Anyone can be traded but neither will have the market that you think they do. Especially Ristolainen. Tagging space is an issue with both.
- MJL

If a GM wants either player, they will make it work. It isn't complicated or hard.

It is possible you are incorrect and Risto does have a decent market. Been reported by reputable sources there is interest.

The Flyers will not move either one based on what the market offers. That is main problem.

If a GM wants either player, they will make it work. It isn't complicated or hard.

It is possible you are incorrect and Risto does have a decent market. Been reported by reputable sources there is interest.

The Flyers will not move either one based on what the market offers. That is main problem.
- furio16

Oh Im sure there is interest. I just don't think the return is what anyone (or the Flyers) thinks it will be.

Anyone can be traded but neither will have the market that you think they do. Especially Ristolainen. Tagging space is an issue with both.
- MJL

Curious your thoughts.

Would you take less of a return if it allowed to to remove all of the Ristolianen deal?

I am not sure Laughton gets a first rounder, but would you take a 2nd if that was the offer?

I feel like the Flyers have to remove money and term off this team. I have been vocal. I would also make Tippett available.

He is going to be a great NHL player, we just have to be patient and let the coaches do their job with him.
- jd250

1 more year of Torts fine, but Torts has always had the D first, block shot, turtle style hockey and he does get a lot out of his players. That is the system, the problem is when you are dropped into that system you become a part of the system, Torts doesn't need to ask, it is human nature to fit it. Add, we all know what tight group hockey players are, MM is not different. After next year, they need a different coach and talent, young talent making mistakes. I look at Celebrini and he is playing with young talent, racking up points and losing, let it roll, he has an advantage on MM, due to MM being with players "playing the right way"

1 more year of Torts fine, but Torts has always had the D first, block shot, turtle style hockey and he does get a lot out of his players. That is the system, the problem is when you are dropped into that system you become a part of the system, Torts doesn't need to ask, it is human nature to fit it. Add, we all know what tight group hockey players are, MM is not different. After next year, they need a different coach and talent, young talent making mistakes. I look at Celebrini and he is playing with young talent, racking up points and losing, let it roll, he has an advantage on MM, due to MM being with players "playing the right way"
- wcorvette

Who on this team is batting above their weight? This he gets the best out of players isn't happening on the Flyers to any high degree.

getting optimistic about what Drysdale can become, the skill is there, and the one thing this staff can do is coach D.

Oh Im sure there is interest. I just don't think the return is what anyone (or the Flyers) thinks it will be.
- MBFlyerfan

that would leave, move them to lose more. I mean a 2nd could turn into a great pick, but is there not a case to say "why move Laughton for that". I am ok with them doing it to lose, I just don't like spending my time on shxt that will never happen.

Oh Im sure there is interest. I just don't think the return is what anyone (or the Flyers) thinks it will be.
- MBFlyerfan

It's not about making it work. A team can make room. It's if it is the right move for a team. There is a big difference between taking on a player on an expiring contract at a pro rated cap hit versus taking on a player with future term. As I'm sure you're aware of.

Curious your thoughts.

Would you take less of a return if it allowed to to remove all of the Ristolianen deal?

I am not sure Laughton gets a first rounder, but would you take a 2nd if that was the offer?

I feel like the Flyers have to remove money and term off this team. I have been vocal. I would also make Tippett available.
- J35Bacher

I would take a 5th round pick if a team would take on the full contract for Ristolainen.

1 more year of Torts fine, but Torts has always had the D first, block shot, turtle style hockey and he does get a lot out of his players. That is the system, the problem is when you are dropped into that system you become a part of the system, Torts doesn't need to ask, it is human nature to fit it. Add, we all know what tight group hockey players are, MM is not different. After next year, they need a different coach and talent, young talent making mistakes. I look at Celebrini and he is playing with young talent, racking up points and losing, let it roll, he has an advantage on MM, due to MM being with players "playing the right way"
- wcorvette

Well said. Due to Tortorella's insistence on 100% accountability to what he wants. Michkov has changed his game from an aggressive attacking mindset to being focused on making the safe and conservative play. Teams who are bad at developing players leverage low value skills over high value skills. Thinking the latter can come later. This stifles development momentum in a player. Tortorella is a coach that can make a bad team better but a good team worse.

Oh Im sure there is interest. I just don't think the return is what anyone (or the Flyers) thinks it will be.
- MBFlyerfan

Def not what management thinks or wants. Hence why he won't be moved. Then we get the Risto is so important talk and the like.

I am ok if they keep hm and let the contract run out. He isn't blocking anyone. Plus, as crazy as this sounds it prevents them from then pursuing someone else on a 7 year deal for big bucks on D. Ekblad perhaps?

It's not about making it work. A team can make room. It's if it is the right move for a team. There is a big difference between taking on a player on an expiring contract at a pro rated cap hit versus taking on a player with future term. As I'm sure you're aware of.
- MJL

Some teams are looking for term. As you said if it is the right move a team will find a way. It isn't hard nor complicated.

