Rasmus Ristolainen - D - TPS

"ISS - Complete package. Very poised two-way defenseman with size. Can play any style/role."


- ob18

For all the flash and dash in those highlights you'd think his point totals would be higher. I know he's a younger guy in a top, defense oriented men's league but even in the lower classes he never really put up sizeable offensive numbers...looks like he has the skillset though, with his hands and shot and it's worth noting he did step up production in the WJCs...I know he said he likes to be physical and it is said his defense is good (which is important for a converted forward), but I haven't seen much of that on the highlights. Any insight into those aspects? Due to some slight concern about his potential production, his defensive game and what might be a little more risk coming from a euro league to the north american game, for now, I have Pulock and Nurse just ahead of Risto as far as D men on my list...but I'd be happy with either one of the three in the 5-10 slot.

Looks like New Jersey is going to drop another game. They are thankful they had the Flyers on the schedule so that Marty didn't end the season with 666 wins.

If we draft him I hope Homer brings scissors to the podium. Jesus Christ, that hair.
- hereticpride

Not a fan?

For all the flash and dash in those highlights you'd think his point totals would be higher. I know he's a younger guy in a top, defense oriented men's league but even in the lower classes he never really put up sizeable offensive numbers...looks like he has the skillset though, with his hands and shot and it's worth noting he did step up production in the WJCs...I know he said he likes to be physical and it is said his defense is good (which is important for a converted forward), but I haven't seen much of that on the highlights. Any insight into those aspects? Due to some slight concern about his potential production, his defensive game and what might be a little more risk coming from a euro league to the north american game, for now, I have Pulock and Nurse just ahead of Risto as far as D men on my list...but I'd be happy with either one of the three in the 5-10 slot.
- exlund

I like what I've watched but Bill would likely have more info and insight that I would.

I do know Pulock converted to defense after he was drafted into the WHL and has only been at the spot for 2 years before that he was also a forward. I confirmed this with a WHL scout/writer.

Flyers not being in the playoffs <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

So you've changed your mind somewhat about the trade? You've made multiple posts during the Season that the Flyers didn't get enough value for JVR. Right now it seems to me that it is Toronto that didn't get enough value.
- MJL

spiking the football/excessive celebration helped turn me off to football... just saying.

so, Couturier, Voracek, and Mason could conceivably make up a majority of this team's core in a year or two. Man columbus has to be pissed. Well they did get bobrovsky so... But carter played half a season there too

the arrow is looking up on that trade for the flyers, but like i posted, let's evaluate the trade over a regular schedule before i give a definitive either way. if JVR becomes wheeler w/ more goal scoring capability...

let's not forget- this team had trouble scoring and getting the puck moved quickly out of the zone. while there were a multitude of factors involved, carle and jvr as a combo might have made a significant diff...or not. i think w/ this coach, yes... so we'll see. it's a good discussion point.
- isaiah520

Last year and this year, this team's biggest issue was defense. This team last year didn't have trouble scoring goals. This team would be even worse shape defensively if not for Luke Schenn. I like the trade more and more every day.

Last year and this year, this team's biggest issue was defense. This team last year didn't have trouble scoring goals. This team would be even worse shape defensively if not for Luke Schenn. I like the trade more and more every day.
- MJL

40+ gms is not a complete eval, so...wait till we get into the end zone

I like what I've watched but Bill would likely have more info and insight that I would.

I do know Pulock converted to defense after he was drafted into the WHL and has only been at the spot for 2 years before that he was also a forward. I confirmed this with a WHL scout/writer.
- ob18

..yeah I had read that about Pulock and Ristolainen being converts from forward...eurokockey still lists Risto as a forward in the stats (why?)... from what I could tell Pulock's D game has developed nicely (on a bad team). He's physical and rarely gets beat and can get the puck up the ice quickly in transition. This complements a dynamic offensive game that features a 101 MPH slapper and a quick accurate wrister. His ability to qb the pp and lead or join the offensive charge from the blueline while playing well defensively make him a nice pick for the Flyers imo. Still, I have Nurse just ahead of him for his size and overall upside...then Morrissey, Hagg, (as far as D)...

