Flyers to name Richards captain

[troy 12]

Both counts make me extremely pleased as a Flyers' fan.

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/200...be_in_camp.html

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

As a caps fan who was at 2 of the home playoff games, as well as the regular season games, I have to say Richards is a natural choice for captain.

He was a leader in the playoffs, talking to vets and youngsters alike, playing hard, sticking to ovey like glue.

As much as I hate the flyers, it's hard not to respect someone of Richards character.

Good move on the flyers. Still hope the caps crush them all season long :lol:

[nspeen 0]

Richards is a beast and deserves it. I wish he played for the Wild :)

[psh 25]

I'm no Flyers fan, either, but it's impossible not to be a fan of Richards. Good for him; good for the Flyers.

[Johnny Confident 0]

Same here. Cant stand the Flyers, but I really like Richards.. He's a solid player.

[ronnychencharik 0]

I can't say that I like Hatcher as a player, but I have to support him because he is from Michigan. MI needs all the players we can get to try and compete with Minnesota.

[halfmoonyote 0]

Really high honor for Mike Richards. He's a natural born leader, and a well deserved choice. He also captained his Canadian WJC team to the gold. The same team that included Coburn, Crosby, Jeff Carter, Getzlaf, Phaneuf, etc.

I have been to a few of the Flyers 'pond' sessions this past week, and I'm here to tell you something....don't sleep on Claude Giroux.

Claude Giroux is going to be a special player for the Flyers. This kid can do it all and will only get better. I fully expect this kid to compete for the Calder this year.

From practice this week....

[flyguy1697 0]

My brother who works for the Flyers and ironically his girlfriends roommate in college dates Mike, told me this last night when he found out. I think its awesome. Mike is a great guy on and off the ice. Maybe one of the best up and coming players and if you ever meet him you'd think he's a normal college kid. No big ego, just likes to play physical, emotional hockey. As a Flyers fan, I am very excited to sew the C on my Richards jersey.

[D3nZ 0]

Mike is now Phili's franchise player, with Gagné always being hurt he's (Richards) taken the top spot as leader of the team.

[Chadd 916]

Mike is now Phili's franchise player, with Gagné always being hurt he's (Richards) taken the top spot as leader of the team.

Gagne was never comfortable being the leader, not all good players are good leaders.

[shooter27 116]

You're right Chadd, Gagne was never comfortable with the idea of being the captain. I know the organization offered him the C after Primeau retired and I believe they offered it to him after Desjardins started getting injured regularly too (before Primeau took over). He never felt he was ready. Frankly, as long as he is healthy and playing well they have enough leadership on the team to let him go out and do his thing without wearing a C.

[D3nZ 0]

He was a leader when he played in Quebec, wasn't the captain but he was leading the team.

[shooter27 116]

He was a leader when he played in Quebec, wasn't the captain but he was leading the team.

You're correct and I guess that is a better way of making my point - he is a leader of the team, but he does not have to wear the C to do so. When it was offered to him the first time he was still really young so I understood him turning it down then, but I was kinda surprised when he turned it down after Primeau retired.