True, but I just don't see any other way to get the best out of Vinnie. I would swap VLC and Bellemare though, when leading in the 3rd, and only spot shift the 4th line.
- BiggE

if Hexy could somehow trade VLC and Umberger

If they loaned Vinny to the SHL, maybe he'd come back as Mats Sundin.
- Tomahawk

Or just not come back

Actually, I think Vinny has suffered from the same thing that Akeson has-the linemates he's been getting are not exactly good fits for him. Now he's going to have Umberger and VandeVelde, and that's not going to be of benefit to him.

True, but I just don't see any other way to get the best out of Vinnie. I would swap VLC and Bellemare though, when leading in the 3rd, and only spot shift the 4th line.
- BiggE

See Vinny was fine until he got hurt. He has 4 pts in 6 games. Actually had 4 pts in 4 games until they saddled him with Umberger. Put the original line back and Im sure he'll be fine.

Something needs to be done with Umberger.... Whatever line you put him on he holds back. When we get healthy the lines should be this.

Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Vinny-Simmonds
Schenn-Couts-Akeson
Rinaldo-Bellemare-Umberger
- GOA88

You are right something has to be done with Umberger...but what?
I am sure no team would take him.
He is a 4th line player at this point and has not shown much more.

Or just not come back

Actually, I think Vinny has suffered from the same thing that Akeson has-the linemates he's been getting are not exactly good fits for him. Now he's going to have Umberger and VandeVelde, and that's not going to be of benefit to him.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. Vinny is a good player. But he isnt superman and wont pull those anchors to shore on his own.

BLASPHEMER!!!!
Embrace the hate of all things Berube and the Organization.

Other than that I agree and well said.
- opeth_pa

It's more frustration at Berube than hate. I won't complain right now because what I had been critical of is largely changed.

He's got Giroux and Voracek playing with a guy in Smmonds who can actually bring skill and be a presence along the boards and in front of the net. He's giving the Couturier line another talented member and increasing the offensive usage of the line overall. He put Akeson on a line with a more skilled linemate and turned the 4th line from an energy line, to a more dynamic line, which is more capable of moving the puck out of the Flyers end and generating chances. He recognized that Simmonds was a bad fit on a line with Vinny and Umberger.

I wish he would have done these things sooner. The lines are balanced and for the most part they're optimal for what the players on them bring to the table. No need to complain when it seems like the coach is trying what you have been suggesting.

Or just not come back

Actually, I think Vinny has suffered from the same thing that Akeson has-the linemates he's been getting are not exactly good fits for him. Now he's going to have Umberger and VandeVelde, and that's not going to be of benefit to him.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, put him between Raffl and Akeson and I think he'd be ok.
Hmmm
Simmonds-G-Jake
Schenn-Coots-Read
Raffl-VLC-Akeson
Umberger-Bellemare-Rinaldo

It's more frustration at Berube than hate. I won't complain right now because what I had been critical of is largely changed.

He's got Giroux and Voracek playing with a guy in Smmonds who can actually bring skill and be a presence along the boards and in front of the net. He's giving the Couturier line another talented member and increasing the offensive usage of the line overall. He put Akeson on a line with a more skilled linemate and turned the 4th line from an energy line, to a more dynamic line, which is more capable of moving the puck out of the Flyers end and generating chances. He recognized that Simmonds was a bad fit on a line with Vinny and Umberger.

I wish he would have done these things sooner. The lines are balanced and for the most part they're optimal for what the players on them bring to the table. No need to complain when it seems like the coach is trying what you have been suggesting.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, put him between Raffl and Akeson and I think he'd be ok.
Hmmm
Simmonds-G-Jake
Schenn-Coots-Read
Raffl-VLC-Akeson
Umberger-Bellemare-Rinaldo
- BiggE

Those lines are almost exactly what I suggested at the end of training camp. the only difference is I had B. Schenn with G & Jake and Simmonds with Read & Couts

- Tomahawk

French army knife?

Way Laught!

It's more frustration at Berube than hate. I won't complain right now because what I had been critical of is largely changed.

He's got Giroux and Voracek playing with a guy in Smmonds who can actually bring skill and be a presence along the boards and in front of the net. He's giving the Couturier line another talented member and increasing the offensive usage of the line overall. He put Akeson on a line with a more skilled linemate and turned the 4th line from an energy line, to a more dynamic line, which is more capable of moving the puck out of the Flyers end and generating chances. He recognized that Simmonds was a bad fit on a line with Vinny and Umberger.

I wish he would have done these things sooner. The lines are balanced and for the most part they're optimal for what the players on them bring to the table. No need to complain when it seems like the coach is trying what you have been suggesting.
- Jsaquella

x infinity!

- I guess leadership isn't an issue after all.

- It wasn't surprising that VandeVelde was taken off the first line after only a period and it's also not surprising that Lecavalier and Umberger have had trouble getting Simmonds the puck.

- Del Zotto has played very well especially considering the rock bottom expectations. If only he could keep it together off the ice...

