rags flyers game 7 is on NHL network right now


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- -davies-

Just edit out the second period from the broadcast, and the Flyers will win 1-0 to advance to round 2

I understand the Flyers' energy line philosophy, I just disagree with it.

LA and Chicago have won 4 of the last 5 Stanley Cups, I'd say that they're doing a good job, because they use their fourth lines for more than energy.

The Blackhawks used several depth guys, but they used them a lot more regularly than the Flyers were able to use their fourth line. They had guys like Marcus Kruger, Ben Smith and Brian Bollig on their fourth line and they all averaged more than 10 minutes per game.

The Kings used guys like Jordan Nolan, Dwight King and Kyle Clifford. They all played more regularly than the Flyers fourth line, all averaging more than 9 minutes per game of ice time.

More importantly those teams' 4th lines averaged between 9-12 minutes of ES TOI per game.

For the Flyers, the only regular 4th liner that averaged over 9 minutes was Hall. At ES, the Flyers 4th liners averaged between 4:53 per game (Rosehill) and 7:11 per game (Rinaldo).

What that means is, the Blackhawks and Kings could send their fourth lines out there regularly, lessening the burden on the top lines and keeping them more fresh and available for prime scoring situations. An effective fourth line allows a team to better utilize their top scoring line players.
- Jsaquella

You really don' t think the 4th line is the reason these teams win cups do you?

Jon Scott? Adam Burrish?
- moylander

Burrish played in 14 games in 2009-10 for the Blackhawks in the regular season. In those 14 games, he managed to match Rinaldo's point total in 67 games last season.

Scott is more akin to Rosehill than Rinaldo, however he played just 69 games for Chicago over two seasons in a limited role.

Not creating a log jam if Hextall really wants guys to develop in the AHL. You alo could release guys like Laurdison to make room for someone like Elliot or waive a guy like Powe for Leblanc.
- J35Bacher

So say you sign a couple of those guys. even if they make the NHL team they'll be pushing players down to the AHL and taking ice time away from the prospects. We already have a bunch of AHL pros signed along with the older guys we signed to compete for NHL jobs.

I don't like it any way you mash it. It still tastes like Cauliflower.

You really don' t think the 4th line is the reason these teams win cups do you?
- JW98FlyerFan

No. Not exclusively.

However having good 4th lines allows the top lines to get a break and not get worn down as much over the course of a season. Including the Bruins, the last five Stanley Cups have been won by teams with solid 4th lines that could play a regular shift.

The only one really close to teh Flyers current set-up is Boston, where they had Shawn Thornton. However, I'd suggest that Thornton is a much better defender than Rinaldo, in terms of positional defense and not being prone to running around like a jackass.

You really don' t think the 4th line is the reason these teams win cups do you?
- JW98FlyerFan

No, but being able to use them to keep your stars minutes down certainly helps.Heck look back when the Flyers were winning cups, their 4th liners, Kelly, Clement, Nolet and Crisp were all quality players. With the playoffs now being a 2 month grind, being able to roll 4 lines is very important.

Not creating a log jam if Hextall really wants guys to develop in the AHL. You alo could release guys like Laurdison to make room for someone like Elliot or waive a guy like Powe for Leblanc.
- J35Bacher

Powe isn;t even signed to a NHL deal.

You really don' t think the 4th line is the reason these teams win cups do you?
- JW98FlyerFan

No, but this general organizational belief system affects just about every decision they make and that impedes their ability to win a cup, in my opinion. The biggest impact of course is in the draft and roster decisions. They have continually drafted "Flyers" players in lieu of guys with more talent and skill, up until very recently. Their scouting department seems to have an abundance of former "energy" guys, which perhaps has led them to overvalue this trait. And I agree with JSaq's arguments on how it has affected the development of young players, particularly skill players, as well as roster makeup particularly on the 3rd and 4th lines.

Ok, haha, even though I'm late to the party, I had to comment. I love the melody of that song, but I don't think there is anything ironic in the whole song.

Even plane crash guy...that's just bad luck. It would be ironic if he was so worried about a plane crash that he takes the train...and dies in a train wreck.
- TheGreat28

Or if the plane crashed into the train

Or if the plane crashed into the train
- Jsaquella

Or if the plane crashed into the train
- Jsaquella

OK, now THAT would be seriously ironic

Well done!

OK, now THAT would be seriously ironic

Well done!
- TheGreat28

Don't ya think...

So say you sign a couple of those guys. even if they make the NHL team they'll be pushing players down to the AHL and taking ice time away from the prospects. We already have a bunch of AHL pros signed along with the older guys we signed to compete for NHL jobs.

I don't like it any way you mash it. It still tastes like Cauliflower.
- mayorofangrytown

mmmm, cauliflower.

Changing the topic a bit, but is anyone else worried about 5 on 5 play? Lack of even strength scoring is one of my bigger concerns going into the season, even more so than depth at D.

