I look at it this way. How hard can you be to play against if you bleed goals against like a hemophiliac? I would love to see a stat on how many goals have been scored after he made it "hard" on the other team with a big hit.
- MBFlyerfan

Not only this, but also how many times has Risto won a puck battle, obtained the puck and passed it up to a forward who just turns it over allowing the opposing team to get another scoring chance. This happens multiple times a game with Risto on the ice, and it typically causes Risto to be stuck on the ice for longer shifts because he can't get to the bench to change. Analytics don't take this into account, which is why you have to WATCH the games and know what you are watching!

Its amazing to me that some on this forum constantly complain about the coaching and the lack of a good zone breakout scheme, but then from the other side of their mouth blame Risto for everything.

It's not going to be any better.
- MJL

Where do you get your Crystal Ball from? I want one so i can make predictions as well.

he aitn't hurt he just wants out........
- hello it's me 2050

I thought the same thing, except his wife probably hates it here too..so maybe neither want to be here

It came from the Comcast propaganda machine. It is stunning how easily some just repeat what they've heard.

Just wait until the Flyers are better next year but not yet a legit contending team. Many will be fooled.
- StepfordSam

This top-3 analytics department sure has the Flyers running circles around the competition. They're getting such good value for dollar across the roster, and they're so dominant on the ice, it's a wonder how the rest of the league hasn't just folded in the face of their greatness. Hidden gems like Rasmus Ristolainen and Zack MacEwen are just proof of their analytics power.

It is so overblown he is nasty to play against as well as his clearing the front of the porch. His play is average. That is it. A team will never go far or win anything with him in a top 4 role.
- hello it's me 2050

You would need a top three like Anaheim had for their Cup run in 2007 to win playoff rounds with Risto as the #4.

It came from the Comcast propaganda machine. It is stunning how easily some just repeat what they've heard.

Just wait until the Flyers are better next year but not yet a legit contending team. Many will be fooled.
- StepfordSam

If they don't make the playoffs in year 5 of Fletcher's tenure, he'll definitely be fired.

If they don't make the playoffs in year 5 of Fletcher's tenure, he'll definitely be fired.
- Feanor

I was sure he'd get canned if this season went bust. Dave Scott and Bob Clarke just really like the guy.

If they don't make the playoffs in year 5 of Fletcher's tenure, he'll definitely be fired.
- Feanor

Sadly I think it will end up with him being 'fired' right into overseeing new GM Danny Briere. The braintrust gets brainier

Sadly I think it will end up with him being 'fired' right into overseeing new GM Danny Briere. The braintrust gets brainier
- TobyFlenderson

That's exactly what will happen. He'll "step back" like Homer did, aka fail upwards.

I thought the same thing, except his wife probably hates it here too..so maybe neither want to be here
- RajaAmpat

I say it tongue in cheek but always a possibility.

either he has an injury that has baffled medical professionals world wide or the flyers are just incompetent.

Which is more likely...

Not only this, but also how many times has Risto won a puck battle, obtained the puck and passed it up to a forward who just turns it over allowing the opposing team to get another scoring chance. This happens multiple times a game with Risto on the ice, and it typically causes Risto to be stuck on the ice for longer shifts because he can't get to the bench to change. Analytics don't take this into account, which is why you have to WATCH the games and know what you are watching!

Its amazing to me that some on this forum constantly complain about the coaching and the lack of a good zone breakout scheme, but then from the other side of their mouth blame Risto for everything.
- jd250

So throughout his whole career, season after season, it has been the players around him. Got it.

If they don't make the playoffs in year 5 of Fletcher's tenure, he'll definitely be fired.
- Feanor

Nope he will just give up his duties to Danny boy and be President only.

How many truly have a positive outlook on Comcast Chuckie’s ability to turn this team around with this so-called “aggressive retool”? After AV was canned up until yesterday, did he make a hockey trade to improve the team? Or Did he just sit on his rear and give us Comcast platitudes? This is a disaster and confidence is low for the foreseeable future. That being said I got a laugher of a call from Comcast Flyers ticket office. Like anyone wants to donate money to this cause right now.

Some people suffer from bad trade derangement syndrome.

Because the Risto trade included the Flyers giving up too many assets (see the 2nd rd pick), it seems some suffer from an inability to analyze his play. Also also see the Atkinson trade as an example.

No one thinks the Flyers received fair value in that Risto deal. Even the GM admitted they gave up a ton.

However, some of us can turn the page and analyze his play, especially in person.

Risto is a 2nd pairing guy soon to make 5.1 mill. That’s about right.

Yes, he has coverage issues. He does. Sanheim has issues in his own end as well, but you live with it cause Sanheim he can fly and drives the play down the ice.

You live with Risto’s issues cause he is downright nasty and clears the front of the porch in addition to having good speed for a nasty 6.4 dman and has some good offensive skills see his 4 x 40 years..

I don’t agree they should play together. I feel they both have too many breakdowns, but they are still by far their best pairing.

Many pointed to his analytics when criticizing the trade. They said the Flyers don’t use analytics only to be reminded by Bill here that is not the case. At the time their analytics was avg to above avg. They signed off on the trade.

Then the Flyers grow their staff to be top 3 in the league. They review the prospect of giving Risto 5.1 w term and they sign off on that too. Yes, they signed off this was not Fletcher going against his staff like his predecessor.

