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
- bradster

Every defenseman makes mistakes, every player in fact, but its more about not letting those mistakes hurt you. In this instance, Sanheim's mistakes are really hurting the Flyers right now.

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??
- bradster

i'm not sure you understand....everything is RR's fault.

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 Risto 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.
- landros 2

not directed at you though tired of hearing this "element" RR brings. Hagg brought the same element. I want a D who can play. RR doesnt change the or alter the game in any positive way. He has a long enough established track record to show he is what he is at this point.

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.
- jd250

Bottom line is you think RR is a good top 4 dman. Many other do not.

All available evidence suggest he is not.

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!
- jd250

You are absolutely clueless if you can't read that I actually posted that Sanheim is wondering aimlessly in the high slot in my post. What do you think that means? You're again hung up on coverage area. The goal is not 100% on Sanheim. The blame on the goal is on 3 players as I posted. Konency, Sanheim and Ristolainen. In that order.

Bottom line is you think RR is a good top 4 dman. Many other do not.

All available evidence suggest he is not.
- hello it's me 2050

So far this season, and that is all I am basing it on, I think Risto has played fine in his role on the 2nd pair D. I think there are other problems on this team that need to be addressed way before we turn the microscope on Risto. Losing our top pairing D for most of this season and not having a good 7th defenseman is where I would start and then addressing Sanheim would be next.

You are absolutely clueless if you can't read that I actually posted that Sanheim is wondering aimlessly in the high slot in my post. What do you think that means? You're again hung up on coverage area. The goal is not 100% on Sanheim. The blame on the goal is on 3 players as I posted. Konency, Sanheim and Ristolainen. In that order.
- MJL

Clueless! Risto had absolutely nothing to do with that play! Its even unfair to blame TK, Sanheim is not in his coverage area for no good reason, its on him!

I'm not sure how close Hayes is but if he is still a few weeks away. I bring up Frost.....its sink or swim time for him. Lets see if he is part of the future or not.
If hayes will be back in a couple more games, i don't bring up frost. and just wait it out.

not directed at you though tired of hearing this "element" RR brings. Hagg brought the same element. I want a D who can play. RR doesnt change the or alter the game in any positive way. He has a long enough established track record to show he is what he is at this point.
- hello it's me 2050

If he brings 40 plus points and competent, physical d zone coverage while playing over 20 minutes a night….I’m good with that….that’s his track record. I laugh and when I hear he lacks hockey sense….sure…he’s averaged 24 minutes a night on an NHL d line for 7 plus years and put up 40 plus points 4 times….guys that lack “hockey sense”, hockey smarts don’t do this…..guys that lack hockey sense don’t run a power play for as long as did while lacking hockey sense. I get he’s a polarizing player, that hasn’t been fantastic in his first 6 games but up till this point in his career he’s PROVEN to be a legit top 4 talent on any NHL teams backend.

So far this season, and that is all I am basing it on, I think Risto has played fine in his role on the 2nd pair D. I think there are other problems on this team that need to be addressed way before we turn the microscope on Risto. Losing our top pairing D for most of this season and not having a good 7th defenseman is where I would start and then addressing Sanheim would be next.
- jd250

they have a solid 7th dman. A 7th dman isnt expected to play a lot of games. Seeler is fine for that role. Not fine playing as much has he has so far.

RR and Sanheim both leave a lot to be desired.

If he brings 40 plus points and competent, physical d zone coverage while playing over 20 minutes a night….I’m good with that….that’s his track record. I laugh and when I hear he lacks hockey sense….sure…he’s averaged 24 minutes a night on an NHL d line for 7 plus years and put up 40 plus points 4 times….guys that lack “hockey sense”, hockey smarts don’t do this…..guys that lack hockey sense don’t run a power play for as long as did while lacking hockey sense. I get he’s a polarizing player, that hasn’t been fantastic in his first 6 games but up till this point in his career he’s PROVEN to be a legit top 4 talent on any NHL teams backend.
- landros 2

you are forgetting his fancy stats, that i am sure someone will bring them up sometime today. Thats how you judge a player.....thats why you dont need to watch a game

If he brings 40 plus points and competent, physical d zone coverage while playing over 20 minutes a night….I’m good with that….that’s his track record. I laugh and when I hear he lacks hockey sense….sure…he’s averaged 24 minutes a night on an NHL d line for 7 plus years and put up 40 plus points 4 times….guys that lack “hockey sense”, hockey smarts don’t do this…..guys that lack hockey sense don’t run a power play for as long as did while lacking hockey sense. I get he’s a polarizing player, that hasn’t been fantastic in his first 6 games but up till this point in his career he’s PROVEN to be a legit top 4 talent on any NHL teams backend.
- landros 2

No he is not. Look at every available stat and eye test tells you otherwise. He is living off his draft status all these years later.

he hasnt had 40 points in 3 years. He will not sniff 40 points this year. That is fine if playing good D.

RR is the equivalent of a 4/5th starter in baseball. He can eat innings. doesn't make him good.

