The Fan Blog : Ek on Flyers: Do you really want to trade Risto?

Anything other than 'keep' is kinda dumb.

I think Risto has played the best and most consistent out of all the Flyers defenseman this year. It would certainly leave a big hole in the lineup for the Flyers to fill if and when they are ready to compete for a cup again. I think Risto is still young enough and at a good price to keep him around for a few more years. However, he is probably at his peak value right now and if the Flyers would be open to moving him, they need to jump on it before his potential suitors find other options. I think the Flyers could get back a 1st round pick for him, and even more, without covering any salary. Is that worth it to the Flyers, who have 7 picks in the first two rounds currently? Probably not. I would think if the Flyers do move Risto, he would be part of a package for a younger prospect that has a potential or ceiling to be a 1D or 1C. The Flyers have all the leverage right now since his cost is manageable and he is playing very well for them.

The Fan Blog : Ek on Flyers: Do you really want to trade Risto?
- the_fan_blog

Yes you trade him. If you can get anything of value - he is a top 4 dman cause they flyers suck - he is a 5/6/7 dman on a contending team no one is going to pay 5.1M for that. If someone offers a pick and a prospect gmdb should be like I drive him to PHL myself!

I think Risto has played the best and most consistent out of all the Flyers defenseman this year. It would certainly leave a big hole in the lineup for the Flyers to fill if and when they are ready to compete for a cup again. I think Risto is still young enough and at a good price to keep him around for a few more years. However, he is probably at his peak value right now and if the Flyers would be open to moving him, they need to jump on it before his potential suitors find other options. I think the Flyers could get back a 1st round pick for him, and even more, without covering any salary. Is that worth it to the Flyers, who have 7 picks in the first two rounds currently? Probably not. I would think if the Flyers do move Risto, he would be part of a package for a younger prospect that has a potential or ceiling to be a 1D or 1C. The Flyers have all the leverage right now since his cost is manageable and he is playing very well for them.
- jd250

Risto and 2 firsts for Clarke from LA?

6’2” hard hitting defenceman who has 231 hits in 258 career nhl games…….

And he defends the net well with a career -35 over 5+ seasons

And is NOT an offensive defenceman as Ek pointed out.

So yea don’t trade him because his contract is somewhat manageable by above standards……

Okay then!

I think Risto has played the best and most consistent out of all the Flyers defenseman this year. It would certainly leave a big hole in the lineup for the Flyers to fill if and when they are ready to compete for a cup again. I think Risto is still young enough and at a good price to keep him around for a few more years. However, he is probably at his peak value right now and if the Flyers would be open to moving him, they need to jump on it before his potential suitors find other options. I think the Flyers could get back a 1st round pick for him, and even more, without covering any salary. Is that worth it to the Flyers, who have 7 picks in the first two rounds currently? Probably not. I would think if the Flyers do move Risto, he would be part of a package for a younger prospect that has a potential or ceiling to be a 1D or 1C. The Flyers have all the leverage right now since his cost is manageable and he is playing very well for them.
- jd250

He has bee the most consistent of all the D. Everyone else has had their ups and downs. Sanheim was a beast for few weeks and went back to normal.

yes

To answer the question:

YES

The Fan Blog : Ek on Flyers: Do you really want to trade Risto?
- the_fan_blog

The Flyers are going nowhere in the next 2 year so why keep him if he is in “demand”?

Do you want to extend him? Are you suggesting that?

Who are the top 3 teams after Risto at this time?

I think Risto has played the best and most consistent out of all the Flyers defenseman this year. It would certainly leave a big hole in the lineup for the Flyers to fill if and when they are ready to compete for a cup again. I think Risto is still young enough and at a good price to keep him around for a few more years. However, he is probably at his peak value right now and if the Flyers would be open to moving him, they need to jump on it before his potential suitors find other options. I think the Flyers could get back a 1st round pick for him, and even more, without covering any salary. Is that worth it to the Flyers, who have 7 picks in the first two rounds currently? Probably not. I would think if the Flyers do move Risto, he would be part of a package for a younger prospect that has a potential or ceiling to be a 1D or 1C. The Flyers have all the leverage right now since his cost is manageable and he is playing very well for them.
- jd250

Part of a package for a 1 D or 1 C. Seek help.

What else they including in that package? Jett and Bonk? Flyers 1st?

Part of a package for a 1 D or 1 C. Seek help.

