I don't think he has changed his game. I think it's the result of playing in a more conservative system and playing in a lesser role. Which has all combined to make him a serviceable 3rd pair defenseman. Certainly not a player that you want to pay 5M a year and give up a 1st and a 2nd to acquire. Not saying you but some can pretend all those factors don't exist and ignore it, but I don't.
- MJL

why do you keep mentioning the cost to acquire and the contract. It is irrelevant as we sit here today cliff. Beyond irrelevant.

I'm surprised there are no comments on Konecny's ridiculously lazy backcheck on the Canucks lone goal. Any comments from Tortorella on that? That's the type of play that has gotten players benched previously.
- MJL

did you see it live or the replay?

I don't think he has changed his game. I think it's the result of playing in a more conservative system and playing in a lesser role. Which has all combined to make him a serviceable 3rd pair defenseman. Certainly not a player that you want to pay 5M a year and give up a 1st and a 2nd to acquire. Not saying you but some can pretend all those factors don't exist and ignore it, but I don't.
- MJL

Little things..stick positioning, not taking himself out of the play for a bad pinch or a body check. Subtle changes, less minutes, and not treating the puck like a grenade.. it is adding up to a player that you start to depend on, as he is consistantly bringing these changes to his game. When he first got here, he was out of position all the time, looking for the hit, almost reckless..now he just seems more under control, not as panicked, and being able to think before he passes or carries the puck. He has changed his style, and it is working for him.

So DAngelo and Provorov are snowflakes

So DAngelo and Provorov are snowflakes
- THE BLACK HAND

wonder what the ivan will fetch at the trade deadline...

why do you keep mentioning the cost to acquire and the contract. It is irrelevant as we sit here today cliff. Beyond irrelevant.
- hello it's me 2050

He can’t get past it. His superior hockey knowledge won’t allow it.

So DAngelo and Provorov are snowflakes
- THE BLACK HAND

I’m not sure snowflakes is the right description…I took it as more both did not fit under their current direction. Same goes for Hayes. All 3 guys pretty good hockey players, but the Flyers appear much better without.

Again, you fail to understand sample sizes. We have years of samples of Ristolainen's play. He is a clear liability up in the lineup. He is now a highly paid 3rd pair defensema in this league.
- MJL

Who gives an f about his salary anymore. With the cap going up does it really matter.
I watch the games and give 2 flying fs about stats. They can be shoved up where the sun don't shine.

From what I hear from coach and player interviews, RR is solid.

I see only 1 person consistently putting RR down, the team down and especially the coach. All because they don't align to his way of rebuilding or being soft on young players. The team is playing great hockey, get over yourself.

Just enjoy the team and stop being a female dog about everything. You don't post much during games, is that because you are watching the games and trying to come with negatives things to say?

I'm surprised there are no comments on Konecny's ridiculously lazy backcheck on the Canucks lone goal. Any comments from Tortorella on that? That's the type of play that has gotten players benched previously.
- MJL

We commented on it last night. Konecny left the game after that goal. It was mentioned somewhere that he was feeling ill and that’s why he left. But that’s something torts would bench someone for and call them out. I don’t think that happened post game but I didn’t watch the presser

why do you keep mentioning the cost to acquire and the contract. It is irrelevant as we sit here today cliff. Beyond irrelevant.
- hello it's me 2050

It’s weird. We are all very aware of his overinflated contract and premium draft picks spent acquiring him.

My issue with him is for how big and physical of a player he is he should win more wall battles. He should cancel out guys completely 99% of times. He just doesn’t do that. He’s not good in those tight scrums for his size advantage

I see folks are hating on the haters. I love that.

you always have try to improve your game. No issue with that, to me he just focuses on a certain aspect instead of what his strengths are, which is offense. Stop trying to change the player in a sense.
- hello it's me 2050

I agree with all this. Sometimes I think Torts pigeonholes his players and tries to fit a round peg in a square hole. Instead of finding the right hole, he just tries to run the guy out of town.

It’s weird. We are all very aware of his overinflated contract and horrible trade resources spent acquiring him.

My issue with him is for how big and physical of a player he is he should win more wall battles. He should cancel our guys completely 99% of times. He just doesn’t do that. He’s not good in those tight scrums for his size advantage
- Just5

I do not think he is that physical at all to be honest. Not off base with the rest of your post.

Well clearly we are not all aware, probably be mentioned another 5 x today!!!

Little things..stick positioning, not taking himself out of the play for a bad pinch or a body check. Subtle changes, less minutes, and not treating the puck like a grenade.. it is adding up to a player that you start to depend on, as he is consistantly bringing these changes to his game. When he first got here, he was out of position all the time, looking for the hit, almost reckless..now he just seems more under control, not as panicked, and being able to think before he passes or carries the puck. He has changed his style, and it is working for him.
- TheFreak

The system is what has limited his propensity to take himself out of position. He is still poor around the net and ineffective physically. If he can be depended on, why is he on the 3rd pair in limited minutes? Reality is that if the Flyers were a really good team, their 3rd pair should be Seeler and Zamula at a cost of 1.5 million total versus the 3rd pair costing 5.85M with Ristolainen on it. He is still the same player and if the Flyers played a more modern system and he was elevated in the lineup, we would see that.

