Does anyone know what happened to Rinaldo? I saw him collide with Regehr I believe in the corner, they said he limped off the ice and then he never came back. No replay from NBC. Is he out long term?
- The_Inkwell

hit and cut by a skate blade. I think they said 20 stitches on his knee?

Honestly.. I thought each team looked pretty poopty. I expected that though. Im not buying into Staffords fight as a way to prove your point. He thoroughly got his ass kicked. What I will say is that with a few of the additions.. you guys have finally found some swagger again.
- jak521

Was a back and forth game. Buffalo controlled the majority of the first period. Philly came out on fire in the second. The teams literally switched roles. That late 5 on 3 goal hurt the Flyers. I think fatigue definitely cost you guys in the third period. The game opened up a little bit and those last 5 minutes Buffalo was just fresher.

On the fight, Stafford took a solid punch to the jaw, but other than that 1 punch, he didnt get his ass "thoroughly kicked". To me, getting your ass thoroughly kicked is eating at least 5 punches and getting knocked down without ever really having a chance. He was able to at least get some punches off and wasnt defending the entire time.

The referee made a discretionary call that is in the rule book for the first disallowed goal. Rule 78.5: Disallowed goals - (v) When an attacking player has interfered with a goalkeeper in his goal crease. Its not a goaltender interference penalty. Its an interference with the goalie to prevent him making a save. It wasnt necessarily a blown call, moreso than it was a weak call. Similar to a defenseman poke checking the puck by swinging his stick but then also clipping the opponents feet for tripping. By rule a tripping, but he clearly was going for the puck and got it first so should it be called? I've seen it go both ways.

I haven't read anyone say they will run away with the east. So I don't know what you're talking about there. It's a 48 game schedule heavy on divisional play. The standing will be tight. The Pens and Rangers are very good teams, and both are in the mix.
- MJL

I will stick with my prediction that the Rangers best shot at a Stanley Cup was last year. They will make the playoffs but they are not a threat to do much damage in the playoffs.

We saw the same dance from Tortarella in Tampa. Once it starts downhill it falls off very quickly. Give it a chance and he will go from fighting with the media to fighting with everyone around him. He is a great coach on the way up. No skill in being able to stay there or handle set backs.

hit and cut by a skate blade. I think they said 20 stitches on his knee?
- Dkos

Great occasion for someone else to take his spot on the roster.

Let's say, Rinaldo isn't very... useful.

I like what I see from Luke Schenn. He has some areas where he needs to improve. But he has a chance to be a real good player.
- MJL

i don't know what you think you're seeing. he's rusty right now like a lot of guys are and i'm reserving judgement for at least another month.

I knew the back to backers was going to be used as an excuse.

The same fate awaits the Sabres tonight in Toronto so let's see what happens tonight in Toronto. I will not use back to backers as an excuse if the Sabres lose tonight , I can tell you that. Your penalty kill is awful! Look there.

The Sabres are better than people give them credit for but I dont even care about and neither do most Sabres fans to be fair. Sabres are a tougher to play against now, Stafford poved that point yesterday taking matters into his own hands.

I think teams playing in back to backers yesterday were 3-4-1 . Which means some teams were able to win without using back to backers as an excuse.

That said , the Flyers will be fine if Bryz holds up and they get that penalty kill figured out because that was awful.
- BuffaloHardHat

Yeah Stafford really proved his point.... The point is he shouldnt be fighting after taking a beating by hartnell.

I will stick with my prediction that the Rangers best shot at a Stanley Cup was last year. They will make the playoffs but they are not a threat to do much damage in the playoffs.

We saw the same dance from Tortarella in Tampa. Once it starts downhill it falls off very quickly. Give it a chance and he will go from fighting with the media to fighting with everyone around him. He is a great coach on the way up. No skill in being able to stay there or handle set backs.
- spatso

How has it started downhill? Because of the opening weekend? I still haven't read a legitimate reason from you on why they are not a threat to do much damage in the playoffs. Any good team that has an elite goaltender like Lunqvist is a threat. The Rangers have it all. Very good defense, tight checking and team defense. Elite goaltending. And offensive firepower. A well balanced team.

Great occasion for someone else to take his spot on the roster.

