".

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

The criticism started after Game # 1. Lol. The race to be right is amusing to say the least. I’m not sure about Risto but what I’ve seen is a player who’s gotten better with each outing…he did have a few games early on where by he struggled but nothing like what I read around here. He plays a much more physical game then any other d the Flyers have. The guy has had 4 seasons of over 40 points and has averaged 24 minutes a night since coming into the league and I read he has hockey IQ issues…are they (frank)ing kidding ? Do they realize how tough it is to do those things….at the NHL level?

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
- bradster

You forgot:
Lappy is good for youth while he can't reach youngsters.
Braun is bad at being a #2 but if he is a 6.75 he is the greatest since sliced bread.
Jake trade was great while being simply awful unless CA scores a point no points bad trade.
Ghost was and could have been the second coming of Bobby Orr and how dare CF trade him for a bag of pucks.

There are options though. Assuming RR plays the way he has always played I do not see a raise for him at all. Then again Chuck almost always overpays. RR should get a deal similar to Savard or Larsson; still based on "potential".
- hello it's me 2050

From what you’ve had to say about him….he’s not a 5.5 million dollar d man. Personally I think he’s every bit as good as Larrson with a more offence.

The criticism started after Game # 1. Lol. The race to be right is amusing to say the least. I’m not sure about Risto but what I’ve seen is a player who’s gotten better with each outing…he did have a few games early on where by he struggled but nothing like what I read around here. He plays a much more physical game then any other d the Flyers have. The guy has had 4 seasons of over 40 points and has averaged 24 minutes a night since coming into the league and I read he has hockey IQ issues…are they (frank)ing kidding ? Do they realize how tough it is to do those things….at the NHL level?
- landros 2

There was a play in Calgary at the 10 minute mark of the 3rd period that RR turned his head south by southwest when he really should have been turning north by northeast, like a true hockey player like me, who knows sooo much about hockey cause I played on an Atari 2600.
You drunk GMs kill me with your astute analysis.

The criticism started after Game # 1. Lol. The race to be right is amusing to say the least. I’m not sure about Risto but what I’ve seen is a player who’s gotten better with each outing…he did have a few games early on where by he struggled but nothing like what I read around here. He plays a much more physical game then any other d the Flyers have. The guy has had 4 seasons of over 40 points and has averaged 24 minutes a night since coming into the league and I read he has hockey IQ issues…are they (frank)ing kidding ? Do they realize how tough it is to do those things….at the NHL level?
- landros 2

on arguably the worst team in the nhl during this period. Someone has to play those minutes. He was just the tallest midget of the bunch. When your fed top pp that's how you can accumulate those points. He was effective on the pp no doubt.

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
- bradster

Ya great drafts by Hextall….he built a mediocre/ bubble team core.

From what you’ve had to say about him….he’s not a 5.5 million dollar d man. Personally I think he’s every bit as good as Larrson with a more offence.
- landros 2

He isnt a 5.5 dman. Bottom pair dman are not 5.5 players. Larson is head and shoulders better than him defensively. Not even close imo.

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
- bradster

Savard has been (frank)ing brutal for Montreal so far. Absolutely brutal.

Savard has been (frank)ing brutal for Montreal so far. Absolutely brutal.
- Tomahawk

I don't know. However although Larsson does not have the offensive skill that Ristolainen has, he is twice the player defensively. In the role Ristolainen is in, especially once Ellis comes back, I don't see Ristolainen putting up many points.
The Flyers never had a shot at Larsson due to expansion rules but if I had a choice between signing Larsson or trading for Ristolainen. That's a no brainer. Larsson is an easy choice.

on arguably the worst team in the nhl during this period. Someone has to play those minutes. He was just the tallest midget of the bunch. When your fed top pp that's how you can accumulate those points. He was effective on the pp no doubt.
- hello it's me 2050

Still an NHL team. And regardless of how he got the points I don’t think his hockey IQ is something to be questioned….now is he a defensive juggernaut? No I don’t see that. There’s a lot of good d man who have area’s where they struggle. Risto to me has made his share of gaffs in his d zone coverage, but I also think he’s improved as he’s gone along. But I also haven’t seen a guy that has been as bad as some carry on about.

