Then it was a good trade for both teams. Toronto had too many defencemen and needed help with their forwards.
- Leafsandbolts

So far so good. Flyers had a surplus of forwards and Toronto had a surplus of dmen. Both guys have performed better than expected.

If grabo does get suspended it will likely be after this game, the ruling is comming too late for them to call someone up, lack of evidence probably says he doesnt. the burrows incident was more obvious.
- ky678468

I dont think he bit him.. I think MaxPac just dug his arm so far into Grabo's mouth he hit teeth.. Seriously.

Luke Schenn's slowness was vastly exaggerated. He'll never be confused with Bret Hedican, but he's had no problems keeping up with the play here in Philadelphia. When he's gotten into trouble, it's been by over-committing to his man. When he's stayed under control, which has been most games, no problems whatsoever. He's even rushed some pucks with success when he's seen open ice ahead of him.
- bmeltzer

He gets into trouble when he goes for the big hit without worrying about the consequences.

12 games in, it looks like a good trade for both teams.

Luke Schenn's slowness was vastly exaggerated. He'll never be confused with Bret Hedican, but he's had no problems keeping up with the play here in Philadelphia. When he's gotten into trouble, it's been by over-committing to his man. When he's stayed under control, which has been most games, no problems whatsoever. He's even rushed some pucks with success when he's seen open ice ahead of him.
- bmeltzer

he has to make the simple plays. IIRC, both turnover-to-goals were examples of him trying to make aggressive outlets instead of using the boards.

he did!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ediPXKX3jVY
flyer fans would not have been happy if hartnell was suspended then but think grabo deserves it now???
- ky678468

Not a question of deserves or not deserves. The NHL never announced a hearing for Hartnell, so it was clear from the get-go he wouldn't get suspended despite the accusation. In Grabovski's case, a hearing was announced, and a publicly hearing always -- 100 percent of the time -- means there will be a suspension of some sort.

The NHL's decision-making is often inconsistent in what is determined to be suspension worthy and what is not. But the discipline system itself is predictable:

* Announced hearing = suspension (Phone hearing = short suspension; In-person hearing= long suspension)
* After-the-fact press release after no hearing announcement = fine
* Warning = no public announcement of any kind, but citable after future incidents.

So far so good. Flyers had a surplus of forwards and Toronto had a surplus of dmen. Both guys have performed better than expected.
- NickTheKid87

I would say that TOR did a better job of addressing their needs in the deal than we did, but luke has def stepped up.

He gets into trouble when he goes for the big hit without worrying about the consequences.

12 games in, it looks like a good trade for both teams.
- Atomic Wedgie

It has for sure. Both teams have gotten something they needed, and both players are doing well.

With JVR, I think a stream of injuries was the number one thing that ruined his season a year ago. I'm glad he's doing well in Toronto because he's a real likable guy off the ice.

Not a question of deserves or not deserves. The NHL never announced a hearing for Hartnell, so it was clear from the get-go he wouldn't get suspended despite the accusation. In Grabovski's case, a hearing was announced, and a publicly hearing always -- 100 percent of the time -- means there will be a suspension of some sort.

The NHL's decision-making is often inconsistent in what is determined to be suspension worthy and what is not. But the discipline system itself is predictable:

* Announced hearing = suspension (Phone hearing = short suspension; In-person hearing= long suspension)
* After-the-fact press release after no hearing announcement = fine
* Warning = no public announcement of any kind, but citable after future incidents.
- bmeltzer

Wrong!!! milan lucic just last year

Luke Schenn's slowness was vastly exaggerated. He'll never be confused with Bret Hedican, but he's had no problems keeping up with the play here in Philadelphia. When he's gotten into trouble, it's been by over-committing to his man. When he's stayed under control, which has been most games, no problems whatsoever. He's even rushed some pucks with success when he's seen open ice ahead of him.
- bmeltzer

Luke's slowness is also in his read and reaction time. He was often out of position in Toronto and was too slow to get back into the play resulting in the puck too often ending up in the back of the Leafs net. I wish him success in Philadelphia but most Toronto fans were happy to see him moved. I do question your use of the adverb, vastly.

I would say that TOR did a better job of addressing their needs in the deal than we did, but luke has def stepped up.
- isaiah520

The Flyers need was some youth on the blueline and the did just that. This trade is about as even as even can be to this point.

I would say that TOR did a better job of addressing their needs in the deal than we did, but luke has def stepped up.
- isaiah520

At this point, after Mez's injury and watching Kurtis Foster's work, I shudder to think what the Flyers' blue line would look like had Holmgren NOT acquired Luke Schenn.

It has for sure. Both teams have gotten something they needed, and both players are doing well.

