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How will the crowd react to Mike Richards tonight?

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We took part in a roundtable discussion over at Puck Daddy today, and you can probably guess the topic. Mike Richards. Mike Richards. More Mike Richards. The former Captain and still-awesome Mike will be on the Wells Fargo Center ice this evening in a different jersey, 

I know that, for the most part, BSH readership appreciates what Richards did on the ice as a Flyer, and for the most part, I think the community consensus is that he got a pretty bad deal from the mainstream media in this town. But I'm worried that the greater fan base doesn't feel the same way.

They see Richards comments over the last few days, where he basically said he didn't enjoy coming to the rink as a Flyer over the last two years, and they look at the team on the ice now that's a perfect 3-0-0 to start the season and they believe that Richards was bringing this team down more than he was helping them. They believe that his drinking and partying was a legitimate issue inside the locker room and, worse, on the ice. 

My real concern is that the reaction when Richards steps on the ice tonight is going to be mixed. He'll definitely get a good number of cheers, but I'm afraid the boos are going to be nice and heavy as well. I'm not sure if they'll have a video for him like they did for Simon Gagne a year ago, but in my mind, these signs point to no:

- They poorly Photoshopped a C on pictures of Chris Pronger from last year at the Wells Fargo Center. Seems odd to me, like they're trying to completely ignore the time when Richards was captain and Pronger was not. I can't imagine they would have done the same thing during the transfer of power from say, Eric Desjardins to Keith Primeau.

- The whole theme this year is "It's All About The Chemistry." That's the theme of the in-house video shown before home games, complete with a periodic table background and everything. If that's not a slap in the face to the players who were traded away from this team over the summer -- Richards included -- I don't know what is. 

- It's hard for me to believe that the Flyers will show any outward, public appreciation towards Richards when they can't even seem to acknowledge his existence on the front page of their website today, either. Jump for images.

Star-divide

Flyers-kings-1_medium

Flyers-kings-3_medium

It seems a little awkward to me. Yeah, there's some words about him inside of an article, but even there it's not much. The most damning part is the "It's All About The Chemistry" theme the team has gone with, but I don't know. Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe I'm silly to think the crowd won't give him a standing ovation tonight. Maybe I'm silly to think the organization won't honor him with a video and a public thank you. 

Who knows. I just have a strange feeling that this evening is going to be extremely awkward. How about you? It's not a question of would you cheer for Mike Richards tonight, but of how you expect the crowd to react.

Poll
How will the crowd react to Mike Richards this evening?
Positively
104 votes
Negatively
4 votes
Mostly positively, some boos
208 votes
Mostly negatively, some cheers
25 votes
I'm incapable of forming an opinion
18 votes

359 votes | Poll has closed

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I hope he get’s a standing O.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Oct 15, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions  

I hope he gets an arena wide standing O. He should get an arena wide standing O. I think he will get mostly boos.

I hope I am proved wrong.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 15, 2011 2:40 PM EDT reply actions  

They believe that his drinking and partying was a legitimate issue inside the locker room and, worse, on the ice.

I do think it was an issue in the locker room, I also think that it probably didn’t have to be. I know plenty of people who drink heavily at night and on the weekends but when they show up for work they are as good as any one else there. Until I read a story that says that Richie could barely play a game because he was hungover then I really do not care what he spends his nights or weekends doing. Nor should anyone else.

I really wish reporters would spend their time writing about the team and what they do on the ice and that’s it.

All of that said, I really hope the fans appreciate Richie for what he was, and that was one of the best two way players this team has ever had and a guy who gave his all night in and night out, and a guy who was vilified by some media types because he didn’t talk to them the way they wanted him to. He got a raw deal here and I don’t blame him a bit if he ends up being happier playing for the Kings.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Oct 15, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions  

You’re winning me over. Tis all.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

I thought I already had…now, everything I ever thought I knew is in doubt.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Oct 15, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hahaha. There’s more to me than meets the eye… so maybe you’re winning another part of me.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hahaha, I can accept this.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Oct 15, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

But how do you know whether he was up to par for all of the games? What if he was hungover for his bad games, or even his good games, and never reached his potential? All speculation, obviously, but you just never know. And lets not forget the amounts of money he’s getting paid, and the fans are paying, to see him perform. I’d say there’s an obligation to keep it professional, and be in top condition to play. And if this is the case, I think it could very easily turn into an issue with teammates. I know I get pissed when someone on my crew is sluggish and making mistakes when we have a deadline.

