Ristolainen has never been a dominant player in his entire career, including currently. If you want to see how a dominant defenseman plays, watch Adam Fox, Roman Josi or Victor Hedman play.
- MJL

Haters going hate!

Oh come on, I thought that was a funny retort, you know, playing on the Vader thing?

Anyway, now who is the one spouting Hyperbole now? You whave been wrong in your assessment of Risto this entire season and even in the off season. this is why you cannot rely on advanced metrics to draw conclusions. Risto has been physically dominant and winning puck battles this entire season. Now that Sanheim is playing much better, you are starting to see it more in Risto because he doesn't have to cover for his partner also! Heck even AV called Risto a "beast" in his post-game. I was posting this adjective about Risto weeks ago and you and others were blasting me for it ... but as some say .. "How you like me now??"
- jd250

You haven't and can't offer any evidence that says I've been wrong. Your bias is coming out because you're trying to blame Ristolainen's previous poor play on Sanheim. Can you prove that it's not the other way around? That Sanheim's poor play was casued by Ristolainen? Of course you can't. Ristolainen has always been a physical player. That does not make a defenseman a beast. We know he can play physical. The question is can he make the plays that a top defenseman makes consistently. Can he be a different maker that elevates a team? Can he do it consistently. He's playing well now for 4 games but still not a difference maker. Just playing as a solid top 4. You deserved to be blasted because you were inaccurate.

Team Canada would be a great accomplishment for Carter. However, I would love it if he did not make it. I want him to win games for the Flyers. I could care less about team Canada.
- mickel25

yup - except I couldn't care less

:-)

Haters going hate!
- jd250

Uninformed will always be uninformed.

How bad does the Flyers PP have to get for Therrien to be fired? They got rid of Voracek and Ghost who are piling up PP points for their new teams, meanwhile the Flyers struggle to even get set up and Yandle looks a shell of what he was in October. I like Atkinson a lot overall, but he has zero PP points all season. Without Jake to carry the puck into the zone anymore, they could really use Sanheim's skating ability with the man advantage.

Ristolainen has never been a dominant player in his entire career, including currently. If you want to see how a dominant defenseman plays, watch Adam Fox, Roman Josi or Victor Hedman play.
- MJL

He was dominant last night.

How bad does the Flyers PP have to get for Therrien to be fired? They got rid of Voracek and Ghost who are piling up PP points for their new teams, meanwhile the Flyers struggle to even get set up and Yandle looks a shell of what he was in October. I like Atkinson a lot overall, but he has zero PP points all season. Without Jake to carry the puck into the zone anymore, they could really use Sanheim's skating ability with the man advantage.
- Feanor

They could use Voracek at 5 on 5 also. There is just no creativity on the PP. The 5 on 3 last night was brutal. Pass around the box and didn't do anything to cause the Pkers to have to actually move.

Zack MacEwen was a nice acquisition. Decent player.I'm glad he's getting a chance to play here.
- dubc55

Same. He had a really good game last night. Plus he looks like a throwback to the 70s Flyers.

My hope for the 4th line is that they can Allison back some time in the new year. The 4th line could be Allison/Brassard/McEwen

My hope for the 4th line is that they can Allison back some time in the new year. The 4th line could be Allison/Brassard/McEwen
- MJL

That would be a fun line to watch. Might even pot a few along the way.

How bad does the Flyers PP have to get for Therrien to be fired? They got rid of Voracek and Ghost who are piling up PP points for their new teams, meanwhile the Flyers struggle to even get set up and Yandle looks a shell of what he was in October. I like Atkinson a lot overall, but he has zero PP points all season. Without Jake to carry the puck into the zone anymore, they could really use Sanheim's skating ability with the man advantage.
- Feanor

I’d like to see Farabee and G on the half walls, and then TK and Hayes in the middle and low slots alternating depending where the puck is moving, all of those forwards can carry the puck through the zone . Not sure on the point man, still leaning Yandle but he’s looked out of place lately , really struggling to keep up. He loses a puck at the blue line and he’s in quick sand

