Good news from the Northeast Extension. Bob Rotruck says Mark Alt started skating again Monday on his own.

We can agree to disagree on that -- as bad as the Gomez deal turned out to be, taking two more years of Umberger at 4.6 is worse
- AllInForFlyers

You can have that opinion all you want, but there is zero way to justify it being so. The Canadiens took on Gomez who still had 5 years and 30M left on his deal. He had one decent year where he had 12 goals and scored 59 points. After that he fell off to 38 points the next year, and then was done the year after. And the Canadiens gave up Ryan MacDonagh to do it.

I guarantee you that if Akeson had the minutes RJ got, he would have done a lot more with them in terms of production... probably would have had at least 6 or 7 points, quite possibly more. RJ looks cooked...a bad pass here, a poor shot there, turnovers, bad coverage, failure to react/get to the play quick enough, losing puck races and battles...these are the kinds of things that are usually happening when a player is losing it...I hope he can pull out if it , but again, I cant help but think of the points that Akeson (or Laughton for that matter) probably would have put up in RJ's role...it. could have been the difference in some of these close games. It's a bit unfair to criticize based purely on hindsight after 20 games but things aren't looking to good the way they've been going for RJ ....so how long do you wait before demoting or finding a way to cut bait?

As for Akeson, he's so far and Berube's dog house, that he's in the dog house that's in the doghouse! Through some miracle I'm hoping that they find a way to get Vinny and RJ off the books and promote Akeson and Laughton...some needed cap space and better play and accelerated development of NHL ready prospects would be the likely result. I don't think flyers brass would have the gumption, let alone the opportunity, to pull that off at this juncture.... but it's a dream I have
- exlund

I've been a big supporter of Akeson, I was really impressed what I saw in the playoffs last year. When he's been given the chance this year, he hasn't played well. That being said he's mostly been on a line with slugs. My problem is guys like VDV, Umberger, Rinaldo remain in the lineup every game while providing nothing. It's hard to expect Akeson to produce when he has played so sporadically. I would try a line with Akeson, Bellamare, and Laughton. That could be interesting.

You're making my point. So then it is true that Umberger could still help this team and contribute in a 4th line role. Because he is better than those two players are.
- MJL

No, because truly, I am trying to be nice and not say that none of them should be in a roster if a good team, but if you had to take one, I would take Rinaldo -- grudgingly -- because he is younger, a better skater and dies olay hard

But no, I do not think Umberger is even a fourth-liner anymore. Maybe he turns I around, but I would take Adam Hall tomorrow if I could and Umberger would have been scratched four games ago

Good news from the Northeast Extension. Bob Rotruck says Mark Alt started skating again Monday on his own.
- Jsaquella

Geez. I ddin't even know he was hurt too. I guess the safe thing to do is assume everyone is injured. Morin, Ghost, Alt, and at the NHL level everyone but Streit, and Schultz have been hurt. Truly unbelievable.

Good news from the Northeast Extension. Bob Rotruck says Mark Alt started skating again Monday on his own.
- Jsaquella

Geez. I ddin't even know he was hurt too. I guess the safe thing to do is assume everyone is injured. Morin, Ghost, Alt, and at the NHL level everyone but Streit, and Schultz have been hurt. Truly unbelievable.

You're making my point. So then it is true that Umberger could still help this team and contribute in a 4th line role. Because he is better than those two players are.
- MJL

No, because truly, I am trying to be nice and not say that none of them should be in a roster if a good team, but if you had to take one, I would take Rinaldo -- grudgingly -- because he is younger, a better skater and does play hard

But no, I do not think Umberger is even a fourth-liner anymore. Maybe he turns I around, but I would take Adam Hall tomorrow if I could and Umberger would have been scratched four games ago

Geez. I ddin't even know he was hurt too. I guess the safe thing to do is assume everyone is hurt. Morin, Ghost, Alt, and at the NHL level everyone but Streit, and Schultz have been hurt. Truly unbelievable.
- PLindbergh31

He got hurt the night that Gostisbehere was recalled.

No, because truly, I am trying to be nice and not say that none of them should be in a roster if a good team, but if you had to take one, I would take Rinaldo -- grudgingly -- because he is younger, a better skater and dies olay hard

But no, I do not think Umberger is even a fourth-liner anymore. Maybe he turns I around, but I would take Adam Hall tomorrow if I could and Umberger would have been scratched four games ago
- AllInForFlyers

It has zero to do with being nice. Umberger is either better than those two or he isn't. And if he is better, which he is, then he can help this team in a 4th line role. He's definitely not worth his cap hit in that role. But even still, he can still contribute to this team in a 4th line role. There's no doubt about that.
Hall was a good PKer and faceoff man. But not very good at ES. Umberger is a better player than Hall was at ES. I do think they miss Hall on the PK though.

