HockeyFan

I could be wrong, but I thought Fraser was more or less told to pursue other interests. It appeared there were some, Walkom or whomever; that did not agree with his style. Not to mention, in Toronto they still talk about the non-call on Gretzky that was likely the genesis for establishing two officials, or at least what began to lead the league that way. Same with a few of the others out there. What the NHL needs to do is explain, post-game, calls like this -- perhaps exactly in this fashion. This call was made, both players went to show it won't be tolerated. No one went because we were tracking the play. Blah, blah, blah. There is a way to make the officiating substantitive, accountable; but not throwing the official under the bus, unless perhaps that is warranted. Then the line is, "we will work with Mr. Watshisnutz to show the standard we are expecting."

Somehow, it's Bettman's fault. Or Shanny. No wait... Lemelin....

Randy Miller, in a Delaware Online piece, has this tidbit I hadn't seen elsewhere... http://blogs.delawareonline.com/flyers/2012/03/06/flyers-facing-shorthanded-wings-squad/ Of course, it could also be they just need the space for the call-ups. Still...

It's funny... and obviously can't argue with the numbers you mention (dang facts...) I think Snider means well, but there is an old saying, claimed by many; about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. Holmgren has broken the mold a little, not that there is a strong mold to break when there have been countless few with the title of GM, Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club. Of course, he seems to operate under the philosophy of the do-over more than getting it right the first time. There is also a bit of bravado from the front office -- When the league informed the team that Pronger's contract would count as an over 35; it was laughed at; though I think many of the fans felt the impending doom. As for saving your money and participating via Center Ice? That's a bargain. I've been a ticket holder for about a decade now; and the quality of "going to the game" has left a bit to be desired. I love how they want people to renew - no refunds - without knowing what the pricepoint for next season is going to be (I've heard +$6 per seat per game). Oh, and hurry up and renew, before the league can have a schedule out, to see if it would be possible to split it up among friends. Would any of that change if the Snider/Clarke/Holmgren troika was removed? I doubt it. The owners as a group have led this league to where it is...

That seems to be what we do best, (albeit with some patented FlyerconsistencyTM) Either trade away draft picks, add draft picks as part of a trade, or be forced to send youth packing either via trade or in order to sign an "experienced" "gritty" veteran. I know many people made fun of Toronto doing the same thing. The difference? We made the playoffs. Why is the road record so much better this year? Normally I would say it's because we have so many "aliens" to the arena -- but with our rookie cohort, that wouldn't seem to apply this year. We have had some luck, too, in the draft... Giroux was such a sure thing, the GM couldn't remember his name. Coutirer seems like he could be a steal. Then again, JVR has that look as well (the very face of FlyerconsistencyTM)

Out of all the changes they made post-CBA, this was the one I was most in favor of, and I think I still am. There is also talk of no-touch icing, and as a fan that also something I don't want to watch... I agree they need to make punishments more standard.

It's hard not to pull for them... and I know Read is a little older; but they both seem much more mature than their rook labels would lead one to believe...

Except the last off season, when Holmgren pulled off what I believe is, if not unprecedented; than quite rare in "firing the team." While this does advance Lavi to the top of the line in the order of responsibility; it does also hope that, most nights the team doesn't suck... Also, interesting with the number of rookies we have, that have never known another NHL coach. Will be interesting to see how they develop beyond this season, with us; or elsewhere. Perhaps not a coincidence the rookies are playing excellent... Lavi hates veteran playersTM?

And remember, we are only 1-1 when scoring 8 or more...

The play Kimmo made immeadiately after coming back on the ice in this game was nothing short of awesome. He is a warrior, and that really is all that needs to be said about that. After Briere he was one of the best players on the ice today -- not afraid of the puck, not afraid to block shots (officially credited with 1, I think he had a hand in at least 3). Schenn could only hope to be as duarable one day...

Well there goes that 232-ish game streak. Are they playing a sick version of Survivor? Footage on CSN tonight indicated he may have gotten hurt during the classic.

Hey, at least we have a shut-out...

But that is what it does to "us." It makes "us" become that "a$$hole" fan-base in other cities. That travels really well. Which is annoying. It would be nice to get the credit that 45,000+ went to the alumni game (of course, this is due in part that any season ticket holder than wanted to go to the classic had to buy the game.) The santa story needs to be put to rest, but for whatever reason our media decided it would be a good idea to interview the guy again, and thanks to the magic of the AP and Google, when we make it front page news, they make it front page news. When the arena fan base booed -- during an intermission -- a Hockey Fights Cancer video because it featured Philly villians Kane, Miller and Crosby... that was the news story. Not the Flyers wives carnival - where more than $1 million is raised each year for cancer research long before the NHL got into playing to the major charities. Also, unlike the NHL BS, that money stays here in the region and has helped thousands, if not hundreds of thousands... Hell, in this case, some dimwit ever-so-eloquently took credit for it on facebook, before diming out his friends when the police came knocking. Speaking of reputations, that should cause one hell of a "Google problem" for him...

