Dazzlers and Duds: the most loved and hated Flyers of the past decade

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Posted on at 8:00 am
Image courtesy of Bleacher Report

Image courtesy of Bleacher Report

Several weeks back, we asked our beloved Twitter followers who were their most loved and hated Flyers of the past decade. It led to some great names and some great discussion. Well it got us thinking. In the doldrums that is August in the hockey world — not to mention the impending doom of a lockout —  we decided to put together a tournament; poll style!

We’ve compiled the responses for both the Loved and Hated categories, and seeded them according to our whims and wishes. What you see before you is the result of our efforts. While we may not necessarily agree with some of the nominations, the people have spoken!

Over three weeks, beginning on Monday September 3, we will determine who is the most loved and the most hated Flyer of the past decade.

Each weekday we will post a new poll, containing one match-up for each bracket, both the Loved and the Hated. That poll will remain open until midnight of the same day — or, frankly, whenever we decide to tally the votes — where we will note the winners, and announce them the following day, along with the next day’s match-ups.

Ranting and raving about your love and/or hatred for the given players, is not only allowed, it is encouraged. I, for one, am excited to see the results for some of the more polarizing Flyers!

The Loved Bracket

The Hated Bracket

  • http://www.facebook.com/nikki.worrell.9 Nikki Worrell

    The people who hate Shelley don’t understand the role he is there to fill. They also don’t take into consideration the leadership and encouragement he gives our younger players. I wish people would educate themselves a bit before throwing stones when a 36 year old enforcer loses a fight or two!

    • http://twitter.com/geoffdetweiler Geoff Detweiler

      I wouldn’t paint his detractors with such a broad brush. Not every Shelley detractor is ignorant to his role. Instead, many simple value those things much less than $1.1 million over three years. Many, myself included, would rather that character guy also be able to play hockey. Which Jody Shelley can’t do.

      • Andrew

        But the contract it’s not his fault. Let’s say he made $ 300 000 a year. Would he be a different player? No. But people wouldn’t hate him. So, should I hate him because he’s making a lot more than he’s worth? No. I “hate” Homer for that.

        • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

          That is why i find this interesting. Everyone has different criteria. The player, the person, and the contract will all weigh differently with different people.

        • http://twitter.com/geoffdetweiler Geoff Detweiler

          The problem here is: Shelley’s horrible contract is just as irrational a reason to hate him as is his losing a fight. It speaks nothing to him as a person. And while it’s nice to say no player should be judged based on their contract, that’s not how it works.

          Just as you are entitled to weight his off ice impact more than his cap hit, I’m entitled to weight his horrible hockey skills more than his off ice role.

          And we should not call those who dislike Jody Shelley ignorant of his off ice role. It ignores all those who are aware of his off ice role and still think it is not prudent to enjoy a player who can’t play hockey.

      • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

        I fall into this bucket. His contract is/was a joke. He seems like a great guy. I personally wouldn’t have included him on the list, and if I did, it would have been because I was scrounging for names.

        • http://twitter.com/geoffdetweiler Geoff Detweiler

          Yup. I’m sure he’s a great guy. Unfortunately, he’s a terrible hockey player. I wouldn’t include him on this list either, but let’s not pretend everyone of Shelley’s haters are ignorant to his leadership role and need to “educate themselves”.

      • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

        Geoff, I wanted to put Carle in the Loved Bracket as well
        (and allow multiple votes for his matchups) so you and DGS could vote to your heart’s content!

  • http://www.facebook.com/vaughanpiccolo Vaughan Piccolo

    How can Eric Lindros not be in the “loved” bracket? During his 8 year tenure, he did a lot to revitalize the sport in Philadelphia and the reception/buzz surrounding him playing in the winter classic alumni game leads me to think that he could possibly win. I also think that Danny Briere is in the wrong bracket based solely off of his playoff performances. Two overtime goals against the devils? Come on, where’s the love for the clutch player.

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      Lindros is not eligible! He hasn’t been a Flyer in the past 10 years!

      • Guest

        That’s what I get for not reading carefully.

      • http://www.facebook.com/vaughanpiccolo Vaughan Piccolo

        You’re right. I can’t believe it was that long ago since he left. That’s what I get for not reading carefully.

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      I also agree with your point on Danny. I was surprised that multiple people wanted him in the hated bracket.

  • kmart

    I would think that the hated bracket should just be Randy Jones vs. Michael Leighton

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      You probably are not alone in this sentiment.

