placing someone like akesson or leier on the 4th line hurts their ability to gain valuable experience in different situations
- 2Real

Leier may never be anything more than a 3rd/4th liner anyway. Even though it goes against hockey's archaic rules, I would put Akeson on the 4th line ahead of Rinaldo.

Leier may never be anything more than a 3rd/4th liner anyway. Even though it goes against hockey's archaic rules, I would put Akeson on the 4th line ahead of Rinaldo.
- PhillySportsGuy

don't think unless akeson is on the 3rd line it might be a waste?

don't think unless akeson is on the 3rd line it might be a waste?
- 2Real

I think it would be a waste to send him back to the AHL when he's clearly shown he can score points at that level. Theres really nothing else he can learn from being sent back to the Phantoms. Playing in the AHL would pretty much just serve as a means to keep him in shape until his next callup.

I really don't see a problem with the extension or the timing of it. Most are looking at it from the perspective of simply not liking the player, or feeling that he's not a good player. I think he has some raw ability, but he is not without question marks. And if the team likes a player, then the timing is not questionable. All about perspective. Personally, I need to see some growth this year. He stagnated last year in my opinion.
- MJL

truth

If you dont think what Rinaldo brings to the table belongs in the NHL, than you hate this signing.

As someone who enjoys the physical side of the game, I'm glad the kid got a nice deal and hope he improves as a player and continues to light people up and stick up for his teammates.

placing someone like akesson or leier on the 4th line hurts their ability to gain valuable experience in different situations
- 2Real

Yeah, Pat Maroon was ruined by playing on the Ducks 4th line last season.

don't think unless akeson is on the 3rd line it might be a waste?
- 2Real

Yep!!!

Here are the lines I'm hoping for.

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couts-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson
Raffl-Laughton-Rinaldo

Raffl could move up and down the lineup if either of those wingers arent working out.

Yeah, Pat Maroon was ruined by playing on the Ducks 4th line last season.
- Feanor

Akeson is pretty much the polar opposite of Pat Maroon but whatever

Yeah, Pat Maroon was ruined by playing on the Ducks 4th line last season.
- Feanor

um he was on the first line frequently

Akeson is pretty much the polar opposite of Pat Maroon but whatever
- acd513

Guys like Cogliano, Maroon and Perrault have a lot more in common with a hockey player like Akeson than they do with a plug like Rinaldo.

I think it would be a waste to send him back to the AHL when he's clearly shown he can score points at that level. Theres really nothing else he can learn from being sent back to the Phantoms. Playing in the AHL would pretty much just serve as a means to keep him in shape until his next callup.
- PhillySportsGuy

If a player doesn't earn the spot in the lineup, then what other choice is there? Good chance he would be claimed on waivers if they tried to send him down. Whether he is a fit for the 4th line depends on what kind of 4th line you're looking for. If you're looking for a physical defensive checking type of line, then I'd say no. If looking for more of finesse type line hoping to chip in some offense, then maybe.

Guys like Cogliano, Maroon and Perrault have a lot more in common with a hockey player like Akeson than they do with a plug like Rinaldo.
- Feanor

Those guys have traits (Cogliano, Perrault strong defense - Maroon size and physicality) that fit a fourth line. Akeson is an undersized offensive player, not something that most teams place on a fourth line.

If Akeson ever finds his way in the NHL it will be for his offense. I think he has earned a shot at top 9 minutes. It would be foolish to put him on the fourth line.

If a player doesn't earn the spot in the lineup, then what other choice is there? Good chance he would be claimed on waivers if they tried to send him down. Whether he is a fit for the 4th line depends on what kind of 4th line you're looking for. If you're looking for a physical defensive checking type of line, then I'd say no. If looking for more of finesse type line hoping to chip in some offense, then maybe.
- MJL

My point is that I'm not keeping Rinaldo over Akeson regardless of what my 4th line looks like.

If Akeson shows up fat for camp and, subsequently, looks horrible, I would have no problem demoting him. I just don't see that happening. I just don't think 5 preseason games will be enough for the team to make a decision on Akeson. He will need regular season game action for them to make the correct determination.

Akeson would probably be claimed on waivers. Demoting him basically means getting rid of him.

My point is that I'm not keeping Rinaldo over Akeson regardless of what my 4th line looks like.

If Akeson shows up fat for camp and, subsequently, looks horrible, I would have no problem demoting him. I just don't see that happening. I just don't think 5 preseason games will be enough for the team to make a decision on Akeson. He will need regular season game action for them to make the correct determination.

Since our top 9 is made up of so many great two-way forwards (sarcasm), I would be fine with Akeson starting the season on the 4th line.
- PhillySportsGuy

As far as the first point, seems as though you already made up your mind, and that camp and pre season will have no bearing on what happens. Really, in my view, Rinaldo and Akeson aren't competing against each other for a spot.

For the second point, I could see that happening, for evaluation purposes due to Akeson's waiver status.

For the 3rd, again, depends on what kind of player you want in that spot. I personally feel that Akeson, to best use his attributes as a player, needs to play with scoring line offensive players. Rather then 4th line grinders.

I think that both Akeson and Rinaldo will be on the roster coming out of camp.

