I wasn't alive in the 70s, so I never got to see the BSB days live. But I've seen the tapes, I've heard the legendary stories, and I've read up on them. And I agree that Dave Schultz was the face of the BSB, the guy who played the heel and loved it, and the guy who gave Clarke et. al. the protection they needed.
That all said, his number should not be retired. I understand that he was an integral part of the team. He was a great enforcer, and the one player in the 70s that people were literally afraid of on the Flyers (for my money, he was maybe the 3rd best fighter on the team, though). But again, to me, a retired number should be reserved for a player whose skill at playing hockey is legendary, not a guy whose fighting prowess was legendary.
Again, I wasn't alive during the 70s, so I don't have the same reverence that some may, but that's just how I view it. Hell, I'd rather see Brindy and Tocchet get their numbers retired first.
Edit: Plus Rex, while not a frequent combatant, could and would throw them.
- jmatchett383
And the guy who was really responsible for all this sat in the box safely.
Bob Gainey had 501 points in 1160 games and his numbered was retired by Montreal. Now Gainey was an excellent defensive forward and a great team leader, but his pure hockey skills were far from legendary. IMO, if a players contributions were critical to the success of Stanley Cup winning team and that same player gave that team the identity that led to their success, that player's number should at least be considered for retirement.
That being said, I would not retire #8 just in honor of Dave Schultz. However, if they are considering retiring the number due to Recchi's Hall of Fame induction, IMO, Dave Schultz must also be recognized. As good as those Bullies teams were, without Schultz setting the tone, I don't know if they win a Cup, let alone back to back. - BiggE
This is my issue. If a player does not merit having a jersey retired based on his own resume, he should not have it retired in his honor.
For my money, neither of them deserve to have it retired in their honor. While he was a fantastic player, I think he's more in a Flyers HOF chapter, similar to Schultz and contemporaries like LeClair and Desjardings (I know we all see the irony there). The only player that I think should be in consideration for having his number retired by the Flyers is Lindros.
And I think that Gainey was a far, far superior hockey player than Schultz, but also don't think his number should have been retired. But this is Montreal, where they're going to start using 3-digit numbers soon since they retire everyone's number.
So our goalie options to pair with Neuvirth for 17-18 are:
A. Stolarz
B. re-sign Mason
C. re-sign some other UFA, none of which are as good as Mason
D. try and trade for the overpriced and overrated MAF
E. try and trade for the way overpriced Lehtonen
F. try and trade for some other so-so veteran goalie
G. try and trade for a relatively unproven younger goalie
H. make a blockbuster deal for a legit top end starter
I. Hextall comes out of retirement
J. Bernie Parent finds a time machine, and then comes out of retirment
K. we comb the visitors locker room for a stray hair and clone Carey Price
Hmm, I'm leaning towards B, but I'm cool with J or K as well. - BiggE
Any goalie on the market is as good as Mason and wouldn't want the five year deal and be insisting on being handed the number one starter's role like Mason.
Location: The East Coast Dump, NJ Joined: 10.12.2015
Jun 27 @ 9:17 AM ET
So our goalie options to pair with Neuvirth for 17-18 are:
A. Stolarz
B. re-sign Mason
C. re-sign some other UFA, none of which are as good as Mason
D. try and trade for the overpriced and overrated MAF
E. try and trade for the way overpriced Lehtonen
F. try and trade for some other so-so veteran goalie
G. try and trade for a relatively unproven younger goalie
H. make a blockbuster deal for a legit top end starter
I. Hextall comes out of retirement
J. Bernie Parent finds a time machine, and then comes out of retirment
K. we comb the visitors locker room for a stray hair and clone Carey Price
Hmm, I'm leaning towards B, but I'm cool with J or K as well. - BiggE
L. Try to claim Neimi off waivers or sign him after he clears.
This is my issue. If a player does not merit having a jersey retired based on his own resume, he should not have it retired in his honor.
For my money, neither of them deserve to have it retired in their honor. While he was a fantastic player, I think he's more in a Flyers HOF chapter, similar to Schultz and contemporaries like LeClair and Desjardings (I know we all see the irony there). The only player that I think should be in consideration for having his number retired by the Flyers is Lindros.
And I think that Gainey was a far, far superior hockey player than Schultz, but also don't think his number should have been retired. But this is Montreal, where they're going to start using 3-digit numbers soon since they retire everyone's number. - jmatchett383
This is true, but Schultz was a better player than many gave him credit for. He was a 20 goal scorer which was nothing to sneeze at in his era. Also, I will say that I believe that Schultz was much more integral in the Flyers winning their Cups in 74 and 75, than Gainey was for Montreal in 76-79 or in 86. But yeah, at the end of the day, I wouldn't retire #8 for the Flyers. I also would be very selective about who receives that honor and I think the Flyers have done a good job with that.
Any goalie on the market is as good as Mason and wouldn't want the five year deal and be insisting on being handed the number one starter's role like Mason. - LindsayCarson
So you believe that Mike Condon and Keith Kincaid are both as good as Mason?
This is true, but Schultz was a better player than many gave him credit for. He was a 20 goal scorer which was nothing to sneeze at in his era. Also, I will say that I believe that Schultz was much more integral in the Flyers winning their Cups in 74 and 75, than Gainey was for Montreal in 76-79 or in 86. But yeah, at the end of the day, I wouldn't retire #8 for the Flyers. I also would be very selective about who receives that honor and I think the Flyers have done a good job with that. - BiggE
Calm down there, BiggE. He did it once and only broke into double digits two other times. Yes, he was a better player than given credit for being, but Dave Schultz and goal scorer should rarely be used in the same sentence. lol
