Too bad that there are probably very few here that have seen Jimmy Watson play.
- 2731color

Met Jimmy at U. of P. rink after practice one afternoon. The Flyers practiced there at 1 PM after a public informal hockey session. Most fans, about 25 or so, stuck around to watch. Oft times the Flyers who arrived early would even skate with us during the informal sessions.

I found one of Jimmy's sticks at the rink that was well worn and discarded. I took it and kept it to this day. Several years ago, Jimmy and Joe were signing autographs at a local mall and I brought it to him to sign. He looked at the stick, held it, admired it, leaned on it, all the while I could tell he was reminiscing about his days as a player. He signed it, told me some great stories (when Joe allowed him to get a word in), and thanked me for bringing it. I offered it to him, but he politely refused and handed it back.

They were two terrific guys to talk to.

Met Jimmy at U. of P. rink after practice one afternoon. The Flyers practiced there at 1 PM after a public informal hockey session. Most fans, about 25 or so, stuck around to watch. Oft times the Flyers who arrived early would even skate with us during the informal sessions.

I found one of Jimmy's sticks at the rink that was well worn and discarded. I took it and kept it to this day. Several years ago, Jimmy and Joe were signing autographs at a local mall and I brought it to him to sign. He looked at the stick, held it, admired it, leaned on it, all the while I could tell he was reminiscing about his days as a player. He signed it, told me some great stories (when Joe allowed him to get a word in), and thanked me for bringing it. I offered it to him, but he politely refused and handed it back.

They were two terrific guys to talk to.
- 77rams

Great story. Both Watsons are terrific people. Total salt-of-the-earth types.

Happy 60th Jim. One fan's memory: It was early in the '73-'74 season and I guess the jury was still out on Jimmy, at least for me. But one play will put it all in perspective. In a close game against the Blackhawks, the Flyers won 1-0, Stan Mikita, while not the Mikita of 1964, came flying down the right side and Jimmy was the only player back. Mikita appeared to have the angle and it looked as if he was going to go around Jimmy. But somehow Jimmy jumped to his left cut Mikita off and just turned him aside with push. At that point my buddy and I just looked at each other and nodded like "this guy's gonna make it". He certainly did!

Hey Bill,
Do you think Homer is waiting on the Visnovsky stituation before pulling the trigger on bringing in a Defensemen? There are a lot of potential dominos like the CBA, Possible other tradable player (Bowmeester), or simply negotiationing a UFA. I wondered if Homer might be waiting on Visnovsky as I think he might just jump to the front of the eligible possibly availible Defensemen list.

Hey Bill,
Do you think Homer is waiting on the Visnovsky stituation before pulling the trigger on bringing in a Defensemen? There are a lot of potential dominos like the CBA, Possible other tradable player (Bowmeester), or simply negotiationing a UFA. I wondered if Homer might be waiting on Visnovsky as I think he might just jump to the front of the eligible possibly availible Defensemen list.
- flyler

If Visnovsky doesn't kill himself first...



http://sports.yahoo.com/b...uring-165221968--nhl.html

Great story. Both Watsons are terrific people. Total salt-of-the-earth types.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, great stories. Never met Jimmy, but did manage to say hello to Joe once, when he stopped to take a breath.

Got to see them play, though.

Barry Ashbe
Bernie
Pelle
Dimitri T
Dupre
Primeau
Lindros
Pronger

The number of players that had career ending/altering injuries or have died is staggering

Barry Ashbe
Bernie
Pelle
Dimitri T
Dupre
Primeau
Lindros
Pronger

The number of players that had career ending/altering injuries or have died is staggering
- KINGKENZO

Bruce Gamble had a heart attack during a game, during the first period. He finished the game & won it 3-1

Yeah, great stories. Never met Jimmy, but did manage to say hello to Joe once, when he stopped to take a breath.

Got to see them play, though.
- tangent_man

Only have seen them play on video.

If Visnovsky doesn't kill himself first...



http://sports.yahoo.com/b...uring-165221968--nhl.html
- tangent_man

Yeesh.

not flyers related at all, but i got to play hockey yesterday with nhl network and msg broadcaster/analyst billy jaffe. nice guy. he's only 42 - thought he was a bit older than that. for someone who hasn't skated in 3 years and has some shoulder problems, he's in great shape and can still play. makes a great first pass. he didn't score on me.

not flyers related at all, but i got to play hockey yesterday with nhl network and msg broadcaster/analyst billy jaffe. nice guy. he's only 42 - thought he was a bit older than that. for someone who hasn't skated in 3 years and has some shoulder problems, he's in great shape and can still play. makes a great first pass. he didn't score on me.
- hammarby31

Sounds cool. Surprised there are no bad jokes on signing him to the Flyers (good first pass). Did you have time to chat? Sure he has more stories than you probably have in free time.

Cheers!

