I never was into hockey until Lindros arrived, so I don't have as much nostalgia for Gene Hart as a lot of people, although I do fully understand what he meant to the city and the fans as the voice of the Flyers. To me, as Bill had noted, him no longer calling games for many people must have been like the first time I heard a Phillies game called without Harry Kalas. Just a great passion for the game, and a fantastic voice to call it.

Hextall has been hamstrung by his predecessor. Not much he can do. He got rid of the last 2 years of Hartnell's contract, brought Emery back for a good price, and added a 7th dman. And by most accounts the Flyers had a relatively strong draft. I don't have an issue with what Hextall has done. Give him some time. Rome wasn't built in a day.
- PLindbergh31

Who was it that actually signed Ghost? I think Homer was still GM at the time, right?

As usual Bill, awesome article. I'm actually old enough to remember Stu Nahan doing the Flyers games, so I really appreciated your story. In thinking about it, my favorite Gene Hart "moment" is the last 10 minutes of the 1987 finals, game 6. From JJ's goal to Hexy out of the net in the last minute or so, and Gene's reaction, just classic.
- NJFlyer42

I thought Nahan's pbp was strong in Rocky III

I never was into hockey until Lindros arrived, so I don't have as much nostalgia for Gene Hart as a lot of people, although I do fully understand what he meant to the city and the fans as the voice of the Flyers. To me, as Bill had noted, him no longer calling games for many people must have been like the first time I heard a Phillies game called without Harry Kalas. Just a great passion for the game, and a fantastic voice to call it.
- jmatchett383

terrific write up, bill. i hold gene hart in the same regard as you. i feel fortunate to have grown up watching the flyers from 1980 on with him to help teach me the game, and i compare every broadcaster to him, fair or not. he's one of the things/people i miss most about hockey from my childhood. i don't think the flyers will ever have another who can compare or be his equal.
- hammarby31

This says it. Thanks, Bill.

I thought Nahan's pbp was strong in Rocky III
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, but his Corsi numbers were terrible

Who was it that actually signed Ghost? I think Homer was still GM at the time, right?
- jmatchett383

Yeah. Ghost was signed in April, Hextall became GM on May 7

Yeah, but his Corsi numbers were terrible

- BiggE

Hextall has been hamstrung by his predecessor. Not much he can do. He got rid of the last 2 years of Hartnell's contract, brought Emery back for a good price, and added a 7th dman. And by most accounts the Flyers had a relatively strong draft. I don't have an issue with what Hextall has done. Give him some time. Rome wasn't built in a day.
- PLindbergh31

I am just kidding of course, but you can't deny olit is more exciting (albeit worse for the team) when you have an overactive GM. I would imagine even The Meltz himself would rather be writing about current hockey maneuvers than history. Unfortunately, responsible team building is rather boring to follow in the offseason.

I am just kidding of course, but you can't deny olit is more exciting (albeit worse for the team) when you have an overactive GM. I would imagine even The Meltz himself would rather be writing about current hockey maneuvers than history. Unfortunately, responsible team building is rather boring to follow in the offseason.
- redcoat75

That all depends. Did you find the JVR/L. Schenn trade exciting?

Beautiful job, Bill. Gene was the best. I'll never forget the time he referred to blood on the ice as "claret". He always tried to paint a picture of the game for the listener. I wonder how he'd be judged by some of the young pups on this board who don't know the difference between "fewer" and "less". Would they say he's too flowery? Anyway, I was fortunate enough to hear him call hundreds of games and I'm thankful.

Gene Hart SANG the game. He had a rhythm and a cadence that was musical. You could also tell that he had his mothers talent as a singer as the high notes he hit when the game got exciting or the Flyers SCOOOORED. He sang those words as any singer would.

He knew the game and I still too this day hear him saying "Ruotsalainen" and having no idea what that meant as a young kid at first.

