Yea, bring him in
- Landsbergfan

York is not ready, and is not better than any Flyers defenseman currently on the roster or the taxi squad. Its preposterous to think otherwise, there is a lot more to playing well in the NHL than having a decent WJC.

Braun all camp leading up to ghost covid protocol was operating as 7th d man. I thought that role made sense for him. Lot of people have said what he means to a locker room as well. After losing niskanen I don't think we could afford to lose another voice and thus his signing.
- Tfaehner

Braun's here for a more than his voice in the room (if he's even outspoken, which I doubt).

The grunt work he does in the dzone is seriously underrated. All the pucks he eats on the walls and the stuff he does in front of the net are essential.

Possession is king, and I wish he were more effective in the other two zones, but for this team, with their inexperience on D, they can't afford not to have somebody like Braun back there. Guys like Sanheim, Myers and Hagg need that example.

What I think is irrelevant. I never said he was superior; that is your words. All I said was he has to be better than those 3. Also didn't say he was a bona fide NHL option. I suggested it is time to find out; the organization has talked him up have they not? The way those 3 have played so far warrants Freidman getting into the lineup.

Coach's and GM's make mistake do they not? They get enamored with certain players for whatever reason. They play them come hell or high water.

They were going to let Braun walk until Niskannen retired. They panicked and reigned Braun. They signed Gus imo because they do not like Ghost. Looks like a mistake so far.
- Striiker

You think Friedman is "better than those 3" based on what exactly? Friedman has not played many NHL games, and has been in the Flyers system for several years. He is also a player the coaching staff sees every day in practice, so what makes you think you, or me, or anyone on this post knows more than the coaches who watch him play every day? Friedman is the 7th/8th defenseman on this team because that is where he should be. Doesn't mean he is a bad player, just not good enough to supplant a healthy defenseman ahead of him in the depth chart.

So far this year the Flyers have given up 12 goals in 4 games, for an average of 3 goals per game. Not great, but not terrible either, and the season is still early. Let's not panic yet with all sorts of trades and moves.

Rasmus Ristolainen. His career stats aren’t very impressive but you can just tell, if he were on any other team, that guy might dominate. Rasmus Ristolainen would be the absolute perfect compliment to Provorov on the top pair. Based on his career, I’d only go as far as what we got for a Schenn. Two firsts and take one of our garbage defenders in Ghost, Gus, Hagg, whoever. I don’t think you can involve Sanheim or Myers I think they’re already better than Ristolainen

Braun's here for a more than his voice in the room (if he's even outspoken, which I doubt).

The grunt work he does in the dzone is seriously underrated. All the pucks he eats on the walls and the stuff he does in front of the net are essential.

Possession is king, and I wish he were more effective in the other two zones, but for this team, with their inexperience on D, they can't afford not to have somebody like Braun back there. Guys like Sanheim, Myers and Hagg need that example.
- Tomahawk

Both flyers and san jose have spoken about his presence. And like I said that wasn't the only reason but can't tell me its not a factor. He also operated the pre season exclusively as the 7th d man except one practice with provy. That is telling. I think him and gus were originally penciled in to be the 6th d man with Hagg. Situations have forced otherwise.

It was a close game, both teams played pretty well.

The shot discrepancy was more about the Flyers sitting on their lead in the 3rd than it was being out-played for the game. Shots and chances were pretty even before that.

All three players mentioned actually played well, I thought. Hayes was guilty of a couple of soft plays early, but was really good in the 3rd. From what I saw, Braun played his most effective game of the young season -- lot of effective defensive plays, particularly eliminating sticks in front of Elliott. Jake was on the right side of the risk/reward ledger all night.
- Tomahawk

I seriously disagree. I didn’t think were anything special that first half.

Rasmus Ristolainen. His career stats aren’t very impressive but you can just tell, if he were on any other team, that guy might dominate. Rasmus Ristolainen would be the absolute perfect compliment to Provorov on the top pair. Based on his career, I’d only go as far as what we got for a Schenn. Two firsts and take one of our garbage defenders in Ghost, Gus, Hagg, whoever. I don’t think you can involve Sanheim or Myers I think they’re already better than Ristolainen
- SuperSchennBros

I doubt he's for sale. You could grab nikita zadorov probably if you tried.

