Devils Daily: ‘Hell’ in Philly, Trying to Trade a Former Devils Defenseman

Today is a very good day for New Jersey Hockey Now. Regular beat writer James Nichols is unavailable due to the birth of his son! The National Hockey Now staff is filling in for a moment as the NHL centers on the Stanley Cup playoffs and the NHL trade chatter. The Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t happy with former New Jersey Devils defenseman Ryan Graves, and colleague Dan Kingerski (that’s me) looked at ways to trade the big d-man. The Philadelphia Flyers tossed their finally-received Russian goalie “into hell.” The Boston Bruins keep chugging along no matter their goalie, and five Devils are headed to the Worlds.

On behalf of NHN, I’d like to congratulate the Nichols family and welcome their new son to the world. James didn’t send me the little guy’s name (and I’m not going to risk waking Mom and Dad with a text), but we’re thrilled for the new family. The comments section below is always a great place to chat and argue hockey or offer a few congrats.

The rest of us are engrossed in playoff hockey, including wondering what happened to Ovechkin in the Rangers series and if Vegas can sustain any momentum because they’ve given it back all season. So check back often throughout the offseason — Dan Kingerski, President, National Hockey Now.

On with the hockey…

New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Hockey Now: There is no playoff hockey in the Metro Division stretching from Columbus through New Jersey, but there’s still some hockey available. Five New Jersey Devils players accepted invitations to play for their national squads ahead in the 2024 IIHF World Championship tournament. Here’s the full squad of Devils players going.

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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Remember him? Just one season into Ryan Graves’ six-year contract, the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t so happy with the former New Jersey Devils defenseman? President/GM Kyle Dubas ripped Graves following the season. Can Pittsburgh escape or could we see a possible Penguins trade?

Boston Hockey Now: As Jeremy Swayman takes the majority share of starts for the Boston Bruins in the playoffs, Linus Ullmark says he’s not going to be a “salty crybaby” about it. It’s the institution and culture that’s carrying the Boston Bruins.

Vegas Hockey Now: The Vegas Golden Knights have had quite a revolving door of goaltenders. However, in the playoffs, Logan Thompson is proving they made the right choice to lean on him. Kind of. Thompson lost Game 4, and Vegas squandered a golden opportunity by losing both on home ice for a 2-2 series, but the Golden Knights goalie has been a bright spot.

Philly Hockey Now: It was a wild season in Philadelphia, from coach John Tortorella popping off in the media on a daily basis to scratching the captain and the final collapse that cost them a playoff spot. They also finally got their Russian goalie, whose KHL team defied an IIHF order. However, a two-time All-Star and former NHL goaltender explains that the Philadelphia Flyers threw goaltender Ivan Fedotov into “hell.”

Montreal Hockey Now: This is unbelievable. Ignore those Mike Sullivan to New Jersey musings (they’re not even rumors). It doesn’t quite feel like it, but due to so much turnover behind NHL benches, one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the league is the Montreal Canadiens’ Martin St. Louis.

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