No why would they have to be a punching bag for the league? I want them to prioritize playing all young NHL ready players over veterans. With enough a veteran presence to support them. Be as competitive as you can while developing those players. No reason why the Flyers can't be competitive with the young talent they have now and what is coming.
- MJL

Isn't that what they are currently doing? I mean, how many NHL ready players aren't currently playing for them? I'm a bit confused.

It's not



Because we are fans of the Flyers and like to discuss what happens in the games.


- Dkos

So one can only discuss it if it's positive? What's your point?

History also tells us that the Flyers will most likely never take the the approach that you want. So what now?
- Dkos

So we just surrender in acceptance and take whatever crumbs we can get?

I think he can be a 2nd pair guy as well… he’s was at least that for most of his career in Buffalo. I think he has some solid attributes for sure, but have to admit his play since signing the extension has just been ok. In hind sight moving him before the extension would have been the right move. Now we have a guy slightly over paid in a cash strapped league.
Maybe the Flyers could take back a expiring contract to facilitate a deal this year, but I’m hoping they can move him out and allow some of the younger guys to get a look as the year goes on.
- landros 2

Agreed, resigning him was a result of Fletcher's obsession with replacing Niskanen and thus not realizing it was time to reassess.

Sure he is ...
- jd250

Only in your fantasy world.

Risto can effectively play 18-20 minutes a night, that constitutes a 2nd pairing defenseman.
- jd250

Not if you want to be a good team. He is a 3rd pair defenseman at this point. The difference between Ristolainen and Walker is significant. With Walker being significantly better. Seeler is also better.

because both teams tanked and accepted losing and eventually you get a losing culture that infects every new player that joins the team. Watch this segment to understand where I am coming from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFADcfQHVpI
- jd250

It has zero to do with culture. It's about building a complete roster with the proper depth.

Yes the Flyers are a competitive team but to me what makes it exciting is how they are competing. They are not winning games because of players that will not be here next year or a couple of seasons. They are winning these games because of players they have drafted and/or developed: Hart, Ersson, Sanheim, York, Couts, TK, Foerster, Tippet, etc. This Flyers team reminds me very much of the Flyers 1982-83 team, where you had Clarke, Barber and Sittler, but you also had Propp, Kerr, Sinisalo and Flockhart coming up. And within 3 years that team was competing for the cup with a new core and an old school coach. It can be the same way now.
- jd250

It can be but it won't. Who is the hall of fame defenseman? Who is the multiple 50 goal and pp goal scoring machine? All the Flyers need are two legitimate top pairing defenseman and 2-3 eite level forwards and they're right there.

Isn't that what they are currently doing? I mean, how many NHL ready players aren't currently playing for them? I'm a bit confused.
- Phillywhiteout

I'm sure you are. Frost has been scratched 10 games. Zamula yanked in and out of the lineup. Brink has been scratched multiple games.

So one can only discuss it if it's positive? What's your point?

So we just surrender in acceptance and take whatever crumbs we can get?
- MJL

My point is that there is no right or wrong way to fan.

I'm not here to tell you how you should feel, but I don't feel like I'm surrendering anything. I don't have to "take whatever crumbs" they give me. I can stop watching.

My point is that there is no right or wrong way to fan.

I'm not here to tell you how you should feel, but I don't feel like I'm surrendering anything. I don't have to "take whatever crumbs" they give me. I can stop watching.
- Dkos

If anything the Flyers are at least watchable this year. The last two seasons were brutal.

My point is that there is no right or wrong way to fan.

I'm not here to tell you how you should feel, but I don't feel like I'm surrendering anything. I don't have to "take whatever crumbs" they give me. I can stop watching.
- Dkos

I agree but the discussion is not really about how to fan but rather how a fan feels about how the team is operating. If they agree on the approach and how they feel the team is going to fare. That's acceptable, even if it's not positive?

I agree, you can stop watching. I'm not satisfied and won't be satisfied anymore with just being a competitive playoff team. Every opinion I offer comes from that position.

I really should amend a previous statement. Fans being easily satisfied by an average team, could very well have an effect on how this team operates.

Flyers fans are starved for success. When you're starved, you'll take what you can get. I'm holding out for filet mignon.

If anything the Flyers are at least watchable this year. The last two seasons were brutal.
- mickel25

I agree, there hasn't been a single game where I felt like turning it off like in past recent seasons.

