If you are Berube, do you bench Rinaldo and put in Jones on the 4th line to send an early message to Rinaldo?

He did some really nice things, but nearly cost them the game. I think the 2nd PP gave a lot of momentum back to the B's.
- TheGreat28

I don't think so and I don't think Chief does either, by his comments after the game. If Rinaldo had taken that early penalty and continued down that road for the rest of the game...maybe, but he drew 2 penalties and the one on Seidenburg he actually skated away from confrontation so he seemed to realize what he did wrong early in the game. I think he deserves more encouragement than discouragement after the game as a whole.

Bill, wouldn't Hexy's first game had to have come in 1986? He was in the 87 playoffs, which occurred before 10/9/1987.

If Pronger retired, the Flyers cap situation would be massively affected. If he's retired, they lose LTIR exemption, which means they can't use any of his $4.91mm, it would just be dead space
- Jsaquella

I just don't think it'll play out like that -- yes, Pronger could retire, but he'd be leaving basically $14.7 million on the table just to take a job from the league.

They'll make everyone whole, if it comes to this. Yes, Pronger doesn't owe the Flyers anything, as Bettman said. But the Flyers owe Chris Pronger $14.7 million to not play, and while I've seen stranger things happen, I can't believe that isn't going to be addressed -- Pronger might be cool with leaving that money out there, but let's see what Mrs. Pronger has to say about that, and Big Ed about having $4.9 million of dead space.

There were a few positives last night. Mason looked rock solid. Defensively they played pretty well.

Negatives, the first line was eaten alive. They didn't generate much offense. PP looked weak, giving up goals in the last few minutes of periods continues to plague them.

Good to see that new contract has matured Rinaldo. Discipline was off the charts last night!

If Pronger retired, the Flyers cap situation would be massively affected. If he's retired, they lose LTIR exemption, which means they can't use any of his $4.91mm, it would just be dead space
- Jsaquella

That's my point. I think they're going to let Pronger double dip - stay on the Flyers and collect, keep the Flyers cap situation what it is today, and claim that he can be impartial because he's not really associated with the team any more.

That's how I read the comments.

But here is the more interesting thing. If Bettman takes that position, he is de facto accepting the LTIR games that the Flyers, and many other teams, play to get compliant. I mean, everyone knows they tolerate it. But he has now literally stated it is perfectly acceptable.

So, if the Flyers trade Pronger next year to a team needing to reach the floor, how can Bettman complain? And if Pronger takes the job, which the team is accommodating, how can he refuse the trade at that point?

They will give Schenn as much time as they can stand to fit in on that line. We'll see. Have to also figure that Voracek was the only guy on that line that was good. Giroux HAS to be the driving force and he is clearly rusty right now.
- GOA88

I think Simmer is the only one with the grit and skill to replace what Hartnell brought. They were hoping Schenn could, but I don't see it. Maybe Kane isn't the answer either if you are looking for grit. Kane, G, and Jake would certainly be an all skill low grit first line.

Bill, wouldn't Hexy's first game had to have come in 1986? He was in the 87 playoffs, which occurred before 10/9/1987.
- BOSS_TWEED

Yes. Fixed it.

That's my point. I think they're going to let Pronger double dip - stay on the Flyers and collect, keep the Flyers cap situation what it is today, and claim that he can be impartial because he's not really associated with the team any more.

That's how I read the comments.

But here is the more interesting thing. If Bettman takes that position, he is de facto accepting the LTIR games that the Flyers, and many other teams, play to get compliant. I mean, everyone knows they tolerate it. But he has now literally stated it is perfectly acceptable.

So, if the Flyers trade Pronger next year to a team needing to reach the floor, how can Bettman complain? And if Pronger takes the job, which the team is accommodating, how can he refuse the trade at that point?
- TheGreat28

That's how I see it -- I'll be stunned if it turns out that Pronger leaves that amount of money on the table.

If it was the last year of the deal, I'd be a little more worried. But that's almost $15 million he'd be walking away from...he's a better man than me, if he walks away from that, considering he was severely injured while playing.

only 1 game though i think it is only a matter of time before bellmare moves up to another line.

Good to see that new contract has matured Rinaldo. Discipline was off the charts last night!


- PLindbergh31

He's on pace for 164 minors.

Outside of that he played pretty well but that first penalty was incredibly frustrating. He got suckered in to it by a guy even younger and less experienced than him.

So, we need to move a D man. Why not a package of B. Schenn and Coburn to Winnipeg for Kane and a pick? That makes room for Ghost and helps blue line offense as well as solves the ? At wing.
- section32

Coburn is our best defender. Trading him for a forward is giving up on the season.

If Pronger retired, the Flyers cap situation would be massively affected. If he's retired, they lose LTIR exemption, which means they can't use any of his $4.91mm, it would just be dead space

EDIT: just saw somebody tweet that Elliotte Friedman says they're working on creating a rule that would keep a player's contract as status quo, and allow him to work in another capacity. If that's the case, great, because otherwise the Flyers would be screwed
- Jsaquella

The NHL can just make things up as they go along, as shown with the Kovalchuk contract punishment, and subsequent lessing of said punishment. There's not a chance any of this Pronger stuff will effect the Flyers negatively IMO

That's how I see it -- I'll be stunned if it turns out that Pronger leaves that amount of money on the table.

If it was the last year of the deal, I'd be a little more worried. But that's almost $15 million he'd be walking away from...he's a better man than me, if he walks away from that, considering he was severely injured while playing.
- AllInForFlyers

Well, two things. There are a lot of folks that might feel like they're stealing money. I mean, a lot of players retire while they still have years left on their contract.

