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 missed Cousins' penalty late. Was it a good call?

Great effort last night by the five defensemen not silly enough to get thrown out of the game after playing less than two minutes.

I would scratch Gudas for the next game and play Manning with Medvedev.

Hawks blogger is saying they are very interested in Medvedev.

- 3flyerkids

As well they should be. 33 year old Medvedev >>> 39 year old Kimmo. I didn't know he was friends with Panarin, but going to any team with a Russian would be nice for him. TB and the Caps also have Russians, so maybe Hexy can get a bidding war going.

I saw Bill retweeted a Lightning tweet about last night being Matt Carle's 700th NHL game. It was also his 40th game this season and he remains pointless. Medvedev >>> Carle.

Umberger has to get 1 goal in 26 games to have 2 goals.


Can he do it?
- Just5

He did have a good game
(Finally)

Great effort last night by the five defensemen not silly enough to get thrown out of the game after playing less than two minutes.

I would scratch Gudas for the next game and play Manning with Medvedev.
- Feanor

Regardless of what DOPS rules on that hit, Gudas can't keep leaving his team shorthanded for extended periods of time like he has recently.

I missed Cousins' penalty late. Was it a good call?
- johndewar

Yes, not a good penalty for him to take. He'll have his lapses like that, though not as many as he used to. The organization was not all that happy with him -- in quite a few areas of his game -- after his first AHL season. He did a 180 last year and has continued to improve this season.

Great effort last night by the five defensemen not silly enough to get thrown out of the game after playing less than two minutes.

I would scratch Gudas for the next game and play Manning with Medvedev.
- Feanor

A suspension will probably take care of this, can't see him dodging this one.

He did have a good game
(Finally)
- puckhead17

Well he was finally given good linemates™

A suspension will probably take care of this, can't see him dodging this one.
- puckhead17

That's what they said after the last one, which was worse than this one, IMO.

If anything, Gudas should sit because he's leaving his team shorthanded with these hits that are getting called, in game, for majors and killing his team's energy.

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

I never said the Devils were a cup contender or anything. My brother is a Flyers fan so I am pretty aware of all of your highs and lows. In the 58 games I've watched this year that was the dirtiest showing hands down. I've been watching hockey my whole life and yes aggressive play is great. Trying to cause injury is where the line is drawn.

Gostibehere is impressive.

Blandisi did jump around like he got bit by a pitbull.

That was a very tame post to get a warning on. In my opinion your team is mediocre. The Devils are pretty mediocre also if you haven't noticed. I sure as hell wasnt pumping any tires so that comment is a miss. Did you think mediocre means something vile or inappropriate? Mediocre means "pretty ok" or "not that great" in case you were confused.

Admittedly I was a little upset watching the replays again and all of the dirty little plays so maybe it was a little pointed but a warning is odd for using the word mediocre.

We have zero depth so any injury particularly on a play that was intended to cause injury really stings when in a tight playoff spot. Gionta is one of our main penalty killers and that cute little push that injured him deserves a suspension in my opinion (trying to be careful here because you warned me about sharing my opinion I guess so I won't use any easily confused words).

You guys won the game, great but when I see several unacceptable attempts to injure from one team in a game I will say something about it. Heckle me all you want but it's still bs.

Yes, not a good penalty for him to take. He'll have his lapses like that, though not as many as he used to. The organization was not all that happy with him -- in quite a few areas of his game -- after his first AHL season. He did a 180 last year and has continued to improve this season.
- bmeltzer

Thanks!

I'd like to see Cousins get a bit more ice, but not if he doesn't deserve it.

Can't say I didn't try. Cheers.
- Giroux_Is_God

he read it

Send a third and we have a deal. Onto the next one.
- flyers2001

I'd assume that the best we could get for Medvedev is a mid-late round pick. I wonder if they'd give Radovan Bondra and a 5th or 6th. A big guy on the left side would be nice to see in the system. He doesn't have eye popping stats, but could be a solid pick up.

Well he was finally given good linemates™
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah that was the problem, poor guy had everyone else bringing his play down.
Alex Ovechberger.

That's what they said after the last one, which was worse than this one, IMO.

If anything, Gudas should sit because he's leaving his team shorthanded with these hits that are getting called, in game, for majors and killing his team's energy.
- johndewar

Yeah, he's lost all control on playing disciplined.
I see him getting at least another 3 games.

I never said the Devils were a cup contender or anything. My brother is a Flyers fan so I am pretty aware of all of your highs and lows. In the 58 games I've watched this year that was the dirtiest showing hands down. I've been watching hockey my whole life and yes aggressive play is great. Trying to cause injury is where the line is drawn.

Gostibehere is impressive.

Blandisi did jump around like he hit bit by a pitbull.

That was a very tame post to get a warning on. In my opinion your team is mediocre. The Devils are pretty mediocre also if you haven't noticed. I sure as hell wasnt pumping any tires so that comment is a miss. Did you think mediocre means something vile or inappropriate? Mediocre means "pretty ok" or "not that great" in case you were confused.

Admittedly I was a little upset watching the replays again and all of the dirty little plays so maybe it was a little pointed but a warning is odd for using the word mediocre.

We have zero depth so any injury particularly on a play that was intended to cause injury really stings when in a tight playoff spot. Gionta is one of our main penalty killers and that cute little push that injured him deserves a suspension in my opinion (trying to be careful here because you warned me about sharing my opinion I guess so I won't use any easily confused words).