It has zero to do with being nice. Umberger is either better than those two or he isn't. And if he is better, which he is, then he can help this team in a 4th line role. He's definitely not worth his cap hit in that role. But even still, he can still contribute to this team in a 4th line role. There's no doubt about that.
Hall was a good PKer and faceoff man. But not very good at ES. Umberger is a better player than Hall was at ES. I do think they miss Hall on the PK though.
- MJL

Umberger isn't better than Rinaldo right now, and if he is better than VandeVelde, that means nothing more than you might be better than a guy who should be in the AHL

If Umberger is still a good PKer, hopefully he will help turn that unit around. But I don't think he is any use there, and I have yet to see him forecheck well enough on a consistent basis to justify any statement that says it is a given that he would be useful on the fourth line

He got hurt the night that Gostisbehere was recalled.
- Jsaquella

That's right. Is there any update on MDZ? Hopefully he can play tomorrow night. They desperately need his mobility and puck moving skills. If he's ready to play it will be interesting to see who sits. I guess it will be Schultz.

I don't think Umberger has played well overall, but I disagree on not being able to win board battles, or that he's lazy or disinterested. I think he's extremely frustrated, and is in a deep funk. We'll see if he can come out of it. There's certainly been times where I wasn't happy at all with his play. But he's still a decent depth defensive forward. Although certainly not worth his cap hit. And I don't think he should be on the PP either.
- MJL

Hey, anybody who plays for this team I want them to do well. However, I just see nothing in RJ. I hope he comes out of it,but for now he really has looked like a zombie skating around with his mind in another place. I guess we will have to wait and see but for now his minutes should be cut and others like Laughton and Bellemare should get more ice

Umberger isn't better than Rinaldo right now.
- AllInForFlyers

I disagree. Better defensively, and better on the PK.

Umberger isn't better than Rinaldo right now.
- AllInForFlyers

Agree, rinaldo skates and brings energy when he is out there

That's right. Is there any update on MDZ? Hopefully he can play tomorrow night. They desperately need his mobility and puck moving skills. If he's ready to play it will be interesting to see who sits. I guess it will be Schultz.
- PLindbergh31

Have not seen anything. I haven't really been hunting, jsut saw the Alt thing

Hey, anybody who plays for this team I want them to do well. However, I just see nothing in RJ. I hope he comes out of it,but for now he really has looked like a zombie skating around with his mind in another place. I guess we will have to wait and see but for now his minutes should be cut and others like Laughton and Bellemare should get more ice
- 3flyerkids

I understand that. He's been a big disappointment this season to this point. The Flyers expected to get a 3rd line winger who plays the game the right way, plays solid defense, and can chip in with some offense. They haven't gotten that player. Instead they've gotten an inconsistent player, who shows pretty much zero offensive ability.

Umberger isn't better than Rinaldo right now.
- AllInForFlyers

That's a tough one. All Rinaldo does is run around and try and hit people. They are both zeroes.

if I could only trade one of them. I trade Lecavalier, and keep Umberger.
- MJL

u cray

u cray
- -davies-

u cray
- -davies-

Forgot a Z? Why am I crazy?

That's a tough one. All Rinaldo does is run around and try and hit people. They are both zeroes.
- PLindbergh31

That really is the answer, but I find that Rinaldo's effort makes me want to give him.chances

I should know better, but Rinaldo dies play hard, and I have to give him credit for that

That really is the answer, but I find that Rinaldo's effort makes me want to give him.chances
- AllInForFlyers

Rinaldo didn't lose a puck battle along the D-zone halfboards to Max Talbot that led to a goal. Rinaldo hasn't repeatedly iced the puck when he's a couple strides short of the red line. Rinaldo hasn't blown coverages or been caught flat footed for loose pucks on a regular basis

Forgot a Z? Why am I crazy?
- MJL

just disagreeing while attempting to be humorous. my comedy subroutine needs a tune-up.

Rinaldo didn't lose a puck battle along the D-zone halfboards to Max Talbot that led to a goal. Rinaldo hasn't repeatedly iced the puck when he's a couple strides short of the red line. Rinaldo hasn't blown coverages or been caught flat footed for loose pucks on a regular basis
- Jsaquella

I know someone who has done all those things you mention!!!!
He /it wears # 18 !

Rinaldo didn't lose a puck battle along the D-zone halfboards to Max Talbot that led to a goal. Rinaldo hasn't repeatedly iced the puck when he's a couple strides short of the red line. Rinaldo hasn't blown coverages or been caught flat footed for loose pucks on a regular basis
- Jsaquella

That is what I see