I remember listening to the '87 finals game 7 on the radio with tears in my eyes as he comforted us all in the waning moment of the game. His voice was somber yet upbeat as he praised the team for fighting so hard against a dynasty.

He was the best.

I know it was a different era, but good god. Bobby Orr's 1970-71 season is just ridiculous. The numbers don't look real. +124? How is that possible.

I know it was a different era, but good god. Bobby Orr's 1970-71 season is just ridiculous. The numbers don't look real. +124? How is that possible.
- PLindbergh31

He really was that damn good. His skating was off the chart, basically imagine Pavel Bure with an even smoother stride. He thought the game as well and passed the puck as well as Gretzky, he had a wicked wrister and very heavy slap shot and he was extremely accurate with both.

He was also a fantastic defender who knew when to play the puck and when to play the body, and he often played well over 30 minutes a night.

Now just imagine the numbers he would have put up if he didn't have 2 bad knees!!

IMO, he is the greatest player to ever play the game.

He really was that damn good. His skating was off the chart, basically imagine Pavel Bure with an even smoother stride. He thought the game as well and passed the puck as well as Gretzky, he had a wicked wrister and very heavy slap shot and he was extremely accurate with both.

He was also a fantastic defender who knew when to play the puck and when to play the body, and he often played well over 30 minutes a night.

Now just imagine the numbers he would have put up if he didn't have 2 bad knees!!

IMO, he is the greatest player to ever play the game.
- BiggE

Thanks for this Big E. Always enjoy reading your perspective. I've read a lot about him, and have seen highlights and old game tapes, but that is not the same as seeing him play live.

How do you think Orr's game would transition to today's NHL?

Yeah, but his Corsi numbers were terrible

- BiggE

hahaha.

His Corsi numbers were fantastic in Rocky IV, but his QOC was the lowest of the 4 movies...yes, the 4. There were only 4.

hahaha.

His Corsi numbers were fantastic in Rocky IV, but his QOC was the lowest of the 4 movies...yes, the 4. There were only 4.
- jmatchett383

4? There were only 2.

That all depends. Did you find the JVR/L. Schenn trade exciting?
- PLindbergh31

I like Luke Schenn being a Flyer, but they should have gotten another asset in return like a second rounder. See there, even though it was not responsible trading it gives you something to talk about. I would rather see Hextall be responsible and do nothing of course. But as far as entertainment goes, its boring as hell. It has to be a beast for guys like Bill to make these interesting articles day in day out when nothing is going on. Props to the Meltz.

Thanks for this Big E. Always enjoy reading your perspective. I've read a lot about him, and have seen highlights and old game tapes, but that is not the same as seeing him play live.

How do you think Orr's game would transition to today's NHL?
- PLindbergh31

No doubt in my mind, he would still be a dominant player today, his skating was that good. He'd be a top flight #1 guy who would most likely score 20-25 goals and 85-95 points.

4? There were only 2.

- MBFlyerfan

2?
There was only 1, they should have quit after Rocky

Thanks for this Big E. Always enjoy reading your perspective. I've read a lot about him, and have seen highlights and old game tapes, but that is not the same as seeing him play live.

How do you think Orr's game would transition to today's NHL?
- PLindbergh31

I honestly don't think he would be AS dynamic. Still a Norris-caliber player and HOFer, but from everything I've read, he basically reinvented the position. Before him, defensemen got the puck, passed it to a forward, and followed the play up the ice. Very up-and-down.

Bobby Orr was the first defenseman who would start the rush, and then circle back in his own end and restart. That's basically hockey 101 now, but it wasn't done. He was also the first defenseman to headman the puck on the rush. So, while he'd still be a dominant player, the difference between him and other players, and modern defensive schemes, would be able to limit him.

This is not a shot at him, and he's still one of the 3 best players of all time, if not the best. But I don't think you'd see him put up the same numbers today, even with no red line, composite sticks, and more PPs.

