Ryan Wilson: New jerseys against the Devils tonight New jerseys against the Devils tonight

FIST!

Grabs already played a game with the Devils. That said, I don't particularly think these players will just be rentals. I believe Shero might use this opportunity to get on the inside track for both of these players come FA. He has stated numerously that he does not want to kill the future, and wanted to stick to the game plan. Until he truly deviates, NJ will stand behind him.

Grabs already played a game with the Devils. That said, I don't particularly think these players will just be rentals. I believe Shero might use this opportunity to get on the inside track for both of these players come FA. He has stated numerously that he does not want to kill the future, and wanted to stick to the game plan. Until he truly deviates, NJ will stand behind him.
- Velcro300

Shero is perfect for building a team to a championship level, once he gets the team to that level, however, he doesn't seem to know what to do next. Maybe he's learned since his time with the Penguins but something to keep an eye on in NJ.

to Mattstrat

meanwhile in northern sweden "Luleå" citizens woke up to 113 cm (44.5 inches) snow

Shero was fired for one reason. He refused to fire his friend and coach. Ray was a good GM here and I think he's been great in NJ. I'm glad we went through all that mess, because it brought us Rutherford and Sullivan.

Brassard said he expects to play with Sheary and Kessel. So maybe Simon really is out for now. Looks like:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Brassard-Kessel
ZAR-Sheahan-Rowney

FREE BARTLEY!

RW: The bad news is that the Philadelphia Flyers are in first place. How did that happen?

Last 6 games:

Columbus
NY Rangers
Montreal
Columbus
Ottawa
Montreal

Philly is playing very good hockey, don't want to take away that from them and yet.....having a 6 games stretch with those teams is like a gift.....Their schedule gets much more difficult in March

Brassard said he expects to play with Sheary and Kessel. So maybe Simon really is out for now. Looks like:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Brassard-Kessel
ZAR-Sheahan-Rowney
- Tojo.

I like it. I'd swap ZAR and Sheary.

FREE BARTLEY!
- jmatchett383

YES!

RW: The bad news is that the Philadelphia Flyers are in first place. How did that happen?

Last 6 games:

Columbus
NY Rangers
Montreal
Columbus
Ottawa
Montreal

Philly is playing very good hockey, don't want to take away that from them and yet.....having a 6 games stretch with those teams is like a gift.....Their schedule gets much more difficult in March
- Darklight11

It does. And so far, against TBL/VGK/BOS/WIN/WSH, the Flyers are 3-3-1. I don't expect them to stay in 1st place, and the Pens are custom-built to feast on the Flyers. However, with the way that Giroux/Voracek/Ghost have been playing, and keeping in mind that Wayne Simmonds will be back in a week or so, I still expect them to keep a top-3 spot in the division.

to Mattstrat

meanwhile in northern sweden "Luleå" citizens woke up to 113 cm (44.5 inches) snow
- martox

Haha yeah, that's a big one, no doubt.

Rowney over Simon? Not sure I agree with that, but I did like Rowney a lot more playing wing next to Cullen than running his own line.

They've been playing good hockey longer than the last six games.

They've been playing good hockey longer than the last six games.
- all-pgh

They've been winning a lot, but their play has been uneven. Definitely better over the last 2 months, but still some inconsistent play. Kinda like the Penguins, to be honest.

Brassard said he expects to play with Sheary and Kessel. So maybe Simon really is out for now. Looks like:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Brassard-Kessel
ZAR-Sheahan-Rowney

This is what I want to see for the rest of the year, only swapping sheary and rust if things get stale.

I like it. I'd swap ZAR and Sheary.
- madmike71

I'm starting to think you dislike Sheary

I hope they can get him going, but if not they have replacements.

Rowney over Simon? Not sure I agree with that, but I did like Rowney a lot more playing wing next to Cullen than running his own line.
- Rinosaur

I'm guessing on the 4th line a bit, could even be Kuhnhackl. But think Rowney is just for pk and RH face-off guy. Not nearly a problem for me to have a specialist as the 12th forward. Whwn it was the whole 4th line, that was a problem.

They've been playing good hockey longer than the last six games.
- all-pgh

That is kind of a given seeing where they are in the standings, the Flyers have played very well when I've had a chance to watch their games, definitely not taking anything away from their play....was just pointing out an easier go of their schedule the last 6 games.....they still had to win those games which they did!

I’d kind of like to see Sheary-sid-guentzel get back together. Maybe the added depth gives that line a boost to what it was before.
Sheary-sid-guentzel
Rust-Malkin-horn
Hagelin-brassard-Kessel (HBK!!)
ZAR-sheahan-rowney/kuhn

How ridiculous is the NHL point system though? Flyers are leading the Metro having 1 less win than Capitals and 2 less than Penguins.

In the West STL is a spot behind Calgary having two more wins. They may lose a wild card spot because of it.

Awful.

I'm starting to think you dislike Sheary

I hope they can get him going, but if not they have replacements.
- Tojo.

Lol.....yeah. I know I beat it to death. But in this case, I think adding Sheary's speed to the 4th will balance that line. Adding the grit and net front presence of ZAR will balance the 3rd..

I think getting Sheary up against lesser defenders will benefit him greatly.

How ridiculous is the NHL point system though? Flyers are leading the Metro having 1 less win than Capitals and 2 less than Penguins.

In the West STL is a spot behind Calgary having two more wins. They may lose a wild card spot because of it.

Awful.
- Conse

This has been a topic I’ve seen written about in hockey articles. It’s something I hope they will address because it takes away incentive to win in regulation just to get some kind of point.

I think it should be a 3-2-1 system.

3 for win
2 for an OT win
1 for an OT loss

Many will disagree on that with me, but something needs to be different. Maybe make 3 points for a win regardless of regulation or OT and only 1 point for an OT loss.

This has been a topic I’ve seen written about in hockey articles. It’s something I hope they will address because it takes away incentive to win in regulation just to get some kind of point.

I think it should be a 3-2-1 system.

3 for win
2 for an OT win
1 for an OT loss

Many will disagree on that with me, but something needs to be different. Maybe make 3 points for a win regardless of regulation or OT and only 1 point for an OT loss.
- Rinosaur

The system you listed is what makes the most sense, since it makes all games worth the same amount of points (3). However, the NHL loves the current setup because it creates the illusion of parity, which leads to more interest, which leads to more revenue.

With respect to the Flyers in the standings, they've been playing well recently, but I can't see them staying atop the division for the rest of the year. They're a better team that a lot of people expected, but they're not a top contender quite yet.