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.
- hello it's me 2050

Sure that's how most teams do it.

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

Ristolainen was on the ice for 6 high danger chances in last nights game. For the season, Ristolainen has been on the ice for 44 scoring chances for and 74 against. A rate of 37.29%. High danger chances are 23 for and 32 against. A rate of 41.82%. In comparison, Seeler has been on the ice for 46 scoring chances for and 49 against. A rate of 48.42%. High danger for Seeler is 20 for and 24 against. A rate of 45.45. For a 7th defenseman, not bad numbers.

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.
- jd250

So the facts that don't support your opinion are just some numbers an intern is typing in. Never mind the actual fact that you don't offer any facts whatsoever.
The fact that the Flyers gave up a 1st, a 2nd and a roster player for a player who is mediocre and is about to be a UFA is what is sickening to me.

This is not on seeler though you need to add some more talent on the backend. York or Zamula should have been up to replace Ellis. This imo is all AV wanting in his mind the steady vet.

Wasn't the blue line supposed to be a strength many predicted a few years ago....
- hello it's me 2050

I don't blame Fletch. To think our d-corps was supposed to include Friedman, Meyers, Hagg, and Ghost... At least we can usually get the puck out of our zone now. Still I was hoping different partners would have boosted sanheim's play.

Clueless! Risto had absolutely nothing to do with that play! Its even unfair to blame TK, Sanheim is not in his coverage area for no good reason, its on him!
- jd250

LOL. So TK is not responsible for his point? Even Hartnell last night commented on the angle TK took at the point which gave a clear shooting lane to the shooter.

Yes, as I've said previously, Sanheim was out of position. Ristolainen failed to get into the shooting lane to block the shot nor did he cover the man at the net when Ristolainen was the closest defender. As he so often does, he was puck watching.

they have a solid 7th dman. A 7th dman isnt expected to play a lot of games. Seeler is fine for that role. Not fine playing as much has he has so far.

RR and Sanheim both leave a lot to be desired.
- hello it's me 2050

Ellis has been out for an extended period of time, and game after game Seeler is being exposed. That to me tells me the Flyers don't have a good 7th defenseman.

Ellis has been out for an extended period of time, and game after game Seeler is being exposed. That to me tells me the Flyers don't have a good 7th defenseman.
- jd250

do you know what the role of a 7th dman is supposed to be?

That game looked like the Calgary game, except against a poor team.

Ellis has been out for an extended period of time, and game after game Seeler is being exposed. That to me tells me the Flyers don't have a good 7th defenseman.
- jd250

Seeler is not being exposed. The 2nd pairing is being exposed. Seeler as a 7th defenseman is playing admirably. He is holding his own out there and competing. Hard to expect more from a 7th defenseman. You're scapegoating the wrong player.

LOL. So TK is not responsible for his point? Even Hartnell last night commented on the angle TK took at the point which gave a clear shooting lane to the shooter.

Yes, as I've said previously, Sanheim was out of position. Ristolainen failed to get into the shooting lane to block the shot nor did he cover the man at the net when Ristolainen was the closest defender. As he so often does, he was puck watching.
- MJL

By the time Risto disengaged from the Penguins forward and moved to his coverage area, the puck was whipped around the boards and fired from the point towards the net. Things happen very fast which is why you need a structured 5 man unit our there defending. You can't have one player so badly out of position, and what's worse out of position for no good reason.

I know you mentioned Sanheim on that play, but you muddy the waters by trying to disperse blame on TK and Risto.

By the time Risto disengaged from the Penguins forward and moved to his coverage area, the puck was whipped around the boards and fired from the point towards the net. Things happen very fast which is why you need a structured 5 man unit our there defending. You can't have one player so badly out of position, and what's worse out of position for no good reason.

I know you mentioned Sanheim on that play, but you muddy the waters by trying to disperse blame on TK and Risto.
- jd250

Ristolainen was never engaged with anyone. He was completely unaware that McCann was even there. There is no muddying of the waters. It's simply defensive fundamentals. The lack of understanding of what happened on the play is your shortcoming, not mine.

Seeler is not being exposed. The 2nd pairing is being exposed. Seeler as a 7th defenseman is playing admirably. He is holding his own out there and competing. Hard to expect more from a 7th defenseman. You're scapegoating the wrong player.
- MJL

Seeler and Yandle are a comedy team out there .. its delusional to focus on anything else. I agree however that Sanheim is no better a defender this year as he was last year, and that is not good. They got rid of Myers for this reason, if they had the option, which they don't right now, they need to sit Sanheim and let him watch from above for a few games and hope he can simplify his defensive game.

Seeler and Yandle are a comedy team out there .. its delusional to focus on anything else. I agree however that Sanheim is no better a defender this year as he was last year, and that is not good. They got rid of Myers for this reason, if they had the option, which they don't right now, they need to sit Sanheim and let him watch from above for a few games and hope he can simplify his defensive game.
- jd250

You're wrong. They're not nearly as bad as the 2nd pairing.