I would disagree. I don't think a single move they made was based on that hypothesis.
- MJL

I believe it played a role in the decision to trade Hartnell.

Keep in mind, most of these points are coming on the PP, lol.

(but I do believe Read/Coots will do better w/ a competent linemate at ES)
- Tomahawk

I think adding Simmonds to their line is going to really help them. Strengthening the 4th line will help the team as well.

I'm hoping Raffl can keep the VL line from being atrocious in their own end.

I believe it played a role in the decision to trade Hartnell.
- bradleyc4

Maybe, but I think leadership and lack of discipline were the reasons why.

I think adding Simmonds to their line is going to really help them. Strengthening the 4th line will help the team as well.

I'm hoping Raffl can keep the VL line from being atrocious in their own end.
- PhillySportsGuy

Umberger is a decent defensive player, so I think between him and Raffl, that line might not produce too much, but hopefully it won't be a 5v5 dumpster fire

Maybe, but I think leadership and lack of discipline were the reasons why.
- MJL

I think it all falls under the same umbrella. They didn't want one of the team leaders coming to camp out of shape, taking bad penalties and being undisciplined in general.

Im going to go out on a limb and predict Rinaldo has a 30 pt season.

You guys like to scoff at Zac, but he just hasnt had any good players around him.

Check out his assist in the Caps preseason game to Akeson. He crashes full steam into Hillen stealing the puck, boarding him, almost decapitating and killing him.. and then... dishes a BEAUTY of a perfect pass to Akeson for the score. One of those every other game sounds about right.

Im going to go out on a limb and predict Rinaldo has a 30 pt season.

You guys like to scoff at Zac, but he just hasnt had any good players around him.
Check out his assist in the Caps preseason game to Akeson. He crashes full steam into Hillen, pretty much boarding him, almost killing him.. and dishes a BEAUTY of a perfect pass to Akeson for the score. One of those every other game sounds about right.
- MrBigglesworth

He never even scored 20 points in juniors. Not sure how he's gonna rack up 30 points in the NHL. So yes, while that play (which is a 50/50 penalty) was nice, I doubt that's the norm.

Umberger is a decent defensive player, so I think between him and Raffl, that line might not produce too much, but hopefully it won't be a 5v5 dumpster fire
- mcefalu

He wasn't a very good player last year for Columbus and he didn't look great in the preseason. I think Raffl is going to need to carry that line. He did it with the 4th line last year, so I think he's capable.

Giroux - 76 GP, 24 G 80 P +14
Voracek - 79 GP, 21G 72 P +12
BSchenn - 82 GP, 24G 52P +0

Lecavalier - 64 GP, 20G 37P -14
Umberger - 62 GP, 12G 18P - 12
Raffl - 78GP, 12G 28P -4

Couturier - 80 GP, 14G 54P +4
Simmonds - 75 GP, 35G 62P +2
Read - 82 GP 30G 52P ++8

Bellemare - 48GP 12G 24P -2
Akeson - 78GP, 14G 42P +0
Rinaldo - 74GP, 6G 12P -8

Jones - 24GP, 2G 8P -2
Laughton - 12GP, 2G 8P +2

-------------------------------

Coburn - 80GP, 5G 28P -8
MacDonald - 82GP, 6G 24P -12

Streit - 72GP, 14G 45P +2
Grossmann - 72GP, 0G 11P -5

Del Zotto - 78GP, 8G 32P +4
LSchenn - 80GP, 4G 18P +2

Schultz - 12GP, 0G 1P -8
Gostisbehere - 4GP, 2G, 3P +4

-------------------------------

Mason - 58 GP, 2.72 GAA .912 SV%
Emery - 21 GP, 2.86 GAA .902 SV%

Zepp - 3 GP, 3.48 GAA .898 SV%



- Tomahawk

Need to find 12 more defensive games

- JoeRussomanno

Oh, but yes

He wasn't a very good player last year for Columbus and he didn't look great in the preseason. I think Raffl is going to need to carry that line. He did it with the 4th line last year, so I think he's capable.
- PhillySportsGuy

Umberger struggled with some injuries last year, so I'm willing to give him a pass on that.

I agree his preseason was pretty lame and I don't see him as more than a 3rd line player at this point, which is why I think he will be fine with Raffl and Vinny in limited minutes. But yeah, Raffl will be the leader of that line, I think.

Oh, but yes
- Giroux_Is_God

I think it all falls under the same umbrella. They didn't want one of the team leaders coming to camp out of shape, taking bad penalties and being undisciplined in general.
- PhillySportsGuy

Could be, as Hartnell was known to come into camp in subpar shape in the past.

We are scanning the scene
in the city tonight
We are looking for you
to start up a fight

SEARCHING SEEK AND DESTROY!!!!!

Im going to go out on a limb and predict Rinaldo has a 30 pt season.

You guys like to scoff at Zac, but he just hasnt had any good players around him.

Check out his assist in the Caps preseason game to Akeson. He crashes full steam into Hillen stealing the puck, boarding him, almost decapitating and killing him.. and then... dishes a BEAUTY of a perfect pass to Akeson for the score. One of those every other game sounds about right.
- MrBigglesworth

That is not a prediction I would place money on. Look around the NHL in past seasons. Show me one legitimate 4th line player, with no PP time, that approached 30 points in a season?

One of those every game? How about 10 of those in an 82 game season. That would be good.

Need to find 12 more defensive games
- mayorofangrytown

Leaving room for the inevitable Shea Weber TDL acquisition.

He wasn't a very good player last year for Columbus and he didn't look great in the preseason. I think Raffl is going to need to carry that line. He did it with the 4th line last year, so I think he's capable.
- PhillySportsGuy

He wasn't healthy last season. And the pre season is the pre season.

Im going to go out on a limb and predict Rinaldo has a 30 pt season.

You guys like to scoff at Zac, but he just hasnt had any good players around him.

Check out his assist in the Caps preseason game to Akeson. He crashes full steam into Hillen stealing the puck, boarding him, almost decapitating and killing him.. and then... dishes a BEAUTY of a perfect pass to Akeson for the score. One of those every other game sounds about right.
- MrBigglesworth

You're right I think this is the year that Zac finally comes into his own and starts doing what he's best at, scoring points.

- JoeRussomanno

Agree 10,000%.

Leaving room for the inevitable Shea Weber TDL acquisition.
- Tomahawk

Long live the Weber!!!

Wider trapeziod behind the net could lead to Mason scoring this year.

Agree 10,000%.
- jmatchett383

- BulliesPhan87

- JoeRussomanno

Have you ever seen the Solomon Kane movie? It was much better than it deserved to be.

Edit: If you're a big REH fan, you may want to pick up his collection of Kull/Solomon Kane/Bran Mak Mon/others that was put out a few years back. There's a few viking/Irish/Galeic stories that are full of ridiculous bloodshed.