They could have just held him out of his last 3-4 starts since they were running away with the division.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. Or run a 6 man rotation that puts more days between him and starts. There are ways to do it without shutting him down for the most important part.

I would be pissed as a player that the GM took away my best chance to win something if I am a veteran on that team.

Can you imagine if this was the Flyers' scenario?

I can't imagine a GM hated more in Philadelphia than Ruben Amaro Jr. was, but a scenario like the one in Tampa ending with that team out of a playoff spot, while alienating one of your best young talents and losing your best player in free agency would probably surpass Amaro hate.
- johndewar

The hate for GM/Coach Bob McCammon by 1984 was epic. Most of the players couldn't stand him either

He has a No Move. If he won't go how do you trade him?

If that is the case, better just to cap it and concentrate on the playoffs. He's taken the decision out of your hands.
- mayorofangrytown

if he won't reup with tampa why won't he waive his nmc, is he trying to screw them over ?

If they drop out of the playoff spot before the deadline, can you move Stamkos after you just publicly said he isn't going anywhere?

What if they get some huge offer that helps them for the future?

I would never publically state anyone is not being traded.
- J35Bacher

Not sure. You certainly can but it would look bad obviously. Or maybe he thinks that if he publicly stated he wants to keep Stamkos, that if an offer does come up and a trade is done, that it was Stamkos who asked to be moved. Idk tho. Maybe he's overly confident he will get a deal done. I'm out of guesses

what was the situation there
- -davies-

i don't know, i wish i knew.

1) Gudas has unfortunately earned his rep, but that would have been a interference minor (and a very silly one to take, at that) by any other player. However, it was also an embellishment by Farnham, who has already been flagged and fined by the NHL for two dives/embellishments this year and carried a rep in the AHL of a guy who is not above doing that. Neither Gudas nor Farnham can be trusted. That's the bottom line. Farnham didn't miss a shift.

2) Blandisi himself admitted he embellished and should have reacted normally rather than, for the "benefit" of the officials, doing his aerial flip way after the fact. It was a needless and clear-cut slash. The sell was so over-the-top that it's going to be replayed whenever diving/embellishment videos are made -- and I don't mean by fans on Youtube, I mean by the NHL when they instruct their officials.

3) Glass houses, my friend. Devils are last in the NHL in scoring, live and die on the goaltending and special teams, have missed the playoffs four of the last five seasons and are in a precarious spot this season (especially having played more games than most of the teams right on their heels).

In the time since the Devils won their last Cup in 2003 -- with a trip to the Finals along the way and beating the Flyers in 2012, admittedly -- they've had four first-round exits, two second-round exits and four years out of the playoffs. In the same span, the Flyers have twice lost in the conference finals, once in a six-game Stanley Cup Final that could have gone either way, two second rounds, two first round and missed three times (quite possibly a fourth). Oh, and Philly won two of the three playoff series (2004, 2010 and 2012) played against the Devils in that span.

Neither team has all that much to be proud of as late. However, what would you call the Devils nucleus to build around? What's the state Lou left the farm system before Ray Shero came in? Who are the potential impact players so the team doesn't have to rely on veteran retreads such as the Lee Stempniaks and Mike Cammalleris of the league to be top line players?

The Flyers farm system was a mess a few years ago but has been rebuilt quickly, to the point that Gostisbehere isn't even the highest overall upside young defenseman in the system. They are not teeming in forward prospects but Konecny is a top-flight one and there a few other guys with top-nine upside. Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds are in their primes. Schenn and (prior to injury) Couturier finally seem to blossoming into what the Flyers projected they'd be.

If they were stock futures, the Flyers would be the smarter buy than the Devils. I think Ray is a good GM and the team will get more pieces in place. But to come in here trolling based on pumping the Devils' tires is false bravado.

Finally, consider this a warning that if you can't be civil on this board, you will disappear from it.
- bmeltzer

bill just (frank)ing crushed you. it was delicious. goodbye, troll.

