First of all, and this isn't personal, but just in general, no one cares where you stopped reading. No matter what is written, it's not worse than saying you cried when someone wrote something you didn't agree with.


I can't for some reason share the link, but if you go to evolving hockey.com and look at their charts for last season, Andrew MacDonald was significantly better than Matt Niskanen.

This isn't what you want to hear, but it's 100% true.
- James_Tanner

One point does not a pattern make.
https://imgur.com/bRusJ5Z

Mac and Niskanen are the same age. If you look at their stats head to head (shown in the image at the link) Niskanen has been better in each category, every year, except once when they were 24 years old.

First of all, and this isn't personal, but just in general, no one cares where you stopped reading. No matter what is written, it's not worse than saying you cried when someone wrote something you didn't agree with.


I can't for some reason share the link, but if you go to evolving hockey.com and look at their charts for last season, Andrew MacDonald was significantly better than Matt Niskanen.

This isn't what you want to hear, but it's 100% true.
- James_Tanner

I seriously question both the mental capacity, and the eyesight, of anyone who would opine that MacDonald is a better player than Niskanen. And if they did, they should be suspended from having any opinion on hockey for at least a year. And really, I am being lenient on that.

First of all, and this isn't personal, but just in general, no one cares where you stopped reading. No matter what is written, it's not worse than saying you cried when someone wrote something you didn't agree with.


I can't for some reason share the link, but if you go to evolving hockey.com and look at their charts for last season, Andrew MacDonald was significantly better than Matt Niskanen.

This isn't what you want to hear, but it's 100% true.
- James_Tanner

Surely then some team would have traded for him then don’t you think jimmy? Yet none did. Why? Don’t bother all gms are wrong and hay site correct.

The fact you believe that is why you are a joke and no one takes you seriously.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I just go by the evidence. It's there for everyone to see, if that means you don't take me seriously I am fine with that.

I just go by the evidence. It's there for everyone to see, if that means you don't take me seriously I am fine with that.
- James_Tanner

I just go by the evidence. It's there for everyone to see, if that means you don't take me seriously I am fine with that.
- James_Tanner

is this like DNA type evidence?

So glad Tanner hates these deals. If he liked them, I would have been worried.
- bmoreflyer

If you're paying attention....you would be worried

It's not even really close, with all due respect to Todd.
- James_Tanner

Yeah there’s no bias here. I’m glad it’s an opinion piece I suppose, because most of it is non-factual crap. Andrew MacDonald is better than Niskanen? Yeah ok. I don’t love the trade but that’s just wrong.

This website sucks. The guy who made it is always wrong, literally never gets anything right. Outside of Bill, all of the bloggers are some of the worst writers I have ever read. Their content and grammar is putrid.

I just go by the evidence. It's there for everyone to see, if that means you don't take me seriously I am fine with that.
- James_Tanner

What objective evidence is leading you to the conclusion that Mac is better than Niskanen. See my comment above.

First of all, and this isn't personal, but just in general, no one cares where you stopped reading. No matter what is written, it's not worse than saying you cried when someone wrote something you didn't agree with.


I can't for some reason share the link, but if you go to evolving hockey.com and look at their charts for last season, Andrew MacDonald was significantly better than Matt Niskanen.

This isn't what you want to hear, but it's 100% true.
- James_Tanner

Ahh the old analytics argument. And in a laboratory, using fancy equipment, a scientist can prove an elephant can hang over the edge of a cliff with its tail tied to a daisy.

For (frank)s sake, use your eyes.

"two arguably better defenseman"? I had to stop reading right after that statement. James Tanner, you may want to sit out a few plays.
- badabing75

Justin Braun was really not very good last year.

I don't really know about Niskanen, but Braun was bad. Really really bad.

By far, the sharks worst dman. He was a serious liability.

Yeah there’s no bias here. I’m glad it’s an opinion piece I suppose, because most of it is non-factual crap. Andrew MacDonald is better than Niskanen? Yeah ok. I don’t love the trade but that’s just wrong.