From Carchardi's game story" So he was ill again? I do think the bright lights of hockey here have gotten to him. He has been uneasy "in front of the crowds" since they taped Meet the Flyers. 24/7 shone even brighter. They tried to limit his media availability, which of course the writers couldn't stand for (of course, per the CBA... they had a right to be pissed)... I think Bob had the best angle last year -- just don't learn the language...

Every time I see someone justify a fight like this because "[team]'s fans are assholes" makes me wonder: Does that mean that I should never go to another arena wearing a Flyers's sweater? You know what they say about us as a collective. I have proudly worn the Flyers logo on jackets, hats, etc in other hockey markets like Detroit, Buffalo, Toronto, Winnipeg and even Montreal. I wore it in Chicago the summer after they skated off our ice with the cup. Apparently at any time I should have been ready for a fight, simply because "Flyers's fans are typically assholes that start fights." Yes, some people certainly "have it coming" and many times fans involved couldn't even name the coach of their team. Alcohol does strange things. Take away the jerseys, the fact he is a cop, and a purple-heart winner. it is still aggravated assault. Period. There is no legal loophole for "the fan-base are assholes" or "he should have known better." It is also character assassination, now; to have not only stories but videos to go with the story. It's another black eye for the city, and our fan-base. Maybe I'll leave the logo's put away on my travels, too. I wouldn't want to incite something simply by being a fan or disrupting what another fan-base thinks I should shop at, the same way they likely guarded the swings from people they didn't like in the second grade.

That's awesome!

I just got back from the game, and it was an awesome event all the way around. About 45k there... people were happy... lots of laughter in the stands and CBP actually worked pretty well. (Other than Baseball is not designed for "intermissions" -- concessions/restrooms were a bit tight on 300 level... but so what). Was odd seeing Lindros jerseys - that were not crossed out... the duct tape has been transferred to Richards sweaters instead.

I can't remember too many good Noon/1:00 or 3:00 games... And, on a personal note, I think that is far too early for an NHL game...

In the Campbell era, I remember much debate about whether or not injury/outcome played a role. I guess at least Shanny admits it...

It's always been more of a popularity contest than anything -- Remember, Crosby was on the ballot before playing any games this year. (Obviously, he fits the all-star requirements... just one of the pitfalls of "fan" voting...)

This is part of the problem for some of the neo-expansion teams that don't make the playoffs; not only is area interest down, but the chance to pad accounts is also lacking. Winning begats winning... Cross-sports, look at the Phillies as a prime example.

Why have a contract limit? If you already have a salary cap,a player contract value maximum, a vet minimum, a rookie package with min/max,and a salary floor... having a contract limit on top of all that just seems stupid. As for the re-entry waivers, they seemed to think the half-salary penalty would deter teams from stashing players. Oops. It didn't. Perhaps allow a contract to be traded to another team, that accepts the full contract value, and they are not subjected to waivers. From game play point-of-view, eliminate the automatic delay of game for puck over glass. The opposite has happened, as far as I am concerned. Pandora's Box Change: If offsetting penalites are called, i.e., tripping; but the player trips gets called for diving- the offending diving player gets a double minor. After the third diving penalty in a season it goes to a major. (And, dearest NHL, it's 2012, so save the "gosh that would be hard to track" bullshit). Yes, this would cause certain players to be called more often, but officials are under a different CBA...

I was hoping for more consistency in goal from either Bryz and steady back-up Bob... I don't think we are there, yet... I think the team got a jump start thanks to the idiot in London, Ont. that threw the bananna peel at Simmonds. That said, now a quarter in, they should be gelling on a more consistent basis. Voracek anyone? On the other hand, the rookies are basically leading the team, and Jagr has been a pleasant surprise -- not that I bought into the lazy/actor reputation that preceeded him, but the fact he is still basically a point-per-game player is fairly amazing.

That Shelley... always a team player.........

Read has been fantastic for fantasy of late... Clutch is right, not just goals, but game winning goals... What, he had two count in the last 10 minutes yesterday? From what I could see from Vegas (I hate this city) seemed like a few others were really close...