the world would be better off if it had been Bobby Clarke instead of Bryan Murray.

Bobby Clarke is an embarassment. he was a coward of a player. he would constantly incite things only to have his tougher teammates clean up. he would only ever actually finish things he started with players his size or smaller. played dirty as a rat. how does anyone glorify someone for chopping off as many ankles as he could?

then he gets Into management. throws unhealthy players into play endangering their careers. rips apart one if the most respected hockey people in Roger Nielsen, while the guy has cancer.

what a slimeball.
- prock

Agreed. It's a very interesting dynamic. Those Cup teams are deities in Flyer lore for their grit and skill, and NHL legends as the Broad St Bullies, from 40 yrs ago. Truly an all time team, no matter the generation. I wonder if any other franchise has such an influential team like that. The Oliers come to mind, anyone else?
- Giroux_Is_God

influential on who? the NHL moved in the opposite direction of the Flyers in the 80s. influential on their own fanbase maybe, butblimited to that.

- Giroux_Is_God

I think the Bullies relationship with the fanbase is unique when compared to other Philly teams. Overall, I'm sure there must a few similar examples in other cities:

Boston: The Celtics of the 1960s and the Red Sox team that finally broke the curse
Chicago: Jordan's Bulls and the 85 Bears
Green Bay: Lombardi's Packers
Miami: the 72 Dolphins
Edmonton: as you mentioned, the 80s Oilers

There are probably a few others, but those 5 come right to mind.
- BiggE

Maybe the Jeter/Mo/Posada era Yanks, too

influential on who? the NHL moved in the opposite direction of the Flyers in the 80s. influential on their own fanbase maybe, butblimited to that.
- prock

- Giroux_Is_God

it's true. the NFL went all skill and scoring in the 80s. the oilers, islanders, Penguins. all skill with just enough toughness to watch over their stars. the way of the Flyers bashing their way over teams very quickly became obsolete.

it's true. the NFL went all skill and scoring in the 80s. the oilers, islanders, Penguins. all skill with just enough toughness to watch over their stars. the way of the Flyers bashing their way over teams very quickly became obsolete.
- prock

it's true. the NFL went all skill and scoring in the 80s. the oilers, islanders, Penguins. all skill with just enough toughness to watch over their stars. the way of the Flyers bashing their way over teams very quickly became obsolete.
- prock

The 80s, yes... when the Flyers reached the Cup Finals three times, once with Clarke as a still-important player (and assistant coach to Pat Quinn) and the other two as a GM. Or the 90s when he was GM of North Stars and the Flyers teams that reached the Finals and two other Flyers teams that reached the conference finals. Or the early 2000s with two more Flyers GMs that fell just one win short -- in 2-1 finals in Game 7 both times -- of getting back to the Cup Finals.

As a player, Clarke's Flyers went at least to the SC semis six straight years (1973 to 1978), the Cup Finals three straight years (1974 to 1976) and won the Cup back-to-back years (1974 and 1975). Oh, and they dominated the Red Army in Jan. 1976 after no other NHL team including the Canadiens (tie) had beaten them during their tour of North America.

Yeah, Clarke was a real disgrace as a player and a terrible GM. Just awful. Now go back in your troll hovel.

The 80s, yes... when the Flyers reached the Cup Finals three times, once with Clarke as a still-important player (and assistant coach to Pat Quinn) and the other two as a GM. Or the 90s when he was GM of North Stars and the Flyers teams that reached the Finals and two other Flyers teams that reached the conference finals. Or the early 2000s with two more Flyers GMs that fell just one win short -- in 2-1 finals in Game 7 both times -- of getting back to the Cup Finals.

As a player, Clarke's Flyers went at least to the SC semis six straight years (1973 to 1978), the Cup Finals three straight years (1974 to 1976) and won the Cup back-to-back years (1974 and 1975). Oh, and they dominated the Red Army in Jan. 1976 after no other NHL team including the Canadiens (tie) had beaten them during their tour of North America.

Yeah, Clarke was a real disgrace as a player and a terrible GM. Just awful. Now go back in your troll hovel.
- bmeltzer

I had the pleasure of meeting Clarke before he played his first NHL game.

Even in an age when players were considerably smaller that today ( the Big Bad Bruins of that era averaged in less than 6" and 200 lbs.), Bobby was surprisingly frail. I couldn't imagine how he would make it through the year let alone the entire season.

After a little while, it became clear how someone who was undersized, who didn't skate very well, had an underwhelming shot, could win the hearts of a city which never chose to embrace other athletes throughout the years who had considerably more talent that Bobby.

Not totally devoid of talent, Bobby could thread a pass with the very best in the game, was one of the best at faceoffs, despite his size, went into the corners against much larger men and usually came away with the puck, was what we'd call today a 200 foot player, had an incredibly high hockey IQ, and most importantly, had a burning desire to win.

Though his diabetes scared teams away from drafting him (the trainers had to carry sweetened orange juice on the bench at all times) never took a shift off his entire career. He showed that you could overcome whatever obstacle stood in front of you if you worked hard enough.

