Not a Flyers fan, but how bizarre is the logic here? If we move him now it leaves a hole because internal replacements aren't ready.

Who cares! This roster isn't making the playoffs this season. Or next season. It may be years. So do you resign Risto and want him on your team when the window opens in 5 to 7 years? Of course not. He has some value now. Move him. You will finish bottom 5 with or without him.

How can I see that clearly as an outsider but the people covering the team don't grasp this?
- HockeyBuzzed

Not a Flyers fan, but how bizarre is the logic here? If we move him now it leaves a hole because internal replacements aren't ready.

Who cares! This roster isn't making the playoffs this season. Or next season. It may be years. So do you resign Risto and want him on your team when the window opens in 5 to 7 years? Of course not. He has some value now. Move him. You will finish bottom 5 with or without him.

How can I see that clearly as an outsider but the people covering the team don't grasp this?
- HockeyBuzzed

Logic does not apply to many Flyers fans.

Keep
Possibly trade him next year. But I'd probably hold on to him until trade deadline in his final year

I want 3 first round picks, you pancake eatin' MF
- Levit8

Nice movie reference but DB is no Sonny Weaver, Jr.

Not a Flyers fan, but how bizarre is the logic here? If we move him now it leaves a hole because internal replacements aren't ready.

Who cares! This roster isn't making the playoffs this season. Or next season. It may be years. So do you resign Risto and want him on your team when the window opens in 5 to 7 years? Of course not. He has some value now. Move him. You will finish bottom 5 with or without him.

How can I see that clearly as an outsider but the people covering the team don't grasp this?
- HockeyBuzzed

Exactly. The other issue is there are and have been replacements that are consistently kept off the roster even though the eye test shows that they're capable—Andrae this season, finally back in the lineup due to injuries, and York last season. Tortorella would rather play over-the-hill veterans Johnson and Staal.

Exactly. The other issue is there are and have been replacements that are consistently kept off the roster even though the eye test shows that they're capable—Andrae this season, finally back in the lineup due to injuries, and York last season. Tortorella would rather play over-the-hill veterans Johnson and Staal.
- Pixote Andolini

Calling up Andrae and then refusing to play him at the start of the season was almost as embarrassing as trying to prove they were right about Jett by forcing and unprepared kid into the opening night lineup. Well there was the record setting # of lineup changes that the league and internet made fun of.

What's the most embarrassing Tortorella/Flyers thing this year?

1. How Andrae has been handled this year
2. Jett making the team despite not being close to ready and the team waiting 9 games (most as a scratch) to send him down to save face.
3. The line juggling at the beginning of the year
4. The 3 and counting consecutive shutouts
5. How Michkov is being handled
6. Rocky. What does this guy need to do to get fired.
7. The Flyers loading up on draft picks in what is considered one of the least talented recent drafts and touting it as a win.
8. Accidently tanking while trying to make the playoffs.
9. Their AHL NHL ready talent.
10. All of the above.

Calling up Andrae and then refusing to play him at the start of the season was almost as embarrassing as trying to prove they were right about Jett by forcing and unprepared kid into the opening night lineup. Well there was the record setting # of lineup changes that the league and internet made fun of.

What's the most embarrassing Tortorella/Flyers thing this year?

1. How Andrae has been handled this year
2. Jett making the team despite not being close to ready and the team waiting 9 games (most as a scratch) to send him down to save face.
3. The line juggling at the beginning of the year
4. The 3 and counting consecutive shutouts
5. How Michkov is being handled
6. Rocky. What does this guy need to do to get fired.
7. The Flyers loading up on draft picks in what is considered one of the least talented recent drafts and touting it as a win.
8. Accidently tanking while trying to make the playoffs.
9. Their AHL NHL ready talent.
10. All of the above.
- Flyers_01

This by far to me. Many players would have a few more points with a better PP which may have helped their trade value.

