Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Roster Spot Races -- Rinaldo, Sestito, Shelley
- bmeltzer

Tom Sestito... his crowning achievement as a Flyer thus far has been goading Brad Richards into making that "fantasy camp" zinger on 24/7.

"I'll knock all of you out!"

OK Tom...

Can we have Michael Chaput back?

Great read as usual Bill. Thanks so much for these write ups! They keep me sane at work and I find myself looking forward to them each day.

Not at all a fan of Rinaldo. Way too much potential for dumb penalties and/or disaster for my liking.
- Scoob

Disagree. Last year he showed he can play the game effectively within the rules. He is a spark plug for the team as many times last year he got the teams legs going last year after a physical shift. If he plays the same way he did last year. IMO he should get more leeway from the refs. Hopefully holmer has chirped to the league about the amount of bad calls against him

I don't think Wellwood is an absolute lock for an NHL roster spot, but he's got a job to lose as the 11th forward. Rinaldo has the inside track for the 12th forward role, and that leaves Shelley and Sestito to compete for the "extra" spot.
- bmeltzer

I'd love to see Holmstrom get bumped up to center the 4th-line, freeing up Talbot to play with better linemates.

Tom Sestito... his crowning achievement as a Flyer thus far has been goading Brad Richards into making that "fantasy camp" zinger on 24/7.

"I'll knock all of you out!"

OK Tom...

Can we have Michael Chaput back?
- Tomahawk

yeah, but I hope Sestito gets a long look. He's not as out of control as Rinaldo, and unlike Shelley he can actually skate a bit.

I like Sestito ... at least in comparison to the other two.

Whats your gut feeling.. Shelley or Sestito? I think it will be Sestito.. no rationale though.. just a feeling.
- jak521

I also think it will be Sestito this time around. I suspect that Shelley has played his last game as a Flyer and, possibly, in the NHL. Youth and the salary cap will be served.

Yeah I am. You dont think he protects the team? If Shelley doesnt then who does?
- Flyers_1488

Please explain how exactly Shelley protects the team? They protect themselves, and stand up for each other. Just because Shelley is on the Flyers doesnt mean other teams arent going to hit our guys, or run our guys, or try to fight our guys.

And to boot.. he only played 30 games last season... We only needed protection in 30 games?

Who else are we over-paying? J-Bo, though overpaid, helps us during a season where we've lost Carle and will be missing Meszy for a good portion of the year. The salary is there.

The extra year on J-Bo's contract won't hut as much because Timonen will either be retired or come back at a much cheaper clip than he's currently signed at.

The J-Bo move, to me, is a no-brainer as long as we don't have to give up too much talent to get him.
- steelydan

I couldnt agree more about J-Bo. With Timmo potentionally retiring and the free agent D looking weak next offseason i think trading for him makes more sense now then ever. Especially with Enstroms extension. Is he the saviour no but he would be a nice 2-4 dman

I also think it will be Sestito this time around. I suspect that Shelley has played his last game as a Flyer and, possibly, in the NHL. Youth and the salary cap will be served.
- bmeltzer

Thats the part that makes sense. Sestito would fit right in with the core of the group and get more ice time than Shelley while developing a role. also helps by being less of a burdon on the cap.

I couldnt agree more about J-Bo. With Timmo potentionally retiring and the free agent D looking weak next offseason i think trading for him makes more sense now then ever. Especially with Enstroms extension. Is he the saviour no but he would be a nice 2-4 dman
- Stinkfitz

Welcome newcomer

EDIT: I dont know about the free agent d looking weak.. there are plenty of good d-men still looking at FA next offseason. Maybe not a #1, but Mark Streit, Smid, Edler, Ian White, Ryan Whitney, and Visnovsky are a pretty solid group

yeah, but I hope Sestito gets a long look. He's not as out of control as Rinaldo, and unlike Shelley he can actually skate a bit.

