When did Richards ever not work hard? That was his entire thing. Him being a quiet captain was justified by people because he was a "leader by example".
I think he means off the ice. There has always been questions about his dedication to the game off the ice. I don't know how much to believe, but it was always around. At least that's how I took it
I think he means off the ice. There has always been questions about his dedication to the game off the ice. I don't know how much to believe, but it was always around.
I can't dispute that at all, but his effort on the ice was NEVER an issue.
I'm starting to become very sensitive about Richards stuff now haha. I feel like everybody just re-invents their entire image of a player because they are now gone. I don't get it. Mike Richards was ADORED in this city. He was "the next Bobby Clarke". He busted his ass 100% of the time.
If you want to question whether he was the right fit to lead THIS team, go ahead. If you had big issues with his being a bar hopper (I don't, but hey), go ahead. If you had issues with him being an innately quiet person, and therefore not liking attention, go ahead. It IS something that a captain has to deal with.
But people just throw the guy under the bus. He gave everything he ever had on the ice. He should be praised for his time here.
On the topic at hand, I feel Giroux has similar effort. It's great.
Edit:
Mike Richards probably had/has half of the talent of a Jeff Carter, and also certainly less talent than someone like Giroux. Mike Richards is in the NHL because of his effort. He gets more out of his skillset than almost anyone I've ever seen.
I don't understand why people think it would be a better idea to give the C to Giroux than to a proven leader like Timonen. Again, not a knock on Giroux, but if you want to give the C to the team leader, wouldn't you give it to the team leader? Unless Giroux really is that guy (which I suppose he very well may be, I just would be surprised if that were the case), the C should go to Timonen before anyone else.
In a nutshell, the C should be worn by the best leader. The guy who the other guys come to with problems, issues, questions, other leadership related things, etc. If that is Giroux, then ok. If it isn't, give to whomever that is (my guess is that person is Timonen, Briere, or Talbot (and maybe Hartnell)). It should not be given to the guy the organization WANTS to be the best leader.
I don't understand why people think it would be a better idea to give the C to Giroux than to a proven leader like Timonen. Again, not a knock on Giroux, but if you want to give the C to the team leader, wouldn't you give it to the team leader? Unless Giroux really is that guy (which I suppose he very well may be, I just would be surprised if that were the case), the C should go to Timonen before anyone else.
In a nutshell, the C should be worn by the best leader. The guy who the other guys come to with problems, issues, questions, other leadership related things, etc. If that is Giroux, then ok. If it isn't, give to whomever that is (my guess is that person is Timonen, Briere, or Talbot (and maybe Hartnell)). It should not be given to the guy the organization WANTS to be the best leader.
I agree. If anyone should get it right now, it's Kimmo. He's been the one who's been vocal of late. He's the best leader on the time at the moment.
I can't dispute that at all, but his effort on the ice was NEVER an issue.
I'm starting to become very sensitive about Richards stuff now haha. I feel like everybody just re-invents their entire image of a player because they are now gone. I don't get it. Mike Richards was ADORED in this city. He was "the next Bobby Clarke". He busted his ass 100% of the time.
If you want to question whether he was the right fit to lead THIS team, go ahead. If you had big issues with his being a bar hopper (I don't, but hey), go ahead. If you had issues with him being an innately quiet person, and therefore not liking attention, go ahead. It IS something that a captain has to deal with.
But people just throw the guy under the bus. He gave everything he ever had on the ice. He should be praised for his time here.
On the topic at hand, I feel Giroux has similar effot. It's great.
Edit:
Mike Richards probably had/has half of the talent of a Jeff Carter, and also certainly less talent than someone like Giroux. Mike Richards is in the NHL because of his effort. He gets more out of his skillset than almost anyone I've ever seen.
I agree with what you said, and I still like Richards as a player. I also loved his time here, but management felt like they needed to move him, and they have more info than we do, so I trust their instincts and judgement on the events that took place over the summer.
I also think Richards wasn't ready to be the captain of this team. Giroux on the other hand just seems like more of a natural born leader. He has all the qualities of what teams want their captain to be. Leader, effort every shift, effort off the ice, speaks his mind when he feels his need, you can go on and on. The biggest thing with Giroux is he seems to hate having a bad shift and not performing up to his standards. Not saying Richards didn't have that, but Giroux makes it known very often when he isn't happy with himself.
All in all I loved Richie when he was here, but since the trade I have moved on. You really have to as a fan. Great player, and wish he wins the cup one year(when he returns to the flyers at the end of his career ) I would definitely support G as our captain.
I agree with what you said, and I still like Richards as a player. I also loved his time here, but management felt like they needed to move him, and they have more info than we do, so I trust their instincts and judgement on the events that took place over the summer.
