The elbowing penalties as a player is about to be hit are annoying. Most of the time the player is just trying to protect his face. With Downie, he will never get the benefit of the doubt because of the way he behaves.

I dont blame him for every penalty, but he needs to understand that he brings it on himself. All of us have played sports and know how to interact with a referee. I don't see why he is always complaining and yelling at them.

It always easier to talk to a referee later on about the call and voice your opinion in a calm manner.
- PhillySportsGuy

I remember Rinaldo calmly skating over to the ref last year about "the code" and if he was hitting the guy when he was down or not. Downie needs to exercise a little more of that a little less of the "picking on me" attitude.

Well sabers saying they want 2 top line prospects for first overall. Maybe Laughton and morin and our first for ekblad. I would do it.
- SchennBros

Definitely not Coburn's finest moment. But I'm still coming down off of that high from him knocking the Crosby breakaway attempt away and then getting the hook called against Crosby.
- jmatchett383

- Flyersgod

Yeah, I don't think either team is doing that trade.

Yup. He's like having another Read. A guy who can play all over the lineup for under $1M. I know he doesn't seem that valuable now, but just wait until they have an injury.
- PhillySportsGuy

Okay, he's not Read. C'mon, you have to dial it back a little bit for now.

I like the RJ Umbergers of the world more than most guys but Raffl's not quite there yet. I'll be pretty happy if he gets there.

Yup. He's like having another Read. A guy who can play all over the lineup for under $1M. I know he doesn't seem that valuable now, but just wait until they have an injury.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's my biggest fear. Raffl moves up, but who replaces his spot on the fourth line? It really gets scary at that point.

I remember Rinaldo calmly skating over to the ref last year about "the code" and if he was hitting the guy when he was down or not. Downie needs to exercise a little more of that a little less of the "picking on me" attitude.
- jmatchett383

Who did he knockout again? I remember the fight was against Tampa.

Who did he knockout again? I remember the fight was against Tampa.
- PhillySportsGuy

BJ Crombeen.

Okay, he's not Read. C'mon, you have to dial it back a little bit for now.

I like the RJ Umbergers of the world more than most guys but Raffl's not quite there yet. I'll be pretty happy if he gets there.
- mayorofangrytown

I could see Raffl putting up Read type numbers with better linemates. I don't think that is a bad comparison at all.

That's my biggest fear. Raffl moves up, but who replaces his spot on the fourth line? It really gets scary at that point.
- FlyersSteve118

If your biggest fear is replacing a fourth line player on your team you can probably roll over and hit the snooze button a couple times.

Okay, he's not Read. C'mon, you have to dial it back a little bit for now.

I like the RJ Umbergers of the world more than most guys but Raffl's not quite there yet. I'll be pretty happy if he gets there.
- mayorofangrytown

part of the attraction is he is a good bottom six guy who can really skate, also play PK and move up a line if needed

they need more of those kind of players

Okay, he's not Read. C'mon, you have to dial it back a little bit for now.

I like the RJ Umbergers of the world more than most guys but Raffl's not quite there yet. I'll be pretty happy if he gets there.
- mayorofangrytown

He doesn't have Read's offense, but he's pretty close. He's got good wheels, plays good defense and his some offense.

BJ Crombeen.
- johndewar

Yes. Great moment

If your biggest fear is replacing a fourth line player on your team you can probably roll over and hit the snooze button a couple times.
- mayorofangrytown

Flyers have a tendency to ignore the 4th line in FA though. They went into the season with a line of Rinaldo-Hall-Rosehill.

That's my biggest fear. Raffl moves up, but who replaces his spot on the fourth line? It really gets scary at that point.
- FlyersSteve118

Downie. You limit their minutes and hope when you call on that line that they can provide a physical spark. Maybe less minutes will help Downie.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.co...rd-tragedy-160536315.html

If Raffl played a full season, he'd be on pace for 31 points. Considering his minutes and time spent on the 4th line, thats pretty impressive.

I could see Raffl putting up Read type numbers with better linemates. I don't think that is a bad comparison at all.
- FlyersSteve118

But not yet.

Look back at Read's first season and come back to the thread. Raffl's had the opportunity to play every where in the lineup and that's saying a lot for him. Matt Read had a 20 goal season his first year @ the same age.

If he had that in him Downie would be playing on the fourth line already.

He doesn't have Read's offense, but he's pretty close. He's got good wheels, plays good defense and his some offense.
- PhillySportsGuy

Raffl is 2 years younger than Read and has played hockey in North America for less than a year. Comparisons to Matt Read are a little unfair, IMO.

I'm sure there's a bit more to Raffl's game. It's just a question of how much more.

Flyers have a tendency to ignore the 4th line in FA though. They went into the season with a line of Rinaldo-Hall-Rosehill.
- PhillySportsGuy

Weren't two of those guys FA pickups?

But not yet.

Look back at Read's first season and come back to the thread. Raffl's had the opportunity to play every where in the lineup and that's saying a lot for him. Matt Read had a 20 goal season his first year @ the same age.

If he had that in him Downie would be playing on the fourth line already.
- mayorofangrytown

I think he'll be better (he's had to adjust to the NA game on the fly), but I don't think he'll ever put up a 20-goal season.

Raffl is 2 years younger than Read and has played hockey in North America for less than a year. Comparisons to Matt Read are a little unfair, IMO.

I'm sure there's a bit more to Raffl's game. It's just a question of how much more.
- johndewar

Comparing him to Read had more to do with his versatility. He can play all over the lineup. 4th line, top line, checking line. He can play all forward positions, on the PK and I bet he would be just fine on the PP.

Weren't two of those guys FA pickups?
- mayorofangrytown

No, one was waivers (Hall) and one was a trade (Rosehill).

I like Raffle a lot but lets keep it realistic in here. He is a bottom 6 forward at best. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Weren't two of those guys FA pickups?
- mayorofangrytown

Rosehill was traded for. I mean they should dedicate more money to that area. I would like to see better players. Hall is a decent positional player and good on face-offs, but he can't skate, can't handle the puck and isn't good in space. I wish they could upgrade with a guy like Malhotra.