Hall=2 good seasons and sympathy votes to win the MVP. Subban 3rd team already? Seriously not all that.
- Sinisalo4vr

Hall, like Elias before him, torches the Flyers...no sympathy for the devil

Gudas with that amazing body slam check on him, concussing Hall last season as he scored on the Flyers. I'm gunna miss Gudas.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Rags got Panarin. How's their rebuild going? Is it on track for 10 years from now?
- PLindbergh31

Their going to really regret trading the likes of Callahan and Mcdonagh. Now their kids have to learn in a losing environment just watch them slog through the bottom of the standings for years

Their going to really regret trading the likes of Callahan and Mcdonagh. Now their kids have to learn in a losing environment just watch them slog through the bottom of the standings for years
- Just5

Rangers might bounce-back faster and better than the Flyers.

Entering the offseason, we had 8 NHL defensemen on the roster. Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Shayne Gostisbehere, Radko Gudas, Robert Hagg, Phillip Myers. Samuel Morin, Andrew MacDonald.

Flyers trade Gudas for Matt Niskanen, D for D. Flyers buyout MacDonald. Flyers trade for Justin Braun. This puts us back at 8 defensemen.

I’m assuming if we don’t trade defenseman to upgrade the offense, the plan might be to send Morin to the minors, leaving one of Hagg or Braun to be the 7th defender.

My question is of Matt Niskanen, has he ever had an opportunity to be a first pair compliment to a number defenseman like a Brayden Coburn or Chris Therrien. While I disagree that Kris Letang is a legitimate number one defenseman, Pitt has always used him as one. John Carlson is a different story. He is a legitimate number one defenseman but I don’t think Niskanen has ever played with either.

I don’t think anyone has ever asked this question but I do see Niskanen as the same experiment Kevin Hayes is. If Nolan Patrick breaks out, Hayes gets pushed back.

I'm just saying, Billy Smith deserved a 2-handed to the head.

Entering the offseason, we had 8 NHL defensemen on the roster. Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Shayne Gostisbehere, Radko Gudas, Robert Hagg, Phillip Myers. Samuel Morin, Andrew MacDonald.

Flyers trade Gudas for Matt Niskanen, D for D. Flyers buyout MacDonald. Flyers trade for Justin Braun. This puts us back at 8 defensemen.

I’m assuming if we don’t trade defenseman to upgrade the offense, the plan might be to send Morin to the minors, leaving one of Hagg or Braun to be the 7th defender.

My question is of Matt Niskanen, has he ever had an opportunity to be a first pair compliment to a number defenseman like a Brayden Coburn or Chris Therrien. While I disagree that Kris Letang is a legitimate number one defenseman, Pitt has always used him as one. John Carlson is a different story. He is a legitimate number one defenseman but I don’t think Niskanen has ever played with either.

I don’t think anyone has ever asked this question but I do see Niskanen as the same experiment Kevin Hayes is. If Nolan Patrick breaks out, Hayes gets pushed back.
- SuperSchennBros

I doubt very much Morin would make it through waivers. The only exempt defenseman is Myers, and they should be in no rush to send him back.

Entering the offseason, we had 8 NHL defensemen on the roster. Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Shayne Gostisbehere, Radko Gudas, Robert Hagg, Phillip Myers. Samuel Morin, Andrew MacDonald.

Flyers trade Gudas for Matt Niskanen, D for D. Flyers buyout MacDonald. Flyers trade for Justin Braun. This puts us back at 8 defensemen.

I’m assuming if we don’t trade defenseman to upgrade the offense, the plan might be to send Morin to the minors, leaving one of Hagg or Braun to be the 7th defender.

My question is of Matt Niskanen, has he ever had an opportunity to be a first pair compliment to a number defenseman like a Brayden Coburn or Chris Therrien. While I disagree that Kris Letang is a legitimate number one defenseman, Pitt has always used him as one. John Carlson is a different story. He is a legitimate number one defenseman but I don’t think Niskanen has ever played with either.

I don’t think anyone has ever asked this question but I do see Niskanen as the same experiment Kevin Hayes is. If Nolan Patrick breaks out, Hayes gets pushed back.
- SuperSchennBros

Braun as the 7th dman. Interesting

I wouldn't be shocked if the Rags got Panarin. How's their rebuild going? Is it on track for 10 years from now?
- PLindbergh31

Well as of now they're still bad. One trouba and 18 year old rookie does not make a team a contender

on point.

Niskanen was brought in just in case Sanheim regressed to the point of NOT being a top line defenseman in the next two years.

Braun was brought in just in case Ghost continues his poor play and Myers doesn't make a true leap to full time 3rd pair this year.

They overpaid a bit for both, but it covers their ass for this year to make the necessary moves for 2020-2021

If you get a Trouba or Subban, that's one top spot your blocking either Sanheim (or maybe Myers!?) from for the forseeable future. for way more money
- eshake

You said it perfectly. These guys they brought in are stop gaps. Trouba will ink a big contract and long term. Subban is over paid and already a long term deal.
We dont need long term. Our long term guys are 24 and under and developing and fletcher made the right call by not blocking any of then with a long term commitment.
I will take our defense over any D in the metro.
Everyone knows we overpaid for hayes which means one of jvr or jake will be gone before the expansion or taken during the expansion.
I like what fkwtxher is doing, even if I'm in the minority

William Karlsson, 8-years at $5.9M per.

