Not sure why people think Sestito is a good candidate for tomorrow. We need smart players that can work through the Devils forecheck. That means quick players who can outlet the puck and dump it when necessary.

And I can't imagine Sestito making much of a difference when the Devils are getting the puck out of their zone in a matter of seconds. Sestito will be lining up his next shot as 3 Devils are breaking into our zone. I don't see him being worthwhile in this series. Rangers, maybe.

If Meszy is healthy enough and can move, I'll take him. Otherwise, we need quick and decisive players out there.
- steelydan

good point on Sestito ... though I think he has a bit more speed than you might remember. He's not a Shelley out there.

Lavy likes Rinaldo to bring the emotion, so maybe #36 gets the call similar to last years playoffs.

I wish Mez was ready.

Yup, that's exactly why I was skeptical on a suspension. However, you have to hope that he follows through with these calls. Suspending Giroux for an elimination game in the Semifinals is a big game to suspend him from, so I guess we will see.
- _Zippy_

If this is a sign that Shanahan is indeed serious and will rule without prejudice on the player's name, then I'll be the first to applaud him for suspending Giroux.

But, I'm not going to hold my breath. Not when Alexander Ovechkin, a repeat offender, can leave his feet just 24 hours prior to Giroux's hit, make primary contact with the head of Dan Girardi and get nothing from Shanahan.

People can mention Weber and Malkin all they want, but those things happened a week or two ago. Ovechkin's hit to Girardi's head happened the day before Giroux's hit to Zubrus' head.

Giroux deserved to get suspended, but so did Ovechkin.

I haven't posted in a while, but my fans have been begging for my return. So here it is.

Last time we chatted I predicted the Devils and Rangers would advance. Check.

Obviously, the Flyers lose game 5. We can all blame it on the suspension. But our youth and defensive injuries are the killer.

So the Rangers will come out of the East, and the Kings out of the West. Great for ratings I guess. Everyone is happy.

The Flyers have a lot to build upon for upcoming seasons. Some players will come and go (bye Matt Carle). Will Pronger return? No. And he shouldn't. A Briere trade would be nice, and I like the guy. Great team player and leader. Nice guy. But cap space killer. No reason we shouldn't have G, Schenn, and Sean C. as the first three centers. Jagr may go as well.

I hope I didn't disappoint my fans. Flyers made a great effort, but not everything works out the way we want it. But any Philadelphia fan knows this already (thank God for the Phillies a couple years ago. Seriously).

The fact that Giroux slashed down like that shows frustration and a total lack of respect and therefore at that time he could give two poops if he hurt Zubrus on the slash.
- _Zippy_[The slash followed Zubrus' dump-in and the headshot was a while later. For Giroux to hit the head that late, it was obviously intentional. There's some plays where it's bang-bang but that was well away from the play, did not need to be made, and there was only 5 or so seconds left in the period. The puck was behind the Flyers net with 5 seconds to go, all the evidence just points to Giroux doing it intentionally.

This is pure speculation. I could use the same set of facts to argue the exact opposite. If Giroux really wanted to hurt Zubrus, he would have chopped him on the legs or on the hands, not on the stick. And if he has indeed so lost it, then is an enraged guy capable of premeditation in targeting head?

Shanahan is just an ass clown. Morally, Roo deserves to be suspended, and legally. But not based on precedent, and not as clearly as Shanahan needs to lose his job.

good point on Sestito ... though I think he has a bit more speed than you might remember. He's not a Shelley out there.

Lavy likes Rinaldo to bring the emotion, so maybe #36 gets the call similar to last years playoffs.

I wish Mez was ready.

- FlyerGuy

I don't know. It's very doubtful the Devils will succumb to Rinaldo's level. The fact that they didn't do anything to Zubrus shows this really got into their skulls about staying out of the scrums. Henrique skated up to Giroux after the hit, but didn't do anything. It takes a lot to suck up your pride and take a shove and punch without retaliating, surprisingly the Devils are doing it very well.

There's a difference between a troll and someone who actually comes to talk hockey.
- _Zippy_

Well we're all shocked that you agree with the ruling.

The ruling is the right one, but the overwhelming point here is that it hasn't been called. Was G Pissed off? You bet.

