The value of physicality has to be understood. Just throwing your weight and strength around, does not make a player effective. For example, Ristolainen clearing the crease and how he fills a need for the team. There has to be some evidence that his physical ability is effective. Does he decrease scoring chances and high danger scoring chances. Does he prevent shot attempts. Most importantly, does he reduce goals against. All of the available evidence, both statistically and visually, says no, he doesn't. That's not for just this past season. It's been that way his whole career. Watch him play. He rarely hits and separates a player from the puck. He rarely uses his physical ability to break up a play. He makes a player pay a price but normally after the scoring chance or goal occurs. He pushes players around after they've had a few whacks at the puck around the net. Quality defenseman end plays and transition pucks the other way. Then join the attack.
- MJL

Okay, this is a well worded argument but my overall point is, if you’re gonna make an argument against a player, make sure it’s fair, which this post seems to be.

Some fans using the fact he missed his last ten games with an injury is an irrelevant argument. So did a number of players. Ristolainen wasn’t the only one. Some fans using the fact he wasn’t productive on the power play is another irrelevant argument. Ristolainen wasn’t really used on the power play except for a couple games.

With all of this said regardless if he separates an opposing player from the puck with a hit, a hit is a hit. There is no mistaking this for whether it is or is not a physical play. It is a physical play. Ristolainen does separate or stand up in front of his goalie to protect his goalie. If there is only one positive to his game, this is it.

I’ll just end my post by saying, if Ristolainen has a good game once a week out of three games a week, I just saw an entire season where a healthy Keith Yandle played close to every game and he was awful in everyone.

I know you are just being facetious but RR was not added to reduce GA. He isnt a defensive Dman. He was added because of his size, grit and ability to move the puck.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

oh?

i realize im a risto hater but woof man.

I agree with all of this. RR has his share of flaws but he's still young and at provides some physical presence. I remember watching him when we played Buffalo and wishing we had him, as he always seemed to step up his game against us.
- Don Nachbaur

He stepped up his game against a bad team. What’s that tell you?

I would prefer that the Flyers stick to a draft and develop strategy and stop trying to win now and stop trying to buy their way to the top. They should've kept Gostisbehere and let it play out last season. Draft and develop good defenseman and plant the tree rather than trying to buy the tree.



I've posted numerous times the direction that I wanted the Flyers to go in. I don't mind Tortorella but don't see him as the long term answer. I was more interested in a more modern day coach such as Gronberg. I'd like a European style of aggressive offensive attack and quick puck movement. I also believe the Flyers need to start grooming and developing coaches. Flyers have hired two coaches in what the last 5 years. Has there been one internal candidate working up the ladder?

I've posted about this before. You having lack of knowledge about my opinion offered. Does not suggest the absence of one.



Also if you spent more time here. You would know that I traditionally don't get involved in draft prospect conversations. I don't spend time researching or have any sufficient knowledge of any of the available players to form an opinion.
- MJL

Fair answer on #1 about defense, but we all know that the Flyers are not going to build through the draft. I like the idea of planting the tree but unless the front office changes, it isn't going to happen.

I've heard of Gronberg, but do not know much about him. Thank you for answering!

You are correct in that I don't spend a lot of time on here so I am sorry I did not see what you said about draft opinions. I do read Bill's blog every day but don't always have time to read comments. I also cannot remember what everyone posts as I unfortunately don't have a photographic memory nor the time to scrutinize every post.

Thanks for the answers and have a great night!

He stepped up his game against a bad team. What’s that tell you?
- furio16

Lol, yes, I actually meant to include that it was a small sample size as I rarely watch other teams. I remember the headlines "Flyers lose to lowly Sabres" and thinking that we are lowly as well!

Lol, yes, I actually meant to include that it was a small sample size as I rarely watch other teams. I remember the headlines "Flyers lose to lowly Sabres" and thinking that we are lowly as well!
- Don Nachbaur

The Sabres are a bad organization with or without Ristolainen. Many like to over look this but this is a fact. Jack Eichel wasn’t gonna get them over the top. Evander Kane. Tyler Myers. Rasmus Dahlin. None of these guys are gonna get this team over the hump. What I’d like is a list of coaches who coached the Sabres in Ristolainen time there. Risto is never going to be perfect but good coaches can adjust a player’s game. Mind you, I’ve heard rumors that Finland teams won’t consider Ristolainen for any Olympic or world’s teams.

The Sabres are a bad organization with or without Ristolainen. Many like to over look this but this is a fact. Jack Eichel wasn’t gonna get them over the top. Evander Kane. Tyler Myers. Rasmus Dahlin. None of these guys are gonna get this team over the hump. What I’d like is a list of coaches who coached the Sabres in Ristolainen time there. Risto is never going to be perfect but good coaches can adjust a player’s game. Mind you, I’ve heard rumors that Finland teams won’t consider Ristolainen for any Olympic or world’s teams.
- SuperSchennBros

Heard from whom?

Heard from whom?
- furio16

Sportsnet Canada

Sportsnet Canada
- SuperSchennBros

Ok thought you had a source or something way you phrased it.

