Richards freezes reporters after Flyers' win
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Richards freezes reporters after Flyers' win
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
In the grand scheme of things, Mike Richards refusing to answer reporters' questions means little.
But, as the team's captain, he is the face of the Flyers and a direct conduit to the fans.
The Flyers won a shoot-out Thursday and defeated Boston, 4-3. That made the Flyers just 13-25 in shootout history. But maybe, just maybe, it will turn the tide because it appears coach John Stevens has found a new weapon.
His name is Claude Giroux, and with a half year of NHL experience under his belt, Giroux seems ready to exploit goalies with his clever breakaway moves in shootouts. It was Giroux who scored what turned out to be the only goal in Thursday's shoot-out.
Asked if he thought Giroux's goal was a momentum-builder and if the shoot-out problems were history, Richards said, "It's big."
Asked about the many contributions of the fourth line Thursday, Richards smiled and said, "Also big."
When Comcast's Tim Panaccio started to ask a long question, Richards interrupted: "Why bother?" he said.
End of interview.
Richards has vowed to freeze out the media. He is upset because of stories generated after former teammate Joffrey Lupul, now with Anaheim, was asked recently if he thought he was traded because the Flyers wanted to break up the players who live in Center City and enjoy the night life.
Lupul was asked the question when Anaheim played in Philly on Oct. 10. It was Lupul's first time back since being part of the trade in which the Flyers acquired Chris Pronger.
After the Flyers blew a late 2-0 lead in that game and dropped a 3-2 shoot-out loss, Richards asked reporters not to mention their night life in their stories.
GM Paul Holmgren had brought the night-life issue into play during in an interview with the Bucks County Courier Times' Wayne Fish in the summer. Holmgren said "the issue has been raised by John (Stevens) and myself with all the players.....I think this all falls under the umbrella of discipline. It's on-ice discipline _ not overstaying-your-shift discipline _ it's off-ice discipline, it's night before a game taking better care of ourselves. That's a natural maturation process that a lot of our younger players are still going through. We've addressed that. So am I concerned about it? We'll see how it goes this year. All our players have been talked to about it. Is it an issue? The fact that we've talked about it, I guess it is an issue.''
I wouldn't want to talk to you guys either— pucky88
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- I can't imagine how taxing it must be to have reporters all over you all the time. I know it's part of the profession they chose, but still...it must suck. Moreover, to have the media speculate on your private, off-ice activities, must be over the top. If Mike were arrested, or something of that nature, then sure, that's news. But if he goes out on a date or has a beer with the boys, like MANY do, then that’s just not anyone's business. He really seems like a decent guy so why not keep the stories about hockey and stop with the rest of it. I must say, I'm on Richie's side on this issue.— america
Amen - Captains can't do that. It makes him look immature. Pronger should really be the Captain of this team, Richards isn't there yet. As a player, yes, as a leader, no.- I'm with Richards on this one. Too often the crummy media in this town gets to run rampant and "stir up" minor controversies just to sell newspapers and boost sportstalk radio. It's a joke. Where's the accountability? Just wait until Jan-Feb, when the NHL season idles along, you will see these toads start writing up their annual goalie controversy stories. And possibly start floating around coaching change rumors. It's almost predictable at this point. I, for one, salute Richards for sticking it to these clowns. About time someone held them accountable.— UncleEddie
- normally I'd agree with you guys but this is the Philly media we are talking about here...usually talking to them only hurts your team more than it helps...the captain should talk to the media yes, but about relevant issues like just spanking one of the best teams in the east in a shootout...not young 20 something guys doing what everyone else does...going out during the free time.— pucky88
- I'm sorry but when you are the captain you are supposed to lead by example. This isn't college....its the NHL and they get paid a sh*t load of money...if he doesn't want to talk to the media, then give the "C" to someone else. As for people who think a few beer don't hurt, you may be right but money, fame and alcohol is a dangerous combination when your young. Heatly/Snydor is just one example of many.— CAN fan
- I agree with Chico. I love Richie. He'll be a great player here for many years and, eventually, a great captain. For now, it should be Pronger. Let Richie concentrate on maturing himself and his game while learning the complexities of handling both from one of the masters.— puckdad77
He's the Captain...he is filling the void all little boy Canadians dream about...He needs to take a page out of Messier's book...The partying is out of control, and has been for years.
You mean all the flyers players don't live in Vorhees?!
Pronger or Timmonen would be more appropriate as captains. At this point in his career, Richards' focus should be on his own game.— 1980- strip the "C" from Richards and give it to the real captain of the team, Pronger— BHite15
- So what your telling me is that Jeffery Lupul was traded because he lives in Center City? And the way Paul Holmgren deals with it is to send players away which will just make Reichards upset and have ill will towards Paul and as it seems the media. How about a simple meeting that says cut the partying down and steup and be tehhe Captain.— DeTom
- I blame the Flyers for annointing another promising young kid to be "The Captain" before his time. How'd that work out with Eric Lindros? Richards is a great, tough, skilled young player. But there are more mature guys that the 'C' should have gone to. Gagne, Timonen, Briere, and Pronger (even though he's brand new to the team.)— rwright611
