Chuck Fletcher’s Defense Gamble Is Paying Off Big Time For Flyers
When Chuck Fletcher was named the GM of the Philadelphia Flyers, he understood what he had on the surface. But, after watching & analyzing the team in the second half of season, Fletcher knew what the Flyers flaws were.
The biggest flaw became very apparent with Fletcher’s offseason moves. That flaw being no veteran leadership to help take the young Flyers defense to the next level.
To help with that leadership, Fletcher traded for two work-horse style veterans. Acquiring Matt Niskanen from the Washington Capitals for Radko Gudas & Justin Braun from the San Jose Sharks for a 2nd & 3rd round pick.
Both Niskanen and Braun each brought 9+ years NHL experience with them to the Flyers. But, the reactions to the moves were mixed to say the least. Many criticizing Fletcher for retaining 33% of Gudas’s contract & giving up two high draft picks for Justin Braun.
However, the biggest criticism was with their play.
Last season was the worst statistical season for both Niskanen & Braun in their careers. Resulting in both guys seeing their roles diminish to other players. But, Chuck Fletcher took a chance on both Niskanen & Braun bouncing back. That decision is paying off big time for the Flyers so far this season.
Matt Niskanen is proving to be the top pairing defensemen the Flyers needed. Someone who can play 23+minutes a night, play in all situations, & contribute offensively. But, to an even bigger note, be a mentor to Ivan Provorov.
Niskanen is no stranger being a mentor to a young Russian defensemen. In Washington, Niskanen was paired with Dmitry Orlov. A pairing that Washington relied on heavily in their Stanley Cup run. However, last season that pairing had a tough year. A year that saw Niskanen be dropped from that pair for a younger Michal Kempny. But, it was what Niskanen meant to Orlov that caught the Flyers eye.
“Nisk helped me grow a lot as a player,” Orlov said during training camp. “With Nisk gone, gonna take what I have learned and hopefully pass it on to someone else.”
That leadership is something that has turned Niskanen & his new partner, Ivan Provorov, into one of the best top pairs in the NHL. A pair that plays 24+minutes a night, has combined for 19G 47A +14, and developed a chemistry that is the backbone of the Flyers defense.
Justin Braun is proving to be the top-4 defensemen the Flyers have coveted for years. Someone who makes his partner better no matter what unit he was on.
Braun has been paired with every Flyers defensemen except Phil Myers for at least one game this season. In those games, Braun hasn’t skipped a beat. Being a safety blanket to his new partner during those games.
But, Braun has done his best work with his current partner, Robert Hagg. A pairing that has complemented the Flyers defense resurgence led by Niskanen & Provorov.
Matt Niskanen & Justin Braun both already have bettered their totals from last season. Niskanen matching his goal total, 8 goals, with a goal Sunday vs NYR, while adding 25 assists compared to his 17 last season. Braun has passed both totals already. Scoring 3 goals to his 2 last season, while adding 16 assists to his 14 last season.
Chuck Fletcher bet on two-proven veterans bouncing back. That bet is proving to be a good one for the Flyers. Niskanen & Braun have not only helped stabilize the young Flyers defense, they also have helped the team climb to 2nd place in the Metro Division.