my confusion isn't from that he's a decent hockey player - but to go from juniors straight into the playoffs is a tall order, even if only for 5 minutes a night. a lineup change like that to me reeks of desperation.

would i be thrilled if he stepped in and made some kind of difference? of course. would it be valuable experience for him? yes. i'd prefer that rinaldo contribute in the ways that he knows how and get a few more minutes of ice time. he can be a very effective energy guy and draw penalties, as we've all seen.
- hammarby31

Many people believe Laughton is already a significant upgrade to Rinaldo. He may not bring the same 'energy', but he's a much better all around player.

I hate to say it because I do still think he can play, but for right now, for this series, you gotta think about scratching Vinny.

It's the pace of this particular series -- he can't keep up. Their defense skates too well, their forwards skate too well.

Against the Bruins or Pens, he would be playing. They're not quite as fast.

But with the Rags, Vinny can't forecheck them when he doesn't have the puck and he can't make them turn-and-go when he does.

Again: That doesn't mean you have to rip the guy to shreds; he still can play the game.

But sometimes, you gotta call a spade a spade, and do what's best for the team. We need another guy who can skate in the lineup -- the Flyers have to start making it more difficult for the Rags to forecheck and retrieve pucks.

Many people believe Laughton is already a significant upgrade to Rinaldo. He may not bring the same 'energy', but he's a much better all around player.
- PhillySportsGuy

and i'm sure he is...but i'm talking about the situation. akeson has been in the A all season and proved himself there. there's a difference between junior an the A. it's asking a lot of laughton to step into this...not that he wouldn't want to or that he can't contribute.

I'm not gonna get involved in any long-standing discussions, but a question for you guys:

Based on what we've seen this year and this playoffs, would you rather have Jake Voracek or Ryan Johansen?
- jmatchett383

Johansen is probably a better player already, but isn't he another center?

Jake is far and away the most important winger we have. I'd keep him.

Pardon me, but I'm still giggling over the end of the CLB-PIT game.

and i'm sure he is...but i'm talking about the situation. akeson has been in the A all season and proved himself there. there's a difference between junior an the A. it's asking a lot of laughton to step into this...not that he wouldn't want to or that he can't contribute.
- hammarby31

I would be for it. I think it's low risk, high reward. If he plays poorly, they just limit his minutes then replace him with Rinaldo. If he plays well, he could really help the team and it could be a good learning experience.

Johansen is probably a better player already, but isn't he another center?

Jake is far and away the most important winger we have.
- Feanor

Yep, Jake. And it's not even close.

Voracek is an elite winger in this league. Johansen is turning into a top center, but the Flyers do not need another center.

Pardon me, but I'm still giggling over the end of the CLB-PIT game.
- Scoob

I missed the game but watched the replay of the dubinksy goal and the OT winner by Foligno. Boy did Fleury f those goals up

Johansen is turning into a top center, and the Flyers always need another center.
- bradleyc4

ftfy.

I missed the game but watched the replay of the dubinksy goal and the OT winner by Foligno. Boy did Fleury f those goals up
- Streit2ThePoint

all he had to do was stay in the net. i almost feel badly for him as the puck took a strange bounce off the wall - it's not like he mishandled the puck and turned it over - he just got caught behind the net. the winner dipped on him at the last second. i don't know what it is with this guy...

my confusion isn't from that he's a decent hockey player - but to go from juniors straight into the playoffs is a tall order, even if only for 5 minutes a night. a lineup change like that to me reeks of desperation.

would i be thrilled if he stepped in and made some kind of difference? of course. would it be valuable experience for him? yes. i'd prefer that rinaldo contribute in the ways that he knows how and get a few more minutes of ice time. he can be a very effective energy guy and draw penalties, as we've all seen.
- hammarby31

If Laughton can come in and play 8-10 minutes, it will help balance the lines more than Rinaldo's 4 minutes, and honestly if he's not ready, they can always bring Rinaldo back in.

I like this series because all the warts are showing on this team. Not another Pittsburgh series where we are declaring our Captain the best player in the world and Couturier the best young center in the world yada yada yada. Pens have more issues than us.

But after this series it should be clear that team speed needs to improve.

I hope the flyers are patient with Brayden Schenn. I feel he's on the cusp of locking down that 2nd line center job. He needs a winger that can hold onto the puck. He needs to play better in his own right, but for a 22 yoa I like how he is battling.

I missed the game but watched the replay of the dubinksy goal and the OT winner by Foligno. Boy did Fleury f those goals up
- Streit2ThePoint

The Pens were pretty handily outshot in the game.

I'm not making excuses for Fleury (the evidence is clear; he had a rough night), but let's not pretend the Pens were turning in some dominating performance last night.

I like this series because all the warts are showing on this team. Not another Pittsburgh series where we are declaring our Captain the best player in the world and Couturier the best young center in the world yada yada yada. Pens have more issues than us.