Was it a stupid hit? You bet.

Did Zuburus act like he'd been shot with a .50 cal Rifle from close range to a glancing blow? Suuuuure did.

Did he deserve a suspenion? Letter of the law? Yes. How it has been called this playoffs so far? No.

And THAT is what i can't get past.

Talk on.

Yup, that's exactly why I was skeptical on a suspension. However, you have to hope that he follows through with these calls. Suspending Giroux for an elimination game in the Semifinals is a big game to suspend him from, so I guess we will see.
- _Zippy_

I believe the Flyers rally from this and win game 5 and who knows what happens with Giroux back for Game 6.

If no disciplinary actions were taken on Giroux, I was thinking the Flyers would likely lose Tuesday. They seemed beaten down physically mentally and emotionally. This could wake them up a little bit and give them something to rally around.

If this is a sign that Shanahan is indeed serious and will rule without prejudice on the player's name, then I'll be the first to applaud him for suspending Giroux.

But, I'm not going to hold my breath. Not when Alexander Ovechkin, a repeat offender, can leave his feet just 24 hours prior to Giroux's hit, make primary contact with the head of Dan Girardi and get nothing from Shanahan.

People can mention Weber and Malkin all they want, but those things happened a week or two ago. Ovechkin's hit to Girardi's head happened the day before Giroux's hit to Zubrus' head.

Giroux deserved to get suspended, but so did Ovechkin.
- Jsaquella

Makes sense to me. Unless we have different rule books for certain players.

I haven't posted in a while, but my fans have been begging for my return. So here it is.

Last time we chatted I predicted the Devils and Rangers would advance. Check.

Obviously, the Flyers lose game 5. We can all blame it on the suspension. But our youth and defensive injuries are the killer.

So the Rangers will come out of the East, and the Kings out of the West. Great for ratings I guess. Everyone is happy.

The Flyers have a lot to build upon for upcoming seasons. Some players will come and go (bye Matt Carle). Will Pronger return? No. And he shouldn't. A Briere trade would be nice, and I like the guy. Great team player and leader. Nice guy. But cap space killer. No reason we shouldn't have G, Schenn, and Sean C. as the first three centers. Jagr may go as well.

I hope I didn't disappoint my fans. Flyers made a great effort, but not everything works out the way we want it. But any Philadelphia fan knows this already (thank God for the Phillies a couple years ago. Seriously).
- Daman

With Prongs and Carle off the books, No Jags or a Jags discount (minus the Voracek raise), and a potential Bobrovsky trade (do we really need a 1.75mm/yr backup (with Leighton as our 1, sure) no) Why would you trade the only guy on our team who consistently shows up when it counts in Danny Boy? I know his cap hit's big but we can afford it, no?

good point on Sestito ... though I think he has a bit more speed than you might remember. He's not a Shelley out there.

Lavy likes Rinaldo to bring the emotion, so maybe #36 gets the call similar to last years playoffs.

I wish Mez was ready.

- FlyerGuy

I loved Sestito earlier in the season. I really liked what he brought in terms of forecheck, grit, and energy. I don't doubt his ability to provide that tomorrow. My concern is that the Devils have such a quick turnaround when we dump the puck. I truly think Sestito would see 4-6 minutes and not have any outcome on the game. Like I said. If it's the Rangers series and one of our players is hurt/suspended, I'd rather plug in Sestito over Rinaldo any day of the week.

That being said, the Devils have not been playing to win; they've been playing to not lose. They quickly tied up the game when we went up 2-0 on Sunday. And when it came to their go-ahead goal, it wasn't forced. It was a lucky break and they were there to capitalize on it. Seeing as how they're in the driver's seat, they won't change their style up. Instead, they'll continue to dump and chase while pounding the defensemen. That's why I feel like we need some people that will make some quick outlet passes and not get caught second-guessing their next move with the puck, something Gus/Carle/Coburn have been guilty of multiple times this series.

I'm not sure if Meszy is the answer to this, but if they Flyers keep their game simple and have a 7th d-man to spell some of our big-minute guys; it will likely have both an immediate and long-term impact in the series.