Last year and this year, this team's biggest issue was defense. This team last year didn't have trouble scoring goals. This team would be even worse shape defensively if not for Luke Schenn. I like the trade more and more every day.
- MJL

Not true regarding scoring last year. This team could score against teams that play pond hockey defense like the Pens but not against tight defensive teams like NJD or NYR.

Not true regarding scoring last year. This team could score against teams that play pond hockey defense like the Pens but not against tight defensive teams like NJD or NYR.
- phillydentist

Yes it is true regarding scoring. The Flyers were the 2nd highest scoring team in the League last Season at 3.17 goals a game.

Yes it is true regarding scoring. The Flyers were the 2nd highest scoring team in the League last Season at 3.17 goals a game.
- MJL

Couldn't score against the Devs or Rangers.

40+ gms is not a complete eval, so...wait till we get into the end zone
- isaiah520

Neither was the 0 games played when you criticized Holmgren for the deal. And it wasn't a complete evaluation either when JVR got off to a hot start in the beginning of the Season either. 40 games is enough to see the potential that he has. To see the level that he has played at. And to see how he took on the added responsibility and increased minutes due to the injuries, and how he responded. He could certainly regress in the future. But right now, the trade looks very good for the Flyers

Couldn't score against the Devs or Rangers.
- phillydentist

Not a factor in the context of the conversation, which was trading a defensive defenseman for a scoring Winger.

Anyone else feeling another 1-0 loss tonight?

Saying what could be your final goodbye to your mom is the hardest thing to do in life. Ok resume the mayhem.

Couldn't score against the Devs or Rangers.
- phillydentist

That's not completely true. In the regular season the flyers averaged 3 goals a game against the devs.

But they did struggle against the rangers, only averaging 1.83 goals per game.

That's not completely true. In the regular season the flyers averaged 3 goals a game against the devs.

But they did struggle against the rangers, only averaging 1.83 goals per game.
- fecondo

I see them having a hard time against those two, or other really defensive teams because of two things.

-they get outworked along the walls, where those teams choose and excel at playing their games
-goaltending mistakes/player mistakes that are truly magnified when playing such teams.

I think Briere had it right when he said they aren't patient. Panic and press a bit too much, which just plays into the hands of those teams. On the other hand its not as if the Flyers are attacking non-stop and the other teams just counter attack. The Flyers are caught in their own zone for long periods of time, unable to win those board battles.

I'm not condoning outward tanking, but why should Kimmo play the rest of the year? Pretty much a guarantee, he is dealing with some type of injury. He will be heavily counted on next year, and is in his late 30's. Kimmo needs to sit, get healthy, and rest up for next year in my opinion.

I'm not condoning outward tanking, but why should Kimmo play the rest of the year? Pretty much a guarantee, he is dealing with some type of injury. He will be heavily counted on next year, and is in his late 30's. Kimmo needs to sit, get healthy, and rest up for next year in my opinion.
- ravishingone

He has a number of months maybe he wants to play

I'm not condoning outward tanking, but why should Kimmo play the rest of the year? Pretty much a guarantee, he is dealing with some type of injury. He will be heavily counted on next year, and is in his late 30's. Kimmo needs to sit, get healthy, and rest up for next year in my opinion.
- ravishingone

I have a simple answer to this question. What's funny about it is that I'm joking, however it could, hypothetically, be exactly the truth.

Kimmo, after being told to not dress, would laugh and say (frank) no.

I have a simple answer to this question. What's funny about it is that I'm joking, however it could, hypothetically, be exactly the truth.

Kimmo, after being told to not dress, would laugh and say (frank) no.
- Giroux_Is_God

WIll be interesting to see how the young D handles the size and skill of the Staal Brothers.

spiking the football/excessive celebration helped turn me off to football... just saying.
- JoeRussomanno

I have a simple answer to this question. What's funny about it is that I'm joking, however it could, hypothetically, be exactly the truth.

Kimmo, after being told to not dress, would laugh and say (frank) no.
- Giroux_Is_God

Certainly possible, almost as possible as getting a skate blade to the achilles or a Raffi Torres type check to the head in open ice. Kimmo plays hurt, but the general point is why play hurt in meaningless games? Is Kimmo getting any closer to getting his name etched on the Stanley Cup by being a team guy and gutting out these last 4 games?