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NHL Daily: Flyers’ Trades Brewing; Pietrangelo’s Scare at Home
The Flyers are open for business on the trade market. James van Riemsdyk is available. Kevin Hayes might be, too. Among others.
The NHL has a holiday trade freeze from Dec. 20-27; after that, general managers can do their thing up to the March 3 trade deadline.
Meanwhile, Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo returned to the lineup after missing nine games to be by the side of his four-year-old daughter, who is expected to make a full recovery from a scary medical situation.
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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now
Philly Hockey Now: James van Riemsdyk has been extremely productive (five goals, 11 points in 12 games) before and after missing about six weeks because of finger surgery. The 33-year-old left winger can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, however, and the Flyers are listening to trade offers. Philadelphia Flyers.
Philly Hockey Now: John Tortorella has gotten praise and criticism for benching Kevin Hayes again. I’m with the latter group. Philadelphia Flyers.
Philly Hockey Now: Defenseman Emil Andrae, one of the Flyers’Â best prospects, is raising eyebrows with his strong play in Sweden. Prospect expert Russ Cohen has an update. Philadelphia Flyers.
Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers, who host Columbus on Tuesday, talk about costly lapses in their 6-3 loss to the Rangers. Philadelphia Flyers.
Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights’ Alex Pietrangelo returned to the lineup and explained a scary family situation. He missed nine games because his four-year-old daughter, Evelyn, had the flu that turned into encephalitis. He said that created a brain lesion and she lost all motor skills and functions. Thankfully, she is doing much better and is expected to make a full recovery. “It’s a miracle how much she has come along in the last 48 hours,” he said. Vegas Golden Knights.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Ex-Penguin Jordan Staal scored with 6:27 left, lifting Carolina to a 3-2 win Sunday against visiting Pittsburgh. The loss snapped the Pens’ seven-game winning streak. Carolina is on a 9-0-2 run. Pittsburgh Penguins.
Washington Hockey Now: Yeah, that was light-scoring defenseman Erik Gustafsson, of all people, who scored a hat trick in the Caps’ last win. The former Flyer said he “blacked out” after his hat trick. Washington Capitals.
Colorado Hockey Now: Adrian Dater, our man in Denver, says the new 84-game proposal is a bad idea. Colorado Avalanche.
Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers have been inconsistent, but new coach Paul Maurice is excited for what lies ahead. Florida Panthers.
I think you’re touching on the logical reason behind the scratching/benching of Hayes:
Torts wants to make him so miserable and frustrated he removes the NTC in his contract and demands a trade. Not sure Fletcher would approve, but he might also be relieved.
The team can’t adequately tank when it has decent players locked into expensive contracts. It’s a bit far-fetched, but if this team at optimal function where everyone is healthy, is good, but not great. And they are not looking to be good for awhile (at best).
So to prevent from perpetually treading water, they need to move some guys. Flaw in this theory is retention of guys like Risto and wondering why they signed Sanheim to a large deal instead of looking for offers for him as well.
Just goes back to Fletcher not having a clear vision for this team. I think Torts is looking more competent than Fletcher, and one of them will be gone by the end of the season. I don’t see how their visions can coexist.