+1

How come Gagne's ESL (English as a Second Language) is a problem from a captaincy standpoint but Kimo's is not???

I agree about Hatch, but why would you take the A away from Richie?



Technically English is Kimmo's third language, but it didn't stop him from being a captain in Nashville.

Realistically I can’t, he’s deserving of being the C, so stripping him of an alternate would be foolish.
Now having said that, I like Knuble as an alternate. He has one year left on his contract, and I strongly suspect he will not be resigned next season. I love what he brings to this team w/ his experience, and although his numbers are declining, he is invaluable on the PP. Taking the A from Gags would be an act of heresy at this point so the only other option is Richie’s spot.

So you just like to be foolish?

Sometimes. It beats being a heretic!

Well chosen.

I don't even think Gagne has a problem with his English at all...I was a little surprised people were talking about that.

i agree with Danny, but i still dont think he should get the C, as i'm still sold on Kimmo

Kimmo- C
Richards- A
Briere- A

i also like Hartnell but i dont think he's ready

Especially since so many players are ESL speakers these days

Gagne - C
Timonen - A
Richards - A

Gagne has been with us the longest. He knows what is expected and is capable of being a good leader. If he wants it, I say he gets it. Kimmo and Richards are the icing on the cake, one younger guy, one older guy. Covers all the bases if you ask me.

Uh-oh. You might want to duck and cover now.

gagne would be the best choice with his tenure at philly, but ive heard that he doesnt want to be the captain because of how big of a job it is and i dont mind that. if anything i would think:

C- Richards
A- Timmonen
A- Gagne

either kimmo or richards would be good choices for c, for the A's, i would think gagne would get that and briere isnt a bad one either.

I don't think it should even be a question. Richards gets the C.

I know what you are saying, i would love Richie to get the C, but the problem is, Richie doesn't think he is ready yet.
Hopefully his mind is made up. Holmgren said he was ready. If not Richards, than definitely Kimmo

I believe Richards said he wasn't ready because Smith was still in the organization by that time. It would have been stupid by him to say he's ready
to be a captain when Jason was still here, he's just not that king of guy and I think he's ready. I expect the organization to ask him again, if not, Kimmo's there.

I think they should let Richards reach his potential ( yes, I think he's going to get even better yet) before they put the pressure of being captain on him. Theres plenty of time for that and we have other players who can take that role for now.

I agree,

As much as I'd like to see Richie have that C theres no need to Rush him when you have a solid Potential Captain in Timonen also in the locker room.

Richards said he likes his role in the leadership, whether or not that was him being respectful to Smith or not, I think he would be happy to serve as an assistant Captain under a proven leader such as Timonen.

No need to rush him, he will already have enough pressure on him next year as it is.

However, that being said. If Richards gets captain I wouldnt exactly be upset.

Agree

No offense, but your opinion is coming from a fan of the team that made an 18 year-old an alternate, then captain at 19. This is the Flyers, we try not to make a mockery out of these things.

Finally, I agree with a pens fan.

SEE! We're not so bad!

ok so obviously C goes to Kimmo, Imo
richards gets the A

but i want to leave gags out of it since who knows about his health.

so who get the other A if not Gags?

Carter because he thrives when he is a leader (when richie got hurt he was a monster) and he needs challenges.
Briere because he can be good and can lead a team and has experience as a captian in Buffalo
Gagne gets it because he's been in Philly his whole career he is by far the most talent offensive power on the team and has had an A which you can't just take away from him.

Carter because he thrives when he is a leader (when richie got hurt he was a monster) and he needs challenges.
Briere because he can be good and can lead a team and has experience as a captian in Buffalo
Gagne gets it because he's been in Philly his whole career he is by far the most talent offensive power on the team and has had an A which you can't just take away from him.

Carter because he thrives when he is a leader (when richie got hurt he was a monster) and he needs challenges.
Briere because he can be good and can lead a team and has experience as a captian in Buffalo
Gagne gets it because he's been in Philly his whole career he is by far the most talent offensive power on the team and has had an A which you can't just take away from him.

Agreed!

Crosby is a great captain and leader. There is a reason he was made Captain over Gonchar, Roberts, Whitney, Recchi... and everyone else on the team.

I don't agree.

Crosby had 1 advantage that none of the other Penguins had. He lived with Mario, I can't help but think he did him some favors and Mario pulled some strings.

It is the Richards ERA might as well give it to him now. Kimmo will not be here forever Richards will...

there is a reason, but it has nothing to do w/ leadership. it has to do with marketing.

Sometimes you have to make concessions to sign someone like Crosby. I'm guessing the A and C were part of the original agreement. The team probably had to cave to some of his demands in order to sign him. Anyone who honestly believes an 18-19 year-old is ready to be a leader on a team full of seasoned veterans is completely clueless (I don't count you in that, I don't think you honestly believe that).


Actually, Kimmo is signed until he turns 38 in 2013.

