I find when a new player enters the league and teams/officials don't have a book on them, their minds aren't made up yet, so there are a lot of free passes. Rookies start off promising (the unknown) and then struggled their second season because the league has gotten to know this player for one year. It doesn't matter if they're a skilled player or a hard hitting grinder. What was once new isn't anymore. It's up to the player to adjust and adapt.
- SuperSchennBros

Rinaldo entered the league with a bad reputation. He had numerous suspensions in the CHL and had the distinction, in 2010-11, of being suspended by the AHL more often than he scored goals for the Phantoms (4 suspensions, 3 goals).

Rinaldo made an effort during the lockout shortened season, but was still a guy who refs called for reputation as much as actions and last season he regressed to his rookie season level of undisciplined play.

Worse, he didn't play especially well at all. Outside of delivering a big hit here and there, he was pretty much worthless.

Agreed

And if you are going to carry a guy who will only get you 3-4 goals per season, I'd rather it be a guy like Hall who can check, kill penalties, win faceoffs and mix it up if needed.
- BiggE

Oh, absolutely. The choice between Hall and Rinaldo is like choosing between a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee and a cup of goat poop

Personally I hope Rinaldo is the 13th forward or permanently in the AHL. All of the lineups I have made exclude him. Even if Laughton doesn't make the team out of camp.

Rinaldo is a penalty magnet, even if it isn't a penalty, chances are it will be called a penalty. I think what happened to Hartnell is a harbinger of things to come for Rinaldo. Its pretty clear Berube doesn't want to be at the top of the penalty lists anymore.
- MBFlyerfan

To me a four line team should work like a tool box full of different tools. While Rinaldo has yet to grow much since his rookie season, I understand his value and what the team is expecting him to provide. I think some people make the mistake of wanting all skilled players through all four lines. This is not realistic. I've even heard people on this board complain about guys like Simmonds and Hartnell because they're not skilled enough but both have a clear cut effective role on teams regardless of skill and good at what they do. You can't expect to have Giroux and Voracek on all four lines. That would be silly (Not pointing the finger at you). You've got to have players that offer something different. Having one type of player through the line up is redundant. Also the problem with having all skilled guys is the ego grows and they're gonna wanna move up and be the guy themselves, not stay in the same role.

When he crushes someone with a clean hit and gets a penalty I can live with that. Those kind of hits have a cumulative effect on an opponent and even if he gets a penalty, the opposition will be looking over their shoulders every time he is on the ice. Two seasons ago he seemed to make vast improvements in that area.

Last season there were too many penalties of the undisciplined variety. The one in Dallas really sticks in my memory. He needs to get back to that guided missile philosophy.

We need Rinaldo to be a smart bomb, not a carpet bomb.
- MBFlyerfan

Perfect way to put it!

Rinaldo entered the league with a bad reputation. He had numerous suspensions in the CHL and had the distinction, in 2010-11, of being suspended by the AHL more often than he scored goals for the Phantoms (4 suspensions, 3 goals).

Rinaldo made an effort during the lockout shortened season, but was still a guy who refs called for reputation as much as actions and last season he regressed to his rookie season level of undisciplined play.

Worse, he didn't play especially well at all. Outside of delivering a big hit here and there, he was pretty much worthless.
- Jsaquella

Rinaldo did entered the league with a rumoured bad reputation but none of that matters in the NHL. What you do in the NHL is what matters. In my opinion he had a solid first season but he hasn't grown or improved. He's not even close to what Downie or Carcillo are, even with their hissy fits.

To me a four line team should work like a tool box full of different tools. While Rinaldo has yet to grow much since his rookie season, I understand his value and what the team is expecting him to provide. I think some people make the mistake of wanting all skilled players through all four lines. This is not realistic. I've even heard people on this board complain about guys like Simmonds and Hartnell because they're not skilled enough but both have a clear cut effective role on teams regardless of skill and good at what they do. You can't expect to have Giroux and Voracek on all four lines. That would be silly (Not pointing the finger at you). You've got to have players that offer something different. Having one type of player through the line up is redundant. Also the problem with having all skilled guys is the ego grows and they're gonna wanna move up and be the guy themselves, not stay in the same role.
- SuperSchennBros

No, you don't need a Giroux or Voracek on each line. But rather than a limited guy who is undisciplined and not a good hockey player, I;d rather have a guy who can be used in a variety of roles.