Jones, Briere and Torts have all stated recently they are not changing their plans because of the teams success. They will not be buyers, and I believe they will not be sellers unless they get an offer they cannot refuse. They will most likely keep this team in tact for the season. Instead of bashing them because of what Fletcher did, why don’t you give them the benefit of the doubt until they do something that deserves bashing?

Btw, did you see how Atkinson was greeted at the bench once the Flyers killed that penalty in the 3rd? This team is as tight knit right know as you can get!
- jd250

If they re not sellers that is just as bd because it means you lost Seeler and Walker for nothing..or worse, you resigned them!

TK is sick:
https://twitter.com/billm...tatus/1740618428367446336

The system is what has limited his propensity to take himself out of position. He is still poor around the net and ineffective physically. If he can be depended on, why is he on the 3rd pair in limited minutes? Reality is that if the Flyers were a really good team, their 3rd pair should be Seeler and Zamula at a cost of 1.5 million total versus the 3rd pair costing 5.85M with Ristolainen on it. He is still the same player and if the Flyers played a more modern system and he was elevated in the lineup, we would see that.
- MJL

what term and money do you want to re-sign walker and seller at? provide a number

The system is what has limited his propensity to take himself out of position. He is still poor around the net and ineffective physically. If he can be depended on, why is he on the 3rd pair in limited minutes? Reality is that if the Flyers were a really good team, their 3rd pair should be Seeler and Zamula at a cost of 1.5 million total versus the 3rd pair costing 5.85M with Ristolainen on it. He is still the same player and if the Flyers played a more modern system and he was elevated in the lineup, we would see that.
- MJL

So he is performing just fine in a third pair role on the team. What everyone is saying. What’s so hard to get Cliff?

Who gives an f about his salary anymore. With the cap going up does it really matter.
I watch the games and give 2 flying fs about stats. They can be shoved up where the sun don't shine.

From what I hear from coach and player interviews, RR is solid.

I see only 1 person consistently putting RR down, the team down and especially the coach. All because they don't align to his way of rebuilding or being soft on young players. The team is playing great hockey, get over yourself.

Just enjoy the team and stop being a female dog about everything. You don't post much during games, is that because you are watching the games and trying to come with negatives things to say?
- WhiskeyMan

LOL, of course his salary matters. I guess you don't think the Flyers can ever become a really good team with elite players who command high salaries where they'll need cap space to pay those players instead of paying a 3rd pair defenseman 5.1m. That is really shortsighted thinking on your part.

You're another guy who apparently doesn't think that you can enjoy watching the team play while also looking at the situation realistically. While remaining focused on the big picture and not being easily satisfied with a short period of quality hockey. If you want to dismiss factual information that is important to look at, that's
your choice. Its foolish but that's your choice. By the way, here is a post I made last night during the game in response to a poster who said he thought the Flyers were going to lose the game.


https://www.hockeybuzz.co...p?thread_id=186155&page=3

"Flyers are really 3rd in the Metro. We'll see, they played a strong first period and outplayed the Canucks."


What other nonsense do you have?

LOL, of course his salary matters. I guess you don't think the Flyers can ever become a really good team with elite players who command high salaries where they'll need cap space to pay those players instead of paying a 3rd pair defenseman 5.1m. That is really shortsighted thinking on your part.

You're another guy who apparently doesn't think that you can enjoy watching the team play while also looking at the situation realistically. While remaining focused on the big picture and not being easily satisfied with a short period of quality hockey. If you want to dismiss factual information that is important to look at, that's
your choice. Its foolish but that's your choice. By the way, here is a post I made last night during the game in response to a poster who said he thought the Flyers were going to lose the game.


https://www.hockeybuzz.co...p?thread_id=186155&page=3

"Flyers are really 3rd in the Metro. We'll see, they played a strong first period and outplayed the Canucks."


What other nonsense do you have?
- MJL

always trolling

As an aside. Quinn Hughes is one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. He looks like prime karlsson

wonder what the ivan will fetch at the trade deadline...
- hello it's me 2050

Doubt they trade him unless CBL does a complete sell off. Funny enough, werenski is hurt again, so Provo is the de facto #1

Doubt they trade him unless CBL does a complete sell off. Funny enough, werenski is hurt again, so Provo is the de facto #1
- THE BLACK HAND

no idea what direction that team is headed. May be wise to sell off.....then bring JG home!!!!

no idea what direction that team is headed. May be wise to sell off.....then bring JG home!!!!
- hello it's me 2050

Thank god we didn’t get that guy, what an absolute bum

As an aside. Quinn Hughes is one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. He looks like prime karlsson
- Just5

He is a fantastic player. He was really good last night. Generates a ton of offense.