I want you to defend your statement by telling me about specific plays last night where Risto was completely out of his position. MJL mentioned Risto was not positioned correctly on the 1st goal, which is complete garbage, I mean complete garbage!! On that play Risto was where he should be, covering the right slot area. The puck was flipped around the boards to the right point where the defenseman flipped the puck on net. The puck was I believe deflected in by a Penguin forward wide open in the LEFT slot. Now ask yourself, whose responsibility is it to cover the LEFT slot?? I'll give you the answer, its Sanheim. Now go watch the reply and go find Sanheim on the ice. He is for some reason floating at the top of the RIGHT circle. Now let's ask the question again, who is supposed to be covering the Penguin forward in the left slot?? Let's all say it together ... SANHEIM!!

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with RISTO ... and anyone who wants say it does HAS NO IDEA what they are looking at!
- jd250

Reading the comments you'd think the team is 2-5-2 and not 5-2-2. .
- PLindbergh31

With the way in this era some teams lose most every game, and the way the restructuring happened, going 60-40 means not making the playoffs or being a bubble team. Coming away in a game with one point is losing.

- THE BLACK HAND

anything good for breakfast today king kenso?

While I don't view AV as a fraud, I wonder when he is going to make the changes that need to be made. Maybe he just wants some continuity and wants to keep it together until Hayes gets back. Can they really think that Hayes will jump right in and boost that 2nd line? He's going to need some time. When and if Hayes gets up to speed, Brassard can center the 4th line. The 2nd defense pairing needs to be broken up. Last night Sanheim flat out stunk and Ristolainen is the epitome of mediocrity and that's when he's at his best. When Ellis gets back, play Braun with Sanheim and Ristolainen with Yandle.
- MJL

AV has zero options for the second pairing right now. Seeler and Yandle should not be playing more minutes. Maybe split Ellis and Provy when Ellis gets back. Right now the second pair is what it is.

AV has zero options for the second pairing right now. Seeler and Yandle should not be playing more minutes. Maybe split Ellis and Provy when Ellis gets back. Right now the second pair is what it is.
- mickel25

sure he does. He doesn't seem inclined to use them.

Read what MJL posted, it’s spot on.

Risto is terrible in D zone coverage, takes himself out of the play to go for unnecessary hits and he’s mediocre at best in transition. He’s fine as a 3rd pair guy but you don’t give up a 1st and a 2nd for a 3rd pair guy. Over his career, he has statistically ranked among the worst players in the NHL. I don’t know what other evidence you need.
- BiggE

Risto reminds me of Luke Schenn. Drafted really high in the draft and in the end was a physical defender that should not have played above the third pair for most of his career. Hopefully, I am wrong and he finds his top level.

In order to understand who was at fault on the play, you have to understand defensive zone coverage. As if Ristolainen is responsible for an area of the ice. For what, to make sure the faceoff dot doesn't score? This is not pee wee hockey. It
s not zone defense in basketball. As Ristolainen often does, he complete lost awareness on the ice. McCann was behind him! It's his man. In NHL defensive zone schemes, the right defenseman is not just responsible for the right side. They interchange frequently. Especially when playing an overload system.
As I mentioned also last night, you're right. Sanheim is drifting aimlessly in the high slot. He is also at fault. He could've gotten in the shooting lane. Konecny is also at fault. He took a bad angle and didn't get in the shooting lane at the point.

Your bias is betraying you.
- MJL

Looked like Blueger was RRs man, he tapped him going around the net, followed him to the hash marks, while Sanheim watched someone come behind him and did nothing.

RR couldve left his man at the hash marks but there wasnt time for that before the puck went in, then if he gets it and scores thats RRs fault also??

sure he does. He doesn't seem inclined to use them.
- hello it's me 2050

Yandle, Seeler and anyone from the Phantoms should not be playing on a second pair in the NHL. If you want to move Risto or Sanheim up and split Braun and Provy I guess that is an option. Not a very good one though.

All you need to do is just watch the highlights of last night's game and its so obvious what defensive pair is more than a disaster, but a comical disaster!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3EnR92D9qw.

If you answered Yandle and Seeler, you would be correct!

