They get mesmerized by the physical play and ignore the actual hockey. Hey, if they had gotten the guy for Hagg and a 2nd, his cap hit was under 3 for another couple seasons and he was playing 15 mins or so on the 3rd pair, it would be fine.

But the price they actually paid for this mediocre rental(hopefully) is simply inexcusable
- BiggE

They're actually getting more from Braun right now and is a better player. I'm going to continue to keep and open mind and see what happens but it's really scary what they gave up for this guy and not being cost controlled to boot. Early signs are that the trade is a colossal blunder.

Amateur GM here, but I'd think that your AHL farm team would be pretty freaking important to a franchise. Is that the proper place to have your head coach get "baptism by fire?" Isn't the ECHL a better place for that? I dunno, if it were my team, I'd think that the coach I have in charge of my franchise's future wouldn't be someone that needs to learn on the job. I'm sure Lappy is a great guy, hell, he may even turn out to be a great coach, but this is clearly an instance of someone playing out of their league (literally). Looking at you too, Siriani....

They're actually getting more from Braun right now and is a better player. I'm going to continue to keep and open mind and see what happens but it's really scary what they gave up for this guy and not being cost controlled to boot. Early signs are that the trade is a colossal blunder.
- MJL

Braun has been a very pleasant surprise so far.

Its completely laughable, I would not want Rielly playing 8 minutes for my team, never mind 8 years. Franchise is going nowhere fast handing out contracts like this.
- jd250

They're actually getting more from Braun right now and is a better player. I'm going to continue to keep and open mind and see what happens but it's really scary what they gave up for this guy and not being cost controlled to boot. Early signs are that the trade is a colossal blunder.
- MJL

It only becomes a colossal blunder if he gets resigned for buku bucks. I can live with them admitting it was a mistake and not extending him if this is all they get from Ristolainen this season.

They get mesmerized by the physical play and ignore the actual hockey. Hey, if they had gotten the guy for Hagg and a 2nd, his cap hit was under 3 for another couple seasons and he was playing 15 mins or so on the 3rd pair, it would be fine.

But the price they actually paid for this mediocre rental(hopefully) is simply inexcusable
- BiggE

you and mjl are prob 2 guys that thought luke schenn shouldnt be in the nhl due to fancy stats, but the lightning obviously thought he was valuable to the team lol
Im not a fancy stat guy and cant keep track of it all, but maybe you guys can tell me what of those stats determine heart, determination, backing up other players, and maybe intimidation. BEcause im pretty sure those go a long way to win a cup but not familiar with what stat to look at for those

Yes, to a ridiculous level.
- MJL

Why are the Phantoms so fragile? Many of the same players and they are a total train wreck!! They weren't nearly this bad under Gordon. We can argue all we want about whether Lappy received his chance due to misguided loyalty, but this team better turn it around quickly or he will be filing for unemployment! Go Flyers!!

Lappy seemed inconsistent as an assistant coach with the Flyers. He always came across as a likable guy to have around. The respect and likability factor surely scored him some points when interviewing for the Phantoms job. The organization probably thought he paid his dues in that he was an assistant long enough and was time for him to take the next step.

But getting off to such a horrific start with many key prospects looking flat.....that's a major red flag.

Some guys are just not head coaching material.

Lappy needs to get the Phantoms going. You can't have the Phantoms struggle like this with so many key prospects not producing. If this struggle continues then they will have no choice but to remove him...sooner than later.

It only becomes a colossal blunder if he gets resigned for buku bucks. I can live with them admitting it was a mistake and not extending him if this is all they get from Ristolainen this season.
- Pelle31Forever

What about the draft picks they gave to acquire him? When you trade for a player and give up a 1st, 2nd and a roster player that is not signed past this season and you decide to move on. It's a colossal blunder.

Why are the Phantoms so fragile? Many of the same players and they are a total train wreck!! They weren't nearly this bad under Gordon. We can argue all we want about whether Lappy received his chance due to misguided loyalty, but this team better turn it around quickly or he will be filing for unemployment! Go Flyers!!
- Phillywhiteout

I have no problem with any criticism of Lappy as a coach when looking at the results. It's a results oriented business. I just don't buy that they hired him or gave him any role in the organization due to blocking a shot with his face or due to they like him as a guy.

But getting off to such a horrific start with many key prospects looking flat.....that's a major red flag.

Some guys are just not head coaching material.

Lappy needs to get the Phantoms going. You can't have the Phantoms struggle like this with so many key prospects not producing. If this struggle continues then they will have no choice but to remove him...sooner than later.
- Captain_Ahab

Agreed 100%

What about the draft picks they gave to acquire him? When you trade for a player and give up a 1st, 2nd and a roster player that is not signed past this season and you decide to move on. It's a colossal blunder.
- MJL

the draft picks werent great to give up but you hold that against the player. It has no bearing if he is good or bad. Your colossal comment is simply hyperbole.

What about the draft picks they gave to acquire him? When you trade for a player and give up a 1st, 2nd and a roster player that is not signed past this season and you decide to move on. It's a colossal blunder.
- MJL

Guess our definition of "colossal blunder " is different. It's something that didn't work out as planned.

The real blunder would be to resign him just for the sake of resigning him because you get up quite a bit to acquire him.

Guess our definition of "colossal blunder " is different. It's something that didn't work out as planned.