You said it perfectly. These guys they brought in are stop gaps. Trouba will ink a big contract and long term. Subban is over paid and already a long term deal.
We dont need long term. Our long term guys are 24 and under and developing and fletcher made the right call by not blocking any of then with a long term commitment.
I will take our defense over any D in the metro.
Everyone knows we overpaid for hayes which means one of jvr or jake will be gone before the expansion or taken during the expansion.
I like what fkwtxher is doing, even if I'm in the minority
- sILKAsSINASALO

I like his plan so far. I am not so scared about the cap as some. i always think there are ways to make moves as shown by Tampa moving miller and Toronto moving Marleau.

I like Fletcher's stop gaps can play. I understand Hextall trying it but guys like Boyd Gordon and Vandevelde just weren't good. At least Braun and Niskanen can fill a role for this team.

I am curious to see if Laughton could be moved. With hartman moved yesterday i would really be interested in Puljujarvi for Laughton swap. I understand Puljujarvi is at that "BUST" spot but maybe you slide him on a line with Patrick and I think he would be really motivated. I like Laughton, I am just not sure how much more upside is there in his game.

I understand Puljujarvi is at that "BUST" spot but maybe you slide him on a line with Patrick and I think he would be really motivated.
- J35Bacher

Putting two underachieving former lottery picks together?

I feel sorry for the 3rd guy on that line.

Putting two underachieving former lottery picks together?

I feel sorry for the 3rd guy on that line.
- Tomahawk

I understand. But with Hayes in the fold now and tying to get the Patrick line favorable matchups I think it would help them both.

I just think Puljujarvi could be a high reward/low risk addition.

I understand. But with Hayes in the fold now and tying to get the Patrick line favorable matchups I think it would help them both.

I just think Puljujarvi could be a high reward/low risk addition.
- J35Bacher

Try no-reward.

Kid is lucky if he even pans out as a bottom-six plug at this point. If you don't have baseline hockey sense, you can't survive in the modern NHL.

Laughton is an established NHL bottom-six forward. Not trading that for the hope of a kid that can become that.

William Karlsson, 8-years at $5.9M per.
- Tomahawk

Home town discount. And Vegas is still in cap hell.

I like his plan so far. I am not so scared about the cap as some. i always think there are ways to make moves as shown by Tampa moving miller and Toronto moving Marleau.

I like Fletcher's stop gaps can play. I understand Hextall trying it but guys like Boyd Gordon and Vandevelde just weren't good. At least Braun and Niskanen can fill a role for this team.

I am curious to see if Laughton could be moved. With hartman moved yesterday i would really be interested in Puljujarvi for Laughton swap. I understand Puljujarvi is at that "BUST" spot but maybe you slide him on a line with Patrick and I think he would be really motivated. I like Laughton, I am just not sure how much more upside is there in his game.
- J35Bacher

Totonto moving Marleau cost them a first round pick.
Your trade suggestions get more and more absurd. Puljujarvi is a step away from being out of the league and playing over in Europe. Laughton is a bottom 6 forward who scored 12 goals and 30 points. Forechecks well and can play on the PK.Why would we want to make that deal? Why do we want to be a team that is not good enough and has to give up first round picks to correct mistakes?

I doubt very much Morin would make it through waivers. The only exempt defenseman is Myers, and they should be in no rush to send him back.
- jmatchett383

Ever year guys pass that had no chance of passing. He hasnt played in 2 years so not sure what team would claim him in October and give him a roster spot. Now if he has a good camp than that could change things

Home town discount. And Vegas is still in cap hell.
- MBFlyerfan

players association cant like that deal at all

I understand. But with Hayes in the fold now and tying to get the Patrick line favorable matchups I think it would help them both.

I just think Puljujarvi could be a high reward/low risk addition.
- J35Bacher

Don't think Puljujarvi is any good even sometimes change of scenery is helpful
When Filppula was still here it would have made sense.He was a guy pro with lot of experience

William Karlsson, 8-years at $5.9M per.
- Tomahawk

Took a discount on the AAV for extra term
He loves living in Vegas
Good deal for both sides I think

Home town discount. And Vegas is still in cap hell.
- MBFlyerfan

I think they are at 88m without a full roster
They have some LTIR to play with but still

Ever year guys pass that had no chance of passing. He hasnt played in 2 years so not sure what team would claim him in October and give him a roster spot. Now if he has a good camp than that could change things
- daryl stanley

Interesting take and that could happen. I just see his size and that contract and think a bunch of teams would be interested. Especially teams with cap issues looking for a defenseman. I am really not comfortable with them taking that chance.

I think a few years ago before he got hurt he was the guy who deserved to make the team, when they chose Hagg and Sanhiem.

Some see him as a bust but I dont. Injuries are what they are.

If he is healthy and seriously hope he is the guy who makes the team as the sixth. In fact I want to see Myers and Morin out play Braun and make him the 7th. Especially since I hate that trade and don't think we needed to do it.

Don't think Puljujarvi is any good even sometimes change of scenery is helpful
When Filppula was still here it would have made sense.He was a guy pro with lot of experience
- goenzoy

I think Laughton is a better player than Puljujarvi.

Totonto moving Marleau cost them a first round pick.
Your trade suggestions get more and more absurd. Puljujarvi is a step away from being out of the league and playing over in Europe. Laughton is a bottom 6 forward who scored 12 goals and 30 points. Forechecks well and can play on the PK.Why would we want to make that deal? Why do we want to be a team that is not good enough and has to give up first round picks to correct mistakes?
- MJL

Again. Didn't say it was right, wrong, good,great or grand. Just said there are always ways to make a move.

But you bring up the scenario where a team moved a pick. Didn't you say we should strive to be Tampa? They made a move and got back a 1st. Why didn't you bring that deal up. That was a cap move.

I get Puljujarvi is a risk. I just think for a 3rd line winger, I would take that chance as i think his reward could be high. That is all.