I think you're mistaken on that. The QO to retain Hartman's rights is 918,750. I believe the issue is they want to avoid arbitration with Hartman. Which probably also explains why the Flyers traded him.
- MJL

yeah that probably makes the most sense. He's a decent player. Curious to what a player with his numbers (3rd/4th liner) would get.

I know that "hits" are very subjective as a real time stat (I have a hard time believing that Gudas and Hagg were both top-3 amongst defensemen), but Niskanen doesn't hit as frequently as Gudas, and he doesn't have that ability to time big hits as often as Gudas did. However, Niskanen did lead his team in hits last year and he can lay a nasty hit when needed.
- jmatchett383

Niskanen can also make a tape to tape pass to a forward on the breakout. This is much more important than the loss of a few hits in the lineup.

Niskanen can also make a tape to tape pass to a forward on the breakout. This is much more important than the loss of a few hits in the lineup.
- BiggE

Are you saying that blindly throwing the puck up the boards in a playoff elimination game is a bad thing?

Are you saying that blindly throwing the puck up the boards in a playoff elimination game is a bad thing?
- jmatchett383

Agree with you? I thought this was an on going agreement of the past two years. Sanheim wasn’t ready and it showed in the first half of the 2017-18 season. What I’m waiting for is for those to remember that Hagg was a lock right out of camp and deservingly so. The last spot in 2017 was Morin vs Sanheim, that Morin clearly deserved.

Moving forward, Morin is not currently better than Hagg for those trying to convince themselves otherwise.
- SuperSchennBros

So you don't agree with me?

Are you saying that blindly throwing the puck up the boards in a playoff elimination game is a bad thing?
- jmatchett383

Well, the Blues managed to survive that in a couple of empty net situations. But I wouldn't recommend it.

Well, the Blues managed to survive that in a couple of empty net situations. But I wouldn't recommend it.
- bodiva88

Granted, having 2019 Binnington versus 2018 crippled Neuvirth makes a difference...but still, it's not a great idea.

And to be fair to Gudas, he did have his strengths. Being able to make a nice breakout pass and handling the puck, especially under pressure, were not two of them.

Love the Morin talk. He’ll get his shot this year when there is an injury and hopefully he makes the most of it.

I like Hagg as well but would be less sad if he’s traded. I see him having an unspectacular NHL career where he quietly reaches 800 NHL games played on a 3rd pair. That’s valuable too. I’d like him to stay here too.

I’m at the point where I want them to start the year with 8 D.

No way I would even consider trading anyone until Provy is signed.

So you don't agree with me?
- MBFlyerfan

If it makes you feel any better, I'll meet you at the flagpole at 3 and we can settle this like children.

Even though Hartman never struck me as the spark plug he was in his first game as a Flyer, it’s hard to see gritty players in their 20’s go who are unproven at this level. Those being Hartman and Gudas. I have no doubt Niskanen upgrades the defense but is Niskanen as physical as Gudas and is Niskanen a Proven first pair player?
- SuperSchennBros

Pretty sure over the course of his career Niskanen has proven he can play top pair minutes, with success as well. In Pittsburgh and in Washington. Maybe wasn't "labeled" as a top pair, but played 22+ minutes over his Washington career, and in the playoffs with washington it goes up to 24+ minutes, while playing in all situations. He's only 32, I think he can be a really great partner for Provy on the top pairing.

Pretty sure over the course of his career Niskanen has proven he can play top pair minutes, with success as well. In Pittsburgh and in Washington. Maybe wasn't "labeled" as a top pair, but played 22+ minutes over his Washington career, and in the playoffs with washington it goes up to 24+ minutes, while playing in all situations. He's only 32, I think he can be a really great partner for Provy on the top pairing.
- sjk540

Is braun only 32 as well. It seems that people are saying Braun is old while neglecting Niskanen's age

NBCSPORTS has article up on development camp

If it makes you feel any better, I'll meet you at the flagpole at 3 and we can settle this like children.
- jmatchett383

Ill leave that to SSB.

Is braun only 32 as well. It seems that people are saying Braun is old while neglecting Niskanen's age
- corduroy

great point, maybe because he's viewed as a do everything defender, and Braun is just a defensive guy? Not sure why that is. Both will turn 33 this year too, Niskanen is a few months older than Braun.

Love the Morin talk. He’ll get his shot this year when there is an injury and hopefully he makes the most of it.

I like Hagg as well but would be less sad if he’s traded. I see him having an unspectacular NHL career where he quietly reaches 800 NHL games played on a 3rd pair. That’s valuable too. I’d like him to stay here too.

I’m at the point where I want them to start the year with 8 D.

No way I would even consider trading anyone until Provy is signed.
- Marc D

It would be something if Morin impressed so much he would force the Flyers hand to send down Myers and make Hagg the 7th dman. It would really be my biggest surprise in camp to have morin in the opening night top 6, even more so than a Frost or Farabee making it.

If you're getting a lot of hits as a defenseman, you're probably spending too much time stuck in your own zone. A winger with a lot of hits may be a good thing.
What you want is someone who wins puck battles, then either gets a shot off or delivers the puck to someone wearing the same colored jersey who is in a better position to shoot the puck or move it to someone else wearing the same colored jersey.

Wayne Simmonds, despite his grit and net front presence, had deteriorated in his ability to win puck battles and sustain puck possession over the last few seasons from average to poor. He still has value but finding the right fit is his main hurdle.

Ghost is an enigma. When he is on, he is an electric player who is borderline elite. When he is not. . .meh. His contract splits the difference, so, he is alternatively underpaid or overpaid.

After the Niskanen deal, imo, the best use of Ghost would have been to pair him with Provorov and Niskanen with Sanheim. While not a L/R pairing, the hope would be they would drive possession as they did in 17-18.

The acquisition of Braun implies either the team is comfortable having him on the 3rd pair ES and PP1 or the inconsistency is too much and he is a prime trading chip to fill another need, say a fast possession winger. I suppose we'll know by the time camp opens.

Dallas wanted Pitlick out of the organization for whatever reason.

Morin has the 7th D spot coming into camp (once a move is made on the backend). It is his too lose. His play will dictate what happens after that.

Assuming Hagg is moved where would Morin get any playing time unless there is an injury?

Having watched most every Caps game the past few seasons (not a Caps fan, just what’s available to view hockey-wise near home), I can honestly say that Niskanen is a very heady player, can log big minutes, has been/can be partnered with anyone and be a steadying force. He can lay out the beauty, big hit when needed without taking penalties, but that’s not a huge part of his game. Smart, all-around solid dman. Fletcher was wise to acquire Niskanen.

With you 100% on this amigo
- BiggE

👍

free morin trade ghost

Why did Dallas trade Pitlick? They have close to 15 million in cap space, and have 16 players signed.
- PLindbergh31

no idea i can't get why fletcher would value pitlick so high esp when hartman could have just been allowed to walk