Let's say, Rinaldo isn't very... useful.
- Pecafan Fan

on the contrary, he's expanded to pk duty. as long as he keeps his discipline, he plays a valuable role as an energy guy.

i don't know what you think you're seeing. he's rusty right now like a lot of guys are and i'm reserving judgement for at least another month.
- isaiah520

It's not what I think I'm seeing. It's what I know I'm seeing. He played well over the weekend. Made a few mistakes that you would expect from a young defenseman on a new team. But you can see the ability that he has. Most importantly, is that he is not a slow footed as many advertise him to be.

on the contrary, he's expanded to pk duty. as long as he keeps his discipline, he plays a valuable role as an energy guy.
- isaiah520

And do you consider the Flyers PK to be good?

Does anyone know what happened to Rinaldo? I saw him collide with Regehr I believe in the corner, they said he limped off the ice and then he never came back. No replay from NBC. Is he out long term?
- The_Inkwell

Cut with a skate on his leg

Great occasion for someone else to take his spot on the roster.

Let's say, Rinaldo isn't very... useful.
- Pecafan Fan

Actually, he has the tools to be a very useful player, so long as he keeps his emotions in check. He's got good hands for a grinder, and he also has really good speed. He's not a bad little player. Unfortunately, he has to work harder than most because he has the rep.

Yeah Stafford really proved his point.... The point is he shouldnt be fighting after taking a beating by hartnell.
- Stinkfitz

A beating? Watch the fight. One landed punch is not a beating.

on the contrary, he's expanded to pk duty. as long as he keeps his discipline, he plays a valuable role as an energy guy.
- isaiah520

He's expanded to PK duty?

And do you consider the Flyers PK to be good?
- Pecafan Fan

i'm just addressing rinaldo's value. the flyer's pk is obviously an issue at this juncture.

He's expanded to PK duty?
- MJL

Yeah, 0:00 TOI in the first 2 games on the PK.

Simmonds has been great.
Unlucky not to have a goal or three so far.
If he buries his chances they could be 2-0.
Goals will come.

Also very encouraged by Mezzy's play so far and the goalie.

Don't worry yet.
They will be fine.
- Marc D

You nailed it. Mezzy played way better than i expected and bryz looked sharp for the most part.

He's expanded to PK duty?
- MJL

for the phantoms...iow, he clearly is working on expanding his game. whether he actually get's reg duty here, i can't see it in the immediate future.

Yeah, 0:00 TOI in the first 2 games on the PK.
- Pecafan Fan

I don't expect Rinaldo to spend much time killing penalties. But he is a useful role player. He does a good job setting a physical tone and is strong on the forecheck. He's done a great job controlling his emotions and is getting better and better as a player.

for the phantoms...iow, he clearly is working on expanding his game. whether he actually get's reg duty here, i can't see it in the immediate future.
- isaiah520

For the Phantoms. We'll see if he get's PK time on the Flyers.

Couturier for Subban straight up. Painful trade, fans on both sides will probably say no way. But, it really does help address real need for both teams.
- spatso

Couts days are numbered.

How has it started downhill? Because of the opening weekend? I still haven't read a legitimate reason from you on why they are not a threat to do much damage in the playoffs. Any good team that has an elite goaltender like Lunqvist is a threat. The Rangers have it all. Very good defense, tight checking and team defense. Elite goaltending. And offensive firepower. A well balanced team.
- MJL

Actually, my thinking goes back to last year's playoff. I predicted that Ottawa was going to knock off the Rangers. I believe that Tortarella put in a smoke and mirrors system based on great team play, very hard work and he was able to convince his players that the team was deeper and more talented than it really was. Something he effectively did in Tampa as well. I thought they would be exposed in the playoffs as not being nearly as tough or as talented as their press clippings. I was actually surprised they got by Ottawa.

This year everyone is ready for the Tortalrella scam. Other teams will play them tough, they will wear down and the wheels will come off. As I said, I think they make the playoffs but I would rather be going into this season with Prust rather than Nash.

I don't expect Rinaldo to spend much time killing penalties. But he is a useful role player. He does a good job setting a physical tone and is strong on the forecheck. He's done a great job controlling his emotions and is getting better and better as a player.
- MJL

Oh he's physical alright. I just find he doesn't channel his energy at the right moment.

I just don't like the guy, what can I say?

Couts days are numbered.
- JoeRussomanno

???

You're right about a lot of things, Bill but especially the idea that the flyers need to worry about what's in their control.