Photo Credit: Frankie Steskal
Two days after the Flyers beat the Washington Capitals, a very good team in the Capitals, the Flyers are looking to start a winning streak on Wednesday night, as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Without further delay, here or are answers to your questions.
What will happen or what will transpire is anyone’s guess, but this team is different than last year. They are getting good Goaltending, the defense is more stabilized even without Ryan Ellis, and the special teams are vastly improved.
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These are all recipes for success, to include a deep playoff run, but I’m not ready to say yes to that. The Metropolitan Division is a very tough division, and although the Flyers sit in second place at the moment. There is still a lot of hockey left to be played. I’m tempering my expectations of this team, as last year I thought they would have an extended playoff run and they didn’t make the playoffs at all. Let’s hope they do.
The Travis Sanheim-Rasmus Ristolainen pairing has been inconsistent to start the season. One game they are solid together, the next not so much. It’s not that both play bad at the same time it’s either or, starting with Ristolainen. Ristolainen arguably had his best game as a Flyer this past Saturday night against the Washington Capitals. He was decisive with his decision-making, he sealed gaps, took space away from the Capitals to create, and he was physical. Ristolainen played solid hockey on the road trip, but there was some inconsistencies in terms of sealing gaps.
Ristolainen should be re-signed for the right money. I would hate Chuck Fletcher to pay $6 million or more for him, and I have a feeling that’s what he’s going to command. Especially if he continues to play like he did this past Saturday night. The Flyers will not part ways with both Sanheim and Ristolainen, so I think Sanheim will not be moved, unless Fletcher absolutely has to, to move the needle for this team. The Flyers are very high on him, they will not move him just to give Cam York playing time, as York will have to earn that spot.
The Flyers got burnt last season with letting the youth play, thus letting veterans depart, most notably Tyler Pitlick. I do not expect the Flyers to move on from a veteran to give York playing time without knowing what York can give at the NHL level. This is not a dig at your, rather every prospect is different in how they bloom
The Travis Sanheim-Rasmus Ristolainen pairing has been inconsistent to start the season. One game they are solid together, the next not so much. It’s not that both play bad at the same time it’s either or, starting with Ristolainen. Ristolainen arguably had his best game as a Flyer this past Saturday night against the Washington Capitals. He was decisive with his decision-making, he sealed gaps, took space away from the Capitals to create, and he was physical. Ristolainen played solid hockey on the road trip, but there was some inconsistencies in terms of sealing gaps.
One thing I love is the physicality that Ristolainen brings to the table. This pairing is trending up, so let’s see how it goes on Wednesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I do believe that Nicolas Aube-Kubel gets moved eventually, and it could happen at the trade deadline. NAK being moved is inevitable.
If I know Alain Vigneault like I think I do, I think he will ease Kevin Hayes back into the lineup, rather than just throwing him back in the mix as a 2C or 3C. I actually believe the top nine will stay put, especially if the Flyers continue to win, this forcing Nate Thompson out of the lineup.
Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Farabee-Brassard-Atkinson
Lindblom-Laughton-JvR
Brown-Hayes-MacEwen
(NAK, Thompson)
Hayes will not be a 4C for long, this is to ease him back into the to the mix, especially with not having a full proper training camp. This will allow him to get his conditioning back, and stamina.
Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Farabee-Brassard-Atkinson
Lindblom-Laughton-JvR
Brown-Hayes-MacEwen
I do not believe he will do a rehab stint with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but allowing him to be the 4C, thus eases him back into the to the mix, especially with not having a full proper training camp. This will allow him to get his conditioning back, and stamina.
As a 4C it will also take the pressure off of him expecting to succeed right away. Let him ease back into the game, and get adjusted properly.
No one knows what’s wrong with Ryan Ellis. He had his best day of practice yesterday, so let’s see how it goes for Wednesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. All we know is it’s a lower body injury that Ellis has sustained, and it’s the same injury that he dealt with before the season began. Let’s hope he plays Wednesday night.
Before Samuel Ersson’s injury he could have very well been the prospect the Flyers looked to to back up Carter Hart possibly next season if Martin Jones decided to walk. Jones is only 31-years-old, so he might be looking for a starting position next season.
Felix Sandström is really playing well for Lehigh, and as of right now he would be pegged as the one to succeed Jones. Sandström really looks good for the Phantoms as he is moving laterally post to post well. The exact order is below:
Sandström
Ersson
Ustimenko
Fedotov
Kolosov
People should temper their expectations with the Russian netminders, as it’s not guaranteed either comes over to North America. Both are currently playing in the KHL, which is arguably the second toughest thing in the World.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers.