Again, I’m just playing devil’s advocate, not looking to start a ruckus, but if these stories have any substance to them, I’d say people have a right to be pissed off…..

I'm kind of a dick.

by Vansteel on Oct 15, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well you said it for me, it’s all speculation, and until I know otherwise, I’ll comment on what I do know. That Richie liked to party, and as of now, none of it effected how he played, as far as we know.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Oct 15, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

I was mainly replying to your statement that people shouldn’t care what he does off of the ice. I think people have a right to care, if it has a negative impact of his play. (which it may or may not have)

I'm kind of a dick.

by Vansteel on Oct 15, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

True that. But I’d be happy if people cared for the facts, not rumors and stories that may not be true at all.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

What Kat said. If it was proven that Richie, or anyone for that matter was showing up to games hungover, or drunk and couldn’t perform, then I would care. But I won’t lose sleep over maybes.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Oct 15, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Facts often start as rumors. It will be very hard to substantiate something like that, unless some teammates come forward (which would also be very bad) What kind of proof would they need to convince people? Breath tests before games?

I'm kind of a dick.

by Vansteel on Oct 15, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

What Rex said, I don’t really care for rumors until they are proven to be true. How they do it? I don’t care either.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Which is a problem for me as well, because it would be difficult at best to prove. Get me some receipts from the party the night before, but then you still have to prove even if Richards was there and bought every drink, how many did he have? Eyewitness? Maybe, but get two or three to corroborate the story.

Sometimes just starting a rumor is enough to really screw something up, and if it is a journalist, I hope they can prove it, though I understand it may be impossible.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree with what you are saying, it’s just the fact that no one has (or can?) substantiate these things, and some of them came from a gossip column and others from people in the media with a known bias. I think there may be some truth to the fact that locker room wasn’t the greatest, but to what extent? And was it just a few players, or was there a lot of cliques that were all to blame? We will probably never know, so I will probably get annoyed when people bring it up as cold hard fact.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

There will be a tribute according to Sam Carchidi: http://twitter.com/#!/BroadStBull/status/125238363904151552

by mattjg on Oct 15, 2011 2:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Coin flip says…..

by JpH89 on Oct 15, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

The reaction will be more positive than you think. Even casual Flyer fans have to realize that whatever happened on the ice didn’t keep Richie from giving his all on the ice.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Oct 15, 2011 2:59 PM EDT reply actions  

Oops – that first “on the ice” should be “off the ice.” Clearly I’m not on my game today.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Oct 15, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree, hoping the idiots I see when I read comments sections of certain blogs don’t have tickets.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

deserves a standing O… i expect some cheers… and i fear that there will be boos.

the biggest problem is boos are contagious and can be blown out of proportion. the fact that there will a boo amidst the cheers will stand out to the ear and to the media.

-tim
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood. ~ Daniel H. Burnham

by edesjardins37 on Oct 15, 2011 3:01 PM EDT reply actions  

whatever the outcome of the game, the headline will be richards (maybe a gagne in there)…
“richards silences the boos”
“richards is a non-factor in his return to Philly”
“richards skates on the ice during the game”

-tim
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood. ~ Daniel H. Burnham

by edesjardins37 on Oct 15, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Some of them will write whatever regardless of the facts, such as the piece Tim P did a few months back where he took quotes of everyone saying Riche was fine as a leader and then came to his own conclusion that he wasn’t.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t think Richards should get a video like Gagne did. Didn’t spend enough time or do enough here. I mean, I could easily put Gagne in the top 10 Flyers forwards of all time.

