Maxime Talbot
It used to be that a player didn't want to be traded to or sign with their arch rival. It used to be a taboo thing to play for the team you feud the most. It used to be. The Pennsylvania rivalry has existed as long as the two franchises have. A sort of bragging rights type of rivalry much a kin to the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry (Go Green). Well in the world of rivalries, Maxime Talbot just crossed over the dividing line and became a Flyer.
I saw many Penguins fans say that Max was a traitor and left to, in some way, intentionally hurt the Pens. First of all, I'm sure that wasn't the case. A player usually doesn't leave a franchise for their rival franchise out of spite. Look at Hossa. Hossa didn't leave the Penguins for the Red Wings out of spite. He left because he thought he could win with the Wings. He then left the Wings for their arch rival to try and win with Chicago. Some players want to win and winning is their sole objective. Take a look at Chris Chelios. The former face of the Blackhawks franchise left for Motown for a chance at winning, and winning he did.
Maybe the recent struggles that the Penguins have had led Max to doubt the winning ability of that franchise. Players don't play the game to lose. They play the game to win or have a chance at winning. My educated guess on the matter would be that the Pens didn't offer Talbot the type of offer he was looking for. Maxime obviously wanted a multiple year deal with some zeros like he got from Philly.
Does leaving the Pens for the Flyers make him a traitor? I don't think so. Does it make him an opportunist? Quite possibly.
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