Richards sick, will play Game 1
Daily News Flyers blog
Richards sick, will play Game 1
THIS MORNING, Flyers forward Ian Laperriere and alumni Bob Kelly, Bernie Parent, Derian Hatcher and Joe Watson rung the opening bell at NASDAQ in New York City. They also dropped a ceremonial puck to signify the opening of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight. Video of their visit was broadcast live outside in Times Square, a mere 8 blocks from Madison Square Garden.
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Stop the presses.
Mike Richards missed the Flyers’ practice on Wednesday, just one day before the Flyers are set to take on Buffalo in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Flyers called it a “maintenance day,” albeit with strange timing considering the Flyers also skated on Monday and Tuesday.
General manager Paul Holmgren insisted that all of the Flyers’ other players, besides Chris Pronger, are healthy.
And then coach Peter Laviolette referred “all injuries” to Holmgren’s office when asked about Richards.
Sounds like the Flyers love drama, doesn’t it?
Turns out, Richards was at the Flyers’ Skate Zone on Wednesday but is suffering from a minor head cold, according to a text message sent to Comcast SportsNet’s Lisa Hillary. Richards undoubtedly will be fine to play against Buffalo on Thursday.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled Pronger programming…
Pronger skated briefly on Wednesday morning with the Flyers’ black aces – which include Erik Gustafsson, Kevin Marshall, Matt Walker, Mike Testwuide, and Eric Wellwood, among others – and took light passes but did not shoot the puck.
Most of the workout was centered on Pronger’s skating.
That makes Pronger officially doubtful for Game 1, as he has not taken part in practice with his teammates for more than two full weeks. Holmgren maintained the same “day-to-day” status for Pronger and said he will be a game-time decision.
IF YOU MISSED our feature story that takes a peek at Ville Leino’s life both on and off the ice, you can read it here.
A PACK of Daily News scribes picked all 7 of the other first round series in the NHL. Here’s what we’re thinking.
HAVE YOU ever wondered where the Tastykakes go when PA announcer Lou Nolan steals a line from the late, great Gene Hart and says “scored for a case of Tastykakes”? The Wall Street Journal has the answer.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
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Brilliant ploy by the Flyers...keep those Sabres guessing as to who will be in and out of the lineup.— geebee- Who cares? These guys got no rest this year. I wished they would have rested more players. It seems Briere might have gotten a little. A day off before the playoff run is a great idea.— yehthatsrite
He was probably at home getting his tackle box and lures ready for opening day of trout this weekend :D- This is what passes as a news item? Sad.— Paul1954
- Rest? Pro hockey players need rest? No, Richards needs rest because he doesn't hit the weight room.— MichaelZoe
- this is why Richards is not a real captain. No Heart!!!— mikedog44
- I think it was to keep the Sabres guessing. Pronger, Richards, who's in, who's not? That, or he was hungover.— NYluvsPhylers
- REST?!?!?!?
Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't this team been on a vacation for the last month?— rickah88 - Frankie S.----love your new 'Jersey Shore' inlay pix. Snookie next?— Romus
- Trout season is open, he was probably on the Wissahickon taking a few casts— Gunstock
- Did you say trout season or stout season?— AreaMan
- Richards has no heart. If you only had a brain straw man. I'm sick of hearing that.— drenner
- Richards has no heart. If you only had a brain straw man. I'm sick of hearing that.— drenner
- Bunch of comedians on the boards today. I guess all of you geniuses missed Richards' performance in the NHL Playoffs last year. That's why he is wearing the C, and why he is one of the best players and captains in the NHL.— Phront_Runner
- well said Phront, but you're wasting your words on these trolls. they are actual front runners and change their fan support from day-to-day. i'm sure they were all blowing richards last year after he was the unquestioned leader of this overachieving team and probably earlier this year too. but whenthe team hits a rough patch, they abandon ship. they'll all be blowing him again when he has another great playoffs as this team's leader.
- Fascinating and very worrisome stuff. You'd think the captain would be at practice the day before the playoffs begin, working to set the tone. I'm a Richie fan, but it begs the question - If your "leader" isn't needed the day before the playoffs, is he really your leader?— hunsinator
- Ha! frank's new picture is hilarious. What it says to me is "please take me serious even though all i do it post facts and completely unoriginal opinions."— lawsuit time
- Richards has more heart than an JO who says he has not heart on an anonymous board, especially after what he did for us last playoff season.— gob1234
- also looks like he's in his mid-40s with that salt n pepper looks. meanwhile, he's like 24.— lawsuit time
- Glad someone cleared this up. Get Richie some rest and orange juice and get ready for the Sabres.— hunsinator
Mike Richards is ALL heart. Those who think otherwise, should ask Richard's opponents that question and be prepared to get a look of "Are You Kidding me?" Problem with Richards, or challenge with a competitor like Mr. Richards and their medium body size in today's NHL, is that it takes a toll emotional, physically because of his style of play of bump and grind with tenacious fore checking. His rest was the coach's decision, not his. This guy will play through pain and minor injuries which exudes tremendous heart. Now it's playoff time, it's Mike Richards time. Did you already forget his great two-way play from last years playoffs, and his shorthanded goal scoring while sliding on the ice. ALL HEART!!! GO FLYERS!!!— Phillyflashgordon- Why would the Sabres care whos in or out of the lineup. Why would that make a difference? They're pros. You actually think they're gonna prepare any differently? And most likely they are gonna prepare as if all the players are healthy. Im pretty sure these guys have already thought of this. Its not some original idea that just so sneaky and clever that Buffalo would never know how to handle it if one player is in the lineup as opposed to another player.— philliekev04
- Hopefully, the Briere-Leino-Hartnell line gets it going, just like they did last year. Those guys, and Pronger, have to be back to where they were last year for the Flyers to win it all. Nice picture up top; wish Hatcher were still able to play. I miss that 2004 team; minimal drama and a ton of heart.— 76erfn
- Richards is such a moody guy. It must be his "time of the month".— phillydog17
- For all the Richards bashers out there do any of you even know what the hell you're even talking about or are you all just jumping on the bash Richards bandwagon with all the other frauds. You're all frauds. Any of you bother to watch the playoffs last year when Richards played likea beast? He was a freakin warrior. Who cares what he did in the regular season. Why does that even matter? The regular season is over. This is when it counts the most and as i recall he stepped up big time last year. If your gonna criticize him for his play this year then you better be ready to do the same for everyone else on this team. Thats right EVERYONE. This team took the last month and a half off. Thats not Richards fault or responsibility. Everyone is responsible for his own play and effort. This is also why sports like baseball and football are better when it comes to the whole "captain" title. They dont need to disignate a player as captain or put some stupid letter on his jersey as if that automatically annoints him as leader. Everyone should be a captain. They are all professional grown adults. They are all responsible for their own play and effort a i already said. If you need a "captain" to push you or motivate you then you dont belong here. Besides, people know who the leaders are. They dont need a "C" on their shirt for that. You just know. And if Richards isnt being a good "captain", whatever the hell thats supposed to mean well guess what theres like 20+ other players on this team that can be so like I said if you bash Richards then you have bash everyone. Me personally? I watched last years playoffs. I saw what Richards can do, so while the rest of you frauds are watching the regular season Richards in your minds, I'll be watching the playoffs.— philliekev04
- meow— shawnmac
- one and done...the question is who will win more playoff games, the sixers or the flyers???— wolf 4
- i haven't seen Richards under-perform any more than any other Flyer these past couple of months. there was complacency on the whole team. let's move on. it's the playoffs now.— stonelamb
- Sabres to win series easy money.— rumple
