They weren't trotted out in the name of playing the right way. Fans sometimes want to ignore the cumulative effects that a player like Filppula has on the team. He took a lot of the heavy lifting to free up Couturier and other players. They don't make the playoffs in 17/18 without Filppula in my opinion.
- MJL

That is what Braun was brought in to do. Shelter the young guys from some of the tougher minutes at ES and on the PK.

Haag is past the point of practice time significantly improving his game. He needs to play regularly to do that. Same with Morin. The point really is the 32 year old player a part of the future? Can Haag develop into a similar player?
- MJL

I like Hagg, but Hagg has been a regular for two years now and has been in the AHL before that. I believe that we see what he will look like with 10 years in - not too much difference.
Now let's say a player in the like Bunnaman (for example) excels at the AHL level, would you stiffle his growth because you are still trying to develop Hagg? Only so many positions. It is up to the coaches and GM to evaluate and put the best players on the ice. If they see shortcomings in a player and they believe that he is all he is, are they then supposed to put a lesser player on the ice who already has experience just because you want to give him a little more experience?
Unlike anyone here, these coaches see these players in practice - we don't. They know what they can do. In someone's own words, we need to trust the system.

I was still playing organized hockey at the time, and dreamt I’d be on some opposing team as Sandstrom. Of course I’d be thrown out for the year for what I would have done, but I hated that Richard so much, it would have been worth it!

That was so much fun, waiting to see guys like him get hammered. Good times!!
- Hokeeguy9

One of my favorite Flyers moments of my childhood was seeing Lindros absolutely destroy Ulanov in Game 6. If Jason Wiemer hadn't jumped in, that could have gotten really bad.

They weren't trotted out in the name of playing the right way. Fans sometimes want to ignore the cumulative effects that a player like Filppula has on the team. He took a lot of the heavy lifting to free up Couturier and other players. They don't make the playoffs in 17/18 without Filppula in my opinion.
- MJL

agreed. I was thinking more towards a true energy line for the 4th line. Not necessarily the Dan line from years ago but a line that other teams seem to have that you can send out to make a hit, spark the team and get the fans into the game.

That is what Braun was brought in to do. Shelter the young guys from some of the tougher minutes at ES and on the PK.
- mickel25

Okay...I get that.

So which 2 of Hagg/Morin/Myers are sitting and not learning how to deal with those situations because Braun is doing it while they are in the press box?

They weren't trotted out in the name of playing the right way. Fans sometimes want to ignore the cumulative effects that a player like Filppula has on the team. He took a lot of the heavy lifting to free up Couturier and other players. They don't make the playoffs in 17/18 without Filppula in my opinion.
- MJL

No, that's not it. Remember, you said the team acquired Filppula to let Nolan Patrick start out on the 3rd line.

One of my favorite Flyers moments of my childhood was seeing Lindros absolutely destroy Ulanov in Game 6. If Jason Wiemer hadn't jumped in, that could have gotten really bad.
- jmatchett383

Yes that was awesome! One of my favorite Lindros moments.

They weren't trotted out in the name of playing the right way. Fans sometimes want to ignore the cumulative effects that a player like Filppula has on the team. He took a lot of the heavy lifting to free up Couturier and other players. They don't make the playoffs in 17/18 without Filppula in my opinion.
- MJL

It baffles me that people don't acknowledge this. We saw what happened when they didn't have him.

All I know is that I would rather roll with Hagg, or Morin over one year of Braun. Especially if one of them gets dealt. To me that would be ridiculous.
- MBFlyerfan

I get why Fletcher did it, I think he probably sees something in Braun that we don't. Keep in mind that Bill told us that 2-3 other teams were in on Braun. I am going to say that 3-4 NHL teams, with their staffs and expertise probably have an edge on us here on this board. Without seeing him play Braun>Hagg

As far Hagg and Morin go, I agree and would hate to stunt them or lose one. The reality is they say you need 10 NHL D for a season, I would say Fletcher has the D in a good spot with the mix and any injuries that may happen. I did not like the 2nd and 3rd but Bill showed us that was the market price.

I am happy that if you look back when we started to draft D that all of the top picks are in the conversation. I think all of us would have been thrilled if we hit on 70% of them. I do believe Hagg won't be here for the long run, unless he improves upon last season. Hagg does well but his limited O and break out ability make him expendable. One of the picks was always going to not be on the Flyers at some point.

There are pros and cons with bringing on a player like Braun in the contract situation he is on. Having veteran players to support younger players is valuable. It can help and aid in their development. That's a plus. A con is that the veteran player is going to be taking ice time away from a younger player that is more a part of the future of the team. What happens if Braun has a strong year? To re-sign him, what will he want and for how many years? If you don't bring him back, who takes his place? You've now wasted a year of development time where you could've had a younger player in that spot getting more ice time.
- MJL

That is BS. The coach is going to play the better players. If braun stinks the joint up he wont play. Talent has no age. If the younger player doesnt warrant playing so be it.

