It's pretty obvious what happened here. Chucky wanted a first rounder in return for Risto and when he figured out no GM was gonna pony up the first rounder he had to get a deal done. I don't hate the numbers, but Risto needs to be the 5th or 6th defender on this team. Sanheim rumors? I really don't care at this point. He has been 2 steps forward and 2 steps back for years now, and he still plays like a little girl most nights. He'd fetch that first rounder.

I did come across something interesting in an article by the writer for the Calgary Flames the other night. The Flyers are 4th worst in the league as far as man games lost due to injury. They've lost 16 one goal games. Perhaps things aren't as bad as some of the zealots on here make it out to be. Yeah, I know, I should save this comment for next week (St. Patty's Day) when everyone is drunk.

It's pretty obvious what happened here. Chucky wanted a first rounder in return for Risto and when he figured out no GM was gonna pony up the first rounder he had to get a deal done. I don't hate the numbers, but Risto needs to be the 5th or 6th defender on this team. Sanheim rumors? I really don't care at this point. He has been 2 steps forward and 2 steps back for years now, and he still plays like a little girl most nights. He'd fetch that first rounder.

I did come across something interesting in an article by the writer for the Calgary Flames the other night. The Flyers are 4th worst in the league as far as man games lost due to injury. They've lost 16 one goal games. Perhaps things aren't as bad as on the zealots on here make it out to be. Yeah, I know. I should save this comment for next week (St. Patty's Day) when everyone is drunk.
- Phillywhiteout

NHL talent evaluator Chuck Fletcher disagrees.

Ek has the RR signing on todays blog. The comments are a must read.

Did morin die ?

It's pretty obvious what happened here. Chucky wanted a first rounder in return for Risto and when he figured out no GM was gonna pony up the first rounder he had to get a deal done. I don't hate the numbers, but Risto needs to be the 5th or 6th defender on this team. Sanheim rumors? I really don't care at this point. He has been 2 steps forward and 2 steps back for years now, and he still plays like a little girl most nights. He'd fetch that first rounder.

I did come across something interesting in an article by the writer for the Calgary Flames the other night. The Flyers are 4th worst in the league as far as man games lost due to injury. They've lost 16 one goal games. Perhaps things aren't as bad as some of the zealots on here make it out to be. Yeah, I know, I should save this comment for next week (St. Patty's Day) when everyone is drunk.
- Phillywhiteout

A few points here. It proves poopbag fletch got ass raped by giving bumbalo a 1st for risto as if he couldn’t get a 1st now then surely he was never worth a first. Where are all these teams that we’re willing before?


And I agree on this team he should be a 5/6 and you can never ever ever ever ever ever give a 5/6 a 5/5mil per contract.

Both scenarios are just so bad it’s almost unbelievable chirelli bad.

But in same breath totally predictable as it’s poopty philly involved

A few points here. It proves poopbag fletch got ass raped by giving bumbalo a 1st for risto as if he couldn’t get a 1st now then surely he was never worth a first. Where are all these teams that we’re willing before?


And I agree on this team he should be a 5/6 and you can never ever ever ever ever ever give a 5/6 a 5/5mil per contract.

Both scenarios are just so bad it’s almost unbelievable chirelli bad.

But in same breath totally predictable as it’s poopty philly involved
- Stayin alive

Oh and GO CANES!!!

G is a fierce competitor. I don't think he wants to go out the way this season will end, in tatters. I also believe he would prefer to retire in Philadelphia.
Now the NHL offers long time, talented players a shot at the Cup with that rental process. G would be welcome by any team that rents his skill set for a Cup run. And I believe G deserves that opportunity. I would root for his team to win the Cup for his sake alone.
But I do hope that he will make his "side hustle" with the Avs, Panthers, or Blues, or whomever just that, a detour. If he is upfront with those intentions, he will garner less in the trade than if he intends to sign with the new team. I can live with that.
I realize it's rare for a player to return to his original team post a rental trade. But G is a unique person and athlete. I also believe he is agonizing over this decision.
I believe G has been under appreciated as a player in Phila and one way to remedy that would be to make another deep playoff run before retirement.
The biggest obstacle to all this happening is simple, the team isn't talented enough to make a deep playoff run. I am sure G knows this.
He deserves better than the team management has assembled around him.
If our best player jumps ship and doesn't return, I will be disappointed, but I understand.
The guy still players harder and faster with skill than any other Flyer.
Having restarted Flyers game attendance at the arena, that's still plain to see on the ice in person. The game, btw, is soo much better live than on Tv.
Too bad most of his teammates don't have his desire and tenacity on the ice.
If they did, he might not be moving in the first place.
Take your shot G! You earned it.
But I for one would welcome you back next season.
You still have unfinished business in Philadelphia.
- biggbear77

Me as well.

I don’t understand. I’ve been told Ristolaninen is truly awful all season.
- SuperSchennBros

you want to argue degrees of awfulness.... The point is: Sanheim is helping to inflate his already poor numbers

A few points here. It proves poopbag fletch got ass raped by giving bumbalo a 1st for risto as if he couldn’t get a 1st now then surely he was never worth a first. Where are all these teams that we’re willing before?


And I agree on this team he should be a 5/6 and you can never ever ever ever ever ever give a 5/6 a 5/5mil per contract.

Both scenarios are just so bad it’s almost unbelievable chirelli bad.

