Even in his failing days as he battled bladder cancer, Ed Snider had the urge to let general manager Ron Hextall know how much a Stanley Cup playoff run would mean to him - and to subtly suggest that maybe, just maybe, it might be a good idea to make a deal.
Snider, who died at his California home Monday at 83, was known for being impatient and signing high-priced free agents during many of his years as the Flyer chairman. However, after Hextall became the GM two years ago, Snider was on board with his plans to rebuild the team through the draft.