This website sucks. The guy who made it is always wrong, literally never gets anything right. Outside of Bill, all of the bloggers are some of the worst writers I have ever read. Their content and grammar is putrid.
- Flyers1218

Jay Greenberg is a great writer - which probably is why no one in here bother to read his stuff...

Yeah there’s no bias here. I’m glad it’s an opinion piece I suppose, because most of it is non-factual crap. Andrew MacDonald is better than Niskanen? Yeah ok. I don’t love the trade but that’s just wrong.

This website sucks. The guy who made it is always wrong, literally never gets anything right. Outside of Bill, all of the bloggers are some of the worst writers I have ever read. Their content and grammar is putrid.
- Flyers1218

But here you are since 2007. You can delete your account anytime. Then you won't have to worry about the site being 'always wrong.'

does Tanner even know who Niskanen is?
- Coburns_Nose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCLfBlRTZe8

How much of an overpayment is Hayes really though?

There’s inflation with these contracts since the cap keeps going up. When the top elite players in their respective positions are now getting 10mm+, then shouldn’t high end 2nd line players be getting 7mm?

I feel like people are still stuck on the idea that 2nd liners should make 5.5mm at most but that was back when Crosby was getting 8.7mm and now Matthews is making over 11.5mm

First of all, and this isn't personal, but just in general, no one cares where you stopped reading. No matter what is written, it's not worse than saying you cried when someone wrote something you didn't agree with.


I can't for some reason share the link, but if you go to evolving hockey.com and look at their charts for last season, Andrew MacDonald was significantly better than Matt Niskanen.

This isn't what you want to hear, but it's 100% true.
- James_Tanner

you must care or you wouldn't have answered. if you base your judgement off charts from evolvinghockey.com, i don't know what to say to you. i don't need a chart to show me how bad MacDonald was, i can watch it with my own eyes.

but you do you

How much of an overpayment is Hayes really though?

There’s inflation with these contracts since the cap keeps going up. When the top elite players in their respective positions are now getting 10mm+, then shouldn’t high end 2nd line players be getting 7mm?

I feel like people are still stuck on the idea that 2nd liners should make 5.5mm at most but that was back when Crosby was getting 8.7mm and now Matthews is making over 11.5mm
- rangerdanger94

Hayes is a high end second line player? Since when?

Hayes is a high end second line player? Since when?
- prock

never was and probably never will be!

How much of an overpayment is Hayes really though?

There’s inflation with these contracts since the cap keeps going up. When the top elite players in their respective positions are now getting 10mm+, then shouldn’t high end 2nd line players be getting 7mm?

I feel like people are still stuck on the idea that 2nd liners should make 5.5mm at most but that was back when Crosby was getting 8.7mm and now Matthews is making over 11.5mm
- rangerdanger94

This ^^^^^. People were PO when Hextall didn’t make moves now we’re making moves. And I don’t know what Amac this guy was watching but he spent a lot of time in the press box. They buried him even more towards the end of the season. To say he is better than Niskanen is hilarious. Amac is so bad that some guy created an IG account to post an Amac picture every day until his contract was up. He’s a joke he was a defensive liability on the ice that was a has been. A relic from the Holmgren era, and honestly I couldn’t be happier he’s gone. People are analyzing these moves too much these players are rentals. That’s it! Strictly rentals they are not long term fixes. Braun will be gone after this year and in 2 seasons Niskanen’s contract will be up and the Gudas buy out over. Fletcher has drastically improved the team and given AV the tools to compete now. While only giving up a 2019 5th, 2019 2nd and, 2020 3rd. So please tell me how these are bad moves? The cap space will be cleared up in two years. A 5th and a 3rd are fringe NHL players a majority of the time. Does the 2nd sting a little? Yeah, but that is addressing future talent.

