I think those guys could add to his point totals. Even Mario Lemieux got Steve McKenna points.
- SuperSchennBros

Add sure, but the difference in the skill level between a player like Rinaldo, and a player like Knuble is going to result in a drastic difference in production. Just as there would be between a player such as Knuble and Ovechkin. But the skill is definitely there. Just different levels of it.

We'd all take him being the new Duncan Keith, preferably without all the cheap shots.
- Feanor

Nice, that would be amazing.

Maybe Toby Enstrom?
He's not a bad comparison size wise.

Would a tough small player be shrimp with grits?
I love shrimp grits.
- Marc D

Shrimp grits, shrimp ka-bobs, deep fried shrimp, broiled shrimp, shrimp gumbo, coconut shrimp, shrimp salad

Add sure, but the difference in the skill level between a player like Rinaldo, and a player like Knuble is going to result in a drastic difference in production. Just as there would be between a player such as Knuble and Ovechkin. But the skill is definitely there. Just different levels of it.
- MJL

Oh, no question. Obviously there is a huge margin between Knuble and Rinaldo but for me there a pretty big gap between John LeClair and names like Simmonds, Hartnell, Holmstrom and Knuble but admittingly, obviously not the same thing in terms of Rinaldo.

Alas, Theo Fleury is long gone... would have been perfect for him.

Shrimp & Grits would also be a hell of a name for our Rinaldo/Akeson/Rosehill line.
- Tomahawk

Ghost/Morin

No, it wouldn't. Engelland is signed to an absurd contract because Burke over values grit so much.

And Engelland was a regular healthy scratch during the past season, and for the whole playoffs.
- Feanor

Nobody is saying Engelland is a gem. He serves a purpose and more than a few teams would like him as a 6/7 Dman. Looks like the Flyers are the ONLY team that want MDZ.

But whatever. You think fighting is passe and grit is dumb. We get it.

Nobody is saying Engelland is a gem. He serves a purpose and more than a few teams would like him as a 6/7 Dman. Looks like the Flyers are the ONLY team that want MDZ.

But whatever. You think fighting is passe and grit is dumb. We get it.
- acd513

Engelland is terrible, who does have an absurd contract and was significant overrated by Burke. It was a flat out embarrassing contract to give to him.

MDZ is a reclamation project. I'm not sure why other teams didn't come calling, but I'm glad they didn't. MDZ got a short leash with a crazy Torts, and then was misplaced by Nashville. Things like these happen. Sometimes, it's the players fault, and other times it is not.

I'm hoping that it was the latter for the Flyers.

Engelland is terrible, who does have an absurd contract and was significant overrated by Burke. It was a flat out embarrassing contract to give to him.

MDZ is a reclamation project. I'm not sure why other teams didn't come calling, but I'm glad they didn't. MDZ got a short leash with a crazy Torts, and then was misplaced by Nashville. Things like these happen. Sometimes, it's the players fault, and other times it is not.

I'm hoping that it was the latter for the Flyers.
- KGBflyers10

same poop was said for mason when the trade happened...Either way its a no risk signing...Some people will female dog and nitpick everything and anything...Im surprised the "Lauren Hart Sucks" crowd hasnt popped up yet in this thread.

Looks like the Flyers are the ONLY team that want MDZ.
- acd513

The Flyers were the ONLY team that wanted Steve Mason, too.

The Flyers were the ONLY team that wanted Steve Mason, too.
- Tomahawk

Touche!

Oh, no question. Obviously there is a huge margin between Knuble and Rinaldo but for me there a pretty big gap between John LeClair and names like Simmonds, Hartnell, Holmstrom and Knuble but admittingly, obviously not the same thing in terms of Rinaldo.
- SuperSchennBros

For sure. But again, that doesn't mean that Simmonds is not a skilled player. Just not to the level of John LeClair.

Not to mention, those guys Bill listed didn't fizzle due to lack of grit... it was mostly lack of hard work/teamwork that did them in.

There's a yearly trophy that goes out to the guy who plays the game the cleanest for pete's sake, and it's not exactly won by the most useless ballerina.
- Tomahawk

I was being facetious. Hpwever, the Lady Byng types still play a competitive brand of hockey (AKA display some grit) even if they have low PIM totals and aren't especially physical.

Oh no, I would just stop watching hockey all together. One great season = missing the playoffs 7 out of the 8 years?

No thank you.
- KGBflyers10

So again, would you trade the current Phillies roster for the current Nationals
roster if you had to give up 2008?

I was being facetious. Hpwever, the Lady Byng types still play a competitive brand of hockey (AKA display some grit) even if they have low PIM totals and aren't especially physical.
- bmeltzer

Yup, that Datsyuk/MSL/Francis kind of competitive grit.

I think a lot of players on the current squad exhibit that kind of quality.

Bill,

Fess up, was the "insistent caller" you? Haha. Kidding aside, nice read (other than the Ryan White news) for an August Friday.
- Benway

Nope, I confess to nothing .

So again, would you trade the current Phillies roster for the current Nationals
roster if you had to give up 2008?
- jmatchett383

no because the 2008 one won a world series...untill they win it all they arent poop.

Creamy, dry or al dente?
- KINGKENZO

Creamy and over my toast pls

jeez crim was right
pack of wolves
- -davies-

I've had a pop tart.

Been up since 7.

I'm hungry.

Class til 4.

Send help.

I've had a pop tart.

Been up since 7.

I'm hungry.

Class til 4.

Send help.
- Giroux_Is_God

I'm eating right now.

So again, would you trade the current Phillies roster for the current Nationals
roster if you had to give up 2008?
- jmatchett383

Baseball is an entirely different beast. There is more onus on the owner than anything else budget-wise.

However, I am one to take the lumps and bruises the current Phillies squad is dishing out. They had a good run from '06-'11. Yeah, they only won World Series--but they were set up for a dynasty.

I'm eating right now.
- Streit2ThePoint

You're a villain and a fiend

I was being facetious. Hpwever, the Lady Byng types still play a competitive brand of hockey (AKA display some grit) even if they have low PIM totals and aren't especially physical.
- bmeltzer

Quit being things that 70% of the posters here have to look up. You're furrowing brows across the lower 50 and northern territories.

For sure. But again, that doesn't mean that Simmonds is not a skilled player. Just not to the level of John LeClair.
- MJL

Well let me ask this and keep in the back of your mind that I'm not calling Simmonds an unskilled player but how good would a team do if Simmonds was their center piece? He is their only star, the best option for production? Like Rick Nash was for Columbus or Jerome Iginla for Clagary?

Well let me ask this and keep in the back of your mind that I'm not calling Simmonds an unskilled player but how good would a team do if Simmonds was their center piece? He is their only star, the best option for production? Like Rick Nash was for Columbus or Jerome Iginla for Clagary?
- SuperSchennBros

Probably not a good team. But that doesn't take away from Simmonds as a player.

Probably not a good team. But that doesn't take away from Simmonds as a player.
- MJL

I'd agree. Simmonds is not a player you build around. He's a nice compliment piece. He's the sour cream to a taco.