I commend them for not doing anything this summer, other than moving Hartnell -- probably would've been easy to just cut bait on the Schenns, but I'm glad they didn't
- AllInForFlyers

Really MacDonald was their big acquisition, not technically a free agent signing but in effect really was. They also re-signed Emery as a UFA, and added Del Zotto, White, and Schultz. Also added Bellemare if he makes the team.

yeah, well...
- wilsonecho91

They can get there, focus on this season & soon start scouting the junior leagues & colleges.

Really MacDonald was their big acquisition, not technically a free agent signing but in effect really was. They also re-signed Emery as a UFA, and added Del Zotto, White, and Schultz. Also added Bellemare if he makes the team.
- MJL

While certainly Timonen's a huge loss, I think all of those moves are fine -- really, free agency isn't the way to build a team in this era. Trades can help, but teams ask for substantial returns...I'm fine with where they are and what they've done.

While certainly Timonen's a huge loss, I think all of those moves are fine -- really, free agency isn't the way to build a team in this era. Trades can help, but teams ask for substantial returns...I'm fine with where they are and what they've done.
- AllInForFlyers

i dislike the Emery signing, but what can you do. at least it's not brodeur

While certainly Timonen's a huge loss, I think all of those moves are fine -- really, free agency isn't the way to build a team in this era. Trades can help, but teams ask for substantial returns...I'm fine with where they are and what they've done.
- AllInForFlyers

As am I. Excited for the season. A full camp with Berube as Coach. Continued growth of the young players. I think the Flyers are going to be a solid team.

i dislike the Emery signing, but what can you do. at least it's not brodeur
- wilsonecho91

I freely admit that a number of backup goalies played better than Emery did last season. But at the same time, I do think where Emery is in his career allows Mason to just go out and play while the Flyers have a backup who will at least compete in his starts yet still has enough experience to maybe steal a big game if you have to have it.

Backup goaltenders -- I don't trust them all that much. Emery, for all his flaws, is one who I don't mind starting games, even though, as I said, there were some backups who performed better.

I freely admit that a number of backup goalies played better than Emery did last season. But at the same time, I do think where Emery is in his career allows Mason to just go out and play while the Flyers have a backup who will at least compete in his starts yet still has enough experience to maybe steal a big game if you have to have it.

Backup goaltenders -- I don't trust them all that much. Emery, for all his flaws, is one who I don't mind starting games, even though, as I said, there were some backups who performed better.
- AllInForFlyers

it's a tough call for a number of reasons. I would have preferred, if at all possible, to have allocated a slightly higher $ for a better backup vet that could handle the load in case Mason went down.

As am I. Excited for the season. A full camp with Berube as Coach. Continued growth of the young players. I think the Flyers are going to be a solid team.
- MJL

I'm excited, too -- because you know what? None of us can predict injuries, and since a ton of us have watched this team for years, by now most of us recognize that some players will have good/great years and some won't play as well as their baseline and talent indicates.

But this year's team...I just have a feeling about them. I just have to believe that the light's going to click for Brayden Schenn and he's going to give the Flyers a good season, and I think the Flyers now know that if you give Sean Couturier two complementary wingers, he's a much more dangerous player offensively than he's shown.

They don't need Giroux to be a Hart finalist if those two guys just progress how they can -- there's no reason why Schenn can't score 25-30 goals. He just had 21. With more consistency, there's just no reason that he shouldn't get 25 goals and 50 points.

On an unrelated note, for those that may have an upcoming fantasy football draft. Wes Welker has been suspended 4 games for PED's.
- MJL

Takin meth

re: Rinaldo
I think we can all agree that he had a bad year last season. However he is young, has good wheels, plays hard and has shown flashes of skill in practice. He also did a nice job as an agitator the prior season.

Maybe the coaching staff feels that there is more to his game than we have seen so far. Either way it's a no risk signing. If he surprises us and plays well, then you have him under contract for 2 more years at a very reasonable number. If not, you can waive/demote him at any time with no cap implications.
- BiggE

Pretty much. Plus I'm gonna need an example that suggests the guy matches to the penalty box a tone more then he draws pepenalties because he seems to do both pretty often.

I’m surprised that we even starting to talk about it so early but I am thrilled,” said Rinaldo.

I’m surprised that we even starting to talk about it so early but I am thrilled,” said Rinaldo.



- Just5

rinaldo sold low so works out for us

Have a down year? Your in line for a raise on a multiyear deal! Flyers!!!