by JpH89 on Oct 15, 2011 3:02 PM EDT reply actions  

carter, I’m afraid, would get a rousing reaction of hate and intolerance if he came back this early

by JpH89 on Oct 15, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed, glad he is not back for a while. Think the reaction is going to be bad anyway. Haters gonna hate.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t think people really cared enough about Carter to boo him, personally. There was always more focus/expectation and pressure on Richards.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Oct 15, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think mostly positive with a smattering of boos—but regardless if it’s one jackass booing, the MSM will zero in on that guy, so honestly, I’m not that worried about it. Richie doesn’t need validation; he knows what he accomplished here. It would be great if the fans uniformly acknowledged that, but it isn’t a requirement.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Oct 15, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions  

I think it'll be Positive with some Boos

But I tried thinking optimistically and went with All Positive.

It's in his wheelhouse!!
Carlos Ruiz, My Nickname is Chooch.

by Dr. Steve on Oct 15, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions  

Poor Lindros never gets anything……

by JpH89 on Oct 15, 2011 3:07 PM EDT reply actions  

I think here will be some boos. but i also think that a lot of people dont understand that he didnt want to leave philly. thats why he signed for a long contract. That he loves philly.

by Nick Ritt on Oct 15, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions  

He loved the city and the organization and playing for a team that wants to win. I don’t think he cared much for the fishbowl here, though. Perhaps it’s best in the long run for his career that he got out while he was still relatively young. I will not enjoy watching him win a cup in another team’s sweater, but I suppose we should be used to that by now around these here parts.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Oct 15, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

What if we win one before LA? would it matter then?

by JpH89 on Oct 15, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

From your fingers to the hockey God’s ears.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Oct 15, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’m not going to lie. I would love to see Simmonds beat Richie in a fight, then score the game winner.

by JpH89 on Oct 15, 2011 3:18 PM EDT reply actions  

Richie is the only NHL-er I would be okay with beating Simmonds in a fight, but, mostly, I wouldn’t want that fight to happen..

by fiveredapples on Oct 15, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

would you be excited if Richards or Carter were returned to the flyers, say in a year…???

-tim
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood. ~ Daniel H. Burnham

by edesjardins37 on Oct 15, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions  

I hope he gets a standing O but I think it’ll be mostly positive with a little boos

by The Legend on Oct 15, 2011 3:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Richie was great for us until the pressure of the ‘C’ got put on him. You bring in Pronger, a natural leader, and you have tension. RIchie didn’t ask for the ‘C’; somebody else made the mistake of giving it to him…although he might have been the best choice at the time.

He lacked off ice leadership skills. On the ice, there was no better leader because his hockey did the leading. You can’t fault a guy for nothing having those special leaderships skills. You don’t take someone like that, your best player, a young player, one of the best in the league, and put him in a situation where you make playing less fun. We saw what happened. This organization and the Philly media are responsible for ruining a great thing we had. I hope he scores the game winner against us, frankly.

by fiveredapples on Oct 15, 2011 3:44 PM EDT reply actions  

I can’t say I disagree with you, although I’d rather see him score a hat trick, but Flyers win 4-3.

by Flyers on Oct 15, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, I prefer your scenario better too. I didn’t mean that I wanted the Kings to beat us, I meant that if they did beat us, then I’d want Richie to have the game winner.

by fiveredapples on Oct 15, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t agree with a few things, both “natural leader” and “off-ice”. Some of that may or may not depend on what you refer to as “off ice” leadership. There are different types of leaders, and you can’t expect every one of them to fit every definition of leadership. I have been like Riche in the positions I have held, in sports or life; I know what needs to be done and can lead people to do it, but I’m not gonna go grab a mic and make a speech in that process. And the media hated him for it, for just giving them the cliches that sports players often do.

