To play deveils advocate if you move provy who fills 1lhd? Sandy? York? It creates a hole either way. That’s why you need influx of high end cheap talent in cap world. And you need the picks to get that. That’s why you don’t just trade 1st 2nd 2nd because it breaks that influx over time. Again I get why they did it. They had to move the bad contracts. Again that’s why you don’t sign these 28-29-30 year old players to these deals. It’s a vicious cycle. In 2-3 years assuming we resign risto we’re gonna be in the same boat but instead of talking g/Jake/Jvr/ghost we will be talking Hayes/Ellis/risto/Atkinson. Coots god forbid if he’s stupidly resigned.

The names change but the game is the
same.
- Stayin alive

i know youve been saying it for a while,but im not on board that a 28,29 yr old is old. Like i said before mckinnon will be 28 when he is a FA, is that too old for us to try for him?

So with the idea of including Frost and doing a scoring 4th line…here is what I have so far. Notice I gave Frost 2 wingers with size and Allison can really push the play and provide energy for the line.

Giroux- Coots - Farabee
Lindblom - Hayes - Atkinson
JVR - Laughton - TK
Bunnaman - Frost - Allison
Raffl (or like-player addition)
NAK?

Depth: Laczynski, Sandin, Case, Ratcliffe

i know youve been saying it for a while,but im not on board that a 28,29 yr old is old. Like i said before mckinnon will be 28 when he is a FA, is that too old for us to try for him?
- bradster

Didn't you know 30 is when players all of a sudden are incapable of being good hockey players anymore?

I have always liked Rittich. Should be affordable. About the same age as Lyon but has more NHL experience.

Rittich for backup goalie—thoughts?
- NC Flyers Fan

There are a few others I would look at first but wouldn’t be angry with it. Shouldn’t cost much after his last season. I say between the two goalies plan for 5 to six mil. Give identical contracts to assess and open for hart. Or about.

So with the idea of including Frost and doing a scoring 4th line…here is what I have so far. Notice I gave Frost 2 wingers with size and Allison can really push the play and provide energy for the line.

Giroux- Coots - Farabee
Lindblom - Hayes - Atkinson
JVR - Laughton - TK
Bunnaman - Frost - Allison
Raffl (or like-player addition)
NAK?

Depth: Laczynski, Sandin, Case, Ratcliffe
- NC Flyers Fan

It will be interesting. I almost see g as the possible third line center again. Tanner performed well. I do he can stay healthy I could see him. Wouldn’t be surprised if they signed glendening or bring peb back for that role. Bc injuries will happen as well.

And thinking about it there are still so many options.

Bee coots tk
Jvr/ Scott hayes cam
Scott/Jvr g allison/frost
Frosr/allison tanner NAK

I forgot Oscar.

And looking at this. While I wish it panned out differently in multiple ways, trading Patrick is easily manageable.

So with the idea of including Frost and doing a scoring 4th line…here is what I have so far. Notice I gave Frost 2 wingers with size and Allison can really push the play and provide energy for the line.

Giroux- Coots - Farabee
Lindblom - Hayes - Atkinson
JVR - Laughton - TK
Bunnaman - Frost - Allison
Raffl (or like-player addition)
NAK?

Depth: Laczynski, Sandin, Case, Ratcliffe
- NC Flyers Fan

Raffl is not here anymore and even if he is UFA in 4 days I doubt he will sign with Flyers

It will be interesting. I almost see g as the possible third line center again. Tanner performed well. I do he can stay healthy I could see him. Wouldn’t be surprised if they signed glendening or bring peb back for that role. Bc injuries will happen as well.

And thinking about it there are still so many options.

Bee coots tk
Jvr/ Scott hayes cam
Scott/Jvr g allison/frost
Frosr/allison tanner NAK

I forgot Oscar.

And looking at this. While I wish it panned out differently in multiple ways, trading Patrick is easily manageable.
- Peter Richards

I did an entire other forward lineup with G as the 2C and Hayes as 3C…in case Hayes isn’t quite back to his old self yet. The cool thing I realized in doing a few of these with PP and PK personnel is that I think they will be able to take G and Coots off the PK or maybe only on faceoffs. With the addition of Atkinson and Frost, along with either Farabee or Allison. Might be nice limiting some of Lindblom on hard minutes too.

Hayes - Atkinson
Laughton - Farabee/Allison
Bunnaman - Frost

Raffl is not here anymore and even if he is UFA in 4 days I doubt he will sign with Flyers
- goenzoy

Okay…didn’t realize he wouldn’t consider the Flyers. As I said, a like-player then.

I think the Flyers gave up quite a bit of potential success 4-5 years from now.
But they got the best players in each deal without gutting the farm.

With Ristolainen and Ellis the Flyers are going to be REALLY hard to play against next season. Way better than the Niskanen year.

Provorov is now arguably the #3 dman? If healthy and Hart plays well they will have home ice in the playoffs.

If you doubt Ristolainen's talents, just look at his EA 19 ratings
https://realsport101.com/...ings-roster-top-prospects


- cheesesteak37

Ristolainen is not close to being as good as Provorov.

I see the tryout year with Risto as a big plus. I think Chuck gets an A+ for staying away from these long-term contracts at outrageous prices. I liked Jones and Dougie but not at those prices. If risto earns more than he's getting (which is already a lot for a number four), then wow, awesome, and if not, we are not trapped, and maybe can even get back a second round pick at the trade deadline.
To me that is the whole saving grace of the trade!
I love the Ellis trade flat out, and the size question is made up with Risto. And also with Ellis, ghost had to go. No need for another undersized d-man.
I like the Atkinson trade for the reason that Chuck said: the goal with him is to help solve slow starts. I don't expect him to put up big numbers, but the complacency of g and Jake in the first period was constantly heartbreaking.
You have to admit it, at least cam and Risto seem genuinely excited to play hockey and to play it in Philadelphia.
- therabbi

The fact that Ristolainen is not cost controlled and locked up is a negative to the deal, not a positive. They gave up a 1st and a 2nd for a player that could walk. That player also holds all the leverage in negotiation. You don't pay that price to "try out" a player.

