I'm not sold on Haag either but I'd rather see if he can turn into that reliable veteran defensive 3rd pair defender for the next decade. Morin has physical skills that could lead to a monster on the back end. I don't see how both of them get the playing time they need now. They're essentially 7 and 8 on the depth chart as of now. I think someone is going to get traded. Maybe it's a bigger move with Gostisbehere going somewhere. I don't know.
- MJL

Absolutely. Someone is getting traded. I like Morin. Can’t say it enough. He still has to develop and get will need steady playing time to do that. I think he will start in the 7th d position but injuries are going to happen.

I do like the D group better now then a week ago. That I can say. Best for the kids. Maybe. I do think for guys like Travis and Provy and Myers. Playing with the vets they brought in might help them more then playing with Hägg or a rusty Morin.

He's only 27, kills penalties. I think he gives them five value years if he does sign

TBH, I don't know that he will sign. That's another reason I'm not worked up about it. He seems like one of those guys who likes deciding exactly where he wants to be
- AllInForFlyers

That could very well be.

I have to admit, I thought they were gonna do Ghost for Trouba. Since they didn't, I don't know that they're gonna do anything else IF they get Hayes signed.

Hayes doesn't sign, they're gonna do something else, and I have a feeling that it'll cut deep
- AllInForFlyers

I felt they needed two forwards before messing with the defense. I do think the defense is better but he needs to add two forwards (1 if Hayes signs). I would have preferred he added two forward vets on short deals.

And just as important, he needs to add a quality backup goalie.

If he has a positive effect on Ivan myers Sanheim and hart them yes it was worth it. If he can lighten their load then yes it was worth it as the long term gain will be better.
- daryl stanley

I'd rather bite the bullet and live with the growing pains of Patrick and Laughton while waiting for other young player such as Frost to take a step up than to get into a long term deal with Hayes. He's likely to become a role player half way through the deal at a 6-7M cap hit. I'd rather they look for a shorter term stop gap. I'll add that I really like Hayes as a player. He'll make the Flyers a better team in the short term but I don't think he elevates the team significantly.

I think it is a legit need to have some support for younger players but there has to be a balance. I think the Flyers are going to far the other way and we have to believe that this will be how they operate every off season.

Every move from this point on should be about building for the future but they have to appease the bean counters.
- MJL

The growing pains of Scott Laughton? lol ok? The guy that when he was drafted in the first round was projected to be only a third line player at best? Hence why this board went crazy.

Guess what? He’s reached his potential. And it’s ok, he fills a role on this team.

He would never clear. He is on the Flyers roster this season.

He is either going to waste away in the pressbox, or if he beats out Braun you then have 3.8 million sitting in the pressbox.
- MBFlyerfan

Or you just move Hagg and rotate who sits between the bottom 2 or 3 guys based on performance.

I think another move or two is coming still so I'm not going to try and figure out the opening night roster right now. Waste of time.

Absolutely. Someone is getting traded. I like Morin. Can’t say it enough. He still has to develop and get will need steady playing time to do that. I think he will start in the 7th d position but injuries are going to happen.

I do like the D group better now then a week ago. That I can say. Best for the kids. Maybe. I do think for guys like Travis and Provy and Myers. Playing with the vets they brought in might help them more then playing with Hägg or a rusty Morin.
- peesinwind

You can't look at the moves and say it's all negative because it's not. The positives are obviously that it makes the team better now and it helps the young players who won't be pushed out.

I felt they needed two forwards before messing with the defense. I do think the defense is better but he needs to add two forwards (1 if Hayes signs). I would have preferred he added two forward vets on short deals.

And just as important, he needs to add a quality backup goalie.
- FlyerFan16

I think there's a good chance that No. 11 (the draft pick) is outta here if Hayes hasn't signed by Friday

The growing pains of Scott Laughton? lol ok? The guy that when he was drafted in the first round was projected to be only a third line player at best? Hence why this board went crazy.

Guess what? He’s reached his potential. And it’s ok, he fills a role on this team.
- Flyers1218

Laughton has gotten better every year. What I mean by growing pains is having a player in a 3rd line center role that might be a better fit for a 4th line center spot.
If a 20th overall pick winds up as a good 3rd line player, that's not a bad pick.

The growing pains of Scott Laughton? lol ok? The guy that when he was drafted in the first round was projected to be only a third line player at best? Hence why this board went crazy.

Guess what? He’s reached his potential. And it’s ok, he fills a role on this team.
- Flyers1218

lol exactly. He’s a solid 4th line center. Can move up in a pinch but he doesn’t have enough skill to be a consistent 3C presence

I think there's a good chance that No. 11 (the draft pick) is outta here if Hayes hasn't signed by Friday
- AllInForFlyers

I'm not completely against trading the first round pick but it better be for someone young and under control for a while. There will be a good player available at No. 11.

