Flyers Daily: Devils’ Top Prospect Debuts, Cale Makar Injured?

The Philadelphia Flyers finally got that come-from-behind win they were looking for. The team had not won a game after allowing the first goal all season, but they managed to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the shootout at PPG Paints Arena after doing just that. Flyers head coach John Tortorella was elated with the victory, and let everybody know it. Also included below, the New Jersey Devils’ top prospect, Simon Nemec, made his NHL debut on Friday in a 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks. The Calgary Flames finally traded Nikita Zadorov, and he made his Vancouver Canucks debut on Saturday. The Flames aren’t done yet, as Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev are both highly sought-after assets. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar might be injured again, as he failed to finish the team’s game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night.

The Flyers’ win against Pittsburgh is their third during this Metropolitan Division gauntlet they’re in the middle of. Their rematch with the Pens on Monday will be the last of eight consecutive games against divisional opponents, and through seven, the Flyers have compiled a record of 3-3-1. It’s not great, but it’s not terrible. The way things have gone for other teams in the Metro, that might be enough to push for a wildcard playoff spot.

Philadelphia Flyers

Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers had a different comeback attempt stifled by the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, and Carter Hart stood out in our postgame grades. Joel Farabee got benched, and Tortorella previously implied that the Flyers lineup would see some AHL faces if he wasn’t happy with the team post-Noah Cates injury.

With Cates out, the team is no longer carrying any extra forwards on the roster. The Flyers do still have Louie Belpedio and Egor Zamula, but neither player is waivers-exempt. It makes for a challenging decision if the Flyers do need to bring up a forward.

Tortorella, however, was happy with the “balls” the team had against Pittsburgh. That and more in the Flyers game recap.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Ian Laperriere joked that nobody wants to play for him, and he’s got a point. And, in case you missed it, Yegor Zavragin is another one of the Flyers prospects drawing all the fanfare this season.

NHL Trade Talk, NHL News, and More

Calgary Hockey Now: The Calgary Flames finally offloaded Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks, and the Russian defenseman knocked off his old team in his first game with the Canucks on Saturday. Despite the loss, better news is coming. The team also welcomed back Oliver Kylington, who skated with the rest of the Flames on Friday.

TSN: Noah Hanifin was set to receive an extension in the ballpark of $7.5 million annually, but will now hit the NHL trade block with that information reaching the public.

Boston Hockey Now: The Zadorov news seems to have resonated with the Boston Bruins. Boston and Don Sweeney have been heavily linked to Hanifin, and an NHL source believes the Bruins want to make it happen.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Prized New Jersey Devils defense prospect Simon Nemec made his highly-anticipated NHL debut on Friday, recording two assists in a 6-3 to the San Jose Sharks. It’s believed he will get an extended run with the Devils with Dougie Hamilton on the shelf for the foreseeable future.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: So, the Pittsburgh Penguins couldn’t beat the Philadelphia Flyers, but they’ll have another chance at it on Monday. The luster of the Tristan Jarry goal has worn off, and the Penguins power play is starting to become a source of frustration.

Colorado Hockey Now: Don’t look now, but it looks like Cale Makar is injured. The Colorado Avalanche superstar’s last shift against the Anaheim Ducks came with about three minutes left in regulation, before which the injury may have occurred. We’ll see if a Makar injury update comes out after the team gathers more information.