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.
- Tomahawk

Well, one got to play 60 games and in the playoffs last year and the other only played 12. So not sure how you can close the book on that opinion.

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.
- Tomahawk

I don't believe in the role of an enforcer anymore. I would rather have Sestito over Shelley on this team. He has more skill and he skates better. Shelley has been around for years but at some point father time catches up.

How do you think he protects the team? Im seriously interested..
- jak521

He's also paid as a part time security guard after the game while the players make their way to their cars

Disagree.
- Just5

That's cool.

For me though, I put Rinaldo and Sestito in the same bucket as Carcillo. Not worth the risk for the tiny return.

That's cool.

For me though, I put Rinaldo and Sestito in the same bucket as Carcillo. Not worth the risk for the tiny return.
- Scoob

I fear any player that is prefaced with "when he plays with his head on straight..."


He can be effective at times, but is it worth it? We'll see.

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.
- Tomahawk

I don't know about that ... I saw a few youtube videos of Sestito and he handled himself pretty well. Besides, Rinaldo has certainly had more of a chance to make an impact considering Sestito's injury.

I prefer Sestito only because, to me, he seems less like a penalty-waiting-to-happen compared to Rinaldo.

If they want to pay Shelley to be a good locker-room presence, then make him a coach or give him a role like Lappy's.

If they want to pay Shelley to be a good locker-room presence, then make him a coach or give him a role like Lappy's.
- Tartan69

That might be what happens, a la Riley Cote.

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
- jak521

Your post intrigued me to look at next year's UFA list for d-men, as it stands right now.

Edler (26)
Streit (34)
Whitney (29)
Babchuk (28)
Murray (32)
Smid (26)
Fistric (26)
Klein (27)
Smaby (27)

Those are the ones that piqued my interest for us. I think Edler gets re-signed for sure, but the rest might hit the open market. My personal choices would be Smid, Murray, and Klein, based on age and probable cost. I've always been a Douglas Murray fan, guy is a tank. Smid is interesting, still young enough to fit in with our core of youth. Klein, coming from that Nashville d-men factory, could be a steal for us. I threw Smaby in there solely because I had our 5-6 pairing in NHL 12 as Smid-Smaby.

If they want to pay Shelley to be a good locker-room presence, then make him a coach or give him a role like Lappy's.
- Tartan69

Makes sense to me. I don't see a need for him on the current club.

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.
- Tomahawk

I was thinking Holmstrom might crack that 4LC spot this season. I hope the kid comes to camp and wins it. I fully endorse those 3rd and 4th lines you posted!

Your post intrigued me to look at next year's UFA list for d-men, as it stands right now.

Edler (26)
Streit (34)
Whitney (29)
Babchuk (28)
Murray (32)
Smid (26)
Fistric (26)
Klein (27)
Smaby (27)

Those are the ones that piqued my interest for us. I think Edler gets re-signed for sure, but the rest might hit the open market. My personal choices would be Smid, Murray, and Klein, based on age and probable cost. I've always been a Douglas Murray fan, guy is a tank. Smid is interesting, still young enough to fit in with our core of youth. Klein, coming from that Nashville d-men factory, could be a steal for us. I threw Smaby in there solely because I had our 5-6 pairing in NHL 12 as Smid-Smaby.
- Rocktane

Forget Edler like you said. Who else on that list has potential to be a top pair guy?

Bill,
In light of last summer's tragedies involving Boogaard, Rypien, and Belak and the subsequent media emphasis on the troubled mindset of many NHL enforcers, I feel like the Flyers are hesitant to waive Shelley so they can avoid the possible PR fallout that would follow. I can picture articles drawing a link between the Broadstreet Bullies waiving their heavyweight enforcer truly signaling the end of an era. Do you think that the Flyers wanting to avoid looking hypocritical (i.e. being so associated with fighting yet discarding a tried and true warrior to the minors) may lead to them allowing Shelley to play out his contract in the NHL, even if it makes sense to waive him?

Forget Edler like you said. Who else on that list has potential to be a top pair guy?
- Stinkfitz

Under the circumstances, another year of Timonen might not look so bad.

Makes sense to me. I don't see a need for him on the current club.
- stveshdy

Wasn't one part of the NHLPA's proposal allegedly to allow players in the minors to practice with their NHL team without affecting the cap? If that became a reality, they could get all the practice and off ice benefits of Shelley without his seven digits on the cap.

Under the circumstances, another year of Timonen might not look so bad.
- Tomahawk

If he's healthy, for sure.