Many members of this Flyers organization and people who have played and worked with him elsewhere say the same thing: he’s a great leader. Wearing a C on the ice means you are the go between the team and the refs. Off the ice in my mind means you do what you feel needs to be done to help the team win. Many have also said Mike did this when he felt necessary by having a conversation with a player or the coach. He’s not Pronger. He’s not going to be loud and boisterous, being the star of the locker room. He does what he feels he needs to do to win games. In one of the games in Germany this year, he was seen on the bench yelling at players, which I assume means they weren’t getting it done. That’s a leader. And we all know that night in and night out, he was getting it done on the ice. That to me is the very definition of a “natural” leader, someone in whom you would gladly put your trust to lead you through the situation you find yourself in.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

you can’t expect every one of them to fit every definition of leadership.

I’ve been generally irked by all the discussion on leadership without some basic understanding of some of the research that underlies most of our modern understanding of leadership. If you’d like a primer, go here (NOTE: I am not affiliated with CCL in any way).

In the meantime, know that for most corporations, (and recall that the Flyers are basically corporate, whether we like that or not) a key component of leadership is communication, especially communication to the public. You may disagree with me about the requirements about leadership on a hockey team, but Ed Snider’s overlords aren’t going to.

Astaire and Rogers, G and Jagr
Hunter Pence did not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither did Carlos Beltran.

by Bud in TN on Oct 15, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oh, I understand, but some people are good at that, and other aren’t, as they say a leopard can’t change his spots. And if that’s how a company looks for leadership I understand, but while the Flyers are one, looking for players that way would really make scouting challenging. Maybe they could have a speech competition?

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Communication is more than speech competition. But it doesn’t hurt.

Astaire and Rogers, G and Jagr
Hunter Pence did not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither did Carlos Beltran.

by Bud in TN on Oct 15, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Was being facetious, but the point stands; while you want a leader, you need the hockey player first.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know you were being facetious. However, I was not (I also have no affiliation with that organization either) .

The idea that a corporate media company would have as a key spokesman to the public someone who dislikes speaking to the public was always a surprise to me. Whether he should have been traded for that lack, I doubt. However, it would have been totally understandable to me had they stripped the C. Given their salary commitment, they apparently decided to just go all the way if they were going to do that.

Astaire and Rogers, G and Jagr
Hunter Pence did not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither did Carlos Beltran.

by Bud in TN on Oct 15, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

But the truth of the matter is the C is primarily for on the ice during games, I know it is commonly accepted that the captain is therefore the leader of the team and should speak for it, but if you think about all the ways people use media these days, maybe the organization should look at it differently. Think about the fact that if there are injuries, Lavy refers questions to Homer. Why is that, as he’s the coach, he should be able to take some questions, right?

Sometimes guys couchpanotchcouch are looking for a certain angle or story, and will frame questions to get answers that will bolster their position; maybe they should send all their players to that company you linked and teach them critical interview skills to boot. Not saying this is happening all the time, but Richards did basic media stuff, just didn’t want to be a big personality.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

maybe the organization should look at it differently.

Not necessarily arguing against the idea that there “should” be a different way to view things. However, again, it isn’t how most organizations think, and is not likely to win the day in the post-2005 PR-sensitive NHL, especially not an organization controlled by a media company that benefits directly from PR.

Astaire and Rogers, G and Jagr
Hunter Pence did not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither did Carlos Beltran.

by Bud in TN on Oct 15, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Btw, imho, Mike R, the player, without the C, was terrific. Or, as the analyst says in the link, often the alpha male on the ice.

Astaire and Rogers, G and Jagr
Hunter Pence did not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither did Carlos Beltran.

by Bud in TN on Oct 15, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think someone can be a great on-ice leader simply by leading by example. Guys respond to that. But, certainly, being a team leader often requires leadership off the ice, and Richie just didn’t have those qualities. I don’t think this is something you fault a guy for lacking. It’s a special quality that you hope someone on your team has, but it takes nothing away from what Richie brought to the team.

