It would be a series of different moves that would not have left them painted into this corner. Alternatively, they could have traded Risto to get one. Not trading away value picks would also help. Not having any seconds leaves few options to be able to move up at a spot as needed and in a deep draft like ‘23, leaves no chance to find a gem with the pick.

Or….or? Doesn’t seem like you really know what the process is.

There will be less seats occupied. What’s that going to say to you?

More cynical…like trading the firsts?
- NC Flyers Fan

I already told you my take on those moves. They were largely made before the off season to try and squeeze a seat filling competitiveness/physicality from the roster.

No one was giving you a first for Risto. At least, certainly not high enough where Flyers did. The optics of a GM trading for a year of meaningless play and exchanging a middle first for a low first would have been too poor.

Defensive positioning. Sanheim tends to make some ill advised pinches. TK has had some issues with backchecking, and choosing a bad time to be the 2nd/3rd guy on the forecheck and getting caught up high.

Variations on such themes.
- PT21

2
Sanheim will be fine as Torts likes players that can move the puck. Don't see any issue there. I think he helps his game evolve.

TK when he gets lazy he will be called out. Don't see it as a big if an issue at all.

TDA and Torts are cut from the same cloth in terms of wanting to win and competitiveness. Again dont see any issue there overall. For bad play and what not Torts will speak his peace to all the players about that.

I can easily see RR getting benched a few times and scratched.

I agree, with Torts it is about effort.
- MBFlyerfan

The only player on the roster that I really have any worries about would be TDA, because he bucked under Quinn who demanded more from him defensively.

But then again, Torts kinda likes it when guys push back, so maybe that could be one of those unlikely love affairs.

2
Sanheim will be fine as Torts likes players that can move the puck. Don't see any issue there. I think he helps his game evolve.

TK when he gets lazy he will be called out. Don't see it as a big if an issue at all.

TDA and Torts are cut from the same cloth in terms of wanting to win and competitiveness. Again dont see any issue there overall. For bad play and what not Torts will speak his peace to all the players about that.

I can easily see RR getting benched a few times and scratched.
- hello it's me 2050

It is possible. When I say x is not a Torts kind of player, I don't mean Torts will bench X. I mean, that is not an ideal.

I remember the way Torts coached CBJ, an undertalented club like this one, and I assume a continuation. Aggressive forecheck, but stemming from a defense first mentality. That's my take on it anyway.

Risto and TK may be Torts like players, in fact they both may blossom under Torts. I am interested in seeing what will happen there. I agree Sanheim, JVR and Hayes are going to be in for a big eye-opener. But I agree with your latter point more and have been posting similar thoughts this past few weeks, in that for this franchise to truly take a step forward, they need to be picking high again in this very deep draft. The current team is nothing, its really about the players on this team 3-4 years from now that matter more.
- jd250

They are very likely not getting Bedard. So, pick high in 23, and hope FL goes belly up (it is possible) and pick high and middle in 24. Pick top 10 in 25.

Then concentrate on development, once you have some elite talent to develop.

It is possible. When I say x is not a Torts kind of player, I don't mean Torts will bench X. I mean, that is not an ideal.

I remember the way Torts coached CBJ, an undertalented club like this one, and I assume a continuation. Aggressive forecheck, but stemming from a defense first mentality. That's my take on it anyway.
- PT21

I hear ya holmes. What I dont expect is anyone to flourish offensively.

Hoping the Flyers can find some 200 foot players at this Alumni Camp. There could be a diamond in the rough find here.

Come on Fletch, save the offseason....




.... and the clock tower.

So let me get this straight. Ristolainen , who is a completely mediocre player and has been under numerous coaches for nine seasons may blossom. However, Sanheim, who is a much better player than Ristolainen is going to be in for a big eye-opener? Completely hysterical.
- MJL

Here we go, back to Risto bashing. Look, Risto does do some things very well, and I believe Tort's will maximize those things. Sanheim on the other hand does some different things well, but I am not sure those things will match up well with Tort's approach. Its not about comparing the two players.