  • http://flyersfaithful.com Marcello

    This just dawned on me: I can’t believe Jaroslav Modry made the most hated list over Ryan Parent.

  • Arthur Woods

    I believe I should be the flyers faithful full time Wayne Simmonds correspondent.

  • Mad Dog Hockey

    This is a stupid and mean-spirited exercise, and should be deleted…one can make a good case for each of the ‘hated Flyers’ for their contributions. Or maybe ‘Hated’ needs to renamed and redefined.

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      There is no mean-spirited intention at all. Hated probably
      IS a strong word for the nature of the event, but was chosen as a means of
      showing the dichotomy; love and hate, it’s just simpler. I don’t truly hate
      anyone on that list, and I doubt many do – or should. And again, we did not
      choose the names on this list, they were provided to us by fans.

      You’re right that a case can be made for each of their “contributions”,
      but that does not mean that people are incapable of liking one more than the
      other. That’s all we’re trying to measure here; while providing a little
      interactive entertainment amongst Flyers fans in August. I’m sorry you feel
      that way regarding the word “hate”, perhaps it would be better to view it as “least
      favorite”. I personally view it in that manner.

    • http://www.facebook.com/vaughanpiccolo Vaughan Piccolo

      Mad Dog, one wonders if your comment is not also a stupid and mean-spirited exercise. This is supposed to be a fun little exercise to fill the gap between the season and the…well, no season. Relax, no one actually “hates” any of the people on the list.

  • A moose

    The person who came up with this ridiculous idea wins most hated hands down. Jeebus

    • http://www.facebook.com/vaughanpiccolo Vaughan Piccolo

      Despite the fact that you used the secret word “ridiculous” and that I am flailing my arms in the air as we speak–and typing pretty well considering–I think you should remember that this is supposed to be something quirky and fun to do during a time when we will most likely not have a hockey season. Even Jeebus hates (probably people who misspell his name).

  • Seriously?

    Danny B is in both brackets? Is Playoff Danny in the most loved and Regular Season Danny in most hated?

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      Yea I don’t really get that either. Among the reasons I was told for being on the “Hated” is his contract, his defensive play, and his stick antics.

      • http://twitter.com/geoffdetweiler Geoff Detweiler

        Briere is without a doubt my most hated/least favorite Flyer of the past decade. First and foremost it is his dirty and dangerous stick work. Secondly it is his horrible, often times lazy, defensive play. Throw in his contract, complaints over playing wing, and his over-hyped clutchosity, and it isn’t even close.

        In case anyone wanted an explanation from a Briere hater

        • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

          And there we have it. There will obviously never be a perfect finite list; but people nominated everyone for some reason! Even if I don’t know what it is.

  • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

    I decided to change the title to Dazzlers and Duds. As Mad Dog alluded to earlier…no one (probably) is truly hated. I certainly feel no ill will towards anyone on the hated list; so I thought I’d do away with D-bags.

    • RouxTheWorld

      no, I truly hate leighton.

  • DeathByHexy

    Billy Tibbets, really? I’ve never even given him a second thought. Would have liked to see Chris Therien instead – worst defenseman of all-time. Gauthier sucked too, but at least we were only stuck with him for a little while!

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      Therien was actually nominated, but we had to pare down the list a bit.

  • http://www.facebook.com/lavagasm Paul Hennessy

    Who hated Zherdev and Brashear?

    • http://twitter.com/geoffdetweiler Geoff Detweiler

      I think Lavy and Homer hated Zherdev, based on his ice time and comments made after he left.

  • Greg

    Danny Briere on both the loved & hated brackets?? Seems a bit off to me bc people can potentially have Danny as the most loved & hated of all time, even though it would never shake out that way

  • http://www.facebook.com/iannugent82 Ian Nugent

    Who ever hated brashear? he did his job well! maybe you were thinking of Antoski?

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      No idea, honestly. That one and Niitty are 2 of my bigger head scratchers.

  • Eric

    I would have liked to have seen Jeff Carter in both brackets.

    • http://www.flyersfaithful.com/ Kevin Christmann

      Yea. There was actually a few people I wanted in both. The Loved Bracket was really hard to pare down.

    • RouxTheWorld

      I hope Carter/Leighton wins most hated..

  • Mike

    I will vote Rathje for most hated until my dick falls off. It’s not falling off anytime soon.

  • http://www.facebook.com/michael.nesta Michael Nesta

    where is bryzgalov in most hated?

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  • Kleda

    Brian Boucher is definitely my most loved. I love him soo much!

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