Mike, when interviewed about the Kings compared to the Flyers, said that on the Kings, unlike on the Flyers, there aren’t small groups but one group, meaning of course that the Kings have team cohesiveness. I believe Mike. But he’s to blame more than anyone if that was indeed the case. He’s a soft-spoken guy, and while I don’t doubt that he spoke up every now and then, he just isn’t the personality type to keep a team together, as one group, through the season. He also wasn’t the most professional off the ice, which undermines your credibility as a leader — even if it’s a bit unfair, it simply does. Yelling at players isn’t a sign of leadership per se. It depends who you’re yellling at and what you’re saying. If anything, it’s usually a sign that you’re not a good leader.

Anyway, none of this is a knock on Richie as far I’m concerned. Had he never been given the ‘C’, we’d have him on this team still, simply killing the opposition and making us overjoyed with how he played the game. He obviously contributed to his being traded, but I there’s plenty of blame to go around and the organization and the media bear (sp?) their share.

by fiveredapples on Oct 15, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

How do you know he lacked off ice leadership skills?

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 15, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well now that you are a real big boy lawyer(congrats by the way) you should probably lawyer him.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Oct 15, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

You passed? If so congrats, must have missed that.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

He passed and never told me. Fine.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Because the team wasn’t one cohesive group, according to Richards himself. Also incidents where Briere, not Richards, is giving team talks about not wanting to get eliminated yet — during the Buffalo series last year. His off-ice reputation automatically weakens his standing as someone who is professional, which a team captain must be seen as. I can go on, not endlessly of course, but I think there’s enough to say he lacked some leadership qualities.

by fiveredapples on Oct 15, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

What team is one cohesive group? Compare that to the number of teams that aren’t. Then, show me how that is Richards’ fault as opposed to Holmgren’s.

When saying “his off-ice reputation”, you mean someone who is quiet? How does that weaken his standing as a professional?

And saying he lacked some leadership qualities is a lot different than saying “he lacked off-ice leadership skills”. You have no idea how good he was at communicating between the cliques on the team. How good he was at calming tense situations in the locker room. How good he was at being a role model for young players – as James van Riemsdyk says he was.

Anyone not in the locker room who says Richards was a bad off-ice leader doesn’t know what they’re talking about. They only know what they want to believe, based on what little information others want them to have.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 15, 2011 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

He lacked off ice leadership skills.

I’ll never understand now fans think they are in a position to judge this sort of thing.

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
"I think there is virtue in pissing off idiots." - Fehr and Balanced

by hintzy64 on Oct 17, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions  

With all the hype around Richie and people naturally bringing up the Gagne situation from last year I’m feeling so much resentment towards the Flyers FO that I just wanna punch a hole in the wall (breaking my wrist in the process while not causing any harm to the said wall). I can’t help it… It’s bringing back pretty awful memories and horrible emotions I felt back then.

No, I won’t cry, no… no…. no!

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 4:12 PM EDT reply actions  

The way Gagne, Richie and Carts were shipped out will hinder the Flyers in the future when they pursue free agents. Expect them to have to overpay or include no movement clauses if they want to attract the best players here long term. I’m not as big a Gagne fan as most on this site, but there’s no doubt he was dumped and he didn’t deserve that kind of treatment.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Oct 15, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed 120%.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

Gagne gave his all, to the point that, I’m afraid, he came back from head injuries too soon. He put the crest on his jersey before his own well-being. That’s being a team player. Which is why he deserved a lot more than being dumped to make-up for FO’s mismanagement of the cap.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Oct 15, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

You’re right, sir. But I’d rather not start a Gagne discussion again. I swear that was NOT my intent as I for sure will be blamed for it if we continue on this topic. But yes, I agree with you :)

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree I was suprised JVR did his deal so soon. Although it was a risk for both parties.

by Fran Galasso on Oct 15, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

This still gives me a bon- i mean makes me smile.

