I don't disagree with that, and although Luke Schenn is still fairly young, how much leeway does he get? I think it's time for Schenn to play consistently like the veteran he is. This will be his 7th NHL season coming up.
- MJL

It seems weird to say that... 7th season. Toronto surely did not develop him correctly. You are right. He doesnt have much more leeway. The time is now. For both Schenn bros.

i'm disappointed my rocky and apollo beach training photo garnered no response.

It's not the term of the deal that bothers me much. Signing Rinaldo doesn't really exclude them from doing other things, it's the mentality behind it. Rinaldo doesn't do anything that helps a team win hockey games. That is my issue. Sure he skates well, and has energy, but it's misguided. He's often running around looking for the big hit. More times than not it leads to the Flyers being short handed. I prefer 4th line players to be solid defensively, responsible in their own zone, able to contribute on the PK, and chip in a little offense. Rinaldo does none of that.
- PLindbergh31

That's my issue with it, pretty much. In and of itself it's a nothing deal. It's under the bury threshold, so it can be dumped in the AHL and not be a cap issue during the season.

That said, your take on Rinaldo as a player is similar to my own. He's had opportunities to take on a bigger role and hasn't been able to play well enough to make those opportunities more than a cameo appearance. He regressed last season and actually played worse than he did the season before.

Being aggressive in re-signing that kind of player shouldn't be a priority. He has a season left on his deal, and even if he had a good season, I can't see a scenario where he earns a much bigger deal than the one he signed. He got a new contract a year early coming off a bad season. I fail to see how that's a smart move by Flyers.

We'll see. The worrisome thing, to me, is loyalty and an unwavering ability to admit a mistake, and it's not specific to this deal.

For a good 3-month stretch, Steve Downie was 100% awful. He did nothing well, was a net negative every game, and looked like an ECHL player. But because of past success, they continued to roll him out with two of our top players, and it stifled their production. Going forward, I'd like to see the team be more proactive in sitting players for stretches when they're not contributing to the team's success. Even with limited options, I'd rather them send messages that players need to earn their time.
- jmatchett383

I see that as far more about letting a player try and battle back through injury to get better, for the good of the team in the long haul, if the player can do so. Then it is about loyalty and not being willing to admit a mistake. In the most important games of the season, down the stretch and the playoffs, the held him out of the lineup when it was clear that he wasn't right, and wasn't going to be able to get back. I think it had zero to do with loyalty or an unwillingness to admit a mistake. And it was an injury that affected Downie, not that he couldn't play. So I don't see how the mistake factor comes into play.

i'm disappointed my rocky and apollo beach training photo garnered no response.
- hammarby31

I thought it was Simmonds and Rinaldo. My bad....

I was listing pairings, not sides. But if it bothers you:

Grossmann - Coburn
AMac - Schenn
MDZ - Streit
- jmatchett383

I'd hate to see the Flyers playing the Pens or Bolts on the road where the opposing coach has last change and can toss Crosby or Malkin or Stamkos out there against that MDZ-Streit pair.

I'd hate to see the Flyers playing the Pens or Bolts on the road where the opposing coach has last change and can toss Crosby or Malkin or Stamkos out there against that MDZ-Streit pair.
- Jsaquella

I see that as far more about letting a player try and battle back through injury to get better, for the good of the team in the long haul, if the player can do so. Then it is about loyalty and not being willing to admit a mistake. In the most important games of the season, down the stretch and the playoffs, the held him out of the lineup when it was clear that he wasn't right, and wasn't going to be able to get back. I think it had zero to do with loyalty or an unwillingness to admit a mistake. And it was an injury that affected Downie, not that he couldn't play. So I don't see how the mistake factor comes into play.
- MJL

Because he CLEARLY wasn't playing well, and he CLEARLY wasn't getting better at all. It may have ended up costing them home ice (although that's purely hypothetical). If a guy is coming back from injury and it takes a few games to round into form, that's one thing. But at the 15-game mark, maybe they should have realized that it would help both the player and the team to sit him out for a while.

i'm disappointed my rocky and apollo beach training photo garnered no response.
- hammarby31

I was trying to hype next week's Sundays With 2real's special guest Lynn Swann

That's my issue with it, pretty much. In and of itself it's a nothing deal. It's under the bury threshold, so it can be dumped in the AHL and not be a cap issue during the season.

That said, your take on Rinaldo as a player is similar to my own. He's had opportunities to take on a bigger role and hasn't been able to play well enough to make those opportunities more than a cameo appearance. He regressed last season and actually played worse than he did the season before.

Being aggressive in re-signing that kind of player shouldn't be a priority. He has a season left on his deal, and even if he had a good season, I can't see a scenario where he earns a much bigger deal than the one he signed. He got a new contract a year early coming off a bad season. I fail to see how that's a smart move by Flyers.
- Jsaquella

He was re-signed in September! How does that constitute that it was made a priority? They like the player and the potential they see in him. It's really a minor signing.

I see what you're saying, but I still don't think anything about the deal is an alarming issue. I'd have preferred they waited till the end of the season, but I think they count on him being more of an asset going forward and wanted to get him locked in. They may be right, they may be wrong, but at least he seems honest about wanting to improve him game.
- jmatchett383

Might be that management wanted to avoid the 'contract year' pressing that he might have gone through, in that it may have had a negative effect. If he can relax and focus on improving his play - rather than trying to impress and forcing the issue - it might be better for him mentally.