Who on this team is batting above their weight? This he gets the best out of players isn't happening on the Flyers to any high degree.
- furio16

How can you make this statement? Look at the players that have developed under Torts and his staff. Cates, Brink, Foerster, York, Risto, Sanheim and most of all, TK. What the heck are you talking about??

I would take a 5th round pick if a team would take on the full contract for Ristolainen.
- MJL

You are a person of very low intellect!

getting optimistic about what Drysdale can become, the skill is there, and the one thing this staff can do is coach D.
- wcorvette

You should be. If, BIG IF, Drysdale can stay on the ice, he will develop under Shaw to be a very good offensive defenseman. He will never be a shutdown defenseman, but thats OK. Drysdale has to be all about generate offense and he has the skillset to do so.

How can you make this statement? Look at the players that have developed under Torts and his staff. Cates, Brink, Foerster, York, Risto, Sanheim and most of all, TK. What the heck are you talking about??
- jd250

I can make that statement rather easily.

Risot, TK, and Sanheim are vets. Is that natural progression or all coaching?

Common sense would know I was talking about the younger players. I will ask again who is batting above their weight? York hasn't progressed. Tyson haven't seen any leap. Brink has played solidly. Cates the only one and that is over the last 6-8 weeks or so. Has Tippet, Forst, Joel taken any step forward? More have regresses or stayed static than progressed.

The sooner he gets away from this coaching staff the better.
- MBFlyerfan

Honestly, you don't know what you are talking about. You have no idea how to develop a young player into a good NHL professional. Michkov is struggling right now with his conditioning, and trying to raise his game to make an impact in the NHL when the games become more meaningful and intense. Torts and the staff are sheltering him and managing his minutes. Anaheim last year healthy scratched Carlsson out for about 20 games for the exact same reason. So I really think you need to rethink what you are saying here.

Some teams are looking for term. As you said if it is the right move a team will find a way. It isn't hard nor complicated.
- furio16

But to most teams I don't think Risto's cap hit is worth having the term that goes with it. He makes about twice what he is worth.

You should be. If, BIG IF, Drysdale can stay on the ice, he will develop under Shaw to be a very good offensive defenseman. He will never be a shutdown defenseman, but thats OK. Drysdale has to be all about generate offense and he has the skillset to do so.
- jd250

Love when the "if" factor comes into play.

Having the skillset and getting results are 2 different things. His offensive prodcutuion leaves a lot to be desired.

I can make that statement rather easily.

Risot, TK, and Sanheim are vets. Is that natural progression or all coaching?

Common sense would know I was talking about the younger players. I will ask again who is batting above their weight? York hasn't progressed. Tyson haven't seen any leap. Brink has played solidly. Cates the only one and that is over the last 6-8 weeks or so. Has Tippet, Forst, Joel taken any step forward? More have regresses or stayed static than progressed.
- furio16

Clearly coaching for the exactly the reason you stated here, because they are vets. They had several years of mediocre play and now they are playing at a much higher level. Regarding Frost and Farabee .. maybe this is just what they are, middling forwards. Sometimes our expectations have to be tempered on what these players are.

Honestly, you don't know what you are talking about. You have no idea how to develop a young player into a good NHL professional. Michkov is struggling right now with his conditioning, and trying to raise his game to make an impact in the NHL when the games become more meaningful and intense. Torts and the staff are sheltering him and managing his minutes. Anaheim last year healthy scratched Carlsson out for about 20 games for the exact same reason. So I really think you need to rethink what you are saying here.
- jd250

Love when the "if" factor comes into play.

Having the skillset and getting results are 2 different things. His offensive prodcutuion leaves a lot to be desired.
- furio16

He is playing much better, and more importantly is staying on the ice. He is finally taking steps forward.

But to most teams I don't think Risto's cap hit is worth having the term that goes with it. He makes about twice what he is worth.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree. He is not a player who a team thinks can get them over the hump. 50% retention to solidify a team's bottom pair you can get a deal done IMO. Him at 2.5 per who can move into the top 4 short term may be appealing.

Maybe a team like the Jets would have interest as hard to find players to go there. Not sure what their Defense looks like in terms if UFA after the season.

He is playing much better, and more importantly is staying on the ice. He is finally taking steps forward.
- jd250

Good he is playing much better. He was at the very bottom. Need to keep it in context.
He is a RFA in 2026. Will be interesting to see how that shakes out.

Honestly, you don't know what you are talking about. You have no idea how to develop a young player into a good NHL professional. Michkov is struggling right now with his conditioning, and trying to raise his game to make an impact in the NHL when the games become more meaningful and intense. Torts and the staff are sheltering him and managing his minutes. Anaheim last year healthy scratched Carlsson out for about 20 games for the exact same reason. So I really think you need to rethink what you are saying here.
- jd250

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