Segment 3: The Hockey News' Philadelphia Flyers site editor joins the show to discuss the team's surprise season, the charge Carter Hart faces and what the team has planned for the trade deadline. We really don't know how old Gritty is. Technically, the googly-eyed Philadelphia Flyers mascot was introduced on Sept. 24, 2018. But is that his actual birth date? Either way, the seven-foot tall, orange-furred creature appears to be young enough where he should not be hearing any salty language. Which means, news conferences involving Flyers head coach John Tortorella are definitely off limits. Alas, there appears to be a solution. And a creative one at that. In a video released earlier this week, Gritty goes "Old School" by putting on earmuffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/news/flyers-creatively-announce-upcoming-giveaway] to shield his ears whenever Tortorella speaks at the post-game podium. It's all part of a Flyers promotional giveaway, with the team providing Gritty Earmuffs to the first 10,000 fans at their on Feb. 27 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Too bad for Gritty, because whether he is slamming a former player ("I don't know Cutter from a hole in the wall" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/news/i-dont-know-cutter-from-a-hole-in-the-wall-the-flyers-organization-reacts-to-gauthier-drysdale-trade] ) or commenting on Morgan Rielly's attack on Ridley Greig ("It's a dumb league" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/its-a-dumb-league-flyers-head-coach-john-tortorella-weighs-in-on-maple-leafs-morgan-rielly-incident-with-senators-ridly-greig]) Tortorella's news conferences have been must-watch all season. On Thursday, Torts once again didn't disappoint. This time, the Flyers coach praised team scoring leader Travis Konecny after a 3-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, by comparing him to one of the top superstars of the league [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/john-tortorella-compares-konecny-to-former-blue-jackets-star]. "I coached a guy in Columbus, (Artemi) Panarin," said Tortorella. "He is the best player I've seen play tired. It's something some people have. TK has a little bit of that in him. When he's tired, but he still sees an opening, he takes a chance. He finds a way. That's part of who he is, and I'm not going to take that away from him." It's a lofty comparable. Panarin, who plays for the New York Rangers, is ranked fifth in NHL scoring with 78 points in 57 games. Konecny, meanwhile, has 54 points in 57 games. Here is what else is trending this morning across The Hockey News' sites: ATLANTIC DIVISION Boston: Bruins fall 3-2 in overtime [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/game-day/boston-bruins-fall-3-2-in-overtime-to-calgary-flames-] to Calgary Flames Florida: Experts weigh in on Noah Hanifin to Panthers rumors [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/experts-weigh-in-on-noah-hanifin-to-florida-panthers-rumor] Toronto: Morgan Rielly's suspension a "real wake-up call to our team to get real serious about winning" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/a-real-wake-up-call-to-our-team-to-get-real-serious-about-winning-morgan-riellys-suspension-a-rallying-point-as-maple-leafs-defenseman-returns-against-golden-knights] Tampa Bay: Two Capitals the Lightning should trade for [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/news/2-capitals-the-lightning-should-trade-for] Detroit: "Kaner effect" on full display [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/kaner-effect-on-full-display-as-red-wings-beat-avalanche-in-ot]as Red Wings beat Avs in OT Montreal: Canadiens offense frustrated [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/game-day/canadiens-offense-frustrated-by-jarry-recap-mtl-pit]by Jarry Buffalo: Teams calling about Sabres star winger [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/news/teams-calling-about-sabres-star-winger-insider-says], insider says Ottawa: Insider "wonders if Senators consider an Erik Karlsson reunion" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/sportsnets-elliotte-friedman-wonders-if-senators-consider-an-erik-karlsson-reunion] METROPOLITAN DIVISION NY Rangers: The hyper-sensitive Kaapa Kakko question [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/kaapo-kakko-question-mis-used-or-mis-guessed-new-york-rangers-stan-fischler] — misused or misguessed? Carolina: "I can't tell you enough about how excited I am" — Andersen for the first time since diagnosis [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/players/i-cant-tell-you-enough-about-how-excited-i-am-frederik-andersen-speaks-for-first-time-since-diagnosis] Philadelphia: Buffalo Sabres eyeing feisty Flyers forward [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/players/buffalo-sabres-eyeing-feisty-flyers-forward] Washington: Capitals share latest on Oshie injury — "I'll be back" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-tj-oshie-injury-update-tampa-bay-lightning-spencer-carbery] New Jersey: Devils unveil first-ever home jersey patch partner [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/new-jersey-devils-rwjbarnabas-health-jersey-patch] NY Islanders: One year later, Barzal talks about going from center to wing [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/mathew-barzal-new-york-islanders-center-winger-bo-horvat-patrick-roy] Pittsburgh: Penguins trade Alex Nylander for young Blue Jackets forward [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-trade-columbus-blue-jackets-emil-bemstrom] Columbus: John Davidson addresses Trade Deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/john-davidson-addresses-trade-deadline-on-radio-appearance] in radio appearance CENTRAL DIVISION Dallas: Stars recall top prospect Logan Stankoven [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/news/stars-recall-top-prospect-logan-stankoven] Colorado: "Just learning from them" — Vancouver's Rick Tocchett [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/commentary/just-learning-from-them-rick-tocchet-is-impressed-with-the-colorado-avalanche-from-the-top-down]impressed with the Avalanche from the top-down Winnipeg: From the Archives — When worlds collide [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/from-the-archives-when-worlds-collide] St. Louis: Bolduc makes NHL debut [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/latest-news/bolduc-makes-nhl-debut-for-blues-in-4-0-win-against-islanders] for Blues in 4-0 win Nashville: Will Tommy Novak stay or go? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/will-nashvilles-tommy-novak-stay-or-go] Minnesota: Kirill Kaprizov tied Zach Parise [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/kirill-kaprizov-ties-zach-parise] Arizona: Mullett Arena getting mixed reviews [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/arizona-coyotes/news/mullett-arena-getting-mixed-reviews-amongst-nhl-players] among NHL players Chicago: Toast the return of Chelios and Kane [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/blackhawks-fans-toast-chris-chelios-patrick-kanes-return-with-a-blended-breakthru-beverage-to-be-named-later] with blended 007-inspired drink PACIFIC DIVISION Vancouver: Canucks losing streak pushed to four games [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/game-day/canucks-losing-streak-pushed-to-four-games-after-loss-to-the-kraken] Vegas: Golden Knights' home woes continue with 7-3 loss to Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/game-day/golden-knights-home-woes-continue-with-7-3-loss-to-maple-leafs] Edmonton: Ex-Oilers defender gaining interest from scouts [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/ex-oilers-defender-gaining-interest-from-scouts] Los Angeles: Arvidsson out week-to-week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/game-day/los-angeles-kings-viktor-arvidsson-week-to-week-what-comes-next], per reports Seattle: What trade deadline goal should the Kraken be shooting for? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/news/what-trade-deadline-goal-should-kraken-be-shooting-at-anyway] Calgary: Could the Bruins be a trading partner [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/the-boston-bruins-need-defencemen-the-calgary-flames-boast-defencemen-to-trade-is-a-deal-to-be-had] for one of Calgary's D? Anaheim: The shifting market price for Adam Henrique [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/editorials/the-shifting-market-price-for-adam-henrique] San Jose: Two Sharks ranked among the top-50 prospects [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/players/two-sharks-ranked-in-craig-buttons-top-50-nhl-affiliated-prospects]