Ok thought you had a source or something way you phrased it.
- furio16

It was awhile ago. Might have been the night of the draft when we traded for him.

The Sabres are a bad organization with or without Ristolainen. Many like to over look this but this is a fact. Jack Eichel wasn’t gonna get them over the top. Evander Kane. Tyler Myers. Rasmus Dahlin. None of these guys are gonna get this team over the hump. What I’d like is a list of coaches who coached the Sabres in Ristolainen time there. Risto is never going to be perfect but good coaches can adjust a player’s game. Mind you, I’ve heard rumors that Finland teams won’t consider Ristolainen for any Olympic or world’s teams.
- SuperSchennBros

Don't have the list, but he i think has had a different coach every year.

I agree with all of this. RR has his share of flaws but he's still young and at provides some physical presence. I remember watching him when we played Buffalo and wishing we had him, as he always seemed to step up his game against us.
- Don Nachbaur

Ristolainen is not young. He's soon to be 28 which is at the tail end of a players prime. He has played 9 NHL seasons and over 600 games. What you see is what you get. There was never a game against Buffalo where I wish we had him. I wish we played against him more.

Don't have the list, but he i think has had a different coach every year.
- Peter Richards

So no consistent coaching. Oh good.

So no consistent coaching. Oh good.
- SuperSchennBros

no, weird thing is they all played him.....

no, weird thing is they all played him.....
- Peter Richards

Who else were they gonna play?

Hard to find parts to make repairs
- Scoob

Is he a FIAT?

Who was worse, Andrew MacDonald at 5.5 million or Rasmus Ristolainen at 5.1 million? Keep in mind MacDonald is 35 years old right now and has been out of the league for three years.

Who was worse, Andrew MacDonald at 5.5 million or Rasmus Ristolainen at 5.1 million? Keep in mind MacDonald is 35 years old right now and has been out of the league for three years.
- SuperSchennBros

Will there be a difference?

Who was worse, Andrew MacDonald at 5.5 million or Rasmus Ristolainen at 5.1 million? Keep in mind MacDonald is 35 years old right now and has been out of the league for three years.
- SuperSchennBros

RR at 5.1 isn't that bad

The Sabres are a bad organization with or without Ristolainen. Many like to over look this but this is a fact. Jack Eichel wasn’t gonna get them over the top. Evander Kane. Tyler Myers. Rasmus Dahlin. None of these guys are gonna get this team over the hump. What I’d like is a list of coaches who coached the Sabres in Ristolainen time there. Risto is never going to be perfect but good coaches can adjust a player’s game. Mind you, I’ve heard rumors that Finland teams won’t consider Ristolainen for any Olympic or world’s teams.
- SuperSchennBros

Yes, the Sabres are bad. I honestly can't think of all the coaches except Bylsma was there at one point. I'm too lazy to look up the others. I love it when people cite that RR will be on his third coach here as if he was the sole reason we suck and why the coaches failed. The team is a mess just like the Sabres. Nobody ever proclaimed RR to be a savior from my recollection.

Yes, the Sabres are bad. I honestly can't think of all the coaches except Bylsma was there at one point. I'm too lazy to look up the others. I love it when people cite that RR will be on his third coach here as if he was the sole reason we suck and why the coaches failed. The team is a mess just like the Sabres. Nobody ever proclaimed RR to be a savior from my recollection.
- Don Nachbaur

Me neither and yet the bellyaching lives on every single day

Who was worse, Andrew MacDonald at 5.5 million or Rasmus Ristolainen at 5.1 million? Keep in mind MacDonald is 35 years old right now and has been out of the league for three years.
- SuperSchennBros

Ugh...AMac! I will admit that I thought he was a good pickup when we first got him based on his play at the end of the season and playoffs. I didn't like the contract though. Vintage Homer signing.

Me neither and yet the bellyaching lives on every single day
- SuperSchennBros

Yep, let's see:

He goes for the hit and is often out of position.
We overpaid for him and are now stuck with him for 5 more years.
Haag (who we hated when here) is better.
He has no hockey sense.
He would be a 5-6 Dman (or worse) on a good team.
He brought Sanheim down.
He has played for X number of coaches and still sucks.
He will never improve...

I'm sure I missed a few things but I don't read every single comment every day.

Yep, let's see:

He goes for the hit and is often out of position.
We overpaid for him and are now stuck with him for 5 more years.
Haag (who we hated when here) is better.
He has no hockey sense.
He would be a 5-6 Dman (or worse) on a good team.
He brought Sanheim down.
He has played for X number of coaches and still sucks.
He will never improve...

I'm sure I missed a few things but I don't read every single comment every day.
- Don Nachbaur

doesn't look so bad now

Maybe I am so tough on RR because acquiring him was typical Chuck Fletcher. He hyperfocused on a player and did whatever it took to get him. The Flyers traded away three draft picks and two players to acquire the guy. Think about that? How many players in the league would you have traded Ghost, Hagg, 1st rounder and two seconds for?

RR did not improve with the change of scenery. Fletcher still saw fit to offer him a long term deal. Hopefully Torts can improve the team defense and RR will improve along with it. I am skeptical though.