I would still decline that as a leaf’s fan much rather kampf

I'm not a fan of Kampf on his deal. Moving it and getting a young D back who I really like and fills a small organizational hole would be fine. This is basically a money and term neutral deal, and risto doesn't have an NTC like kampf does

Philly has no reason to retain that much for that long for nothing in return. Risto has been very good since last season started

But we don’t need to move kampf to fit him in anyways I think Walker is the much better target

This is the best risto has ever looked and he still isn't more than a 3rd pair DFD.

You're paying him 25 million dollars. If he is moving it should* be a dump

*NHL GMs are stupid and occasionally pay a 1st round pick for Risto, or Chiarot

I'd like to see kampf moved at some point for a cheaper option in that slot. We have a need on D so moving that money around could make sense.

Still don't like risto but it's a rumour (which I don't believe frankly)

He is much better than a 3rd pairing defender. His defending rating was over 90 last year on a bad Philly team. Im not saying he has a ton of value based on his past but Philly has no reason to move him with retention for nothing in return. They can continue to allow him to be a good defender on a young team to build value or be a leader on the team

Interesting that you left out the rest of that rating.
He is a 3rd pair defender who needs specific usage to succeed.

that he struggled with offense because he was transforming his defensive game. shocking, i know. philly passes either way.

yOU'RE not getting Andrae, hes essentially a "niemala" in their system, and highest LD prospect for them.

I dont think PHI is trading him at 50% for a player they dont want/need

Believe me - I am A-Okay with that

Risto has been very under the radar since he sucked a couple years ago, and during that time he really improved his game which is why he has value around the league. He is no longer a negative impact player, and he's also a big body and RHD. This AGM was a complete waste of time

He is still a negative impact player even after his improvements. Dude is actual ass

Blatantly not true, what are you basing this off? Every metric, piece of data or even the eye test shows that Risto has turned into a positive defensive contributor.

He is a 3rd pair dman who needs an entire system built around him to even attain those results. He is paid 5 mil for this.

He is ass dude

You really think the Flyers would build a system around him? Systems get built around superstars not 3rd pair dmen. How about him just being a guy that is succeeding due to good coaching...

Not saying he's worth 5 mil, never did, just saying he makes a positive contribution when he's on the ice. At 50% retention though he definitely carries value.

I think the difference was that Buffalo had no structure (5 coaches in 7 years) and is now performing well under a team that prioritizes transition and defensive play, of which Ristolainen has seen great improvements. He has been converted to a defensive defensemen rather than a vagabond defensemen on the ice who doesn't have a defined role. The system that has completely overhauled the performance of the Flyers players. Everyone has improved and everyone has contributed to the system. Is Risto worth his current price tag? Probably not, but he certainly has improved drastically after the change of scenery and coaching change.

Listen I get being a fan, and I'm glad you managed to make him be not a horrible liability every second he is on the ice, but that doesn't make him good

They turned him into someone who can be trusted in his own end to make plays, move the puck up ice, and suppress quality chances. He's been solid this year and has progressed since last year. He is a solid 4/5 defensemen who is paid like he is a 3, which is fine for the Flyers given their cap space. The fact that they have converted him from being renowned as one of the worst defensemen in the league to someone who is actively contributing to the success of a team that nobody predicted to be 17-10-3 in their first 30 games makes him good.

Listen were just going in circles here so I'm gonna dip, but no it doesn't make him good