Burrish played in 14 games in 2009-10 for the Blackhawks in the regular season. In those 14 games, he managed to match Rinaldo's point total in 67 games last season.

Scott is more akin to Rosehill than Rinaldo, however he played just 69 games for Chicago over two seasons in a limited role.
- Jsaquella

Moreover, both of those guys no longer play for the Blackhawks.

Teams like Chicago and L.A. win cups because they make necessary adjustments to compete with the other elite teams in the league. John Scott, Adam Burish, Brandon Bollig, even Dan Carcillo, were all experiments that didn't pan out and Chicago knew they were expendable. Even Kris Versteeg, a consistent 40-50 point guy per yr, is being considered the expendable one in Chicago right now.

That's how much farther ahead Chicago is than most other teams in terms of the level of talent they ice every night.

So now Stefan Elliot and Louis Leblanc are waived. Also Colin Fraser. Do we have any space for any of these. I think Elliot and Leblanc could be interesting. 4th line and possible depth defensman
- J35Bacher

Neither guy worth it... unless you can see them making the final 23-man roster, there's no point in claiming them.... would have to waive them again just to send them to the Phantoms.

I want to go on record: Blues vs Tampa in the finals. Blues get their first cup. Philly out in second round, exceeding expectations. Vinny with a massive season and traded at the end of it.

mmmm, cauliflower.
- bodiva88

Honestly...

I want to go on record: Blues vs Tampa in the finals. Blues get their first cup. Philly out in second round, exceeding expectations. Vinny with a massive season and traded at the end of it.
- coffee junkie

You haven't had your coffee yet have you?

No. Not exclusively.

However having good 4th lines allows the top lines to get a break and not get worn down as much over the course of a season. Including the Bruins, the last five Stanley Cups have been won by teams with solid 4th lines that could play a regular shift.

The only one really close to teh Flyers current set-up is Boston, where they had Shawn Thornton. However, I'd suggest that Thornton is a much better defender than Rinaldo, in terms of positional defense and not being prone to running around like a jackass.
- Jsaquella

Ok, I agree with the part about the make up on the entire 4th line, but to single Zac out I think is a bit unfair...the make up of the entire line is a work in progress...I think Zac can skate well, hits hard and digs out pucks and he is by far not the worse defensive forward we have...I will also say i did see some good PK effort out of him last year and think he did make some progress...

you premise on using him as a whipping boy is off though, your dislike of the player is overshadowing your point...you are complaining that you don't like the Flyers concept on building a 4th line and saying Rinaldo is the reason for that...they are mutually exclusive points...Rinaldo has improved, and serves his roll well as a 4th liner...does he take too many dumb penalties, yes...can he fix that yes...take him off the team and players on the other team don't look over their shoulder, when he is on the ice, players are looking and not thinknig about play making...he serves his role well...make it doesn't work on other teams but he is not the reason we don't have a cup...the lack of a Seabrook or Doughty are the reason

Just edit out the second period from the broadcast, and the Flyers will win 1-0 to advance to round 2
- bmeltzer

No. But i dont mind them showing some favoritism to a guy like rinaldo by keeping him on team b/c of his work ethic and attitude. For him to get more icetime than he does he needs to improve his play.
- JoeRussomanno

He's really done nothing on the ice to deserve favoritism though. He's played undisciplined hockey and been more of a liability than an asset. Work ethic and attitude are great things but they don't seem to translate well to on ice success in this case.

Ok, I agree with the part about the make up on the entire 4th line, but to single Zac out I think is a bit unfair...the make up of the entire line is a work in progress...I think Zac and skate well, hits hard and digs out pucks and he is by far not the worse defensive forward we have...I will also say i did see some good PK effort out of him last year and think he did make some progress...

you premise on using him as a whipping boy is off though, your dislike of the player is overshadowing your point...you are complaining that you don't like the Flyers concept on building a 4th line and saying Rinaldo is the reason for that...they are mutually exclusive points...Rinaldo has improved, and serves his roll well as a 4th liner...does he take too many dumb penalties, yes...can he fix that yes...take him off the team and players on the other team don't look over their shioulder, when he is on the ice, players are looking and not thinknig about play making...he serves his role well...make it doesn't work on other teams but he is not the reason we don't have a cup...the lack of a Seabrook or Doughty are the reason
- JW98FlyerFan

It's only been the last couple years that we haven't had a number one defender. For the last 45 years you can point to a viable number one defender on all but a handful of those teams. So a lack of a number one defender isn't the reason for no cups.

You haven't had your coffee yet have you?
- mayorofangrytown

I live in Europe, it's not morning here. Blues are a well coached, well built team from the back end out. Vinny has been a bright spot in the pre-season. We'll see.

8 pages of rinaldo? Seriously ladies.....Seriously!