Risto can effectively play 18-20 minutes a night, that constitutes a 2nd pairing defenseman.
- jd250

Put yourself in a GM chair for a moment. You’re sure that he’s a top 4. Now all you have to do is find a clueless GM who thinks the same. A GM that will be comfortable with that against the top half of teams in the playoffs along with that onerous salary and term. Or will that GM be trying to deal for Dumba, Peeke, or Pesce of anyone else on an expiring contract with less salary? I’ll take Nick Seeler. He’s a top 4, right? JD you sound like a nice guy. Sometimes I think you pretend not to know things.

It can be but it won't. Who is the hall of fame defenseman? Who is the multiple 50 goal and pp goal scoring machine? All the Flyers need are two legitimate top pairing defenseman and 2-3 eite level forwards and they're right there.
- MJL

I think the Flyers need 1 legitimate top pairing defenseman and 2 elite level forwards given the current team. Just suppose Michkov and Gauthier are those forwards. Then all you need is a stud defenseman. All of a sudden you are contending. Look at the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights as an example. The only elite forward they have is Eichel, but they have depth with a lot of good forwards. The only elite defenseman they have is Pietrangelo, but they have good depth on defense. And in goal, they have no one as good as Carter Hart or Ersson. But they won it all because they have a team with good depth and a solid, disciplined defensive structure. Are the Flyers really that far off?

Put yourself in a GM chair for a moment. You’re sure that he’s a top 4. Now all you have to do is find a clueless GM who thinks the same. A GM that will be comfortable with that against the top half of teams in the playoffs along with that onerous salary and term. Or will that GM be trying to deal for Dumba, Peeke, or Pesce of anyone else on an expiring contract with less salary? I’ll take Nick Seeler. He’s a top 4, right? JD you sound like a nice guy. Sometimes I think you pretend not to know things.
- Minnyhock

All I am saying is you cannot dispute Risto is a second pairing defenseman that has proven over the last 1.5 seasons that he can play effectively within a system. Yes his contract is gating now, but after this season given the cap is going up, it's not a bad contract given what Risto can bring to a team. Still if a team does not want the entire contract, they can offer the Flyers a prospect or high pick to get some salary retention. So what am I saying here that is so wrong in your mind. And, thank you for the compliment, I really appreciate it.

I agree but the discussion is not really about how to fan but rather how a fan feels about how the team is operating. If they agree on the approach and how they feel the team is going to fare. That's acceptable, even if it's not positive?

I agree, you can stop watching. I'm not satisfied and won't be satisfied anymore with just being a competitive playoff team. Every opinion I offer comes from that position.

I really should amend a previous statement. Fans being easily satisfied by an average team, could very well have an effect on how this team operates.

Flyers fans are starved for success. When you're starved, you'll take what you can get. I'm holding out for filet mignon.
- MJL

I am satisfied that the team is competitive and going in the right direction. It does not mean this is good enough, not even close! If the Flyers make stupid moves this deadline or off season, I will be the first to hammer them. But right now, we have a hockey season for the first time since before the pandemic, and I want to enjoy every minute of it. Ultimately however, I am a lot like you, I want the cup!

All I am saying is you cannot dispute Risto is a second pairing defenseman that has proven over the last 1.5 seasons that he can play effectively within a system. Yes his contract is gating now, but after this season given the cap is going up, it's not a bad contract given what Risto can bring to a team. Still if a team does not want the entire contract, they can offer the Flyers a prospect or high pick to get some salary retention. So what am I saying here that is so wrong in your mind. And, thank you for the compliment, I really appreciate it.
- jd250

yes you most certainly can and many have.

When will you comprehend the cap going isn't going to go to slugs like RR but better players?

I am satisfied that the team is competitive and going in the right direction. It does not mean this is good enough, not even close! If the Flyers make stupid moves this deadline or off season, I will be the first to hammer them. But right now, we have a hockey season for the first time since before the pandemic, and I want to enjoy every minute of it. Ultimately however, I am a lot like you, I want the cup!
- jd250

very highly debatable they are going in the right direction. How many vets are at the top of team in minutes played per game and what not? They are not being lead by younger players.

you are like the flavor of the month. If the flyers were struggling you would be beating they need to tank get a high draft pick sell off the vets.

