I don't beleive that Rinaldo is a dirty player. That involves having malice or intent. But what I think Rinaldo has been, in the past. Is reckless and has played out of control. I think he's come a long way in getting a handle on that. And has shown a lot of growth as a player. But the rep is still with him.
- MJL

It's easier to ruin reputation than to repair it, by a factor of... well, a lot. I like what he's trying to do, though.

1975
- rangerdanger94

was there and loved it, bring back the bullies

1975
- rangerdanger94

Let the ledger show two post-expansion cups for the Flyers versus the Rangers one. Of course, I prefer to deal in the present rather than history.

It's easier to ruin reputation than to repair it, by a factor of... well, a lot. I like what he's trying to do, though.
- BulliesPhan87

I like that Berube is working with him, at least on the bench after a frustrating trip to the box.

He's learning to harness the energy. I liked that he was mic'd up for the game in which he fought Crombeen, and was shown talking to the ref, making sure he didn't cross the line and hit him when he was down.

Let the ledger show two post-expansion cups for the Flyers versus the Rangers one. Of course, I prefer to deal in the present rather than history.
- BulliesPhan87

it's all about who won it most recently dawg.

and if we're talking about the present rather than history...you guys are presently below the rangers in the standings and aren't you guys like 1-9 in the last 10 games vs us or something?

but in all seriousness, i jest. i'm out dawgs. good poop for being good sports about your teams misfortunes

I like that Berube is working with him, at least on the bench after a frustrating trip to the box.

He's learning to harness the energy. I liked that he was mic'd up for the game in which he fought Crombeen, and was shown talking to the ref, making sure he didn't cross the line and hit him when he was down.
- tangent_man

I liked that he was being careful, but I'd like to see him become a guy that doesn't have to check in with the referees like that all the time. Definitely comes across as the bad student, checking with teacher to make sure he's still passing.

it's all about who won it most recently dawg.

and if we're talking about the present rather than history...you guys are presently below the rangers in the standings and aren't you guys like 1-9 in the last 10 games vs us or something?

but in all seriousness, i jest. i'm out dawgs. good poop for being good sports about your teams misfortunes
- rangerdanger94

Twas fun, sir.

Boucher and Leighton aren't bad enough to lose all 10 games. If they can win 4 or 5, then all is well. If the Flyers can't overcome Boucher or Leighton between the pipes then they have much bigger issues.
- NickTheKid87

Yeah, if they can get half the points in games started by the backup that is more than suitable. I have my doubts. If Bryzgalov stays healthy, I don't even think the backup will get 10 games, probably more like 7-8 games.

What exactly has he done to "earn" a reputation. He came in to the league, hell the AHL, and just because of the way he plays the game he was not going to get the benefit of the doubt... I understand that.
- jak521

So what's the question, then? Low-minute, marginal skill guys who play the way he does will never get the benefit of the doubt until they demonstrate that they can control themselves.

I liked that he was being careful, but I'd like to see him become a guy that doesn't have to check in with the referees like that all the time. Definitely comes across as the bad student, checking with teacher to make sure he's still passing.
- BulliesPhan87

Right now, I think it's just part of burying the reputation (or trying to), the communication with the refs. Last year he would just explode and yell at them with each call...now he's trying to build a rapport.

I liked that he was being careful, but I'd like to see him become a guy that doesn't have to check in with the referees like that all the time. Definitely comes across as the bad student, checking with teacher to make sure he's still passing.
- BulliesPhan87

I think that's actually a good thing. Conversation with the refs and asking about a play, shows that he is trying to play the right way. That can help repair his on ice rep. Deserved or undeserved.

I liked that he was being careful, but I'd like to see him become a guy that doesn't have to check in with the referees like that all the time. Definitely comes across as the bad student, checking with teacher to make sure he's still passing.
- BulliesPhan87

I think he did that because he was genuinely concerned that he had taken a shot at guy who was down and out. If Crombeen hadnt been knocked out, he doesnt ask that question IMO.

So what's the question, then? Low-minute, marginal skill guys who play the way he does will never get the benefit of the doubt until they demonstrate that they can control themselves.
- Scoob

No question about it. And he has come a long way and has grown in that area.

Yeah, if they can get half the points in games started by the backup that is more than suitable. I have my doubts. If Bryzgalov stays healthy, I don't even think the backup will get 10 games, probably more like 7-8 games.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah 10 was a liberal estimate. 6-8 seems most likely. I'm assuming Bouch will start tomorrow. Don't want to overwork Bryz, who looked a bit shaky on Saturday. He had some trouble controlling rebounds and didn't seem a sharp as he had previously. Still did his job though.

