Cates switched positions with RR at the Wild blueline. Risto WAS the forward on the backcheck.
- Tomahawk

There are some that think that in the NHL, the defenseman's position is just skate to the front of the net and stand there.

Hayes has been MIA for weeks, you wouldn’t even know he was playing unless you looked at the stat sheet. He makes 2 million more than Risto and doesn’t do very much well. I have zero confidence he scores 20 this season.

Risto makes one bad defensive play and it’s unforgivable. Tony DeAngelo makes the same bad defensive plays every shift.

There is nothing Risto can do to win over fans who will never like him.
- SuperSchennBros

part of the issue with rr is the assets given up (a 1st, 2 2nds, a 7th and a player) and the extension

part of the issue with rr is the assets given up (a 1st, 2 2nds, a 7th and a player) and the extension
- corduroy

Nick Seeler is a better value.

Do you know how dumb that sounds. That a poster with Tomahawk's rep and past would post based on who he likes or not? Like he's a teenage girl or something. That blown coverage was 100% on Ristolainen. He backed to the net and was puck watching. Step up, defend the zone and get a stick or body on the shot. Quality defenseman make that play routinely.
- MJL

That was not a routine play. Risto skated back hard and got to where he was supposed to be. The pass came across to the high slot to Boldy, well away from where Risto ended up. The only thing I didn't like about what Risto did once he turned to Boldy was that he didn't square himself and challenge the shooter, he sort of looked he was going down to one knee which I hate because it makes him smaller. I understand why Risto might do this in order to not screen his goalie, but at that point he was already a screen so why not go out and challenge the shooter more. But this is really a nitpick because the play happened so fast there really was not a lot of time to react.

Nick Seeler is a better value.
- MJL

At $750K of course Seeler is better value. Seeler is better value than any othe Flyers' defenseman currently. Just because Seeler is better value does make hime a better defenseman.

Cates switched positions with RR at the Wild blueline. Risto WAS the forward on the backcheck.
- Tomahawk

Ah .. so Risto and Cates talked and agreed upon that switch at the Wild blue line? I'm not sure that is how it works.

Edit: I just watched it again. When Cates and Risto got to the Flyers blue line Risto looked back because it seemed like he realized Cates at the Wild forward rushing the net. Then for some reason it looked like Risto had a second thought and then took another stride towards the Wild forward rushing the net even though it looked like Cates had good front position on him. Then the pass came back to Boldy, Risto turned around and the goal was scored. There definitely looked like there was indecision as to what player Risto was covering as he got back into the zone. I think Risto should have just assumed Cates had the Wild forward and hung back a bit more to cover the high slot. However I still feel like this is a big-time nit pick on Risto.

That was not a routine play. Risto skated back hard and got to where he was supposed to be. The pass came across to the high slot to Boldy, well away from where Risto end up. The only thing I didn't like about what Risto did once he turned to Boldy was that he didn't square himself and challenge the shooter, he sort of looked he was going down to one knee which I hate because it makes him smaller. I understand why Risto might do this, to not screen his goalie but at that point he was a screen so why not go out and challenge the shooter more. But this is really a nitpick because the play happened so fast there really was not a lot of time to react.
- jd250

It's an extremely routine play. One player with the puck, another making a net drive and a trailer coming late. Cates had the net drive forward covered from the Wild blueline for heaven's sake. LOL. Ristolainen just skated back and did nothing. Your idea of where Ristolainen is supposed to be is incorrect. This is not pee wee hockey. Defense on the back check is about picking up players. It's a routine play both in terms of the play itself and it is also routine in how after all of these years. Ristolainen still can't decipher coverage.

Ah .. so Risto and Cates talked and agreed upon that switch at the Wild blue line? I'm not sure that is how it works.
- jd250

It is how it works. Players communicate on the ice. Cates had his check from the wild blueline.

