If he doesn't have much speed and his positioning is lacking and he's not an offensive threat what is it that makes him such a promising defenseman? Seems like you could find a lot dmen with those attributes for under $1,000,000.
- Dkos

His physical ability to play a defensive role at ES and on the PK. And he has the potential to become a shut down NHL defenseman. He's 23 years old. Andreas Lilja is what you get for under $1,000,000. Those players don't have that potential.

Got cut by a skate, might miss a week.
- Jsaquella

Damn....where'd he get cut?

Same here. He has really grown as a player. And I think he's going to get better and better. And may even take on bigger roles down the line in his career.
- MJL

He's got the right attitude to do so. He knows he's been prescribed a stereotype as a player (one that, in all fairness, isn't completely unearned). He's said (in so many words) he's more dynamic than that, that there's more to his game, and I think this desire really shows in his play. Nothing quite like a proper chip on the shoulder

Damn....where'd he get cut?
- Giroux_Is_God

Near the knee, no structural damage, probably want to avoid the stitches opening up

He's got the right attitude to do so. He knows he's been prescribed a stereotype as a player (one that, in all fairness, isn't completely unearned). He's said (in so many words) he's more dynamic than that, that there's more to his game, and I think this desire really shows in his play. Nothing quite like a proper chip on the shoulder
- BulliesPhan87

A proper chip on the shoulder did wonders for Dino Ciccarelli.. not comparing the two at all..

Near the knee, no structural damage, probably want to avoid the stitches opening up
- Jsaquella

also risk of infection...

also risk of infection...
- jak521

That, too.

His physical ability to play a defensive role at ES and on the PK. And he has the potential to become a shut down NHL defenseman. He's 23 years old. Andreas Lilja is what you get for under $1,000,000. Those players don't have that potential.
- MJL

He was the 5th pick in the draft. I didn't follow him until the Flyers picked him up, but it seems to me you would have to show some kind of dramatic ability to be the 5th pick as a defenseman. I know he has good size and is a physical player, but there muxt be more than that? Right now, I don't see much difference between him and Lilja other than youth.

He's got the right attitude to do so. He knows he's been prescribed a stereotype as a player (one that, in all fairness, isn't completely unearned). He's said (in so many words) he's more dynamic than that, that there's more to his game, and I think this desire really shows in his play. Nothing quite like a proper chip on the shoulder
- BulliesPhan87

Only real question with Rinaldo is him playing under control. As long as he doesn't lose total discipline he can be an effective player. Anything he does, the referees aren't going to give him any benefit of the doubt based on his reputation.

He was the 5th pick in the draft. I didn't follow him until the Flyers picked him up, but it seems to me you would have to show some kind of dramatic ability to be the 5th pick as a defenseman. I know he has good size and is a physical player, but there muxt be more than that? Right now, I don't see much difference between him and Lilja other than youth.
- Dkos

He was projected as a future Adam Foote type. Still possible he could end up as a Foote type player. Learning the nuances of being a defensive defenseman in the NHL is a series of ups and downs, especially when one is rushed to the NHL as Luke Schenn was.

I could see him develop into a Karl Alzner type player, and that would be great.

A proper chip on the shoulder did wonders for Dino Ciccarelli.. not comparing the two at all..
- jak521

For a second, I read that as Dan Carcillo. I was going to say, "In his case, a chip in the knee did wonders."

He was the 5th pick in the draft. I didn't follow him until the Flyers picked him up, but it seems to me you would have to show some kind of dramatic ability to be the 5th pick as a defenseman. I know he has good size and is a physical player, but there muxt be more than that? Right now, I don't see much difference between him and Lilja other than youth.
- Dkos

You do realize he has led the NHL in hits for the past 2 seasons, right? He has put up decent points for a guy who is a shut down d-man as well.. while with the.. ahem, Leafs.

He was the 5th pick in the draft. I didn't follow him until the Flyers picked him up, but it seems to me you would have to show some kind of dramatic ability to be the 5th pick as a defenseman. I know he has good size and is a physical player, but there muxt be more than that? Right now, I don't see much difference between him and Lilja other than youth.
- Dkos

It usually takes d-men a few years to develop. I'm not saying this is a make or break year for Schenn, but he has to show some steady improvement.

Schenn's draft class is packed with d-men who are studs already. Doughty, Pieterangelo, Bogo, Karlsson, and Carlson off the top of my head.

He was the 5th pick in the draft. I didn't follow him until the Flyers picked him up, but it seems to me you would have to show some kind of dramatic ability to be the 5th pick as a defenseman. I know he has good size and is a physical player, but there muxt be more than that? Right now, I don't see much difference between him and Lilja other than youth.
- Dkos

You do realize that it takes defensmen longer to develop right? Not to mention he was playing on a horrible Toronto team with no veteran, all-star caliber defensmen. I think with Kimmo and Coburn helping him, he will become a solid player.

For a second, I read that as Dan Carcillo. I was going to say, "In his case, a chip in the knee did wonders."
- BulliesPhan87

we need Flyskippy with his drummer emoticon

Only real question with Rinaldo is him playing under control. As long as he doesn't lose total discipline he can be an effective player. Anything he does, the referees aren't going to give him any benefit of the doubt based on his reputation.
- PLindbergh31

Speaking of Carbomb (a common comparable for Rinaldo), I think Rinaldo's discipline issues are far less troublesome than his. Zack's good for a few bad penalties, but I feel a lot safer with him as far as being prone to detonation. And to go back to his ambition, I think it's something he's really trying to be mindful of. He'll still do his time in the box as long as he's playing, but that's more a matter of him being a player who needs to play on the edge.

