Brian Propp, the former All-Star left winger for the Philadelphia Flyers, has announced that he will be running for the New Jersey State Assembly as a Republican in the 7th District.
How do you write about a situation you never in a million years thought would happen? This is the predicament I have found myself in since the announcement.
As I mentioned previously, Propp is my favorite hockey player of all-time. The problem is that, much to my parents' chagrin, I'm not anything close to a Republican. I'm just incredibly thankful that I don't live in the 7th District and am spared the agony of voting against him.
Note: Click on this link for the Burlington County (NJ) Republican Party. They're "announcement" of Propp running for office is a copy-and-paste job of the article from the Philadelphia Inquirer. They couldn't even come up with someone to write a press release for them. I do give them credit, though, for at least linking the original article and giving credit to Cynthia Burton, the Inquirer reporter who wrote the article.
Showing posts with label Flyers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flyers. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
LeClair to retire as Flyer?
John LeClair, fifth all-time on the Flyers' goal list, may be retiring as a Philadelphia Flyer. The Courier-Post reported over the weekend that the team may sign LeClair to a tryout contract, have him play in the final few games of the season, and thus afford him the opportunity to retire with the team where he spent the 10 best years of his career.
Interestingly, the Courier also reports in the same article that newly acquired Scottie Upshall requested the number 10 upon his arrival and was denied. Could a number retirement ceremony be in the offing?
While I would have no problem with LeClair's jersey being retired, I think it's an outrage that former Flyer and current radio broadcaster Brian Propp has not had his jersey retired by the team.
(In the interest of full disclosure, Propp is my all-time favorite hockey player. I even have a Hartford Whalers jersey with his name and number on it.)
Propp is currently ranked second in goals (389), second in assists (480), and third in scoring (849) on the Flyers All-Time Lists, yet does not have his jersey retired. Even worse, he has to broadcast games while watching Darren Reid wear #26. For an organization that prides itself on its sense of family and togetherness, it's mind-boggling that Propp's number has not been retired.
Interestingly, the Courier also reports in the same article that newly acquired Scottie Upshall requested the number 10 upon his arrival and was denied. Could a number retirement ceremony be in the offing?
While I would have no problem with LeClair's jersey being retired, I think it's an outrage that former Flyer and current radio broadcaster Brian Propp has not had his jersey retired by the team.
(In the interest of full disclosure, Propp is my all-time favorite hockey player. I even have a Hartford Whalers jersey with his name and number on it.)
Propp is currently ranked second in goals (389), second in assists (480), and third in scoring (849) on the Flyers All-Time Lists, yet does not have his jersey retired. Even worse, he has to broadcast games while watching Darren Reid wear #26. For an organization that prides itself on its sense of family and togetherness, it's mind-boggling that Propp's number has not been retired.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Deadline deals
44 players were traded in 25 deals on Tuesday before the NHL trading deadline. The Flyers acquitted themselves nicely, gaining several draft picks, young players, and a guy who should be able to step in to be the number one netminder that has been missing for years.
I can't believe I'm writing this, but I really like the moves the GM Paul Holmgren made in the past few weeks. He's had some duds to be sure -- Mike York, anyone? -- but in dealing Peter Forsberg, Alexei Zhitnik, and Kyle Calder he shed a significant amount of payroll while at the same time getting younger and quicker, especially on the blueline.
Given these developments, it's not entirely unreasonable to make the argument that Holmgren should be retained as the team's general manager. The only drawback that I can see is that in dealing Zhitnik, Holmgren guaranteed that Derian Hatcher will remain with the team as the only veteran defenseman (not counting Joni Pitkanen, but really -- is anyone?). And, while the Daily News' Ed Moran would disagree with me, I still say the team needs to cut its losses in regards to Hatcher.
**See below for some extra deadline day commentary and analysis:
I can't believe I'm writing this, but I really like the moves the GM Paul Holmgren made in the past few weeks. He's had some duds to be sure -- Mike York, anyone? -- but in dealing Peter Forsberg, Alexei Zhitnik, and Kyle Calder he shed a significant amount of payroll while at the same time getting younger and quicker, especially on the blueline.
Given these developments, it's not entirely unreasonable to make the argument that Holmgren should be retained as the team's general manager. The only drawback that I can see is that in dealing Zhitnik, Holmgren guaranteed that Derian Hatcher will remain with the team as the only veteran defenseman (not counting Joni Pitkanen, but really -- is anyone?). And, while the Daily News' Ed Moran would disagree with me, I still say the team needs to cut its losses in regards to Hatcher.
