Random, irrelevant stat, but nonetheless
- Scoob

Yes... Kinda of irrelevant. But my main point was, although Schultz was a dirty player, he had hockey skills. He's scored 20 goals in a season. That era you had to have a guy willing to drop the gloves. It was a different game back then.

Well when Grossmann starts taking stupid selfish penalties, becomes a forward with no discernable offensive skill, and is constantly taking runs at players and getting way out of position, he should be scratched as well.
- jmatchett383

I wasn't comparing the two on anything other then skill level relative to their position.

I know this all has been said before but I was really inspired by Voracek's passion last night. He is becoming a real leader with his play and desire to win. Just love the guy.

Also VDV has some nice puck deflection skills.

Add to the chorus for Manning. He played a simple effective game last night.
- Marc D

GiG endorses all 3 of these points.

Unrelated: Infusion #2 tomorrow boys and girls. The good vibes last time did wonders. She's already feeling improvement.

Keep em comin

There's sporadic showings of accountability through benchings on this team. If everyone want's Rinaldo scratched after the All Star Break, Matt Read should sit with him.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Zac is a guy that should be assessed on a game to game basis anyway. He's the 12-13th forward. He needs to earn every minute of ice time he gets. On a contending team, chances are he's scratched almost as much as he plays. Doesnt mean he doesn't have a spot on this team or a spot in the league.
- mochoson

Why Matt Read hasn't seen pressbox time is beyone me.

I wasn't comparing the two on anything other then skill level relative to their position.
- mochoson

That's fine. But Grossmann is a great shot blocker, can actually shoot the puck fairly well for a player like him, has good positioning skill, and has hockey sense. He has physical limitations that limit him, but he offers more than, "hitting" and "skating fast." Rinaldo offers very, very little, and is always of the verge of getting his team into needless penalty trouble.

Not to mention, what member of the Bullies were completely useless in a hockey sense? I think the answer is zero. Dave Schultz currently has more career hat tricks than Giroux does.
- PLindbergh31

None of them. Ideally what Rinaldo would be is Bob Kelly. Hound was a bad ass, he hit guys, fought, but he also didn't hurt his team by being an idiot. He was a good defensive player, he could be relied upon to not hurt the team with out of control play and punishment.

Totally agreed with the both of yous. I certainly won't complain about him dropping the gloves. It's not ideal, having a top scorer sit for 17 minutes, but this wasn't some lame premeditated show fight. He stood up for himself and showed fire. I hope the extension is already drawn up and ready to go.
- BulliesPhan87

I just wish he picked someone else to fight. Losing scuderi and taking jake off the ice was a win win for the Pens

Yes... Kinda of irrelevant. But my main point was, although Schultz was a dirty player, he had hockey skills. He's scored 20 goals in a season. That era you had to have a guy willing to drop the gloves. It was a different game back then.
- PLindbergh31

Yep.

Holy hell, didn't realize the Wings were within 1pt of the top-spot in the East.
- Tomahawk

Babcock is a (frank)ing warlock

Aside from last night, so many games have been joyless to watch. Those two put on enough of a show to keep me coming back. I do hope things turn around quickly, they deserve it.
- BulliesPhan87

That was an extremely entertaining game to watch. And I would say the same thing had the Flyers lost. Rinaldo's hit probably had something to do with the emotion and effort level of both teams going up, but I didn't like it. If Rinaldo had some level of hockey skill I would be willing to overlook some of his stupidity, the thing is like you said, he is what he is at this point. The Rinaldo detractors main issue with him is the small positives he provides with energy isn't nearly worth dealing with the undisciplined circus. Not by a long shot.

GiG endorses all 3 of these points.

Unrelated: Infusion #2 tomorrow boys and girls. The good vibes last time did wonders. She's already feeling improvement.

Keep em comin
- Giroux_Is_God

Holy hell, didn't realize the Wings were within 1pt of the top-spot in the East.
- Tomahawk

Just focus on the draft

Why Matt Read hasn't seen pressbox time is beyone me.
- Daveflyers36

I'm starting to become under the impression he's not a Brooby fan. He's taken a complete 180 from 20-goal Matt Read. He's seriously been awful basically all year.

None of them. Ideally what Rinaldo would be is Bob Kelly. Hound was a bad ass, he hit guys, fought, but he also didn't hurt his team by being an idiot. He was a good defensive player, he could be relied upon to not hurt the team with out of control play and punishment.
- Jsaquella

A lot more was let go back in the day. I'm guessing you drop tough guys from the 70's and 80's into today's league and they look a lot like Rino, or worse. Let's just talk about Scott Stevens...

Why Matt Read hasn't seen pressbox time is beyone me.
- Daveflyers36

I understand the sentiment, but don't agree with the comparison. Rinaldo needs to sit because he makes bad decisions and mental mistakes. To me, that is different than making physical mistakes due to a lack of talent or in Reads case, an injury.

You may not feel the two are any different and I have no problem with that.

The only reason I would sit Read is because he is hurt. If he is sufficiently recovered from his injury, I'm playing him, and letting him find his game. Who knows, maybe his game is gone this season, high ankle sprains are some nasty stuff.

Either way, I still think he is a better option than anyone else they would call up to put in his place, including Akeson.

None of them. Ideally what Rinaldo would be is Bob Kelly. Hound was a bad ass, he hit guys, fought, but he also didn't hurt his team by being an idiot. He was a good defensive player, he could be relied upon to not hurt the team with out of control play and punishment.
- Jsaquella

Game winner in Cup clinching game, too.

Babcock is a (frank)ing warlock
- Jsaquella

Babcock gets the brink truck if he doesnt re-up with the wings if I'm Ed Snider

Babcock is a (frank)ing warlock
- Jsaquella

He is so not gonna leave... they have some of the best kids in the league... future's so bright... can't believe they're this good already.

None of them. Ideally what Rinaldo would be is Bob Kelly. Hound was a bad ass, he hit guys, fought, but he also didn't hurt his team by being an idiot. He was a good defensive player, he could be relied upon to not hurt the team with out of control play and punishment.
- Jsaquella

So basically Kelly had Rinaldo's energy, and physical game, but he was much better defensively and way more disciplined? I like those type of players! Sign me up for one of those guys on the 4th line for eternity!

Babcock gets the brink truck if he doesnt re-up with the wings if I'm Ed Snider
- mochoson

I'd have that truck idling in front of his house right now

The only reason I would sit Read is because he is hurt. If he is sufficiently recovered from his injury, I'm playing him, and letting him find his game. Who knows, maybe his game is gone this season, high ankle sprains are some nasty stuff.

Either way, I still think he is a better option than anyone else they would call up to put in his place, including Akeson.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm not buying the Matt Read injury stuff. He's been pretty bad all year. If he's that hurt, sit him.

Just focus on the draft
- ob18

I WAS!

I'm scoreboard/standings watching like a beast these days.

Need that top-5 pick!

I'd have that truck idling in front of his house right now
- Scoob

Give him whatever he wants.

Bottom line is that Akeson't puck skills and offensive game isn't strong enough to keep him in the league without developing more of an all around game away from the puck. The open spot for him when he was up was on the 4th line.
- MJL

Is this assessment based on his play as a 4th line grinder type this season, or last season when he performed well in a role more appropriate to his skillset?

Then what happens when the Pens thug does the same to Giroux or Voracek? I'm sure nobody had an issue with Jayson Megnagiving Mason a concussion, because hey, it's a physical sport, right?

The game has changed since the Bullies days.
- Jsaquella

players need to protect themselves. head on a swivel