I also think Richards wasn't ready to be the captain of this team. Giroux on the other hand just seems like more of a natural born leader. He has all the qualities of what teams want their captain to be. Leader, effort every shift, effort off the ice, speaks his mind when he feels his need, you can go on and on. The biggest thing with Giroux is he seems to hate having a bad shift and not performing up to his standards. Not saying Richards didn't have that, but Giroux makes it known very often when he isn't happy with himself.
All in all I loved Richie when he was here, but since the trade I have moved on. You really have to as a fan. Great player, and wish he wins the cup one year(when he returns to the flyers at the end of his career ) I would definitely support G as our captain.
I totally agree. I'm not trying to give reasons why the trade should or shouldn't have happened. It happened. I'm just merely saying, I'm starting to get upset at the fans who almost seem to re-invent their image of a player because he was traded. I will always love Mike Richards for his time here in Philadelphia. He deserves to be remembered for everything he did; just like Gagne is/was.
I can't dispute that at all, but his effort on the ice was NEVER an issue.
I'm starting to become very sensitive about Richards stuff now haha. I feel like everybody just re-invents their entire image of a player because they are now gone. I don't get it. Mike Richards was ADORED in this city. He was "the next Bobby Clarke". He busted his ass 100% of the time.
If you want to question whether he was the right fit to lead THIS team, go ahead. If you had big issues with his being a bar hopper (I don't, but hey), go ahead. If you had issues with him being an innately quiet person, and therefore not liking attention, go ahead. It IS something that a captain has to deal with.
But people just throw the guy under the bus. He gave everything he ever had on the ice. He should be praised for his time here.
On the topic at hand, I feel Giroux has similar effort. It's great.
Edit:
Mike Richards probably had/has half of the talent of a Jeff Carter, and also certainly less talent than someone like Giroux. Mike Richards is in the NHL because of his effort. He gets more out of his skillset than almost anyone I've ever seen.
I couldn't have said it any better myself. Richards was great for this team and for this season. Just watching highlights makes you want him back on this team. With that being said, if Giroux has the backing of the team I am not against making him the captain if they think that is the right choice. Richards would have been a great captain on the Flyers but with him butting heads with the head coach that made things difficult.
Not a good choice IMO. Timonen, Briere, or Talbot should be captain if it is not Pronger anymore. Maybe even Hartnell. I can't imagine that in that locker room Giroux is the best leader. No offense to Giroux, but I have to imagine that players look first to Timonen, then elsewhere for "leadership" issues.
I've defended the Max signing since day 1, and I knew he'd fit in great here (even though I hated him as a Pen) but do you really think he's Captain material?
I hope not. Nothing against G, I just think it'd be a bad idea. Plus out of respect to Pronger, I think they should at least wait until the offseason to name the next captain.
I think Richards was a good captain...I think his downfall here was more of a result of a fight with the media than anything. He called out Timmy P publicly, and thus started to comcast campaign to make him out like a bad guy...unfortunately for him that was not hard because of his quiet personality.
The Flyers media is always obsessed with two things...the goalie and the captaincy. I really dont wanna see that kind of pressure put on G when hes doing so well without it...especially midseason. Really, they should give it to Bryz...the media would have a field day
When did Richards ever not work hard? That was his entire thing. Him being a quiet captain was justified by people because he was a "leader by example".
Oh you know, being last one to camp in awful shape, disappearing for long periods of time.
I've defended the Max signing since day 1, and I knew he'd fit in great here (even though I hated him as a Pen) but do you really think he's Captain material?
He seems like it. I'm not in that locker room so I don't know, but he's been around, plays hard, and seems to have a good relationship with his teammates. The captain doesn't have to be the best player on the team, it's a leadership position. He appears to be a good leader, which is why I mentioned him in a list of people who could be considered. If he isn't a good leader, then he shouldn't be. It is tough as a fan to say who should be captain because all we see is media and on-ice stuff. Not that Giroux hasn't done these things, but Talbot, Briere, Timonen, and to a lesser extent Hartnell have been doing it longer.
EDIT: Talbot also has been wearing an A for at least a part of this season, so I would think his name is in the conversation for the captaincy (if there really is a conversation going on).
Last edited by DrinkFightFlyers: 02-28-2012 at 08:24 PM.
Argh. I kind of want to see this, but it's come to the point where I fully expect anyone who gets the C to get traded (or retire) within a year or two. Conflicted feelings.
I'd rather Claude just worry about being Claude, setting up and scoring beautiful goals. And not have to worry about anything else. Give it to Kimmo or Hartnell, anyone but Claude.
) I would definitely support G as our captain.
