Shortly after news broke that the Philadelphia Flyers were losing defenseman Matt Niskanen to retirement, the Flyers were quick to get another defenseman extended and inked to a new deal. The hockey club signed blueliner Justin Braun to a new deal on Monday and Braun has re-upped on a new two-year contract with the Flyers that will carry an average annual value of $1.8 million. Braun was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday.
Related: Another NHL D-Man Walks Away from the Game – Matt Niskanen Retires
This is a good deal for the Flyers who are getting a serviceable, stay-at-home d-man at a pretty discounted price. Braun, 33, is coming off a five-year contract that carried a $3.8 million cap hit. This new deal represents a more than 50% pay cut over his previous contract.
Braun played in 62 games after joining the Flyers from the San Jose Sharks. He recorded 19 points and averaged just over 17 minutes a night. It is expected, if the Flyers are unable to find a suitable replacement for the departing Niskanen, that Braun will be asked to take on an elevated role. This will include extra work on the penalty kill — he was quite good last season in that role.
Part of the attraction for Braun might have been the fact that the Flyers were extremely close to reaching the Eastern Conference Finals of this season’s playoffs and he’d like a chance to win a Stanley Cup. That’s something that has eluded him as the Sharks were always regular season contenders during his time there, but seldom found playoff success.
What’s Next For the Flyers?
Braun is a good signing for the Flyers but it is expected the team will hit up the free agent market or look for trade options to replace the loss of Niskanen.
So too, the Flyers have work to do. The club has three players set to hit unrestricted free agency: Tyler Pitlick, Derek Grant and Nate Thompson as well, they need to find deals or make decisions on two restricted free agents: Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick.
Next: Bobby Ryan Hoping Flyers Extend Offer in NHL Free Agency