That was not a routine play. Risto skated back hard and got to where he was supposed to be. The pass came across to the high slot to Boldy, well away from where Risto end up. The only thing I didn't like about what Risto did once he turned to Boldy was that he didn't square himself and challenge the shooter, he sort of looked he was going down to one knee which I hate because it makes him smaller. I understand why Risto might do this, to not screen his goalie but at that point he was a screen so why not go out and challenge the shooter more. But this is really a nitpick because the play happened so fast there really was not a lot of time to react.
- jd250

I still think he needed to step up and take away some of the space. Much like Foersters goal I thought their d didn’t close quick enough. It’s not an easy play when the late guy is coming into the zone with speed and is that open. Watching games that play happens often to less sound teams. For instance watching the Bruins, Boldy would probably been marked buy someone coming back. The difference between a solid Defensive team and one that just doesn’t do it consistently enough…yet

At $750K of course Seeler is better value. Seeler is better value than any othe Flyers' defenseman currently. Just because Seeler is better value does make hime a better defenseman.
- jd250

Seeler and Ristolainen are about equal as players.

Nick Seeler is a better value.
- MJL

so was Haag

Ah .. so Risto and Cates talked and agreed upon that switch at the Wild blue line? I'm not sure that is how it works.
- jd250

Risto challenges at the Wild blueline, swipes and misses. He's caught as the play goes the other way.

Cates instantly recognizes this and covers for him, staying with the Wild player all the way up the ice to the net front.

Risto doesn't realize there's a switch until its too late. Just watch how he hangs his head after the goal is scored. He knows he (frank)ed up there.

Apparently your hockey sense is no better than Risto's.

There are some that think that in the NHL, the defenseman's position is just skate to the front of the net and stand there.
- MJL

It's not an easy game to follow and understand... but it's frankly disturbing that people still don't know what they're seeing after the benefit of multiple replays.

He's cut down the running around, which has been good.

What he hasn't cut down are the mental mistakes and blown coverages, because no amount of coaching can get his processing power up to speed. He's just dumb.

Like on that goal, he simply didn't realize that Cates had switched with him on the way back. The trailer was his responsibility, but instead he just skated up the ice behind Cates and went right to the net lol. Boldy must have been shocked by how much open ice he had in front of him.
- Tomahawk

agree, but saw the same thing happen in the Stars v Pens last night. Stars up 3-1 and the whole left side winger, D and Center just let the D walk down the lane and roof one. RR is never going to have a great hockey IQ but there are plenty of goals around the league and someone missed something to make most of them possible, it is usually a blown coverage, the culprits who did it, probably did it before and will do it again.

At $750K of course Seeler is better value. Seeler is better value than any othe Flyers' defenseman currently. Just because Seeler is better value does make hime a better defenseman.
- jd250

Seeler has been way better this year than last. Our d as a unit is no where close to as good as their pay cheque. Another reason why we are 26th in a 32 team league.

It's an extremely routine play. One player with the puck, another making a net drive and a trailer coming late. Cates had the net drive forward covered from the Wild blueline for heaven's sake. LOL. Ristolainen just skated back and did nothing. Your idea of where Ristolainen is supposed to be is incorrect. This is not pee wee hockey. Defense on the back check is about picking up players. It's a routine play both in terms of the play itself and it is also routine in how after all of these years. Ristolainen still can't decipher coverage.
- MJL

I just watched it again. When Cates and Risto got to the Flyers blue line Risto looked back because it seemed like he realized Cates had the Wild forward rushing the net. Then for some reason it looked like Risto had a second thought and then took another stride towards the Wild forward rushing the net even though it looked like Cates had good front position on him. Then the pass came back to Boldy, Risto turned around and the goal was scored. There definitely looked like there was indecision as to what player Risto was covering as he got back into the zone. I think Risto should have just assumed Cates had the Wild forward and hung back a bit more to cover the high slot. However I still feel like this is a big-time nit pick on Risto.

Seeler has been way better this year than last. Our d as a unit is no where close to as good as their pay cheque. Another reason why we are 26th in a 32 team league.
- landros 2

True but it is a 5 man unit, if the D does not have breakout options or the same option most of the time, they end up defending mostly. It is an easy case to prove that the flyers O lacks talent and for most of the season it lacked cohesion with all the younger players. As the kids have grown, breakouts have gotten better, D gets better, less time defending, better D.

agree, but saw the same thing happen in the Stars v Pens last night. Stars up 3-1 and the whole left side winger, D and Center just let the D walk down the lane and roof one. RR is never going to have a great hockey IQ but there are plenty of goals around the league and someone missed something to make most of them possible, it is usually a blown coverage, the culprits who did it, probably did it before and will do it again.
- wcorvette

Of course, everybody makes mistakes. If there were no mistakes then half the goals in the league wouldn't get scored.

