Started with a flawed roster, made some moves and it’s still a flawed roster at the end of the day. The ghost and jake arguments are getting old, ghost sucked here and he wasn’t even playing under the coaches. Jake is a great transition player but the roster wasn’t getting it done with or without him and Atkinson has scored some goals. The Ellis situation sucks but he traded huge red flags for him. I’ve actually thought Risto has played well.
- ClaudeFather

Gostisbehere is playing solidly and putting up points on one of the worst teams in the league. So was Gostisbehere the issue, or was the team environment the issue? Either way, the Flyers still gave up a skilled defenseman and a 2nd and 7th round pick for nothing in return but cap space. What did they do with it? If he continues to play well, Arizona will trade him at some point and get a future asset in return.
In trading Voracek, the Flyers traded the best players and traded skill and speed. I wouldn't mind the trade if they had filled the hole they created in another transaction. The Flyers also took on another contract year.
Ristolainen has been mediocre for most of his games. He's had some sporadic good play. Are the Flyers going to trade him this season? If so what will they get in return and what would that say about the deal?
Were Patrick and Myers bigger red flags than Ellis is and his 5 more years at 6M after this season? Are you confident in him staying in the lineup consistently?
These are all relevant arguments and certainly aren't old. These situations are paramount to the Flyers future.

Gostisbehere is playing solidly and putting up points on one of the worst teams in the league. So was Gostisbehere the issue, or was the team environment the issue? Either way, the Flyers still gave up a skilled defenseman and a 2nd and 7th round pick for nothing in return but cap space. What did they do with it? If he continues to play well, Arizona will trade him at some point and get a future asset in return.
In trading Voracek, the Flyers traded the best players and traded skill and speed. I wouldn't mind the trade if they had filled the hole they created in another transaction. The Flyers also took on another contract year.
Ristolainen has been mediocre for most of his games. He's had some sporadic good play. Are the Flyers going to trade him this season? If so what will they get in return and what would that say about the deal?
Were Patrick and Myers bigger red flags than Ellis is and his 5 more years at 6M after this season? Are you confident in him staying in the lineup consistently?
These are all relevant arguments and certainly aren't old. These situations are paramount to the Flyers future.
- MJL

1) Ristolainen has had more good games than bad. We're going to have to agree to disagree.

2) I like Ghost, both as a player and as a person. But remember: He was waived last season. No takers. He was offered around the NHL early in the offseason. No takers. He was exposed to the expansion draft. Seattle opted instead for Carsen Twarynski. Then and only then did the Flyers package assets to Arizona to get them to take Ghost's contract with no retention.

Desnoyers and Andrae are the two reasons to watch the WJC for Flyers fans. Both have a chance to be impact players in that tournament. I hear Andrae might be wearing the C for Sweden.
- Djapana

Wow. Didn’t know he might captain the squad.

1) Ristolainen has had more good games than bad. We're going to have to agree to disagree.

2) I like Ghost, both as a player and as a person. But remember: He was waived last season. No takers. He was offered around the NHL early in the offseason. No takers. He was exposed to the expansion draft. Seattle opted instead for Carsen Twarynski. Then and only then did the Flyers package assets to Arizona to get them to take Ghost's contract with no retention.
- bmeltzer

I don't see what you see Bill and have no idea what you're basing it on. He's a mediocre player. His entire body of work over his career points to that. If the Flyers extend him, they'll be making another foolish decision. He is not a player that can elevate a team.

The Flyers had the option of keeping Gostisbehere. They should've

1) Ristolainen has had more good games than bad. We're going to have to agree to disagree.

2) I like Ghost, both as a player and as a person. But remember: He was waived last season. No takers. He was offered around the NHL early in the offseason. No takers. He was exposed to the expansion draft. Seattle opted instead for Carsen Twarynski. Then and only then did the Flyers package assets to Arizona to get them to take Ghost's contract with no retention.
- bmeltzer

Is Ghost and multiple draft picks better than Yandle/Risto? That's what it comes down to. I would say it is at least a wash. Risto needs to become a top pair defender for it to work out for the Flyers. He is not at this point. I do not think he will become a top pair defender. Ghost is a far better player than Yandle. Couple that with all of the draft picks I would prefer Ghost and picks over Risto and Yandle.

I don't see what you see Bill and have no idea what you're basing it on. He's a mediocre player. His entire body of work over his career points to that. If the Flyers extend him, they'll be making another foolish decision. He is not a player that can elevate a team.