Under the circumstances, another year of Timonen might not look so bad.
- Tomahawk

Couldnt agree more. Gotta bad feeling this is his last year which is going to leave the D real thin. Only reason id consider pulling the trigger for an overpriced but underappreciated dman.

That's cool.

For me though, I put Rinaldo and Sestito in the same bucket as Carcillo. Not worth the risk for the tiny return.
- Scoob

Disagree with tiny return for Rinaldo.. his style of play can set the tone and tempo for the team. He isnt as volatile as many make him out to be.. and frankly, the refs (frank) him over more often than not.

Case in point, Voracek gets destroyed by Kronwall.. Schenn challenges him but he skates away from Schenn. You could tell the team wanted to sort of retribution. Next shift Rinaldo goes out and (i believe it was still a TV time out, but i was sitting about 5 rows from the ice right where this happened), and skates by a Wing and bumps him as he approaches the faceoff circle. BUMPS, not hits or punches... bumps. He gets a 2 and 10. Pathetic call.

Wasn't one part of the NHLPA's proposal allegedly to allow players in the minors to practice with their NHL team without affecting the cap? If that became a reality, they could get all the practice and off ice benefits of Shelley without his seven digits on the cap.
- BulliesPhan87

Not totally sure. Will have to see what the NHL and NHLPA agrees to. Then the Flyers can take the next step. I just dont think Shelley is needed on this team anymore as the game has changed. The role of an enforcer is fading out, IMO.

Under the circumstances, another year of Timonen might not look so bad.
- Tomahawk

The Flyers should treat Timonen like the Red Wings did with Lidstrom. Give him one year deals until he is ready to call it quits in the NHL.

Disagree with tiny return for Rinaldo.. his style of play can set the tone and tempo for the team. He isnt as volatile as many make him out to be.. and frankly, the refs (frank) him over more often than not.

Case in point, Voracek gets destroyed by Kronwall.. Schenn challenges him but he skates away from Schenn. You could tell the team wanted to sort of retribution. Next shift Rinaldo goes out and (i believe it was still a TV time out, but i was sitting about 5 rows from the ice right where this happened), and skates by a Wing and bumps him as he approaches the faceoff circle. BUMPS, not hits or punches... bumps. He gets a 2 and 10. Pathetic call.
- jak521

He earned his reputation and imho hurts more often than helps. He had to do that, right? He couldn't wait for play to begin and make a hockey play to send a message? I don't like players like that. They're a disaster looking to happen.

Forget Edler like you said. Who else on that list has potential to be a top pair guy?
- Stinkfitz

I think its rare to see top pair guys hit FA.. strange to see Suter go. With that being said, the guys on that list are all very reliable. Douglas Murray would be a great addition. Also, Mark Striet would be one of the best offensive d-men to hit FA in a long time.

Disagree with tiny return for Rinaldo.. his style of play can set the tone and tempo for the team. He isnt as volatile as many make him out to be.. and frankly, the refs (frank) him over more often than not.

Case in point, Voracek gets destroyed by Kronwall.. Schenn challenges him but he skates away from Schenn. You could tell the team wanted to sort of retribution. Next shift Rinaldo goes out and (i believe it was still a TV time out, but i was sitting about 5 rows from the ice right where this happened), and skates by a Wing and bumps him as he approaches the faceoff circle. BUMPS, not hits or punches... bumps. He gets a 2 and 10. Pathetic call.
- jak521

Detractors will point out that while the calls may not all be deserved, the fact is that they are still made and can hurt the team.


For the record I like Rinaldo and have no problem seeing him get regular time again this season if he earns a spot.

Not totally sure. Will have to see what the NHL and NHLPA agrees to. Then the Flyers can take the next step. I just dont think Shelley is needed on this team anymore as the game has changed. The role of an enforcer is fading out, IMO.
- stveshdy

The enforcer role isn't what it used to be, that's for sure. Still, I don't think Shelley is completely useless as a player. He can skate the shifts you'd expect him to and bring a physical presence. He's not a fast skater and won't bring an iota of offense, but I wouldn't call him completely inept.

That said, I'm all for icing a younger, more capable hockey player eleven times out of ten. And based on how little Shelley played last season, I'd definitely agree he's not needed on the roster.

He earned his reputation and imho hurts more often than helps. He had to do that, right? He couldn't wait for play to begin and make a hockey play to send a message? I don't like players like that. They're a disaster looking to happen.
- Scoob

He's young and still learning how to play his role at the NHL level. I'd be hesitant to completely bail so early in his career.