Agreed. The contract term isn't a huge deal. I just don't understand the need for a player like Rinaldo. And the timing makes little sense to me. Use this year as an evaluation, if he shows improvement in terms of play and discipline ok.. Rewarding him with an extension after a year of regression does not compute.
- PLindbergh31

After all the talk about wanting to be more disciplined from both the coach and general manager, and then make a trade where you send away an undisciplined scoring line player only to follow it up by re-signing probably the most on December the discipline player on your team, it sends a strange and inconsistent message.

Yes it's a minor contract that can be buried in the minor-league without any kind of Penalty. However at the same time, it rewards a guy who regressed badly and I think that's where the problem lies for me. I just don't see the need to reword a guy after he's coming off a year where he took a big step backwards, especially since it was in an area that you've identified as a issue for the team in general

I want to see Rinaldo become a hockey player first so to speak, and an agitator second. Versus the other way around.
- MJL

Well, sadly, it's already the other way around. An almost complete 180 won't happen fast. You can't rein him all the way in because it kills his effectiveness, but maybe you can haul him in a bit.

Or maybe he just isn't that good of an NHL player to be more than a 4th line "energy" guy or agitator and the Flyers want that.

I love Rinaldo's motor. I wish other players had some of his energy. If he could just get his brain in order he could be a solid player. He can sometimes be not just a good forechecker, but a great forechecker....lots of speed to get in on the d and hits like a truck.

But then the dumb things start happening, seemingly out of nowhere and he is right back to square one. Its maddening.
- MBFlyerfan

That's it exactly. If you could just be less reckless, he could be an effective player. The discipline is not just in avoiding penalties. It's also playing with in the structure of the system. He's out there running around trying to hit everybody and taking himself out of position which affects his defense negatively.

Well, hopefully Laughton can take some of those "minutes against top lines", which is why he would make the team to begin with. There are plenty of minutes to go around. I would like to see less PK minutes for both G and Coots.
- MBFlyerfan

I think a line of Bellemare- Laughton - White could be used like the Devils did with Madden - Pandolfo - Begin. But it depends on Bellemare being as good as advertised and White getting healthy

That's it exactly. If you could just be less reckless, he could be an effective player. The discipline is not just in avoiding penalties. It's also playing with in the structure of the system. He's out there running around trying to hit everybody and taking himself out of position which affects his defense negatively.
- Jsaquella

We were talking about Rinaldo, not Luke Schenn. Please stay on topic.

I think a line of Bellemare- Laughton - White could be used like the Devils did with Madden - Pandolfo - Begin. But it depends on Bellemare being as good as advertised and White getting healthy
- J35Bacher

If there's a better option, I'd prefer White not be more than a call-up. But there may not be.

After all the talk about wanting to be more disciplined from both the coach and general manager, and then make a trade where you send away an undisciplined scoring line player only to follow it up by re-signing probably the most on December the discipline player on your team, it sends a strange and inconsistent message.

Yes it's a minor contract that can be buried in the minor-league without any kind of Penalty. However at the same time, it rewards a guy who regressed badly and I think that's where the problem lies for me. I just don't see the need to reword a guy after he's coming off a year where he took a big step backwards, especially since it was in an area that you've identified as a issue for the team in general
- Jsaquella

I don't know if it really send any message. Good players will make good money and bottom six players will get the deals they get. I really don't think it has bearing on the team. It wasn't like he got a 5 year 20 million deal.

If there's a better option, I'd prefer White not be more than a call-up. But there may not be.
- jmatchett383

I would always go with an upgrade. I would love to see Alderson or Leirer win that job but I think White could be solid as well. He can skate and kills penalties so two things you like from the 4th line. Has grit and won't take shifts off. I think he might surpise some people

nhl network reporting timonen participating in flyers golf team thingy sept 16

WARRIOR
- -davies-

Apparently he had Pronger simply stare at the clots...a few minutes later they dissolved and promised never to return.

After all the talk about wanting to be more disciplined from both the coach and general manager, and then make a trade where you send away an undisciplined scoring line player only to follow it up by re-signing probably the most on December the discipline player on your team, it sends a strange and inconsistent message.

Yes it's a minor contract that can be buried in the minor-league without any kind of Penalty. However at the same time, it rewards a guy who regressed badly and I think that's where the problem lies for me. I just don't see the need to reword a guy after he's coming off a year where he took a big step backwards, especially since it was in an area that you've identified as a issue for the team in general
- Jsaquella

There is a big difference between a player who is a veteran and in a leadership position, that plays undisciplined, versus a 4th line role player.
There is a real opportunity to send a message by trading that player. You also don't want to get involved in scratching, and limiting icetime with a player like that, that also has a significant amount of cap space tied up.

There's no real message to be sent in regards to a 4th line role player. And really isn't a big deal if you scratch him, and or demote him because of the lack of discipline. Both situations are clearly different. And I'm amazed at how the Rinaldo signng is being overblown by some. Mountain out of a molehill.

Well, sadly, it's already the other way around. An almost complete 180 won't happen fast. You can't rein him all the way in because it kills his effectiveness, but maybe you can haul him in a bit.

Or maybe he just isn't that good of an NHL player to be more than a 4th line "energy" guy or agitator and the Flyers want that.
- jmatchett383

Could be. But if the latter is the case, then I have a problem with that. But I don't know that to be the case.

