Rasmus Ristolainen: The $5M, 0 percentile defenseman

[TB87]

Those of you who`ve watched Philly`s games (not highlights), how would you rank Flyers` d-men? And how Risto has played? Would you give him extension?

Sanheim: He is good. They’re terrified to use him on the PP for some reason even though he’s the team’s best offensive defenseman.

Braun: Still solid defensively.

Provorov: Has 1 primary assist at 5v5 since the beginning of the 2020-2021 season. 108 games played lol. A primary player/creative passer he is not. Provorov has regressed at a staggering rate. It’s “wild.” He’s gotten progressively worse defensively (play recognition, stick on puck plays, defending against entries, etc.). He’s gotten worse in transition too.

Ristolainen: He’s big. He chases hits to get out of proper position. He’s the scarecrow from the wizard of Oz on skates.

Seeler: An AHL defenseman getting NHL minutes.

Connauton: An AHL defenseman getting NHL minutes.

Yandle: An Ironman streak is the only reason he’s playing. He’s so cooked that the grill burned down the house and the entire neighborhood.

 

[Rene Saari]

Thanx for the answers. (And sorry to hear.) I feared this kind of feedback. Never liked his positioning and hockey IQ, but been hoping he would develop in those, especially when out of Buffalo. Interesting to see, where his salary settles. Is it 4 or will somebody pay 6 or more.

 

[Rebels57]

Thanx for the answers. (And sorry to hear.) I feared this kind of feedback. Never liked his positioning and hockey IQ, but been hoping he would develop in those, especially when out of Buffalo. Interesting to see, where his salary settles. Is it 4 or will somebody pay 6 or more.

Chuckles the Clown is going to re-sign Risto. He will give him by far the largest contract offer to double-down on his mistake. He's the worst GM in the league and absolutely destroying the franchise and fanbase with no repercussions. I hope someone punches him right in his face today. If not today, tomorrow.

 

[Striiker]

 

[ajgoal]

Chuckles the Clown is going to re-sign Risto. He will give him by far the largest contract offer to double-down on his mistake. He's the worst GM in the league and absolutely destroying the franchise and fanbase with no repercussions. I hope someone punches him right in his face today. If not today, tomorrow.

Bail me out?

 

[Rebels57]

Bail me out?

 

[Flyer lurker]

Re-signing Rasmus Ristolainen would be a colossal mistake for Chuck Fletcher, Flyers

 

[Flyerfan4life]

Re-signing Rasmus Ristolainen would be a colossal mistake for Chuck Fletcher, Flyers

chuckles says hold mah beer

 

[deadhead]

We already know the $6+M offer was fiction, probably leaked by his agent to drum up interest in free agency.

As that article points out, in a vacuum, paying Risto $4M is probably reasonable, the JFresh numbers are a 3 year average, including his worst Buffalo season in 7 years (COVID influenced), I suspect his Flyer numbers would be more acceptable. And being physical and durable has value, there are numerous "better" D-men who can't stay on the ice, and no one won games from the trainer's table.

Had Fletcher given up a 2nd and 3rd, and then extended Risto at $4M after locking up Sanheim long-term and without Ellis or Ghost eating $4.5-6M next year, the move would have been fine. As a 28 year #4 D-man who provides size and physicality to a soft, small defensive unit, he'd provide the balance they'll lack unless Attard can quickly step in. Context matters. But you can't carry 4 sizeable contracts on defense unless they're top players. You need to balance the long-term deals with players on ELCs and first RFA contracts.

This is why they need to drop the "we're going to be competitive mantra" and accept a 2-3 year reload. If they go out and sign veterans in their late 20s, early 30s this offseason, they'll just extend the reign of mediocrity. Focus on adding a young defensive oriented RHD (we have plenty of LH puck movers) and a young 2C.

 

[Ironmanrulez]

We already know the $6+M offer was fiction, probably leaked by his agent to drum up interest in free agency.

As that article points out, in a vacuum, paying Risto $4M is probably reasonable, the JFresh numbers are a 3 year average, including his worst Buffalo season in 7 years (COVID influenced), I suspect his Flyer numbers would be more acceptable. And being physical and durable has value, there are numerous "better" D-men who can't stay on the ice, and no one won games from the trainer's table.

Had Fletcher given up a 2nd and 3rd, and then extended Risto at $4M after locking up Sanheim long-term and without Ellis or Ghost eating $4.5-6M next year, the move would have been fine. As a 28 year #4 D-man who provides size and physicality to a soft, small defensive unit, he'd provide the balance they'll lack unless Attard can quickly step in. Context matters. But you can't carry 4 sizeable contracts on defense unless they're top players. You need to balance the long-term deals with players on ELCs and first RFA contracts.

This is why they need to drop the "we're going to be competitive mantra" and accept a 2-3 year reload. If they go out and sign veterans in their late 20s, early 30s this offseason, they'll just extend the reign of mediocrity. Focus on adding a young defensive oriented RHD (we have plenty of LH puck movers) and a young 2C.

No

 

[Rebels57]

What was the "good" the title was referring to?

 

[usahockey22flyers]

I'm fine with anything in the 4M range.

I'm also more fine with trading him away this deadline.

 

[Rebels57]

I'm fine with anything in the 4M range.

I'm also more fine with trading him away this deadline.

Why are you fine with paying a detrimental player $4 million?

 

[Striiker]

What was the "good" the title was referring to?

The top 5 pick he’s getting us.

 

[bennysflyers16]

What was the "good" the title was referring to?

Not Good
Real bad
and Ugly

 

[Rebels57]

The top 5 pick he’s getting us.

That we'll f*** up anyway by either selecting the wrong prospect or by ruining their developing.

 

[bennysflyers16]

Why are you fine with paying a detrimental player $4 million?

We have pivoted to its not 6, and I am fine with making a 6 year commitment to a shit player for 4 mill per year .

We can get a bottom pair physical RHD for 2 years and less than 4 mill if that is what they are hard for.

 

[bennysflyers16]

That we'll f*** up anyway by either selecting the wrong prospect or by ruining their developing.

Give me pick 7-10, will make the disappointment so much easier.

 

[Striiker]

That we'll f*** up anyway by either selecting the wrong prospect or by ruining their developing.

They’ll definitely try their best to ruin him or take the worst option, but I think the better the player the better chance they can succeed in spite of the staffs best efforts. Given the surrounding situation isn’t changing, I’d rather have that high pick and pray for some luck than a worse one.

 

[prototypical4thliner]

What the f*** does competition and teammates mean in this context???

 

[Striiker]

What the f*** does competition and teammates mean in this context???

He plays a lot with our best D and top line.

 

[Rebels57]

They'll extend Risto. It's note even a question. My guess is 6 X 6.370. Chuck likes to be cute and add the players jersey number at the end of their salary. Not that it matters because the Flyers are dead. We are just toying with their corpse.

 

[Striiker]

 

[GKJ]

Why do you keep posting twitter randos? Who cares? People say stupid shit on twitter all the time, including myself.

 

[Rebels57]

Please stop posting his tweets here. I beg of you.