You guys won the game, great but when I see several unacceptable attempts to injure from one team in a game I will say something about it. Heckle me all you want but it's still bs.
- TRDevil

You can try to act like you the overall connotation of your post wasn't inflammatory and act like the Flyers just went out tonight trying to injure people. Bottom line is that none of the Flyers players go out trying to injure people besides Gudas, and the organization has even sat him down to get him to stop playing that way. They did the same for Rinaldo and look what happened to him when he wouldn't change.

Congrats on making it through 58 devils games

A suspension will probably take care of this, can't see him dodging this one.
- puckhead17

Really? This one didn't even cause an injury.

I never said the Devils were a cup contender or anything. My brother is a Flyers fan so I am pretty aware of all of your highs and lows. In the 58 games I've watched this year that was the dirtiest showing hands down. I've been watching hockey my whole life and yes aggressive play is great. Trying to cause injury is where the line is drawn.

Gostibehere is impressive.

Blandisi did jump around like he got bit by a pitbull.

That was a very tame post to get a warning on. In my opinion your team is mediocre. The Devils are pretty mediocre also if you haven't noticed. I sure as hell wasnt pumping any tires so that comment is a miss. Did you think mediocre means something vile or inappropriate? Mediocre means "pretty ok" or "not that great" in case you were confused.

Admittedly I was a little upset watching the replays again and all of the dirty little plays so maybe it was a little pointed but a warning is odd for using the word mediocre.

We have zero depth so any injury particularly on a play that was intended to cause injury really stings when in a tight playoff spot. Gionta is one of our main penalty killers and that cute little push that injured him deserves a suspension in my opinion (trying to be careful here because you warned me about sharing my opinion I guess so I won't use any easily confused words).

You guys won the game, great but when I see several unacceptable attempts to injure from one team in a game I will say something about it. Heckle me all you want but it's still bs.
- TRDevil

Seriously man, there was some stick work going on away from the play by your team as well. Just because they don't get called, it doesnt mean its nonexistent.
Yeah the game was chippy, and Gudas is an a$$ clown, we know nuff said.
No one is chirping up Gudas, or any of the rough play.
In Corey you trust!

I'd assume that the best we could get for Medvedev is a mid-late round pick. I wonder if they'd give Radovan Bondra and a 5th or 6th. A big guy on the left side would be nice to see in the system. He doesn't have eye popping stats, but could be a solid pick up.
- Coleman

Last year Brian Flynn got a 5th, Jordan Leopold got a 5th, and Olli Jokenin got a 6th.

I think you're wrong in assuming Medvedev will only get that. Also...A big guy on the left side would be nice to see in the system? What system?

why are Jersey fans so upset? they beat the Flyers all the time with their boring ass trap

Really? This one didn't even cause an injury.
- Feanor

Gotta think another match penalty will be frowned upon.

from the hawks blogger

PHILADELPHIA:

"Here is one of the surprises: The Hawks asked about Brayden Schenn." Schenn was UNAVAILABLE. Also, Michael Raffl and D Evgeni Medvedev. Medvedev is very intriguing. He is a pending UFA, a big and mobile defenseman who is also a very good friend of Artemi Panarin. Talks are ongoing. "Good probability."
- rinaldo

Not sure what the Hawks would offer for Schenn, we already own their 2016 2nd rounder. Perhaps a 4th in '17 and a 2nd in '18?

edit: meant to say Medvedev, not Schenn. Sorry.

I never said the Devils were a cup contender or anything. My brother is a Flyers fan so I am pretty aware of all of your highs and lows. In the 58 games I've watched this year that was the dirtiest showing hands down. I've been watching hockey my whole life and yes aggressive play is great. Trying to cause injury is where the line is drawn.

Gostibehere is impressive.

Blandisi did jump around like he got bit by a pitbull.

That was a very tame post to get a warning on. In my opinion your team is mediocre. The Devils are pretty mediocre also if you haven't noticed. I sure as hell wasnt pumping any tires so that comment is a miss. Did you think mediocre means something vile or inappropriate? Mediocre means "pretty ok" or "not that great" in case you were confused.

Admittedly I was a little upset watching the replays again and all of the dirty little plays so maybe it was a little pointed but a warning is odd for using the word mediocre.

We have zero depth so any injury particularly on a play that was intended to cause injury really stings when in a tight playoff spot. Gionta is one of our main penalty killers and that cute little push that injured him deserves a suspension in my opinion (trying to be careful here because you warned me about sharing my opinion I guess so I won't use any easily confused words).

You guys won the game, great but when I see several unacceptable attempts to injure from one team in a game I will say something about it. Heckle me all you want but it's still bs.
- TRDevil

You crossed the line when you called us all troglodytes. How dare you make me look that word up.

Seriously though if you're going to come in here just to antagonize without adding any competent thoughts you should expect some sort of response. I'd acknowledge the original comment but Bill handled that one pretty well.

Yes, not a good penalty for him to take. He'll have his lapses like that, though not as many as he used to. The organization was not all that happy with him -- in quite a few areas of his game -- after his first AHL season. He did a 180 last year and has continued to improve this season.
- bmeltzer

yup, this is why patience pays off.

Regardless of what DOPS rules on that hit, Gudas can't keep leaving his team shorthanded for extended periods of time like he has recently.
- johndewar

that's why he should be benched a game or so. All about accountability.