I've gotten many responses from my last article "Big Red and Green don't mix". Many have called me negative and a fair weather fan. While I have been very critical of the Andy Reid regime for their recent activity or lack thereof I have nothing but praise and high marks to give to Paul Holmgren in his first year as GM of the Flyers.
While it is true that the Flyers remain winless in their series against Pittsburgh let us not forget that they lost their best defenseman, Kimo Timenin before the series even started. To add insult to injury they lost Brandon Coburn early in game two. The Flyers may have been overmatched even with Timonen and Coburn but take Pittsburgh's two best players out of the lineup and the Flyers have a huge advantage.
The Flyers finished in last place the year before and were on a downward spiral. Paul Holmgren in a short time turned this team around. He added Timonen, Biron, Coburn, Prospel, and Briere. He improved the defense and added some team speed, things that were lacking under Clarke. Paul Holmgren has done a fantastic job and deserves nothing but praise for getting the Flyers as far as they have.
While I was critical of the firing of Hitchcock I must admit that Stevens has done a great job as well. He has been patient in the development of the young players. The Flyers have a good young core and will only get better. Holmgren should add another defenseman and some more offense in the offseason and perhaps next year the Flyers can overtake Pittsburgh. I have a firm belief that Holmgren will not sit on his hands but will evaluate his team objectively and see what pieces are needed so that the Flyers can contend for the cup next year. They are maybe a couple pieces away.
If you compare the two regimes you have teams going in opposite directions. Reid has done little to improve the Eagles because he feels the players he has are good enough. Reid will lead you to believe that the Eagles can contend for a Superbowl. He looks at the world through green colored glasses. Holmgren on the otherhand never said the Flyers were a cup contender. To get this far was a surprise even to him I'm sure. So expect great things from the Flyers. I am not a hockey fan and far from an hockey expert but I am a homer and love to see my teams do well and when I don't see committment from the ownership I get upset but I certainly see committment from the Flyers FO.
As Philadelphia fans we need to be objective about our teams and not be content with status quo. For those who say I don't bleed Eagles green I say in response that those who are not as upset as I am about the failure of the Eagles regime to win a Superbowl under Reid's tenure that you don't bleed Eagles green. Whether you are a hockey fan or not we should be ecstatic about the Flyers success and should be proud that there is a winning organization in town.
While it is true that the Flyers remain winless in their series against Pittsburgh let us not forget that they lost their best defenseman, Kimo Timenin before the series even started. To add insult to injury they lost Brandon Coburn early in game two. The Flyers may have been overmatched even with Timonen and Coburn but take Pittsburgh's two best players out of the lineup and the Flyers have a huge advantage.
The Flyers finished in last place the year before and were on a downward spiral. Paul Holmgren in a short time turned this team around. He added Timonen, Biron, Coburn, Prospel, and Briere. He improved the defense and added some team speed, things that were lacking under Clarke. Paul Holmgren has done a fantastic job and deserves nothing but praise for getting the Flyers as far as they have.
While I was critical of the firing of Hitchcock I must admit that Stevens has done a great job as well. He has been patient in the development of the young players. The Flyers have a good young core and will only get better. Holmgren should add another defenseman and some more offense in the offseason and perhaps next year the Flyers can overtake Pittsburgh. I have a firm belief that Holmgren will not sit on his hands but will evaluate his team objectively and see what pieces are needed so that the Flyers can contend for the cup next year. They are maybe a couple pieces away.
If you compare the two regimes you have teams going in opposite directions. Reid has done little to improve the Eagles because he feels the players he has are good enough. Reid will lead you to believe that the Eagles can contend for a Superbowl. He looks at the world through green colored glasses. Holmgren on the otherhand never said the Flyers were a cup contender. To get this far was a surprise even to him I'm sure. So expect great things from the Flyers. I am not a hockey fan and far from an hockey expert but I am a homer and love to see my teams do well and when I don't see committment from the ownership I get upset but I certainly see committment from the Flyers FO.
As Philadelphia fans we need to be objective about our teams and not be content with status quo. For those who say I don't bleed Eagles green I say in response that those who are not as upset as I am about the failure of the Eagles regime to win a Superbowl under Reid's tenure that you don't bleed Eagles green. Whether you are a hockey fan or not we should be ecstatic about the Flyers success and should be proud that there is a winning organization in town.
