The Philadelphia Flyers wrapped up their first homestand of the season with a bang – their best game of the season. Their fight was on full display as two players dropped the gloves in defense of their teammates.

For the Flyers, it was a near-perfect night.

A quick side note for the baseball fans reading this. How ’bout them Blue Jays? That was a phenomenal series that could not have ended in any better way. Personally, I had no dog in that fight. It was just fun to see good baseball. We had just finished up with Rick Tocchet after the game, and started streaming the game right before George Springer’s go-ahead bomb. The best words in sports: Game 7.

Also, shout out to former Phillie Jeff Hoffman for getting the save. Happy to see him get a chance at a World Series. Also, speaking of former Phillies, Buddy Kennedy is set to get a ring, no matter how the World Series ends. Kennedy played games for both Toronto and Los Angeles this season.

Alright, back to hockey.

Sidney Crosby’s name is back in trade talks. You’ll never guess which market is speaking it into existence (it’s never going to happen). Brad Marchand returns to the TD Garden for the first time since being traded by the Bruins, and San Jose’s coach had to issue an apology for a joke.

Get all of that on the 10/21 edition of the PhHN Daily.

Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers Win; Rat King Returns; Trouble in Toronto?

Philadelphia Flyers

Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers played their best game of the young season on Monday, improving their record to 3-2-1, and a 3-1-0 record in their opening four-game homestand. Seattle entered Monday’s game without a regulation loss, but was handed its first after being dominated by the Flyers, 5-2.

Speaking of Monday night, Nikita Grebenkin put on a great display of sticking up for your teammates, dropping the mitts with Cale Fleury, who hit Garnet Hathaway up high. It showed the Flyers’ culture. Travis Konecny did the same with Ryan Lindgren late in the third after Lindgren made a run at Owen Tippett. No, fighting is not the culture, but having your teammates back is.

Is Matvei Michkov’s ice time growing a bit concerning? Survey says no, but if the trend of low shifts/minutes continues later in the season, it may be cause to sound some alarms.

Just to note, Michkov had 16:15 of ice time in the Flyers’ win vs. the Kraken, taking 20 shifts.

NHL Rumors and News

Sportsnet Video: Here we go again. Despite his very public wish to remain in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby trade rumors never stop. It seems like he is constantly being linked to Montreal, but what would they truly have to give up to acquire the mega star?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Speaking of Crosby trade talk, conspiracy theorists suggest that his “slow start” (for Crosby standards, anyway) could be hurting his trade value. Yeah, well, so much for the slow start. Crosby had two goals and three assists on the Pens’ recent three-game swing.

Florida Hockey Now: For the first time since being traded to the Panthers, Brad Marchand will take the ice at the TD Garden in what’s expected to be an emotional return to the place he called home for 16 seasons. Will it be boo’s or cheers for Marchand in Boston?

San Jose Hockey Now: Learn how to take a joke, people. No, an NHL coach would not actually give up one of their children for a win. Nonetheless, Sharks’ bench boss Ryan Warsofsky issued an apology after he said he would.

Read More: 3 Flyers Takeaways: Slow Starts; Tippett Grooving; Vladar Shines