I called it close to a wash (Braun-AMac).

1 year of Braun vs.

two draft picks, riding out AMac's contract, having $1.9mil in additional cap space this year.

No argument Braun was the better player. But there were similar players that could be had for less. In the end, I will never like that the Flyers spent 2 draft picks and added cap to future seasons for one year of a player that was good but not great.
- mickel25

Such as? Maybe Bill can chime in as wasn't it said several teams were after Braun.

Did Braun have a positive effect on the young guys in your opinion? yes or no?

Ghost has had subpar seasons three of the last four years, and in b2b years. It might be the best for both sides if he gets an opportunity elsewhere and the Flyers get more breathing room on the cap.

If you could tell me with a high degree of confidence that he will get back next season to his 2017-18 regular season level (he struggled in the Pittsburgh series), I would be with you on this.

But he has struggled more than he's played well in 2016-17, 2018-19 and 2019-20. What would be an "opportunity to succeed"? Putting him back with Provorov and PP1 with unlimited leeway?

He basically played himself off PP1 and off the Provorov pair in the first half of 2018-19 and overall has struggled the last two seasons, under 3 head coaches and three assistants in charge of the D. Injuries haven't helped, of course.

I like Ghost as a player and as a person but it just hasn't been clicking the last few years.
- bmeltzer

Seems like there's too much pressure on him from all sides. Like him, but there may be a better opportunity out there for him than here.

They couldn't have looked for a cheaper veteran option?
- MJL

How do you know they didnt? They targeted Braun for a reason.

Such as? Maybe Bill can chime in as wasn't it said several teams were after Braun.

Did Braun have a positive effect on the young guys in your opinion? yes or no?
- login

I've already agreed that he helped the young players the same as AMac did while he was here. I don't recall multiple teams being in on Braun. I remember it being kind of like a Holmgren moment. Fletcher bidding against himself or just agreeing to the first offer because he was hyper focused on one player.

They couldn't have looked for a cheaper veteran option?
- MJL

I don't know who was available at the time. Also, I think Braun may have had a better rep than he deserved (don't know) from playing with Vlasic all those years. Major paradigm shift to go from Vlasic to Hagg & Ghost.

Plan A—If Frost needs more pre-NHL development time, and if Patrick is not cleared to play yet. Also, no one traded or acquired.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-TK
JVR-Giroux-Lindblom
Raffl-Bunnaman-NAK

Plan B—Frost makes the team, but Patrick not cleared yet. JVR traded.

Giroux-Couturier-TK
Farabee-Hayes-Voracek
Lindblom-Frost-Sandin
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan C—Patrick plays, but Frost isn’t ready. No one traded or acquired.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
JVR-Hayes-Giroux
Lindblom-Patrick-TK
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan D—Patrick and Frost play. JVR traded.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Giroux-Frost-Hayes
Lindblom-Patrick-TK
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan E—none of the above. This is the most likely one to actually happen since you make a plan, but sh!t happens. It was fun to look at it anyway.

I presented 2 lineups with Patrick, 2 with Frost, and 2 with JVR. Couturier, Giroux, Voracek, Hayes, TK, Raffl, Laughton, Farabee and NAK are my locks. Lindblom is in also. Bunnaman and Sandin are on the bubble. Honorable mentions to also consider: Laczynski, Allison, Twarynski, Kase.

And that's my point. Didn't it always depend on how good Myers/Sanheim and Provorov got anyway?

To me Niskanen was an obvious upgrade. Niskanen really helped this team. Braun was a dime a dozen player in my opinion. Could have received similar output from any number of other defensemen. Especially to play in the bottom pairing.
- mickel25

agree mostly, I think you are under selling Brauns contributions during the season which led to playoffs and the you core getting some much needed experience

I don't know who was available at the time. Also, I think Braun may have had a better rep than he deserved (don't know) from playing with Vlasic all those years. Major paradigm shift to go from Vlasic to Hagg & Ghost.
- easY

Again and I felt the same way when they made the deal so this is not Monday morning quarterbacking. If you need the player to make a legit cup run then fine. However I don't think the Flyers should've been in that position to give up a 2nd and 3rd round picks and buyout a player to take on future dead cap space to do so. He wasn't that critical. I think it's really going to be mitigated when they trade Gostisbehere but it doesn't change how I feel about the move.

