As per MSE's fine suggestion, here is a look at the best Flyers who had 2 (or in the case of one guy), more stints with the Flyers. I came up with 14 guys, and yeah, I'm probably missing a player or 2, and I grouped them into 3 categories: guys who were clearly better the first time around, guys who were clearly better the 2nd time around and guys who were pretty good each time they wore the orange and black. The first category had the most players, and the 2nd category the fewest.
So, lets start with the guys who were better the first time in Philly:
Rick Macleish
712 of the Hawk's 741 games and 775 of 797 points all came in his first stint. Plus all his great work in the playoffs were during the first time around as well. Enough said
Simon Gagne
Gagne was ok during his last, short stint with the team, but he was far from the player he was the first time around.
Mikael Renberg
Renberg was utterly dominant during much of his first stint with team until suffering a serious core injury in 96. After that, he was never the same.
RJ Umberger
Umberger was a solid middle six forward the first time he was in Philly. The less said about his 2nd stint, the better.
Chris Therien
Bundy was a top pairing guy during much of his first run with the Flyers. He was a fading journeyman during his short second.
Brian Boucher
Boosh wasn't really bad during his second run in Philly and no one will ever forget the shootout vs the Rags in 2010. However his best season was his first when he finished in the top 10 for both the Calder and Vezina trophies and had a fantastic run during the 2000 playoffs.
Ray Emery
Razor was a top notch starter for the Flyers until getting injured during his first run with the team. During his 2nd, he was a so-so backup that had been robbed of his mobility by injuries. RIP Ray.
Karl Dykhuis
Dykhuis was often prone to mistakes, but all in all, he was solid during his first stint in Philly and he played perhaps the best hockey of his career during the 95 playoffs. He was no more than a 6/7 guy the 2nd time around.
And, next, the one guy who was clearly better the 2nd time around
Bernie Parent
Bernie was good the first time he was in Philly. On a team that badly struggled to score, he gave them a chance to win most nights and was already considered one of the better goalies in the NHL when he was traded to Toronto in 1971. During his 2nd stint, especially the first 2 seasons, he was simply the best goalie in the NHL. 2 Vezinas , 2 Smythes and 2 Cups pretty much says it all and he really should have won the Hart Trophy in 74 as well.
Finally, guys who were solid if not very good contributors, both times around.
Kjell Samuelsson
Sammy, after a short adjustment period, stepped up and played very well for the Flyers during his first stint in Philly. From 1988 until his trade to Pittsburgh in 92, he played with Mark Howe on the Flyers top pair. While he might not have been quite as good the 2nd time around, he was still a solid top 4 guy and he formed a very effective pairing with Chris Therien during the 95-96 season. He was also a mainstay on the PK both times around.
Mark Recchi
Recchi was pure offensive machine during his first run in the orange and black, amassing 105 goals and 262 points in only 200 games. During his 2nd stint, he "only" scored 127 goals and 365 points in 402 games, but he was a better all around player and a team leader during his later days with the club.
Rick Tocchet
Tocchet almost made the first list as his numbers are much better during his first time in Philly. However, he was a mature team leader the 2nd time he was here and he was an instrumental part of the 2000 team's deep playoff run when he scored 5 goals and 11 points in 18 games. He also still scored 44 points in 90 regular seasons games while playing mainly on the 3rd line and getting limited pp time.
Craig Berube
The Chief was pretty much the same player during both his stints with the team. A hard working, tough as nails 4th liner who was responsible defensively and worked his tail off. He was perhaps a bit better offensively the first time around, but OTOH, he was more of a team leader and heart and soul guy the 2nd.
Dave Brown
Looking at pure on ice performance, Brownie was clearly better the first time around, at least offensively. When it came to fisticuffs, he was downright scary both times! During his 2nd stint however, he was a more mature player and team leader, who took fewer bad penalties and was a good mentor to a young kid named Eric Lindros.
And there you have it. As always, let me know what ya thing and please feel free to share any lists of your own!