Thank you. The Flyers are playing great hockey right now and Berube is really making a difference, penalties are down and players are more accountable. The D is really very average and is the team's biggest weakness. They have no stars on D. Mason is playing great but still has to work on rebound control but he has provided solid goaltending. The forward group is as good as any, Schenn is looking better every game (3 pts last nite) If they had a defence that could transition like the Keith and the Hawks the forwards would be extra dangerous. When Richards and Carter were dealt they were more detrimental and a change of scenery was needed. B. Schenn and Couturier will be just reaching their prime when Carter and Richards will be fizzling out.
- flyerdude17

Bill Meltzer and JJ are two of the most respected and followed bloggers on HB

Disagree. I think it's great to see the players deal with natural conditions in a pre-high tech, climate controlled environment. I'll never get tired of it. Yes, the game is different, but that doesn't make it worse.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this one.
- Tugboat

I hope more people agree with you since these are here to stay and I hope for hockey these things get very high ratings. We need the sport to keep growing. I would like to see the camera move back every now and then during action just to see how big the stadium is. And looks like when they are playing

Schenn is goint to be a star, he is still in diapers. Simmonds for Richards straight up is even for me. Schenn makes this trade a heist. That being said Kings got a cup and that is the ultimate goal. It was a total team effort and Quick was spectacular.
Couter is only 21 and is a super talent that has a great future.
- flyerdude17

Yeah people like to point that out but you guys had no control over what Columbus did with Carter. And like you said, both had to go over chemistry issues and the divided room against the pronger side. Quick was by far the mvp that year. Carter and richards had good playoffs but without Quick they wouldn't have won it all

Shoud be good weather at least at Chavez Ravine.

Ice may be liquid water, but no snow or cold.
- StLBravesFan

They shouldn't do it at Chavez Ravine. Winter Classic, outdoor games should be limited to the frozen North, where you get a sense of the game the way those cats in Montreal envisioned it in the 1870s.

Sweet pass from Smith to A$$holekader to tie it up!

Disagree. I think it's great to see the players deal with natural conditions in a pre-high tech, climate controlled environment. I'll never get tired of it. Yes, the game is different, but that doesn't make it worse.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this one.
- Tugboat

Same here Tug. Its no different than any other games held in all the multi purpose arenas where the puck bounces everywhere. Think the players enjoy. Its a game and suppose to be fun. For us and them.

They shouldn't do it at Chavez Ravine. Winter Classic, outdoor games should be limited to the frozen North, where you get a sense of the game the way those cats in Montreal envisioned it in the 1870s.

Sweet pass from Smith to A$$holekader to tie it up!
- Tugboat

Be even better if the players got shovels and cleared the ice.

Be even better if the players got shovels and cleared the ice.
- Elbows15

LOL. Except they make so much money that even if you gave them the responsibility, they'd just hire it out anyway...

LOL. Except they make so much money that even if you gave them the responsibility, they'd just hire it out anyway...
- Tugboat

OK USA team time!

A lot of tension now, to see if Kane makes the US team.

That's a small team out on the ice.

Blake Wheeler over Bobby Ryan?

Blake Wheeler over Bobby Ryan?
- rollpards19

Jimmy Howard over Ben Bishop?


Here is the US roster:

http://nesn.com/2014/01/p...for-2014-winter-olympics/

Jimmy Howard over Ben Bishop?


Here is the US roster:

http://nesn.com/2014/01/p...for-2014-winter-olympics/
- faustus1500

Neither of those make sense to me. Also no Yandle? On the big ice how is he not better than Orpik

Good piece on how Team USA was selected

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...-sochi-olympics-was-named

Neither of those make sense to me. Also no Yandle? On the big ice how is he not better than Orpik
- rollpards19

Why not Ben Bishop? He has been amazing this year.

This US team isn't going to win a medal this year. What were they thinking? Big ice, and you don't take fast guys like Saad and Leddy? Orpik, really?? Very disappointing.

This US team isn't going to win a medal this year. What were they thinking? Big ice, and you don't take fast guys like Saad and Leddy? Orpik, really?? Very disappointing.
- hawks2010

Agreed.

This US team isn't going to win a medal this year. What were they thinking? Big ice, and you don't take fast guys like Saad and Leddy? Orpik, really?? Very disappointing.
- hawks2010

Leddy IMO had no business on this team but Saad has a legit beef. A LOT of love for T.J. Oshie with the team US decision makers...I don't get it. Saad is the better player IMO.

Jimmy Howard over Ben Bishop?


Here is the US roster:

http://nesn.com/2014/01/p...for-2014-winter-olympics/
- faustus1500

That one has me stumped too...

Leddy IMO had no business on this team but Saad has a legit beef. A LOT of love for T.J. Oshie with the team US decision makers...I don't get it. Saad is the better player IMO.
- NedsHead_88

Agreed there's no way Leddy should be on the team. But for the life of me I can't figure out how Yandle and Ryan aren't on the team. Also Stepan making the team is a joke, but the US has absolutely no centers.

I didn't realize that Stan Bowman was on the committee. I have a feeling he was doing a sales job to keep Saad off the team.

In all seriousness, according that ESPN article shared earlier TJ Oshie and Wheeler nudged out Saad......Blake Wheeler.....really?

I didn't realize that Stan Bowman was on the committee. I have a feeling he was doing a sales job to keep Saad off the team.

In all seriousness, according that ESPN article shared earlier TJ Oshie and Wheeler nudged out Saad......Blake Wheeler.....really?
- faustus1500

Might be in our best interest that Saad'r get a rest.

Was Leddy even in contention ??????

Might be in our best interest that Saad'r get a rest.

Was Leddy even in contention ??????
- philco28

If Yandle didn't make it I can't imagine Nick was close

Agreed there's no way Leddy should be on the team. But for the life of me I can't figure out how Yandle and Ryan aren't on the team. Also Stepan making the team is a joke, but the US has absolutely no centers.
- rollpards19

Yeah really how could they not pick Yandle or Ryan? Especially Ryan I'm sure there's some politics involved with these decisions. Sad to see, though

Might be in our best interest that Saad'r get a rest.

Was Leddy even in contention ??????
- philco28

I wonder about what will happen with the Hawks that don't make it. How will it affect them? Will they be sad and depressed or pissed off and come out really motivated? The rest definitely helps the team, plus no risk of injury. I wonder about Sweden and Hammer and Oduya?