But in same breath totally predictable as it’s poopty philly involved
- Stayin alive

Even if he is a 3-4, why are you giving 5 year+ commitments to your 2nd pairing guy, your 2c, and many other pieces like Provorov, TK etc when you concede you need more top end talent? By signing them, you are clogging up $ to get those guys via FA. By not trading them for possible future top end talent, you are not using the trade route either. By keeping them around, you are likely worsening future draft position.

In other words, you concede you need xyz to contend, but every single move you make makes it more difficult/lowers the odds of getting xyz.

Translation: you are not really serious about getting xyz/to contend.

Ek has the RR signing on todays blog. The comments are a must read.
- Angus4444

The 2nd last post on page 2 is especially good.

He has been 2 steps forward and 2 steps back for years now, and he still plays like a little girl most nights. He'd fetch that first rounder.

- Phillywhiteout

Well reasoned...

been married to the wife for 4 years and she asks me what city the Flyers are from
almost threw her out of the house

They’ll find another excuse. They always do
- hereticpride

we can always find another team i guess

Did morin die ?
- jmdodgeser4

I think they finally gave up on him. Only took about 8 years to figure out lol

we can always find another team i guess
- 2Real

I’m honestly very close to moving to a different team. For real. If they don’t trade G I’m done. If they extend G I’m done. If they trade this years picks away for some washed up player I’m done.

No clue what team I’ll get behind. Ideally a team I can manage to get to some games. I wish Baltimore had a team.

I’m honestly very close to moving to a different team. For real. If they don’t trade G I’m done. If they extend G I’m done. If they trade this years picks away for some washed up player I’m done.

No clue what team I’ll get behind. Ideally a team I can manage to get to some games. I wish Baltimore had a team.
- hereticpride

i have to ask you though would you draft risto in the first round

i have to ask you though would you draft risto in the first round
- 2Real

I’m not sure what you mean. Would I be happy with a 1st round pick that turns into Risto? I’d probably be underwhelmed.

Opinion of Charlie O Connor on his podcast:

He talked about the “secret stat” stuff too. He said what we’ve echoed that the private & public models aren’t that greatly different from people he’s talked to in both spheres over the years. He said the Flyers analytics people are considered good at their jobs in that community. He said this is just a case of the front office saying they don’t believe Ristolainen is nearly as bad as the analytics say in fact it’s the opposite.

Opinion of Charlie O Connor on his podcast:

He talked about the “secret stat” stuff too. He said what we’ve echoed that the private & public models aren’t that greatly different from people he’s talked to in both spheres over the years. He said the Flyers analytics people are considered good at their jobs in that community. He said this is just a case of the front office saying they don’t believe Ristolainen is nearly as bad as the analytics say in fact it’s the opposite.






- THE BLACK HAND

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Opinion of Charlie O Connor on his podcast:

He talked about the “secret stat” stuff too. He said what we’ve echoed that the private & public models aren’t that greatly different from people he’s talked to in both spheres over the years. He said the Flyers analytics people are considered good at their jobs in that community. He said this is just a case of the front office saying they don’t believe Ristolainen is nearly as bad as the analytics say in fact it’s the opposite.






- THE BLACK HAND

Jesus Christ

Damn, only a national feed for the Sixers game?

This dumbass on NBATV just brought up Santa Claus for why Philly is boo’ing Simmons

Some more gems:

He talked about unfortunately that Hextall failed. He said the execution obviously failed under Hextall but in concept was the closest the Flyers ever been to being somewhat modern. He essentially eluded to Hextall being economically responsible in regards the cap & assets. He alluded to Hextall acquiring bad players but at least not paying an arm & leg to do so. He said for example he doubts Hextall would have traded nor signed Ristolainen for those prices if he was GM still.

He mentioned how Hextall shut out voices within the organization that quite frankly need be shut out. He said the Flyers are headed back if they weren’t already to the times of being fiscally irresponsible & aggressive like they were with Ristolainen.

He mentioned how the Flyers have people in their brain trust that still don’t truly understand the salary cap. When you make a horrible investment you’re married to it. You can’t just outspend in other areas to make up for it like you could 25+ years ago but some don’t seem to grasp that still. The unfortunate part of today’s NHL is that you can keep everybody. You have to make tough decisions & some times let go of players that you even like.

Jesus Christ
- hereticpride

hey it worked well when hextall ignored the scouts and took patrick right?

Even if he is a 3-4, why are you giving 5 year+ commitments to your 2nd pairing guy, your 2c, and many other pieces like Provorov, TK etc when you concede you need more top end talent? By signing them, you are clogging up $ to get those guys via FA. By not trading them for possible future top end talent, you are not using the trade route either. By keeping them around, you are likely worsening future draft position.

In other words, you concede you need xyz to contend, but every single move you make makes it more difficult/lowers the odds of getting xyz.

Translation: you are not really serious about getting xyz/to contend.
- PT21

What Fletcher is most serious about is keeping his job. Braun is most likely going to be moved. Ellis is a question mark health wise. If Ristolainen is moved and there is no defenseman coming back. There is a grand canyon hole on the right side of the defense. If not corrected that could cost him his job. The Flyers have repeatedly put themselves in the position of having to make moves. Rather than being patient and making the right moves. Re-signing Ristolainen was desperation.

And the Coup de Gras...it summarizes just how inept upper management is and how (frank)ed we are:

analytics seemed to always be against Ristolainen but that just wasn’t a battle they were ever gonna win. Too many Ristolainen supporters within the organization especially those who rank above them.