Photo courtsey of Philly.com

Around the Net 5.29.2012

Welcome to Around the Net, a weekly look through linkage at the Philadelphia Flyers and other news from around the NHL. One more year as a Flyer? Bill Meltzer takes a look at Jagr and the Stanley Cup Finals:[Hockeybuzz.com] It wasn’t all bad, if you think about it… A look bad at what the Flyers accomplished this season:[The Hockey Writers] Shaking it up How the handshake line has progressed over the years:[The Hockey Writers] The Stanley Cup Finals are here and no one in Philly is really happy about this A preview of the Devils and Kings:[Broad Street Hockey] [CSN Philly] That’s …

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Flyers West Update: Gagne Nearing A Return?

There has been a flurry of activity surrounding Simon Gagne over the last two weeks. First, it was announced that he had been cleared for contact – terrific news after he’d been suffering from concussion-related issues over the past five months. Then, it was announced that he had participated in a full practice with his teammates. Most recently, it was announced that Gagne will make the trip to New Jersey with the rest of the Kings for the start of the Stanley Cup Finals. So what does this all mean for Gagne, who hasn’t played a game since sustaining a …

Dustin Brown poses with the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. - Associated Press

Flyers West Update: Journey to Cup Finals Is A Team Effort

The Los Angeles Kings have had a remarkable run so far in these playoffs. They’ve knocked off the top three seeded teams in the West and have earned a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. They’ve won all eight games on the road during the playoffs, and went 12-2 overall. And they did it all as a team. You might be saying to yourself, “Well, duh.” It’s true that sometimes, one player or one part of the team carries the rest on their back. An outstanding goalie can make up for a lackluster offense, or a group of high-scoring forwards …

Phoenix Celebrates

Flyers West Update: Kings In Familiar Territory

The Kings were eyeing up a series sweep and their first trip to the Finals since 1993 when they walked into the Staples Center on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, they didn’t get their prize, unable to put down the Coyotes for good. It will take at least one more matchup to clinch the series and a trip to the next round. Is this deja vu? Are we back in the Western Conference Quarterfinals? Nope, but the Kings are in very familiar territory after losing to Phoenix for the first time this best-of-seven set. And if recent history is on their side, …

Jeff Carter

Flyers West Update: Carter Comes Alive

Before the Kings traded Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round pick to the Blue Jackets back in February, they were the lowest goal-scoring team in the league. They needed a proven scorer, and they also needed someone who could provide depth. Enter Jeff Carter, apparently now the jewel in the crown. Despite Carter’s impressive regular season numbers — he led the Flyers in goals his last three seasons with the team and has had four 25-plus goal seasons in the NHL — his playoff performance has always been questioned. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Carter made a …

Image Courtesy of Bleacherreport.com

Then and Now: Mike York

In his first few weeks as General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, Paul Holmgren made a handful of trades in an attempt to pull Philly out of last place in the NHL. With the Orange and Black in the midst of a seven-game losing streak to drop to a record of 8-21-4, Holmgren pulled the trigger on his fourth deal in office. After he acquired Darren Reid, Todd Fedoruk, and Alexei Zhitnik in separate deals, Holmgren grabbed Mike York from the New York Islanders in exchange for Randy Robitaille and a fifth-round pick in the 2008 NHL draft. The Isles chose Matt Martin with the …

Podcast

Podcast: Episode 22, I’ll Take The Crab Juice

On this edition of the Flyers Faithful podcast, Steve and Hal discuss the remaining teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ilya Bryzgalov’s translated interview, Patrick Kane’s adventures in Wisconsin, and enduring a series between the Devils and Rangers. Flyers Faithful Podcast Episode 22 You can also download it from iTunes here!  If you’re enjoying the show via iTunes we would very much appreciate it if you could rate it and leave a review on there!

Photo courtesy of Philly.com

Around the Net 5.15.2012

Welcome to Around the Net, a weekly look through linkage at the Philadelphia Flyers and other news from around the NHL.  The 2011-2012 Philadelphia Flyers: A post mortem. A final look back at the Devils series and what went wrong: [Hockeybuzz.com] [The 700 Level] [CSN Philly] The best may yet still be to come. The Flyers are young and will only get better, so look out in 2012-2013: [The Hockey Writers] Sean Couturier is 19 years old and is really good already: [Hockeybuzz.com] Old Time Hockey. Remember the good old days? I do…and I miss them: [The 700 Level] The …

Image Courtesy of The Associated Press

Ponikarovsky Beats Bryzgalov In Overtime, Gives Devils 4-3 Win

After a pair of failed power-play attempts in overtime, the Flyers let Alexei Ponikarovsky’s first goal of the 2012 playoffs be the game-winner in the Devils’ 4-3 victory tonight at the Prudential Center. The win gives Jersey a 2-1 series lead. Ilya Kovalchuk jumped on the Flyers’ clear in the neutral zone and caught Philly’s skaters in a line change when he hit Ponikarovsky with a pass at the Orange and Black’s blue line. With only one defender back, the Devils’ forward decided to shoot rather than pass. After Ilya Bryzgalov denied his first shot, the former Los Angeles King jumped on …

Podcast

Podcast: Instant Playoff Overreaction Ep. 5, Who Wants To Go To Newark?

On this special playoff edition of the Flyers Faithful podcast, Steve and Hal discuss the Flyers’ upcoming matchup with the New Jersey Devils in round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the awful racism towards Joel Ward and Wayne Simmonds, put out their predictions for every matchup in the 2nd round, and experience sleep deprivation. Instant Playoff Overreaction 5 You can also download it from iTunes here!  If you’re enjoying the show via iTunes we would very much appreciate it if you could rate it and leave a review on there! Also, be sure to check out Steve and Hal’s appearance on the Winnipeg Whiteout …