Of course there would be a charge for a buyout. Right now, I don't see any reason to buy him out.
- MJL

I agree.

I don’t get this trade we need to get tougher and we trade our toughest dman and get older. I hope there’s a much bigger game being played here
- 2Real

I agree, I don’t like taking on the extra dollars, for an older average defensemen. I’m not upset it’s Gudas gone, but I don’t see how this solidifies our top 4 .

Found this gem;

https://www.nbcsports.com...llowing-awkward-collision

I agree, I don’t like taking on the extra dollars, for an older average defensemen. I’m not upset it’s Gudas gone, but I don’t see how this solidifies our top 4 .
- pucks4all

While the Simmonds trade didn’t involve a more expensive player or retained salary, I view it in a similar way:Fletcher isn’t interested in picks, he wants guys who can help now. Gudas wasn’t going to be resigned as well

I agree, I don’t like taking on the extra dollars, for an older average defensemen. I’m not upset it’s Gudas gone, but I don’t see how this solidifies our top 4 .
- pucks4all

Niskanen is a better player than Gudas is and can play more minutes in a top 4 situation and is a better choice to pair with Provorov. The Flyers have the cap space to take on the extra hit.

Niskanen is a better player than Gudas is and can play more minutes in a top 4 situation and is a better choice to pair with Provorov. The Flyers have the cap space to take on the extra hit.
- MJL

I hope so. I know he’s definitely a more skilled player. It’s just the cap hit that concerns me.

I assume this trade was to garner some senior leadership but also provide a bit more skill exiting defensive zone. Remember, one of our biggest problems last year was controlled zone exits. Teams would press and pinch and we would get stuck in our zone for what seemed like minutes at a time. The kids, in ostensible attempts to " keep it simple" would revert to whipping puck around boards to no one, or to popping puck out of zone to other team. Heck, the coach even complained publicly about those tendencies. And that tells you his level of frustration. If this guy skates out of the d zone better with the puck, perhaps that plays into AV system more appropriately than Gudas skill set.

what would the other pairs be? You can’t put nisk with ghost. What a train wreck they’d be in their own end

I’m not sure their done shuffling the D
- Just5

I’m not either. I still believe they want Trouba.

Interesting that they are making moves with the Hayes thing unresolved and the RFA’s not signed. I know he said he has reliable estimates of what they will receive, but still interesting

I assume this trade was to garner some senior leadership but also provide a bit more skill exiting defensive zone. Remember, one of our biggest problems last year was controlled zone exits. Teams would press and pinch and we would get stuck in our zone for what seemed like minutes at a time. The kids, in ostensible attempts to " keep it simple" would revert to whipping puck around boards to no one, or to popping puck out of zone to other team. Heck, the coach even complained publicly about those tendencies. And that tells you his level of frustration. If this guy skates out of the d zone better with the puck, perhaps that plays into AV system more appropriately than Gudas skill set.
- biggbear77

Agreed. Strong post.

I’m not either. I still believe they want Trouba.

Interesting that they are making moves with the Hayes thing unresolved and the RFA’s not signed. I know he said he has reliable estimates of what they will receive, but still interesting
- Flyers1218

I assume Fletcher is trying to get it done today before weekend since next week is draft week

I assume this trade was to garner some senior leadership but also provide a bit more skill exiting defensive zone. Remember, one of our biggest problems last year was controlled zone exits. Teams would press and pinch and we would get stuck in our zone for what seemed like minutes at a time. The kids, in ostensible attempts to " keep it simple" would revert to whipping puck around boards to no one, or to popping puck out of zone to other team. Heck, the coach even complained publicly about those tendencies. And that tells you his level of frustration. If this guy skates out of the d zone better with the puck, perhaps that plays into AV system more appropriately than Gudas skill set.
- biggbear77

I think this is a good, savvy trade by Fletcher. The cap retention is a non issue. It's one year and the Flyers have cap space. They aren't making a big splash in free agency this year.