But after this series it should be clear that team speed needs to improve.

I hope the flyers are patient with Brayden Schenn. I feel he's on the cusp of locking down that 2nd line center job. He needs a winger that can hold onto the puck. He needs to play better in his own right, but for a 22 yoa I like how he is battling.
- Just5

To me, BSchenn seems like a day late and a dollar short, with respect to getting to loose pucks and doing anything with it once he has it.

I like this series because all the warts are showing on this team. Not another Pittsburgh series where we are declaring our Captain the best player in the world and Couturier the best young center in the world yada yada yada. Pens have more issues than us.

But after this series it should be clear that team speed needs to improve.

I hope the flyers are patient with Brayden Schenn. I feel he's on the cusp of locking down that 2nd line center job. He needs a winger that can hold onto the puck. He needs to play better in his own right, but for a 22 yoa I like how he is battling.
- Just5

He'll be involved in a package deal to get a top defenseman, allowing VL to center the 2nd line

He'll be involved in a package deal to get a top defenseman, allowing VL to center the 2nd line

- Streit2ThePoint

That package would include B Schenn, Morin, and multiple 1sts.

The Pens were pretty handily outshot in the game.

I'm not making excuses for Fleury (the evidence is clear; he had a rough night), but let's not pretend the Pens were turning in some dominating performance last night.
- johndewar

Columbus outshot them 46-25. I was surprised the Pens held that lead until the last seconds. I was sure Columbus was coming back. The Pens don't know how to play with a lead. Especially, when they get an early lead.

To me, BSchenn seems like a day late and a dollar short, with respect to getting to loose pucks and doing anything with it once he has it.
- johndewar

He does have some issues with burst and quickness -- I think it's fair to say that.

But at the same time, I really don't think people give the credit to the Rags that they deserve for how well those bastards move on the ice. Those boys can pick them up and put them down -- they really can skate, and it puts a lot of pressure on teams.

I hate to say it because I do still think he can play, but for right now, for this series, you gotta think about scratching Vinny.

It's the pace of this particular series -- he can't keep up. Their defense skates too well, their forwards skate too well.

Against the Bruins or Pens, he would be playing. They're not quite as fast.

But with the Rags, Vinny can't forecheck them when he doesn't have the puck and he can't make them turn-and-go when he does.

Again: That doesn't mean you have to rip the guy to shreds; he still can play the game.

But sometimes, you gotta call a spade a spade, and do what's best for the team. We need another guy who can skate in the lineup -- the Flyers have to start making it more difficult for the Rags to forecheck and retrieve pucks.
- AllInForFlyers

Buyout Briere, who is thriving as he usually does in the playoffs, and replace him with a player who can't keep up with pace of play. Another Holmgren special.

If the Flyers flame out in this Series, Holmgren doesn't get to swing and miss a third consecutive summer right?

I hate to say it because I do still think he can play, but for right now, for this series, you gotta think about scratching Vinny.

It's the pace of this particular series -- he can't keep up. Their defense skates too well, their forwards skate too well.

Against the Bruins or Pens, he would be playing. They're not quite as fast.

But with the Rags, Vinny can't forecheck them when he doesn't have the puck and he can't make them turn-and-go when he does.

Again: That doesn't mean you have to rip the guy to shreds; he still can play the game.

But sometimes, you gotta call a spade a spade, and do what's best for the team. We need another guy who can skate in the lineup -- the Flyers have to start making it more difficult for the Rags to forecheck and retrieve pucks.
- AllInForFlyers

Raffl is out best forechecker. Scratch Vinny, but replace him with who?

He does have some issues with burst and quickness -- I think it's fair to say that.

But at the same time, I really don't think people give the credit to the Rags that they deserve for how well those bastards move on the ice. Those boys can pick them up and put them down -- they really can skate, and it puts a lot of pressure on teams.
- AllInForFlyers

I don't want to trade Brayden Schenn, but I wouldn't seeing him play a lesser role, for now.

Buyout Briere, who is thriving as he usually does in the playoffs, and replace him with a player who can't keep up with pace of play. Another Holmgren special.

If the Flyers flame out in this Series, Holmgren doesn't get to swing and miss a third consecutive summer right?
- PLindbergh31

Homer's job was secure when this team made the playoffs.

Buyout Briere, who is thriving as he usually does in the playoffs, and replace him with a player who can't keep up with pace of play. Another Holmgren special.

If the Flyers flame out in this Series, Holmgren doesn't get to swing and miss a third consecutive summer right?
- PLindbergh31

Briere is junk. That was a great move. Lecavalier......not so much

Pardon me, but I'm still giggling over the end of the CLB-PIT game.
- Scoob

I laughed out loud at the time. And then again at the great youtube video from a guy in the crowd who was at just the right angle and didn't lose his (or the phone's) focus. Laughed and laughed. Oh Flower.

Pardon me, but I'm still giggling over the end of the CLB-PIT game.
- Scoob