Okay...I get that.

So which 2 of Hagg/Morin/Myers are sitting and not learning how to deal with those situations because Braun is doing it while they are in the press box?
- jmatchett383

I would prefer that Morin get a long look. I think he has the physical build that this team lacks.

For the record, they overpaid for Braun. He is a player that I don't think they needed. However, I think he will steady the team for his short time here.

Hagg should be the 7th d-man.

I am looking at it like it is a very expensive insurance policy. I think if the younger guys come in and take the bull by the horn than Braun maybe rotates in and out a bit before being moved. I think Fletch felt that these young guys had no competition for spots in the past and wants to see some fire and have them earn it and stay motivated. If not, Braun plays and perhaps they move on from one or 2 of them.
- Lawless18

A team shouldn't be buying out a player to create the cap space and give up a 2nd and a 3rd round pick for a player that may or may not play a large role on the team.

Okay...I get that.

So which 2 of Hagg/Morin/Myers are sitting and not learning how to deal with those situations because Braun is doing it while they are in the press box?
- jmatchett383

Tough situation

I would prefer that Morin get a long look. I think he has the physical build that this team lacks.

For the record, they overpaid for Braun. He is a player that I don't think they needed. However, I think he will steady the team for his short time here.

Hagg should be the 7th d-man.
- mickel25

So Myers back to the AHL all season long until someone goes on IR?

That is BS. The coach is going to play the better players. If braun stinks the joint up he wont play. Talent has no age. If the younger player doesnt warrant playing so be it.
- daryl stanley

Amen!!

One of my favorite Flyers moments of my childhood was seeing Lindros absolutely destroy Ulanov in Game 6. If Jason Wiemer hadn't jumped in, that could have gotten really bad.
- jmatchett383

Haag is past the point of practice time significantly improving his game. He needs to play regularly to do that. Same with Morin. The point really is the 32 year old player a part of the future? Can Haag develop into a similar player?
- MJL

playing all the young guys has paid off so far.

So Myers back to the AHL all season long until someone goes on IR?
- jmatchett383

Myers is part of the starting six. I was commenting on if Braun was not here. Morin and Myers would be in the top 6 and Hagg would be 7.

A team shouldn't be buying out a player to create the cap space and give up a 2nd and a 3rd round pick for a player that may or may not play a large role on the team.
- MJL

I agree, it is just what I think they are doing....could be wrong as I have been may times in the past.

Myers is part of the starting six. I was commenting on if Braun was not here. Morin and Myers would be in the top 6 and Hagg would be 7.
- mickel25

Right...but you said Braun was brought in to shelter the young guys from some of the tougher minutes at ES and on the PK. So now he's here to help shelter them, so who are the 2 players who won't be learning because they won't be playing?

I like Hagg, but Hagg has been a regular for two years now and has been in the AHL before that. I believe that we see what he will look like with 10 years in - not too much difference.
Now let's say a player in the like Bunnaman (for example) excels at the AHL level, would you stiffle his growth because you are still trying to develop Hagg? Only so many positions. It is up to the coaches and GM to evaluate and put the best players on the ice. If they see shortcomings in a player and they believe that he is all he is, are they then supposed to put a lesser player on the ice who already has experience just because you want to give him a little more experience?
Unlike anyone here, these coaches see these players in practice - we don't. They know what they can do. In someone's own words, we need to trust the system.
- RustyPipes

That may be true about Haag but you're conflating two different things. Competition for ice time between a 32 year old player and a young player and competition for ice time between two young players are very different things. They've already invested in Haag, why not invest more in him and see if he can be a cost controlled effective 3rd pair defenseman for 5 years or so. Or more.

A team shouldn't be buying out a player to create the cap space and give up a 2nd and a 3rd round pick for a player that may or may not play a large role on the team.
- MJL

well the GM believes he will play a large roll on the team

That may be true about Haag but you're conflating two different things. Competition for ice time between a 32 year old player and a young player and competition for ice time between two young players are very different things. They've already invested in Haag, why not invest more in him and see if he can be a cost controlled effective 3rd pair defenseman for 5 years or so. Or more.
- MJL

maybe they have seen enough with hagg. That is possible no? Nowhere does it say he has to get better.

Right...but you said Braun was brought in to shelter the young guys from some of the tougher minutes at ES and on the PK. So now he's here to help shelter them, so who are the 2 players who won't be learning because they won't be playing?
- jmatchett383

Hagg and Morin. And it sucks in Morin's case.

No, that's not it. Remember, you said the team acquired Filppula to let Nolan Patrick start out on the 3rd line.
- jmatchett383

You can erroneously claim I said something all you want. I'm looking at the facts of what happened.