Flyers Stay or Go: 2010 vs. 2011
For the second straight year, we're giving you the opportunity to play fantasy GM to decide which Flyers should stay and which Flyers should go this offseason.
If you haven't voted yet, click here to do so.
After a surprise run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2009-10, the Flyers were among the NHL's best for the first part of the 2010-11 season. Injuries and inconsistency down the stretch, however, culminated in a second-round sweep at the hands of the Boston Bruins, and left the impression that change was on the way.
Two days of voting are in the books, and the early Stay or Go returns are in. Today we will take a look at how voting changed between the 2009-10 season and now, and how your feelings on many of the same players have changed (or stayed the same):
MIKE RICHARDS
2009-10: 97.2% stay; 2.8% go
2010-11: 74.4% stay; 25.6% go
Much has been said regarding Richards' role as captain since the Flyers were swept out of the playoffs, but even though it is no longer nearly unanimous, a large majority of fans want Richards to stay.
JEFF CARTER
2009-10: 51.0% stay; 49.0% go
2010-11: 58.5% go; 41.5% go
Carter was a slim pick to stay with the team last season, but after another injury-plagued playoff campaign, nearly 59 percent of fans want the Flyers' leading goal-scorer this season gone.
VILLE LEINO
2009-10: 98.5% stay; 1.5% go
2010-11: 79.9% stay; 21.1% go
Leino had the highest percentage of voters wanting him to stay last season. That number dropped a fair amount this time around, but almost 80 percent still want the pending free agent to stay.
DAN CARCILLO
2009-10: 51.1% go; 48.9% stay
2010-11: 69.1% go; 30.9% stay
Carcillo was one of only three Flyers that fans wanted to see go last season. That percentage increased by 18 percent this season.
SCOTT HARTNELL
2009-10: 64.2% stay; 35.8% go
2010-11: 64.8% go; 35.2% stay
Coming off an incredible playoff run, more than 64 percent of fans wanted Hartnell to stay a year ago. Now, almost the same amount of people want him to go.
JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK
2009-10: 83.9% stay; 16.1% go
2010-11: 98.8% stay; 1.2% go
Van Riemsdyk had a monster postseason run, tying Danny Briere for the team lead with seven goals. He was particularly dominant in Game 2 against Boston, scoring two goals and creating chances whenever he was on the ice.
MATT CARLE
2009-10: 90.9% stay; 9.1% go
2010-11: 59.1% go; 40.9% stay
Carle was an overwhelming candidate to stay last season, but playing without Chris Pronger, Carle struggled in the playoffs this season, particularly against Boston.
BRIAN BOUCHER
2009-10: 71.8% stay; 28.2% go
2010-11: 81.2% go; 18.8% stay
Boucher played a big role in the Stanley Cup Finals run last season, but the goaltending carousel in these latest playoffs seems to have fans ready to cut the cord.
MICHAEL LEIGHTON
2009-10: 62.7% stay; 37.3% go
2010-11: 93.2% go; 6.8% stay
The hero of the 2009-10 season, Leighton was injured in training camp and started only two games for the Flyers this season, including Game 6 against the Sabres. More than 93 percent of fans want to see him go.