I hate to give away size and speed because of shortcomings that could be fixed. I am in favor of a group that can actually assess talent being brought in to make this decision. I have no confidence in Chuckles and company.
- iamscore2day

Not sure I would say Risto has speed, he is kind of a clumsy skater IMO. He definitely has size and hits people, but at this point I think given where the Flyers are, Risto is not a luxury they need or can afford right now.

It looked like a set play to me. As soon as TK got control of the puck you can see Sanheim start to go back door. That break away really is on TK for turning the puck over. Or maybe the coaching staff.
- Briere

It doesn't happen without the TO and Risto pinching so I don't think you can pin it all on TK. That is especially true when the play happens in the offensive zone. You may be right about the set play.

Tell me, which players drafted in the 2021 draft are playing in the NHL right now? Isn't it true that some drafts are deeper and better than others?
- jd250

Tell me how that addresses the statement? Isn't it a possibility that whoever the Flyers draft in the next draft will not be ready right away? You justified the moves the the GM has made in trading draft picks by trying to state that you were sick and tired of waiting and draft picks could take years to make an impact. Now here you are saying how important it is to get picks. Here is a news flash for you. It was important last off season and the season before.

Reading comprehension issue? I clearly stated that Mayhew failed to take the shooter and Sanheim didn't block the pass.
- MJL

Ok, so why do you even have to mention Risto, who is covering the other side of the slot? If you just left it at this, we would have no argument.

We traded up to get Ratcliffe, hopefully he has something that will turn out. But it isnt looking good. His points in the AHL are awful, wouldnt be surprised if he foes ECHL next year.
- bradster

I actually watched a bunch of his games in Guelph…I thought he had real chance to be a good one…he looked good in preseason games this year…but it never carried over.

Not sure I would say Risto has speed, he is kind of a clumsy skater IMO. He definitely has size and hits people, but at this point I think given where the Flyers are, Risto is not a luxury they need or can afford right now.
- jd250

He is a mixed bag, that is for sure. I have seen him get going pretty fast but he is not always the most agile. Not in love with him but don't hate him either. He could be serviceable in my view and someone who knows the difference (not Chucky) needs to make this call.

It doesn't happen without the TO and Risto pinching so I don't think you can pin it all on TK. That is especially true when the play happens in the offensive zone. You may be right about the set play.
- iamscore2day

Good point. If it's a set play Risto should back off there.

Based on what? ( not disputing, just curious why you think that)
- DaveofYork

The slow starts to games, the lack of compete, and the play when they give up a goal seems to crush this team sometimes, would be the main things. Seems things are very complacent. I'm not a G hater, he is a very good player. But this has been going on for years with this team. He leads by example i guess. And i think that isnt what this team needs. Needs a weber or pronger that wont tolerate lazy play and will let you know it.

Ok, so why do you even have to mention Risto, who is covering the other side of the slot? If you just left it at this, we would have no argument.
- jd250

Again, Ristolainen did absolutely nothing on the play. He didn't cover anyone. He stood there and watched. He should have cut Radulov off when he went from the corner to behind the net after Cates fell. He was a spectator on the play.

It doesn't happen without the TO and Risto pinching so I don't think you can pin it all on TK. That is especially true when the play happens in the offensive zone. You may be right about the set play.
- iamscore2day

You’d think you can pinch if you are the strong side D there. Sanheim going down to the goal line and then TK turning it over is the issue.

Again, Ristolainen did absolutely nothing on the play. He didn't cover anyone. He stood there and watched. He should have cut Radulov off when he went from the corner to behind the net after Cates fell. He was a spectator on the play.
- MJL

Didn’t he immediately save a goal if that puck had hit crossbar instead of back of net haha. But covered no one except #25 who was standing behind him.

Tell me how that addresses the statement? Isn't it a possibility that whoever the Flyers draft in the next draft will not be ready right away? You justified the moves the the GM has made in trading draft picks by trying to state that you were sick and tired of waiting and draft picks could take years to make an impact. Now here you are saying how important it is to get picks. Here is a news flash for you. It was important last off season and the season before.
- MJL

Each draft is different. Some years there are generational players available, even multiple generational players available. Other years the top end talent is not as strong and anyone you draft will need time to develop. Last year's draft was clearly in the latter. Next year's draft could be a great one. This year is Meh from everything I read. All I am saying is the Flyers have a chance to draft a good young, fast and skillful player in the top of the draft this year and maybe even next year and they should not pass up on that opportunity. There are no guarantees in the draft, but your best odds of getting a young player that can play right away still come from drafting as high as you can. This season is lost, lets take advantage of it!

I like these players and hope they can make the team next year as well, of course, if they can get back on the ice. However I would not look to them to be leaders, its hard enough to make the team and learn how to be a day to day NHL player. I still believe the Flyers have veterans like Ellis, Couts, Atkinson, Provey and Hayes that can provide that leadership, assuming they are still here.
- jd250

I like those players also, but in all likelyhood, Wisdom and Desnoyer will be 3rd line guys, but could be good 3rd liner. Not bad for mid round picks.

