Phightins

I am expecting the worst. Flyers not revealing much. This is potentially devastating. For obvious reasons. Also because the Flyers are so tight against the cap that nobody can be brought up from the Phantoms. If Pronger is missing any time at all, I'd love for Erik Gustafsson to come up. Or even Kevin Marshall. Anybody but Lilja/Walker, but now it looks like both of them will be forced into the lineup.

Nice, the Jagr salute. Was hoping he'd do that.

Yeah. It was weird bounces all around. Nothing Walker could have done there, but I was actually going to post before the game about how bad he is and how I am disappointed he is playing over Lilja tonight.

Wow. Seeing Chris Pronger run off the ice screaming is one of the creepiest things I have ever seen in sports. Really.

Matt Walker is turrible.

When Jonas' hockey career fails him at least he has a career ahead in acting! :glasses:

I am actually OK with the NHL not being on ESPN. Not sure where ESPN would find time for the programming, especially during the playoffs when there is direct competition with the NBA. Most of the NHL games would likely wind up on ESPN2, which does very little good. What they need is for Versus (or whatever it will be called) to become a legitimate go-to channel for sports fans. Hopefully this re-branding that is coming will help.

Yeah. I was reading Bill Simmons' article on Grantland the other day ( http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7123705/arms-nhl ), talking about how he recently purchased Kings season tickets. And as much as I can't stand the guy, he makes some great points. The NBA lockout means tons of potential for hockey markets such as LA.

Hm. No NBA, and the OTR hockey forum is as active as it's ever been. I've seen at least 2 or 3 new regular posters recently. Coincidence?? I am wondering what kind of impact the NBA lockout will have on NHL attendance/TV ratings.

Meszaros and Coburn look particularly awful this year. I was challenged to a fight at the game last night by a couple clowns when I was sticking up for Bryzgalov.

Fixed.

Mason's post was 100% sarcasm.

I completely understand why he was banned. He pushed the limits for too long, was disrespectful to basically everyone, blah blah blah. Totally reasonable to ban him. However I am not sure I buy the "he didn't know when to stop in debates" thing. He, more than any other member, had to deal with people calling him out for being wrong, etc. I'd see it all the time where he'd be willing to let an argument die, and someone would come in and say "hey ECN, why aren't you talking now? Why didn't you respond to blah blah blah in thread X?". So, even though a lot of it was his own doing, he was egged on A LOT, especially recently.

I guess he deserves this, but I hope he comes back at some point. I will really miss chatting about hockey with him, no matter how big of a douche he can be at times.

Start up the "Bryzgalov is overpaid" narrative. Our lazy Flyers beat writers will have a fun few days or so.

The three Capitals goals so far coming off a terrible Hartnell turnover, a deflection off Flyers defenseman, and yet another deflection off Flyers defenseman. Yep, one of those games....

Sean Couturier is great. Hard to believe he is 18 years old sometimes. Seems like Lavy trusts him more than any other forward on the PK, except for Talbot perhaps. And Scott Hartnell is awful.

Couturier to the 4th line, apparently. I am not a fan. At all.

Jed Hoyer to become the Cubs GM. Theo will be president of baseball operations. Sucks for Padres fans. Hoyer is very promising.

Can't wait to see Brayden Schenn tonight, you guys. Here's to hoping Lavy puts him on a line with Matt Read and Sean Couturier.

I don't think winning/losing the World Series will have anything to do with the matter.

Schenn called up. Somehow. Still no clue how he fits under the cap, but they are making it work somehow. Rinaldo and Zolnierczyk to the Phantoms. Hartnell to 4th line?

I have tried not to be bitter, and I really don't mind the Cardinals at all, but I would just love to see the Rangers beat the hell out of them. (Okay I lied, I am pretty bitter). But I am still not over the Phillies. Can't handle three straight years of being knocked out by the eventual champion. Especially this year :/.

Yeah. Still seemed like a pretty big mismatch though.

Matt Read had 4 points tonight. Awesome.