Some players can just be counted on to make more mistakes than they should. Risto is definitely in that category. Provy and TDA as well. Sometimes I catch myself feeling sorry for Torts.

I just watched it again. When Cates and Risto got to the Flyers blue line Risto looked back because it seemed like he realized Cates had the Wild forward rushing the net. Then for some reason it looked like Risto had a second thought and then took another stride towards the Wild forward rushing the net even though it looked like Cates had good front position on him. Then the pass came back to Boldy, Risto turned around and the goal was scored. There definitely looked like there was indecision as to what player Risto was covering as he got back into the zone. I think Risto should have just assumed Cates had the Wild forward and hung back a bit more to cover the high slot. However I still feel like this is a big-time nit pick on Risto.
- jd250

not a nit pick, just wrong decision in a hustle play. All players do that, question is do they learn from it or minimize the number of times they do it. there is a reason why scoring is up around the league recently, the game is that fast

Risto challenges at the Wild blueline, swipes and misses. He's caught as the play goes the other way.

Cates instantly recognizes this and covers for him, staying with the Wild player all the way up the ice to the net front.

Risto doesn't realize there's a switch until its too late. Just watch how he hangs his head after the goal is scored. He knows he (frank)ed up there.

Apparently your hockey sense is no better than Risto's.
- Tomahawk

Every Flyers player hangs their head when they give up a goal, if they don't they won't be in the NHL for too long. Risto did realize there was a switch and looked back when he got to the Flyers blue line. The problem was then Risto decided to take another stride and cover the Wild forward instead of hanging back. That would be the only thing I think he could have done better. But I still say this is a big time nitpick on the player. I can point 10 mistakes from McAvoy in last night game against Montreal. Players make mistakes all the time, that why many call hockey a game of mistakes. Its very unfair however for you or anyone watching replays to not consider just how fast the game is and how quickly these playes develop. Its not easy to make the right decision all the time, that is why most players get it wrong and goalies are there to clean up those mistakes.

not a nit pick, just wrong decision in a hustle play. All players do that, question is do they learn from it or minimize the number of times they do it. there is a reason why scoring is up around the league recently, the game is that fast
- wcorvette

100% agree.

Of course, everybody makes mistakes. If there were no mistakes then half the goals in the league wouldn't get scored.

Some players can just be counted on to make more mistakes than they should. Risto is definitely in that category. Provy and TDA as well. Sometimes I catch myself feeling sorry for Torts.
- Tomahawk

why they are a bottom team for sure. I do think it is fair to say RR has played better, even solid on a team like the Flyers. He has his IQ issues but he has leaned into strengths and made plays. The game is fast and the talent high, if you are not one of those team, then you are chasing the game, if you are chasing, you will make more mistakes

Of course, everybody makes mistakes. If there were no mistakes then half the goals in the league wouldn't get scored.

Some players can just be counted on to make more mistakes than they should. Risto is definitely in that category. Provy and TDA as well. Sometimes I catch myself feeling sorry for Torts.
- Tomahawk

Why not include Sanheim also? He is one of the worst on the team in his own end.

Why not include Sanheim also? He is one of the worst on the team in his own end.
- jd250

The only dman this year who hasn't been a royal (frank)up at one point or another has been Seeler.

Risto did realize there was a switch and looked back when he got to the Flyers blue line.
- jd250

If he had realized there was a switch when he crossed the Flyers' blueline he would have stopped skating to the net.

Its very unfair however for you or anyone watching replays to not consider just how fast the game is and how quickly these playes develop. Its not easy to make the right decision all the time, that is why most players get it wrong and goalies are there to clean up those mistakes.
- jd250

It wasn't a fast developing play tho. He had all the time from Wild blueline to the circles to realize that a switch had happened. He was below the dots before it finally dawned on him.

But yes, the game is fast. Fast thinkers playing a fast game tend to make fewer mistakes. The Flyers are blessed with some pretty slow thinkers.