You haven't and can't offer any evidence that says I've been wrong. Your bias is coming out because you're trying to blame Ristolainen's previous poor play on Sanheim. Can you prove that it's not the other way around? That Sanheim's poor play was casued by Ristolainen? Of course you can't. Ristolainen has always been a physical player. That does not make a defenseman a beast. We know he can play physical. The question is can he make the plays that a top defenseman makes consistently. Can he be a different maker that elevates a team? Can he do it consistently. He's playing well now for 4 games but still not a difference maker. Just playing as a solid top 4. You deserved to be blasted because you were inaccurate.
- MJL

I know what I am watching game in and game out. I NEVER said Risto was playing poorly, only that he was compensating for the poor play of his defensive partner. Now that Sanheim is playing better, you can see Risto is playing a much more free game, taking more risks like the play he made at the blue line setting up that Hayes goal. IMO, Risto not only plays physical, but he does consistently make the plays top defenseman make. He certainly was a key difference maker last night, and that was not the first time this season he has been a difference maker. You just refuse to admit it, even though the evidence is clearly mounting against you. Don't give into your hate and embrace the RISTO!!

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Douse Flames in OT, 2-1
- bmeltzer

I thought we were supposed to score 6!

My hope for the 4th line is that they can Allison back some time in the new year. The 4th line could be Allison/Brassard/McEwen
- MJL

I know this sounds crazy and I wouldn't have thought I would be concerned about this at the start of the season, but I am concerned about loosing Thompson and what impact that will have on the PK.

I thought we were supposed to score 6!
- SuperSchennBros

we will.....in December

Same. He had a really good game last night. Plus he looks like a throwback to the 70s Flyers.
- Scoob

remember when the flyers claimed him and posters who never watched him play were overreacting? that was fun.

yup - except I couldn't care less

:-)
- Scoob

That one always gets me.

I thought we were supposed to score 6!
- SuperSchennBros

They would be lucky to get six total in the three games this week.

Same. He had a really good game last night. Plus he looks like a throwback to the 70s Flyers.
- Scoob

Plays a north south game…hits, will fight and doesn’t try to do to much. There is also some decent skill there as well….he looks like a keeper.

My hope for the 4th line is that they can Allison back some time in the new year. The 4th line could be Allison/Brassard/McEwen
- MJL

That would be a heavy line with McEwen and Allison. Pound and pot a few as a bonus.

Good win. Harter Cart was fantastic

That's the thing, he has been consistent, consistently getting better game by game. Risto has been winning puck battles and playing physical right from game 1 of his season, and as he is getting more comfortable with his partner (BTW Sanheim is the one who is noticeably playing better these last 5 games) and the system, Risto is really showing what a dominant player he can be.
- jd250

It was always going to take him a few games to get comfortable….new system, new teammates and new city. Risto and Sanheim have both elevated their game as the season has gone on and form a solid, solid 2nd pair group. Good thing AV didn’t take the advice of some around here and split them up. Talk about a hyperbole reaction. I agree early on Risto had some shaky shifts but he has really played well for the last 8 games and those shifts aren’t showing up nearly as often. I still think Risto can elevate his offensive game….maybe even get time running the PP1. Considering how that’s looking it may be something AV tries.

I know this sounds crazy and I wouldn't have thought I would be concerned about this at the start of the season, but I am concerned about loosing Thompson and what impact that will have on the PK.
- jd250

it will have a positive impact. They have better pk guys. That being said he isn't coming out of the lineup. I will believe it when I see it.

Holmer's speech last night was better than Tocchet's.



Change my mind.

How bad does the Flyers PP have to get for Therrien to be fired? They got rid of Voracek and Ghost who are piling up PP points for their new teams, meanwhile the Flyers struggle to even get set up and Yandle looks a shell of what he was in October. I like Atkinson a lot overall, but he has zero PP points all season. Without Jake to carry the puck into the zone anymore, they could really use Sanheim's skating ability with the man advantage.
- Feanor

Considering how the masterminds behind the PK are still around, I wouldn't expect any accountability for the PP either.