The 80s, yes... when the Flyers reached the Cup Finals three times, once with Clarke as a still-important player (and assistant coach to Pat Quinn) and the other two as a GM. Or the 90s when he was GM of North Stars and the Flyers teams that reached the Finals and two other Flyers teams that reached the conference finals. Or the early 2000s with two more Flyers GMs that fell just one win short -- in 2-1 finals in Game 7 both times -- of getting back to the Cup Finals.

As a player, Clarke's Flyers went at least to the SC semis six straight years (1973 to 1978), the Cup Finals three straight years (1974 to 1976) and won the Cup back-to-back years (1974 and 1975). Oh, and they dominated the Red Army in Jan. 1976 after no other NHL team including the Canadiens (tie) had beaten them during their tour of North America.

Yeah, Clarke was a real disgrace as a player and a terrible GM. Just awful. Now go back in your troll hovel.
- bmeltzer

Silver sulfadiazine is often applied to 3rd degree burns, please see your doctor for a prescription

Troll Hovel.



That is gold.

Maybe the Jeter/Mo/Posada era Yanks, too
- Giroux_Is_God

That era was magical.

In Los Angeles as a 10 year old in 74, it was mainly the images of Bobby Clark in the LA times/Herald Examiner that made me bleed Orange n Black since then.

The 80s, yes... when the Flyers reached the Cup Finals three times, once with Clarke as a still-important player (and assistant coach to Pat Quinn) and the other two as a GM. Or the 90s when he was GM of North Stars and the Flyers teams that reached the Finals and two other Flyers teams that reached the conference finals. Or the early 2000s with two more Flyers GMs that fell just one win short -- in 2-1 finals in Game 7 both times -- of getting back to the Cup Finals.

As a player, Clarke's Flyers went at least to the SC semis six straight years (1973 to 1978), the Cup Finals three straight years (1974 to 1976) and won the Cup back-to-back years (1974 and 1975). Oh, and they dominated the Red Army in Jan. 1976 after no other NHL team including the Canadiens (tie) had beaten them during their tour of North America.

Yeah, Clarke was a real disgrace as a player and a terrible GM. Just awful. Now go back in your troll hovel.
- bmeltzer

Bill, you better trademark Troll Hovel (TH)= best of the year!!!

My 10 Favorite Sports moments, all but one are Philly related:

1. The Flyers win the Cup in 74
2. The Flyers win the Cup in 75
3. The US Olympic hockey team wins the gold in 1980
4. The Phillies win the World Series in 1980
5. The Phillies win the World Series in 2008
6. The Flyers beat the Soviet Red Army team in 1976
7. The Phillies win the NL pennant in 1993
8. The Flyers come back from being down 3-0 in game 7 and 3-0 in the series to beat Boston in 2010
9. The Sixers win the NBA championship in 1983
10. The Eagles beat the Cowboys to win the NFC championship in 1981

Bill, you better trademark Troll Hovel (TH)= best of the year!!!
- Konalover

I cringe when Bill gets involved in that kind of stuff.

Let it go man. Rise above.

I cringe when Bill gets involved in that kind of stuff.

Let it go man. Rise above.
- flyer_nutter

Yeah, let's rise above someone wishing Clarke was dead

Yeah, let's rise above someone wishing Clarke was dead
- Giroux_Is_God

No moron actually thinks that if it came down to it. He's posting to get reactions brah.

No moron actually thinks that if it came down to it. He's posting to get reactions brah.
- flyer_nutter

True, but it transcends the trolling threshold at that point

Yeah, Clarke was a real disgrace as a player and a terrible GM. Just awful. Now go back in your troll hovel.
- bmeltzer

Hahahaha, I'm not sure local Flyer fans, especially those who weren't around for his playing days, realize just how hated Clarke was around the league when he was playing.

No moron actually thinks that if it came down to it. He's posting to get reactions brah.
- flyer_nutter

when he wishes people dead, I just flag and move in. Not sure if that matters or NOT as it seems to have no affect on any thing.

Hahahaha, I'm not sure local Flyer fans, especially those who weren't around for his playing days, realize just how hated Clarke was around the league when he was playing.
- fls13

Actually had a different perspective on Clarke. I grew up in north Jersey as a fan starting in the 60's, pre expansion Ranger fan. Hated the Flyers. Was Rags AND Isles fan and the Isles were a huge impact in their era. I moved full time to Bucks County in 81, watched the end of the Isles run, but was starting to lean to the Flyers. Remember, bad cable options and no internet. The paper was it for news and local Hockey news was what you got. By 1985 I was behind the Flyers and was crushed by Pelle's passing. Hexy was the key that locked me in. Kerr was a beast in front of the net. Loved that team.
I still remember the Bully days and while I hated him then as the "enemy" Clarke was an amazing player. He had some mad skills and fought for the puck on every inch of the ice and NEVER EVER quit on it. Happy Birthday Mr. Clarke and many more I hope. RIP Mr. Murray you will be missed. Good hockey people passing always leaves a void.

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