I don't think anyone here will say he doesn't have a tendency to throw and illegal hit from time to time. Obviously, he does. But, for the most part, since he's become a Flyer, the majority of his hits are heavy, clean hits. Now, the most recent one is clearly a stupid, reckless hit, and he should have gotten more games than he did. But really, he's not the Cooke/Kaleta/Lapierre/Burrows type who goes out seeking to injure players with cheap hits (in general). That's the way I see it, and as a Flyers fan, I don't want him back on the roster. But it's because I don't trust him, not because I think he's inherently dirty.
- jmatchett383

Again Pat Kaleta has 1 more NHL suspension than Rinaldo. So as much as it pains people he is dirty.

Kaleta was the same way even to the point where he was unjustly called on penalties. But the reputation precedes him same as what is going to happen with Rinaldo. Both deserve it

Just as a lot of Flyers fans dig on Rinaldo. I for one think he is doing a good job walking the line. Sometimes when you have a guy like Rinaldo he crosses the line. I think if you watched his game night after night you would see that most of his hits, while devistating, are clean. Everyone makes mistakes, but I think you can see just by his time in the NHL and his role, he is one of the cleaner agitators in the league.
- SchennBros

Guy is a facking dirt bag.

Do you realize how fast that decision to "pull up" is needed when you're already committed to a check, especially at that level? It wasn't a Domi drive-by elbow, or Thornton, or Chara and a turnbuckle.

And checking is used for a lot more than separating a player from the puck...regardless of definition.
- Topshelf Mountain

The guy left with his feet and lead with his elbow into another players head. Are you serious? Not even a debate

The guy left with his feet and lead with his elbow into another players head. Are you serious? Not even a debate
- Cptmjl

My favorite part is he wasn't even going for a hit until the puck was gone. He extended his stick to attempt to block the shot. Then when the puck was gone he decided to throw a hit.

My favorite part is he wasn't even going for a hit until the puck was gone. He extended his stick to attempt to block the shot. Then when the puck was gone he decided to throw a hit.
- Stripes77

It's just a stupid, reckless play. It had no bearing on the game, and was 100% unnecessary. I'll defend Rinaldo as a whole (a bit, anyway), but that hit is indefensible.

My favorite part is he wasn't even going for a hit until the puck was gone. He extended his stick to attempt to block the shot. Then when the puck was gone he decided to throw a hit.
- Stripes77

I love how some people theorize this shat. The hit was so blatantly dirty and was a clear intent to injure. Also love the Pen fan playing devils advocate for a Flyer. Rinaldo is a dirty player. There's no denying it. Unless he just happened to be playing dirty every single Flyer game I've watched him play in? Wait, maybe that's a possibility? Or maybe somebody opened a door in the arena and the rush of air blew his elbow into his head? Facking ridiculous. Him being dirty is such a mystery that every Ranger fan is talking about having him taking runs at Mcdonagh.

The guy left with his feet and lead with his elbow into another players head. Are you serious? Not even a debate
- Cptmjl

Yeah I was serious, or else I wouldn't have typed it. And it is a debate when two people disagree.

Yeah I was serious, or else I wouldn't have typed it. And it is a debate when two people disagree.
- Topshelf Mountain

Well. You'll have to find someone else to debate this one with.

I love how some people theorize this shat. The hit was so blatantly dirty and was a clear intent to injure. Also love the Pen fan playing devils advocate for a Flyer. Rinaldo is a dirty player. There's no denying it. Unless he just happened to be playing dirty every single Flyer game I've watched him play in? Wait, maybe that's a possibility? Or maybe somebody opened a door in the arena and the rush of air blew his elbow into his head? Facking ridiculous. Him being dirty is such a mystery that every Ranger fan is talking about having him taking runs at Mcdonagh.
- Cptmjl

I don't see it as defending him at all, just voicing my opinion while not taking cheapshots at other posters.

I don't see it as defending him at all, just voicing my opinion while not taking cheapshots at other posters.
- Topshelf Mountain

Are you implying that I'm taking "cheap shots" at you?

Are you implying that I'm taking "cheap shots" at you?
- Cptmjl

I must have missed that flying elbow you threw at his head

It is not Rinaldo's fault the ice is too small, if the NHL played on international ice Rinaldo would have had that extra few feet he needed to break stride and not jump in the air like a figure skater and raise his elbow. Ice is just way too small for a guy to go from a stand still on a face off stride several times to almost the blue line to land a hit.