The Flyers had the option of keeping Gostisbehere. They should've
- MJL

Just so I understand this correctly, Risto’s positive offensive production on the Sabres was only because he received a ton of minutes on a bad team..

Can’t you say the same thing for ghost this year?
Wouldn’t your rule apply the same to both players?

Bill just told again that no one wanted ghost. No one. Not even Seattle. There is a reason for that.

Now it is possible that ghosts knees are finally feeling better and that could be positively impacting his numbers. I think that could play a role here, but again not one NHL team GM thought enough of him to take him for free. I gotta think there are some pretty smart guys amongst that group of 30 plus GMs. Also at least 7 of those offered more than a number 1 for Risto.

Chuck delegates most of the management of scouting and drafting operations to Brent, although Chuck of course weighs in when he does see a player in person and gets the final say if need be. But he usually defers to Brent, especially on the amateur side.

Brent reminds me a lot of Sarge (Chris Pryor) in terms of his scouting preferences and philosophies. There has been a good bit of continuity.
- bmeltzer

Sarge and Flahr have both done a good job of finding NHL players, but their shared philosophy of taking two-way, character players hasn't yielded many elite talents.

The two transcendent talents they did draft had some pretty big question marks... Giroux wasn't exactly a slam dunk on draft day and nobody knew if Kaprisov would ever cross the pond. Neither really fit the usual MO.

Oh... and Flahr was going to take Brayden Point (who had size and skating deficiencies) but Chuck traded out of that pick to add an extra late-rounder, lol.

I'd really like to see Flahr take some bigger swings, especially at the top of the draft. Missing on a pick really sucks, but having nothing but a sea of middling prospects is also a slow death.

Also have to look at his time in Minnesota in terms of his drafting record. He seems to do a solid job in that area.
- MJL

Flahr was in charge of the draft then, too, IIRC.

With the way the draft and am. scouting are delegated these days, it's kinda wrong to give the GM too much credit or blame for how things shake out. The guys responsible are almost always lower on the food chain.

Gostisbehere is playing solidly and putting up points on one of the worst teams in the league. So was Gostisbehere the issue, or was the team environment the issue? Either way, the Flyers still gave up a skilled defenseman and a 2nd and 7th round pick for nothing in return but cap space. What did they do with it? If he continues to play well, Arizona will trade him at some point and get a future asset in return.
In trading Voracek, the Flyers traded the best players and traded skill and speed. I wouldn't mind the trade if they had filled the hole they created in another transaction. The Flyers also took on another contract year.
Ristolainen has been mediocre for most of his games. He's had some sporadic good play. Are the Flyers going to trade him this season? If so what will they get in return and what would that say about the deal?
Were Patrick and Myers bigger red flags than Ellis is and his 5 more years at 6M after this season? Are you confident in him staying in the lineup consistently?
These are all relevant arguments and certainly aren't old. These situations are paramount to the Flyers future.
- MJL

Maybe in his last year, but ghost imo is not the type of d man contending teams trade for. Maybe if their power play is struggling. But they are not touching him unless his contract is expiring or Arizona eats money.

Just so I understand this correctly, Risto’s positive offensive production on the Sabres was only because he received a ton of minutes on a bad team..

Can’t you say the same thing for ghost this year?
Wouldn’t your rule apply the same to both players?

Bill just told again that no one wanted ghost. No one. Not even Seattle. There is a reason for that.

Now it is possible that ghosts knees are finally feeling better and that could be positively impacting his numbers. I think that could play a role here, but again not one NHL team GM thought enough of him to take him for free. I gotta think there are some pretty smart guys amongst that group of 30 plus GMs. Also at least 7 of those offered more than a number 1 for Risto.
- Joe Nardone

The reason was the salary cap.

Agree completely. This organization needs to modernize it's operations.
- MJL

Who cares how old a coach or GM are?

Now we are ripping guys simply because of their age?

Gotta think we are better than that.

See what Sutter has done in Calgary. You don’t need to be 35 to read or embrace analytics or new ideas.

Is Ghost and multiple draft picks better than Yandle/Risto? That's what it comes down to. I would say it is at least a wash. Risto needs to become a top pair defender for it to work out for the Flyers. He is not at this point. I do not think he will become a top pair defender. Ghost is a far better player than Yandle. Couple that with all of the draft picks I would prefer Ghost and picks over Risto and Yandle.
- mickel25

What about Ellis yandle and risto over ghost Haag myers. Bc that’s what it is.

