I do, you're right. The same group also told us they're rebuilding. Then in interviews, they're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning. You may be willing to gullibly believe what they say, but I'm not. It's at a prove to me stage in my view.
- MJL

rebuild does NOT equal tanking and losing. It would be a horrible mistake for this franchise to accept losing in order to get as many top picks and prospects as they can. That is not how to build a team. Torts has specifically stated he has to balance between winning and playing young players that are not ready for the NHL. This team is not tanking, they are trying to win every game and that is how you build a team. Ask Buffalo, Ottawa and Edmonton how tanking and accepting losing has worked for them.

It depends on how desperate Toronto (or any team) is and how much they want Risto. For example, if all Toronto gives up is a 3rd round pick then they need to take the contract. If Toronto offers the Flyers a 1st round pick, the Flyers will retain salary.
- jd250

do you think there are numerous other better options available than RR?

a first lol, only the flyers are that dumb

I don’t see a match with Toronto for Ristolainen. The Leafs are too cash strapped to take on a high end 3rd pair defenseman with that term. My sense is that the Flyers aren’t actively trying to trade Ristolainen so they will want more back. I think Tanev is who the Leafs want.
- Minnyhock

I don't either. I'm just saying any team willing to take Ristolainen and the full contract, can have him for a song and a dance. A nice Christmas card will do.

rebuild does NOT equal tanking and losing. It would be a horrible mistake for this franchise to accept losing in order to get as many top picks and prospects as they can. That is not how to build a team. Torts has specifically stated he has to balance between winning and playing young players that are not ready for the NHL. This team is not tanking, they are trying to win every game and that is how you build a team. Ask Buffalo, Ottawa and Edmonton how tanking and accepting losing has worked for them.
- jd250

this franchise has already accepted losing. see the results

rebuild does NOT equal tanking and losing. It would be a horrible mistake for this franchise to accept losing in order to get as many top picks and prospects as they can. That is not how to build a team. Torts has specifically stated he has to balance between winning and playing young players that are not ready for the NHL. This team is not tanking, they are trying to win every game and that is how you build a team. Ask Buffalo, Ottawa and Edmonton how tanking and accepting losing has worked for them.
- jd250

Who said anything about tanking and accepting losing? By the way, yes it is how to build a team. I despise tanking personally so I don't advocate for it but it can't be denied that it is the most effective way. What you don't understand is what Tortorella's balance entails or means. Ask Chicago, Pittsburgh and a host of other team how tanking worked for them.

Wow, don't understand where this question comes from to be honest. I don't know why we just can't be happy that we have a hockey season this year, and enjoy the Flyers are winning some games and are heading in the right direction.

But to try to answer your question, I suspect the Flyers want to be ready to contend when Michkov joins the team, if they ever let him out of Russian.
- jd250

Where are the centers and defense to contend?

Who said anything about tanking and accepting losing? By the way, yes it is how to build a team. I despise tanking personally so I don't advocate for it but it can't be denied that it is the most effective way. What you don't understand is what Tortorella's balance entails or means. Ask Chicago, Pittsburgh and a host of other team how tanking worked for them.
- MJL

Ask Edmonton!

I don't either. I'm just saying any team willing to take Ristolainen and the full contract, can have him for a song and a dance. A nice Christmas card will do.
- MJL

I don’t see the trinity moving anyone in their present position without getting equal value. The Fletcher days are done.

what do you yall think about york's long term future with the flyers

do you think there are numerous other better options available than RR?

a first lol, only the flyers are that dumb
- hello it's me 2050

that's not true. Come on. Risto has played much better under Torts, and teams are taking notice. In fact, last night I thought Risto and Zamula were very effective against a fast and skilled team. Risto does not suck.

Where are the centers and defense to contend?
- ClaudeFather

They will come, either from inside of the organization or outside.

Ask Edmonton!
- Richard_wilderness

This line of thinking is completely illogical. There is no one fool proof method that is without failure. It's a question of what method has the most success.

that's not true. Come on. Risto has played much better under Torts, and teams are taking notice. In fact, last night I thought Risto and Zamula were very effective against a fast and skilled team. Risto does not suck.
- jd250

If you play Ristolainen on the 3rd pair, shelter him and play him limited minutes. He can be fairly effective. However with his cap hit, plus what they paid to acquire him. It's a sunk cost. The best thing they can do now is just try to get out of the contract and the player while taking it on the chin as little as possible.

They will come, either from inside of the organization or outside.
- jd250

That's a non-answer.

