RE: question about Hagg getting hate but getting chosen to play for Sweden


They like him for what he does well. We nitpick him for what he doesn't do well.

Personally, at a $1.15 cap hit, I think the Flyers get great value from him and he's still getting better.
- Coburns_Nose

Agreed. Just because he doesn't have the upside that Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers have doesn't mean he isn't a valuable member of the team. Every team needs 5-7 defenseman. He is just 24. Just 153 NHL games. That's less then 2 full seasons. I would say that he is pretty solid for a guy with less then 2 years of NHL games, though I know it seems like he's been playing much longer, and he kind of has. But his mistakes seem to stand out more, because he doesn't have the offensive flash the others have that make people say "It's ok, look at what he can do."

I also fear people are going to have the same reaction to Morin. He isn't going to come in and be an offensive beast. His imposing physicality might allow people to see past some of his mistakes much like people have blinders for Myers and Sanheim. But Hagg has been in the league leaders for hits... not just for rookies. His hits usually aren't devastating, but he puts body on body more then anyone except sometimes Gudas on this team.

There always has to be a scapegoat player on the Flyers. Many just don't understand what a role playing defenseman is and why teams use them. They are limited players who add attributes that a team needs. By definition they have weaknesses to their game or they wouldn't be role players.
- MJL

Just to add to this point, these role player guys are like offensive linemen in football, if you aren't saying their name a lot during a game that means they are playing well. So most of the time you hear their name it's usually because they goofed, which leads to people thinking they are terrible.

if i'm remembering correctly, ghost was playing with a knee injury for most of the season. that might be why he isn't playing, i'm not sure if he's still feeling it.
- Ftown19125

I can't remember but I think I read Bill saying that Ghost said he was 100% by the end of the season. Though I am hoping he is also just taking time off to get his head in the right place.

Just to add to this point, these role player guys are like offensive linemen in football, if you aren't saying their name a lot during a game that means they are playing well. So most of the time you hear their name it's usually because they goofed, which leads to people thinking they are terrible.
- youarewrong

Football is a different game. Many times an interior lineman can have a bad game and you won't notice it. A defenseman directly on the puck or defending around the net is very visible. Defenseman also routinely get blamed for other players mistakes.

I can't remember but I think I read Bill saying that Ghost said he was 100% by the end of the season. Though I am hoping he is also just taking time off to get his head in the right place.
- youarewrong

i think you're right, because i vaguely remember reading something like that as well. but it did come out he was playing with a knee injury.

https://www.philly.com/fl...improvement-20190410.html

Couturier's an 'A' for Canada.

Football is a different game. Many times an interior lineman can have a bad game and you won't notice it. A defenseman directly on the puck or defending around the net is very visible. Defenseman also routinely get blamed for other players mistakes.
- MJL

True, but I think we are making the same point.

i think you're right, because i vaguely remember reading something like that as well. but it did come out he was playing with a knee injury.

https://www.philly.com/fl...improvement-20190410.html
- Ftown19125

Yes, I think he said it occurred around mid-November but by the end of the season he was healed and it didn't need surgery.

From Dreger...

Kaapo Kakko scores a beauty for Finland. Uses speed...gets hooked and tripped by Montour, but finds a way to beat Murray on the backhand.

We should get used to that kind of play with having him and Hughes most likely in our division...I wonder how Carter would have played him...I am thinking stone wall

@ NC Flyers fan, after the debacle with that roughing penalty and Svechnikov getting buried from behind I turned the game off. The Bruins are extremely favorited by the league and always get away with calls, I will not be watching the East final.
- ClaudeFather

Until those penalties in the third, Carolina had stayed true to their team game and looked good. I’m interested to see if they can pull out a win in game 2. If so, the favorite for me in the series is the Canes. Although I think the Sharks will win the west and would favor them in the finals. Still beating Boston would be nice.

From Dreger...