The real blunder would be to resign him just for the sake of resigning him because you get up quite a bit to acquire him.
- Pelle31Forever

Resigning him would just be compounding the mistake. The issues with this player were well known and well documented. You simply don't give up those quality assets for a player like Ristolainen. Especially when he's not cost controlled. You can't afford to miss on a trade like that. So if it doesn't work out, calling it a colossal blunder is being kind.

Resigning him would just be compounding the mistake. The issues with this player were well known and well documented. You simply don't give up those quality assets for a player like Ristolainen. Especially when he's not cost controlled. You can't afford to miss on a trade like that. So if it doesn't work out, calling it a colossal blunder is being kind.
- MJL

you are adorabe, the first to call out someone on their bias or hyperbole, but you constantly do the same thing.

also the first to complain about the ellis trade for trading "youth". Meyers healthy scratch again today

Resigning him would just be compounding the mistake. The issues with this player were well known and well documented. You simply don't give up those quality assets for a player like Ristolainen. Especially when he's not cost controlled. You can't afford to miss on a trade like that. So if it doesn't work out, calling it a colossal blunder is being kind.
- MJL

Not every trade works out. Not every player drafted makes the nhl. We will see how it plays out on time.

Not every trade works out. Not every player drafted makes the nhl. We will see how it plays out on time.
- Peter Richards

This is not about a player being drafted. They had 500+ games of data to look at with this player. They paid a high level price for a player who has been nothing but mediocre in his career. We will see how it works out.

This is not about a player being drafted. They had 500+ games of data to look at with this player. They paid a high level price for a player who has been nothing but mediocre in his career. We will see how it works out.
- MJL

here is a tip for you. Focus on something positive for a change, it will be good for your mind. Something like Chucks nice cheap adds like brassard and yandle playing well for under 1m. maybe the cam trade for 2.5m cap savings and a better player.
Youre welcome

They get mesmerized by the physical play and ignore the actual hockey. Hey, if they had gotten the guy for Hagg and a 2nd, his cap hit was under 3 for another couple seasons and he was playing 15 mins or so on the 3rd pair, it would be fine.

But the price they actually paid for this mediocre rental(hopefully) is simply inexcusable
- BiggE

We are told daily by numerous posters that cf is a great GM though

here is a tip for you. Focus on something positive for a change, it will be good for your mind. Something like Chucks nice cheap adds like brassard and yandle playing well for under 1m. maybe the cam trade for 2.5m cap savings and a better player.
Youre welcome
- bradster

Also trading a 1st is the typical ask at the TDL (that's what Savard and Foligno cost last year). They don't always work out for the team giving up the first (ie they don't win and they don't resign the player). In this case we added a second and have him for the full year, I think that's reasonable value considering what we had on D last year.

Also trading a 1st is the typical ask at the TDL (that's what Savard and Foligno cost last year). They don't always work out for the team giving up the first (ie they don't win and they don't resign the player). In this case we added a second and have him for the full year, I think that's reasonable value considering what we had on D last year.
- flyer4ever75

add in the the assets they had to trade in order for AZ to take Ghost because thats where his cap space went

Fletch grossly overpaid for a soon to be UFA RR. He's been pulling his pud for 3 years wanting to acquire him. Pissing away assets and chalking it up to oh, well it didnt work out is ridiculous at best. You can say that about trying to take a shortcut to avoid a traffic jam and that being backed as well is something that you can say that about. A trade like this, if it doesnt work out, is mismanagement and causes to question the maker's lack of vision.

With that said, hes been ok. Far from a beast but overall ok. I hope his play gradually improves and then well see about the contract

add in the the assets they had to trade in order for AZ to take Ghost because thats where his cap space went

Fletch grossly overpaid for RR. He's been pulling his pud for 3 years wanting to acquire him. Pissing away assets and chalking it up to oh, well it didnt work out is ridiculous at best. You can say that about trying to take a shortcut to avoid a traffic jam and that being backed as well is something that you can say that about. A trade like this, if it doesnt work out, is mismanagement and causes to question the maker's lack of vision.
- THE BLACK HAND

If you're adding in the give on the Ghost trade you need to add Ellis too, as it was to get both Ellis and RR essentially.

We are told daily by numerous posters that cf is a great GM though
- corduroy

ok

Also trading a 1st is the typical ask at the TDL (that's what Savard and Foligno cost last year). They don't always work out for the team giving up the first (ie they don't win and they don't resign the player). In this case we added a second and have him for the full year, I think that's reasonable value considering what we had on D last year.
- flyer4ever75

Ristolainen was not traded for as a playoff rental at the trade deadline. He was traded as a future piece to upgrade the defense. If this was a move for a player who could solidify the teams chances at the cup, it would be understandable. Trying to give justification based on what other teams have done in moves that aren't in any way related can't remove the potential for the Ristolainen trade to be a really bad one. Nor can it change the quality of player that Ristolainen is.
Also the attempt to try and spin and lessen the value of what they gave up for the player doesn't hold water.

If you're adding in the give on the Ghost trade you need to add Ellis too, as it was to get both Ellis and RR essentially.
- flyer4ever75

no, you dont and it wasnt. Fletch already made the move for Ellis. He didnt need to create capspace and a roster spot. In order to trade for and fit RR, he needed both eg the trade for ghost.