The suspension makes complete sense. It's obviously going to sting for Philly because there are a few around the league that deserved at least the same but never happened.

Shanahan shat the bed yet again, but not with this suspension, with the non-suspension of others.
- markmark

which is my complaint.

This is pure speculation. I could use the same set of facts to argue the exact opposite. If Giroux really wanted to hurt Zubrus, he would have chopped him on the legs or on the hands, not on the stick. And if he has indeed so lost it, then is an enraged guy capable of premeditation in targeting head?

Shanahan is just an ass clown. Morally, Roo deserves to be suspended, and legally. But not based on precedent, and not as clearly as Shanahan needs to lose his job.
- PT21

Shanahan has the toughest job in the NHL right now. He has players, owners, coaches, and GMs wanting players to be suspended, but don't want Shanahan suspending them long enough to make statement if they are star players. He started off on the right foot with Wisnewski, but you know damn right he had complaints coming in left and right for the length to a star player.

Giroux's actions show frustration which carried on into the hit. The frustration doesn't give him any right to target Zubrus' hit. He clearly came up with the shoulder primarily making contact with the head of Zubrus. It was a sideways hit from the blindside, it wasn't like a shoulder to chest which also made contact with the head. Whether you like it or not, the call should be made. I agree with you on the precedent, but he has to start somewhere and you have to hope this is where it begins.

There's a difference between a troll and someone who actually comes to talk hockey.

Plus, I was just trying to show him where the intent part of it comes into play.
- _Zippy_

Oh and you're wrong anyways, The intent (if you actually watch the Shanny video) comes from him turning around to yell at the ref over Marty's little out of the trapezoid act. (which shanny missed and attributed to G getting bumped earlier on the shift).

THAT is where the intent comes from. I guess when it's not your guy or your team you don't care about how or why just that it happened, isn't going to change, and likely clinched the series for you (which your team has earned by outworking us in every facet of the game)

I haven't posted in a while, but my fans have been begging for my return. So here it is.

Last time we chatted I predicted the Devils and Rangers would advance. Check.

Obviously, the Flyers lose game 5. We can all blame it on the suspension. But our youth and defensive injuries are the killer.

So the Rangers will come out of the East, and the Kings out of the West. Great for ratings I guess. Everyone is happy.

The Flyers have a lot to build upon for upcoming seasons. Some players will come and go (bye Matt Carle). Will Pronger return? No. And he shouldn't. A Briere trade would be nice, and I like the guy. Great team player and leader. Nice guy. But cap space killer. No reason we shouldn't have G, Schenn, and Sean C. as the first three centers. Jagr may go as well.

I hope I didn't disappoint my fans. Flyers made a great effort, but not everything works out the way we want it. But any Philadelphia fan knows this already (thank God for the Phillies a couple years ago. Seriously).
- Daman

I'm a Briere fan, but I;d like $6.5mm in cap room...trouble is, he's got the NMC.

Shanahan has the toughest job in the NHL right now. He has players, owners, coaches, and GMs wanting players to be suspended, but don't want Shanahan suspending them long enough to make statement if they are star players. He started off on the right foot with Wisnewski, but you know damn right he had complaints coming in left and right for the length to a star player.

Giroux's actions show frustration which carried on into the hit. The frustration doesn't give him any right to target Zubrus' hit. He clearly came up with the shoulder primarily making contact with the head of Zubrus. It was a sideways hit from the blindside, it wasn't like a shoulder to chest which also made contact with the head. Whether you like it or not, the call should be made. I agree with you on the precedent, but he has to start somewhere and you have to hope this is where it begins.
- _Zippy_

Yeah like on Ovechkin the day before. Will let that one slide though.

Oh and you're wrong anyways, The intent (if you actually watch the Shanny video) comes from him turning around to yell at the ref over Marty's little out of the trapezoid act. (which shanny missed and attributed to G getting bumped earlier on the shift).

THAT is where the intent comes from. I guess when it's not your guy or your team you don't care about how or why just that it happened, isn't going to change, and likely clinched the series for you (which your team has earned by outworking us in every facet of the game)
- Ferrarimn7

he had to pretend to miss that or it make the refs look bad for missing a blatant infraction

he had to pretend to miss that or it make the refs look bad for missing a blatant infraction
- Don'tForgetTocchet

The officiating in the playoffs has been terrible all around.

