Random Thoughts

Posted 2:40 PM ET | Comments 15

-Mike Richards is now my favorite NHLer.

-Why is there no discussion of Andy Sutton's elbow to the head of Lasse Kukkonen at the buzzer of last night's Flyers-Isles game? It was a dangerous hit that marred a fun game to watch. Sutton now has laid two elbows this year that I found to be borderline dirty and review worthy for suspension.

-If Sean Avery did make derogatory comments about Jason Blake's illness, it should have been handled on the ice. Too bad we have that stupid instigator penalty that results in guys like Avery being able to run their yaps without consequence.

-Kudos to Rocky Wirtz for televising some Blackhawks home games. The practice of not sowing seeds for new fans definitely hurt the 'Hawks as they became something of a forgotten team in Chicago.

-God Bless NHL Network

-Doug Armstrong has been fired as the GM of the Dallas Stars. Shouldn't that have been done after yet another early round playoff loss? Why now, when the team is playing .500 hockey?

-Cory Stillman is currently 3rd in the NHL in scoring. This guy found the rejuvenation machine. Great to see. I always had a soft spot for Stillman.

-Filip Kuba is quietly putting together a strong season for the Lightning, with 7 points in 17 games, carrying a +9 rating and averaging 24 minutes a night. He's helped the Bolts survive the loss of Danny Boyle.

-Gary B Bettman will host a radio show. No word if he'll take real callers or just pre-screened ones from Ted Saskin. If he does take real callers, I expect a long delay and carpal tunnel syndrome for the guy that has to mute the foul language.

-Got the pleasure of hearing Bill Clement work color on the Flyers' broadcast. Clement is the best color guy going, knowledgable without beating you over the head with it, never overly hyper and rarely self promoting, Duke is what all aspiring analysts should strive to be.

-I really like the new line-up on XM 204. I have been critical of the station in the past, but I really enjoy the flow they have established throughout the day since adding Don Lagreca and EJ Hradek to the line-up at midday and having Boomer Gordon pop in and out through the day.

-Did I mention my man crush on Mike Richards....I did? Oh OK.

Filed Under: Richards XM Bettman Kuba Baconator Jsaq

szandor

November 13, 2007 3:42 PM ET | Delete
At least I am not the only one who noticed the elbow. If you need to see if it was a hit to the head, watch Kukkonen try to stand up twice then find a player to grab on to. Although since we commented on it let's be prepared for all the negative comments about us "philly fans."

sabres51

November 13, 2007 3:50 PM ET | Delete
Though it pains me to say this about Darcy Tucker- way to stick up for Jason Blake! I was hoping Avery would get knocked out and never play in the NHL. He is by far one of the most classless players to ever lace up the skates in the NHL. Whatever he said to Jason Blake was inappropriate. The poor guy is playing with cancer! As a matter of fact as a player Avery should look at Blake as a role model instead of saying whatever he did. Mike Richards is pretty dare good player. Watching those games last year for the Flyers was for the most part horrible, but Richards was definitely one who stuck out to me. But, IMO, you could tell last year was a fluke year for the Flyers and they would make a decent run in 07-08. Peace

zackelias81

November 13, 2007 4:09 PM ET | Delete
doesn't Kukkonen share some of the blame since he put himself in the situation to get elbowed in the head??? (that should be read with a tone of heavy sarcasm... elbows to the head are as dangerous as smashing someone into the boards from behind and has no place in the NHL)

szandor

November 13, 2007 4:27 PM ET | Delete
hahahaha excellent one zack.

CaptShark

November 13, 2007 4:53 PM ET | Delete
So Gary Bettman is more worried about promoting himself and his new radio show than the NHL, go figure !

FLAMESTR

November 13, 2007 5:14 PM ET | Delete
good job I love richards

jprobber

November 13, 2007 5:47 PM ET | Delete
As an exercise in creative writing, why don't you pull together some of your thoughts, find a coherent structure to hang them on, and then write what used to be called a "column," or even an "essay?" Based on the evidence, I'd say you could do that pretty handily. My eyeballs are jerking around from all of the short-take stuff, you see.

KGBflyers10

November 13, 2007 5:58 PM ET | Delete
It's called a blog, jp. I love Richards, I saw the elbow (suspension is warraneted, there was one second left on the clock, don't tell me it was unintentional), and Clement was amazing last night.

Jsaquella

November 13, 2007 6:57 PM ET | Delete
JP, I can't provide more than a few lines on any single topic, my friend. My thoughts don't run that deep.

blueline

November 13, 2007 8:06 PM ET | Delete
Amen to NHL Network for U.S. fans. Finally some hockey coverage 24/7 (even if they do run "NHL On the Fly" 1200 times a night). Would have been no televised HHOF induction without it. Unbelievable. Guess I expect too much.

steal_your_faceoff

November 13, 2007 10:02 PM ET | Delete
I am getting used to "On the Fly" and don't hate it as much as I did originally. Guess my hockey jones took over. JS, I like your off the cuff, quick hitting style. It is different from all the others, is well thought out and that makes it not only fun to read but forces you to agree or disagree. I like that in a blog. Keep your pimp hand strong brother! SYF (p.s. Flyers/Pens Jan 24th - be there)

flyguy12