Who was it that actually signed Ghost? I think Homer was still GM at the time, right?
- jmatchett383

Couturier, Giroux, B Schenn, Voracek, Simmonds, Read, Raffl, Laughton, Mason, MacDonald, Coburn, L Schenn,. Defense prospect base of Morin, Ghostibehere, Alt, Haag.

How will Hextall ever overcome the handcuffed situation he was left with?

Plind, this one is for you.
The top 10 old time players (retired prior to 1994) who would still be stars in today's game!
BTW, these are all guys that I saw play live.

1. Bobby Orr
Would be the best skater in the league in any era. He looked like a Ferrari running to next a bunch of Hyundais most nights!

2. Gordie Howe
I only saw him at the end of his career, but even then he stood out. Howe was tough and talented enough to succeed in any era.

3. Mike Bossy
Very good skater with one of the nastiest snap shots I ever saw, would be putting up 40+ goals today.

4. Denis Potvin
Excellent skater, physical and superbly talented, he would be an all star in any era.

5. Larry Robinson
At 6'3 215, he'd still be a big man today. Now add solid skating, great skill and world class hockey sense and you get a number one dman.

6. Bobby Clarke
Clarke worked so damn hard that he would succeed in any era. His lack of speed and size probably would keep him from being a superstar today, but he would be a solid Patrice Bergeron type who would get you 15-20 goals and 55-65 points while being a finalist for the Selke.

7. Guy Lafleur
His conditioning habits wouldn't be acceptable today, but the Flower, in his prime, would still be an all star in today's game. He was an excellent skater and his puck skills were world class.

8. Ken Dryden
A huge goalie for his era, Dryden has the size to be successful in todays game. He was excellent at both challenging the shooter and rebound control as well.

9. Bill Barber
Good wheels, great skills and an even greater work ethic makes this a no brainer. Barber would be a top flight 2 way winger in today's game.

10. Gilbert Perreault
Another guy with great wheels and skill, he would be sold number 1/2 center in todays game.

Also in consideration:
Brad Park
Yvan Cournoyer
Serge Savard
Darryl Sittler
Rick Macleish
Peter Stasny

I honestly don't think he would be AS dynamic. Still a Norris-caliber player and HOFer, but from everything I've read, he basically reinvented the position. Before him, defensemen got the puck, passed it to a forward, and followed the play up the ice. Very up-and-down.

Bobby Orr was the first defenseman who would start the rush, and then circle back in his own end and restart. That's basically hockey 101 now, but it wasn't done. He was also the first defenseman to headman the puck on the rush. So, while he'd still be a dominant player, the difference between him and other players, and modern defensive schemes, would be able to limit him.

This is not a shot at him, and he's still one of the 3 best players of all time, if not the best. But I don't think you'd see him put up the same numbers today, even with no red line, composite sticks, and more PPs.
- jmatchett383

True, no one is going to put up 40+ goals and 120+ points as a dman in today's game, but with Orr's skating ability, skills and hockey sense he would definitely be in the running for the Norris.

I honestly don't think he would be AS dynamic. Still a Norris-caliber player and HOFer, but from everything I've read, he basically reinvented the position. Before him, defensemen got the puck, passed it to a forward, and followed the play up the ice. Very up-and-down.

Bobby Orr was the first defenseman who would start the rush, and then circle back in his own end and restart. That's basically hockey 101 now, but it wasn't done. He was also the first defenseman to headman the puck on the rush. So, while he'd still be a dominant player, the difference between him and other players, and modern defensive schemes, would be able to limit him.

This is not a shot at him, and he's still one of the 3 best players of all time, if not the best. But I don't think you'd see him put up the same numbers today, even with no red line, composite sticks, and more PPs.
- jmatchett383

I agree. I don't think he would be putting up 130 points, and +124, defensive schemes, and goaltending are too good now for that. I do believe he would still be the best dman in the NHL by a wide margin though.