I just dont get it. Such a weirdly timed signing. Do they have to play mind games with this kid? Would he not perform because he has no security beyond this year. This really is bizarre

Pretty much. Plus I'm gonna need an example that suggests the guy matches to the penalty box a tone more then he draws pepenalties because he seems to do both pretty often.
- SuperSchennBros

In terms of non-coincidental penalties, Rinaldo took 3 penalties per 60 minutes of ice time, while drawing 1.7 penalties per 60 minutes of ice time. During the lockout shortened season, he was taking 2.3 penalties per 60, but drawing 3.2 per 60, which is a lot more effective.

I'm looking at non-coincidental penalties because those are the ones that give a manpower advantage to one team or the other. In literal terms, he took 26 penalties and drew 14.

2013-14:
http://www.behindthenet.c...+1+3+5+41+42+43+44+45+46#

2012-13

http://www.behindthenet.c...+1+3+5+41+42+43+44+45+46#

I’m surprised that we even starting to talk about it so early but I am thrilled,” said Rinaldo.



- Just5

I regressed badly and got a $100K per year raise.

Why extend him now?

http://www.broadstreethoc...yers-fourth-line-analysis

Look at that chart in the article. The best teams have 4th lines that play more minutes. And its not just good teams being able to roll lines because they are ahead. That might have a small part of it. The Rangers and Stars are both upward trending teams that play heavy 4th line minutes that had similar records to the flyers.

I'm trying real hard...to be the Shepard
- Jsaquella

No, Jules, youve decided to be a (frank)ing bum!

Why extend him now?

http://www.broadstreethoc...yers-fourth-line-analysis

Look at that chart in the article. The best teams have 4th lines that play more minutes. And its not just good teams being able to roll lines because they are ahead. That might have a small part of it. The Rangers and Stars are both upward trending teams that play heavy 4th line minutes that had similar records to the flyers.
- Just5

That's a concern for the future, really, but it is valid.

If the Flyers do feel he can become another Laperriere, which is what they seem to be thinking to some extent, it would be fine. I wonder about his ability to be what Laperriere was for a few reasons. One is his hockey sense. Lappy was a smart player and knew how to read plays and how to be a good defender. The second ties into that and it's discipline. Lappy did accumulate a lot of PIM, but he was not as prone to dumb penalties as Rinaldo is.

The other part of discipline is staying within the structure of the team's system and Laperriere did that well. Rinaldo, far too often for my taste, treats his shifts like a loose cannon rolling where ever the waves take it, looking for that big hit.

The physicality is good and the kid has speed, but he hasn't shown consistent progress in harnessing his good attributes and improving his weaker ones.

No, Jules, youve decided to be a (frank)ing bum!
- KINGKENZO

I'll just be Jules, Vincent. No more, no less

That's a concern for the future, really, but it is valid.

If the Flyers do feel he can become another Laperriere, which is what they seem to be thinking to some extent, it would be fine. I wonder about his ability to be what Laperriere was for a few reasons. One is his hockey sense. Lappy was a smart player and knew how to read plays and how to be a good defender. The second ties into that and it's discipline. Lappy did accumulate a lot of PIM, but he was not as prone to dumb penalties as Rinaldo is.

The other part of discipline is staying within the structure of the team's system and Laperriere did that well. Rinaldo, far too often for my taste, treats his shifts like a loose cannon rolling where ever the waves take it, looking for that big hit.

The physicality is good and the kid has speed, but he hasn't shown consistent progress in harnessing his good attributes and improving his weaker ones.
- Jsaquella

hated him at first, liked him two years ago, hated him last year.

i don't think he has the brains to be a tenth of what ian laperriere was in the league. just my opinion though. unlike some people around here, i've been wrong before. here's hoping.

hated him at first, liked him two years ago, hated him last year.

i don't think he has the brains to be a tenth of what ian laperriere was in the league. just my opinion though. unlike some people around here, i've been wrong before. here's hoping.
- kicksave856

Exactly. Right now hes not even close. He doesn't flash any defensive IQ, at all. If you can't flash that instinct at 24 here or there, in my opinion he'll never get there.

I just hate the precedent it sets going forward. This kid is a golden child apparently. What about his play last year suggest he's earned a 2 year deal at any kind of coin. Other players have to wonder, like Gus?

hated him at first, liked him two years ago, hated him last year.

i don't think he has the brains to be a tenth of what ian laperriere was in the league. just my opinion though. unlike some people around here, i've been wrong before. here's hoping.
- kicksave856

I'm with you, praying I'm wrong, worried I'll be right.

C'mon guys. Hexy realizes it's easier to trade a guy who is under contract for the next couple years. Rinaldo will be part of a deal at some point this year.

Stone cold hash pipe monkey bike lock.

hated him at first, liked him two years ago, hated him last year.

i don't think he has the brains to be a tenth of what ian laperriere was in the league. just my opinion though. unlike some people around here, i've been wrong before. here's hoping.
- kicksave856