I would always go with an upgrade. I would love to see Alderson or Leirer win that job but I think White could be solid as well. He can skate and kills penalties so two things you like from the 4th line. Has grit and won't take shifts off. I think he might surpise some people
- J35Bacher

He just comes off as another warm body a la Adam Hall. A guy who you can get a dime a dozen and just drifts from team to team and isn't an integral part of a winning team.

It's possible I'm talking out my ass, but I just don't see a guy like White as a contributor to a winning team.

If Laughton centers 4th line and Lecav centers 3rd line instead of playing winger, Vinny should easily get 20g and 20a again this season.

Vinny should also improve his +/- because the team is overall better defensively, and he will be playing with better linemates than Hall/Rinaldo/McGinn/Rosehill.

If Vinny will center 3rd line with guys like RJ, Raffl and Akeson on his wing he will have a rebound season for sure.

Could be. But if the latter is the case, then I have a problem with that. But I don't know that to be the case.
- MJL

Nobody does, not even Rinaldo. Heck, it's not out of the realm of possibility for him to put up 80 points next year. It's highly unlikely, but not impossible.

Okay, maybe it is, but 75 points is a more realistic possibility.

I don't know if it really send any message. Good players will make good money and bottom six players will get the deals they get. I really don't think it has bearing on the team. It wasn't like he got a 5 year 20 million deal.
- J35Bacher

It does send a message, they're making a two year commitment to a guy coming off a season where he regressed and faltered when given more to do. Granted it's not a huge deal, but it clearly says they're willing to continue the relationship

If Laughton centers 4th line and Lecav centers 3rd line instead of playing winger, Vinny should easily get 20g and 20a again this season.

Vinny should also improve his +/- because the team is overall better defensively, and he will be playing with better linemates than Hall and Rinaldo/McGinn/Rosehill.

If Vinny will center 3rd line with guys like RJ, Raffl and Akeson on his wing he will have a rebound season for sure.
- MrBigglesworth

If Vinny is healthy and in the top-9, I'm not worried about his offense at all. He had 20/17/37 last year while injured and being moved all over the lineup. With some stability and reasonable healthy (70+ games), 20/20/40 should be easy. It's the other side of his game that worries me.

Could be. But if the latter is the case, then I have a problem with that. But I don't know that to be the case.
- MJL

I think Rinaldo got his deal because they know he can play in the NHL. If he is the 13th forward he could come in if needed from some games on the 4th line. His deal still allows them to try and send him down without any cap staying. If someone in the top 6 goes down or ifthey want more then what Rinaldo brings then I don't think the Flyers would hesitate to bring up someone else over inserting him. These people aren't dumb

If Vinny is healthy and in the top-9, I'm not worried about his offense at all. He had 20/17/37 last year while injured and being moved all over the lineup. With some stability and reasonable healthy (70+ games), 20/20/40 should be easy. It's the other side of his game that worries me.
- jmatchett383

If Vinny centers a 3rd line between guys like Read, RJ and Raffl who are all solid 2-way players, that would be an ideal situation IMO.

If Vinny centers a 3rd line between RJ and Raffl who are both solid 2-way players, that would be an ideal situation IMO.
- MrBigglesworth

I've been saying that this looks to be a good line.

Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson.

Theres a mix of everything there. Vinny needs a playmaker and Akeson (while questionable) could potentially fill that role. Umberger adds size and a decent mix of offense/defense on the wing.

If Vinny centers a 3rd line between guys like Read, RJ and Raffl who are all solid 2-way players, that would be an ideal situation IMO.
- MrBigglesworth

Agreed. I think he'll either be the #2C or a top-6 RW. I like the idea of playing him with Umbeger and maybe Raffl or, heck, even Akeson.

It does send a message, they're making a two year commitment to a guy coming off a season where he regressed and faltered when given more to do. Granted it's not a huge deal, but it clearly says they're willing to continue the relationship
- Jsaquella

Like who? Good players know they will get paid as long as they keep producing. Bottom six players will get contracts as long as they can produce or provide a quality the team wants.


Could the message also be if you play hard and work hard we reward you?


I am not defending or saying the deal is great just that i don't see why everyoneis hating on it like we just signed George Parros toa 3 year 12 million dollar deal

Like who? Good players know they will get paid as long as they keep producing. Bottom six players will get contracts as long as they can produce or provide a quality the team wants.


Could the message also be if you play hard and work hard we reward you?


I am not defending or saying the deal is great just that i don't see why everyoneis hating on it like we just signed George Parros toa 3 year 12 million dollar deal
- J35Bacher

Parros' stache alone, in its heyday, was worth 3 years @ $12M...per year.

Parros' stache alone, in its heyday, was worth 3 years @ $12M...per year.
- jmatchett383

Maybe in the Porn world

Maybe in the Porn world
- J35Bacher

The porn world could not contain him.

It's still possible that Schenn and Vinny could both end up at C and all this speculation could be moot.

(or even Umburgler)
- Tomahawk

Umburger I think is very unlikely to play center. He barely did it in Columbus (only taking 40 draws all season), and I'm sure he did an interview after the trade basically saying he preferred to play wing.