What is the point of a guy like Stortini at the AHL level? To fight for the enjoyment of the fans? I don't like that a guy like him is employed at the minor league level vs. someone that can actually be productive there. I can't wait until the enforcer era is completely dead.
- NickTheKid87

Teams often stash an extra goon or two in the AHL. Then they play & you end up seeing a bunch of fights

If everyone is healthy I think this is how the roster starts in Boston

Schenn - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Simmonds
Umberger - Vinny - Akeson
Raffl - Ballemare - Rinaldo

Coburn - MacDonald
Grossmann - Streit
Schenn - Del Zotto
- J35Bacher

Looks good to me. Just hope Couts can step it up offensively.

I dont mind the enforcers. Brashear was an enforcer but he skated well and was decent along the boards and the forecheck. His main reason for being on the roster was to bash skulls in though.
- GOA88

The era Brashear played in warranted his presence plus he could chip in decent offense. Even Rinaldo in 2012-13 was an effective enforcer when he was acting more as a grinder. The Stortinis and Rosehills of the world just serve to give everyone headaches.

Teams often stash an extra goon or two in the AHL. Then they play & you end up seeing a bunch of fights
- Jsaquella

The fans love the fights from my experience. I even cheered some on in my youth at the Spectrum. That was when Phlex was around though. Dark days now with Dax.

I dont mind the enforcers. Brashear was an enforcer but he skated well and was decent along the boards and the forecheck. His main reason for being on the roster was to bash skulls in though.
- GOA88

I don't even think Stortini will play that much in the AHL. I think he will be a scratch or only be in the lineup when they expect a knuckle throwing game say against Hershey or another rival

Deflected very high in the zone. Still trackable and stoppable.
- bmeltzer

I dunno... looked like it hit Schenn in the pants and went between his legs, changed direction, bounced and didn't lose much velocity doing all that. It was like the Zapruder film. Plus black puck, black pants, tough to see.

The era Brashear played in warranted his presence plus he could chip in decent offense. Even Rinaldo in 2012-13 was an effective enforcer when he was acting more as a grinder. The Stortinis and Rosehills of the world just serve to give everyone headaches.
- NickTheKid87

Rosehill isnt all that horrible either. I think a "good" enforcer serves a purpose. Even in todays NHL. Without them, opposing teams would take liberties on the Crosby's, Giroux's and Kane's of the NHL.

Teams often stash an extra goon or two in the AHL. Then they play & you end up seeing a bunch of fights
- Jsaquella

He's a sideshow, whether it's in LHV or in Philly. 33 fights last year in the AHL... 3 so far in 2GP in the preseason. Pandering to the lowest denominator.

I don't even think Stortini will play that much in the AHL. I think he will be a scratch or only be in the lineup when they expect a knuckle throwing game say against Hershey or another rival
- J35Bacher

NO, Stortini blows. He cant even fight good. Like his heart but he can play in the AHL or nowhere for that matter.

Rosehill isnt all that horrible either. I think a "good" enforcer serves a purpose. Even in todays NHL. Without them opposing teams would take liberties on the Crosby's, Giroux's and Kane's of the NHL.
- GOA88

I feel like you can get a much more productive guy to fill that role too. Like Hartnell, Simmonds, Phaneuf, etc.

What is the point of a guy like Stortini at the AHL level? To fight for the enjoyment of the fans? I don't like that a guy like him is employed at the minor league level vs. someone that can actually be productive there. I can't wait until the enforcer era is completely dead.
- NickTheKid87

The AHL can be a tough league, where fighting can be commonplace. You need a player like Stortini at that level, so the other players don't have to fight those battles.

I feel like you can get a much more productive guy to fill that role too. Like Hartnell, Simmonds, Phaneuf, etc.
- NickTheKid87

Hartnell cant fight.
Simmonds is 185 lbs soaking wet and needs to be on the ice.
Phaneuf needs to be on the ice. Not in the penalty box.

I feel like you can get a much more productive guy to fill that role too. Like Hartnell, Simmonds, Phaneuf, etc.
- NickTheKid87

Why would you want Simmonds having to fight to stand up for teammates, and possibly get injured? I think those situations are getting less and less frequent, so an argument can be made that you don't really need an enforcer. But I don't want players like Simmonds having to handle that when it's needed.

Hartnell cant fight.
Simmonds is 185 lbs soaking wet and needs to be on the ice.
Phaneuf needs to be on the ice. Not in the penalty box.
- GOA88

It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy though. Teams employ goons because other teams employ goons. If Rinaldo can play like he did in 2012-13, drawing penalties without taking dumb ones, he'd be a 10x better option than Rosehill and the like. One dimensional goons are not worth having.

