he got on my nerves at times, but i definitely think Hartnell holds a unique place in Flyers history.

Honestly since the 05 lockout, I'd say he's been one of the most colorful characters in the entire league. And i think other fanbases would admit that too.
- Crimsoninja

definitely. Who would have done the hogan impression in that playoff game or fought Phaneuf right after scoring a goal? He's a unique player

Is he still though? He got a pretty mixed reaction at the alumni game.

I guess we'll see on Thursday...

I still think it an embarrassment on the franchise's part to not have 88 in the rafters.
- hereticpride

I think when he's inducted into the HHOF, 88 will rise to the rafters. No question about it.

I enjoyed (some) things he brought to the table, and other things not so much. Personally, I was more upset with Briere being bought out at the time
- Trainfellow

You realize hes a regular healthy scratch for Colorado?

Is he still though? He got a pretty mixed reaction at the alumni game.

I guess we'll see on Thursday...

I still think it an embarrassment on the franchise's part to not have 88 in the rafters.
- hereticpride

I cant think of any Flyer player that I would coin beloved after Lindros other than LeClair

Is he still though? He got a pretty mixed reaction at the alumni game.

- hereticpride

What alumni game did you watch?

What alumni game did you watch?
- opeth_pa

I was there any the majorty of the sections around me were mixed boo's and standing o's. It was very odd.

Granted I was in the cheap seats. It's usually a strange group in those areas.

I cant think of any Flyer player that I would coin beloved after Lindros other than LeClair
- vejim

I think Timonen is beloved by the segment of the fan base who understands what he brought to the team during his tenure and the amount of pain he played through. Gagne is pretty close as well. I'm sure Primeau is beloved by many too for his playoff run

I think Timonen is beloved by the segment of the fan base who understands what he brought to the team during his tenure and the amount of pain he played through. Gagne is pretty close as well. I'm sure Primeau is beloved by many too for his playoff run
- PhillySportsGuy

I loved Brindy more than Primeau

I think Timonen is beloved by the segment of the fan base who understands what he brought to the team during his tenure and the amount of pain he played through. Gagne is pretty close as well. I'm sure Primeau is beloved by many too for his playoff run
- PhillySportsGuy

Gagne might qualify. I tell people that I'm meh on Gagne and they act like I said that Jesus was an bumhole

I think Timonen is beloved by the segment of the fan base who understands what he brought to the team during his tenure and the amount of pain he played through. Gagne is pretty close as well. I'm sure Primeau is beloved by many too for his playoff run
- PhillySportsGuy

Not even close. And it was most beloved in Philly sports history. When you look at most beloved Flyers in Philly spots history, we're talking about Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent territory. Scott Hartnell in that territory? No way.
- MJL

Hes in Gagne/Brindamour territory

Eh, maybe he was beloved?

special thanks to MJL for sparking conversation there for a bit

could've made it something a little more controversial though, just saying

Gagne might qualify. I tell people that I'm meh on Gagne and they act like I said that Jesus was an bumhole
- Jsaquella

I know exactly what you mean.

Eh, maybe he was beloved?


- Jsaquella

'Should of'? A bit of Hockeybuzz grammar there.

'Should of'? A bit of Hockeybuzz grammar there.
- Tomahawk

It's a play on WIP callers and CSN mis-identifying Hartnell in his early days with the team

Eh, maybe he was beloved?


- Jsaquella

Hockey jersey and shorts. Goof.

none meet the level of Dawk, imo
- Crimsoninja

Dr. J and Clarke did I think

special thanks to MJL for sparking conversation there for a bit

could've made it something a little more controversial though, just saying
- BulliesPhan87

Okay, you suck!

Okay, you suck!
- MJL

He said controversial. We all agree on that one.

Lindros was beloved for my generation. Prob a shade under Clarke and Parent. I watched him for years learning to love the Flyers before I even knew who Bernie Parent or Bill Barber were.

Here is a tiny excerpt of Jay Greenberg's interview with Simon Gagne for the 50th Anniversary book on the Flyers that will come out in a couple years. What I got from doing the transcription for Jay was a sense of just how much being a Flyer meant to Gagne -- and he still feels that, despite what happened last September.