How about some questions about broader trends, without getting into Internet outrage? Such as:

1. The signings after Hextall left clearly suggested the organization believed the team was ready to take the next step. Yet 3 years later, this seems very far from the truth. How do you explain such a huge 'mis-assessment'?

2. What changes are you thinking of to correct the mistakes in the above? Can you explain why you think your corrections would specifically avoid those mistakes?

3. We have an aging, injured roster, without any rising real stars. What is your long term plan to change this while simultaneously handling the burden of long contracts?

4. For a long time, we have not drafted or developed anyone who is a bona fide star. Most contending teams have not just 1, but several. Can you explain why this came about and how the organization plans to correct it?

5. Given the above, it seems like we do not have the scouting expertise to pick up really good players later in the draft, or, we are just not getting lucky. In other words, it seems our only chance to get really good young players is high in the draft. Yet, the organization keeps avoiding a total rebuild. Under the circumstances, what makes the organization think it will be successful doing something it has repeatedly failed with in the past?

Along those lines, Bill.



- PT21

These are all great questions….but not for this setting. These are questions to be asked by Scott to Fletcher. I guarantee these are the questions Fletcher will have to answer.

In a Bold Predictions piece for ESPN+ that was posted this morning, Brian Boucher predicts that Giroux will get traded to Colorado, St. Louis, or Minny.
It's simply a bold prediction. There is no mention of what the return would be, or how it would work salary cap-wise for any of those 3 teams.

The slow starts to games, the lack of compete, and the play when they give up a goal seems to crush this team sometimes, would be the main things. Seems things are very complacent. I'm not a G hater, he is a very good player. But this has been going on for years with this team. He leads by example i guess. And i think that isnt what this team needs. Needs a weber or pronger that wont tolerate lazy play and will let you know it.
- bradster

I meant why Wisdom or Foerster....was wondering what you know about them

Has anyone seen Scott Laughton? Talk about a guy who really doesn't help.
- hello it's me 2050

He’s been disappointing to say the least.

In a Bold Predictions piece for ESPN+ that was posted this morning, Brian Boucher predicts that Giroux will get traded to Colorado, St. Louis, or Minny.
It's simply a bold prediction. There is no mention of what the return would be, or how it would work salary cap-wise for any of those 3 teams.
- Big_E_88

That’s grade A hockey coverage, Ek level reporting

He is a mixed bag, that is for sure. I have seen him get going pretty fast but he is not always the most agile. Not in love with him but don't hate him either. He could be serviceable in my view and someone who knows the difference (not Chucky) needs to make this call.
- iamscore2day

I like Risto and I wished it would have worked out for him here, but I just think the Flyers need the assets more than Risto right now.

I like Risto and I wished it would have worked out for him here, but I just think the Flyers need the assets more than Risto right now.
- jd250

What teams do you see interested in RR?

That’s grade A hockey coverage, Ek level reporting
- ClaudeFather

C'mon man!! Don't you dare criticize ESPN's coverage of the NHL. I mean the game is everywhere on that channel.

...if you're watching TNT, on a Tuesday, after 10PM eastern that is.....

I actually watched a bunch of his games in Guelph…I thought he had real chance to be a good one…he looked good in preseason games this year…but it never carried over.
- landros 2

I watched him in the OHL also, he was a man against boys. Now he is a man against men, and it isnt working.

You’d think you can pinch if you are the strong side D there. Sanheim going down to the goal line and then TK turning it over is the issue.
- ClaudeFather

You could see it that way too but Sanheim was down there and I think Risto should have noticed. I get the tempest in a teapot criticism of this discussion and agree that it is not helpful to overly emphasize one goal in the first period.

C'mon man!! Don't you dare criticize ESPN's coverage of the NHL. I mean the game is everywhere on that channel.

...if you're watching TNT, on a Tuesday, after 10PM eastern that is.....
- hockeylover

I’m assuming they had next to no other suitors, how do you accept the plan ESPN had put in place. Hockey is never on TV anymore, except as you said, 10PM every other Tuesday

Each draft is different. Some years there are generational players available, even multiple generational players available. Other years the top end talent is not as strong and anyone you draft will need time to develop. Last year's draft was clearly in the latter. Next year's draft could be a great one. This year is Meh from everything I read. All I am saying is the Flyers have a chance to draft a good young, fast and skillful player in the top of the draft this year and maybe even next year and they should not pass up on that opportunity. There are no guarantees in the draft, but your best odds of getting a young player that can play right away still come from drafting as high as you can. This season is lost, lets take advantage of it!
- jd250

So draft picks are only important depending on the strength of the draft? You've done a complete 180 from arguing that draft picks didn't matter coming into this season.