Holy stupidity. 2nd and 3rd for another 30 something year old?
- twpguy

I said the same thing as soon as I saw the trade on the wire. 2nd AND 3rd for a 32 year old when you are drafting 11th! Felch is an idiot. We are going to rue the day Felch became the new GM.

now they need to sign Provorov.

Now if only the Leaf can start to rebuild their own blue line would awesome.
- zazzle

I expect Provorov to hold out. His agent probably wants Ekblad money, but his play from last year is barely worth his ELC.

I said the same thing as soon as I saw the trade on the wire. 2nd AND 3rd for a 32 year old when you are drafting 11th! Felch is an idiot. We are going to rue the day Felch became the new GM.
- Hokeeguy9

Exactly...it's a 2nd and 3rd for defensive depth. What are the Flyers going to miss out drafting more prospects that will take 4 years before they reach the NHL only to have zero roster spots for them?

Oh..I thought I had heard that he was a good defender. Either way, have you seen our defense? I'd bet money he'd be an upgrade.
- mgriffen

People are overreacting. How did last year's Flyers defense work out?

Exactly...it's a 2nd and 3rd for defensive depth. What are the Flyers going to miss out drafting more prospects that will take 4 years before they reach the NHL only to have zero roster spots for them?
- Glak18

I see what you did there.

People are overreacting. How did last year's Flyers defense work out?
- cmr.266

It's the internet, people will find any way possible to complain. Flyers could of traded for McDavid or the best defenseman in the league and some how someone would complain they paid too much or something else.

It's the internet, people will find any way possible to complain. Flyers could of traded for McDavid or the best defenseman in the league and some how someone would complain they paid too much or something else.
- Glak18

It's very baffling to me. It's not even late June yet. When I ask what they'd propose instead it's always 'oh just call this team over here and offer Hagg and a 2nd for *insert star player* ' OR 'well just sign *UFA star player* to short-term manageable cap hit contract'

......

Well it's either that or no response at all. Kids these days.

It's very baffling to me. It's not even late June yet. When I ask what they'd propose instead it's always 'oh just call this team over here and offer Hagg and a 2nd for *insert star player* ' OR 'well just sign *UFA star player* to short-term manageable cap hit contract'

......

Well it's either that or no response at all. Kids these days.
- cmr.266

I don't think everyone has that mindset. Aside from the Niskanen (which some people aren't happy about the salary retention) trade, to this point, all of his trades are questionable. From my perspective, he didn't get enough compensation in the Talbot trade or the Braun trade. The Weise trade was a lateral move at best. The Hayes trade is ok I guess, but the jury is still out on that. What do you think of his trades to this point?

I don't think everyone has that mindset. Aside from the Niskanen (which some people aren't happy about the salary retention) trade, to this point, all of his trades are questionable. From my perspective, he didn't get enough compensation in the Talbot trade or the Braun trade. The Weise trade was a lateral move at best. The Hayes trade is ok I guess, but the jury is still out on that. What do you think of his trades to this point?
- iroc4me2

It's fair, and a slight overpay for Braun is fair but I think he certainly helps. Maybe what this young defense needs to truly flourish is steady, mobile, experienced defenders who can defend and move the puck? And right-handedness makes more of a difference than people think.

Thanks for asking, here are my takes:

1) I like the Niskanen trade. We overrate Gudas and realistically traded a third-pairing (albeit a strong one) on an expiring contract. I like the player and they've needed some fiery leadership since Simmonds left. They got that.

2) Braun trade is okay. I think he helps them defend - I think he's more of a #5 but clearly is experienced in a 20+ minute per game role on a historically strong team.

3) I like the Hayes trade. We had 10 picks this year and we already have a ton of prospects. What people don't realize is there's not enough open contracts to go around to fit all of these prospects - they need on ice results more than more picks. If they sign him, great. Any UFA at age 27 will be an overpay - and they clearly need a #2 center. This goes back to my point of where are you getting a #2 center on open market in UFA? Last year the second best center was Stastny (I'm sure people would complain we'd signed an older guy for $$$).

You sign him on UFA or trade Ghost and/or high picks and prospects for one, which people would not like. If they don't sign him, then (after Braun trade) we still have 8 picks this year.

4) Stolarz for Talbot was very fair I think. Stolarz seemed better than he was because we were so desperate for goaltending this year. I doubt he's even given a full-time back up role this season and he's already 26, what is that saying about the player?

I don't think everyone has that mindset. Aside from the Niskanen (which some people aren't happy about the salary retention) trade, to this point, all of his trades are questionable. From my perspective, he didn't get enough compensation in the Talbot trade or the Braun trade. The Weise trade was a lateral move at best. The Hayes trade is ok I guess, but the jury is still out on that. What do you think of his trades to this point?
- iroc4me2

And for what it's worth, the Sharks fans seemed to really like Braun as a player:

https://twitter.com/Brodi...41052725624393728/photo/1

What in the actual (frank) is Fletch doing? Why 2 good picks in a good draft for a declining defenseman?! Awful trade, vast overpayment
- iroc4me2

And braun was horrendous last year too.

the Leafs would have given you Zaitsev for less, and quite frankly, at his age and abiility, it would have been a better pick up.