But more importantly, a lot of players have insurance contracts that protect them from a career ending injury. So he might not be walking away from the money anyway.

He's on pace for 164 minors.

Outside of that he played pretty well but that first penalty was incredibly frustrating. He got suckered in to it by a guy even younger and less experienced than him.
- Feanor

He took two minors in 8:31 of ice time. In a one goal game, in which the Bruins scored on one of the minors he took. He's hurting the team. It's the same old same old. He can agitate, and skate well, but when he takes penalties its a waste to have him in the lineup. If I was Berube I would send a message and sit him tonight.

Coburn is our best defender. Trading him for a forward is giving up on the season.
- Feanor

I think it is too early to make that kind of a trade. But I wouldn't be against it later in the season if they are floundering and/or if Ghost/Hagg/Alt really has shown that they're ready.

I'd love to find a team that needs to sure up their defense a bit but has some young high-end forwards, and then package a Coburn-Laughton. For example, I think Edmonton has some nice young offensive-minded forwards but really needs a more gritty young center and help at D. So if we could pry someone like Draisaitl from them, I'd go for it. That's just an example.

Coburn is our best defender. Trading him for a forward is giving up on the season.
- Feanor

Coburn was directly responsible for the 1st goal. Sooooo....

He took two minors in 8:31 of ice time. In a one goal game, in which the Bruins scored on one of the minors he took. He's hurting the team. It's the same old same old. He can agitate, and skate well, but when he takes penalties its a waste to have him in the lineup. If I was Berube I would send a message and sit him tonight.
- PLindbergh31

If he had played lousy in between the penalties I'd agree, but IMO he was good enough (actually created some nice things) that I'd have the talk with him, but let him at it again, given it's a new season/fresh start and all.

I think Simmer is the only one with the grit and skill to replace what Hartnell brought. They were hoping Schenn could, but I don't see it. Maybe Kane isn't the answer either if you are looking for grit. Kane, G, and Jake would certainly be an all skill low grit first line.
- section32

I thought B Schenn had a tough game. He had three or four instances that if he had made a good pass his linemates would have had prime scoring chances. I can think of two that hit Giroux right in the skates while he was open in the slot. The Bruins are a good defensive team though so I willing to give him a mulligan for last night.

I thought Rinaldo was ok last night. Unfortunately for him he is a penalty waiting to happen. He almost never gets the benefit of the doubt. Blair Jones is a better option at this point in my eyes. He does not take/get penalties, he can play on the PK and he has more point potential.

Overall, not a bad effort. Obviously, they have room to improve. I would also move Akeson up with Vinny and move Raffl or Umberger down to the 4th. Just think Akeson is a more gifted offensive player than the other two.

I just don't think it'll play out like that -- yes, Pronger could retire, but he'd be leaving basically $14.7 million on the table just to take a job from the league.

They'll make everyone whole, if it comes to this. Yes, Pronger doesn't owe the Flyers anything, as Bettman said. But the Flyers owe Chris Pronger $14.7 million to not play, and while I've seen stranger things happen, I can't believe that isn't going to be addressed -- Pronger might be cool with leaving that money out there, but let's see what Mrs. Pronger has to say about that, and Big Ed about having $4.9 million of dead space.
- AllInForFlyers

From what Bettman says, Pronger gets paid no matter what. So he wouldn't be leaving anything on the table.

Also, Flyers only owe him $5.15mm or so. The deal was front loaded and his salary is $575K for each of the last two years, despite the $4.91mm cap hit.

That said, the NHL and NHLPA are discussing a rule that would allow Pronger to stay on LTIR and take a gig with the league.

Coburn was directly responsible for the 1st goal. Sooooo....
- GOA88

The entire PK was on the same side of the ice but it's Coburn's fault?

Coburn was directly responsible for the 1st goal. Sooooo....
- GOA88

1 game and the asinine trade proposals have already started. You really think our PK would be better if it was LSchenn out there for 4 minutes a game instead of Coburn?

From what Bettman says, Pronger gets paid no matter what. So he wouldn't be leaving anything on the table.

Also, Flyers only owe him $5.15mm or so. The deal was front loaded and his salary is $575K for each of the last two years, despite the $4.91mm cap hit.

That said, the NHL and NHLPA are discussing a rule that would allow Pronger to stay on LTIR and take a gig with the league.
- Jsaquella

Ah. Understood. Yikes -- that is brutal. The front-loading was always the problem.

The entire PK was on the same side of the ice but it's Coburn's fault?
- eayost

Coburn is the defenseman and should have had the presence in mind to stay put while watching the other 3 players collapse down low. He was the last one to bite and it was pretty much his man that was left wide open. YES. It was his fault.

I didn't really have a problem with the game, as a whole. They played a team that is better than they are (they just are), and kept it at 1-1 until the dying minutes. Mason looked really solid, made some nice saves.

Does anyone know why they reviews the Flyers' goal? It clearly wasn't close to kicked in. There was no high stick or goalie interference. Not sure why they had to go to a full review.

Overall, not a bad effort. Obviously, they have room to improve. I would also move Akeson up with Vinny and move Raffl or Umberger down to the 4th. Just think Akeson is a more gifted offensive player than the other two.
- mickel25

I actually thought Umberger made several strong plays with the puck in the offensive zone. He's not as skilled as Akeson, but he used his size,strength and speed to get the puck in dangerous positions.