Good to see a healthy ND back in the lineup. Maybe a team can use his experience to bolster their 4th line

So Heiskanen from Dallas just underwent knee surgery and is out month to month after that Stone hit. They have the resources, and they are at the right stage to add a player like Risto. He could slot into their top 4 while Miro is out, and be a third pairing dman when he returns. Jim Nill might like the term with Risto, as they are missing Tanev this year, and Risto could help with that. They traded their first this year, but they do have their first for next year, which might be a blessing to spread out the returns for any trades made. If not, they are stacked with youth, maybe a Maverick Bourque or something like that, but I could see a trade between Dallas and Philly with Risto as a the main piece heading out.

So Heiskanen from Dallas just underwent knee surgery and is out month to month after that Stone hit. They have the resources, and they are at the right stage to add a player like Risto. He could slot into their top 4 while Miro is out, and be a third pairing dman when he returns. Jim Nill might like the term with Risto, as they are missing Tanev this year, and Risto could help with that. They traded their first this year, but they do have their first for next year, which might be a blessing to spread out the returns for any trades made. If not, they are stacked with youth, maybe a Maverick Bourque or something like that, but I could see a trade between Dallas and Philly with Risto as a the main piece heading out.
- TheFreak

Are there better options out there than Risto? That is the first question that needs to be asked.

Dallas also just acquired Ceci.

I’ll go on record as saying, move Risto if a nice deal is there. My bigger point is this, if this draft is not as deep as previously thought, whatever deals we should make going forward, we should look out to the 26 draft and maybe beyond. We know we’re not making the playoffs this year and most likely next year as well, if we start trading assets now. Having 7 picks in the first 50 in this upcoming draft should be enough to make our selections and or trade some, if the situation arises. No sense loading up more a limited draft. If the front office is telling the truth about building a team that could compete for multiple cups, they should start adding whatever picks they obtain, for future years, so we also have multiple firsts or second rounders like this year.

Are there better options out there than Risto? That is the first question that needs to be asked.
- furio16

There might be better dmen available, but the cost to obtain them will also be higher. With Risto, Deboers can keep him with sheltered minutes, while letting him bring some toughness to the team. Dallas is poised for a run, and a player like Risto might be huge come the playoffs. Risto for 2026 first? Risto and a second for a first next year? They can make something work and properly slot Risto to keep him effective.

There might be better dmen available, but the cost to obtain them will also be higher. With Risto, Deboers can keep him with sheltered minutes, while letting him bring some toughness to the team. Dallas is poised for a run, and a player like Risto might be huge come the playoffs. Risto for 2026 first? Risto and a second for a first next year? They can make something work and properly slot Risto to keep him effective.
- TheFreak

Will it? Flyers want an overpay for Risto and Laughton. So a 1st for sheltered minutes. Dont see the value for Dallas.

Risto bringing toughness is overrated. Not sure when that all started.

I’ll go on record as saying, move Risto if a nice deal is there. My bigger point is this, if this draft is not as deep as previously thought, whatever deals we should make going forward, we should look out to the 26 draft and maybe beyond. We know we’re not making the playoffs this year and most likely next year as well, if we start trading assets now. Having 7 picks in the first 50 in this upcoming draft should be enough to make our selections and or trade some, if the situation arises. No sense loading up more a limited draft. If the front office is telling the truth about building a team that could compete for multiple cups, they should start adding whatever picks they obtain, for future years, so we also have multiple firsts or second rounders like this year.
- Laceemup88

My question is who thought this was a deep draft at any point? The Flyers have promoted it but has anyone else? and has the Flyers opinion on the draft changed? Did DB wonder why everyone was so eager to trade 2025 draft picks for players?

We know, as with the Jett pick, that they don't care what everyone else thinks of players.

My question is who thought this was a deep draft at any point? The Flyers have promoted it but has anyone else? and has the Flyers opinion on the draft changed? Did DB wonder why everyone was so eager to trade 2025 draft picks for players?

We know, as with the Jett pick, that they don't care what everyone else thinks of players.
- Flyers_01

I do remember them saying something along the lines of, targeting this draft as a change of direction for the organization. I think at one point it was written that the center position was heavy at the top, following last years draft was better for the defenseman. Whether they overvalued the players I don’t know. Maybe the glaring need for a center was driving their thought process. No one really knows how the Flyers rate such drafts or especially the other franchises.

