vash23n wrote:
Hey I am not saying anything about whether the Flyers are dirty or not - I think people jump on the bandwagon with the finger pointing. I would compare it to everyone jumping on the bandwagon with the Crosby bashing (I do enjoy bashing the kid). Not every player on the Flyers is dirty. I would say you could probably point to one or two guys that commit a dirty play here or there (Carcillo and Hartnell), but calling every player dirty or a bully is absurd! I would say, these days, there are just as few dirty players on the Flyers as there is on any other team. Get over the "broad street bullies in the 70s so the Flyers must still be bullies today" mind-frame.
On another note. Go Boston! I am excited for what will be the most exciting series of the semis.
I didn't say YOU were saying anything directly about the FLYERS dirtiness. I said, a Flyers fan doesn't have any credibility making comments about other dirty teams or players. It's "the pot calling the kettle black". It's not based on your opinion about the Flyers; it's based on objective facts.
The Flyers Cups were a result of good players playing "to the edge" of the rules. Anaheim also won a Cup this way. The Flyers and their fans however, have embraced it as the way hockey should be played. The NHL, and most other teams in the league, disagree. Since the Flyers' Cups, new rules and stricter enforcement of existing rules have sought to diminish that "playing to the edge" mentality. The Flyers organization has repeatedly refused to adapt to this...because even after the players from the "Broad Street Bullies" retired, Bobby Clarke became GM, ensuring the same mentality would continue through free agency and drafting those players which fit that mold. Now, even with Clarke gone, GM Holmgren has continued this philosophy. The last five years, the Flyers have been either 1,2,3,4, or 5 (not in order) in penalty minutes. They frequently incur multiple suspensions, most notably 07-08, having five players receive multi-game suspensions, and two (Downie and Boulerice) receive 25 game suspensions!
I do hate the Flyers, but despite the points I have made, I don't think the Flyers are absolutely wrong in their methodology. I respect them. The Flyers have had MANY great years and much success; a winning percentage second only to Montreal. Just don't expect others teams and fans to be thrilled with the way they play, and don't kid yourself about their style of play "in general".
"Go Boston"??? I thought you were a Flyers fan?
