While I enjoyed Mark Howe and think the world of Claude. #88 was the best. It was just to bad he was a mama's boy. I like Mike Richards but he could not hold Eric's jock, period.
A lot of players on that list that I like better but clearly, anyone voting for anyone other than Lindros just wasn't watching hockey yet. I'd give Pronger the edge over Howe for second but 88 flat out dominated whole teams, almost at will.
It's got to be Lindros. He dominated game in and game out in every aspect of the game. People were afraid to play against him. Grown men playing the most physical sport in the world, were afraid to be on the ice at the same time as him. On top of that he was close to if not in the top 5 ever for Point Per Game for much of his productive career before the injuries and problems where he struggled. And by struggling I mean he only had 4 seasons under a PPG pace the last 4 of his career.
I wasn't alive to see Howe play he is considered one of if not the best defensemen that ever played for the Flyers. Although his numbers are staggering. In 73 he was a Rookie playing with his father and brother in the WHA, he came in the league as a Left Wing and won Rookie of the year in the WHA. He switched to Defense after that and continued to put up similair if not better numbers then he had done at forward. He is a +400 on his career and had a season where he was +85. I could see him pulling a couple of votes as well
From someone who actually watched the old broad street bullies in action I can tell you without a boubt that it's Eric Lindro and it isn't even close. I have many players on that list that I loved and who played their hearts and souls out as any TRUE flyer would, but without a doubt Lindros is top 3 all time on the Flyers list (along with Clarke and Parent with Billy Barber probably a close 4th).
It is really a shame his career was shortened by concussion issues, and all the drama his parents caused... but even with that, yea, I have to vote for eric.
If not for injuries lindros would be an easy first ballot hall of famer. He changed the power forward position and was the most dominant player in the nhl during his prime years. This is an easy choice.
I'm not sure what the criteria. If it's just talent, I don't think you can argue with Lindros, no matter how you feel about him. If its best careers its gotta be Recchi or Howe.
No arguing Lindros' great talent when healthy... and his runaway here is further proof of it now being time for the hatchets being buried and his taking his Flyers Legacy and being proud of it... BUT, I'm wondering just how many people here have ever witnessed Mark Howe over the course of his career.
... I fully understand that due to their age many people can't be faulted with not understanding just how great Howe was... I am truly amazed how it took so long for him to be selected for the HHoF.
It is really a shame his career was shortened by concussion issues, and all the drama his parents caused... but even with that, yea, I have to vote for eric.
I'll just leave this here:
Man, I forget what a shear beast he was. Thanks for the video. I forgot so much of that stuff. So many times he'd end up hitting two guys in a row and knocking them both down.
When I think of Broad Street Bullies, I immediate think of Bobby Clarke. His will to win and win at all costs mentality, even breaking ankles, is what made him so great. I remember hearing an old timer talk about him, someone like Espo, who said Clarke was so good with his stick he could carve your eye out. The era of Clarke, Schultz, Kelly, DuPont et al., is why Flyers' Hockey is about beating the other team into submission. Philadelphia was raised on that style of hockey, and it is synonymous with what Flyers fans expect. That '74 team is what set the standard.
Talent : obviously Eric Lindros. Or maybe Pronger, but he hasn't played with the Flyers when he was in his prime, so I guess it doesn't count. The same goes for Jagr.
