His defense in Buffalo wasn't overlooked. It was objectively bad. Ristolainen is now playing in a conservative defense first system. It's the equivalent of playing a packed in zone in basketball. He deserves credit for playing well when asked to move up. Like any player. Best to judge over a large sample.
- MJL

Like the NBA where the spoiled brats don't play unless they feel like it? What a joke the Sixas have become. If I was a fan (thankfully I'm NOT) I'd sue the Sixas for breach of contract if I was a season ticket holder. Go Flyers and go NHL! The NBA should be renamed the BBA (Big Baby Association)!

His defense in Buffalo wasn't overlooked. It was objectively bad. Ristolainen is now playing in a conservative defense first system. It's the equivalent of playing a packed in zone in basketball. He deserves credit for playing well when asked to move up. Like any player. Best to judge over a large sample.
- MJL

I believe it was somewhat overlooked or at least accepted….why else would he continue to get the minutes of a top pair d man? The guy averaged 25-26 minutes a night for 4 plus years…he averaged over 22 minutes a night his last two years. As you have said it’s not like he’s ever been good …in fact he was objectively bad in his own end. I’m sure when the Flyers traded that package for him it wasn’t for todays version. I’m sure they thought they could perhaps work on his defensive game without losing that guy who put up 4 seasons of 40 plus points.
The trade it self has been a failure when everything is considered. Both how they use him and how he has preformed.
With all that said there are a lot of bad d men in the NHL. If Risto continues to play like this for an extended period….(one of the top expected goals for D men in the NHL this season) then I do beleive there will be a market if the Flyers choose to seek a trade.

I believe it was somewhat overlooked or at least accepted….why else would he continue to get the minutes of a top pair d man? The guy averaged 25-26 minutes a night for 4 plus years…he averaged over 22 minutes a night his last two years. As you have said it’s not like he’s ever been good …in fact he was objectively bad in his own end. I’m sure when the Flyers traded that package for him it wasn’t for todays version. I’m sure they thought they could perhaps work on his defensive game without losing that guy who put up 4 seasons of 40 plus points.
The trade it self has been a failure when everything is considered. Both how they use him and how he has preformed.
With all that said there are a lot of bad d men in the NHL. If Risto continues to play like this for an extended period….(one of the top expected goals for D men in the NHL this season) then I do beleive there will be a market if the Flyers choose to seek a trade.
- landros 2

I think I get what you're saying now. His poor defense was overlooked. If I have that right, yes I totally agree. Ristolainen just as a player would have a market. He can play on the 3rd pairing of probably any team. It's the contract that is the issue and some want to try and separate that. Teams normally don't want to take on term for mediocre players like Ristolainen. The Flyers could retain 50% and that would increase his market. I get the feeling that the Flyers want to free up cap space as soon as possible to get back into the UFA market and want to get out of the retaining salary business. The other side of that is doing so frees up2.55M in cap space

I believe it was somewhat overlooked or at least accepted….why else would he continue to get the minutes of a top pair d man? The guy averaged 25-26 minutes a night for 4 plus years…he averaged over 22 minutes a night his last two years. As you have said it’s not like he’s ever been good …in fact he was objectively bad in his own end. I’m sure when the Flyers traded that package for him it wasn’t for todays version. I’m sure they thought they could perhaps work on his defensive game without losing that guy who put up 4 seasons of 40 plus points.
The trade it self has been a failure when everything is considered. Both how they use him and how he has preformed.
With all that said there are a lot of bad d men in the NHL. If Risto continues to play like this for an extended period….(one of the top expected goals for D men in the NHL this season) then I do beleive there will be a market if the Flyers choose to seek a trade.
- landros 2

They wanted a mean intimidating defenseman who still had skill. They’ve been trying to find a Pronger replacement forever. They fell in love with his size, aggressiveness and physical skills and ignored the evidence of his actual play. The Flyers often fall in love with their vision of a player and ignore the reality of what they are.

I think I get what you're saying now. His poor defense was overlooked. If I have that right, yes I totally agree. Ristolainen just as a player would have a market. He can play on the 3rd pairing of probably any team. It's the contract that is the issue and some want to try and separate that. Teams normally don't want to take on term for mediocre players like Ristolainen. The Flyers could retain 50% and that would increase his market. I get the feeling that the Flyers want to free up cap space as soon as possible to get back into the UFA market and want to get out of the retaining salary business. The other side of that is doing so frees up2.55M in cap space
- MJL

Or take back a bad contract….DB seems to like that. It’s tough to trade a 5.1 $ contract straight up. Walker, Pederson, johansson….all were bad $ coming back.

They wanted a mean intimidating defenseman who still had skill. They’ve been trying to find a Pronger replacement forever. They fell in love with his size, aggressiveness and physical skills and ignored the evidence of his actual play. The Flyers often fall in love with their vision of a player and ignore the reality of what they are.
- Dkos

All the traits Pronger had except the most important one…elite hockey sense. People forget as well…this guy was a top 10 draft pick.

All the traits Pronger had except the most important one…elite hockey sense. People forget as well…this guy was a top 10 draft pick.
- landros 2

Yep. The guy’s got all the physical talent you could want.

Yep. The guy’s got all the physical talent you could want.
- Dkos

Ristolainen has all the tools of an elite defenseman from the neck down.

All the traits Pronger had except the most important one…elite hockey sense. People forget as well…this guy was a top 10 draft pick.
- landros 2

The Flyguys have the market cornered on guys with low hockey sense. It's becoming an epidemic on this team.