TDA Apologists Might Want To Change Their Tunes

As the Hurricanes move further from (and hopefully completely past) the notion of a Tony DeAngelo return, I cannot help but read the statement released by the Philadelphia Flyers about TDA, with the hope that all of the apologists can finally shut their traps.

Perhaps because I am a “snowflake”, my sense for reading between the lines is somehow not as good as those who argue for a TDA return. Still I have read, and reread this statement several times over the course of a couple of days. No matter how many ways I try, I come to the same conclusions

First, there is the admission of success. Sure, the note points out DeAngelo was productive with Carolina, and had reasonable numbers with the Flyers. It also mentions his limited success in New York.

That makes sense. Of course you would point out the contributions of a player. That’s professional on the part of the PR department.

But there is this line. One line. A single line that does not normally appear in a “farewell to arms.” And that changes the way I read the whole statement. And it ought to make an apologist turn their heads.

“However, the Flyers struggled to keep the puck out of their own net when DeAngelo was on the ice.”

It is there in black and white, for all to see.

The Flyer recognized it. They said it loud and clear for the apologists in the back.

Nothing about politics, or hockey related nonsense like fighting teams. Just plain hockey terms

 “The Flyers struggled to keep the puck out of their own net when DeAngelo was on the ice.”

Boy how one line can change the tone of a whole statement.

Because then, if you re-read the words written out by a team that is known for a “whatever it takes to win attitude”, you start to see between their lines and get a better feel for their opinions on TDA.

Take for example.

“DeAngelo, a native of Sewell, New Jersey, had a rollercoaster “homecoming” to the team he grew up rooting for as a youngster.”

Seems pretty clear to me, but apologists typically do not use the term “rollercoaster” often. Or they don’t in my experience.

I don’t say I have a “rollercoaster” love affair with Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Butter Pecan is my go to! Rascal Flatts and I don’t have a “rollercoaster” relationship. I loathe Rascal Flatts.  You couldn’t pay me enough to listen to them. You can’t afford that.

My personal favorite is how they are already talking about how much cap space TDA took up, and how much under the limit the Flyers will be.

“The impending cap relief on DeAngelo puts the Flyers in a good position to get that done and remain cap compliant.”

Did you DeAngelo defenders get that?? Yeah, you in the back! They said ditching TDA puts them in a good spot regarding the salary cap.

But for those of you who are going to die on the “TDA apologist” hill, and won’t take my word (or their words either for that matter) on the fact that even the Philadelphia Flyers are glad to be getting rid of TDA maybe another tact would help itch that urge to deny.

Perhaps maybe just read how often they DON’T talk about Tony DeAngelo in this statement.

Both the third and fourth paragraphs talk extensively about how the Flyers have options on other players. Even before that, the statement assures fans the Flyers qualified for a second offseason buyout window thanks to Noah Cates.

If you hate to see a player leave, you don’t spend the majority of their “send off” article on what the player did for other teams, and you CERTAINLY don’t assure fans that everything will be ok with other players still on the team. y

I guess I would not do that, at least in writing an official statement about a beloved player clearing waivers. But then again I am just a liberal “snowflake” that refuses to join TDA apologists hoping for a triumphant return to a team that (according to many) struggled with defense.