This Flyers season sure has been interesting so far. Sure, it's been great to see them winning again (including tonight's 3-2 win over the Isles), but my favorite aspect of this young season has been the growth we've seen from Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, RJ Umberger, Randy Jones and Joffrey Lupul.
Mike Richards is really asserting himself with this team. Not only is he showing the leadership skills that he has demonstrated since day 1, but now he's scoring at an alarmingly surprising pace. Jeez, the guy has 10 goals already this season when he only scored 21 goals in his first 138 games. He's scoring pretty goals where he picks a corner with a wrist shot and ugly goals like tonight's game winning short hander. He's winning more faceoffs this year and excelling on "the PK". Plus, he's still getting in scraps like this one and even developing a burgeoning rivalry with the sniveling Sid the Kid. (In case you missed it Saturday night, "Richie" sure seemed to get under Sid's skin.) Yup, he's pretty much done it all so far.
The funny thing is that Richards has always been projected as a John Madden type shut down center with some offensive upside. Of the two, Jeff Carter was supposed to be producing at this clip, but their roles have kind of reversed. Now, it is "Carts" that is taking more of a defensive role.
I'm just going to sit back and enjoy this young squad. Hopefully, they grow together and start winning some big games this Spring.
Mike Richards is really asserting himself with this team. Not only is he showing the leadership skills that he has demonstrated since day 1, but now he's scoring at an alarmingly surprising pace. Jeez, the guy has 10 goals already this season when he only scored 21 goals in his first 138 games. He's scoring pretty goals where he picks a corner with a wrist shot and ugly goals like tonight's game winning short hander. He's winning more faceoffs this year and excelling on "the PK". Plus, he's still getting in scraps like this one and even developing a burgeoning rivalry with the sniveling Sid the Kid. (In case you missed it Saturday night, "Richie" sure seemed to get under Sid's skin.) Yup, he's pretty much done it all so far.
The funny thing is that Richards has always been projected as a John Madden type shut down center with some offensive upside. Of the two, Jeff Carter was supposed to be producing at this clip, but their roles have kind of reversed. Now, it is "Carts" that is taking more of a defensive role.
I'm just going to sit back and enjoy this young squad. Hopefully, they grow together and start winning some big games this Spring.
3 comments:
1 problem, the kid gets run at the end of the game and no one puts their stick up the guys ass.
They're softer than Charmin. .500 team if they're lucky.
You know Tone, if you could somehow forward this post to Richards, I bet you could get his phone number.
Is anonymous referring to the end of the Islanders game? The problem with fighting at the end of the game is that draws automatic suspensions and fines. I don't want to see Jason Smith suspended. They should probably just let Eager or Cote handle it at the next game.
As for Richards, I had written him off as a bust. I heard he was supposed to be like Dave Poulin but before this year I had considered him just a checking line center and penalty killer, much like Jim Dowd. Now I don't know what to think. Is this for real? Oh, and his fighting has been amazing. He has really tuned some guys up. The fighting on the entire team has been great. It builds character and pumps everyone up.
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