Q: How did the veterans treat you as a rookie? Were they nice to you?

A: Oh yeah. If I go back to that first year, it was almost the best time because you have all these guys you watch when you are a kid or you are in juniors and you have never talked to them. I had stars in my eyes a little bit, you know, to be in the room with them.They all seem like big stars. But that first year was so much fun. Desjardins was my roommate. Mark Recchi was my linemate. Renberg was there for awhile. Rick Tocchet, Lindros, LeClair, they were all professional but so generous and friendly off the ice. That year we had a really good team but we lost in seven games to Jersey in the Conference Final. Lindros came back and got knocked out by Scott Stevens.So we had a really good team. Dan McGillis was there. Dan was one guy who, I remember, was always asking me [to] see if I want to get a ride to the rink. He was... actually he was speaking French to me because my English was really pretty average at that time. So Dan was speaking to me in French and it wasn't bad. Adam Burt. Marc Bureau. All these guys, they were so nice to me and they make me feel welcome and, you know, part of the team. It's hard to name just one or two guys. They were all really good to me. So that first year was a really fun one. They made me feel like I belong in the league for sure.

Q: What do you remember most from that first playoff run?

A: I remember riding to the rink, it was my first playoff game. Coming to the rink in Philly, it was like a big party outside. Lots of people. There was music. The fans was like, already ready like the game is starting in five minutes but we've got another two and a half hours before the puck drops. Just to realize, wow, what a city! What a city to play for, you know, in playoff hockey. To me, there's nothing like that. Well, maybe the Kings in the Finals, but every Flyers game in the playoffs it's so loud. It's so energized, you know? To play for the Flyers, you get so energized to play like that, to see all those fans get pumped up before the playoffs.

Here is a tiny excerpt of Jay Greenberg's interview with Simon Gagne for the 50th Anniversary book on the Flyers that will come out in a couple years. What I got from doing the transcription for Jay was a sense of just how much being a Flyer meant to Gagne -- and he still feels that, despite what happened last September.

Q: How did the veterans treat you as a rookie? Were they nice to you?

A: Oh yeah. If go back to that first year, it was almost the best time because you have all these guys you watch when you are a kid or you are in juniors and you have never talked to them. I had stars in my eyes a little bit, you know, to be in the room with them.They all seem like big stars. But that first year was so much fun. Desjardins was my roommate. Mark Recchi was my linemate. Renberg was there for awhile. Rick Tocchet, Lindros, LeClair, they were all professional but so generous and friendly off the ice. That year we had a really good team but we lost in seven games to Jersey in the Conference Final. Lindros came back and got knocked out by Scott Stevens.So we had a really good team. Dan McGillis was there. Dan was one guy who, I remember, was always asking me
- bmeltzer[to] see if I want to get a ride to the rink. He was... actually he was speaking French to me because my English was really pretty average at that time. So Dan was speaking to me in French and it wasn't bad. Adam Burt. Marc Bureau. All these guys, they were so nice to me and they make me feel welcome and, you know, part of the team. It's hard to name just one or two guys. They were all really good to me. So that first year was a really fun one. They made me feel like I belong in the league for sure.

Q: What do you remember most from that first playoff run?

A: I remember riding to the rink, it was my first playoff game. Coming to the rink in Philly, it was like a big party outside. Lots of people. There was music. The fans was like, already ready like the game is starting in five minutes but we've got another two and a half hours before the puck drops. Just to realize, wow, what a city! What a city to play for, you know, in playoff hockey. To me, there's nothing like that. Well, maybe the Kings in the Finals, but every Flyers game in the playoffs it's so loud. It's so energized, you know? To play for the Flyers, you get so energized to play like that, to see all those fans get pumped up before the playoffs.

if only Gagne could have seen the fans and the city in 1974

He was beloved, until the war with Clarke became a distraction. By the time he was traded to NY, there was no consensus on people loving him.

However, I think that time healed those wounds.
- Jsaquella

I knew why he had to go, but I'm one of those who wishes he never left

I don't get too attached to players, but I truly loved watching that big SOB destroy people

if only Gagne could have seen the fans and the city in 1974
- vejim

if only I could have seen it too. give me a damn cup victory