Risen Star;4178365 said:
IMO, it all depends on Schenn and Couturier. If they turn out to be stars, then you'd have to say the Flyers did well. They had to get the goaltending solidified. That wouldn't have happened without those moves.
I don't know how true it is but there have been reports Richards and Carter were bad locker room influences and Richards in particular didn't get along with the head coach.
I thought the Flyers would take a step back this year going so young. But that it all could pay off a year or two later. Jagr's been productive so far but I wonder how well he'll play towards the end of the season. I could see this team struggling to score goals come playoff time.
From everything i've read from teammates and coaches and Homer, no one has ever had anything but good things to say about Richie though. I really do believe it was just a perception that he was a bad guy that the Philly media put out there because he didn't wana deal with their BS from time to time. They pretty much ran the guy out of town imo, and they can all go die for all i care. Worthless and pathetic the way they treated the guy. I have yet to hear one person anywhere in the league say he's anything but a great player, a great leader, and a hard worker.
As for Carter, im glad we got rid of him. Always striked me as the opposite of Richie on the ice. Just lazy and not committed. He could score 50 goals a year easy with the talent he has, but he just never acted like he gave a crap. I was glad to see him go. But losing quality young players like Richie and Powe hurt me a little.
I agree we needed a goaltender..and im glad we got Bryz, but 9 years is a bit much when you have a budding superstar already on the roster who's only 22.
Idk.. i think if we win a stanley cup no one will question these moves in the long run, but if we don't you have to wonder just what the hell Homer was thinking. Richie was only 25 and locked up to 5 mil a year for the rest of his career, and he's a superstar. That's more than good value. Powe was our best PK'er and only 26 and only got 1.2 mil in the FA market, yet we couldn't keep him either. Lot of value got away.. though i do like the new blood so far.
Read, Couturier, and Simmonds all seem like they're going to be quality players for a long time.
Schenn and Voracek are kind of wild cards yet, but i have high hopes.
No matter what though, this team will miss Richie and not only his leadership and hard work, but his ability and consistently high point totals year in and year out. I think he got an extremely raw deal.. and i hope he blossoms out in LA and whips our *** everytime LA plays us (except in the postseason
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