What else they including in that package? Jett and Bonk? Flyers 1st?
- furio16

Why not? If you are a contending team that believes they can go on a deep run and wants to bolster their defense with a RHS top 4 physical defenseman that can skate and generate offense also, why wouldn't they be interested in Risto? I think Risto plus one of the Flyers other 1st round picks, not their own, and maybe a 2nd would get it done. You should seek help with your hatred of all things orange and black.

Part of a package for a 1 D or 1 C. Seek help.

What else they including in that package? Jett and Bonk? Flyers 1st?
- furio16

Laughton can go. I do not want to give up a first unless it is for a bonified 1c.

Why not? If you are a contending team that believes they can go on a deep run and wants t oolster their defense with a RHS top 4 physical defenseman, why wouldn't they be interested in Risto? I think Risto plus one of the Flyers other 1st round picks, not their own, and maybe a 2nd would get it done. You should seek help with your hatred of all things orange and black.
- jd250

This is where you go off the rails. There is no team out there that thinks Risto is the piece to get them over the top. None. Though I can’t wait to see how Risto handles all that pressure being on a playoff bound team.

Well I disagree with you as much as one can thinking that package will get a top C or D prospect. That is pure delusional homer thinking.

Unlike you I live in reality. This organization is a dumpster fire. One day you will come to that understanding.

The Flyers are going nowhere in the next 2 year so why keep him if he is in “demand”?

Do you want to extend him? Are you suggesting that?

Who are the top 3 teams after Risto at this time?
- furio16

Leafs and Hurricanes in the East, out West the Wild, Avalanche and Kings if I had to guess.

Leafs and Hurricanes in the East, out West the Wild, Avalanche and Kings if I had to guess.
- jd250

Yeah I can see the Hurricanes who use analytics to drive many roster decisions wanting Risto. Especially seeing how they don’t make poor acquisitions often. Don’t see Risto being a fit there in any way.

All moot as he is a part of the future core defense for when the Flyers are contenders.

yes

Pending significant injuries to defense corps on specific teams in the hunt come the trade deadline I doubt the Flyers will gain significant assets or picks for Ristolainen. I can see the Flyers retaining salary or something silly like that.

Keep in mind the Flyers have already played their hand with the return and unimpressive picks they received from Calgary. That's the short term. The long term for this organization is that it does several very poor things just from an asset management standpoint. 1. They overvalue their players. 2. The coach actually hurts their assets by throwing together slapdash and horrible line combinations, reducing ice time, benching, or flat-out scratching players (everyone keeps saying the Flyers are 'Rebuilding') that still have untapped potential and could be used to accrue more than a late 2nd round pick and a 7th round pick.

Additionally, the Flyers overall have very middling options of players that they'd most likely look to move on overpriced deals. The Flyers reek of desperation at this point on the heels of the Farabee and Frost deal.

Wild take and I'll happily own up to it but I see Farabee eventually elevating his game to before his neck injury and being a staple in Calgary's top 6. I can also easily see Frost get promoted (I believe he's currently centering their 3rd line) and seeing regular PP duty as well as perhaps bumping up in the lineup pending injuries or a hot streak.

I can't recall ever seeing a player as poorly utilized by a team at that specific stage of their career as Frost was. After seeing how Tortorella didn't use him when the Flyers needed offense more than anything in the last game of the season against the Capitals, sealing their fate and missing the playoffs after being in a playoff position for 80+% of the season, it was clear then that the kid had no chance in Philadelphia.

The Flyers are going nowhere in the next 2 year so why keep him if he is in “demand”?

Do you want to extend him? Are you suggesting that?

Who are the top 3 teams after Risto at this time?
- furio16

The Fourth Period is linking Risto to Dallas, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

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

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

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.

"Rebuilding" teams don't keep overpaid 3rd pair defensemen if there is interest in moving them. Why would you keep him for 2 more years? He doesn't fit the timeline. If you can get any asset for him you move him and bring up one of the Phantoms he is blocking.

Risto is not part of the future nor should he be.

Sure he is playing better, but that is up from being demonstrably the worst defenseman in the league. He traded all of his offensive game to be a passable defensive first player who is playing up in the lineup here because it is the Flyers. On a playoff team he is a 3rd pair guy at best. On teams like Carolina he would be a marginal 7th.

If you can get a 2nd round pick or a project young d-man you do it without question. And you do whatever it takes to not have to retain salary.

The Fourth Period is linking Risto to Dallas, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
- Minnyhock

Laughton and Risto both 50% retention for a package around Savoi.

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?