York is not ready, and is not better than any Flyers defenseman currently on the roster or the taxi squad. Its preposterous to think otherwise, there is a lot more to playing well in the NHL than having a decent WJC.
- jd250

What are you basing it on ? Hes playing extremely well for Michigan too. He does all the small things right. Im not expecting him to come in and be provy partner. But I holistically disagree that hes not knocking to make it on the third pairing.

Braun's here for a more than his voice in the room (if he's even outspoken, which I doubt).

The grunt work he does in the dzone is seriously underrated. All the pucks he eats on the walls and the stuff he does in front of the net are essential.

Possession is king, and I wish he were more effective in the other two zones, but for this team, with their inexperience on D, they can't afford not to have somebody like Braun back there. Guys like Sanheim, Myers and Hagg need that example.
- Tomahawk

Agreed, he was not signed for 2 years to be the 7th defenseman on this team, they like is PK work I know that.

Rasmus Ristolainen. His career stats aren’t very impressive but you can just tell, if he were on any other team, that guy might dominate. Rasmus Ristolainen would be the absolute perfect compliment to Provorov on the top pair. Based on his career, I’d only go as far as what we got for a Schenn. Two firsts and take one of our garbage defenders in Ghost, Gus, Hagg, whoever. I don’t think you can involve Sanheim or Myers I think they’re already better than Ristolainen
- SuperSchennBros

I suggested him in the off-season and got bashed for it

I suggested him in the off-season and got bashed for it
- ClaudeFather

I liked him in the off-season. But they made a commitment to him up there. I dont see them moving him unless they start a tear down.

You think Friedman is "better than those 3" based on what exactly? Friedman has not played many NHL games, and has been in the Flyers system for several years. He is also a player the coaching staff sees every day in practice, so what makes you think you, or me, or anyone on this post knows more than the coaches who watch him play every day? Friedman is the 7th/8th defenseman on this team because that is where he should be. Doesn't mean he is a bad player, just not good enough to supplant a healthy defenseman ahead of him in the depth chart.

So far this year the Flyers have given up 12 goals in 4 games, for an average of 3 goals per game. Not great, but not terrible either, and the season is still early. Let's not panic yet with all sorts of trades and moves.
- jd250

Is the role of the 7th defensemen to play when others are struggling? Whether it is a game or longer.

As I have said numerous times; you need to see what he can do as the bar is set low on who he is replacing. Those 3 have not been good. They will not get better where it is going to make a difference. If Freidman is worse then so be it he never sees the ice again.

What are you basing it on ? Hes playing extremely well for Michigan too. He does all the small things right. Im not expecting him to come in and be provy partner. But I holistically disagree that hes not knocking to make it on the third pairing.
- Tfaehner

For one thing he has more physical growing to do, he has to get stronger in order to play against men, versus teenagers, on a nightly basis. Secondly he has a lot to learn. You can't expect a D-man to come right from college to the NHL without playing at least some games in the minors or AHL. Even Cale Makar played a year in the AHL before he got his chance with the Avalanche in 2019-2020. If you think you are seeing too many mistakes from NHL veterans, what do you think you will see from York? You will see those mistakes times 2 or 3! York needs time, but the good news is if not rushed and barring any injuries, I think he has a chance to be a future top pairing defenseman for this team.

I doubt he's for sale. You could grab nikita zadorov probably if you tried.
- Tfaehner

Someone I look at is Connor Murphy. Not a sexy name or even household name. He would be a good add.

Is the role of the 7th defensemen to play when others are struggling? Whether it is a game or longer.

