I still cant believe Hextall gave him that contract extension. As long as the refs think everything he does is dirty he has no value to us whatsoever.
- hereticpride

I know. People get excited when he breaks even. It hasn't even occurred to them that the team could just play a better player who can actually contribute.

I like to start out in one direction then change course
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah. im getting screwed over in a must win fantasy game for my season so my mind is a little hit or miss on here.

yeah. im getting screwed over in a must win fantasy game for my season so my mind is a little hit or miss on here.
- stayinthefnnet

Rivers (frank)ed my teams today. If he just had an average week of 12-14 points, I would be in a good position. Instead I need a whole lotta luck. (Not Andrew Luck. The other guy has him).

Stewart gets his first like a boss! He beats Gionta and Matt Moulson to their first goals of the season.

Rivers (frank)ed my teams today. If he just had an average week of 12-14 points, I would be in a good position. Instead I need a whole lotta luck. (Not Andrew Luck. The other guy has him).
- PhillySportsGuy

rivers was so bad that he hurt my defense. although the entire roster was a joke today. my defense finished with -4. stupendous.

and percy harvin killed me. PPR league. guy hasnt had a hundred yard game in ages, and he grabs 11 for 120 something. betwee him, morris, and now brady, its been a rough and expletive filled afternoon.

I know. People get excited when he breaks even. It hasn't even occurred to them that the team could just play a better player who can actually contribute.
- PhillySportsGuy

I forget what the ETA on White is but I'm hoping he knocks Rinaldo into the press box sooner rather than later.

At least the refs don't have it in for him.

i hate the guy, but i will respect the fact that rinaldo does try his hardest. but at what point does that stop buying minutes? give me a pair of skates. ill play for the flyers for 25 grand a year and i will work supremely hard. granted, its hyperbole, but still. i understand that akeson shouldnt be able to buy a 6 year deal or something like that based solely on his potential alone either, but i still think given an either or decision, a lottery ticket in akeson ultimately yields the potential for more than whatever rinaldo can provide. its not as if akeson would be blocking a promising rookie, or bumping out someone making tangible contributions.
- stayinthefnnet

Akeson the way he's playing right now, isn't going to give you more then Rinaldo will. Rinaldo averages 8:26 a game. He's not exactly getting a bunch of icetime. Akeson has to do something to earn icetime.

rivers was so bad that he hurt my defense. although the entire roster was a joke today. my defense finished with -4. stupendous.

and percy harvin killed me. PPR league. guy hasnt had a hundred yard game in ages, and he grabs 11 for 120 something. betwee him, morris, and now brady, its been a rough and expletive filled afternoon.
- stayinthefnnet

I knew it would be a rough week for me because of the byes. I had so many players on byes. I just wanted the Eagles to win and they did.

I forget what the ETA on White is but I'm hoping he knocks Rinaldo into the press box sooner rather than later.

At least the refs don't have it in for him.
- hereticpride

I doubt it. I don't remember the last time Rinaldo was a healthy scratch. When everyone is healthy, the 4th line will likely be Rinaldo-PEB-White

Akeson the way he's playing right now, isn't going to give you more then Rinaldo will. Rinaldo averages 8:26 a game. He's not exactly getting a bunch of icetime. Akeson has to do something to earn icetime.
- MJL

i agree that the way akeson is playing right now, he isnt giving a ton. but when you say more than rinaldo will, thats where i have a hard time seeing it.

what is rinaldo doing to earn icetime?

i realize my campaign for akeson is based largely on potential. but that is something that rinaldo doesnt have. rinaldo isnt doing anything to win games. granted, right now, neither is akeson. however, he has shown the ability to display those traits. i would rather put him in, give him a solid 20 game stretch to see what if he can do, and then make a more informed decision.

I knew it would be a rough week for me because of the byes. I had so many players on byes. I just wanted the Eagles to win and they did.
- PhillySportsGuy

my team has just been such a poopshow. im more reliant upon antonio brown than the frickin steelers themselves.

Akeson the way he's playing right now, isn't going to give you more then Rinaldo will. Rinaldo averages 8:26 a game. He's not exactly getting a bunch of icetime. Akeson has to do something to earn icetime.
- MJL

But Rinaldo doesn't?

