Flyers Starting to Resemble an Unlikely Rival
By Colin Newby
The Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers have historically been considered major rivals. The geographic clash between two of the most prominent American sports markets has played into some of the best moments in the history of both franchises.
Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault coached the Rangers from 2013-18. The hiring of a retread coach is nothing new in this rivalry, as former Flyers bench boss Mike Keenan coached the Blue Shirts to their only Stanley Cup of the NHL expansion era in 1994.
Fans were able to dispel the image of Vigneault as a Ranger during his successful first season in Philadelphia.
Flyers Modeling After Vigneault’s Rangers
The modest prominent acquisition during Vigneault’s first offseason with Philadelphia in 2019 was center Kevin Hayes. The seven-year contract Hayes received was thought of as somewhat of an overpayment at the time. However, the experience he brought from his first four NHL seasons playing in Vigneault’s system in New York proved valuable.
Flyers fans quickly flipped their opinion of the former rival when he put up arguably his best NHL season in 2019-20. Although he did not replicate the effort in 2020-21, the organization is optimistic for a potential rebound.
The Flyers also signed defenseman Keith Yandle, who played for the Rangers from 2014-16, to a one-year contract on the first day of free agency in July. His experience playing for Vigneault and his relationship with Hayes factored into the acquisition of the 15-year veteran.
General manager Chuck Fletcher kept up the trend of acquiring former Rangers by signing 33-year-old Derick Brassard to a one-year deal on Wednesday. His style of play as a pesky opponent proved valuable in parts of four seasons in New York from 2012-16.
Flyers Fans Welcome the Retreads
Although the acquisitions of these former rival players is a bit conflicting based on memories, the concept is nothing new for Flyers fans.
Perhaps the most prominent case of division “turncoats” came during the 2011 offseason. First, the Flyers signed former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Maxime Talbot, a fabled hero of the 2009 Stanley Cup. Another Pittsburgh legend chose to switch to orange and black shortly after, when Jaromir Jagr passed up a reunion with his former team upon returning to the NHL in order to play for their most hated rival.
Both former enemies turned to friends quickly. They were well-received in short but successful stints in Philadelphia.
Vigneault reached the Stanley Cup Final with New York in 2014, but his pursuit of the NHL’s top prize still needs to be completed. Flyers fans hope that he can bring the elusive Stanley Cup back to Philadelphia, even if it is with three of his former players who used to sport the colors of one of their most hated rivals.