Fansided

Mark Friedman reflects on his time in Philadelphia, says there’s nicer people in Pittsburgh

By Matthew C |
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: Mark Friedman #52 of the Pittsburgh Penguins stretches in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 27, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: Mark Friedman #52 of the Pittsburgh Penguins stretches in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 27, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Former Flyers defenseman Mark Friedman had some things to say about the City of Philadelphia. Friedman, the 25-year-old who was put on waivers by the Flyers and claimed by Pittsburgh, told reporters “There is more of a homier feel than Philadelphia. It’s not as busy, not as noisy, nicer people.”

According to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer, quoting a piece from the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, Friedman said “It’s not as busy, not as noisy, nicer people”. It’s obvious that he is referring to the Pittsburgh-area, his new home for now during the NHL season.

The comments seem awfully bitter coming from Mark Friedman, who has not appeared in an NHL game since March 4 due to an injury that he suffered following a hit by Flyers forward Nolan Patrick. It’s a shame that Friedman thinks that way towards the team and city that gave him a chance in the National Hockey League.

Friedman failed to meet the expectations the Flyers organization had for him on the big league roster, hence his placement on the waivers. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round back in 2014. He went on to make his NHL debut three years later in 2018.

Obviously, it wasn’t a huge deal that the Flyers essentially gave up Mark Friedman for free by placing him on the waivers and getting claimed as you wonder what kind of return the organization could get in exchange for the struggling defenseman.

This season in just four games with Philadelphia, Friedman posted a -2 plus/minus rating and earned zero points. He has only played in two games as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins so far as his injury has kept him sidelined for almost one month.

It’s tough to tell if the young defenseman will figure out his game in the future, but it doesn’t seem to be trending in the right direction right now.

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