It is not Rinaldo's fault the ice is too small, if the NHL played on international ice Rinaldo would have had that extra few feet he needed to break stride and not jump in the air like a figure skater and raise his elbow. Ice is just way too small for a guy to go from a stand still on a face off stride several times to almost the blue line to land a hit.
- hubie

"He's not a dirty player. His hits are all clean." Yeah his hits might be clean but you might have forgotten about those elbows, spears, high sticks, and knees on knees

Any team that pays for the services of Patrick Kaleta should not remark regarding another team's dirty player.


- SchennBros

Do yourself a favor and research where Kaleta is playing these days.

He's been banished to the minors until he can prove he's changed(if he can) prior to playing for the big club again....if that time even comes.

I'd be interested to hear Mr. Stewart's take on how a player like Rinaldo can reform himself into a player who the refs won't call everything on simply because of his prior reputation.

Basically, what can Rinaldo do or say to rid himself of such a reputation, and is it possible?

I'd be interested to hear Mr. Stewart's take on how a player like Rinaldo can reform himself into a player who the refs won't call everything on simply because of his prior reputation.

Basically, what can Rinaldo do or say to rid himself of such a reputation, and is it possible?
- KGBflyers10

I would think not throwing his elbow into opposing players heads may be a good start?

Are you implying that I'm taking "cheap shots" at you?
- Cptmjl

No, I was referencing my sterling reputation for intelligently voicing my opinion while respecting everyone elses, without being dismissive and close-minded. I think if you went back and rwad my posts on the hit, you'd have an idea of where I'm coming from.

I would think not throwing his elbow into opposing players heads may be a good start?
- Cptmjl

I strongly disagree, first step would be keeping your (rinaldo) skates on the ice

I'd be interested to hear Mr. Stewart's take on how a player like Rinaldo can reform himself into a player who the refs won't call everything on simply because of his prior reputation.

Basically, what can Rinaldo do or say to rid himself of such a reputation, and is it possible?
- KGBflyers10

Matt Cooke changed, and the entire league noticed.

I'd be interested to hear Mr. Stewart's take on how a player like Rinaldo can reform himself into a player who the refs won't call everything on simply because of his prior reputation.

Basically, what can Rinaldo do or say to rid himself of such a reputation, and is it possible?
- KGBflyers10

He could probably start by not doing things like this.

I strongly disagree, first step would be keeping your (rinaldo) skates on the ice
- hubie

Start at the bottom and work your way up. You might be on to something there?

No, I was referencing my sterling reputation for intelligently voicing my opinion while respecting everyone elses, without being dismissive and close-minded. I think if you went back and rwad my posts on the hit, you'd have an idea of where I'm coming from.
- Topshelf Mountain

I'm still trying to figure out whether this was a joke or not.

Matt Cooke changed, and the entire league noticed.
- Topshelf Mountain

Good for him. What about Savard and every other player he took out for a season or for good along the way to his angel wings?

Someone who is looking for snakes will start seeing snakes everywhere. I didn't see the play, but frankly, even it was even borderline, I'd prefer to see a suspension than letting the guy off on a technicality. What I do know is, watching Rinaldo the past two years, he is a good hitter. He has delivered good clean hits on some of the best players in the game, and he wasn't afraid to throw down with Iggy last week, after tagging him with a clean hit.

Rinaldo's job is to hit, and he is very effective at it. No one talks about Kronwall as a repeat offender, but he has made a career out of handing out concussions. Lucic is remarkably dirty, but he's a warrior, whatever that means. Ask Ryan Miller if Lucic is a warrior.

Basically, if a guy can score, people are prepared to overlook his dirty play. But a third liner makes one mistake in two years, he's trash who shouldn't be in the league. You're all just standing on the sidelines waiting for a guy like Rinaldo to screw up, so you can pile on and feel righteous about your defense of the game. It's hypocrisy.

I'd be interested to hear Mr. Stewart's take on how a player like Rinaldo can reform himself into a player who the refs won't call everything on simply because of his prior reputation.

Basically, what can Rinaldo do or say to rid himself of such a reputation, and is it possible?
- KGBflyers10

Guy makes a post looking for an intellectual conversation and the best you guys can do is mock him? How about actually answering the question instead of revisiting the exact incidents Rinaldo needs to move away from and stop repeating. I hope to see a response from Paul on this topic because there are more players than just Rinaldo who could use an answer.


Rinaldo is going to have to have the NHL game taken away from him and earn it back. Cooke, as much as I don't like him as a player, has made impressive strides towards becoming a well rounded and clean player. Rinaldo would do well to even reach out to him just for a little guidance since it seems he may not be getting enough of it out of the Flyers organization.