So when Neal only gets 1 game for targeting the Flyers top 2 players on 2 separate hits in 1 shift?!? Did Neal not look like someone who was frustrated and targeting whatever player's head that was in the same vicinity as his shoulder? Oh, right. He was trying to "brace himself" with his collision with Couturier, hence him leaving his feet.

The excuse that you are making for Shanahan is really laughable. Let's try not to pretend that Shanahan didn't play 15-20 seasons in the NHL and has seen it all.
- steelydan

Besides the fact the I never defended other players deserving suspensions but I rather condemned, it's not laughable.

He ran down the ice like a pissed off 5 year old. Not someone looking for a little payback on a player carrying the puck. You have every right to be butthurt at Shanahan but its not going to change the fact of what happened.

I haven't posted in a while, but my fans have been begging for my return. So here it is.

Last time we chatted I predicted the Devils and Rangers would advance. Check.

Obviously, the Flyers lose game 5. We can all blame it on the suspension. But our youth and defensive injuries are the killer.

So the Rangers will come out of the East, and the Kings out of the West. Great for ratings I guess. Everyone is happy.

The Flyers have a lot to build upon for upcoming seasons. Some players will come and go (bye Matt Carle). Will Pronger return? No. And he shouldn't. A Briere trade would be nice, and I like the guy. Great team player and leader. Nice guy. But cap space killer. No reason we shouldn't have G, Schenn, and Sean C. as the first three centers. Jagr may go as well.

I hope I didn't disappoint my fans. Flyers made a great effort, but not everything works out the way we want it. But any Philadelphia fan knows this already (thank God for the Phillies a couple years ago. Seriously).
- Daman

question, Who replaces Matt Carle?, and I don;t mean on the blueline either.

he had to pretend to miss that or it make the refs look bad for missing a blatant infraction
- Don'tForgetTocchet

So again, instead of getting it right they choose to get it wrong and 'make it look good' . Lame. And i thought Colin Campbell sucked.

question, Who replaces Matt Carle?, and I don;t mean on the blueline either.
- JoeRussomanno

I'm sure for 4+mm he's going to get we can find a guy who cant skate the puck behind our own net without coughing it up or overpursuing to the blueline.

I'm sure for 4+mm he's going to get we can find a guy who cant skate the puck behind our own net without coughing it up or overpursuing to the blueline.
- Ferrarimn7

Okay let me make this easier, who is the next goat? just curious.

Shanahan has the toughest job in the NHL right now. He has players, owners, coaches, and GMs wanting players to be suspended, but don't want Shanahan suspending them long enough to make statement if they are star players. He started off on the right foot with Wisnewski, but you know damn right he had complaints coming in left and right for the length to a star player.

Giroux's actions show frustration which carried on into the hit. The frustration doesn't give him any right to target Zubrus' hit. He clearly came up with the shoulder primarily making contact with the head of Zubrus. It was a sideways hit from the blindside, it wasn't like a shoulder to chest which also made contact with the head. Whether you like it or not, the call should be made. I agree with you on the precedent, but he has to start somewhere and you have to hope this is where it begins.
- _Zippy_

I do hope this is where it begins. But, as I said before, I sure as Hell am not expecting it to the point where I'd hold my breath or bet on it.

I'm a Briere fan, but I;d like $6.5mm in cap room...trouble is, he's got the NMC.
- Jsaquella

Giroux-Voracek at (3.5m)- Hartnell
Schenn-Briere-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-JVR
Read-Wellwood-Rinaldo

Coburn-Grossmann
Meszaros-Timonen
Gustafsson-Lilja

Bryz-Bobrovsky

Is about 59.55 mil in cap dollars

Thats no Pronger or Carle or Jagr next year. Figure Pronger would be LTC and they go up to 10% past cap before season starts. This past year was $64 million.

ya know what, i'm over it. on its face the hit deserved a game. his history and star status should have helped, but puzzlingly didn't. much worse went unpunished. but what can ya do? we're not winning this series with or without him. good luck to the devils in the next round.