Hartnell cant fight.
.
- GOA88

He's at the stage of his career where he doesn't fight as much (see: http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/221), but I've always thought of Hartsy as a capable fighter. If you look at his fight cards throughout his career, he's held his own.

It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy though. Teams employ goons because other teams employ goons. If Rinaldo can play like he did in 2012-13, drawing penalties without taking dumb ones, he'd be a 10x better option than Rosehill and the like. One dimensional goons are not worth having.
- NickTheKid87

I agree that Rinaldo should play over Rosehill every day of the week. Rosehill is usually brought in for injury call up or to play against a bigger team. Last i checked Rosehill scored a few key goals last season too

Why would you want Simmonds having to fight to stand up for teammates, and possibly get injured? I think those situations are getting less and less frequent, so an argument can be made that you don't really need an enforcer. But I don't want players like Simmonds having to handle that when it's needed.
- MJL

I don't either but it might be worthwhile if it means no Rosehill and players like that. As cited, Rinaldo circa Winter/Spring 2013 is almost ideal for this role. Or a similar player that can play solid defense. I don't think wasting ice time and a roster spot on a one-dimensional goon is a smart decision.

The AHL can be a tough league, where fighting can be commonplace. You need a player like Stortini at that level, so the other players don't have to fight those battles.
- MJL

Right, wrong, or indifferent, fights draw casual fans to minor league hockey games. (*looks at Frank Bialowas*)

Not all hockey fans care about watching their favorites from the CHL blossom at the AHL or the ECHL level. Some people just want cheap tickets to a hockey game, drink cheap beer, and to watch two people beat the hell out of each other.

Anyone who doesn't believe fighting is part of marketing minor league hockey teams is being disingenuous.

I agree that Rinaldo should play over Rosehill every day of the week. Rosehill is usually brought in for injury call up or to play against a bigger team. Last i checked Rosehill scored a few key goals last season too
- GOA88

He scored 2 goals last season in 34 games. He can't play defense, can't skate, can't score. He can only fight. If he could do one other thing, he might be worth keeping around but he can't.

I don't either but it might be worthwhile if it means no Rosehill and players like that. As cited, Rinaldo circa Winter/Spring 2013 is almost ideal for this role. Or a similar player that can play solid defense. I don't think wasting ice time and a roster spot on a one-dimensional goon is a smart decision.
- NickTheKid87

I don't want players like Simmonds to have to handle that. I have zero issue with a player like Rosehill as a 13th forward. I think he can play a little bit, and isn't just a guy who can fight. He's a decent enough of a player to handle the 13th forward role. I also wouldn't have a problem if the Flyers decided not to carry an enforcer. There weren't many situations last season when one was needed.

Somebody has to pay that Bryz buyout off huh?? lol
- GOA88

Lol. I'm paying it off by purchasing the new alternate jersey haha

I don't either but it might be worthwhile if it means no Rosehill and players like that. As cited, Rinaldo circa Winter/Spring 2013 is almost ideal for this role. Or a similar player that can play solid defense. I don't think wasting ice time and a roster spot on a one-dimensional goon is a smart decision.
- NickTheKid87

The thing is nobody here wants a one-dimensional goon like Stortini playing either. Rosehill adds more than just fighting. Brashear, Eager, McCarthy, etc. etc. all did when they played too. Hockey is more than just making pretty plays and scoring goals. You need muscle too.

He scored 2 goals last season in 34 games. He can't play defense, can't skate, can't score. He can only fight. If he could do one other thing, he might be worth keeping around but he can't.
- NickTheKid87

That's not true. Rosehill can play on the 4th line as a depth forward. I wouldn't want him as a regular player in the lineup every game. But he can handle a 4th line shift in limited minutes.

I don't want players like Simmonds to have to handle that. I have zero issue with a player like Rosehill as a 13th forward. I think he can play a little bit, and isn't just a guy who can fight. He's a decent enough of a player to handle the 13th forward role. I also wouldn't have a problem if the Flyers decided not to carry an enforcer. There weren't many situations last season when one was needed.
- MJL

I remember when Hitch was here and he spoke about having "team toughness" rather than a designated fighter. I thought that was a much better concept.

He scored 2 goals last season in 34 games. He can't play defense, can't skate, can't score. He can only fight. If he could do one other thing, he might be worth keeping around but he can't.
- NickTheKid87

http://www.csnphilly.com/...ehill-wins-fastest-skater