Again, using Adam Hall as the comparison, I'd take the guy who is capable of playing wing or center, is a very good defensive player, great at faceoffs and a very good PK guy to an undisciplined guy whose only good attributes are hitting & speed and who can't really do anything else.

Add in the level of dumb, and Rinaldo is a guy I simply don't want. There's other guys who can be physical and not be a liability with stupid play and reckless acts.

Rinaldo is a one trick pony and I dont see the need for it in Berube's system. Hold onto him and see what you can get at the deadline. There is bound to be team that plays a more chaotic system that could use his services.

If the Flyers actually just decided to roll 4 scoring lines (which I believe they have the bodies for) it would take a lot of pressure off the "we must move Vinny" campaign.

Oh, absolutely. The choice between Hall and Rinaldo is like choosing between a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee and a cup of goat poop
- Jsaquella

I was thinking Macallan 18 year old scotch vs lighter fluid, but I hear ya!

Rinaldo did entered the league with a rumoured bad reputation but none of that matters in the NHL. What you do in the NHL is what matters. In my opinion he had a solid first season but he hasn't grown or improved. He's not even close to what Downie or Carcillo are, even with their hissy fits.
- SuperSchennBros

I'd say he's never had a solid NHL season. He showed progress in the lockout shortened season, but regress so badly last year that it more or less made that an outlier, something that can't be expected.

No, you don't need a Giroux or Voracek on each line. But rather than a limited guy who is undisciplined and not a good hockey player, I;d rather have a guy who can be used in a variety of roles.

Again, using Adam Hall as the comparison, I'd take the guy who is capable of playing wing or center, is a very good defensive player, great at faceoffs and a very good PK guy to an undisciplined guy whose only good attributes are hitting & speed and who can't really do anything else.

Add in the level of dumb, and Rinaldo is a guy I simply don't want. There's other guys who can be physical and not be a liability with stupid play and reckless acts.
- Jsaquella

Exactly!
When it comes to a 4th line, give me a Blair Betts, Lappy, Hall, Asham or even a Carcillo over a Rinaldo or Rosehill any day!

To me a four line team should work like a tool box full of different tools. While Rinaldo has yet to grow much since his rookie season, I understand his value and what the team is expecting him to provide. I think some people make the mistake of wanting all skilled players through all four lines. This is not realistic. I've even heard people on this board complain about guys like Simmonds and Hartnell because they're not skilled enough but both have a clear cut effective role on teams regardless of skill and good at what they do. You can't expect to have Giroux and Voracek on all four lines. That would be silly (Not pointing the finger at you). You've got to have players that offer something different. Having one type of player through the line up is redundant. Also the problem with having all skilled guys is the ego grows and they're gonna wanna move up and be the guy themselves, not stay in the same role.
- SuperSchennBros

Oh give me a break.


What I want is a 4th line that can be trusted to play minutes late in a game. I want a 4th line where they can all be trusted to play on the PK. I want a 4th line that isn't the reason you are going on the PK to begin with.

If Rinaldo is on the this team I hope Berube has him on a short rope. Play a more disciplined game or else you are on a bus to Allentown with a one way ticket.

I'd say he's never had a solid NHL season. He showed progress in the lockout shortened season, but regress so badly last year that it more or less made that an outlier, something that can't be expected.
- Jsaquella

Well I'm not sure what your expecting him to be if you don't believe he's ever had a solid season. Some were making the argument that he was our best and most energetic player during the first half of the shorten season. Rinaldo probably never should have made it to the NHL to begin with. Now that has, he has to learn to hold his own at least to the level Carcillo does. At the same time, this takes time.

Oh give me a break.


What I want is a 4th line that can be trusted to play minutes late in a game. I want a 4th line where they can all be trusted to play on the PK. I want a 4th line that isn't the reason you are going on the PK to begin with.

If Rinaldo is on the this team I hope Berube has him on a short rope. Play a more disciplined game or else you are on a bus to Allentown with a one way ticket.
- MBFlyerfan

Who's fault that we don't have this? Rinaldo's?

No, you don't need a Giroux or Voracek on each line. But rather than a limited guy who is undisciplined and not a good hockey player, I;d rather have a guy who can be used in a variety of roles.

Again, using Adam Hall as the comparison, I'd take the guy who is capable of playing wing or center, is a very good defensive player, great at faceoffs and a very good PK guy to an undisciplined guy whose only good attributes are hitting & speed and who can't really do anything else.

