Mike Knuble Will Never Be Booed in This Town. Am I Right?

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One of the great paradoxes in hockey involves the intense love that fans develop for their team's individual players set against the backdrop of a sport that sees very frequent personnel changes. Every season, there many trades, often involving several players per side, and free agency is just a bonanza. This is true of every sport, but I've always noticed how quickly fanbases can become enamored with their players, even those with relatively brief tenures.   

Mike Knuble was only a Flyer for four seasons, and he was far from a superstar. He was and is a very productive and consistent player, someone about whom it would be profoundly difficult to find fault. And so, after the Flyers were unable to retain him in the new NHL era of the salary cap, I haven't heard one fan say, "Good riddance" or "He won't be missed." Neither are even remotely true. In fact, although we may passionately root against the Capitals, I was actually happy to see Knuble land with a Cup contender, even though that contention would have bad implications for us back in Philly. 
Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy had the opportunity to interview Knuble, and he posted the highlights today. One question he asked was whether we would boo Knuble when he returned in a Caps uni. Knuble's response:

"I don't know. Maybe there'd be a smattering of boos. I hope not: I think I gave Philly a few good years."

Four great ones, Mike, and I can't imagine ever booing you. That's a bold statement in a town like Philadelphia, but unless Knuble were to do something entirely out character—like board or run at one of our stars—there's just no chance he'd get anything but respectful applause here, even if it's as he skates out after being named a star of the game. Would you agree?
Head over to PD for the rest of the interview, which includes some beer and music choices that actually should be booed mercilessly, come to think of it. But, I think we can all agree that not much would be better than the Flyers winning the Cup this year while Mike Knuble quietly scores 30 goals, even if 20 of them are garbage sweeps of Alex Ovechkin rockets. 
Best of luck to a departed but respected member of the Flyers organization. The Caps got themselves a tremendous team player and productive scorer. 

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