Can you imagine the Flyers vs Pens if that happens. That would be a great line brawl
- J35Bacher

who are they fighting ?

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

Agreed, you put him in the line up or trade him.

who are they fighting ?
- -davies-

Rinaldo and Rosehill I guess. I thought the same thing.

who are they fighting ?
- -davies-

Lecavalier, B Schenn, Coburn, and L Schenn. four guys who are willing, but rarely (if ever) win. I figure the 5th Flyers is tying up Crosby.

Man, resize those iframes before somebody quotes your post and destroys the page.

400 x ~240

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

That stuff makes me really question Berube. Rinaldo skates well and is a great hitter. But he brings no offense, he's a subpar defender and he's undisciplined both in terms of taking penalties and staying within a structured system.

I don't see him as having done anything to earn a bigger role.

dont think Downie can chance a couple fists to his head

Agreed, you put him in the line up or trade him.
- coffee junkie

I don't need to take a shower this time?

That stuff makes me really question Berube. Rinaldo skates well and is a great hitter. But he brings no offense, he's a subpar defender and he's undisciplined both in terms of taking penalties and staying within a structured system.

I don't see him as having done anything to earn a bigger role.
- Jsaquella

I think it's a mistake to judge a coach on something said, and jumping the gun before waiting to see what actually happens.

The same coach limited Rinaldo's icetime, and put a stop to the Rinaldo experiment on the PK, last season, when it became clear it wasn't working. Actions speak louder then words.

That stuff makes me really question Berube. Rinaldo skates well and is a great hitter. But he brings no offense, he's a subpar defender and he's undisciplined both in terms of taking penalties and staying within a structured system.

I don't see him as having done anything to earn a bigger role.
- Jsaquella

wasn't that lappy's idea and berube never really did it?

I can see him coming in as 4th line center. If the4th line is put together better he could be getting 10-12 minutes ES and then also some PK time. Maybe that frees Couturier of some of the harder PK minutes.
- J35Bacher

You think 10-12 minutes with some PK time in the NHL will be more beneficial than around 20 minutes including top PP and top PK in the AHL?

I am a fan of Laughton and think he is good enough to play in the NHL. Eventually I hope to see a 1-2-3 of Giroux-Couts-Laughton, but for this year with Vinny ahead of him on the depth chart, I would rather see him have the chance to work on his game more than 10-12 minutes ES with some PK time.

You think 10-12 minutes with some PK time in the NHL will be more beneficial than around 20 minutes including top PP and top PK in the AHL?

I am a fan of Laughton and think he is good enough to play in the NHL. Eventually I hope to see a 1-2-3 of Giroux-Couts-Laughton, but for this year with Vinny ahead of him on the depth chart, I would rather see him have the chance to work on his game more than 10-12 minutes ES with some PK time.
- aflyerpower8

I personally think that as long as he get's that amount of playing time, that 10-12 minutes at the NHL level is better then 20 minutes in the AHL. The problem would come in if he's not getting that icetime. Then they would have to think about it.

Jeff Carter only got 9:10 at ES as a rookie and came thru OK. Carter got PP time that Laughton won't get, he'll get PK minutes instead, but his average TOI was only 12:04.

I think he and Malkin have the same cap hit.
- jmatchett383

Malkin 9.5
Crosby 8.7

Jeff Carter only got 9:10 at ES as a rookie and came thru OK. Carter got PP time that Laughton won't get, he'll get PK minutes instead, but his average TOI was only 12:04.
- Feanor

While I agree with what you're saying, Carter would probably have still benefited from some general humbling and bus-riding. Richards, too. Like Hexy was saying about MDZ, too much too soon can have detrimental effects further down the road. Granted, Laughton does seem more like one of those lives-only-to-play-hockey types.