The resume for Torts as Flyers HC, probably would have gotten most guys fired. 3 straight years of no playoffs, mutiple 10 game losing streaks, and bottom 5 PP for 3 years. Certainly it has not been all bad, but I strongly disagree he has done a good job. I doubt other HCs with a similar resume would be lauded as successful.

Speaking of trading risto tune into Sabres game. Rosen has been called up. Yeah that Rosen. The one picked by Buffalo with the first round pick philly stupidly traded to Buffalo for risto poopty ass

Of course you move him. We need to start getting some of the young guys in. Seeler is here for at least 1 more year. Sanheim is a Vet now and you can add another EJ type to sit in the press box and help mentor the young kids.

Moving him now is the ideal time. His value has never been higher and keeping him runs the risk of him reverting back to 3rd pair Risto. Hes in his 30s and not part of the future, take advantage of this opportunity.

That being said, If we can get a better return in the offseason, I have no problem holding onto him until then.

Where are people getting Risto's value as a 1st.

Let's recap some comparables:

Chychrun - 3rd plus Nick Jensen
Sergachev - Moser, Geekie, 2nd, 7th
Marino + 5th - 2nd, 2nd

Guys like Karlsson or Dougie Hamilton included 1sts. But Risto isn't in that category. If you get a 2nd + 3rd, or 2nd + prospect or younger roster player you take that.

Will never not be entertaining how Flyers value their players. The team flat out sucks but nah gawd no! Don’t trade Risto or The Room! Think of the giant hole it would leave in the lineup!

So fuggin what?

Not a Flyers fan, but how bizarre is the logic here? If we move him now it leaves a hole because internal replacements aren't ready.

Who cares! This roster isn't making the playoffs this season. Or next season. It may be years. So do you resign Risto and want him on your team when the window opens in 5 to 7 years? Of course not. He has some value now. Move him. You will finish bottom 5 with or without him.

How can I see that clearly as an outsider but the people covering the team don't grasp this?
- HockeyBuzzed

Because they are morons and incompetent. Also their #1 priority is profits for CUMcast

The Flyers would be lucky to receive a 1st round pick for Ristolainen. If they do, it'll most likely be a late 1st rounder (pick 24 or later) and will probably include the Flyers retaining salary or throwing back a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
- Pixote Andolini

Im not trading risto if I have to retain, at that point it's not worth it, and personally if I was the flyers I be looking for a 2026 1st rd pick, you have enough in this draft, it be nice to have more next year as well.

The resume for Torts as Flyers HC, probably would have gotten most guys fired. 3 straight years of no playoffs, mutiple 10 game losing streaks, and bottom 5 PP for 3 years. Certainly it has not been all bad, but I strongly disagree he has done a good job. I doubt other HCs with a similar resume would be lauded as successful.
- Trox88

He has clearly been a failure.

Im not trading risto if I have to retain, at that point it's not worth it, and personally if I was the flyers I be looking for a 2026 1st rd pick, you have enough in this draft, it be night to have more next year as well.
- SlNlSTER

Trades are hard.

No way the Flyers should retain salary. But if they can get a 2nd or 3rd please… make the trade.

Calling up Andrae and then refusing to play him at the start of the season was almost as embarrassing as trying to prove they were right about Jett by forcing and unprepared kid into the opening night lineup. Well there was the record setting # of lineup changes that the league and internet made fun of.

What's the most embarrassing Tortorella/Flyers thing this year?

1. How Andrae has been handled this year
2. Jett making the team despite not being close to ready and the team waiting 9 games (most as a scratch) to send him down to save face.
3. The line juggling at the beginning of the year
4. The 3 and counting consecutive shutouts
5. How Michkov is being handled
6. Rocky. What does this guy need to do to get fired.
7. The Flyers loading up on draft picks in what is considered one of the least talented recent drafts and touting it as a win.
8. Accidently tanking while trying to make the playoffs.
9. Their AHL NHL ready talent.
10. All of the above.
- Flyers_01

Giving jett a few games at the nhl level is never bad, experience is Experience.

The fact you pointed that out as a problem, shows ypu lack hockey knowledge.
Giving the kid 8 or 9 game look, even if he is not ready can help him in the long run.