Now I already explained the 1st Penguin goal, on the second it started with a turnover at center ice by I think Farabee (maybe Cam, I couldn't tell for sure) and the puck comes the other way. Now, watch how Braun plays it. Being the right D there he needed to engage the puck carrier and let Provey take Carter coming to the net, instead Braun neither engages the puck carrier or cover Carter, and as a result the puck is in the back of the Flyers net. Notice Braun's reaction after the goal, he throws his hands up in the air because he knows that goal was on him, that he didn't play it correctly.

- THE BLACK HAND

Oh look, the office clown is back ... what is it, are we talking over your head right now??

I want you to defend your statement by telling me about specific plays last night where Risto was completely out of his position. MJL mentioned Risto was not positioned correctly on the 1st goal, which is complete garbage, I mean complete garbage!! On that play Risto was where he should be, covering the right slot area. The puck was flipped around the boards to the right point where the defenseman flipped the puck on net. The puck was I believe deflected in by a Penguin forward wide open in the LEFT slot. Now ask yourself, whose responsibility is it to cover the LEFT slot?? I'll give you the answer, its Sanheim. Now go watch the reply and go find Sanheim on the ice. He is for some reason floating at the top of the RIGHT circle. Now let's ask the question again, who is supposed to be covering the Penguin forward in the left slot?? Let's all say it together ... SANHEIM!!

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with RISTO ... and anyone who wants say it does HAS NO IDEA what they are looking at!
- jd250

Serious question: are you related to Risto?

Yandle, Seeler and anyone from the Phantoms should not be playing on a second pair in the NHL. If you want to move Risto or Sanheim up and split Braun and Provy I guess that is an option. Not a very good one though.
- mickel25

Why shouldn't anyone on the phantoms be playing on the 2nd pair?

In order to understand who was at fault on the play, you have to understand defensive zone coverage. As if Ristolainen is responsible for an area of the ice. For what, to make sure the faceoff dot doesn't score? This is not pee wee hockey. It
s not zone defense in basketball. As Ristolainen often does, he complete lost awareness on the ice. McCann was behind him! It's his man. In NHL defensive zone schemes, the right defenseman is not just responsible for the right side. They interchange frequently. Especially when playing an overload system.
As I mentioned also last night, you're right. Sanheim is drifting aimlessly in the high slot. He is also at fault. He could've gotten in the shooting lane. Konecny is also at fault. He took a bad angle and didn't get in the shooting lane at the point.

Your bias is betraying you.
- MJL

You are absolutely clueless if you think at ANY level of hockey that having your LD floating at the top of the right circle when defending is a good play. Its about coverage area responsibility. On that play Risto took a Penguin forward for a brief second but once the puck was whipped around and his guy went behind the net, Risto did the right thing to disengage and go to his coverage area. He probably presumed Sanheim was where he is was supposed to be which is why McGinn was wide open. That goal was 100% on Sanheim who was just aimlessly following the puck around the boards. This BTW is what we saw a lot of last year with both Sanheim and Myers which is why they were both a total disaster out there!

Why shouldn't anyone on the phantoms be playing on the 2nd pair?
- hello it's me 2050

Look you can name Phantom players and say they could play on the second pair in the NHL. In reality they are not ready or are incapable of that level of play at this time in there career. Sure York and Zamula may get there eventually but neither are there now.

FWIW, right now, with Ellis out, I’d be trying:

Provy-Sanheim
Zamula-Braun
Yandle-Risto

I’ll take my chances with a talented kid learning on the job on the 2nd pair over a guy that has no business playing there.

I don’t really blame any of the players. They are what they are and everyone seems to be giving full effort. I blame the GM for acquiring the wrong players (Risto & Nate especially) and I blame the coaches even more for misusing them.
- BiggE

Fourth line has been one of the better lines for a couple of games now and is not the problem at all. They get hemmed in one shift and the morons on here scream and shout, they can’t score a goal to save their life though I guess which is an issue but same with the third line. We got lucky on a gift turnover last night to salvage a point. I know it’s the only line working but we have to help the middle 6, Coots can manage on his own. Put G and Tk between Laughton or brassard and give Coots Farabee and Atkinson.