Jeff Carter only got 9:10 at ES as a rookie and came thru OK. Carter got PP time that Laughton won't get, he'll get PK minutes instead, but his average TOI was only 12:04.
- Feanor

I guess I'm just concerned he gets pigeonholed in a defensive role like Couts did. Building his offensive confidence in the AHL, while opening up spots in the depth chart by moving/buying out/injury to Vinny, would help him carry that forward in the NHL better than 10-12 minutes and, at best, second unit PK time.

I prefer Detroit's system where they over-ripen their prospects instead of trying to force him into a line-up where he barely gets to play.

EDIT: Also, Hexy keeps saying that no one hurts their development by staying in the minors too long, but many are ruined by coming into the NHL too soon. He may have been referring mostly to our defensive prospects, but the same principle applies.

I guess I'm just concerned he gets pigeonholed in a defensive role like Couts did. Building his offensive confidence in the AHL, while opening up spots in the depth chart by moving/buying out/injury to Vinny, would help him carry that forward in the NHL better than 10-12 minutes and, at best, second unit PK time.

I prefer Detroit's system where they over-ripen their prospects instead of trying to force him into a line-up where he barely gets to play.
- aflyerpower8

I don't really think Couts has gotten pigeonholed in to anything. He is only 21 years old. And for the record did play over half a season at the AHL level in exactly the role he will eventually be filling in the NHL.

Laughton playing on the 4th line in his first NHL season would be great for his development if he earns the spot. There is more to the game than just what happens on the ice. He would have the benefit of working with NHL level players every day.

In my opinion every minute in the NHL is worth 2 in the AHL. If those minutes are earned.

Now that all goes out the window if Laughton ends up playing 6 minutes a night or is a healthy scratch, then absolutely he should go down to the A.

Jeff Carter only got 9:10 at ES as a rookie and came thru OK. Carter got PP time that Laughton won't get, he'll get PK minutes instead, but his average TOI was only 12:04.
- Feanor

Carter did play 33 AHL playoff games before his rookie year with the Flyers. Some of it was because of the lockout, obviously, and some because the Soo wasn't great when he played there.

I like Hextall's approach here with taking his time with young kids. The organization doesn't NEED Laughton to succeed right now. They aren't building a franchise around him the way they wanted to with Carter and Richards.

I prefer Detroit's system where they over-ripen their prospects instead of trying to force him into a line-up where he barely gets to play.

- aflyerpower8

This.

I prefer Detroit's system where they over-ripen their prospects instead of trying to force him into a line-up where he barely gets to play.


- aflyerpower8

You don't force him into the lineup. You put him in the lineup if he earns the spot, and if he's going to get enough icetime.

I guess I'm just concerned he gets pigeonholed in a defensive role like Couts did. Building his offensive confidence in the AHL, while opening up spots in the depth chart by moving/buying out/injury to Vinny, would help him carry that forward in the NHL better than 10-12 minutes and, at best, second unit PK time.

I prefer Detroit's system where they over-ripen their prospects instead of trying to force him into a line-up where he barely gets to play.
- aflyerpower8

Detroit took that too far by playing a stiff like Cleary ahead of Nyquist at the start of last season.

You don't force him into the lineup. You put him in the lineup if he earns the spot, and if he's going to get enough icetime.
- MJL

You would think it was rocket science or quantum physics....

in light of the carcillo tryout signing the penguins have changed their team poster:

I guess I'm just concerned he gets pigeonholed in a defensive role like Couts did. Building his offensive confidence in the AHL, while opening up spots in the depth chart by moving/buying out/injury to Vinny, would help him carry that forward in the NHL better than 10-12 minutes and, at best, second unit PK time.

I prefer Detroit's system where they over-ripen their prospects instead of trying to force him into a line-up where he barely gets to play.

EDIT: Also, Hexy keeps saying that no one hurts their development by staying in the minors too long, but many are ruined by coming into the NHL too soon. He may have been referring mostly to our defensive prospects, but the same principle applies.
- aflyerpower8

How does he know that prospects haven't spoiled in the AHL while not being challenged by NHL play? He doesn't.

hockey is good