United Bank of Clarke

As the hockey playoff's approach and I look at the Flyers I cant help but think of where the organazation would stand if Clarke would have admitted he was "burned out" earlier. Holgrem has done an AMAZING job with the Flyers even after what he inherited from Clarke. We didnt have the money to go after a big time goalie or a defenseman because Clarke felt he could sign Hatcher and Rathje to long term deals, they are both still on the payroll for this year and next year at 3.5 million per year (although I do recognize they are on IR). Rathje has the greatest job (or lack of) in the world, he has not played a full season yet for the Flyers. Just how long has Bobby Clarke been "burned out" and disengaged. He made Hatcher and Rathje rich (and oh remember the Chris Gratton deal as well, cha ching for Gratton). I will say Hatcher was a solid defenseman for a while but you cant sign older players (especially physical ones) to long term deals (chelios is the exception to the rule, he is a machine). What was the ownership and coaching staff thinking of when they granted Clarke the go ahead. As far as heart and soul on the ice few came close to what number 16 brought to a team, he was a hell of a player and a captain but perhaps his days in the organzation should of ended on the ice and not running the organzation and I say this as a loyal flyers fan and a admirer of number 16's efforts on the ice. Where would we the Flyers be today if Holgrem would have arrived 4 years earlier? Great job number 17 great job. Perhaps a number one goalie would be between the pipes, I love Marty and Nitty but remember " Only God saved more then Bernie" and Philly needs another savior between the pipes. Hopefully Marty can get hot like he did last year and this barker hopes so but do we as Philly fans really need to hope every night for solid goaltending, why cant we just expect it? LETS GO FLYERS