Speaking of Carbomb (a common comparable for Rinaldo), I think Rinaldo's discipline issues are far less troublesome than his. Zack's good for a few bad penalties, but I feel a lot safer with him as far as being prone to detonation. And to go back to his ambition, I think it's something he's really trying to be mindful of. He'll still do his time in the box as long as he's playing, but that's more a matter of him being a player who needs to play on the edge.
- BulliesPhan87

I would agree with you there. Carcillo is wired differently. He can explode at any time. His behavior during that Boston series was pretty much a disgrace, and was his ticket out of town.

I would agree with you there. Carcillo is wired differently. He can explode at any time. His behavior during that Boston series was pretty much a disgrace, and was his ticket out of town.
- PLindbergh31

It's a shame, I definitely consider myself a Carbomb fan (for better and for worse). I don't fault the Flyers at all for walking away from a guy who tried to assault the referees locker room, but as far as agitators go Danny had just a bit of a scoring touch.

Maybe that's why I'm predisposed to like Rinaldo. I really think he can overcome his reputation.

You do realize that it takes defensmen longer to develop right? Not to mention he was playing on a horrible Toronto team with no veteran, all-star caliber defensmen. I think with Kimmo and Coburn helping him, he will become a solid player.
- Jimmygrazz

Plus everyone talks about Schenn as if he is 28 years old.

It's a shame, I definitely consider myself a Carbomb fan (for better and for worse). I don't fault the Flyers at all for walking away from a guy who tried to assault the referees locker room, but as far as agitators go Danny had just a bit of a scoring touch.
- BulliesPhan87

Yep. Had to move on from him after that. He's shown he's unstable. I will always remember him for that GWG against the Devils in the playoffs. That was fantastic.

Yep. Had to move on from him after that. He's shown he's unstable. I will always remember him for that GWG against the Devils in the playoffs. That was fantastic.
- PLindbergh31

I so vividly remember him emerging from the scrum at the net, wildly looking back and forth with that big toothless grin. His expression screamed, "Did you see that? Did you see that!? Guys, did you see that?! I did that!"

I so vividly remember him emerging from the scrum at the net, wildly looking back and forth with that big toothless grin. His expression screamed, "Did you see that? Did you see that!? Guys, did you see that?! I did that!"
- BulliesPhan87

Morning all. Obviously not the result we all wanted going into the weekend.

I'm mostly impressed with how Simmonds had started the year. I see no rust from him at all. Winning most of his battles down low.

I can see why the Flyers love Laughton so much. A better skater than I anticipated. He showed a few nice moves skating with the puck into the Sabres zone. And a few times I felt myself wondering, "wow JVR has really picked up the physicality this year." Physically looks like JVR, same # of course, and a baby giraffe-like skating technique. It'll be hard to send him back the way he's playing.

I feel L Schenn has played better than what's being said about him after these two games. I thought he made a few great plays defensivley (breaking up 1-on-3). Late in the game when he took the tripping penalty, diving after Vanek, I believe, I thought he was hung out to dry there. Turnover in the neutral zone...three Sabres come with speed on a 3-on-2 and Schenn is left to defend two guys. There's room for improvement as with everyone but overall thought he played fairly well.

Bryz has played well and kept them in both games I feel. My only critisicm I have is, does anyone else wonder why he fails to get his paddle down on the ice so much? Maybe some of the goalies on here can shed some light on this but goals that were bad breaks I feel could be prevented by keeping his paddle down on crease battles. The Hodgson goal...I saw he went to cover the puck and didnt get there in time, but if his stick is on the ice, it probably never goes in. Also, the Myers goal that was deflected off Kimmo's skate...I'm sure he's trying to kick and deflect puck with his stick to the corner but again, left the five hole wide open for a possible deflection.

I'm quite discouraged with the way Coutiurier and B Schenn have played. I figured with these two playing regualrly in the AHL, that' they'd be flying out there. Hopefuly it's early season jitters.

No worries...win the next game and we're on our way.

Go Flyers
- SeaIslelandLush

hear hear

He was projected as a future Adam Foote type. Still possible he could end up as a Foote type player. Learning the nuances of being a defensive defenseman in the NHL is a series of ups and downs, especially when one is rushed to the NHL as Luke Schenn was.

I could see him develop into a Karl Alzner type player, and that would be great.
- Jsaquella

I'm not saying he's a bad player or won't develop into a great dman. I know he's young and I know he can hit...just thought there's usually some more dramatic skill that would make a dman such a high draft pick. Has he shown flashes of potential since coming to the league? Is he a leader like Foote was? Some say JvR hasn't lived up to his #2 draft status, but atleast he has shown some flashes of greatness. Ypu can see why he was picked so high.

Did you even see the fight Hartnell hit him once with a good punch that did not take him down. Hartnell got the "win" if your looking at it that way. But to see a guy that has not dropped the gloves in 3 years shows something. And for everyone crying about the goals being disallowed, those breaks happen for every team throughout the year. It just so happens they went that way for Buffalo.
- Dwight K. Schrute