- Akeson created some chances. Why not try him with Vinny and RJ? Not try to start a debate about him for the umpteenth time.

- I guess leadership isn't an issue after all.

- It wasn't surprising that VandeVelde was taken off the first line after only a period and it's also not surprising that Lecavalier and Umberger have had trouble getting Simmonds the puck.

- Del Zotto has played very well especially considering the rock bottom expectations. If only he could keep it together off the ice...

- Akeson created some chances. Why not try him with Vinny and RJ? Not try to start a debate about him for the umpteenth time.
- NickTheKid87

If all Michael Del Zotto is trying to do is pull porn actress tail, I think he'll be fine, off ice.

Might not be my move (i.e.--nagging porn actresses for their friends' names), but it's not like the guy isn't trying to do anything a guy that age typically tries to do.

If all Michael Del Zotto is trying to do is pull porn actress tail, I think he'll be fine, off ice.

Might not be my move (i.e.--nagging porn actresses for their friends' names), but it's not like the guy isn't trying to do anything a guy that age typically tries to do.
- johndewar

It just seems that his goofiness always comes out to the media. There was a thing a few years ago involving a convo with Tyler Seguin. As long as he's not breaking any laws, I don't care much but he should at least try to be more discreet lol

Those lines are almost exactly what I suggested at the end of training camp. the only difference is I had B. Schenn with G & Jake and Simmonds with Read & Couts
- Jsaquella

Great minds etc...

Bellamare really has been quite the find. I think his role is going to increase as the season progresses. Very solid all around game. Been very impressed by him.
- PLindbergh31

I'm going to the game where Lindros gets his number retired on 11/20.

I'm putting the over/under on "Fans who are wearing PEB's jersey" at 1.5.

It's hard not to like what PEB brings to the table as a hockey player.

If all Michael Del Zotto is trying to do is pull porn actress tail, I think he'll be fine, off ice.

Might not be my move (i.e.--nagging porn actresses for their friends' names), but it's not like the guy isn't trying to do anything a guy that age typically tries to do.
- johndewar

Yup, kind of hard to fault a single, 24 year old millionaire for wanting to bang a porn star or 2!

MDZ: Steal of the offseason.
- hereticpride

Too soon to tell but definitely much improved since his first three games. The injuries to MacDonald and Coburn help. Nice to see him and Streit being regulars on the PK and succeeding.

It just seems that his goofiness always comes out to the media. There was a thing a few years ago involving a convo with Tyler Seguin. As long as he's not breaking any laws, I don't care much but he should at least try to be more discreet lol
- NickTheKid87

Exactly. He'll learn.

Produce on the ice, and ultimately, no one will care about who he's trying to bang.

Yup, kind of hard to fault a single, 24 year old millionaire for wanting to bang a porn star or 2!

- BiggE

If it were an option for me, I'd try it too. Who am I to judge him?

Voracek tied with Crosby in points. He has had at least 1 point in 12 of 13 games

I think this team would be much more balanced if they could eventually move Vinny. He just seems to jumbble everything . Umberger as he isn't great can still do other things like PK and even move to 4th line and still give you something. Vinny just keeps everything messed up in a way becasue he needs certain wingers but alos needs certain situations.

I think this team would be much more balanced if they could eventually move Vinny. He just seems to jumbble everything . Umberger as he isn't great can still do other things like PK and even move to 4th line and still give you something. Vinny just keeps everything messed up in a way becasue he needs certain wingers but alos needs certain situations.
- J35Bacher

I'd be fine with getting rid of both asap and bringing Laughton up.

It's more frustration at Berube than hate. I won't complain right now because what I had been critical of is largely changed.

He's got Giroux and Voracek playing with a guy in Smmonds who can actually bring skill and be a presence along the boards and in front of the net. He's giving the Couturier line another talented member and increasing the offensive usage of the line overall. He put Akeson on a line with a more skilled linemate and turned the 4th line from an energy line, to a more dynamic line, which is more capable of moving the puck out of the Flyers end and generating chances. He recognized that Simmonds was a bad fit on a line with Vinny and Umberger.

I wish he would have done these things sooner. The lines are balanced and for the most part they're optimal for what the players on them bring to the table. No need to complain when it seems like the coach is trying what you have been suggesting.
- Jsaquella

Raffl was playing with Giroux and Voracek, previously, and brought skill and a net presence to the line, and he was leading the Flyers in goals scored before getting injured. As soon as the Flyers lose a game or two, or one of the lines struggle, the complaining will pick up again.

- I guess leadership isn't an issue after all.

- It wasn't surprising that VandeVelde was taken off the first line after only a period and it's also not surprising that Lecavalier and Umberger have had trouble getting Simmonds the puck.

- Del Zotto has played very well especially considering the rock bottom expectations. If only he could keep it together off the ice...

- Akeson created some chances. Why not try him with Vinny and RJ? Not try to start a debate about him for the umpteenth time.
- NickTheKid87

Two way street. Simmonds also didn't get the puck to Lecavalier. Not a great mix.