You can see why most coaches love him -- he constantly moves his feet, and he isn't afraid of contact. I've never questioned his work ethic or courage. That guy isn't soft.

But man, he just takes poop too far. He just does, and last night, for all the good things he did, it's kinda tough to ignore that the Flyers and B's played pretty evenly except for the PP goal that had them trailing much of the night.
- AllInForFlyers

I was washing bottles when he took the second one. Looked like the Flyers were hemmed in and then he took one. Was it a reckless penalty, lazy, ???

The first one, yeah, you can't do that.

You can see why most coaches love him -- he constantly moves his feet, and he isn't afraid of contact. I've never questioned his work ethic or courage. That guy isn't soft.

But man, he just takes poop too far. He just does, and last night, for all the good things he did, it's kinda tough to ignore that the Flyers and B's played pretty evenly except for the PP goal that had them trailing much of the night.
- AllInForFlyers

Summed up perfectly. I completely agree with your first statement. I don't think anyone would accuse him of being soft, or not working hard, but the 5 seconds where he shows no restraint negates the good he does.

So because 2 other players were in the wrong spot, and he was the 3rd player to go to the wrong spot, we need to jettison him ASAP? In that case, we need to get rid of Giroux immediately for not getting anything done offensively.
- jmatchett383

Funny or sad thing about that goal is that the only player (Mason) to get something negative in the stat sheet is the only player that did anything right in that sequence.

Pretty cool to see Bellemare on the first line in his first NHL game, even though it was only for a couple of minutes.
- Feanor

He looked like a vet out there (he kinda is). Definitely showed some good things overall.

Some observations from last nights game:

Steve Mason is the real deal, someone send a memo to TSN and the Hockey News!

Couturier had his usual strong two way game, same for Matt Read. They also may be the best PK duo in the league.

Both the VLC line and the Bellemare looked good at ES

Missing most of camp showed in Giroux's play, hopefully he can shake off the rust quickly.

B Schenn wasn't terrible, but he needs to play better if he wants to stay on the top line.

I'm willing to give Coburn/AMac some time to gel, but they did not look so hot last night.

IMO, Luke Schenn was the Flyers' best dman last night.

If Rinaldo hasn't realized by now that NHL refs are never going to give him the benefit of the doubt, he's even dumber than I thought.

Re the goalies: I'd stay with Mason tonight and let Emery start the 3rd game in 4 nights.
- BiggE

Agreed, unless we loss tonight in which case you might need to beat that horse a bit more

Can not go down 3-0.

This. He's basically the tallest midget when it comes to top defenders on this team. He's made mistakes before and he will again. But he's the best we've got.
- jmatchett383

He's also a good NHL defenseman, not great. He's just being asked to play a role that's over his level.

I was washing bottles when he took the second one. Looked like the Flyers were hemmed in and then he took one. Was it a reckless penalty, lazy, ???

The first one, yeah, you can't do that.
- jmatchett383

I thought it was more fatigue -- I didn't mind the second one, as you said, they were hemmed in. It was a matter of time before someone took one.

Pretty cool to see Bellemare on the first line in his first NHL game, even though it was only for a couple of minutes.
- Feanor

Was impressed by what I saw. He's got some great wheels. That little back pass showed a lot of creativity too. I think he could be a pleasant surprise this year.

I agree with that. Maybe send Raffl to the 4th line and move up Akeson. Just needed a little more finish on that line.
- mickel25

The risk with that is Raffl is the only guy with decent speed on that line. A line of Umberger-VLC-Akeson could really get exposed defensively. I'd also give the current lines more than one game before making changes.

Some observations from last nights game:

Steve Mason is the real deal, someone send a memo to TSN and the Hockey News!

Couturier had his usual strong two way game, same for Matt Read. They also may be the best PK duo in the league.

Both the VLC line and the Bellemare looked good at ES

Missing most of camp showed in Giroux's play, hopefully he can shake off the rust quickly.

B Schenn wasn't terrible, but he needs to play better if he wants to stay on the top line.

I'm willing to give Coburn/AMac some time to gel, but they did not look so hot last night.

IMO, Luke Schenn was the Flyers' best dman last night.

If Rinaldo hasn't realized by now that NHL refs are never going to give him the benefit of the doubt, he's even dumber than I thought.

Re the goalies: I'd stay with Mason tonight and let Emery start the 3rd game in 4 nights.
- BiggE

Funny or sad thing about that goal is that the only player (Mason) to get something negative in the stat sheet is the only player that did anything right in that sequence.
- mickel25

Well, the other defenseman was close to right, but overcommitted. The 2 forwards and Coburn were caught staring at the puck.

I thought it was more fatigue -- I didn't mind the second one, as you said, they were hemmed in. It was a matter of time before someone took one.
- AllInForFlyers

That's what I figured it was.

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

He made the most egregious mistake on the play but it was a collective failure. Raffl didn't exactly position himself well either.

YES! Coburn, B. Schenn and Laughton NOW!

Streit too, and AMAC, and Couterier and the ass grabber!

Mason if he looks at me funny next game!



Seriously, that is the worst trade proposal I have heard in a while. I know I'm a homer too. Schenn alone could be just as good as Kane. Not sure I would do a 1-1 swap honestly.
- coffee junkie

I'd do a 1-1 swap of B Schenn for Kane in a heartbeat. Kane's a better skater and a natural wing.