Serious question: are you related to Risto?
- BiggE

No, I'm just tired of hearing so much crap directed towards one player. Ok, I get it, you all didn't like the trade, Fletcher got fleeced, he gave up a precious 1st round pick, and so on and so on. But honestly watch the replays of the goals scored and think before you type. I'm not saying Risto is perfect out there, but this constant crap about his play is just unwarranted. I watch the games probably as much or more than most folks here, and I have played and coached hockey almost my entire life. Its just sickening to see post after post of ridiculous accusations made towards a player simply because some of you buy the hype of advanced metrics and have convinced yourself the Flyers made a bad trade. Almost every big save from Hart came off of high danger scoring chances by the Penguins, that's why they are big saves. Last night I think Risto might have been on the ice for 2 of them, where as many came when Seeler and Yandle were on the ice. Yet, we zoom in on the 2nd pair but give the 3rd pair a pass? Why? Because Seeler is trying hard and we know Yandle can't play defense? I mean, its a joke!

Look you can name Phantom players and say they could play on the second pair in the NHL. In reality they are not ready or are incapable of that level of play at this time in there career. Sure York and Zamula may get there eventually but neither are there now.
- mickel25

Reality is neither you nor I know if they can or can not.

I am willing to find out. We know what the flyers current dman can do and that isn't going to cut it. I easily take my chances giving one of those 2 a shot as their upside much greater than the floor of others in the lineup.

No, I'm just tired of hearing so much crap directed towards one player. Ok, I get it, you all didn't like the trade, Fletcher got fleeced, he gave up a precious 1st round pick, and so on and so on. But honestly watch the replays of the goals scored and think before you type. I'm not saying Risto is perfect out there, but this constant crap about his play is just unwarranted. I watch the games probably as much or more than most folks here, and I have played and coached hockey almost my entire life. Its just sickening to see post after post of ridiculous accusations made towards a player simply because some of you buy the hype of advanced metrics and have convinced yourself the Flyers made a bad trade. Almost every big save from Hart came off of high danger scoring chances by the Penguins, that's why they are big saves. Last night I think Risto might have been on the ice for 2 of them, where as many came when Seeler and Yandle were on the ice. Yet, we zoom in on the 2nd pair but give the 3rd pair a pass? Why? Because Seeler is trying hard and we know Yandle can't play defense? I mean, its a joke!
- jd250

your fellating is also off the charts

Oh look, the office clown is back ... what is it, are we talking over your head right now??
- jd250

Seriously, im not breaking your balls....its embarrassing

Sanheim is equally to blame. He isn't showing much at all.
- hello it's me 2050

Sanheim has been disappointing this year after what was a horrible short season last year. I still want to see more of Risto before I am ready to write him off, like some. Lol…. I think he’s been ok, but I expect and hope he elevates his play. He brings an element that none of the other d bring. As Bill suggested yesterday his unique set of skills really are hard to find.
I think the Flyers will have to break up that pairing if This continues. I hope Hayes coming back helps that top nine but after watching G struggle for an entire year with a similar surgery I’m not overly confident.

Serious question: are you related to Risto?
- BiggE

HAHAHAHAHA
Ive been a RR defender because we need someone physcial. But he does make mistakes, as sanheim does but he doesn't nearly get criticized like RR does.

And i wish they would all play better ,but i think this is who they are. Best to move on from both after this year......or sooner

FWIW, right now, with Ellis out, I’d be trying:

Provy-Sanheim
Zamula-Braun
Yandle-Risto

I’ll take my chances with a talented kid learning on the job on the 2nd pair over a guy that has no business playing there.
- BiggE

Not sure Zamula is ready….and honestly I don’t want to screw with our only stud d by changing his partner. I love Braun’s game this year, but am not sold that this will continue long term.

Seriously, im not breaking your balls....its embarrassing
- THE BLACK HAND

Yes anytime anyone tries to inject actual facts into the conversation, its becomes really embarrassing. Get a clue!

your fellating is also off the charts
- hello it's me 2050

At least I am presenting specifics based on visual evidence, not some pie in the sky hyperbole based on some number an intern is typing in. I wish I didn't have to keep doing this, but someone has to do it. Risto is being villainized on this forum for no reason other than to point the finger at someone to blame, like I said, its sickening.