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

I meant his cap hit should come cheaper.

I meant his cap hit should come cheaper.
- arichardson22

I know what you were saying. When I say there isn't a cheaper option. That is in regards to re-signing Ristolainen, not other players. I don't think they will be able to re-sign him for less than he is making now.

He isnt a 5.5 dman. Bottom pair dman are not 5.5 players. Larson is head and shoulders better than him defensively. Not even close imo.
- hello it's me 2050

Larrson is better defensively but I’d take Risto if I had a choice. I just think he’s better over all. By the way hats not a knock on Larrson whom I do think is over rated.

Larrson is better defensively but I’d take Risto if I had a choice. I just think he’s better over all. By the way hats not a knock on Larrson whom I do think is over rated.
- landros 2

If you could lock up RR with an ext what term and dollars would you give him?

I don't know. However although Larsson does not have the offensive skill that Ristolainen has, he is twice the player defensively. In the role Ristolainen is in, especially once Ellis comes back, I don't see Ristolainen putting up many points.
The Flyers never had a shot at Larsson due to expansion rules but if I had a choice between signing Larsson or trading for Ristolainen. That's a no brainer. Larsson is an easy choice.
- MJL

I'm sure Edmonton would have been happy to trade his rights prior to expansion. And yeah, in hindsight Larsson was probably still the best available fit.

And skill-wise, they're comparable. Risto will jump into the play more aggressively. Larsson is more conservative.

There was a play in Calgary at the 10 minute mark of the 3rd period that RR turned his head south by southwest when he really should have been turning north by northeast, like a true hockey player like me, who knows sooo much about hockey cause I played on an Atari 2600.
You drunk GMs kill me with your astute analysis.
- konalover711

All you need to know is how to read the stats the next day, tells you the complete picture. Someone even admitted to not seeing a few games, but they offer the complete RR analysis after every game. lol

I'm sure Edmonton would have been happy to trade his rights prior to expansion. And yeah, in hindsight Larsson was probably still the best available fit.

And skill-wise, they're comparable. Risto will jump into the play more aggressively. Larsson is more conservative.
- Tomahawk

Yes, but the Flyers had a protection list issue.

Savard has been (frank)ing brutal for Montreal so far. Absolutely brutal.
- Tomahawk

so its a good thing we didnt get him then. But i thought he wouldve been a good option at the time. But who hasnt been bad on the habs? lol

I know this will come as a shock... but Ellis isn’t playing tonight.

Yes, but the Flyers had a protection list issue.
- MJL

You're so smart.
Can you explain the speed of light to me Master?

Yes, but the Flyers had a protection list issue.
- MJL

As much as I respect Laughton, I would have felt OK exposing him and NAK to bring Larsson aboard.

But knowing Seattle they would have inexplicably taken Twarynski anyway, lol

I know this will come as a shock... but Ellis isn’t playing tonight.
- PLindbergh31

If you could lock up RR with an ext what term and dollars would you give him?
- hello it's me 2050

Today I’m not sure….I mean it looks like a cheaper deal if they lock him up now. But I also think the d market is scolding hot right now. If pressed I’d say 5 years 30 mil today. To me that’s the going rate for a legit top 4 d man….I agree he’s not a top pairing guy.

As much as I respect Laughton, I would have felt OK exposing him and NAK to bring Larsson aboard.

But knowing Seattle they would have inexplicably taken Twarynski anyway, lol
- Tomahawk

In hindsight if they could've gotten Larsson and the draft picks and not traded for Ristolainen. Which in effect would've been essentially moving Laughton for Larsson, I wouldn't have a problem with. We don't have any idea what Larsson would've done though if the Flyers had traded for his rights. Plus they would've had to give Edmonton something.