Flyers downplay Richards' return
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Flyers downplay Richards' return
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Most of the attention has been placed on former Flyers captain Mike Richards’ return to the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night with the Los Angeles Kings.
But there will be another guy who will be on the ice and was a big part of the blockbuster summer trade, Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds.
Acquired from the Kings with Brayden Schenn and a No. 2 pick in 2012, Simmonds will be facing his ex-teammates for the first time.
“It’s my old team and I have a little bit to prove, but I think it’s more that we have to focus on our team game,” Simmonds said after Friday’s practice in Voorhees “It’s not about me. We want to come in and get the two points and that’s all that matters.”
Simmonds, who is off to an impressive start, played his first three years of his career with Los Angeles, and lived with Kings defenseman Drew Doughty for two seasons. He said he “learned how to be defensively responsible from Terry Murray,” the Kings coach and former Flyers coach. “They kind of stress defense first, and that’s kind of the way the team plays.”
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette downplayed the return of Richards.
“I think when players come back to their (former) buildings for the first time, it’s always a little bit different,” Laviolette said. “To be honest with you, we’re focusing more on Los Angeles and their team and what we need to do to make sure we win a game.”
Scott Hartnell, one of Richards’ closest friends, had dinner with the former Flyer on Monday.
“It’s good to see a good buddy that we had a lot of laughs with,” he said. “….I’m sure we’ll have a couple on the ice (Saturday), but when push comes to shove, he’ll be rolling over me to get the puck in the corner and I’ll be doing the same to him.”
Hartnell said it took Richards a while to “wrap his head around” the trade, but that he has accepted it and his mind “is in a good place now.”
“It’s going to be a little weird,” defenseman Kimmo Timonen said of facing Richards. “Obviously, we’re going to talk in the morning, but when the game starts, it’s like anybody else out here. We’re going to play hard. …You can’t give him a free pass.”
Was it tough when Timonen returned to play in Nashville after being dealt to the Flyers?
“It’s not tough. You’re actually excited,” Timonen said. “You want to see how the fans react _ and I’m hoping they give Richie a standing ovation.”
Asked if Richards was his friend until the first hit, Timonen smiled. “Mine or his?” he replied.
Breakaways.Hartnell on Richards, who is now 26: "A 24-year-old multi-millionaire likes to have beers. What a shocker that is.".....Richards said it was “fun coming to the rink again.”……The Flyers will try to go to 4-0 for the eighth time in their history. Their best start was 6-0 in 1986-87.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
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Please give Richards a standing O when introduced tonight. It's the right and smart thing to do if you're a real Flyers fan.— drumminge6- What if he's dressed in a Santa outfit?— HatchetJack
- The game is tomorrow night, not tonight, drumminge6 and while I won't be there, I'll give him a standing ovation for sure! He WAS my favorite Flyer after all, he deserves NOTHING less than that! :-)— FlyersHockeyBuff
- I think emotions will be running high all game. My prediction - he'll scuffle with Pronger all night. Simmons will mix it up a little, maybe even have a go wtih Richards if the Kings are down.
In the end, Richards gave his heart and sole. However, there were times on the ice he was not where to be found. All the party players are gone, Asham, Carter, Richards, Carcillo & Lieno. New look, better reults.
GO FLYERS!— phillyfan1 - I'll be there tomorrow night and will absolutely give him a standing O! I hope there are close to 20,000 others doing the same thing.— uncle meat
- I will always want Mike Richards on this Flyers team. It's rare that you see an athlete so very dedicated to his city like Mike was, and it's something that's being brought up about other athletes in this city who might live elsewhere and/or don't show the same passion the fans do (i.e. Jimmy Rollins being non-comital about this off season. Not a knock on Jimmy, but Richards wouldn't leave a shadow of doubt about wanting to stay here). I will give him a standing-O.— mekk33
- As long as he's not wearing a Rangers or Penguins sweater I'm okay with him, give him the standing o'.— paulNC
- Too bad Shelley can't dress to give him a proper welcome. Win the game boys and put a good lick on the self entitled crumudgeon.
— Clarkeisgod - Mekk33 by passion do you mean no passion? And seemed annoyed to be a part of the organEYEzation? Jroll didnt spend his time "blowing" through Olde City and getting coaches fired....dolt— Clarkeisgod
- Once a Flyer always a Flyer.— sarah89
- "A 24-year-old multi-millionaire likes to have beers. What a shocker that is."
According to the drunken Philly masses, Scott, yes it is a shocker. Oh and he's a hockey player too.
- im a broke 41 year old and i likes to have beers as well, usually while watching the flyers play. shocker?— arcadegm
- @drumminge6 - "It's the right and smart thing to do if you're a real Flyers fan." ROTFLMAO
Richards was a huge disappointment. He was the worst captain in Flyers history next to Lindros why the hell would I cheer for him?— fff