I've already agreed that he helped the young players the same as AMac did while he was here. I don't recall multiple teams being in on Braun. I remember it being kind of like a Holmgren moment. Fletcher bidding against himself or just agreeing to the first offer because he was hyper focused on one player.
- mickel25

Well i dont think andy mac helped at all. You also think andy mac and Braun are close to a wash.

I recall it being said, even by Bill, that there were several offers for Braun.

Again and I felt the same way when they made the deal so this is not Monday morning quarterbacking. If you need the player to make a legit cup run then fine. However I don't think the Flyers should've been in that position to give up a 2nd and 3rd round picks and buyout a player to take on future dead cap space to do so. He wasn't that critical. I think it's really going to be mitigated when they trade Gostisbehere but it doesn't change how I feel about the move.
- MJL

How do you know he wasn't critical? I bet within the flyers organization they feel differently.

But hey lets win the cap cup and the draft pick race.

I don't know who was available at the time. Also, I think Braun may have had a better rep than he deserved (don't know) from playing with Vlasic all those years. Major paradigm shift to go from Vlasic to Hagg & Ghost.
- easY

You make a statement then say you dont know? Interesting.

Again and I felt the same way when they made the deal so this is not Monday morning quarterbacking. If you need the player to make a legit cup run then fine. However I don't think the Flyers should've been in that position to give up a 2nd and 3rd round picks and buyout a player to take on future dead cap space to do so. He wasn't that critical. I think it's really going to be mitigated when they trade Gostisbehere but it doesn't change how I feel about the move.
- MJL

I agree with you on the overpayment and wish the contract was for more than one year because I don't see Hagg as a reliable enough player yet to pair with anyone other than Niskanen or Provorov or another vet.

What about multiple 2nds? Ottawa has 4 of them this year.
- hereticpride

And three 1 at rounders. Some say the draft is balanced after the top ten for 3 rounds. If I were them I would keep them all and even try to get more with the open cap space. Their rebuild could go rather quickly.

Plan A—If Frost needs more pre-NHL development time, and if Patrick is not cleared to play yet. Also, no one traded or acquired.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-TK
JVR-Giroux-Lindblom
Raffl-Bunnaman-NAK

Plan B—Frost makes the team, but Patrick not cleared yet. JVR traded.

Giroux-Couturier-TK
Farabee-Hayes-Voracek
Lindblom-Frost-Sandin
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan C—Patrick plays, but Frost isn’t ready. No one traded or acquired.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
JVR-Hayes-Giroux
Lindblom-Patrick-TK
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan D—Patrick and Frost play. JVR traded.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Giroux-Frost-Hayes
Lindblom-Patrick-TK
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan E—none of the above. This is the most likely one to actually happen since you make a plan, but sh!t happens. It was fun to look at it anyway.

I presented 2 lineups with Patrick, 2 with Frost, and 2 with JVR. Couturier, Giroux, Voracek, Hayes, TK, Raffl, Laughton, Farabee and NAK are my locks. Lindblom is in also. Bunnaman and Sandin are on the bubble. Honorable mentions to also consider: Laczynski, Allison, Twarynski, Kase.
- NC Flyers Fan

I think your first optional be close. If no pa is ready I may consider him 4 th line to get adjusted. Still have two descent wingers. The slot up if/when he acclimated pushing Scott to wing as I think g will be first line wing and Scott at third line center.

I hope to see tanner as the 4 th or maybe even 3 rd line center sometime next year.

