The Republic of Sport

BAK

BAK's Comments

Posted Tuesday May 19, 2009, About: Luongo to Flyers?

Yea but we ended up signing him and getting a player who consistently gets washed out in the corners and is a true liability defensively. No one argues that signing him didn't help to let us forget the horrible season and set a path for more prosperous fortunes but, in all honesty he has played some bad hockey, especially late last season. He's just not a very good fit for the Flyers but, we have to come to terms that unless we get a gift from another team, Little Danny is here to stay.

Posted Tuesday May 19, 2009, About: Luongo to Flyers?

I completely agree. Van R. (not gonna try) is not ready for the NHL for at least 2-3 seasons. Watch him against the very best at the World Juniors, he was knocked around like a rag doll. If Carter went I wouldn't be crushed because I really think he is one dimensional player who had a sensational start and really tailed off. He's really lazy and it showed in the playoffs, more a Lindros type for the Flyers than say, a Reggie Leach (man could we use another one of him). I'd have to add Gagne to the "untouchables" list and I'd truly be crushed if Giroux goes, even for a true world class netminder, he's damn good and fun as hell to watch. I just don't see this one coming to fruition because Lunogo doesn't seem (and yes I know he plays in Canada) to be a guy who would enjoy to play in a city that rides its goalies soooo hard. Same thing with that Price trade, a truly cold hearted and deaf individual needs to netmind here.

Posted Thursday May 07, 2009, About: Agent: Biron hopes to re-sign with Flyers

That would be Boucher, Hexie was gone by then. Look man, we all know the Devils are a better hockey club then the Flyers but, we're hoping to even this thing out. I'm a diehard Flyers fan, but always have had a huge respect for the Devils, Neidmeyer, Madden, Pandolfo, Rafalski, and Marty, were always some of my favs. Now the Flyers are going to either sign a middle of the round-to very good netminder in Biron, who has shown the ability to play very well in the playoffs, or the biggest question mark in hockey in Ray Emery, a guy who took his team to the cup and now is playing in Russia. While no team will ever, ever enjoy having a netminder like Martin, we're hoping we can get someone solid enough to beat you guys. Plus, we need to find a way to get rid of the "Le Petite Thief" or Danny Briere.

Posted Wednesday April 15, 2009, About: Who will Islanders draft No. 1?

I've heard alot about that and from my viewing of the World Juniors it seems so. Taveres is not a world class burner by any means but he has the mental acridity to compete with pros. A long summer getting him some pro legs and surrounding him with two quick wingers, like Okospo and Bailey (slide him over he dosen't have the bulk to play center) and he should do fine. One thing to remember is that sometimes guys who think the game so well conserve their engery and understand how to use it in spurts.

Posted Tuesday March 17, 2009, About: Tavares OK with Islanders future

I just still don't see him going #1. Certainly he is an awfully talented player but he doesn't posses the dominating size or unparalleled speed that usually warrants a top pick. Look at Oveckin or Crosby who both were consensus picks because of their incredible talent, Taveres will be a great NHLer because of his hockey IQ but if I were the Isles looking at last year with the Stamkos debacle I'd go with the 6'6 230lb d-man and let Oskpo and Bailey begin their transition into top players. Plus, the 22-25 minutes of Hedman will surely combat some of the problems they are having. Pick offense with the Ottawa pick and sign a free agent or two, get an d-man capable of staying with the Crosby's, Malkin's, Richards, Gagne, Parise, Langubruners or the division.

Posted Tuesday March 10, 2009, About: Carbonneau rubbed players, GM wrong way

Excellent point I've been arguing for years, rookie head coaches need to surround themselves with seasoned NHL men. John Stevens for his first two years had Terry Murray on the bench beside him, it gives great insight and confidence to a young coach.

Posted Saturday March 07, 2009, About: Don Cherry out of line again?

I'm a Flyers fan who has been burned many times by Ovie, but I see it as something completely genuine when he scores. He's only 22 and it's nice to see happiness in a profession, he is not disingenuous and throwing it in the other teams face, he is truly happy to put the biscuit in the basket. As for the Holland statement, you're right on, Cherry does like to get a bit of attention.