I assume this trade was to garner some senior leadership but also provide a bit more skill exiting defensive zone. Remember, one of our biggest problems last year was controlled zone exits. Teams would press and pinch and we would get stuck in our zone for what seemed like minutes at a time. The kids, in ostensible attempts to " keep it simple" would revert to whipping puck around boards to no one, or to popping puck out of zone to other team. Heck, the coach even complained publicly about those tendencies. And that tells you his level of frustration. If this guy skates out of the d zone better with the puck, perhaps that plays into AV system more appropriately than Gudas skill set.
- biggbear77

Excellent post

Bill,

Any concern that an already soft team is now, on paper at this point, even softer?

I think we all hope that Morin handles some of that but man as I look at this lineup, in its current state, it's pretty crazy how soft they lookm
- opeth_pa

As you say. Sam.morin. They're prob banking heavily on him being that presence. I think he can handle it.

We talk all the time around here about having the right mix of players on offense and defense. Not only did we get the better player out of the deal, it helps the defensive mix in terms of skill sets and pairings.

I’m not either. I still believe they want Trouba.

Interesting that they are making moves with the Hayes thing unresolved and the RFA’s not signed. I know he said he has reliable estimates of what they will receive, but still interesting
- Flyers1218

Also not a fan of this trade but if a right-hand D-man can help both Provorov and Sanheim to be better I am OK with it.
Totally agree it is interesting to see that off-season is moving with both RFA and Hayes situation still stuck.I m sure Hayes feels some pressure now

Agreed. Strong post.

- MJL

Although gudas did play well last year, I still remember game six of the 2018 playoffs vs Pitt, and his failed clears that led to goals.

I'm not confident we wouldn't see that play again in the playoffs from gudas.

Also not a fan of this trade but if a right-hand D-man can help both Provorov and Sanheim to be better I am OK with it.
Totally agree it is interesting to see that off-season is moving with both RFA and Hayes situation still stuck.I m sure Hayes feels some pressure now
- goenzoy

NHL teams just don't make guesses. They pretty much know what the RFA's are going to cost them with a reasonable +/- to that. They know what they're willing to spend on Hayes. This was all worked out in meetings prior to this period. Hayes has all the leverage. No reason why this would add pressure to his decision.

I think this is a good, savvy trade by Fletcher. The cap retention is a non issue. It's one year and the Flyers have cap space. They aren't making a big splash in free agency this year.
- StepfordSam

Agreed. No issue with cap. He's trying to improve the team right now and should use the cap space.

Nah. Waive him to Lehigh.
- Just5

We can handle the cap hit. No need to dump him yet unless cap becomes an issue. LV needs D right now and keeping him gives us depth.

Just a really weird and seemingly unforced move by Fletcher. Gudas brought a ton of grit leadership to the Flyers d corps. I don't see why they wouldn't have been able to sign him as a UFA for a respectable cap hit. He finally put it all together this past season and really matured IMO. Retaining a portion of Gudas' salary as well as having to face him 6 times a year is just icing on the cake for the Capitals.

Fingers crossed a top Flyers forward doesn't get injured long-term from a Gudas related play.

We talk all the time around here about having the right mix of players on offense and defense. Not only did we get the better player out of the deal, it helps the defensive mix in terms of skill sets and pairings.
- StepfordSam

If they insist on keeping hagg and morin around I agree.

Fingers crossed a top Flyers forward doesn't get injured long-term from a Gudas related play.
- Pixote Andolini

This is my one big fear as well - especially the way Jake brings the puck up the ice.

I’m not either. I still believe they want Trouba.

Interesting that they are making moves with the Hayes thing unresolved and the RFA’s not signed. I know he said he has reliable estimates of what they will receive, but still interesting
- Flyers1218

Hope you're right about Trouba, but I can't see that being the case after this move. Why take on more salary to bring in a top 4 RH Dman if you had interest in, and thought you had a legit shot at Trouba.

We can handle the cap hit. No need to dump him yet unless cap becomes an issue. LV needs D right now and keeping him gives us depth.
- peesinwind

Your right in that LHV needs D. They could really use him this year