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.
- bmeltzer

This.

I'm just saying this to Flyers fans: he's not a #2 because he's playing on the top defensive pairing.

Kinda like how the Leafs have a career NHLer playing next to Phaneuf.

Anyhoo, should be a good game - it's always a pretty electric crowd when the Flyers are in town.

I already have visions of pre-game beer and nachos dancing in my head.

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.
- MJL

He's definitely not the worst skater but he's not a great one. I think his positioning and over-aggressiveness was a big problem last season which resulted in him chasing the play a lot and when he's chasing the play against fast forwards he's bound to look really slow.

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

In fact it is in the CBA that the length of suspension determines what type of hearing it is.

This.

I'm just saying this to Flyers fans: he's not a #2 because he's playing on the top defensive pairing.

Kinda like how the Leafs have a career NHLer playing next to Phaneuf.

Anyhoo, should be a good game - it's always a pretty electric crowd when the Flyers are in town.

I already have visions of pre-game beer and nachos dancing in my head.
- Atomic Wedgie

ty for correcting our delusions of grandeur

He's definitely not the worst skater but he's not a great one. I think his positioning and over-aggressiveness was a big problem last season which resulted in him chasing the play a lot and when he's chasing the play against fast forwards he's bound to look really slow.
- toskala4vezina

I agree, not a great skater but adequate. And you're correct. If he makes a bad read, or takes himself out of the play to make a hit, he does not have the speed to get back in the play.

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.
- bmeltzer

Fair enough. I don't watch many Flyer games so I am happy Luke is working out for your team. I really like you and your posters defending him. Sounds like he has found a good home. Hopefully an entertaining game tonight.

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'd disagree with that. The Flyers needed to get better defensively. Luke Schenn can help with that. Now and in the future.

Matt Cooke cleaned up his game substantially so kudos to him.

As for Rinaldo, he's more or less "type cast" as a bad guy. He makes some questionable hits but I wouldn't classify him as dirty. Sometimes he loses control of his emotions but he's gotten better at keeping them in check.
- NickTheKid87

Ya it really looks like Matt Cooke has cleaned up his game with his wild elbow on Volchenkov last night. That guy is a classless pos.

He's definitely not the worst skater but he's not a great one. I think his positioning and over-aggressiveness was a big problem last season which resulted in him chasing the play a lot and when he's chasing the play against fast forwards he's bound to look really slow.
- toskala4vezina

I think Schenn felt a lot of weight on his shoulders because of his draft status and he was playing for a team that was a perennial loser. The talent around him in Toronto was average to poor or even worse. Tough for a young kid that really isn't a superstar to turn around a dog$hit franchise.

In Philly, he plays for a winning franchise and is surrounded by much better talent. It is a good place for a young d-man that is still developing his game.

This.

I'm just saying this to Flyers fans: he's not a #2 because he's playing on the top defensive pairing.

Kinda like how the Leafs have a career NHLer playing next to Phaneuf.

Anyhoo, should be a good game - it's always a pretty electric crowd when the Flyers are in town.

I already have visions of pre-game beer and nachos dancing in my head.
- Atomic Wedgie

Agree 100%. A defenseman should be rated on his own merit and ability. Not where he is playing in the lineup. I would rate Schenn a solid top 4 physical defenseman right now. With the clear potential to be a top pairing shutdown defenseman.

This.

I'm just saying this to Flyers fans: he's not a #2 because he's playing on the top defensive pairing.

Kinda like how the Leafs have a career NHLer playing next to Phaneuf.

Anyhoo, should be a good game - it's always a pretty electric crowd when the Flyers are in town.

I already have visions of pre-game beer and nachos dancing in my head.
- Atomic Wedgie

I hear you on the "he's not a #2" thing, but there's something to be said for playing alongside a guy like Timonen. It did really good things for Braydon Coburn's career when he first got here and I can see Timonen having the same impact with LSchenn.

Randy Miller ‏@RandyJMiller
Bryzgalov first goalie off ice. He'll start tonight for #Flyers.

I dont think he bit him.. I think MaxPac just dug his arm so far into Grabo's mouth he hit teeth.. Seriously.
- jak521

It's a case of Grabbo open mouthed breathing after skating a hard shift, and Pacioretty putting a choke hold on his face blocking his airways by shoving his arm in Grabbo's mouth.