I think the Flyers need 1 legitimate top pairing defenseman and 2 elite level forwards given the current team. Just suppose Michkov and Gauthier are those forwards. Then all you need is a stud defenseman. All of a sudden you are contending. Look at the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights as an example. The only elite forward they have is Eichel, but they have depth with a lot of good forwards. The only elite defenseman they have is Pietrangelo, but they have good depth on defense. And in goal, they have no one as good as Carter Hart or Ersson. But they won it all because they have a team with good depth and a solid, disciplined defensive structure. Are the Flyers really that far off?
- jd250

what color is the sky in your world? you are the ultimate fan the flyers love

I think the Flyers need 1 legitimate top pairing defenseman and 2 elite level forwards given the current team. Just suppose Michkov and Gauthier are those forwards. Then all you need is a stud defenseman. All of a sudden you are contending. Look at the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights as an example. The only elite forward they have is Eichel, but they have depth with a lot of good forwards. The only elite defenseman they have is Pietrangelo, but they have good depth on defense. And in goal, they have no one as good as Carter Hart or Ersson. But they won it all because they have a team with good depth and a solid, disciplined defensive structure. Are the Flyers really that far off?
- jd250

You're showing your lack of being informed here. You're badly mistaken if you don't think that Shea Theodore isn't a legit top pairing defenseman. You're also unaware of just how good a player like Mark Stone is. Marchessault had 25 points in 23 games in the playoffs and won the Conn Smythe. You're also mistaken if you think that Hart and Ersson are better than Adin Hill. Who currently has a .935 SV% and a 1.87 GAA. Last year Hill had a .915 SV% and a 2.50 GAA in the regular season. In the playoffs last year it was .932 and 2.17. You routinely show a combination of naivete, lack and being informed and just plain living in a fantasy world.

All I am saying is you cannot dispute Risto is a second pairing defenseman that has proven over the last 1.5 seasons that he can play effectively within a system. Yes his contract is gating now, but after this season given the cap is going up, it's not a bad contract given what Risto can bring to a team. Still if a team does not want the entire contract, they can offer the Flyers a prospect or high pick to get some salary retention. So what am I saying here that is so wrong in your mind. And, thank you for the compliment, I really appreciate it.
- jd250

Of course you can dispute that. Ristolainen used to be a top 4 defenseman. He isn't any longer. When he was, he wasn't a very good one and he won't be a good one on any quality team. The cap is only going to go up 3.7M. That is not a lot. It's been explained to you many times that teams want and need to use that increase for the top of the line up and to re-sign quality young players. Not for an aging depth defenseman. 15 teams in the league are in LTIR.

I am satisfied that the team is competitive and going in the right direction. It does not mean this is good enough, not even close! If the Flyers make stupid moves this deadline or off season, I will be the first to hammer them. But right now, we have a hockey season for the first time since before the pandemic, and I want to enjoy every minute of it. Ultimately however, I am a lot like you, I want the cup!
- jd250

Being satisfied means that the team has done enough. That they've reached a level that is satisfying.

Being satisfied means that the team has done enough. That they've reached a level that is satisfying.
- MJL

off topic when was the last time you were satisfied? tonight your lucky night?

You're showing your lack of being informed here. You're badly mistaken if you don't think that Shea Theodore isn't a legit top pairing defenseman. You're also unaware of just how good a player like Mark Stone is. Marchessault had 25 points in 23 games in the playoffs and won the Conn Smythe. You're also mistaken if you think that Hart and Ersson are better than Adin Hill. Who currently has a .935 SV% and a 1.87 GAA. Last year Hill had a .915 SV% and a 2.50 GAA in the regular season. In the playoffs last year it was .932 and 2.17. You routinely show a combination of naivete, lack and being informed and just plain living in a fantasy world.
- MJL

You routinely love any player that doesn't play for the Flyers. Let's look at Mark Stone, historically he has had trouble playing a full season and is under a point a game player in his career. Stone is a good player, but he is not elite. Marchessault is another good player and clutch, but he is also not an elite player. If you think Marchessault is an elite player, then TK must also be elite. But we know they are not. If Carter Hart had played for Vegas last year, they would have run away with the season and the cup and Hart would have won the Vezina. You routinely value other goalies ahead of Hart, even though he has shown us time and time again just how good he is. The Flyers are a better defensive team this year compared to last year, but not as good defensively as a team like Vegas or Boston. Yet this season Hart has a .916 save % and a 2.45 GAA, better than Hill's numbers last season even though Hart plays for a lesser team. But don't let the facts get in the way of your argument that everyone else's players are elite and the Flyers players suck.

Of course you can dispute that. Ristolainen used to be a top 4 defenseman. He isn't any longer. When he was, he wasn't a very good one and he won't be a good one on any quality team. The cap is only going to go up 3.7M. That is not a lot. It's been explained to you many times that teams want and need to use that increase for the top of the line up and to re-sign quality young players. Not for an aging depth defenseman. 15 teams in the league are in LTIR.
- MJL

OK, well if the Flyers don't trade Risto I am fine with keeping him and would love to see him play for the Flyers in the playoffs.