ESPN ESPN

Last Year's Rank: 71
Title Track: 69
Ownership: 8
Coaching: 79
Players: 47
Fan Relations: 27
Affordability: 87
Stadium Experience: 48
Bang for the Buck: 77

Philly fans are showing mad brotherly love for GM Paul Holmgren, and why not? In his past life as a Broad Street Bully, he piled up 1,684 PIMs in 527 games. Now an exec (and belovedly nicknamed Homer), he's been a powerhouse since taking over for Bobby Clarke two years ago. Last summer, Holmgren plunked down $15 mil to re-sign center Jeff Carter, even though the three-year vet had yet to break the 30-goal mark; this season, Carter's 46 scores were second in the league. Just before the trade deadline, Holmgren imported brawler Daniel Carcillo, whose landslide league lead in penalty minutes (254) resonates with rooters. Then there's wacky wing Scott Hartnell, whom Holmgren acquired in June 2007. Hartnell (a) had more minor penalties than anyone in the NHL this season (54), (b) hurled his glove at a Tampa skater to stop him on a breakaway (it didn't work, but it was hysterical, and Marty Biron stopped the penalty shot); and (c) hasn't cut his brown Afro in two seasons, prompting Scott Hartnell Wig Night (March 26). We'd raise a brewski to you, Homer, but the Wachovia Center's pitiful example of it ($5.75 for 12 ounces) is the league's worst value and not worthy of you. D'oh!