I actually think it looked like Grabbo started panicking when he couldn't breathe, and tried to pull Pacioretty off of him before the alleged bite happened.

I think both JVR and Schenn were under a lot of pressure to perform because of their draft expectations and getting swapped and moved kind of lowered the expectations on their shoulders a bit and is why we're seeing both of them perform at a level that has their respective teams pleased with the trade.

Both teams traded from a strength to address a weakness, and so far it's been a good deal for both sides.

I don't get why everyone is so obsessed about who 'won' the trade. You can't even statistically compare the two holes both players fill. As far as I'm concerned it was a good hockey trade that benefited both teams greatly. I think both teams are happy with the players they got, and that should go a long way to good GM relations between the two teams in the future.

I think both JVR and Schenn were under a lot of pressure to perform because of their draft expectations and getting swapped and moved kind of lowered the expectations on their shoulders a bit and is why we're seeing both of them perform at a level that has their respective teams pleased with the trade.

Both teams traded from a strength to address a weakness, and so far it's been a good deal for both sides.

I don't get why everyone is so obsessed about who 'won' the trade. You can't even statistically compare the two holes both players fill. As far as I'm concerned it was a good hockey trade that benefited both teams greatly. I think both teams are happy with the players they got, and that should go a long way to good GM relations between the two teams in the future.
- Scruffton

I totally agree. Well said.

I think Schenn felt a lot of weight on his shoulders because of his draft status and he was playing for a team that was a perennial loser. The talent around him in Toronto was average to poor or even worse. Tough for a young kid that really isn't a superstar to turn around a dog$hit franchise.

In Philly, he plays for a winning franchise and is surrounded by much better talent. It is a good place for a young d-man that is still developing his game.
- Daman

Now, now no need to get upset.

The Flyers have been a better organization on the ice and the Leafs have been more financially successful. That said there is only 8 years difference since either of these teams have won the prize.

I'd disagree with that. The Flyers needed to get better defensively. Luke Schenn can help with that. Now and in the future.
- MJL

This is also a trade that would have to be judged after a few years.

beats think shelley is in. hooray. when in the midst of a 3-in-4, it's best to play down a forward.

beats think shelley is in. hooray. when in the midst of a 3-in-4, it's best to play down a forward.
- OrangeBlack27

Didn't seem like they played down a forward the last time Shelley was in the lineup.

Per the beat writers in Toronto, Jody Shelley took reps with the starters today. Not sure who sits. I would have thought Sestito had earned a game, but anyway.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Eagles QB Michael Vick signed a one-year deal that could be worth up to $10 million.

Per the beat writers in Toronto, Jody Shelley took reps with the starters today. Not sure who sits. I would have thought Sestito had earned a game, but anyway.
- bmeltzer

Orr/Shelley tonight! Can't wait.

Didn't seem like they played down a forward the last time Shelley was in the lineup.
- MJL

accidents happen?
blind squirrel...nut?

Per the beat writers in Toronto, Jody Shelley took reps with the starters today. Not sure who sits. I would have thought Sestito had earned a game, but anyway.
- bmeltzer

Bill - is there any truth to the internet rumors that Laviolette is monitoring Da Man's posts and basing his coaching decisions accordingly?

I think both JVR and Schenn were under a lot of pressure to perform because of their draft expectations and getting swapped and moved kind of lowered the expectations on their shoulders a bit and is why we're seeing both of them perform at a level that has their respective teams pleased with the trade.

Both teams traded from a strength to address a weakness, and so far it's been a good deal for both sides.

I don't get why everyone is so obsessed about who 'won' the trade. You can't even statistically compare the two holes both players fill. As far as I'm concerned it was a good hockey trade that benefited both teams greatly. I think both teams are happy with the players they got, and that should go a long way to good GM relations between the two teams in the future.
- Scruffton

Truth is, Toronto got a slightly better player because the Flyers were making the deal out of need. As other followers of Sun Tzu may realize, this is a big no-no.

The trade could work out for Philly if they find a way to upgrade its wingers. Toronto has a lot (A LOT) of work to do but the JVR trade was a nice first step.