Is there friction between Flyers' management and veterans players?
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Wilson SalaunApril 7, 2022 (2:52 PM)
Let's talk one more time about that Keith Yandle madness.
It seems like there's two sides : NHLer, former NHLer or former head coach, who are deeply frustrated with the decision to sit Yandle out despite the fact that he was 11 games away to 1000 consecutive games played. The other side? Journalists, but above all fans, who were agreeing with that decision from the Flyers.
Personally, I have no problem with it. The Flyers needed to play their youngsters - and other players who are looking for a contract next season like Nick Seeler. We already all know what Yandle brings to the table...
But Yandle's teammates didn't see it this way. According to Elliotte Friedman, some of the Flyers' veterans players were upset with this decision.
Must read on FlyersInsider
We saw it with Kevin Hayes' comments before the game against the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
"Some of the Flyers' veterans were upset, as you'd expect them to be for their friend. At the very least, they wanted him to get to 1,000, and I suspect that Kessel being just 19 games behind played a role in their disappointment for him, too (although that will have to be decided next season). Yandle handled it gracefully, which is no surprise. I don't think someone in his shoes is ever happy with a streak ending, but he knew it was getting close. There had been conversations about what would happen if a contending team wanted to acquire him for depth reasons, with no guarantee of playing every night. The key is to remember Yandle for 989 games in a row, and how much teammates adore the guy, as opposed to how it ended," wrote Friedman.
You have to think that some veterans came to Yeo to ask him what was happening to show some support to Keith Yandle.
But, at the end of the day Yeo and the management took the best decision here. There is other priorities until the end of the year.
Previously on FlyersInsider
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