Who said anything about tanking and accepting losing? By the way, yes it is how to build a team. I despise tanking personally so I don't advocate for it but it can't be denied that it is the most effective way. What you don't understand is what Tortorella's balance entails or means. Ask Chicago, Pittsburgh and a host of other team how tanking worked for them.
- MJL

I don't totally disagree with you that tanking can be an effective way to rebuild. But like I said, it's all about the timing. Last year I was all about tanking because you had Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Michkov at the top of the draft. This year, it's not worth tanking. Next year, I'm not sure. For Pittsburgh, they tanked because they knew Crosby and Malkin were there in successive years. That was the right move.

that's not true. Come on. Risto has played much better under Torts, and teams are taking notice. In fact, last night I thought Risto and Zamula were very effective against a fast and skilled team. Risto does not suck.
- jd250

Teams may be taking notice. But he’s a good 3rd pair defenseman on a good team. The 5.1 Mil with term is an albatross. No one will eat all that.

If you play Ristolainen on the 3rd pair, shelter him and play him limited minutes. He can be fairly effective. However with his cap hit, plus what they paid to acquire him. It's a sunk cost. The best thing they can do now is just try to get out of the contract and the player while taking it on the chin as little as possible.
- MJL

It's going to be a sunk cost, no doubt. But getting out from under his contract so the Flyers have money down the road to get that top defenseman or center when Michkov is ready is well worth it.

Teams may be taking notice. But he’s a good 3rd pair defenseman on a good team. The 5.1 Mil with term is an albatross. No one will eat all that.
- Minnyhock

depends on what they want to give up. With the cap going up next year, is a 3x$5M contract all that bad for a defenseman that can give you top 4 minutes? If the money does not work, the team can give up a late 1st round pick, then it would be worth the Flyers retaining some salary.

I don't totally disagree with you that tanking can be an effective way to rebuild. But like I said, it's all about the timing. Last year I was all about tanking because you had Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Michkov at the top of the draft. This year, it's not worth tanking. Next year, I'm not sure. For Pittsburgh, they tanked because they knew Crosby and Malkin were there in successive years. That was the right move.
- jd250

You keep talking as if this is a short and limited process. It is not. You're being fooled here by this team. They aren't what you think they are. It's fools gold. You represent the segment of the fanbase that the team is targeting. Just give them a competitive team and they'll act like they hit the lottery. "I'm so happy we have a team that is fun to watch and is competitive. Reeled in like a dead fish.

It's going to be a sunk cost, no doubt. But getting out from under his contract so the Flyers have money down the road to get that top defenseman or center when Michkov is ready is well worth it.
- jd250

So then he's not the Flyers best defenseman?

that's not true. Come on. Risto has played much better under Torts, and teams are taking notice. In fact, last night I thought Risto and Zamula were very effective against a fast and skilled team. Risto does not suck.
- jd250

whats not true?

RR is 3rd pair dman being used as such. Nothing more noting less.

what teams are taking notice? Again no one is paying 5 million + for 3.5 years for a bottom pair dman. No one. Unless they are dumping their version RR.

depends on what they want to give up. With the cap going up next year, is a 3x$5M contract all that bad for a defenseman that can give you top 4 minutes? If the money does not work, the team can give up a late 1st round pick, then it would be worth the Flyers retaining some salary.
- jd250

he is not a top 4 dman n cup contending team. Jesus Christ why cant see or accept that.

No fn team is giving up a late 1st for him and that putrid contract. Comical multiple peeps need to tell you this every day. Multiple times a day.

Toronto wants Risto but they are requiring salary retention for the length of the remaining contract. The Flyers do not want dead money in the year when they think they will be good again. From what I am hearing, if a team is willing to take Risto's contract without salary retention, the Flyers are willing to move him.
- jd250

Change "willing to" to "definitely moving".

You keep talking as if this is a short and limited process. It is not. You're being fooled here by this team. They aren't what you think they are. It's fools gold. You represent the segment of the fanbase that the team is targeting. Just give them a competitive team and they'll act like they hit the lottery. "I'm so happy we have a team that is fun to watch and is competitive. Reeled in like a dead fish.
- MJL

So you'd rather them be a punching bag for the league and totally suck every night for what may or may not be a successful rebuild/tank down the road?

rebuild does NOT equal tanking and losing. It would be a horrible mistake for this franchise to accept losing in order to get as many top picks and prospects as they can. That is not how to build a team. Torts has specifically stated he has to balance between winning and playing young players that are not ready for the NHL. This team is not tanking, they are trying to win every game and that is how you build a team. Ask Buffalo, Ottawa and Edmonton how tanking and accepting losing has worked for them.
- jd250

I'm sorry I'm not sure if I understand this. So you DON'T build a team with top picks and prospects?