With JVR, I think a stream of injuries was the number one thing that ruined his season a year ago. I'm glad he's doing well in Toronto because he's a real likable guy off the ice.
- bmeltzer

Pretty much the same with L. Schenn.

Most Leafs fans are hoping the guy refinds his game.

Luke's slowness is also in his read and reaction time. He was often out of position in Toronto and was too slow to get back into the play resulting in the puck too often ending up in the back of the Leafs net. I wish him success in Philadelphia but most Toronto fans were happy to see him moved. I do question your use of the adverb, vastly.
- Leafsandbolts

if he's thinking the game better, he'll be faster. last nite Schultz on EDM showed classic recovery ability based on pure physical skill. we'd wish all of our dmen were that gifted.

I would say that TOR did a better job of addressing their needs in the deal than we did, but luke has def stepped up.
- isaiah520

I'll put it this way: Can you imagine the Flyers right now with one fewer D-man capable of giving them 20+ mins, especially with Meszaros out of the lineup?

Consider still having JVR up front right now but a blueline of Timonen, Coburn and Grossmann carrying pretty much the entire load with Gervais, Foster and Lilja as the other half of the starting lineup.

Pretty much the same with L. Schenn.

Most Leafs fans are hoping the guy refinds his game.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yes, have interviewed him a couple times since camp. Real laid-back, friendly guy.

The Leafs/Habs game turned in to a goon fest. Lots of fights and attempted cheap shots.

Should be a fun one tonight.

The Flyers need was some youth on the blueline and the did just that. This trade is about as even as even can be to this point.
- NickTheKid87

we wouldn't be screaming for a puck mover in an optimum scenario...and we're hurting for scoring...just sayin'.

I'll put it this way: Can you imagine the Flyers right now with one fewer D-man capable of giving them 20+ mins, especially with Meszaros out of the lineup?

Consider still having JVR up front right now but a blueline of Timonen, Coburn and Grossmann carrying pretty much the entire load with Gervais, Foster and Lilja as the other half of the starting lineup.
- bmeltzer

he'd also would've had $$ to give to carle so...

he'd also would've had $$ to give to carle so...
- isaiah520

how? jvr makes more than luke.

Then it was a good trade for both teams. Toronto had too many defencemen and needed help with their forwards.
- Leafsandbolts

this hits the nail right on the head

Luke's slowness is also in his read and reaction time. He was often out of position in Toronto and was too slow to get back into the play resulting in the puck too often ending up in the back of the Leafs net. I wish him success in Philadelphia but most Toronto fans were happy to see him moved. I do question your use of the adverb, vastly.
- Leafsandbolts

I used "vastly" because the descriptions of Luke Schenn's skating made it sound like he was Derian Hatcher ca. 2008 (he was never fast even in his prime and was playing on two shot-to-hell knees by that point).

I'd say Schenn is an average skater for a big man; not nearly as naturally mobile as Braydon Coburn but he's more mobile than Nicklas Grossmann (who plays with two bulky knee braces and was never a great skater to begin with).

His reads and reactions in Philly have been just fine thus far. Playing with a partner as savvy and take-charge as Kimmo Timonen can only help, though. Schenn gets to keep things pretty simple most of the time.

we wouldn't be screaming for a puck mover in an optimum scenario...and we're hurting for scoring...just sayin'.
- isaiah520

The scoring will come. And Luke Schenn was acquired BEFORE Suter signed with Minnesota, Carle signed with Tampa and the offersheet to Weber was even made let alone matched, so the puck mover argument is moot.

how? jvr makes more than luke.
- OrangeBlack27

Yup, we'd have almost a million less in cap space and have an extra hole to fill on the blueline.

Luke Schenn's slowness was vastly exaggerated. He'll never be confused with Bret Hedican, but he's had no problems keeping up with the play here in Philadelphia. When he's gotten into trouble, it's been by over-committing to his man. When he's stayed under control, which has been most games, no problems whatsoever. He's even rushed some pucks with success when he's seen open ice ahead of him.
- bmeltzer

I agree. Poor positoning, mis-reading plays, and poor decisions is often mistaken for poor footspeed. I knew after a game or two that Schenn's skating isn't an issue.

we wouldn't be screaming for a puck mover in an optimum scenario...and we're hurting for scoring...just sayin'.
- isaiah520

Yeah, but also remember that Matt Carle was still a Flyer (whom they thought would be resignable) and they had other plans to upgrade the puck-moving/offensive D role when they threw a big UFA offer the Suter and then an even bigger offer sheet to Weber.

The Flyers got Schenn to be a minutes eater and physical presence, and he's done both very well.

The Flyers are hurting for scoring right now. But the "scoring depth guys" have started to puck the puck in the net, while Claude Giroux is still going through a lot of frustration.