As I have said numerous times; you need to see what he can do as the bar is set low on who he is replacing. Those 3 have not been good. They will not get better where it is going to make a difference. If Freidman is worse then so be it he never sees the ice again.
- Striiker

I think its perfectly valid that Friedman comes into the lineup if/when AV wants a defenseman to sit up in the press box for a few games to clear his head and adjust, or of course if there is an injury. But that is different than taking a small sample of games and stating this guy lower in the depth chart is better than the guys currently playing. The coaching staff looks at the big picture, and knows the potential ceilings of all the players in their system, and they know that the ceilings of the 3 defenseman you mentioned are higher than Friedman's, thus they are going to give them time to work out the kinks. Obviously the fact that Friedman is the next player up says that he is at least competent. You know that old saying "be careful what you wish for ... "

I can speculate all day what it tells me. What does it tell you?
- Striiker

That confirms it.

Someone I look at is Connor Murphy. Not a sexy name or even household name. He would be a good add.
- Striiker

What does he do better than the defenseman we already have? Actually a serious question, because I don't watch Chicago that much and I took a look at his stats when you mentioned him and nothing really jumped out at me.

For one thing he has more physical growing to do, he has to get stronger in order to play against men, versus teenagers, on a nightly basis. Secondly he has a lot to learn. You can't expect a D-man to come right from college to the NHL without playing at least some games in the minors or AHL. Even Cale Makar played a year in the AHL before he got his chance with the Avalanche in 2019-2020. If you think you are seeing too many mistakes from NHL veterans, what do you think you will see from York? You will see those mistakes times 2 or 3! York needs time, but the good news is if not rushed and barring any injuries, I think he has a chance to be a future top pairing defenseman for this team.
- jd250

York gained 18 lbs of muscle since his draft year. He has a really solid build now. He's 20 years old. Plenty of people have made the nhl at 20. Each players development is different. But you did not present anything except other players progressions as to why he can't be nhl ready. Some defenseman go straight to the nhl and make an impact how is that humanly possible for someone without ahl time which is absolutely necessary to learn as you suggest.

What does he do better than the defenseman we already have? Actually a serious question, because I don't watch Chicago that much and I took a look at his stats when you mentioned him and nothing really jumped out at me.
- jd250

He plays for another team, therefore he is better.

I think its perfectly valid that Friedman comes into the lineup if/when AV wants a defenseman to sit up in the press box for a few games to clear his head and adjust, or of course if there is an injury. But that is different than taking a small sample of games and stating this guy lower in the depth chart is better than the guys currently playing. The coaching staff looks at the big picture, and knows the potential ceilings of all the players in their system, and they know that the ceilings of the 3 defenseman you mentioned are higher than Friedman's, thus they are going to give them time to work out the kinks. Obviously the fact that Friedman is the next player up says that he is at least competent. You know that old saying "be careful what you wish for ... "
- jd250

See here is the thing, it isn't a small sample.

That confirms it.
- MJL

What does it confirm?

He plays for another team, therefore he is better.
- MJL

Thanks for your opinion.

Rasmus Ristolainen. His career stats aren’t very impressive but you can just tell, if he were on any other team, that guy might dominate. Rasmus Ristolainen would be the absolute perfect compliment to Provorov on the top pair. Based on his career, I’d only go as far as what we got for a Schenn. Two firsts and take one of our garbage defenders in Ghost, Gus, Hagg, whoever. I don’t think you can involve Sanheim or Myers I think they’re already better than Ristolainen
- SuperSchennBros

He can put up points but is a liability defensively ... don't we have two defenseman on our roster already that fit this description? If Sanheim or Myers are already better than Rasmus, why wouldn't we have one of them play with Provorov instead of trading 2 first round picks for this guy?

What does it confirm?
- Striiker

That you have not fully thought out the situation or that you're not capable of properly assessing the situation. One of the two or both.

He can put up points but is a liability defensively ... don't we have two defenseman on our roster already that fit this description? If Sanheim or Myers are already better than Rasmus, why wouldn't we have one of them play with Provorov instead of trading 2 first round picks for this guy?
- jd250

He certainly would not cost two first round picks and it’s called balance. Why not have two strong pairings instead of loading up your first and second best Dman on one pair ?