Is Ghost and multiple draft picks better than Yandle/Risto? That's what it comes down to. I would say it is at least a wash. Risto needs to become a top pair defender for it to work out for the Flyers. He is not at this point. I do not think he will become a top pair defender. Ghost is a far better player than Yandle. Couple that with all of the draft picks I would prefer Ghost and picks over Risto and Yandle.
- mickel25

After last years disaster they were not going to keep things status quo. It hasn’t worked out so far but changes did have to be made.
I could not have imagined chuck coming out and saying well, we stank this year but we like the team the way it is.

It would have been best if ghost had left via waiver or with Seattle taking him however Seattle probably said if you want us to take ghost, then send us a first or a young prospect and fletch balked. Now we’re staring down bigger changes imo but I don’t see anything substantial happening prior to the tdl.

The reason was the salary cap.
- Tomahawk

But yet 7 teams were vying for risto…. With a higher cap

Who cares how old a coach or GM are?

Now we are ripping guys simply because of their age?

Gotta think we are better than that.

See what Sutter has done in Calgary. You don’t need to be 35 to read or embrace analytics or new ideas.
- Joe Nardone

Trots in Washington. When they won.

Is Ghost and multiple draft picks better than Yandle/Risto? That's what it comes down to. I would say it is at least a wash. Risto needs to become a top pair defender for it to work out for the Flyers. He is not at this point. I do not think he will become a top pair defender. Ghost is a far better player than Yandle. Couple that with all of the draft picks I would prefer Ghost and picks over Risto and Yandle.
- mickel25

Yandle was just a one year signing that didn't give up any future assets or future cap space past this year. With the situation the Flyers are in, having Gostisbehere and the draft picks is absolutely better for the Flyers. The Flyers would be better off today in terms of the future if all of the major moves made by Fletcher, were not made.

But yet 7 teams were vying for risto…. With a higher cap
- Peter Richards

Exactly.

ghost imo is not the type of d man contending teams trade for.
- Peter Richards

Weird, because it seems like there are a few contending teams who seem pretty happy with their so-called "one-way" dmen. Tyson Barrie, Sam Girard, Cale Makar, Tony DeAngelo, etc.

But yet 7 teams were vying for risto…. With a higher cap
- Peter Richards

Not mid-season.

Not mid-season.
- Tomahawk

When was ghost traded?

When was ghost traded?
- Peter Richards

The "nobody wanted him" was on waivers during the season.

Weird, because it seems like there are a few contending teams who seem pretty happy with their so-called "one-way" dmen. Tyson Barrie, Sam Girard, Cale Makar, Tony DeAngelo, etc.
- Tomahawk

How many of them were tdl pickups?

How many of them were tdl pickups?
- Peter Richards

So that type of player is only good if they're signed and not traded for? Weird lol.

The "nobody wanted him" was on waivers during the season.
- Tomahawk

You said they weren’t interested due to the cap. He was available more than once and was traded in the off-season is the point. The cap didn’t matter as much then as they can go over in the off-season. So. Who was interested I. Acquiring him.

Just so I understand this correctly, Risto’s positive offensive production on the Sabres was only because he received a ton of minutes on a bad team..

Can’t you say the same thing for ghost this year?
Wouldn’t your rule apply the same to both players?


- Joe Nardone

Gostisbehere is strictly a puck moving offensive defenseman in my opinion. If you aren't using him on the PP and in offensive situations, then you aren't going to get the best out of him. The Flyers didn't trade a 1st, a 2nd and a roster player for Gostisbehere.
The Flyers traded the above mentioned assets for Ristolainen knowing what role he was going to play in. He was going to play on the 2nd pair, play on the PK and possibly get some PP time. If he did not get the same high level minutes here, which he really shouldn't, then he would not be likely to put up the same point totals. All of that has to be considered, when making the deal like that. The issue has never been that Ristolainen is not talented or skilled.

Bill just told again that no one wanted ghost. No one. Not even Seattle. There is a reason for that.


- Joe Nardone

Salary cap reasons. Arizona made a good deal. They got a good player and some draft picks.

Now it is possible that ghosts knees are finally feeling better and that could be positively impacting his numbers. I think that could play a role here, but again not one NHL team GM thought enough of him to take him for free. I gotta think there are some pretty smart guys amongst that group of 30 plus GMs. Also at least 7 of those offered more than a number 1 for Risto.
- Joe Nardone

You can hang your hat on all of that if you want but to me it's clear that Ristolainen is a mediocre player. Not worth the cost of acquiring him or extending him. Let those other smart GM's bid for him or trade for him.