I'm aware the time of the "Broad Street Bullies" was the most successful time of the team's history. Nearly 50 years later, and we have people who still want to associate the current Flyers with a bunch of *******s who went out to deliberately hurt other people. Took on the Red Army when no one else wanted to and won through brutality on the ice. Xenophobia was rampant during the 70's, as it still is today but under guise and deceit.
It's not the 1970's anymore. Bringing up the past is a way to deflect and distract against the new changes to the game and player's own individual philosophies and styles. Sure, you may have liked that style of play (How old are you?) but it is absolutely criminal how that brand of hockey was played. For instance, up until 1993, in many states it was legal for men to rape their wives. Native American families could have the government rip their children ripped away from them due to the image of being too "savage". Times are changing, so too must your mindset on the brand of hockey.
Team identities evolve and adapt as the game continues to evolve. We see this through systems, practice, coaching methodologies, and in general simply players' own philosophy and approach to the game. Skill trumps thuggery. Capitalism is prevailing - A winning culture brings in more revenue.
To me, "Be a ****ing Flyer" doesn't mean they players & coaches have to even resemble a nuance of what the Broad Street Bullies brought to the NHL - thuggery and battery on ice. In my opinion it is simple - it means to represent the brand with passion and respect. This is Philadelphia, we thrive on passion in all avenues of life.