**See below for some extra deadline day commentary and analysis:
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Hearting Lauren Hart
ESPN's EJ Hradek files an article today on ten things he likes about hockey:
Forsberg has left Philadelphia, but (thankfully) Lauren Hart is still there. The Flyers' terrific anthem singer has a great voice. I've been fortunate enough to see her sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" several times during my various ventures to Philly. She's something special. She's someone the Flyers should never trade!EJ, I couldn't agree more. And not just about her singing, either. I've seen her in person and she's just stunningly beautiful.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Classless
That's the cleanest word I can come up with right now for how I feel about the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo was well on it's way to victory last night against Philadelphia when I witnessed something that should have been contemptible at the least and downright inexcusable at the most.
With all of five seconds left in the third period and trailing 6-3, the Flyers were whistled for a penalty. The faceoff was in the Flyers' defensive zone, to the left of goalie Antero Niittymaki. Remember, Buffalo was winning 6-3 with five seconds left in the game. There was absolutely zero chance for the Flyers to win this game. All that was left was for the linesman to drop the puck and for the timekeeper to run off five seconds.
So, what does Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff do? He sends out his number one powerplay unit to take the draw -- with five seconds left!! The worst part is that the players actually went for it. Sabres center Daniel Briere, who, in the interest of full disclosure, is on my fantasy team, won the draw back to the point and the defenseman actually took a shot that was, thankfully, blocked.
What was the point to this? For the players, it's a chance to pad the stats. For Ruff, a chance to run up the score on a team that he's had a few run-ins with over the years. (One incident that comes to mind is when Ruff was pelted in the face with a beer after the Sabres eliminated the Flyers from the playoffs a few years back. Talk about wasting a beer.)
This whole incident displays to me the complete lack of respect and classlessness -- if that's even a word -- that the Sabres embody. Once upon a time I felt bad about the no-goal Stanley Cup loss they suffered. I could even get onboard with them in the whole small market, underdog thing they had going for awhile. Not anymore.
Combine the worst uniform/logo in all of hockey with the utter disrespect they show to their opponents and you come up with a team that deserves nothing but disdain from every self-respecting hockey fan.
POST-SCRIPT: You know what the worst part of this is? This incident didn't receive one mention in either Tim Panaccio's or Ed Moran's recount of the game. For all the talk lately of how the Flyers have started to stand up for one another, where was it last night at the end of the game? They just rolled over and took it from the Sabres. So long as that keeps happening, they have no chance of improving.
With all of five seconds left in the third period and trailing 6-3, the Flyers were whistled for a penalty. The faceoff was in the Flyers' defensive zone, to the left of goalie Antero Niittymaki. Remember, Buffalo was winning 6-3 with five seconds left in the game. There was absolutely zero chance for the Flyers to win this game. All that was left was for the linesman to drop the puck and for the timekeeper to run off five seconds.
So, what does Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff do? He sends out his number one powerplay unit to take the draw -- with five seconds left!! The worst part is that the players actually went for it. Sabres center Daniel Briere, who, in the interest of full disclosure, is on my fantasy team, won the draw back to the point and the defenseman actually took a shot that was, thankfully, blocked.
What was the point to this? For the players, it's a chance to pad the stats. For Ruff, a chance to run up the score on a team that he's had a few run-ins with over the years. (One incident that comes to mind is when Ruff was pelted in the face with a beer after the Sabres eliminated the Flyers from the playoffs a few years back. Talk about wasting a beer.)
This whole incident displays to me the complete lack of respect and classlessness -- if that's even a word -- that the Sabres embody. Once upon a time I felt bad about the no-goal Stanley Cup loss they suffered. I could even get onboard with them in the whole small market, underdog thing they had going for awhile. Not anymore.
Combine the worst uniform/logo in all of hockey with the utter disrespect they show to their opponents and you come up with a team that deserves nothing but disdain from every self-respecting hockey fan.
POST-SCRIPT: You know what the worst part of this is? This incident didn't receive one mention in either Tim Panaccio's or Ed Moran's recount of the game. For all the talk lately of how the Flyers have started to stand up for one another, where was it last night at the end of the game? They just rolled over and took it from the Sabres. So long as that keeps happening, they have no chance of improving.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Something is better than nothing, but . . .
I thought I wouldn't get around to blogging about the deal, but wound up pulling my thoughts together pretty quickly. All in all, a shrug of the shoulders is about all I can manage in response to the deal.
On one hand, it would have been nice to have seen Forsberg stick around, since, with the right moves made in the offseason, the team -- contrary to popular opinion -- most likely won't be as bad next year as they are this year.