#1 Wisconsin Flyers Fan...and I miss Mike Richards..

by archivald on Oct 15, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

I personally could care less. He isn’t a flyer any more. He did a lot of great things on the ice, but lacked the leadership abilities to become the player he really could be and , in my opinion, whined too much which is not the Flyer way.. This is now Giroux’s team- as it should be. Time to move on.

by Irish Sutter on Oct 15, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions  

Just FYI, you don’t not become the player you could be because you lack leadership skills (which Richards has anyway). And not all leadership happens in talking with the media and making big game winning speeches in the locker room.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Because the room was obviously a scene of unity with Captain Richie at the helm………

His “leadership” style didn’t work. Stop pretending it did.

Richards was a good defensive forward. Not a leader. Sorry to burst his mythical, god-like bubble on this board. He never should have been given the "C "and been expected to be the face of the team. An “A”, sure.

"Ocean: A body of water covering 2/3 of a world MADE for man....who has no gills."

by dinkster on Oct 15, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

And once again, although everyone believes a captain should be the leader of your team, not every person does it the same way. And the C merely gives you a voice on the ice, where Riche did his best work IMO. To a man everyone who has been asked has said if Pronger or Kimmo or Briere stood up and said things, they were listened to—wearing the C doesn’t make you the only voice. And since you were clearly in the locker room, please tell us more.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

I can buy the argument that the team may be better because of the trade that made Richie a King. I can’t buy that they’re a better team simply for letting Richie go or that Richie didn’t give his all while wearing the orange and black.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Oct 15, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

First off

How do you know he wasn’t a great leader? Every former player all the way down to juniors said he was. Just because the media says he wasn’t a leader doesn’t mean he wasn’t. Just because you don’t like to talk to certain Media members like Timmy P who can’t even fact check his own articles doesn’t mean you are not a leader,

by Fran Galasso on Oct 15, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

Personally, I’m more interested in how Simmonds treats HIS former team. But there will be no mention of that……on here…

How the crowd or the BIG BAD FRONT OFFICE, treats Mike Richards, honestly, means diddlysquaddouche, IMHO. Obviously Richie didn’t endear himself to the people that sign his checks……

"Ocean: A body of water covering 2/3 of a world MADE for man....who has no gills."

by dinkster on Oct 15, 2011 4:28 PM EDT reply actions  

Which is why Homer looked to be ready to burst out in tears when he announced the trades, right?

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wasn’t aware Homer was CFO too…..

"Ocean: A body of water covering 2/3 of a world MADE for man....who has no gills."

by dinkster on Oct 15, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oh dear god, Homer having to know math?

"Simba needs to sharpen his claws" - Ilya Bryzgalov, on Scott Hartnell

Assistant Masthead Power Person on Down Goes Spezza as ItsAFez66

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun
Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Oct 15, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

LOL…. true dat

"Ocean: A body of water covering 2/3 of a world MADE for man....who has no gills."

by dinkster on Oct 15, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

Haha, completely this

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

And as to the reasons for RIchards being the story; a guy who is the face of your franchise and has been your captain is slightly a bigger story than a good young player who has been with the team for 2 seasons. And the CFO doesn’t make the decisions on who is kept and who is traded.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

Turn the page, Jersey.

He’s not a Flyer anymore. You can man-crush all ya want…. it’s not changing the fact. Maybe he got a raw deal, maybe he made his own bed…. it’s all water under the bridge.

Support the team you have now, the one that is 3-0-0, and looks a hell of a lot more together than the old one, even though it’s early, of course.

"Ocean: A body of water covering 2/3 of a world MADE for man....who has no gills."

by dinkster on Oct 15, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why is it so hard for people to understand, that sometimes it is not easy to just “turn the page”? Good for you that you moved on, you don’t look back and just care for the future.

But for some people “he’s not a Flyer anymore” doesn’t do the trick. Some can still feel the need to stand behind those they adored in Black & Orange.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Or just enjoy a good hockey player, maybe a little more than others since he wore your team’s sweater with distinction?