See, that's the problem I have. The Flyers truly seem committed to taking fewer penalies and playing a level headed game. But they've still got this "we'll never let a team out hit us" mentality thats keeping Rinaldo in the lineup. No one is even fighting any more.

If not Akeson then someone, anyone else. You cant keep a player who doesn't contribute offense, is mediocre defensively, and has every ref in the league waiting to send him to the box. There is no way the positives will ever outweigh the negatives in that scenario.

Maybe my problem isn't with Rinaldo so much as it is with Berube. If Rinaldo gets his number called he's going to go out there abd give it all he's got. That's a given. I guess in the grand scheme of the team I'm just wondering why they're expecting anything more out of the guy.

my team has just been such a poopshow. im more reliant upon antonio brown than the frickin steelers themselves.
- stayinthefnnet

My team is insanely good

i agree that the way akeson is playing right now, he isnt giving a ton. but when you say more than rinaldo will, thats where i have a hard time seeing it.

what is rinaldo doing to earn icetime?

i realize my campaign for akeson is based largely on potential. but that is something that rinaldo doesnt have. rinaldo isnt doing anything to win games. granted, right now, neither is akeson. however, he has shown the ability to display those traits. i would rather put him in, give him a solid 20 game stretch to see what if he can do, and then make a more informed decision.
- stayinthefnnet

Rinaldo skates hard every shift, gets in on the forecheck, brings a physical game and battles for pucks. And can play on the PK. If Akeson can play competitively away from the puck, get in on the forecheck, and pressure the puck, then with his better offensive skill set, I would absolutely play him over Rinaldo. Hell, if he could do that, he's probably see some time on a scoring line. But it's just not the case. When you are a player like Akeson, potential isn't going to get you ice time. Lots of good players started on the 4th line. That didn't stop them.

Rinaldo skates hard every shift, gets in on the forecheck, brings a physical game and battles for pucks. And can play on the PK. If Akeson can play competitively away from the puck, get in on the forecheck, and pressure the puck, then with his better offensive skill set, I would absolutely play him over Rinaldo. Hell, if he could do that, he's probably see some time on a scoring line. But it's just not the case. When you are a player like Akeson, potential isn't going to get you ice time. Lots of good players started on the 4th line. That didn't stop them.
- MJL

haha you my friend should be craig adams agent.

But Rinaldo doesn't?

See, that's the problem I have. The Flyers truly seem committed to taking fewer penalies and playing a level headed game. But they've still got this "we'll never let a team out hit us" mentality thats keeping Rinaldo in the lineup. No one is even fighting any more.

If not Akeson then someone, anyone else. You cant keep a player who doesn't contribute offense, is mediocre defensively, and has every ref in the league waiting to send him to the box. There is no way the positives will ever outweigh the negatives in that scenario.
- hereticpride

I think he does. And more importantly, Berube thinks he does. Getting in on the forecheck, playing physical, and pressuring the puck, is a big part of the game. And a big part of playing on the 4th line. I mean why do the Flyers play Rinaldo? Why did they resign him to a new deal if he doesn't bring anything to the team or the ice?
So far this season with Rinaldo, the positives have outweighed the negatives.

I think he does. And more importantly, Berube thinks he does. Getting in on the forecheck, playing physical, and pressuring the puck, is a big part of the game. And a big part of playing on the 4th line. I mean why do the Flyers play Rinaldo? Why did they resign him to a new deal if he doesn't bring anything to the team or the ice?
So far this season with Rinaldo, the positives have outweighed the negatives.
- MJL

obviously yeah that is the case. we are all just people whose opinions are of little consequence to anything more than attempting to procrastinate or shoot the poop.

but that doesnt mean i have to agree with them haha

because my answer to all of those questions is that i have no idea. i dont see what they see. i dont think akeson is tyler seguin waiting to happen, but you never know. could be someone who can chip in a little here and there. i feel like if akeson hits, he would be worth it just for the second powerplay alone.

I think he does. And more importantly, Berube thinks he does. Getting in on the forecheck, playing physical, and pressuring the puck, is a big part of the game. And a big part of playing on the 4th line. I mean why do the Flyers play Rinaldo? Why did they resign him to a new deal if he doesn't bring anything to the team or the ice?
So far this season with Rinaldo, the positives have outweighed the negatives.
- MJL

Right now he's a minus 5 which is tied for the worst among our forwards. I know that stat doesn't define a player but it is worth something. He also has no points and 10 penalty minutes. The only way the positives outweigh the negatives are if he's drawn more than 10 minutes in penalties from the opposition, which I don't think he has. I guess he has been ok on the PK, but we have a lot of guys capable of the role.