On the other hand, since he would not sign an extension I'm glad they got anything for him at all.
Now, that being said, I am a little bothered over what they did get.
Scottie Upshall is a high-energy, character-type guy who has yet to find his way in the NHL after putting up good numbers in junior and the AHL. This season, he has missed around three months with a groin injury. This is not a good sign for a player who is (a) only 23 years old and (b) relies on his skating ability for a good portion of his game. This has all the makings of a career-long, nagging injury.
Ryan Parent is allegedly the centerpiece of the deal, as he projects to be a top-flight, stay-at-home, shutdown defenseman. Another big character guy, Parent is already troubled with a bad back at the tender age of 19. Another situation that sounds like it will be a career-long injury.
Also included in the deal is a first-round pick -- which will likely be somewhere between 28th and 30th overall -- and a conditional third-round pick which will go to the Flyers if Forsberg re-signs with Nashville.
So, the sum total of the Forsberg trade will be two young players who have some upside but already have injury troubles and a first-round pick in a draft that most experts consider to be one of the weakest in years.
While it's better than nothing, it won't go down as the greatest deal in Flyers' history. Now, if only they could get rid of Hatcher . . .
LINK: More on Parent and Upshall.
On one hand, it would have been nice to have seen Forsberg stick around, since, with the right moves made in the offseason, the team -- contrary to popular opinion -- most likely won't be as bad next year as they are this year.
On the other hand, since he would not sign an extension I'm glad they got anything for him at all.
Now, that being said, I am a little bothered over what they did get.
Scottie Upshall is a high-energy, character-type guy who has yet to find his way in the NHL after putting up good numbers in junior and the AHL. This season, he has missed around three months with a groin injury. This is not a good sign for a player who is (a) only 23 years old and (b) relies on his skating ability for a good portion of his game. This has all the makings of a career-long, nagging injury.
Ryan Parent is allegedly the centerpiece of the deal, as he projects to be a top-flight, stay-at-home, shutdown defenseman. Another big character guy, Parent is already troubled with a bad back at the tender age of 19. Another situation that sounds like it will be a career-long injury.
Also included in the deal is a first-round pick -- which will likely be somewhere between 28th and 30th overall -- and a conditional third-round pick which will go to the Flyers if Forsberg re-signs with Nashville.
So, the sum total of the Forsberg trade will be two young players who have some upside but already have injury troubles and a first-round pick in a draft that most experts consider to be one of the weakest in years.
While it's better than nothing, it won't go down as the greatest deal in Flyers' history. Now, if only they could get rid of Hatcher . . .
LINK: More on Parent and Upshall.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Forsberg deal done?
610 WIP is reporting that Peter Forsberg was on the ice for the pre-game skate but has been pulled from the lineup and will be a healthy scratch.
UPDATE: Comcast Sportsnet is reporting that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren will hold a press conference during the second intermission. TSN is reporting that Forsberg has been traded to Nashville. Details to come.
UPDATE 2: Tim Panaccio is also reporting the trade now, which seems to be Forsberg to Nashville for forward Scott Upshall, prospect Ryan Parent, a first round pick and a third round pick.
UPDATE: Comcast Sportsnet is reporting that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren will hold a press conference during the second intermission. TSN is reporting that Forsberg has been traded to Nashville. Details to come.
UPDATE 2: Tim Panaccio is also reporting the trade now, which seems to be Forsberg to Nashville for forward Scott Upshall, prospect Ryan Parent, a first round pick and a third round pick.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Flyers, Kapanen agree to extension
The Flyers announced yesterday that they signed forward Sami Kapanen to a two-year contract extension.
Yesterday, the Flyers announced that they have signed the 33-year-old Finn to a 2-year, $2.5 million contract extension through the 2008-09 season.I like this signing a lot. $1.25 million for a cap number is completely manageable and two years isn't that long to have to deal with. Kapanen can literally play anywhere on the ice, and has been used on every line this season by coach John Stevens. He can kill penalties and play on the power play. For once, this is something that I agree with Holmgren on.
"We are excited about having Sami around for a few more years," [GM Paul] Holmgren said. "We feel that he brings a lot of qualities to our hockey team in terms of what he does both on and off the ice. He is a quality person and he's a good utility player who can play anywhere in our lineup."
Kapanen's contract is for $1.25 million per year. His current salary is $1.52 million.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Bettman talks, Forsberg walks?
Sportsnet is reporting that commissioner Gary Bettman "[w]hen grilled on the unbalanced schedule and lack of geographic rivalries, Bettman candidly revealed the prospects of realignment are 'good.'"
TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has begun contacting teams he thinks Peter Forsberg might be interested in playing for if Forsberg decides he would like to move on. The catch?
TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has begun contacting teams he thinks Peter Forsberg might be interested in playing for if Forsberg decides he would like to move on. The catch?
However, an added twist is word that Forsberg has been asked to meet with Flyers chairman Ed Snider.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Nothing doing for Flyers, Forsberg
After meeting earlier today, the Flyers and Peter Forsberg have decided to not make a decision on his future.
"We said that we have to figure out the foot before we talk about anything else," Forsberg told reporters after the meeting. "And that's what we're going to focus on."
Until the 33-year-old Swede feels any better, it's useless to talk about a possible trade.
"Everybody is looking at the trading deadline and talking about that but it's just so far out of the question right now," Forsberg said.
Friday, January 26, 2007
"Are you saying you want a piece of me?"
Tim Panaccio reports in this morning's Inquirer that Todd Fedoruk took a shot at teammate Joni Pitkanen in practice yesterday. Panaccio noted that things "have become tense on a club that went into the all-star break with an eight-game losing streak."
I saw footage of the incident on Comcast last night. A large group of players were milling around by the boards, while Fedoruk and Pitkanen were jawing back and forth. After a few seconds Fedoruk threw a right to Pitkanen's face, which prompted several teammates to step in the way. The biggest surprise? Pitkanen didn't even attempt to get back at Fedoruk. He took the punch and stood there, waiting to get hit again.
Interviewed after practice, Fedoruk said, "[S]omewhere along the way, this team has lost its identity of Flyers hockey and what it means to be a Flyer . . . We need to create an identity."
I, for one, would like that identity not to include standing around waiting to get punched in the face.
I saw footage of the incident on Comcast last night. A large group of players were milling around by the boards, while Fedoruk and Pitkanen were jawing back and forth. After a few seconds Fedoruk threw a right to Pitkanen's face, which prompted several teammates to step in the way. The biggest surprise? Pitkanen didn't even attempt to get back at Fedoruk. He took the punch and stood there, waiting to get hit again.
Interviewed after practice, Fedoruk said, "[S]omewhere along the way, this team has lost its identity of Flyers hockey and what it means to be a Flyer . . . We need to create an identity."
I, for one, would like that identity not to include standing around waiting to get punched in the face.
Home-ice advantage?
According to an ESPN.com survey of 141 current players, we Flyers fans are the most intimidating in the league. 24% of the players asked said that the Philadelphia Flyers have the most intimidating fans in the league.
I would have figured this as a no-brainer during the Broad Street Bullies days. Now, when it's all suits in luxury boxes and empty seats in the lower level, I'm not so sure.
The strangest answer on the question has to be that Columbus received 1% of the vote. Seriously -- Columbus? Who's afraid to play there?
Other questions asked include best natural scorer, best coach, toughest player, and dirtiest player.
I would have figured this as a no-brainer during the Broad Street Bullies days. Now, when it's all suits in luxury boxes and empty seats in the lower level, I'm not so sure.
The strangest answer on the question has to be that Columbus received 1% of the vote. Seriously -- Columbus? Who's afraid to play there?
Other questions asked include best natural scorer, best coach, toughest player, and dirtiest player.
Forsberg staying put, for now
Flyers management was on the defensive again yesterday, denying a television report out of Denver that had center Peter Forsberg in contact with officials from the Avalanche. According to a report in the Denver Post, a radio host out of Quebec proposed a Forsberg for Jose Theodore trade, which would be just awful for the Flyers. At this point, they should be looking to shed payroll, not adding to it.
Check out John Buccigross' column this week for a list of possible destinations for Forsberg.
Check out John Buccigross' column this week for a list of possible destinations for Forsberg.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Hello, World
Welcome to my blog. I first started out at There It Is and while I enjoyed my time there, I was not happy with many aspects of the site and what I was doing. So here I am, reborn at Dynamo 26.
This site will feature mostly hockey content -- and mostly Flyers content at that -- but will also have commentary on many other topics including movies, music, books, politics, etc, etc, that other blogs cover ad nauseam. In the sidebar you will find the standings for my fantasy hockey league -- yes, my team name is Dynamo -- along with a lengthy list of links.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by and please, come again.
This site will feature mostly hockey content -- and mostly Flyers content at that -- but will also have commentary on many other topics including movies, music, books, politics, etc, etc, that other blogs cover ad nauseam. In the sidebar you will find the standings for my fantasy hockey league -- yes, my team name is Dynamo -- along with a lengthy list of links.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by and please, come again.
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