Phightins

Nothing really to report on here so far. Except that Tony Siragusa is in rare form today. Even bigger tool than usual.

TORP !!!!

There is a lot of talk that the Flyers are frontrunners to host the Winter Classic next year. That would be pretty sweet, and it actually makes a bit of sense. The Flyers were just in this last year, but when you think about the realistic choices that NBC/the NHL have for hosting this game, the list is very small. The game would supposedly be at Lincoln Financial Field. I'd much rather have it at CBP, but the NHL likes the football stadium model more than the baseball stadium model. Either way, it would be fun. Also, the future of this game depends a lot on the NHL's next television contract. The deal with NBC/Versus is running out, and if ESPN gets the next contract, there is a chance that they will want to can the game (as a New Years Day thing, anyway) so that it does not take away ratings from their New Years Day bowl games. But similarly, the NHL will probably demand that the new network agrees to the Winter Classic idea, since it is the league's biggest money maker each year.

I agree. And I expect a big effort out of Kevin Kolb. It is a big game for him personally.

Eagles inactives: McCoy, Justice, D.Jackson, T.Cole, Laws, Bradley, Samuel and Vick Preseason in January!

NFL scheduling FTL. If only they could have left the starting times of the last two weeks alone. This game now interferes with Green Bay-Chicago (which would be more annoying if that game was still relevant to the Eagles), and on a more personal level, Flyers-Red Wings, which is pissing off a lot of people around here (myself included). Not like the NFL cares about that though. But alas, money and television contracts continue to be the death of professional (and college) sports.

They didn't really have many options.

I'm guessing one will be waived, unless they want to keep three goalies on the active roster for the time being. This also probably means Evgeni Nabokov won't be back in the NHL this year. Tampa was the only logical fit for him.

That was a pretty meh game. The weather was obviously a big reason for that, the ice looked horrendous. Still a very cool spectacle, though.

Blah. Pretty typical. Close game with a good team that they can't pull out. At least the sixth time this year this has happened. Also, that was a pretty awful call at the end to give the Lakers the ball. Whatever, probably wouldn't have won anyway.

The IIHF shootout rules are stupid. Just sayin'.

Olivier Roy and Robin Lehner look shaky as hell. Otherwise this has been a pretty good game.

Winter Classic pushed back to 8pm due to weather concerns. Still will be on NBC in America. This may also have a positive effect on ratings, since the game will only be competing with the Fiesta Bowl, as opposed to all of the afternoon games.

Not only is he out tonight, but he is out for the next 5 games. Great.

If Andre does not play, this has the makings of an ugly one. That whole shootout thing that worked in Phoenix will not work here.

Ok, Sergei Bobrovsky needs to be the primary goalie. I realize he still has work to do, but he is still the best option they have. And he needs to play to improve. The AHL is not an option at this point, he will do nothing but lose and his GAA will go through the roof. That will do nothing for confidence. Brian Boucher is a fantastic backup since he is capable of playing once every week, or once every 2 weeks, and still being somewhat sharp. Michael Leighton needs to play significant minutes just to be halfway sharp. Have to think they are showcasing Leights for a trade right now, because if I were in charge, Bob would be the main guy, Boosh would be the backup, and Leights would be elsewhere. That is also the best scenario cap-wise if they can make it work.

No.

Thankfully this game doesn't mean anything. It would be nice if they were still playing for the first round bye, but it's also kind of nice the way it is. Lots of guys will be getting the day off. Kevin Kolb to Riley Cooper all day!

Jesus....almost NOBODY at the Pinstripe Bowl. Wish I knew this, I'd have gone!

Awesome game for Turner. Awesome awesome awesome. Been waiting for this.

No Iguodala again. Not expecting much defense tonight...

2nd period just started, Schenn already with the hat trick and 11 points on the tournament. Unfair.

2 games for Shelley. Best news of the last 24 hours.

Erik Gustafsson called up from Phantoms.

I have certainly not given up yet. They invested a #2 pick in him, so they definitely need to cater to his needs and put him in a spot where he can succeed. So yes, in theory, Andre should be traded. It makes perfect sense for those reasons. My issue is that if the Sixers are going to trade him, they absolutely need to get good value for him, and I know they won't. I guess this is a fundamental problem I have with the NBA. So hard to trade guys like Andre (who are solid players but not stars) and get reasonable value in return. Cap space won't do much for this team until they become a desirable destination, and draft picks are basically worthless unless they are in the lottery (and even then it is a crap shoot). And teams with good young talent are not trading it for guys like this. It is a very, very tough spot, and how management handles this will go a long way towards dictating how the next few years will go for this team.