While the Philadelphia Flyers top line of Claude Giroux, Scott Hartnell and Jaromir Jagr had a fine regular season and Quarter-Finals round against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they weren't nearly as effective in the Semifinals against the New Jersey Devils.
Because the Devils have moved on to face the New York Rangers, the Flyers began their summer vacations early. One of the first things that every one of them likely did was visit with their dear old moms on Mother's Day. The conversations that their top three forward line hockey boys likely had this past weekend probably went something like this:
Those Penguins were a wild bunch of boys. Even though you lost to the Devils, they surely played a nicer game.
Paul Holmgren traded your former friends Mike Richards (to the Los Angeles Kings) and Jeff Carter (to the Columbus Blue Jackets) last summer. We know that they weren't happy about that at all. But, things seem to be working out nicely for those two young men right now. Hopefully, they remember to keep their curfew.
You seemed to play a lot more because they were gone and just look at how many points you were able to get this year. Next season is sure to be even better. Maybe you will be a finalist for the Hart Trophy, instead of some video game cover.
I've been telling you to get your hair cut since you played with the Nashville Predators. You look like an orange hippie.
I'm glad that you didn't throw your glove at any pucks this season and that your head coach (Peter Laviolette) let you play with that young man Giroux and that older boy who wore number 68. I only saw you on the ice for about ten minutes per game before you were put with them last fall. I hope that you remembered to thank them when you made that All-Star team.
You only have one year left on your contract and we learned last year that 'Homer' is capable of doing anything in the summer. If you go back to Philadelphia next year, make it another great season and stop showing off by falling down all the time. That's just something you do to try and get attention.
No one was happier than I was that you decided to go back to the National Hockey League this season. I know that you missed all of your friends over there.
The Flyers let you have a prominent role on their team and you showed everyone that you still had a lot of heart. But, you are 40-years-old now and it might be time to ask yourself what you can accomplish by playing one more year.
You were lucky to not be involved in any serious accidents during all of those games. So, why not leave with good memories and your head held high?
Those two Stanley Cups with the Penguins will always be a big part of your legacy and one more season might not give you what you are really looking for. It's hard to say goodbye, but you will always be that great boy who made everyone cheer throughout all those years. That's why you are going to the Hall of Fame.
Come home.
Perspective
Hardcore hockey fans appreciate what has been noted above and know that there is light-hearted truth between the lines.
They also have no problem with some creative expression as we head toward a Flyer-less June. But, Philadelphia fans definitely want to experience a different outcome slightly more than one year from now.
Sean O'Brien is based in the Philadelphia region. He has written professionally for over two decades and is currently a Featured Contributor for Yahoo! You can follow him on Twitter @SeanyOB and also read his daily Sports Blog: Insight.
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