7 other teams also were willing to give a1st rounder plus plus for him. Their analytic staffs also signed off.

Do you think maybe just maybe the NHL and their analytic staffs are just not as concerned with the free metrics as Joe GM here?

Maybe they are looking at other numbers. There is a reason why teams spend millions on traveling scouts and analytics staffs.

Otherwise the flyers should just have an intern read the free metrics available and run their team that way. They could fire everyone. Scouts, analytics staff.. fire all of them cause the cracker jacks gms here could run the team better just geeking out on corsi numbers all day.

You don’t spend all that money on increasing a portion of your staff and then turn around and ignore their guidance. They were on board.
- Joe Nardone

A lot of good points. I agree with most of it. There are fans who right from Risto’s first shift we’re not ready to keep an open mind. It was a big pay out, but I also saw Tampa move two 1rst’ s for a third line winger in the last couple of days….yes, TBay is in a different place but they did what they had to do as did the flyers in bringing in Risto.
I think you hit it on spot with what Risto is and brings. I have seen much of what you say are his flaws and I have seen what you point out as his strengths…I agree with most of it.
He’s a solid middle pairing d…no more…no less.

I'm confounded by the Ellis news. They still haven't decided what to do about his injury? How many non-surgical treatment options can there be?
- Dkos

That whole situation looks of incompetence.

That whole situation looks of incompetence.
- landros 2

To me it looks like a player who doesn't want to have surgery.

A lot of good points. I agree with most of it. There are fans who right from Risto’s first shift we’re not ready to keep an open mind. It was a big pay out, but I also saw Tampa move two 1rst’ s for a third line winger in the last couple of days….yes, TBay is in a different place but they did what they had to do as did the flyers in bringing in Risto.
I think you hit it on spot with what Risto is and brings. I have seen much of what you say are his flaws and I have seen what you point out as his strengths…I agree with most of it.
He’s a solid middle pairing d…no more…no less.
- landros 2

Tampa is usually correct in their assessments. Big diff compared to the flyers.

Where the Flyers are at currently I would have rather overpaid (via trade or free agency) a real diff maker than RR at 5.1 per. If I had to make a choice of the 2 scenarios.

To me it looks like a player who doesn't want to have surgery.
- MBFlyerfan

Obviously….because had he had surgery for even a torn groin in October he would have been back playing by now and most certainly 100% by training camp next year.

Obviously….because had he had surgery for even a torn groin in October he would have been back playing by now and most certainly 100% by trading camp next year.
- landros 2

To me there is just much more to this story that obviously only he and the team know.

The whole thing is very odd.

I still don't think Tippet is good enough to be a center piece of the deal, not because he doesn't have the skills but because he is 23 and has not been able to be a consistent NHL player. However at that time I didn't know that G tied Fletcher's hands to only deal with Florida, so as I stated I think Fletcher did the best he could given the circumstances. The Flyers need to get lucky here with Tippet, that is the only thing they can hope for at this point. He does have the skills to be a top 6 forward, every thing I have read about him during the 2017 draft and even recent articles about his development state that. I am not stating anything different.
- jd250

So now after being challenged on your previous statements you're waffling again. Pretty much everyone knew for a couple of weeks that it was going to be Florida. It was well rumored. Myself and numerous other posters tried to tell you what the return was going to be like.

Tampa is usually correct in their assessments. Big diff compared to the flyers.

Where the Flyers are at currently I would have rather overpaid (via trade or free agency) a real diff maker than RR at 5.1 per. If I had to make a choice of the 2 scenarios.
- hello it's me 2050

I only equate the two deals as both were considered over pays….is it tunnel vision for one player in both cases? Maybe. Or is it a team simply making sure they get that player because the need is there?

To me there is just much more to this story that obviously only he and the team know.

The whole thing is very odd.
- hello it's me 2050

Might be. I’m just saying the optics reek with incompetence….true or not.

This is just blatantly incorrect, you are with either blind or you don't watch the games and instead just read the free analytics after. Case in point, Risto was directly involved in 3 out of the 5 goals the Flyers scored in their win against Nashville. Risto also made several really good defensive plays. You are just embarrassing yourself now because you have hated this guy from the moment the trade took place.
- jd250

I've stated numerous times that Ristolainen is capable of an occasional good game. Your claim that I'm embarrassing myself holds no validity. Care to look at the Ottawa game? Or numerous other single games?

Not only this, but also how many times has Risto won a puck battle, obtained the puck and passed it up to a forward who just turns it over allowing the opposing team to get another scoring chance. This happens multiple times a game with Risto on the ice, and it typically causes Risto to be stuck on the ice for longer shifts because he can't get to the bench to change. Analytics don't take this into account, which is why you have to WATCH the games and know what you are watching!

Its amazing to me that some on this forum constantly complain about the coaching and the lack of a good zone breakout scheme, but then from the other side of their mouth blame Risto for everything.
- jd250

Yea, you badly mistook his statement. It was a criticism, not a compliment.

Where do you get your Crystal Ball from? I want one so i can make predictions as well.
- WhiskeyMan

Why would I need a crystal ball? I know what the numbers say for his first season in Philly. I've watched him play over 50 games here.