Posted Saturday February 21, 2009, About: Antropov responds to trade rumors

Obviously doesn't live in America, come to Philly you just described it. On Nik always liked him, see him more as a support second line center than a true number 1, needs to have a winger to feed him the puck which will be tough because he is a very lumbering skater.

Posted Thursday July 17, 2008, About: Why Kings selected Murray

Terry is one hell of a coach (I'm born and bred in Philly), a great tactician, and solid defensive guy, with the parts already in place in LA, the quiet and cool guy could lead a resurgence for the team. I think it's a great pick up, now if they can hold onto some of their guys, Kopitar rumors are brewing, Murray is level headed enough to handle and develop young talent.

Posted Saturday June 28, 2008, About: Russians offer Jagr $35M deal

For NHL GM's they have to like what the Russians are doing, they're taking players in the twilight of their career (although I still believe Jagr is more than capable, hell he can still take over games) and having them play over in the. Superleauge. Those players will give some free advice to upcoming players, who then will come over to the N.H.L. when they realize all the money is being spent on keeping the old stars so people will come and see the teams.
On a side note many of the teams are not owned or operated by the Russian Mob, but by the new breed of wealthy Russian oil tycoons. Do you really think Malkin would still be alive if their were truly mobsters with influence.

Posted Wednesday April 23, 2008, About: Caps top postseason priority is...

The Flyers weren't penalized because the rule allows that when 2 players are fighting for position in front, if a player from his own team knocks the goalie down it is not a penalty. You just have to protect your net better.

Posted Friday April 04, 2008, About: Flyers' shootout goalie dilemma

What's with knockin Mikey Richards!!! All people are saying is that Crosby show's no respect for the others veteran players. Talent isn't the only thing that matters in the league, refs have to watch him because Bettman says but he should get the **** kicked out of him more often, he runs his mouth too much and is cheap. I'm not saying he doesn't have talent, he's defiantly in the top 3 in all the league in ability but it's that he whines about every hit and nudge. Just play the game Richards does and so does Ovechin he never whines and moans, you don't have to fight to be tough you just have to be able to take it like a man.

Posted Saturday March 29, 2008, About: NFLPA will fight long hair rule

I really think this proposed rule is a sort of image change for the league. With the countless amount of arrests of its players the NFL would really like to start to re-marketing their product as more wholesome and family oriented and for some reason the general population of America believes that the length of your hair has some effect on your values. Colleges implement this rule, baseball and I believe a few other sports that market themselves as a more family and business oriented environment not a bunch of hooligans killing each-other. However, I completely disagree, as a long haired American and a fan of hockey in particular, where the traditional "gruff" look is celebrated I don't believe in the effect of the hair on the game as any particular issue, I happen to really enjoy seeing a guy like Troy P running around with the hair flowing, it's nice to see.

Posted Monday March 10, 2008, About: Rangers to close Yankee Stadium

How bout the Flyers big market lots of fans and a great game.

Posted Friday March 07, 2008, About: Can Ovechkin save the NHL?

Oh I forgot Joey, but remember that you need great players in big cities and the last time I checked San Jose wasn't that big. What I was trying to get across is that you need a good looking, affable, American or Canadian(without a horrible accent) who plays in a large city to really market the game. Crosby is a bit of a **** his interviews, the worst is that they got screwed that Lunquist(who dates a superhot blonde), Dipeatro and Ryan Miller are all goalies because they would be perfect.

Posted Friday March 07, 2008, About: Can Ovechkin save the NHL?

The only problem with both AO and Malkin is their nationality, as much as we hockey fans don't care about the Russians most of America still does. They have thick accents and a different look to them, one that isn't very marketable. From a purely marketing perspective a guy like Crosby works, but that's not to say there aren't others in the league. Ignla should get some looks, Mikey Richards needs some (I'm a huge Flyers fan), Vinnie L. should get some if you could drop the accent, but again you run into that problem. The NHL has the on ice talent that betters any sport in the world, but their players not have the familiarly as the rest of the sports.