Ed Snider commented on the Flyers' roster moves in recent years in a Friday interview in the Philadelphia Inquirer. (Photo Courtesy of Philly.com)
This season has been full of sound bytes from the Flyers owner and chairman. Ed Snider has stood by his laurels all season.
When the Flyers fired head coach Peter Laviolette just three games into the season, Snider defended the culture of the Flyers.
Granted, at many times this season, the Flyers have not lived up to the culture that Snider seems to think they have. If the Flyers culture is supposed to be that of a winning franchise, then turning to the “if you can’t beat ‘em, beat ‘em,” method is not exactly the way to promote your franchise.
But Snider continues to stick by his beliefs. This was evident in his most recent interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer and columnist Mike Sielski. Sielski asked the question about the Flyers culture at the press conference for Laviolette’s firing. Snider’s answered remained the same.
“I always want to win,” Snider said repeatedly in the interview.
Sielski also referenced that the Flyers may have made some mistakes in the moves they made. Snider countered.
“That’s what you might believe, but that’s not what I believe,” Snider said. “So you can take it any way you want it. I think we’re always trying to win, and whether you want to criticize the moves we make, you can do that. But I like what we do, and I like how we do it, and I think our fans like what we do. They know we’re always trying to win, and that’s all we can do.”
The Flyers have obviously made many moves in recent years. And obviously, there is some scrutiny behind the situation with Ilya Bryzgalov.
The Flyers traded Sergei Bobrovsky for a draft pick. Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy last season.
To get Bryzgalov, the Flyers traded Jeff Carter to Columbus for Jake Voracek and the eighth-overall pick – which was Sean Couturier – and Mike Richards to Los Angeles for Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. Carter and Richards were eventually reunited and won a Stanley Cup in 2012.
In some cases, it’s not just the moves directly related to the Bryzgalov saga. Joffrey Lupel has succeeded in Toronto. R.J. Umberger has played well in Columbus. Justin Williams was also a member of the Kings Stanley Cup team. Patrick Sharp has two Stanley Cup rings with the Blackhawks. The list is endless.
So it can be understood that the Flyers have made some questionable moves over the years.
Regardless, Snider stands by the moves of his general manager and front office, wherever it may take the Flyers for the rest of this season and beyond.
Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
