Is anyone happy in Detroit?

 We're in that magical week between Christmas and New Years, where most of us are going through the motions of work, if not submitting a full effort, or are at home with our families, perhaps waiting or hoping for things to get back to normal. The NHL returned from their holiday break yesterday, and for at least one team, the glow seems to already have worn off. 

Starting us off in Minny! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/PBZrAvncbN

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 28, 2023

Andrew Copp is downright angry to be back on the ice. Ben Chiarot has clearly been given some bad news. At least James Reimer is in the spirit of the holiday by being a grown up version of Scut Farkis. Maybe the vibes in Detroit are down as they find themselves in 5th place in the Atlantic, despite a hot start, or that they are relying on former rival Patrick Kane to help turn things around. Whatever the case, I hope you are looking for the new year in better spirits than the Detroit Red Wings.

Hughes Brothers meet in the NHL for the first time

 

Last night, all three Hughes brothers were in the same arena as the Devils and Canucks played to a 6-5 victory for New Jersey. Luke and Jack had to be separated on the bench by Lindy Ruff, allegedly because Luke was sitting "too close" to Jack, and Jack didn't like that Luke was "touching his stuff". At one point, Jack laid his stick sideways on the bench to create appropriate distance between the two brothers. 

On the ice, Quinn was often in the ear of the officials, particularly when his brothers skated near him. "LUKE HIT ME!" Quinn could be heard loudly yelling on the ice, and helpfully shouting later "JACK WAS OFFSIDES, HE WAS OFFSIDES! 

Tweet of the Moment

 

↓ The perfect gift for the Preds fan in your life ↓

🎁 https://t.co/8Xf2ZyWLut pic.twitter.com/zWgULDEYrP

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 6, 2023

"I looked up XXX Smashville and stocking stuffer, but all I ended up with was this hockey tweet.

The Flyers fading light

Philadelphia, as we have all heard, is a gritty, tough town, with no patience for losers, and a passion for underdogs that has spawned an entire genre of movies. There is an edge to all of the teams, and now some success to match the expectations of the fans. The Eagles are in the Super Bowl with some regularity. The Phillies are in the World Series at the same pace. The 76ers haven't reached the mountaintop, but they have one of the best players in the game, and aren't afraid of confrontation. Neither are the Eagles or Phillies, for that matter. 

The original embodiment of the Philadelphia mindset were obviously the Broad Street Bullies. The scrappy Flyers of 60s and 70s brought a new style of hockey to the world, and it was successful. Basically, the strategy was to beat the shit out of their opponents. And it worked!

They were the Bullies through the early 80s at least, and the Flyers were easily identified with Philadelphia and Philadelphian success through the next twenty years or so. The 76ers had their heyday in the years before and after the Flyers' heyday, and haven't won since 1983, while the Phillies couldn't ever seem to get over the hump. The Eagles were just never good. There is a reason why you see them in so many sad sack stories from the 80s through the early 2000s. 

Now, though, it seems like the Flyers are taking a back seat in Philly culture. Is it because ever since Eric Lindros' career was disrupted people started caring about head injuries, and the physical style of yore didn't fit anymore? Or more likely, is it just because the Flyers haven't been as relevant for quite a while now. 

There was a period when Jeff Carter was around that the Flyers seemed poised to take the city over again, but that wasn't to be, and it was lost in Phillies and Eagles stories. The Flyers aren't threatening for the postseason again this year, and they are getting drowned out by other Philly teams making Championship games or series. 

Are the Flyers going to have to start knocking some teeth in again to get a little attention? Maybe they should just win some more games, and catch up to the rest of the league. At least the mascot is still Gritty