I like Sestito ... at least in comparison to the other two.

- FlyerGuy

I like Sestito but I think he HAS played a little out of control in his games with the Flyers. He got himself a suspension in the preseason last year because of an overzealous hit from behind. And 83 penalty minutes in 14 games is WAY excessive for this day and age -- it isn't the '70s anymore.

That said, if he makes the club, he'll settle in a bit. He did have a couple of real effective games for the big club last season when he stuck to playing hockey.

Please explain how exactly Shelley protects the team? They protect themselves, and stand up for each other. Just because Shelley is on the Flyers doesnt mean other teams arent going to hit our guys, or run our guys, or try to fight our guys.

And to boot.. he only played 30 games last season... We only needed protection in 30 games?
- jak521

You dont get it then again why would you?

Do you not watch hockey? That's his job ummmm so yeah he does
- Flyers_1488

Being "irrelevant" around the league and losing fights is protecting the team?? Good to know. He's about as useless a player as they come....... and he makes over a million dollars a year against the cap.

yeah, but I hope Sestito gets a long look. He's not as out of control as Rinaldo, and unlike Shelley he can actually skate a bit.
- FlyerGuy

He sabotaged his own chances at making the roster last season by stupidly getting himself suspended in the preseason...

Edit: beaten by Bill

I like Sestito but I think he HAS played a little out of control in his games with the Flyers. He got himself a suspension in the preseason last year because of an overzealous hit from behind. And 83 penalty minutes in 14 games is WAY excessive for this day and age -- it isn't the '70s anymore.

That said, if he makes the club, he'll settle in a bit. He did have a couple of real effective games for the big club last season when he stuck to playing hockey.
- bmeltzer

yeah, he has ... I just meant in comparison to Rinaldo, who I thought was gonna take a needless penalty EVERY time he was out there.

Tom Sestito... his crowning achievement as a Flyer thus far has been goading Brad Richards into making that "fantasy camp" zinger on 24/7.

"I'll knock all of you out!"

OK Tom...

Can we have Michael Chaput back?
- Tomahawk

Yup, Sestito's chirps weren't too creative, were they?

Welcome newcomer
- jak521

TY. Been reading bills blogs for years not sure why i decided to post now.

You dont get it then again why would you?
- Flyers_1488

How do you think he protects the team? Im seriously interested..

I'd love to see Holmstrom get bumped up to center the 4th-line, freeing up Talbot to play with better linemates.
- Tomahawk

I also like Holmstrom would like to see him get the opportunity as well.

He sabotaged his own chances at making the roster last season by stupidly getting himself suspended in the preseason...

Edit: beaten by Bill
- Tomahawk

stupid play by him, for sure ... still, I think there's a lot more stupid inside of Rinaldo than there is Sestito.

I also like Holmstrom would like to see him get the opportunity as well.
- stveshdy

Talbot/Couturier/Read
Wellwood/Holmstrom/Fedotenko
Rinaldo


A 4th line that could actually play a regular shift might be nice for a change. A 4th line center that can actually win a faceoff might be nice, too.

Talbot/Couturier/Read
Wellwood/Holmstrom/Fedotenko
Rinaldo


A 4th line that could actually play a regular shift might be nice for a change.
- Tomahawk

I totally agree. Holmstrom plays well in his own end. I like that 4th line as well b/c they have some skill also.

Are you serious?......
- jak521

Yeah I am. You dont think he protects the team? If Shelley doesnt then who does?
- Flyers_1488

How did the flyers manage to survive for the 52 games Shelley watched from the press box?

stupid play by him, for sure ... still, I think there's a lot more stupid inside of Rinaldo than there is Sestito.
- FlyerGuy

What should be embarrassing for Sestito is that Rinaldo's smaller by 1/2 foot and 50 lbs and he makes a bigger impact on the game physically and as an agitator... Rinaldo is probably the better pound-for-pound fighter too, which is sad.