Kaapo Kakko scores a beauty for Finland. Uses speed...gets hooked and tripped by Montour, but finds a way to beat Murray on the backhand.

We should get used to that kind of play with having him and Hughes most likely in our division...I wonder how Carter would have played him...I am thinking stone wall
- JW98FlyerFan

I don’t get the full on hate for Hägg. Especially when there were major questions a year or two after being drafted whether he’d even make it to the NHL. His work ethic was questioned and he bounced back with his progression during his time with the Phantoms. A lot of our fans say This dman prospect (Sanheim/Myers) or young forward (TK) will get better, but write Hägg off as someone who can’t improve. He’s in the same age group.
- arichardson22

Right on, I am still seeing improvement from Hägg.

Until those penalties in the third, Carolina had stayed true to their team game and looked good. I’m interested to see if they can pull out a win in game 2. If so, the favorite for me in the series is the Canes. Although I think the Sharks will win the west and would favor them in the finals. Still beating Boston would be nice.
- NC Flyers Fan

I'm on the Sharks train myself.

This is fun.
https://www.nhl.com/flyer...elphia-flyers/c-307324794

Maybe they do Patrick’s season highlights today?

Couturier's an 'A' for Canada.
- TobyFlenderson

I thought Coots was born in Arizona. Does he have dual citizenship? Has he said why he chose Canada (if he did choose)?

There always has to be a scapegoat player on the Flyers. Many just don't understand what a role playing defenseman is and why teams use them. They are limited players who add attributes that a team needs. By definition they have weaknesses to their game or they wouldn't be role players.

- MJL

List them

There always has to be a scapegoat player on the Flyers. Many just don't understand what a role playing defenseman is and why teams use them. They are limited players who add attributes that a team needs. By definition they have weaknesses to their game or they wouldn't be role players.

- MJL

List them
- HeeroYuy

Pay at team dinners.
Help equipment staff load gear on road trips.
Allow the better players to have the best parking spaces at the Wells Fargo center
ETC.

Pay at team dinners.
Help equipment staff load gear on road trips.
Allow the better players to have the best parking spaces at the Wells Fargo center
ETC.
- MJL

Well Played!

There always has to be a scapegoat player on the Flyers. Many just don't understand what a role playing defenseman is and why teams use them. They are limited players who add attributes that a team needs. By definition they have weaknesses to their game or they wouldn't be role players.

- MJL

List them
- HeeroYuy

More than half the players on each team in the league are role players. You should only pay like six players on your squad and the rest are interchangeable.

hagg is a bottom pairing dman. all teams need bottom pairing dman. he is paid accordingly. Wont lose any sleep whether he is on the team or not. Bigger fish to fry than worrying about hagg at this point

Still some moves to be made and some players to watch in camp, but I still would like to see a line of Patty, TK, and Lindblom on a regular basis next year. Lots can change from now till October and it will ultimately depend on the rest of the roster but I think they could develop into a nice line.

More than half the players on each team in the league are role players. You should only pay like six players on your squad and the rest are interchangeable.
- SuperSchennBros

There's a bit more nuance than that IMO.

hagg is a bottom pairing dman. all teams need bottom pairing dman. he is paid accordingly. Wont lose any sleep whether he is on the team or not. Bigger fish to fry than worrying about hagg at this point
- daryl stanley

Hagg's salary, usage / minutes are fantastic IMO. My only issue was the fact that he made the team with Morin and then the Flyers (Hexy/Haksy) pulled a stunt and held back Morin, whom I believe, in the long run has a much bigger upside and effectiveness when stacked against Hagg.

I'm going with the bigger sample size. The point is that Haag's shot blocking numbers show that he reads plays well and gets in shooting lanes positionally. There is always room for improvement with a player.
- MJL

Love of shot blocking and “roles”.

Your age is showing.

There's a bit more nuance than that IMO.
- Pixote Andolini

The cap will only allow you to pay six different players than you have to use everyone else as interchangeable parts.