The risk with that is Raffl is the only guy with decent speed on that line. A line of Umberger-VLC-Akeson could really get exposed defensively. I'd also give the current lines more than one game before making changes.
- BiggE

Yeah I would give all 4 lines at least 4 games together.

Summed up perfectly. I completely agree with your first statement. I don't think anyone would accuse him of being soft, or not working hard, but the 5 seconds where he shows no restraint negates the good he does.
- PLindbergh31

That's the worst part. For 90% of his time on ice Rinaldo was a positive presence. Even his second penalty, they were hemmed in, it wasn't necessarily dumb. But the first one, there's just no excuse for it.

Ref is ten feet away, you know you have a reputation and aren't getting a break and you hit a non-goon in the face, far away from the puck.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

The effort was there for the Flyers, unfortunately, the execution was lacking.

Mason was real solid, outstanding really. He wasn't to blame for either Bruins goal and made quite a few tough stops.

The fourth line was very good. Rinaldo's first penalty was dumb, but he atoned with a pretty strong game.

The No Corsi For Old Men line looked good early, kind of evened out later. Lecavalier and Umberger looked more solid than Raffl, who seemed to repeat his pre-season mistake of trying to do too much with the puck.

The Couturier Line was solid for the most part, but the Giroux line got worked over. Giroux still looks rusty and Brayden Schenn didn't have a good game. He had an offensive zone turnover and lazy back check that led to the game winner.

I thought the MDZ-Schenn pair was good for most of the night, while Streit and Grossmann had some minor issues. Coburn-MacDonald seemed to struggle

They just seemed out of sync especially in the Bruins' end. They couldn't sustain zone pressure or possession and it was usually something dumb-a wayward pass or turning the wrong way-that seemed to get them in trouble. The new found emphasis on carrying the puck in was evident.

By and large it was an encouraging night, Mason really deserved a better fate, but they stumbled and lost at least a point. Hopefully it won't loom large.
- Jsaquella

They could always swap akeson and raffl to give that line a little bit more punch...

He's also a good NHL defenseman, not great. He's just being asked to play a role that's over his level.
- Jsaquella

THIS

Coburn is being asked to be a #1 dman, and he's not that guy. He can be the support guy on the top pair or anchor your 2nd unit, but asking him to anchor the top pair is simply asking too much. However, he's the best they have and they will just have to make do for this season.

That's the worst part. For 90% of his time on ice Rinaldo was a positive presence. Even his second penalty, they were hemmed in, it wasn't necessarily dumb. But the first one, there's just no excuse for it.

Ref is ten feet away, you know you have a reputation and aren't getting a break and you hit a non-goon in the face, far away from the puck.
- Jsaquella

And, for whatever reasons, those are the penalties teams end up scoring on

I'd do a 1-1 swap of B Schenn for Kane in a heartbeat. Kane's a better skater and a natural wing.
- BiggE

Right now. I would too. I really want Schenn to succeed but I am having a hard time finding where his talents are. He just seems extremely average.

He made the most egregious mistake on the play but it was a collective failure. Raffl didn't exactly position himself well either.
- bmeltzer

exactly....Raffl got in to deep ...Smith came from the top and was untouched...that can't happen...good teams make you pay when you get running around and get out of position.

Good point, sky is falling. I hope everyone has their tin foil caps.
- coffee junkie

What does this even mean? I see it all the time

That's the worst part. For 90% of his time on ice Rinaldo was a positive presence. Even his second penalty, they were hemmed in, it wasn't necessarily dumb. But the first one, there's just no excuse for it.

Ref is ten feet away, you know you have a reputation and aren't getting a break and you hit a non-goon in the face, far away from the puck.
- Jsaquella

Yep. It's mind boggling that he can't just skate away.

Some observations from last nights game:

Steve Mason is the real deal, someone send a memo to TSN and the Hockey News!

Couturier had his usual strong two way game, same for Matt Read. They also may be the best PK duo in the league.

Both the VLC line and the Bellemare looked good at ES

Missing most of camp showed in Giroux's play, hopefully he can shake off the rust quickly.

B Schenn wasn't terrible, but he needs to play better if he wants to stay on the top line.

I'm willing to give Coburn/AMac some time to gel, but they did not look so hot last night.

IMO, Luke Schenn was the Flyers' best dman last night.

If Rinaldo hasn't realized by now that NHL refs are never going to give him the benefit of the doubt, he's even dumber than I thought.

Re the goalies: I'd stay with Mason tonight and let Emery start the 3rd game in 4 nights.
- BiggE

Regarding Mason, I have read nothing but negative reviews regarding him this offseason. It's like they the so called experts never watched a game he played. he was solid all season and when he came back in the playoffs was outstanding IMO. Most comments have focused on how he regressed after one good year in CBJ and expect him to have the same issue and to be horrible this year even though there is no evidence. I also read reviews that had him behind several backup tenders in rankings of the league's tenders which is ridiculous. Once again, the experts prove that they don't watch the Flyers and simply copy and paste the story from 5 years ago saying we can't win because our tending is no good. Idiots.