What I'm trying to say, I guess, is that Hextall's not an idiot; I'm sure there's a method to his so-called madness in this area. We'll just have to see if it pans out.

I'd hate to see the Flyers playing the Pens or Bolts on the road where the opposing coach has last change and can toss Crosby or Malkin or Stamkos out there against that MDZ-Streit pair.
- Jsaquella

The thought of that certainly does not warm the heart.

I'd hate to see the Flyers playing the Pens or Bolts on the road where the opposing coach has last change and can toss Crosby or Malkin or Stamkos out there against that MDZ-Streit pair.
- Jsaquella

No matter what you do, you are going to have less than opportune matchups at some point. With MDZ, I'd at least hope he can be a mobile pylon to be bowled over as opposed to a stationary pylon that can be skated around. I don't think there's any combination that would make me happy in those situations.

I was listing pairings, not sides. But if it bothers you:

Grossmann - Coburn
AMac - Schenn
MDZ - Streit
- jmatchett383

Those would be mine as well. Just not many good options. I pray Coburn is good Coburn next season

He was re-signed in September! How does that constitute that it was made a priority? They like the player and the potential they see in him. It's really a minor signing.
- MJL

Its really not a big deal. At all. Im a little tired of hearing about Rinaldo to be honest. lol

Its really not a big deal. At all. Im a little tired of hearing about Rinaldo to be honest. lol
- GOA88

Have you heard about the Rinaldo deal?

Zac Rinaldo will score ten goals this season

Because he CLEARLY wasn't playing well, and he CLEARLY wasn't getting better at all. It may have ended up costing them home ice (although that's purely hypothetical). If a guy is coming back from injury and it takes a few games to round into form, that's one thing. But at the 15-game mark, maybe they should have realized that it would help both the player and the team to sit him out for a while.
- jmatchett383

When a player is trying to recover from a concussion, and the ear issue he had, it takes more then a few games. I have no problem with letting Downie try and play through it, to try and get back, as long a he was medically cleared. I think it had zero to do with loyalty, and not wanting to admit a mistake. And more about trying to get Downie back to playing well, to help the team.

No matter what you do, you are going to have less than opportune matchups at some point. With MDZ, I'd at least hope he can be a mobile pylon to be bowled over as opposed to a stationary pylon that can be skated around. I don't think there's any combination that would make me happy in those situations.
- jmatchett383

Still a chance MDZ revives himself. In that case he's not that much of a liability. Its all speculation at this point. Who knows. MDZ could also stink camp up and Ghost steals his job.

No matter what you do, you are going to have less than opportune matchups at some point. With MDZ, I'd at least hope he can be a mobile pylon to be bowled over as opposed to a stationary pylon that can be skated around. I don't think there's any combination that would make me happy in those situations.
- jmatchett383

True, but running that pair out on a regular basis seems to be asking for trouble. I agree with E, they are probably going to end up juggling pairs a bit, depending on the situation.

I see that as far more about letting a player try and battle back through injury to get better, for the good of the team in the long haul, if the player can do so. Then it is about loyalty and not being willing to admit a mistake. In the most important games of the season, down the stretch and the playoffs, the held him out of the lineup when it was clear that he wasn't right, and wasn't going to be able to get back. I think it had zero to do with loyalty or an unwillingness to admit a mistake. And it was an injury that affected Downie, not that he couldn't play. So I don't see how the mistake factor comes into play.
- MJL

They actually brought him back for two vital games in April against Florida and Tampa Bay two weeks after he had somehow managed to headbutt Berglund's shoulder and get another concussion.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...fter-accidental-high-hit/

Have you heard about the Rinaldo deal?
- jmatchett383

I thought I caught something on it after about the 198,986,753 time.

That's my issue with it, pretty much. In and of itself it's a nothing deal. It's under the bury threshold, so it can be dumped in the AHL and not be a cap issue during the season.

That said, your take on Rinaldo as a player is similar to my own. He's had opportunities to take on a bigger role and hasn't been able to play well enough to make those opportunities more than a cameo appearance. He regressed last season and actually played worse than he did the season before.

Being aggressive in re-signing that kind of player shouldn't be a priority. He has a season left on his deal, and even if he had a good season, I can't see a scenario where he earns a much bigger deal than the one he signed. He got a new contract a year early coming off a bad season. I fail to see how that's a smart move by Flyers.
- Jsaquella

Well said.

True, but running that pair out on a regular basis seems to be asking for trouble. I agree with E, they are probably going to end up juggling pairs a bit, depending on the situation.
- Jsaquella

I agree that they'll do quite a bit of juggling. They'll probably have one set "top pairing" and then do a mix-and-match type of thing as the game goes on, and do their best to get preferred match-ups.

Might be that management wanted to avoid the 'contract year' pressing that he might have gone through, in that it may have had a negative effect. If he can relax and focus on improving his play - rather than trying to impress and forcing the issue - it might be better for him mentally.

What I'm trying to say, I guess, is that Hextall's not an idiot; I'm sure there's a method to his so-called madness in this area. We'll just have to see if it pans out.
- tangent_man

Hextall clearly wanted a player that sucks offensively, sucks defensively, and is a discipline issue on the roster. It was a team need. But let's not overreact at all to the signing. Hextall still has a ways to go to reach Holmgren'd status!