As far as the first point, seems as though you already made up your mind, and that camp and pre season will have no bearing on what happens. Really, in my view, Rinaldo and Akeson aren't competing against each other for a spot.

For the second point, I could see that happening, for evaluation purposes due to Akeson's waiver status.

For the 3rd, again, depends on what kind of player you want in that spot. I personally feel that Akeson, to best use his attributes as a player, needs to play with scoring line offensive players. Rather then 4th line grinders.
- MJL

In my mind, Akeson needs to play himself off the roster. He would need to look bad in camp and preseason for me to dump him in the AHL again. I believe he's one of the top 12 forwards on this team and I want the team to play the top 12 forwards each night.

In my mind, Akeson needs to play himself off the roster. He would need to look bad in camp and preseason for me to dump him in the AHL again. I believe he's one of the top 12 forwards on this team and I want the team to play the top 12 forwards each night.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think it remains to be seen if Akeson is one of the top 12 forwards on the team, and even if he is capable of being a full time NHL player. But I do believe that he will be on the roster coming out of camp, simply because of his waiver status.

The Flyers should just sign Sandy McCarthy and let him play a true 4th line enforcer role.

He gets 2 shifts per game. If someone runs a star, he skates out to the penalty box, lays his stick and gloves on the ice, and just waits for the penalty box door to open. As soon as it does, he immediately launches himself at the player and beats his brains in.

Cup = Flyers.

The Flyers should just sign Sandy McCarthy and let him play a true 4th line enforcer role.

He gets 2 shifts per game. If someone runs a star, he skates out to the penalty box, lays his stick and gloves on the ice, and just waits for the penalty box door to open. As soon as it does, he immediately launches himself at the player and beats his brains in.

Cup = Flyers.
- jmatchett383

Im on board with that

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

sigh.
- bodiva88

'Merica!

Trucks!

truth

If you dont think what Rinaldo brings to the table belongs in the NHL, than you hate this signing.

As someone who enjoys the physical side of the game, I'm glad the kid got a nice deal and hope he improves as a player and continues to light people up and stick up for his teammates.
- acd513

I like what Rinaldo brings, just wish he brought it in a more disciplined manner. You can be a good hitter and also be a good, responsible player.

The trouble is, Rinaldo has not shown he can be a responsible, physical player. On defense he runs around looking for a big hit, gets out of possession and has issues retrieving the puck and getting it out of his own end.

I want Ian Laperriere, a guy who is both physical and has hockey sense. Not a guy who does nothing but run around trying to hit everybody.

The Flyers should just sign Sandy McCarthy and let him play a true 4th line enforcer role.

He gets 2 shifts per game. If someone runs a star, he skates out to the penalty box, lays his stick and gloves on the ice, and just waits for the penalty box door to open. As soon as it does, he immediately launches himself at the player and beats his brains in.

Cup = Flyers.
- jmatchett383

/schedules Stanley Cup parade

How quickly we forget he's 24..

You guys think Lappy played the way he did with the Flyers when he was 24? I don't know the answer, but I imagine it'd be a no.

You need guys like Lappy on the roster to win. That we can all agree on. What if, in 4 years, Rinaldo evolves into that? He wants to try (remember his whole I want to kill penalties thing?)

He knows what he needs to do to be as successful as a role player and wants to work at it. That's a pretty solid start for a 24 year old.

It's obvious to me the Flyers think he can really turn into an important player. After all, he was (frank)in awesome 2 seasons ago.

Give the kid a chance to mature into a reasonable facsimile of a final product, then feel free to blast the Flyers

Jesus. Whodathunk a 24 year old player on a 2 year 850k contract would have the fan base up in arms.

How quickly we forget he's 24..

You guys think Lappy played the way he did with the Flyers when he was 24? I don't know the answer, but I imagine it'd be a no.

You need guys like Lappy on the roster to win. That we can all agree on. What if, in 4 years, Rinaldo evolves into that? He wants to try (remember his whole I want to kill penalties thing?)

He knows what he needs to do to be as successful as a role player and wants to work at it. That's a pretty solid start for a 24 year old.

It's obvious to me the Flyers think he can really turn into an important player. After all, he was (frank)in awesome 2 seasons ago.

Give the kid a chance to mature into a reasonable facsimile of a final product, then feel free to blast the Flyers

Jesus. Whodathunk a 24 year old player on a 2 year 850k contract would have the fan base up in arms.
- Giroux_Is_God

Fanbase is bored.

Fanbase is bored.
- FlyersGrace

I can certainly attest to that.

I've been sitting at the DMV at 8th and Arch since 1 trying to get a replacement license. Bored out of my mind doesn't even scratch the surface.

I think it remains to be seen if Akeson is one of the top 12 forwards on the team, and even if he is capable of being a full time NHL player. But I do believe that he will be on the roster coming out of camp, simply because of his waiver status.
- MJL

I worry that Akeson is just another Tim Tookey/Peter White type player. A guy who can score at the AHL level (and Akeson doesn't even score at the level of those 2) but in the NHL is a marginal guy at best. Not quite big enough, not quite fast enough, not quite.........anything enough.

I hope not.