Not a tossed salad fan?
- hello it's me 2050

It is possible. When I say x is not a Torts kind of player, I don't mean Torts will bench X. I mean, that is not an ideal.

I remember the way Torts coached CBJ, an undertalented club like this one, and I assume a continuation. Aggressive forecheck, but stemming from a defense first mentality. That's my take on it anyway.
- PT21

Like is Cam Atkinson really an ideal Torts type of player? Small, poor defensively, not a guy who's gonna be winning that many 1 on 1 battles. Not exactly a Coots or Laughts on the ice.

But you listen to the way Torts and Cam talk about each other and they're like father and son. A team-first attitude and caring persona go a long way with Torts and can make up for a lot.

The only player on the roster that I really have any worries about would be TDA, because he bucked under Quinn who demanded more from him defensively.

But then again, Torts kinda likes it when guys push back, so maybe that could be one of those unlikely love affairs.


- Tomahawk

Do you think Torts is the kind of guy who will take one of his players, bend him over his knee then spank him?

Here we go, back to Risto bashing. Look, Risto does do some things very well, and I believe Tort's will maximize those things. Sanheim on the other hand does some different things well, but I am not sure those things will match up well with Tort's approach. Its not about comparing the two players.
- jd250

Did you not also think that av could coach up rr as well?

Here we go, back to Risto bashing. Look, Risto does do some things very well, and I believe Tort's will maximize those things. Sanheim on the other hand does some different things well, but I am not sure those things will match up well with Tort's approach. Its not about comparing the two players.
- jd250

What things does he do very well?

Sanheim will take his game up a notch is my prediction under Torts. Assuming he is here and not traded.

Do you think Torts is the kind of guy who will take one of his players, bend him over his knee then spank him?
- Glak18

I hear ya holmes. What I dont expect is anyone to flourish offensively.
- hello it's me 2050

Who on this team would flourish offensively under any coach? This team was 31st in goals scored last year and that was with Giroux on the team most of the year. There is no one on this team that is going to flourish offensively regardless of who is behind the bench. PLEASE FIRE CHUCK and thanks!

Do you think Torts is the kind of guy who will take one of his players, bend him over his knee then spank him?
- Glak18

No, that’s PT21

Did you not also think that av could coach up rr as well?
- corduroy

different systems for one, and I think AV values different attributes also.

Sean Avery and Torts have had a pretty heavy war of words both during and when Avery was let go. Wanting to win is one thing, letting your emotions get out of control and being stubborn is another. Passing off an entire dressing room is unacceptable, which both Avery and DeAngelo have done multiple times.

No, that’s PT21
- funmaster18

Now I understand....Pat the Tushy 2 for 1

What things does he do very well?

Sanheim will take his game up a notch is my prediction under Torts. Assuming he is here and not traded.
- hello it's me 2050

We've gone through this already. I hope Sanheim works out under Torts and stays here, but given the cap situation I don't see that happening.

different systems for one, and I think AV values different attributes also.
- jd250

That doesn't answer the question -- let's try this - what makes you think that torts will succeed where av and every other coach that has coached rr has failed?

Now I understand....Pat the Tushy 2 for 1
- Glak18

Sean Avery and Torts have had a pretty heavy war of words both during and when Avery was let go. Wanting to win is one thing, letting your emotions get out of control and being stubborn is another. Passing off an entire dressing room is unacceptable, which both Avery and DeAngelo have done multiple times.
- SuperSchennBros

Avery is an ingrate turd. I value none of his opinions on anything. Thanks!

That doesn't answer the question -- let's try this - what makes you think that torts will succeed where av and every other coach that has coached rr has failed?
- corduroy

I think you should start with naming what coaches Ristolainen has played under because as bad as Risto might be, Buffalo has been historically bad, despite having world class talent that couldn’t help them overcome.

Avery is an ingrate turd. I value none of his opinions on anything. Thanks!
- Phillywhiteout

So DeAngelo being suspended at every level, not staying with any organization long term and basically being kick off the rangers mid season with no return doesn’t speak to DeAngelo’s character?