Hey Bill,
Do you think Homer is waiting on the Visnovsky stituation before pulling the trigger on bringing in a Defensemen? There are a lot of potential dominos like the CBA, Possible other tradable player (Bowmeester), or simply negotiationing a UFA. I wondered if Homer might be waiting on Visnovsky as I think he might just jump to the front of the eligible possibly availible Defensemen list.
- flyler

I don't think the Flyers are waiting on Visnovsky, but you never know. I still think he ends up on the Islanders.

Happy 60th Jim. One fan's memory: It was early in the '73-'74 season and I guess the jury was still out on Jimmy, at least for me. But one play will put it all in perspective. In a close game against the Blackhawks, the Flyers won 1-0, Stan Mikita, while not the Mikita of 1964, came flying down the right side and Jimmy was the only player back. Mikita appeared to have the angle and it looked as if he was going to go around Jimmy. But somehow Jimmy jumped to his left cut Mikita off and just turned him aside with push. At that point my buddy and I just looked at each other and nodded like "this guy's gonna make it". He certainly did!
- 2731color

Quintessential Watson play.

Sounds cool. Surprised there are no bad jokes on signing him to the Flyers (good first pass). Did you have time to chat? Sure he has more stories than you probably have in free time.

Cheers!
- Daman

i asked him his opinion on the lockout. he said based on what he's been hearing he expects there to be some kind of stoppage and was hopeful it was just for a short period, etc. didn't get into much nhl dirt beyond that. one of the guys in the room owns the rink warwick rink (where we were) and the philadelphia revolution jr. franchise that plays there and billy asked him about it. guy didn't stop talking so there wasn't much opportunity to get a word in.

i asked him his opinion on the lockout. he said based on what he's been hearing he expects there to be some kind of stoppage and was hopeful it was just for a short period, etc. didn't get into much nhl dirt beyond that. one of the guys in the room owns the rink warwick rink (where we were) and the philadelphia revolution jr. franchise that plays there and billy asked him about it. guy didn't stop talking so there wasn't much opportunity to get a word in.
- hammarby31

Hah... We all know people that won't shut up. Oh well. Still a good event I'm guessing.

Bruce Gamble had a heart attack during a game, during the first period. He finished the game & won it 3-1
- Jsaquella

wasnt sure if it was Gamble or Wayne Stephenson..... thanks

This is OUTSTANDING

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...achmans-new-shining-mask/

I read that Del Zotto and the rangers are far apart in negotiations. Does an Rfa have any course of action other than holding out? How many Rfa years does be have left?

Thanks

I read that Del Zotto and the rangers are far apart in negotiations. Does an Rfa have any course of action other than holding out? How many Rfa years does be have left?

Thanks
- jstross

He can sign an offer sheet or go to the KHL. If he holds out, December 1st is the cut off. If he doesn't sign by then, he can't sign for that season.

He can sign an offer sheet or go to the KHL. If he holds out, December 1st is the cut off. If he doesn't sign by then, he can't sign for that season.
- Jsaquella

Interesting. The article implied they were off more than a million per year. I don't see flyers in play here, but what you value him at per year?

Interesting. The article implied they were off more than a million per year. I don't see flyers in play here, but what you value him at per year?
- jstross

I'd say a deal similar to Luke Schenn's. He's had one year where he really showed his two way ability. His rookie year he played well offensively, but was a weak defender. His second year had Rangers fans wanting him traded.

I'd say 3 or 4 years at 3.5mm or so is fair.

I'd say a deal similar to Luke Schenn's. He's had one year where he really showed his two way ability. His rookie year he played well offensively, but was a weak defender. His second year had Rangers fans wanting him traded.

I'd say 3 or 4 years at 3.5mm or so is fair.
- Jsaquella

Thanks.

I'd say a deal similar to Luke Schenn's. He's had one year where he really showed his two way ability. His rookie year he played well offensively, but was a weak defender. His second year had Rangers fans wanting him traded.

I'd say 3 or 4 years at 3.5mm or so is fair.
- Jsaquella

I was thinking about this some last night. offer sheet him Mez money 4 years $16 million. We either get a solid dman and the rangers lose one.... or the rangers pay more than they want to keep him. It's a win either way for the player.

Highly unlikely homer goes this route..but if mdz doesn't pan out homer could do the same for Carlson, Subban, or pietrangelo. Offer them more than their current team would like to pay. would help the players tremendously. Probably would make homer public enemy 1 with the owners though.

I was thinking about this some last night. offer sheet him Mez money 4 years $16 million. We either get a solid dman and the rangers lose one.... or the rangers pay more than they want to keep him. It's a win either way for the player.

Highly unlikely homer goes this route..but if mdz doesn't pan out homer could do the same for Carlson, Subban, or pietrangelo. Offer them more than their current team would like to pay. would help the players tremendously. Probably would make homer public enemy 1 with the owners though.
- moylander

Why send an Offer Sheet that has little risk of succeeding? Waste of time.