Again, my issue isn't so much much with Zac himself. It's the rep he has with the refs and Berube's commitment to him despite that rep and the fact that Zac's strengths don't really fit the disciplined system Berube is preaching.

My team is insanely good
- PhillySportsGuy

modesty is a good quality, you know

Right now he's a minus 5 which is tied for the worst among our forwards. I know that stat doesn't define a player but it is worth something. He also has no points and 10 penalty minutes. The only way the positives outweigh the negatives are if he's drawn more than 10 minutes in penalties from the opposition, which I don't think he has. I guess he has been ok on the PK, but we have a lot of guys capable of the role.

Again, my issue isn't so much much with Zac himself. It's the rep he has with the refs and Berube's commitment to him despite that rep and the fact that Zac's strengths don't really fit the disciplined system Berube is preaching.
- hereticpride

I don't know how Rinaldo's strengths don't fit the disciplined system. In my opinion, Rinaldo has been very good as far as discipline is concerned. Only 4 Flyer forwards are + players. I wouldn't not play him because of the rep. And I wouldn't punish Rinaldo because the refs want to call a good hit, a penalty. I think there are positives and negatives to Rinaldo as a player. If they can upgrade and get some better players in here, I'm all for it. But right now, he's one of the top 12 forwards.

Right now he's a minus 5 which is tied for the worst among our forwards. I know that stat doesn't define a player but it is worth something. He also has no points and 10 penalty minutes. The only way the positives outweigh the negatives are if he's drawn more than 10 minutes in penalties from the opposition, which I don't think he has. I guess he has been ok on the PK, but we have a lot of guys capable of the role.

Again, my issue isn't so much much with Zac himself. It's the rep he has with the refs and Berube's commitment to him despite that rep and the fact that Zac's strengths don't really fit the disciplined system Berube is preaching.
- hereticpride

I'd like to see what criteria is being used to say that Rinaldo has played well. Berube's expanded his role, and he still doesn't do much. They use him and VandeVelde on the PK, which right now is the 6th worst PK in the NHL. His line gets buried in shots against at ES and Rinaldo himself hasn't been on the ice for a single shot attempt by the Flyers since they played Los Angeles.

People can say he's played well, but there's nothing outside of opinion to back it up, while there's a lot of indicators that say he's not an effective player.

He tries really hard though
- PhillySportsGuy

Well heck if thats all it takes they should sign me to a contract. Im 49 and have a bad back and bum knees but I'll try really, really hard and I'll even hit someone if I can catch them!

I doubt it. I don't remember the last time Rinaldo was a healthy scratch. When everyone is healthy, the 4th line will likely be Rinaldo-PEB-White
- PhillySportsGuy

Geez, Bellemare will be on the first plane back to France

I don't know how Rinaldo's strengths don't fit the disciplined system. In my opinion, Rinaldo has been very good as far as discipline is concerned. Only 4 Flyer forwards are + players. I wouldn't not play him because of the rep. And I wouldn't punish Rinaldo because the refs want to call a good hit, a penalty. I think there are positives and negatives to Rinaldo as a player. If they can upgrade and get some better players in here, I'm all for it. But right now, he's one of the top 12 forwards.
- MJL

honestly, for as much as an idiot ive always thought hes been, i really dont even think i can fault him much for being "undisciplined" or whatever this season. he really hasnt stood out in a negative way in that manner to me, in all fairness. it just reminds me a bit of matt cooke though, where the struggle to stay on the good side of that line renders a lot of the effectiveness out of their game. so while i dont necessarily think rinaldo is coming up with huge detrimental penalties, i still just dont think he does much.

I'd like to see what criteria is being used to say that Rinaldo has played well. Berube's expanded his role, and he still doesn't do much. They use him and VandeVelde on the PK, which right now is the 6th worst PK in the NHL. His line gets buried in shots against at ES and Rinaldo himself hasn't been on the ice for a single shot attempt by the Flyers since they played Los Angeles.

People can say he's played well, but there's nothing outside of opinion to back it up, while there's a lot of indicators that say he's not an effective player.
- Jsaquella