Didn't Berube talk about moving Rinaldo up the lineup?
- Streit2ThePoint

I think I heard that. This extension makes me fear this will be experimented with. Just like the idea of playing him on the PK last year. That was comical. How does taking one of the most undisciplined players in the NHL and putting him on the ice when the team is already shorthanded make any sense at all?

I'm banking on them carrying over chemistry from PP1... Simmer's also the closest analog to Hartsy they've got.

I really want them to give Schenn + Coots a go... they were so good in ADK together. Granted that was against minor pro competition, but I feel they have complementary skillsets.
- Tomahawk

I would really like to give Schenn top line minutes and see if he can play to his potential. I like Simmonds in the roll he plays and the minutes he handles. I think if it was Simmonds - Vinny - Raffl. Raffl has good puck skills and simmonds wins board battles. Vinny is vinny.

All I can say is it will be interesting to see who wins jobs at camp. I just have a feeling that Hextall and Berube aren't providing lip service and will make guys win jobs.

I think I heard that. This extension makes me fear this will be experimented with. Just like the idea of playing him on the PK last year. That was comical. How does taking one of the most undisciplined players in the NHL and putting him on the ice when the team is already shorthanded make any sense at all?
- PLindbergh31

The only upside to 'Naldo on L3 is that it could conceivably allow them to put together a more versatile L4 that could hand more icetime. Like winger/Vinny/winger, for example.

I got you. Not saying your wrong at all. Yes he played well. But I don't see him good enough defensivley to be on the 4th line and he doesn't kill penalties are really provide another skill. He can play on PP but i think there are enough guys a head before he would see time on it.
- J35Bacher

again, I think many of the wingers can and will play up and down the lineup as needed, Akeson being one of them. I was projecting opening roster lines in that prev post.

Slotting Akeson on 4th line isnt the worst thing, and he shouldnt be a liability in that spot, especially if he plays with Laughton (a solid 2 way defensive center) and Rinaldo (who has been improving his defensive positioning). Rinaldo played with Couts and Read a bit last season.

I just don't think he adds anything that helps a team win hockey games. I'm also not sure why they would reward him with an extension coming off a year of regression. Wouldn't there be more motivation if he was playing for a job this year?
- PLindbergh31

He is a good skater, good hitter and will drop the gloves if needed. He isn't a total liablity on the ice like guys like John Scott or some of the other guys who can barely get up the ice. I am ok if he is the 13th forward. i mean if Akeson is a lock like some have said wouldn't you want a little feisty that could come into the linupe if needed. Is akeson going to be able to handle 82 games? I don't kow but I know Rinaldo can play a resonable game if called upon.

The only upside to 'Naldo on L3 is that it could conceivably allow them to put together a more versatile L4 that could hand more icetime. Like winger/Vinny/winger, for example.
- Tomahawk

That's a fair point. But to play devils advocate, you could ice a competent 3rd and 4th line with Rinaldo in the press box, or better yet in Allentown.

does anyone else think Jason Akeson looks like a young Justin Williams ?

The only upside to 'Naldo on L3 is that it could conceivably allow them to put together a more versatile L4 that could hand more icetime. Like winger/Vinny/winger, for example.
- Tomahawk

Novel concept

That's a fair point. But to play devils advocate, you could ice a competent 3rd and 4th line with Rinaldo in the press box, or better yet in Allentown.
- PLindbergh31

He is a good skater, good hitter and will drop the gloves if needed. He isn't a total liablity on the ice like guys like John Scott or some of the other guys who can barely get up the ice. I am ok if he is the 13th forward. i mean if Akeson is a lock like some have said wouldn't you want a little feisty that could come into the linupe if needed. Is akeson going to be able to handle 82 games? I don't kow but I know Rinaldo can play a resonable game if called upon.
- J35Bacher

John Scott has no place in the NHL. These staged fights between cement heads are the worst. Yes Rinaldo can skate, and he will hold his own fighting, and throws some big checks. Does that off-set him constantly putting the team short handed, not providing anything offensively, and being a liability in the defensive zone? I say definitely not.

How many of Rinaldo's hits are due to the fact when he's on the ice, the Flyers never possess the puck?

does anyone else think Jason Akeson looks like a young Justin Williams ?
- MrBigglesworth

I see similarities. JW ain't big or fast, but the puck loves him and he can flat out make plays. Ditto Clarke MacArthur. Akeson could easily turn out to be a poor man's version of them.

