The Flyers, Nothing Has Changed

News Type: Opinion — Wed Dec 6, 2006 7:33 AM EST

sports, nhl, hockey, philadelphia, flyers, philadelphia-flyers, ice-hockey, ken-hitchcock, paul-holmgren, john-stevens, bob-clarke, ed-snider, bobby-clarke

Michael Sautter

The team logo of the once-feared Philadelphia Flyers.

Bobby Clarke, a legend as a player but a bust as a general manager; now the team's Senior Vice President.

Paul Holmgren, a former player for the Flyers ( a goon, really), now the General Manager.

John Stevens, Flyers Head Coach. He proved his loyalty to the team by paying his dues as a coach with the Flyers' minor league teams.

Back in October I laid out what I thought was the main problem with the Philadelphia Flyers (The Real Problem with the Flyers Family). Essentially the problem is that Ed Snider, the team's founder and President, values loyalty over hockey expertise. This has not changed since General Manager Bobby Clarke resigned and Head Coach Ken Hitchcock was fired in October.

The Flyers are last in the Eastern Conference but that has not stopped the team from giving new head coach John Stevens a two year contract. I mean after-all he is doing such a good job, isn't he? (Yes, that's sarcasm.)

As I predicted, the interim has been dropped from Paul Holmgren's general manager title. Holmgren was assistant general manager under Bobby Clarke.

It was just announced this week that Bobby Clarke is now the Senior Vice President of the Flyers (a newly created position). His duties will be to help evaluate and scout young talent. I also predicted that the team would find a position for Clarke.

Ken Hitchcock scouted for the Flyers for a short time before accepting the head coach position with the Columbus Blue Jackets. I also speculated that Hitch would win a Stanley Cup elsewhere before the Flyers do. This prediction will require more time to see if I am correct.

It is getting cold here in Philadelphia, so Ed Snider quickly wrapped up business. In a few short days he announced that the Sixers are no longer for sale, Paul Holmgren is the Flyers general manager (no interim about it), John Stevens has a two year contract, and Bobby Clarke is now Senior Vice President. Mister Snider will now winter in southern California. I hear Christmas in Cali is nice. Mister Snider really puts a lot of time, thought and effort into the hockey team, doesn't he? (That's right, more sarcasm.)

A fish rots from the head down, the Flyers are still rotting . . .

Update

Checking Up On Hitchcock and Stevens (Dec. 22, 2006)

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Groups: Puck U, Sports Fans, Sports Writers Guild
Regions: United States , Philadelphia

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{"commentId":413729,"authorDomain":"rafterman"}

Bill Rafferty

The poor, poor Flyers. They can't seem to get anything together, and this is evidence why. The right hand doesn't know or care what the left is doing. Hitchcock wasn't given the chance to make something out of his team and now he's gone. The reshuffling hasn't done much of anything that I've seen to bring up the Flyers as a contender again. Oh well, at least Denis Savard went 3-1 when he was made coach here in Chicago after Yawney was fired.

{"commentId":413729,"threadId":"59231","contentId":"469940","authorDomain":"rafterman"}

2 votes

#1 - Wed Dec 6, 2006 9:23 AM EST

{"commentId":413921,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

Jay Butler

The Flyers are a train wreck.

I used to think that Clarke was the problem as GM. The events of the past two months clearly demonstrate that the real problem is Ed Snider. Charles Wang is crazy, but at least his Islanders are winning now.

I could understand why the search for a new GM from outside the organization started and ended with Colin Campbell. There are a few other GM's that might have been better for bringing some good change to the Flyers. Neil Smith would certainly have been worth a look. Wang never gave the guy a chance on the Island.

The Flyers will be lucky if they can turn things around enough to squeak into 8th place. All it would take to prevent that would be an injury to the injury-prone top line.

{"commentId":413921,"threadId":"59231","contentId":"469940","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

2 votes

#2 - Wed Dec 6, 2006 11:17 AM EST

{"commentId":414066,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

Mr. Snider's search for a GM started and ended with Colin Campbell because he is an old friend of Snider's. With Mr. Snider loyalty and friendship are more important than hockey knowledge and expertise.

{"commentId":414066,"threadId":"59231","contentId":"469940","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Wed Dec 6, 2006 12:07 PM EST

{"commentId":414109,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

Jay Butler

I agree. And, that is a real shame for those of us here in Philadelphia.

{"commentId":414109,"threadId":"59231","contentId":"469940","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Wed Dec 6, 2006 12:23 PM EST

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MICHAEL SAUTTER

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The Flyers, Nothing Has Changed

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