What are the comps for this big extension amounts for Risto? Can’t forget the flat cap also. If he fits in, likes his role, does well as a #4 depth defenseman, he should make about what he does now or maybe a little more. So 5.5M AAV for 4 or 5 years. If the Flyers do really well and are truly on the upswing, I don’t think it is crazy to think he would stay for that.
- NC Flyers Fan

He makes 5.4 now. If he has a good season, why would he sign for that with UFA leverage. More like 7M a year or in that range. Now we never know when a player will take less to stay in a situation that he likes but that doesn't happen often.

Ristolainen is not close to being as good as Provorov.
- MJL

When I saw EA ratings as the bar…I didn’t respond. Provy is the #1D still and let’s see if with a steady partner and better depth, he can improve.

The fact that Ristolainen is not cost controlled and locked up is a negative to the deal, not a positive. They gave up a 1st and a 2nd for a player that could walk. That player also holds all the leverage in negotiation. You don't pay that price to "try out" a player.
- MJL

It's not about "trying out" the player. The Flyers don't have to extend Risto if they ultimately decide it's not in the teams best interest. What they gave up to get him has nothing to do with that decision.

It's not about "trying out" the player. The Flyers don't have to extend Risto if they ultimately decide it's not in the teams best interest. What they gave up to get him has nothing to do with that decision.
- mochoson

LOL, it doesn't? That position needs to be rethought. It's not accurate.

He makes 5.4 now. If he has a good season, why would he sign for that with UFA leverage. More like 7M a year or in that range. Now we never know when a player will take less to stay in a situation that he likes but that doesn't happen often.
- MJL

What comps are you using? That Trouba contract is an outlier and a big overpay. It’s the only one like that. Plus it was before the flat cap. You’re right that it’s hard to say. But if things with the Flyers do go well, I give it a decent chance. Coming from team turmoil…can’t put a price on happiness.

What comps are you using? That Trouba contract is an outlier and a big overpay. It’s the only one like that. Plus it was before the flat cap. You’re right that it’s hard to say. But if things with the Flyers do go well, I give it a decent chance. Coming from team turmoil…can’t put a price on happiness.
- NC Flyers Fan

The flat cap doesn't matter to the higher free agents. That's not where the cuts are made. Ristolainen would be a RH skilled defenseman coming off a good year on the open market. 7 teams were reportedly after him. There is no way he's re-signing for 5.5M unless he has a disaster of a season hurting his value.

I did an entire other forward lineup with G as the 2C and Hayes as 3C…in case Hayes isn’t quite back to his old self yet. The cool thing I realized in doing a few of these with PP and PK personnel is that I think they will be able to take G and Coots off the PK or maybe only on faceoffs. With the addition of Atkinson and Frost, along with either Farabee or Allison. Might be nice limiting some of Lindblom on hard minutes too.

Hayes - Atkinson
Laughton - Farabee/Allison
Bunnaman - Frost
- NC Flyers Fan

Interesting. I could see g coming off not coots. Keep g fresher but would think coots is still in the rotation.

The flat cap doesn't matter to the higher free agents. That's not where the cuts are made. Ristolainen would be a RH skilled defenseman coming off a good year on the open market. 7 teams were reportedly after him. There is no way he's re-signing for 5.5M unless he has a disaster of a season hurting his value.
- MJL

I hear your point, but I would consider him down a tier from those top FAs. If it’s a disaster then damage done, and they don’t extend him. I know, I agree, big loss considering cost in trade.

It's not about "trying out" the player. The Flyers don't have to extend Risto if they ultimately decide it's not in the teams best interest. What they gave up to get him has nothing to do with that decision.
- mochoson

i agree, If hes too expensive after this season and we sign a UFA instead thats even better, everyone will complain we gave up too much for a rental... But if we extend them they will be happy. I dont get it but it is what it is.

I hear your point, but I would consider him down a tier from those top FAs. If it’s a disaster then damage done, and they don’t extend him. I know, I agree, big loss considering cost in trade.
- NC Flyers Fan

Not sure how you would consider that. He'll be one of the top free agent defenseman available.

i agree, If hes too expensive after this season and we sign a UFA instead thats even better, everyone will complain we gave up too much for a rental... But if we extend them they will be happy. I dont get it but it is what it is.
- bradster

It would be a complete and utter disaster for the Flyers if he walks. A fireable offense for the GM.

It would be a complete and utter disaster for the Flyers if he walks. A fireable offense for the GM.
- MJL

I can’t agree on this part at all. It’s possible the Flyers could be a much improved team and take a deep playoff run and yet, Risto not have worked out.

It would be a complete and utter disaster for the Flyers if he walks. A fireable offense for the GM.
- MJL

100% disagree

I can’t agree on this part at all. It’s possible the Flyers could be a much improved team and take a deep playoff run and yet, Risto not have worked out.
- NC Flyers Fan

hes just bitter because he doesnt like trading draft picks so he will always be biased that way

I can’t agree on this part at all. It’s possible the Flyers could be a much improved team and take a deep playoff run and yet, Risto not have worked out.
- NC Flyers Fan

I'm not okay for giving up a first, a second and an NHL player for a player that doesn't work out. As well as moving assets with Gostisbehere to be able to do it. If that happens, I would can Fletcher.