Philadelphia Flyers: The Last Straw May Have Been Picked

Philadelphia Flyers: The Last Straw May Have Been Picked by Steven Smith

Just about an hour ago it was reported that Kimmo Timonen had been dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks.

BREAKING: #Flyers have traded Kimmo Timonen to CHI for a 2015 2nd-round draft pick & a 2016 conditional draft pick → http://t.co/tP8q59fyhx — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 28, 2015

Considering that every Flyers fan was anticipating his glorious return to the ice this Saturday, this came as a shock too many.

Immediately, Flyers twitter began memorializing the best defenseman the Flyers have had since Eric Desjardins.

on the edge of a breakdown. weird. when the lindros stuff happened, i was too young to be moved like this. now? timonen is everything. — collin mehalick (@collin) February 28, 2015

Thank you for everything, Kimmo Timonen. You deserve a shot at the Cup before you retire. Always and forever a Philadelphia Flyer. — Tom Foti (@TomFoti) February 28, 2015

It’s very bittersweet. Was hoping to see Kimmo tomorrow night, but he wasn’t going to win a Cup as a Flyer. Hockey Gods, give Kimmo love. — jsaquella (@jsaquella) February 28, 2015

I’m forever yourrrrrrrrssssss, Kimmo. Faithfully. Goodbye old friend. https://t.co/iaz2dVuDw2 — joe м (@dr_pizza_MD) February 28, 2015

It’s hard to describe the feelings I had upon learning of this. Personally, it was a confused mix of anger, frustration, and genuine sadness.

I’m angry because he’s gone, frustrated that he didn’t get to win a Stanley Cup in Philadelphia, and sad he will never don the orange and black ever again.

It seems silly to feel this way, especially because I have never met Kimmo. However, seeing the outpouring of emotions on twitter helped me justify all these feelings that I had.

There exists a strange relationship fans have with certain players. We talk about players like Timonen as if they are a family member. Even if that’s completely ludicrous, it feels natural for those of us who are emotionally invested in our teams.

But, in addition to all these feelings of general shittiness, I’m happy that he’s gone to a team that has a shot to give him a Stanley Cup that he so rightfully deserves.

In situations like this, you hear a lot of people describe the player leaving as a great teammate, a good person, and someone who played the game the right way. While it seems cliche to continue this time honored tradition, Kimmo Timonen was all of these things.

I will look back on these past eight years fondly. It has been a great pleasure to see him play hockey and he will be sorely missed.

This city loved Kimmo Timonen and I’d like to think he loved us just as much.

So long old friend.

#KimmoForever