Add in the level of dumb, and Rinaldo is a guy I simply don't want. There's other guys who can be physical and not be a liability with stupid play and reckless acts.
- Jsaquella

Your making this about one player. If we don't have a steady, trustworthy fourth line and Rinaldo is our best option, who's fault is this?

I keep reading "I want". Well, write a letter.

Oh give me a break.


What I want is a 4th line that can be trusted to play minutes late in a game. I want a 4th line where they can all be trusted to play on the PK. I want a 4th line that isn't the reason you are going on the PK to begin with.

If Rinaldo is on the this team I hope Berube has him on a short rope. Play a more disciplined game or else you are on a bus to Allentown with a one way ticket.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly!
When it comes to a 4th line, give me a Blair Betts, Lappy, Hall, Asham or even a Carcillo over a Rinaldo or Rosehill any day!
- BiggE

Why do you think guys like the players you've mentioned aren't playing for us anymore?

Lappy and Betts have had career ending injuries, I won't ignore this fact but Hall and Carcillo don't have a contract right now. I'm sure Asham or Darrell Powe would love to return to the NHL. Consider this. Why do we not pick them off the fourth line tree as if it's that simple? Why do we keep going over seas?

Your making this about one player. If we don't have a steady, trustworthy fourth line and Rinaldo is our best option, who's fault is this?

I keep reading "I want". Well, write a letter.
- SuperSchennBros

Better 4th line options IMO:
Bellemare
Laughton
Alderson, if he is ready
re-sign Hall
sign Daniel Winnik if affordable

All of these are better options than Zac "bad penalty" Rinaldo

Why do you think guys like the players you've mentioned aren't playing for us anymore?

Lappy and Betts have had career ending injuries, I won't ignore this fact but Hall and Carcillo don't have a contract right now. I'm sure Asham or Darrell Powe I'm sure would love to return to the NHL. Consider this. Why do we not pick them off the fourth line tree as if it's that simple? Why do we keep going over seas?
- SuperSchennBros

All I'm saying is that I feel there are better options than Rinaldo out there for the 4th line. No need to get all bent out of shape over it.

Better 4th line options IMO:
Bellemare
Laughton
Alderson, if he is ready
re-sign Hall
sign Daniel Winnik if affordable

All of these are better options than Zac "bad penalty" Rinaldo
- BiggE

Why haven't we or anyone else signes Winnik yet?

All I'm saying is that I feel there are better options than Rinaldo out there for the 4th line. No need to get all bent out of shape over it.
- BiggE

If there are better options, how do we get them here? You can say whatever you want. I could say I can fly, it doesn't make true. A lot of people can play hockey but they have to be able to play at this level. That's why there are lower levels.

Edit

I'm far from bent out of shape, I have no idea what you're talking about.

Your making this about one player. If we don't have a steady, trustworthy fourth line and Rinaldo is our best option, who's fault is this?

I keep reading "I want". Well, write a letter.
- SuperSchennBros

Rinaldo isn't the best option. He's not a good hockey player. He's in the NHL because, for some reason, Holmgren wanted an agitator on his roster.

Why haven't we or anyone else signes Winnik yet?
- SuperSchennBros

Perhaps his agent is holding out for too much money?? Who knows? I do know, however, that he scored 6 goals and 30 points last year which is more than Rinaldo ever will.

If there are better options, how do we get them here? You can say whatever you want. I could say I can fly, it doesn't make true. A lot of people can play hockey but they have to be able to play at this level. That's why there are lower levels.

Edit

I'm far from bent out of shape, I have no idea what you're talking about.
- SuperSchennBros

Saying to someone "well, write a letter" is kind of obnoxious...just sayin...

Rinaldo isn't the best option. He's not a good hockey player. He's in the NHL because, for some reason, Holmgren wanted an agitator on his roster.
- Jsaquella

Yup, and I'm pretty sure that Hextall doesn't have the same regard for those types of players if LA's roster is anything to go by.

Well I'm not sure what your expecting him to be if you don't believe he's ever had a solid season. Some were making the argument that he was our best and most energetic player during the first half of the shorten season. Rinaldo probably never should have made it to the NHL to begin with. Now that has, he has to learn to hold his own at least to the level Carcillo does. At the same time, this takes time.
- SuperSchennBros

He doesn't possess the talent that Carcillo has. Carcillo had 13 goals in his first full NHL season. Rinaldo doesn't have that many in 3 seasons in the NHL.