If they don't have a pick in the first two rounds, I'll think Clarke is running the show.

You can't look at the moves and say it's all negative because it's not. The positives are obviously that it makes the team better now and it helps the young players who won't be pushed out.
- MJL

Yup. I’m not going crazy either way. I’m glad he is willing to move some assets to make the team better.

You are right. It could be at the cost of a team that could keep in the SC hunt for years. But I just don’t know if we have that talent in the pipelines. Think we need some outside help.

I think there's a good chance that No. 11 (the draft pick) is outta here if Hayes hasn't signed by Friday
- AllInForFlyers

Yikes. I sure hope not.

Well I say again. The boards in here are pumping with Fletcher at the helm.

We’re not gonna even see one or two of our young players developing and somehow we shouldn’t be mad. We’ve been sold one thing for five years and it feels like we’re getting another starting now.
- SuperSchennBros

I have no idea what's wrong with you but your comments are the most ridiculous on here. Are you even a fan of this team?
Do you need a manpon? Are you ok?
Why wont we see any of our young players develop. I shouldnt feed the dumpster fire that is superschennbrothers but like q bad car wreck I just can't look away from the carnage of your words.
Please... inform us how our young guys wont develop

I'm not completely against trading the first round pick but it better be for someone young and under control for a while. There will be a good player available at No. 11.

If they don't have a pick in the first two rounds, I'll think Clarke is running the show.
- FlyerFan16

It'll definitely be a throwback if they move that pick, that's for sure

Fletcher is all but screaming from the mountaintops that he's not going with Patrick at 2C next year, so yeah. FA isn't gonna have it, if Hayes doesn't sign.

Hayes doesn't sign by Friday, I won't be shocked at all to see Ghost and/or the 11 get moved for a 2C

I do feel like something big is looming as well. My question is, is that in addition to signing Hayes to a contract that is too long and too overpaid?

This team now is better (on paper of course) than the team that ended the season. However, I agree with MJL, in 3 years the Hayes contract could be terrible and a strain.

But then again, maybe not. No one knows.
- FlyerFan16

The "big thing " is the unknown. I would waget it's a defensive player for a scoring winger. Or centerman if this Hayes fiasco blows up.

Yup. I’m not going crazy either way. I’m glad he is willing to move some assets to make the team better.

You are right. It could be at the cost of a team that could keep in the SC hunt for years. But I just don’t know if we have that talent in the pipelines. Think we need some outside help.
- peesinwind

My main premise is not that they won't need some outside help but now is not the time to look for outside help. I would've been completely happy if they made the Niskanen trade and called it a day.

Or you just move Hagg and rotate who sits between the bottom 2 or 3 guys based on performance.

I think another move or two is coming still so I'm not going to try and figure out the opening night roster right now. Waste of time.
- hereticpride

Yeah, I get a strong feeling one of those d-men are going to be moved for a young forward. At least I hope it is a young forward. If they trade one for another aging vet I am not going to be happy.

It'll definitely be a throwback if they move that pick, that's for sure

Fletcher is all but screaming from the mountaintops that he's not going with Patrick at 2C next year, so yeah. FA isn't gonna have it, if Hayes doesn't sign.

Hayes doesn't sign by Friday, I won't be shocked at all to see Ghost and/or the 11 get moved for a 2C
- AllInForFlyers

For the record, I 100% agree with not starting the season with Patrick at 2C. And, I didn't want to do that last year either. And I understand their reluctance to keep G at center, but they should have done that sooner last year. Don't make the same mistake this year, but I would prefer finding a 2C with out signing a guy to a 7x7 contract that will hopefully end up as the 3C sooner rather than later and then not a center at all if all goes to plan.

Both sides need resolution to the Hayes negotiation by Friday. For Hayes, sure they may more suitors, but is he willing to bet another team will give a better offer with a team that traded for his rights. Certainly, the Flyers weren t going to low ball him during negotiations. I expect the deal to still get done.

Yeah, I get a strong feeling one of those d-men are going to be moved for a young forward. At least I hope it is a young forward. If they trade one for another aging vet I am not going to be happy.
- MBFlyerfan

Just a question. Honest question: Do you consider RNH to be young?

How do you figure when you dont even know the return? If he is packaged for a guy like Marner (Yes its not gonna happen but hypothetically) is that not a good return that does not set us back? As long as we get a young skilled forward its not burning down anything. You would have a point if Ghost is traded for a guy like Marleau but Fletcher isnt that dumb. He has made smart moves to better the team. You cant sit there and just build through the draft. All Cup winners add pieces. People thought St.Louis overpaid for RoR and look how that turned out.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Nice point about RoR!

Fletcher and crew graded the draft a B+ so I'm leaning 70/30 on the 11th pick not in play.

Just a question. Honest question: Do you consider RNH to be young?
- AllInForFlyers

What are you giving up for RNH? And don't say straight up for Ghost.