We finally have a stand pat 2nd center, who can be mad at that? Last season Hakstol forced Nopa into a role that he was not ready for. Logging large chunks of minutes against unfavorable matchups. You really can’t expect a young player to improve while being forced into a role like that. We landed the 2nd best UFA that would of hit the market on 7/1. I’m excited this is progress and movement forward. Hayes is everything the Flyers need a big body that can play on the PK but is productive 5v5. As far as his contract goes that’s the going rate now for a 2C. Flyers fans shouldn’t be mad at Fletcher they should be PO at Jeff Skinner and his agent for driving up the cost of a first line player. The numbers will ripple downward and affect every team. To say Hayes is making more than Barkov and other centers is an irrelevant statement. Those players signed big dollar contracts during their neogations. It’s now going full circle and the market value has gone up.

As far as I’m concerned the Flyers have addressed their major needs minus a backup goalie. The RFAs will now probably be signed in the coming days. So far it has been a productive off season.

James Tanner is dead on. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid moves by Fletcher

"I can't for some reason share the link, but if you go to evolving hockey.com and look at their charts for last season, Andrew MacDonald was significantly better than Matt Niskanen.

This isn't what you want to hear, but it's 100% true."

James,

Respectfully, you need to watch a little more hockey and take it easy on the analytics sites for a little while.

AMAC ate a LOT of popcorn for Philly last year. He didn't put up very good numbers and had a huge contract. While reportedly a great guy and very good in the locker room, Niskanen also is a good locker room guy with more upside, a pretty short contract and so on.

This is an upgrade and designed to help Provorov and Ghost regain their position as pillars of the Flyer's D which respectfully last year they weren't.

Braun helps too. Keep the puck out of the net guys to complement put the puck in the net guys like Ghost.

But nobody is talking about the big winner here: Carter Hart. He can't be getting shelled every night and the Flyers faithful expect him to put up crazy good numbers. Now, he's got some help and with players like Morin coming up and Meyers seemingly here - he's got even more to be excited about.

Overall, I am not down on the overall plan here.

Would I have liked to see Erik Karlsson? Yes but that wasn't happening was it?

"I can't for some reason share the link, but if you go to evolving hockey.com and look at their charts for last season, Andrew MacDonald was significantly better than Matt Niskanen.

This isn't what you want to hear, but it's 100% true."

James,

Respectfully, you need to watch a little more hockey and take it easy on the analytics sites for a little while.

AMAC ate a LOT of popcorn for Philly last year. He didn't put up very good numbers and had a huge contract. While reportedly a great guy and very good in the locker room, Niskanen also is a good locker room guy with more upside, a pretty short contract and so on.

This is an upgrade and designed to help Provorov and Ghost regain their position as pillars of the Flyer's D which respectfully last year they weren't.

Braun helps too. Keep the puck out of the net guys to complement put the puck in the net guys like Ghost.

But nobody is talking about the big winner here: Carter Hart. He can't be getting shelled every night and the Flyers faithful expect him to put up crazy good numbers. Now, he's got some help and with players like Morin coming up and Meyers seemingly here - he's got even more to be excited about.

Overall, I am not down on the overall plan here.

Would I have liked to see Erik Karlsson? Yes but that wasn't happening was it?
- flyersfaninLA

I don't doubt that Niskanen is an upgrade on Amac, but what I think you miss is, Braun isn't necessarily an upgrade on AMac. Braun was rereally, really really bad last year. It could in fact, end up being a downgrade, or lateral move.

How much of an overpayment is Hayes really though?

There’s inflation with these contracts since the cap keeps going up. When the top elite players in their respective positions are now getting 10mm+, then shouldn’t high end 2nd line players be getting 7mm?

I feel like people are still stuck on the idea that 2nd liners should make 5.5mm at most but that was back when Crosby was getting 8.7mm and now Matthews is making over 11.5mm
- rangerdanger94

It's more the term what is annoying.Hayes is a good weather player and I can't see him doing 70+ point season from no onwards. 6 million and 5 years should have been the max for him

It's more the term what is annoying.Hayes is a good weather player and I can't see him doing 70+ point season from no onwards. 6 million and 5 years should have been the max for him
- goenzoy

spot on!