If you put Rinaldo on the 3rd line you had better be banking on that line to be an old school grinding 3rd line. Dont expect points. If you are indeed doing that then Coots and Read 100% need to be promoted to the 2nd line and Vinny demoted to the 3rd, if not 4th.

Schenn G Jake
Read Coots Simmonds
Umberger Laughton Rinaldo
Raffl Vinny Bellemere

That's a fair point. But to play devils advocate, you could ice a competent 3rd and 4th line with Rinaldo in the press box, or better yet in Allentown.
- PLindbergh31

Pretty sure Zac hacked the iCloud accounts of everybody in the Flyers front-office... if they bench him, he unleashes a Flyers Fappening.

Pretty sure Zac hacked the iCloud accounts of everybody in the Flyers front-office... if they bench him, he unleashes a Flyers Fappening.
- Tomahawk

Well when your team President, and coach have been punched in the head a combined billion times, I see where they could be partial to Zachey Poo.

Pretty sure Zac hacked the iCloud accounts of everybody in the Flyers front-office... if they bench him, he unleashes a Flyers Fappening.
- Tomahawk

Does that include the wives?

Does that include the wives?
- hereticpride

Just Danny Briere's ex.

I cant wait to see the Pens having to be on the PK for a half game every night with both Carcillo and Downie in the lineup if he makes the team

Someone else mentioned they had to replace the cheapshots of Neal.

Neal and Matt Cooke, that was a pair of scum players, one totally deserving of a lifetime suspension the other of being kneed by...... drum roll (who else) Matt Cooke

I would love to see Cooke cheapshot some of his old Pens team mates and then see the indignation when the shoe is on the other foot. The day his career ends is a great day for hockey.

I see similarities. JW ain't big or fast, but the puck loves him and he can flat out make plays. Ditto Clarke MacArthur. Akeson could easily turn out to be a poor man's version of them.
- Tomahawk

Clarke MacArthur is Sens 1st line winger. Sens took a big hit in the Spezza trade. and acquiring Bobby Ryan isnt going to save them from the basement IMO they will be lucky to break the 80 pt mark this season

I cant wait to see the Pens having to be on the PK for a half game every night with both Carcillo and Downie in the lineup if he makes the team

Someone else mentioned they had to replace the cheapshots of Neal.

Neal and Matt Cooke, that was a pair of scum players, one totally deserving of a lifetime suspension the other of being kneed by...... drum roll (who else) Matt Cooke

I would love to see Cooke cheapshot some of his old Pens team mates and then see the indignation when the shoe is on the other foot. The day his career ends is a great day for hockey.
- Steelmanpa

Matt Cooke is a sad case to me. The guy actually has the skill to play a top-9, maybe even a top-6 role. He just can't keep his head on straight, although he's been much better recently.

Clarke MacArthur will be playing on the Sens 1st line.. Sens took a big hit in the Spezza trade. and acquiring Bobby Ryan isnt going to save them from the basement IMO they will be lucky to break the 80 pt mark this season
- MrBigglesworth

COME HOME BOB RYAB!

COME HOME BOB RYAB!
- johndewar

Supposedly he wants to stay in OTT, right?

Supposedly he wants to stay in OTT, right?
- Tomahawk

He probably does. I just like resurrecting two memes with one post.

Akeson is a lock? I don't think so. He is going to have a very good camp i think. i know he played ok in playoffs but i just don't see his fit on the 4th line.
- J35Bacher

I think Akeson's waiver status is going to go a long way towards making the team.

Supposedly he wants to stay in OTT, right?
- Tomahawk

Ottawa could be really bad this year. He could get moved ala Vanek last year. The Sens really dont seem to have much in terms of a core or up and comers to entice anyone to stay. Their owner is having some very public financial issues as well... I dont think he re-signs.

The Sens really dont seem to have much in terms of a core or up and comers to entice anyone to stay.
- hereticpride

?

Karlsson, Lazar, Turris, Lehner, Zibanejad, Stone (keep your eye on him), and Ceci could make for one heck of a core in the near future. If Cowen can retrieve his head from his ass, they'd be that much better for it. Lot of other good kids in Bingo, too.