Oh - I completely agree/understand that it is hit/miss in the 2nd round... but I've been fond of Flyer draft picks (i.e. their scouting) from the last three drafts in the 2nd round (Laberge*, Hart, Allison* in 2016, Ratcliffe in 2017**, Ginning in 2018). *Laberge & Allison have had unfortunate injuries. **Although not a "2nd round pick": Morgan Frost was a trade-up late 1st round pick, 27th overall, in 2017 (for B.Schenn) and I've been very intently watching Frost's progression based on Philly making that trade in advance of that pick.
So... I have a lot of recent faith in the Flyers scouting dept - and what they conveyed to Hextall for past draft picks.
As for Niskanen & Braun... IDK... you can say "shutdown RH" all you want - and I know you watch your share of hockey - but these two guys... head down, shaking... they're not getting better.
Niskanen is NOTICEABLY more exposed out there. I watched the Caps probably play 10-15 games last year and nothing about his playing was even middling to me, any longer.
And Braun, similarly, yes - he is experienced, but he just seems like he's fading.
Both those guys - they aren't who they USED to be.
GMs (who are more hockey-centric, then us) should see this acutely... but I'm not sure Fletcher does... or cares to.
For any new GM, the goal is always to turn-over enough of the roster so that:
1) It looks like you are doing YOUR JOB, and
2) So that if the team does well, enough credit can be passed to the GM, because the line-up is noticeably different than the previous GMs line-up.
Personally, I'd rather they had every-day 3rd line minutes for Phillipe Myers.
(
Morin I don't care about... that was a bad pick, fine, he's not going to be an NHL top two-pairing guy)
Overall - with what the Flyers have grabbed in recent years in that 25-45 range... I certainly think they should have held that pick. My 2 cents.