But I like the looks of this. Leafs shouldn't have any issues dumping zaitsev, and maybe getting a couple of picks back, if this is what the market looks like.

Oh..I thought I had heard that he was a good defender. Either way, have you seen our defense? I'd bet money he'd be an upgrade.
- mgriffen

nope. Sharks fans blame Karlsson's slow start at the beginning of the season on being paired with Braun.

Now, the truth is Karlsson probably bogged down Braun's defensive stats as well as Braun bogging Karlsson down, but he's not a good dman at all. As in, he's a liability.

It's fair, and a slight overpay for Braun is fair but I think he certainly helps. Maybe what this young defense needs to truly flourish is steady, mobile, experienced defenders who can defend and move the puck? And right-handedness makes more of a difference than people think.

Thanks for asking, here are my takes:

1) I like the Niskanen trade. We overrate Gudas and realistically traded a third-pairing (albeit a strong one) on an expiring contract. I like the player and they've needed some fiery leadership since Simmonds left. They got that.

2) Braun trade is okay. I think he helps them defend - I think he's more of a #5 but clearly is experienced in a 20+ minute per game role on a historically strong team.

3) I like the Hayes trade. We had 10 picks this year and we already have a ton of prospects. What people don't realize is there's not enough open contracts to go around to fit all of these prospects - they need on ice results more than more picks. If they sign him, great. Any UFA at age 27 will be an overpay - and they clearly need a #2 center. This goes back to my point of where are you getting a #2 center on open market in UFA? Last year the second best center was Stastny (I'm sure people would complain we'd signed an older guy for $$$).

You sign him on UFA or trade Ghost and/or high picks and prospects for one, which people would not like. If they don't sign him, then (after Braun trade) we still have 8 picks this year.

4) Stolarz for Talbot was very fair I think. Stolarz seemed better than he was because we were so desperate for goaltending this year. I doubt he's even given a full-time back up role this season and he's already 26, what is that saying about the player?
- cmr.266

I definitely agree that our young defense needs some good veteran leadership, not the likes of AMAC. I thought Gudas at best was 5/6 defenseman on a good team. I hope to hell these two guys are what we need, we are certainly going to find out! The Hayes trade has potential, but we only lose a 5th if it doesn't work, which in the grand scheme of things, isn't much of a gamble. As far as other FA centers? I'll pass on Duchene if hes 9 million +. The Stolarz trade I scratch my head on a little, I feel like he left meat on the bone, especially if Talbot doesn't resign. But again in the grand scheme of things, not a big deal. A 2nd and a 3rd just seems steep for a 1 year veteran shut down defender. If it was just a 2nd or a 3rd and a 5th or something I wouldn't be as down on it. Is losing a second a big deal? Realistically no, but its more the fact he gave one up for that type of player when I don't feel as though he's worth it. I hope he proves me wrong

And braun was horrendous last year too.

the Leafs would have given you Zaitsev for less, and quite frankly, at his age and abiility, it would have been a better pick up.

But I like the looks of this. Leafs shouldn't have any issues dumping zaitsev, and maybe getting a couple of picks back, if this is what the market looks like.
- prock

If the asking price was the same for both players, I would lean towards the Zaitsev deal. Isn't he under 30 still?

If the asking price was the same for both players, I would lean towards the Zaitsev deal. Isn't he under 30 still?
- iroc4me2

27

Oh my God, people are pooping a brick over this Braun deal for no reason. The chances of those picks betting better than the proven commodity in Braun aren't that good. Please stop.

Oh my God, people are pooping a brick over this Braun deal for no reason. The chances of those picks betting better than the proven commodity in Braun aren't that good. Please stop.
- CupOnBroadSt.

Ymwith a guy like braun you shouldnt look at what the picks turn out to be. Its more likely he becomes a liability that you are better off without regardless of how the picks turn out.

In a cap world taking on a 4 mil salary can cause problems. You cant just dump players anymore.

If we asked you to take marleau for a 7th round pick, marleau is obviously better than any 7th rounder youll get. So would that make it a good deal?

Ymwith a guy like braun you shouldnt look at what the picks turn out to be. Its more likely he becomes a liability that you are better off without regardless of how the picks turn out.

In a cap world taking on a 4 mil salary can cause problems. You cant just dump players anymore.

If we asked you to take marleau for a 7th round pick, marleau is obviously better than any 7th rounder youll get. So would that make it a good deal?
- prock

For a 7th, sure, but he's only going to get 4th line minutes.

For a 7th, sure, but he's only going to get 4th line minutes.
- CupOnBroadSt.

You like that deal? Okay sounds good.

Marleau to philly for a 7th round pick.

How do the rest of you philly fans feel about this one?