Flyers next 8 games are against teams who currently are not in the playoffs. If they are going to make a run, now would be the time.
- PLindbergh31

They are due to go back to losing to bad teams

On the bright side, I think Cousins has played well and deserves to stay in the lineup. I would also like to see Laughton get back in there at some point, hopefully sooner than later. Let the youth play
- 3flyerkids

i'm digging little nickie cousins. i just want to see new players. if they're decent, with potential to boot, all the better.

Can you imagine if this was the Flyers' scenario?

I can't imagine a GM hated more in Philadelphia than Ruben Amaro Jr. was, but a scenario like the one in Tampa ending with that team out of a playoff spot, while alienating one of your best young talents and losing your best player in free agency would probably surpass Amaro hate.
- johndewar

Not only that but he did something to St. Louis to make him demand a trade. Marty looks bad, but you can't tell me that Yzerman doesn't share some of the blame.

I vote for posters who assume that everyone is against them/out to get them when their viewpoint is questioned or disagreed with and respond with inflammatory remarks.

Go ahead, play the innocent card, I won't be surprised.
- jmatchett383

Neuvirth forever!!!!!!!

Edit: lol

I am sure if he knows that getting a new deal will be tough, I am not sure why he wouldn't want to go to maybe a contender. Right now the lightening are close to missing the playoffs.
- J35Bacher

Maybe he's just being a good teammate and wants to play out the string, he can always go to a contender in the summer. They get in the playoffs anything can happen, he's getting paid either way.

- jmatchett383

one of the great moments in flyers history. was glad to be in the building for that one. 3 russians combining on the series winning goal...who would've ever thought.

danny markov will always have a special place in my heart.

Remember when the Devils skipped over Provorov then the Flyers ended up with the better player on Sarnia with the 25th pick. Lololololol
- PhillySportsGuy

Vinnys last 6 games.....0 G 1 A -4
- Just5

but, but, but....bunny!!!!!

what was the situation there
- -davies-

The refs waved(waived?) off an icing that had no business being waved(waived? Seriously I still don't know) off.

Flyers next 8 games are against teams who currently are not in the playoffs. If they are going to make a run, now would be the time.
- PLindbergh31

I am sure if he knows that getting a new deal will be tough, I am not sure why he wouldn't want to go to maybe a contender. Right now the lightening are close to missing the playoffs.
- J35Bacher

Maybe he thinks he's on a contender knowing that if he wants to max out his next contract he's going to have to go somewhere (Toronto) where he's not going to be competitive for another few years. He takes his shot this year with the Lightning then takes his talents to T.O.

No hearing for Gudas.
- Feanor

damnit.

if he won't reup with tampa why won't he waive his nmc, is he trying to screw them over ?
- -davies-

Taking a shot at the Cup and hoping to work out a deal?

Getting Vinny's contract off the books was a miracle. If the Flyers would have landed a prospect to boot it would have been the cherry on top of the sundae. Unfortunately it appears Weal is not going to amount to anything.
- PLindbergh31

like sol rosenberg says: "maybe? ya' nevah know. ya' nevah nevah know."

quotes not working....shocking

haven't we already been walking through the desert for 40 years? 1976?
- nastyflyergirl

yes.

The refs waved(waived?) off an icing that had no business being waved(waived? Seriously I still don't know) off.
- TobyFlenderson

think i for icing

I just want to say one thing about the goalies.

If we truly believe that we have a 1A/1B situation with Mason and Neuvirth, why are we all in such a rush to dump one of them for picks?

I believe that next season is when we should look to make a push for the playoffs. Maybe not a Cup contender, but next season, we should realistically be a playoff team. If that is the case, why not hold onto both of them? If one goes down, I'd much rather have the other one to carry us that an AHL call-up/LaBarbera-type. After the season, weigh the better/cheaper player scale and go with who you want (or, if you can manage it, both). I'd rather have a quality backup as insurance next year than dump one this year for a later-round pick.
- jmatchett383

i would like to keep both. and i've officially turned the corner. i prefer neuvirth. maybe it's just my position on right handed goalies.

Yeah, stop reading Ek.
- funmaster18

I still cannot stand nhl.tv...why is it so hard to watch a highlight reel

also: does hearing a devils goal call brings out amounts of rage I never knew were inside of me