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know right? Well some people just rather focus on the bad (which can’t even be proved to be 100% true) rather than enjoy the good memories.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

To put it in my own personal terms, seeing Ron Hextall in a Nordiques’ uniform HURT and I never really accepted it. Seeing Rick Tocchet in a Penguins’ uniform HURT and I never really accepted it. Their careers, to me, are frozen in time when they wore the orange and black. I refuse to think of them wearing any other jersey and I hope someday Tocchet coaches the team and Hextall manages it.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Oct 15, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I understand. For me, personally, it’s easier to accept the change of a jersey in the terms that I can follow my favorite player anywhere. Yes, I stay loyal to my team but I put my player (the one and only one) on the same level of importance as my #1 team. Did that make sense…?

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes, and the fact that he was ever in a Nordiques uniform is imo one of the tragedies of history.

Since I’ve been talking about the corporate feel of the Flyers, and Objectivism, that makes me think about the Lindros trade in an interesting new light for me.

Astaire and Rogers, G and Jagr
Hunter Pence did not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither did Carlos Beltran.

by Bud in TN on Oct 15, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

I still hate the fact that the Flyers traded Brind’amour

by hbcivicsi93 on Oct 15, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

Not man crushing on anyone but G, not that it’s any of your business anyway. And I like a player because they do good things for a team, which Riche did. But playing his ass off wasn’t enough, he had to be Mr. Personality, right, big leader guy who did everything everyone wanted just they way they wanted it? See, you can’t please all the people all the time.

I have turned the page, not that that’s any of your business either, but I will support a player who did great things while he was here, at least for his first game back. Been reading a lot the last few days about how you say this trade was good or not, and many of the comments were to the effect of “we’ll see who wins a cup first”. I don’t think the Flyers will this year, believe they will make the playoffs and go a round or two, but I would laugh my ass off if LA wins it and Riche has a role. How would that change you opinion? Is it a raw deal then, or he made his own bed?

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Its a lot different IMO when you go back to your old home which I am sure when simmonds goes to LA it will be the same. Also its alot different when the player is a captain and the next BOBBY CLARKE.

by Fran Galasso on Oct 15, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Bob.

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
"I think there is virtue in pissing off idiots." - Fehr and Balanced

by hintzy64 on Oct 17, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

Richards

I hope he getts a standing O. He was a great player here. As far of the trade goes I want to see articles Bashing Homer for putting the Flyers in cap Hell again. When the major part of the trade Schenn had a hat trick last night and has 5 points in two games. If a forward got a small injury that had to miss a game or two he couldn’t even come up which is crazy.

by Fran Galasso on Oct 15, 2011 5:15 PM EDT reply actions  

Richie got traded because the Flyers went from #1 in the eastern conference in the first half, to a .500 team and getting swept out of the playoffs. I am NOT saying that is right, justified or even fair, but it is what it is. When you under achieve, someone has to pay, whether it is a star player or a coach. And what Los Angeles offered in return was too much to turn down. He was very good for us, but having the depth we have made this trade alittle easier to swallow.

Personally, I am ecstatic that we are fans of an prginization willing to do any and everything in their power to win us a championship. And I trust they did the right thi by trading him. Only time will tell.

Want to know Jeff Carters legacy as a Philadelphia Flyer? Game 6 Stanley Cup Finals with about 2 minutes left. The rest is history.

by nastynas88 on Oct 15, 2011 5:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

orginization willing to do any and everything in their power to win us a championship

I am all for doing everything you can, but I would be happy if they could also keep it classy (damn I hate this word but I couldn’t find a better one). If they could keep it fair and could treat their players the right way.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Unfortunately, hockey is a business, and business isn’t fair. But personally, I don’t agree that the flyers werent being classy. They could have traded richie to a team rebuilding like the panthers or oilers, but he got dealt to a team who can win now and has a ton of connections to the flyers. A team that they felt would be a good fit for him much like they did with gagne and the lightning.

Want to know Jeff Carters legacy as a Philadelphia Flyer? Game 6 Stanley Cup Finals with about 2 minutes left. The rest is history.

by nastynas88 on Oct 15, 2011 5:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Gagne and the Lightning was a different story. He didn’t go there because they would think he’d be a good fit there, he went there because he himself put the Lightning on the top of his list of teams he was willing to waive his NTC for.