I think that's actually a good thing. Conversation with the refs and asking about a play, shows that he is trying to play the right way. That can help repair his on ice rep. Deserved or undeserved.
- MJL

Oh, definitely. I'd just like to see him get to the point where we're not spotlighting him tiptoeing the disciplinary line. Maybe he can get to a point where, even if he's prone to a couple dumb penalties here and there, he can bring the physical edge without worrying about the bullseye on his sweater. Might be a lofty expectation, given the game he plays, but if he keeps his checks clean and continues to focus on the hockey he might get there.

So what's the question, then? Low-minute, marginal skill guys who play the way he does will never get the benefit of the doubt until they demonstrate that they can control themselves.
- Scoob

I was saying that I understand that he gets called, not that I understand the reasoning.

I may sound like a Homer here.. but guys like Kaleta, Burrows, Lapierre, Ott, etc. all get MUCH more leeway than Rinaldo.

Yeah 10 was a liberal estimate. 6-8 seems most likely. I'm assuming Bouch will start tomorrow. Don't want to overwork Bryz, who looked a bit shaky on Saturday. He had some trouble controlling rebounds and didn't seem a sharp as he had previously. Still did his job though.
- NickTheKid87

I think you are right. I would start Boucher tonight and Bryz tomorrow. And here is why.

1. It gives Bryz an extra day rest
2. Have to stop avoiding using Bryz in Winnipeg.
3. If Bryz starts tonight, and Flyers lose, good amount of pressure on Boucher tomorrow and the road trip may get off to an ugly start.

it's all about who won it most recently dawg.

- rangerdanger94

Sure, the Flyers haven't won the Cup since 1975. The last time the Rangers won the Cup I had no children. My older one is in college now. I think we can toss that "most recent" stuff in the garbage.

So what's the question, then? Low-minute, marginal skill guys who play the way he does will never get the benefit of the doubt until they demonstrate that they can control themselves.
- Scoob

I think that is true. Cooke clean up his game after 2010-11 and went from 129 PIM in 67 games to 44 PIM in all 82 games. Not sure how many minutes of those 44 he wasn't given the benefit of the doubt but you gotta think going from 1.93 PIM/game to 0.54 PIM/game had to involve him getting more benefit of the doubt than previously.

With all this talk about how the Flyers need to get Giroux a "pure" scoring winger, I can't help but to think, why can't Matt Read be that guy?
- NickTheKid87

Not that Read couldn't be a perfectly serviceable complement to Giroux as his RW. But I just think he's more valuable as his current role. He's actually leading the team in scoring despite spending only a couple of games -- though one of them was his hat trick game vs. Florida -- on the top line.

Personally, I don't see Read as a pure NHL goal scorer. He's more of a good two-way role player who also happens to have good speed and good hands to finish chances.

But I actually think he's LESS effective when he's out hunting for scoring chances then when they develop organically out of defense-to-offense transitions. Perhaps I'm splitting hairs here. I don't know.

I'd have no objection to Read on the top line. I just don't know if I'd want that as a full-time arrangement for the rest of the season.

Right now, I think it's just part of burying the reputation (or trying to), the communication with the refs. Last year he would just explode and yell at them with each call...now he's trying to build a rapport.
- tangent_man

Right. If he keeps that up he'll eventually be fine. But it will take a lot of time.

I think you are right. I would start Boucher tonight and Bryz tomorrow. And here is why.

1. It gives Bryz an extra day rest
2. Have to stop avoiding using Bryz in Winnipeg.
3. If Bryz starts tonight, and Flyers lose, good amount of pressure on Boucher tomorrow and the road trip may get off to an ugly start.
- PLindbergh31

Plus Toronto is coming off a huge win against Montreal so it's possible they'll be riding too high and the Flyers will be able to pounce on them offensively. I'm sure that's what everyone will be saying if the Flyers do lit them up, anyway.

Sure, the Flyers haven't won the Cup since 1975. The last time the Rangers won the Cup I had no children. My older one is in college now. I think we can toss that "most recent" stuff in the garbage.
- Scoob

The Rags have won 1 Cup in 72 years. That's pretty good.

Not that Read couldn't be a perfectly serviceable complement to Giroux as his RW. But I just think he's more valuable as his current role. He's actually leading the team in scoring despite spending only a couple of games -- though one of them was his hat trick game vs. Florida -- on the top line.

Personally, I don't see Read as a pure NHL goal scorer. He's more of a good two-way role player who also happens to have good speed and good hands to finish chances.

But I actually think he's LESS effective when he's out hunting for scoring chances then when they develop organically out of defense-to-offense transitions. Perhaps I'm splitting hairs here. I don't know.

I'd have no objection to Read on the top line. I just don't know if I'd want that as a full-time arrangement for the rest of the season.
- bmeltzer

Good points Bill. I guess my angle is to quell the Ryan/Iginla/Perry/Kessel talk.

No question about it. And he has come a long way and has grown in that area.
- MJL

Yes. He certainly didn't dig himself a Steve Downie sized hole. If he just plays hard and keeps his nose clean he'll eventually have a good reputation.