Everywhere I look, everywhere Flyers fans are talking, it seems like there’s this overwhelming desire to trade Risto…. My question is pretty simple: Why?

I mean seriously….when you look around the NHL, as I have to do for my job, you will find second pairing defensmen in general are getting at least $5 million per year. Guys who are bigger and stronger, are you able to hit, and can move the puck satisfactory are getting more like $6 million..

So Risto is currently making $5.1 million per year and is tied up for two years after this at that same rate…. Which is a crazy bargain. There is no way that you could replace him and what he does for the next two years for that money now….

Maybe you just wanna trade him because you’re selling high on him? OK, I can see that I guess. But again, do you thiink York or Andre are gonna fit that same role? Because they aren’t.. They are both largely offensive minded, defenseman, who aren’t gonna hit and defend the net-front like Risto does already..

I think it’ll be interesting to watch him in the four nations tournament, because I think you’re gonna be surprised at how well he does versus a lot of other players when it comes to stopping very skilled players. He is kind of the prototypical Finish defensive defenseman.

So how many of you wanna trade him and what would you take for him? If you’re expecting a first round draft pick in return you could use that draft pick to develop his replacement, but we see how long it takes defenseman to get comfortable in the NHL…. So you’re looking years down the line until someone is playing the way Rasmus is playing now. I don’t see the point in creating a hole not there when this team has many holes to fill right now that are major needs..

If you trade him, you’re trading a player who is just starting to really see his potential…. It’s not a good time to trade a guy…. Would you accept less than the first round pick? Because if you’re stuck on a first round pic, then you think this guy is good……

OK, let’s hear it.
Do you want to trade him or keep him?
What would you accept for him?
And if you don’t want to trade him, who do you want to trade from the roster as it sits right now?

I look forward to your answers

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