They might not have been that “unclassy” in Richie’s case but they definitely mistreated Carter. Columbus? Few months after signing a cap-friendly long-term deal? That’s not right. At least in my opinion.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Lol can’t argue with the carter comment one bit.

Want to know Jeff Carters legacy as a Philadelphia Flyer? Game 6 Stanley Cup Finals with about 2 minutes left. The rest is history.

by nastynas88 on Oct 15, 2011 5:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Or in mine, and the Flyers have always prided themselves on being that “family” type of organization. As Brando said in this post, it can hurt the team long run if players and agents figure out you may screw them down the line. Someone else pointed out how situations like this happened in baseball in the Orioles organization and now they have trouble getting good players.

G, the second coming of Foppa.
Embrace the Jagr.*

by JerseyDriver on Oct 15, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Preach.

I'm in love with the Lightning, the Flyers are my fling and I have a crush on the Flyers fans. LA Kings by default.
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego. Go visit my website. I will keep you updated on every Simon injury.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Well... Some might remember.
RIP Karel, Jan & Josef.

by Katchis on Oct 15, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

FYI, on this point we agree. However, it is only a PR attempt that casts the Flyers as a “family” organziation.

The Flyers are NOT a “family” organization. They are a corporation.

In addition, they are a corporation influenced greatly by someone who advocates Objectivism. That’s way off from “fuzzy.”

Astaire and Rogers, G and Jagr
Hunter Pence did not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither did Carlos Beltran.

by Bud in TN on Oct 15, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe, but players in this league understand it is a business and these things happen.

The flyers are one of the very few organizations that appeals to free Agents year in and year out. They are know as a first class orginization, and it is kn

Want to know Jeff Carters legacy as a Philadelphia Flyer? Game 6 Stanley Cup Finals with about 2 minutes left. The rest is history.

by nastynas88 on Oct 15, 2011 6:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Maybe, but players in this league understand it is a business and these things happen.

The flyers are one of the very few organizations that appeals to free Agents year in and year out. They are know as a first class orginization, and it is knOwn throughout the league, “once a flyer, always a flyer.”

Want to know Jeff Carters legacy as a Philadelphia Flyer? Game 6 Stanley Cup Finals with about 2 minutes left. The rest is history.

by nastynas88 on Oct 15, 2011 6:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

true but

how about he was injured the whole year with torn ligaments in his wrist. Still finished top five in the selke. All while playing with carbomb and nodl type players all year. i know he played with good players but it seemed like they were moved when playing well.

by Fran Galasso on Oct 15, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

They just need to show his goal against the habs where he collided with halak way out of the crease and got up first and scored the goal.

i loved richie as a flyer. he deserves to be applauded

"I'm not going to get into a he-said she-said with the refs....I'm the he" - Chris Pronger
I'll miss you Richie

by tabby187 on Oct 15, 2011 5:45 PM EDT reply actions  

if he doesnt get a positive reception philadelphia should be ashamed of itself.

This team will be the death of me.

by NYflyGUY on Oct 15, 2011 6:31 PM EDT reply actions  

i agree but philadelphia fans will be philadelphia fans. the media really fueled the hatred towards him with the “dry island” thing and his night life. i would of been upset about this IF he didn’t go out and play 110% night in and night out.

by hbcivicsi93 on Oct 15, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

its true what you say…I think it’s fine to be a little embarrassed for your own fanbase. Lord knows it happens to me (with the yankees.) I hope it happens to most of us. Its fine to think individually.

Well, we will find out in a few minutes…

This team will be the death of me.

by NYflyGUY on Oct 15, 2011 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

Damn GameCenter. I bought the service and so far I can’t watch any of the games i hoped i could. Yeah, I should have checked the blackout listings first, but, really, every Flyers and Kings game so far are blacked out for me. Awesome. At least I get the replays.

by fiveredapples on Oct 15, 2011 6:52 PM EDT reply actions  

Wrong on all accounts it seems.

by SJPhillyVT on Oct 15, 2011 8:48 PM EDT reply actions  


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