Plan A—If Frost needs more pre-NHL development time, and if Patrick is not cleared to play yet. Also, no one traded or acquired.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-TK
JVR-Giroux-Lindblom
Raffl-Bunnaman-NAK

Plan B—Frost makes the team, but Patrick not cleared yet. JVR traded.

Giroux-Couturier-TK
Farabee-Hayes-Voracek
Lindblom-Frost-Sandin
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan C—Patrick plays, but Frost isn’t ready. No one traded or acquired.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
JVR-Hayes-Giroux
Lindblom-Patrick-TK
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan D—Patrick and Frost play. JVR traded.

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Giroux-Frost-Hayes
Lindblom-Patrick-TK
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Plan E—none of the above. This is the most likely one to actually happen since you make a plan, but sh!t happens. It was fun to look at it anyway.

I presented 2 lineups with Patrick, 2 with Frost, and 2 with JVR. Couturier, Giroux, Voracek, Hayes, TK, Raffl, Laughton, Farabee and NAK are my locks. Lindblom is in also. Bunnaman and Sandin are on the bubble. Honorable mentions to also consider: Laczynski, Allison, Twarynski, Kase.
- NC Flyers Fan

Its just my opinion, but I see Frost having the most success on the wing in the NHL.

You think we could trade JVR to the Flames for two years of Lucic? I mean it’s hardly ideal but it frees up money a lot sooner rather than later.

I guess Subban would be a similar option but we’d definitely be trading Ghost for needed cap space.

Makes you think that they're going to try and trade someone to clear up some cap space.
- MJL

8.9 open

Myers. 3 mil two years
NAK. 950 one year
Haag. 1.7. Two years
Pat 1 mil one year
Backup 2 mil two years

Under 8 mil. But still need others. Yeah I could see someone being moved

You think we could trade JVR to the Flames for two years of Lucic? I mean it’s hardly ideal but it frees up money a lot sooner rather than later.

I guess Subban would be a similar option but we’d definitely be trading Ghost for needed cap space.
- hereticpride

I want the Flyers to be completely out of the making bad hockey trades for cap space business. Manage the cap properly and focus on drafting and developing.

What makes you say that? How about 1 for 1 ghost for kassian?
- login

I think Pulj is still an unproven but is valued by the oilers as a top asset still. They will argue ghosts recent season and want more.

People may disagree but Kaddish for would make me think. Does tie up a spot on forward but there is also the mentality that he’s there. Opens up a little cap. But also does not fix what I think is the issue with this team. And same. Does Edmonton want to part with the man who will slay people for mc Leon

I want the Flyers to be completely out of the making bad hockey trades for cap space business. Manage the cap properly and focus on drafting and developing.
- MJL

Same. Here’s hoping they find decent return for JVR should they end up moving him.

Wow can’t believe Staal moved just for Johansen. He was a trade deadline target I liked for playoffs.

Wow can’t believe Staal moved just for Johansen. He was a trade deadline target I liked for playoffs.
- arichardson22

Seems underwhelming for the wild

I've already agreed that he helped the young players the same as AMac did while he was here. I don't recall multiple teams being in on Braun. I remember it being kind of like a Holmgren moment. Fletcher bidding against himself or just agreeing to the first offer because he was hyper focused on one player.
- mickel25

Wrong. It was reported by many that multiple teams were in on acquiring Braun. Matter of fact. This very blog believes this to be the case.

Would anyone be happy with a nopa/Sanheim for Laine deal?
- SMS4016

No and neither would Winnipeg.

I think Pulj is still an unproven but is valued by the oilers as a top asset still. They will argue ghosts recent season and want more.

People may disagree but Kaddish for would make me think. Does tie up a spot on forward but there is also the mentality that he’s there. Opens up a little cap. But also does not fix what I think is the issue with this team. And same. Does Edmonton want to part with the man who will slay people for mc Leon
- Peter Richards

Agree on the poll party take.

IMO i think the oilers would be interested in ghost as much as any team. Yes Kassian doesnt fix all the issues though he adds value and addresses some. At least he would be in the lineup.