Why We Should Give Tony DeAngelo and The 2022 Flyers A Chance
*Ducks, and runs for cover*
Former New York Ranger and current LA King Brendan Lemieux recently did an interview on the Dropping the gloves podcast.
It was a great interview and Lemieux, being a former teammate of current Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo spoke on one of the incidents that has given DeAngelo a bad reputation. Maybe, he hasn’t been that much of an issue off the ice that he gets the bad rep for.
I was definitely one of the people who were critical on the Flyers for bringing in DeAngelo. My issue wasn’t so much with DeAngelo it was more with the organization. They claim to be wanting to change the culture and when you bring in a guy who has had some problems in the past it doesn’t seem like the kind of culture change you would want.
Now that it’s been a few months since the trade and other moves(or lack thereof) have been made by the Flyers it’s clear the culture change they were going for.
Broad Street Bullies 2.0. There are plenty of people who are going to say the style of play the Flyers are going for doesn’t have a place in todays NHL. They couldn’t be more wrong. Yes, it’s a different game from the 70s obviously and speed kills in todays game. But, one way you slow down speed is by playing a big physical game.
With the addition of DeAngelo along with Nic Deslauriers the Flyers have physically became a tougher team to play against. Those two along with the ranks of Risto, MacEwen, Brown, and Ronnie Attard have given the Flyers plenty of so called “Tough Guys”.
Add in John Tortorella as the head coach who is the “Tough guy” coaching type and you can see Chuck Fletchers vision for this team. Again, not saying it’s going to work and I’m still team #FireFletcher but we have seen this type of play lead to success in the past. The first team that comes to mind is the 2019 St.Louis Blues.
That team ended up winning the Stanley Cup and yes they had more talent then this current Flyers team. But, they also had a lot of players who are similar to the Flyers team coming into this year. Also, let’s not forget they were in last place in the league in December before going on an incredible run to the Cup.
One of the key factors in that run? Goaltending. If the moves Fletcher has made and the system Torts puts into place makes the Flyers a better team defensively, it will be a major benefit for Carter Hart. We know what he is capable of and if the overall team defense is better he can carry this Flyers team.
Look I’m not saying I’m hopeful for this upcoming season because I still have a bad taste in my mouth. BUT, I’m trying to talk myself into this team being better than we’re making them out to be. I’m tired of being miserable talking about this organization. Do I honestly think they are going to be good? Absolutely not, am I still going to be watching every game? Yes, because I clearly enjoy putting myself through this misery every year.
One of these years it’s going to pay off…I hope.
-Walsh