First, I really enjoyed this perspective. Probably because it's completely in line with the way I feel about all of it...but if I can put my confirmation bias aside(doubtful), it's simply a pragmatic, measured, and well thought out perspective on things. (Meltzer excels at this too IMO) I'm only slightly into the rumors and all that stuff but this is a really honest reflection of how I suspect many other fans like me feel.
As for the Flyers, man, your friend Joe has a point! I'm a more serious fan than he is and I had higher hopes and expectations for this team. I planned to watch more games too. I pay for NHL.tv so I watch most all games anyway, but this team isn't all that fun to watch so I do skip some. Think about that. The money's spent but I'd rather do something else with my time on more and more occasions. At some point, if the team doesn't become more competitive and thereby more entertaining to me, I'm going to eventually stop paying. They are indeed NOT selling hope so they better find a way to entertain. The Carter Hart call up and the coaching change does supply some of that. But I won't pay for dysfunctional entertainment alone, I really just want hockey. I hate drama more than I hate cliche'd player interview questions and their robotic responses to the point where I turn down volume or change channel 99% of the time. (I miss JR). Neither entertain me, both repel me and thus I find I'm taking my attention else where more and more frequently.
But drama brings changes which, in this case, has brought hope. So I turn back toward the Flyers again, hoping not to see this slow-motion-car-crash of a team take yet another hit, but rather hoping this is the change that gets them back on their way. And as for Carter Hart, again, I think you're right Ek, he'll be fine! Sure, he may fizzle out and never play again. Then again he just might have a hall of fame career...or...most likely, he will end up somewhere between the two extremes (now hows that for stating the obvious?!) but until then, I'm just going to watch period by period...you know, in case I can think of better things to do with my time.