Sometimes you have to make concessions to sign someone like Crosby. I'm guessing the A and C were part of the original agreement. The team probably had to cave to some of his demands in order to sign him. Anyone who honestly believes an 18-19 year-old is ready to be a leader on a team full of seasoned veterans is completely clueless (I don't count you in that, I don't think you honestly believe that).


Actually, Kimmo is signed until he turns 38 in 2013.

Sometimes you have to make concessions to sign someone like Crosby. I'm guessing the A and C were part of the original agreement. The team probably had to cave to some of his demands in order to sign him. Anyone who honestly believes an 18-19 year-old is ready to be a leader on a team full of seasoned veterans is completely clueless (I don't count you in that, I don't think you honestly believe that).


Actually, Kimmo is signed until he turns 38 in 2013.

I don't agree with that theory. Yes, Richards will most likely be here longer then Kimmo but that doesn't mean he should just be handed Captain. There shouldn't be a rush to make him Captain, he should receive it when we are sure he is 100% ready to handle it and the best man for the job. Currently we can't be 100% sure yet.

If it is given to Kimmo it doesn't mean he has to be the Captain his entire stay here. We should not look at what Pittsburgh did but instead what teams like Dallas and Calgary did. Morrow was similar to Richards where he was expected to eventually be the Captain of that team but he wasn't pushed into it early, Modano had the 'C' for a good while and when they knew Morrow was 100% ready they gave it to him. Craig Conroy was the Flames captain until they knew Iginla was ready for it then it was given to him. In my opinion two of the better captains in the NHL.

I say the 'C' should be given to Kimmo and then given to Richards when he is like 25. He will still have the 'C' for a very long time and we will be sure he is ready for it by then not after just 1 impressive season.

who is this "we"? b/c everyone ive heard in the organization talk about richards has said he's ready now

Umm Let John Steveens decide???

Umm Let John Stevens decide???

You really don't know what I meant by "we" or are you just picking at me?
By we I meant the Flyers organization, sure I am not part of it and I don't make these decisions but as a fan occasionally I use we. Is that a problem?

If they feel he is ready he will get the 'C' if they don't or he doesn't then someone else will. We can't be sure what they want until it is announced.

I am sure Richards could handle it but the question is would he currently be a better captain then Timonen? As far as knowledge and experience in how the game works I would say no not yet. As far as dealing with the other players who would they respond better to? I think everyone would love Kimmo, while Richards seems to be in good favor with the younger players will he really be entirely liked by all of the older players? Sometimes older guys have issues with following a young guy. Richards is still basically a kid and he still acts like one, pictures of him partying emerge all the time. What if the team hits a tough streak and he is seen out partying between games? Some of the older guys who have grown out of that may not be thrilled to see there captain doing that stuff. Resentment, a veteran may see or hear about that stuff and take it personal if he spends that time watching tapes or studying to get out of that slump. Then again maybe our group of guys may not care about that.

I believe Richards would be a good captain if he was given it now but I think Timonen would be a better one now.

everything ive heard from the vets seems to indicate they all think he's ready to be captain now.

him saying hes not yet, imo, comes from him being a very humble player, and the fact that he was always asked while jason smith was still the flyers captain, and he does not want to say he will take the job is some one is already fulfilling it, out of respect for smith

if its not richards its gonna be timonen

totally agree with your theory

Excellent post.

I agree with both of these.

I do believe that. Mostly because guys like Recchi and Roberts said that Crosby a great Captain. And the A and C were in no way any part of any agreements. When he was first offered the C, in February 2007, he refused it. He said he didn't think he was ready. He didn't accept the C until the summer, just before he turned 20. I think it was Gonchar that said "I can't believe it took this long, he should've had the C months ago."

Take media quotes with a grain of salt. It's a business first and foremost. But if that's what you truly believe, go with it.

I like the idea of Kimmo becoming captain too. I still think Richards is too young and is probably not vocal enough or inexperienced in handling the media. I felt like Timonen was the unofficial team spokesman last year, especially during the playoffs. In any article that you read or segment you saw on T.V., it was always Timonen who had something to say, and he always said the right things at the right time. I believe he is the natural team leader right now and in two or three years Richie might take that position.

Agreed. Sometimes the older, more experienced player is better at not reacting emotionally to stressful situations, and that sets the tone for the rest of the team. Not to say that Richards is a hot head, but Kimmo seems very controlled.

Personally I think Richy is ready. Everyone talks about being vocal and such, and clearly Mike is. He leads ever team he plays for, he's won everywhere hes gone so I would say give it to him. Him saying he's not ready was him being genuine because he didn't know the Jason Smith situation at the moment. We all know Kimmo would be a great fit, so I am in favor in all means of a split captiancy because we all know there both suitable , and a duel captiancy is sometimes better because there is a lot of different ways to lead. For example Kimmo might talk to the media, but richie will come out with a big play or big hit to get the team engergized. So duel captiancy or let John stevens decide?

How about a they let members of the FMB vote?

Our decision is legally binding too!

That's how it should be. While we're at it, we should vote on coaching decisions "real-time" during the game, and they should just implement whatever the majority wants.