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.
- PLindbergh31

In his best season, he seemed to face the real consequence of being scratched for poor play or lack of discipline all season. Since then, I do really feel, to his detriment, he has not had that same risk to his ice time. It shouldn't be a surprise that he feels empowered to do this, and to say "I think I am going to get suspended... I'm just going to take it with a grain of salt."

(disclaimer: yes I omitted part of the quote, but I don't feel I'm misconstruing his point here)

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.
- MBFlyerfan

I don't buy the whole high ankle sprain injury excuse. I understand it would limit him physically but mentally? Unless that high sprain goes all the way up to his head, it is not an excuse.

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

Ok, sit him for who?

To me there is a difference between sitting a guy for poor play, and sitting him for poor effort. I think Read is giving the effort and working hard, the results aren't there for whatever reason.

Everybody save Giroux and Voracek have been pretty bad for long stretches this season, including the beginning of the year. And Read reportedly suffered the injury in the beginning of November. I cant think of too many Flyers who were playing well in October.

Its a domino effect.

I don't buy the whole high ankle sprain injury excuse. I understand it would limit him physically but mentally? Unless that high sprain goes all the way up to his head, it is not an excuse.
- Daveflyers36

Again, not buying it. I've had high ankle sprains in both of my legs and literally couldn't skate. Read isn't even playing well for a guy that's trying to play through an injury. He just looks lost and disinterested.

If he really is THAT hurt, he should have been sat awhile ago. I'd rather see someone healthier with a fire in their belly like Akeson.

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

Matt Read has been fighting an injury and due to his strong play in the past, gives Read a pass. Combined with the fact that there really isn't a good replacement for him.

In his best season, he seemed to face the real consequence of being scratched for poor play or lack of discipline all season. Since then, I do really feel, to his detriment, he has not had that same risk to his ice time. It shouldn't be a surprise that he feels empowered to do this, and to say "I think I am going to get suspended... I'm just going to take it with a grain of salt."

(disclaimer: yes I omitted part of the quote, but I don't feel I'm misconstruing his point here)
- BulliesPhan87

Agreed. Perhaps if he was held more accountable by the Flyers for his actions he would change his ways. I'm not confident it will happen.

Ok, sit him for who?

To me there is a difference between sitting a guy for poor play, and sitting him for poor effort. I think Read is giving the effort and working hard, the results aren't there for whatever reason.

Everybody save Giroux and Voracek have been pretty bad for long stretches this season, including the beginning of the year. And Read reportedly suffered the injury in the beginning of November. I cant think of too many Flyers who were playing well in October.

Its a domino effect.
- MBFlyerfan

Matt Read has been bad on both sides of the puck. It would be one thing if he isn't scoring but playing well defensively but his decision making has been horrible. And at this point in the season does it really matter who they put in his place? I am not saying bench for as long as say Vinnie was but a few games might be a good thing.

I don't buy the whole high ankle sprain injury excuse. I understand it would limit him physically but mentally? Unless that high sprain goes all the way up to his head, it is not an excuse.
- Daveflyers36

I see what you are saying. Ive had a high ankle sprain and it really can affect you mentally. But even more so, it causes a chain reaction of other ailments as you try to compensate, especially playing a professional sport.

Every player makes mental mistakes, I dont see Read making more than anyone else who has been bad this season.

What I am saying is that the injury has affected his game. But Ill ask again, who plays in his place?

Matt Read has been bad on both sides of the puck. It would be one thing if he isn't scoring but playing well defensively but his decision making has been horrible. And at this point in the season does it really matter who they put in his place? I am not saying bench for as long as say Vinnie was but a few games might be a good thing.
- Daveflyers36

Vinny was benched for not playing hard. I see a difference, agree to disagree.

Seravelli just posted the link to an article by a Pittsburgh sports columnist calling the Flyers the most repugnant franchise in sports. haha

Some really nice comments showing how he understands the game.... calls the conversion of a 4 on 3 in OT the equivalent of freee throw in basketball hahaha That's comedy Gold.

Ok, sit him for who?

To me there is a difference between sitting a guy for poor play, and sitting him for poor effort. I think Read is giving the effort and working hard, the results aren't there for whatever reason.

Everybody save Giroux and Voracek have been pretty bad for long stretches this season, including the beginning of the year. And Read reportedly suffered the injury in the beginning of November. I cant think of too many Flyers who were playing well in October.

Its a domino effect.
- MBFlyerfan

The begining of November? It's damn near February? Is he playing through the entire healing process? Why even mention the injury then?

I see absolutely no difference in sitting a guy for poor play or poor effort? Either way that player should be sat. Idk about everyone else, I'm not seeing the effort from Matt Read at all, and that's why he's playing poorly.

Whether he's trying his best and is limited by injury or is simply just in a rut, either way he needs to be sat. The semantics behind it are irrelevant. He's not helping the team win, at all.

Vinny was benched for not playing hard. I see a difference, agree to disagree.
- MBFlyerfan

Without a doubt. Players are scratched on an idividual basis.

Agreed. Perhaps if he was held more accountable by the Flyers for his actions he would change his ways. I'm not confident it will happen.
- PLindbergh31

I fear that ship has sailed.

I see what you are saying. Ive had a high ankle sprain and it really can affect you mentally. But even more so, it causes a chain reaction of other ailments as you try to compensate, especially playing a professional sport.

Every player makes mental mistakes, I dont see Read making more than anyone else who has been bad this season.

What I am saying is that the injury has affected his game. But Ill ask again, who plays in his place?
- MBFlyerfan

Matt Read plays on the line that defends most other teams top lines. When he makes a mistake it usually ends up in the net because of the skill level. So his mistakes are bigger mistakes than say someone like Vandervelde or B.Schenn. If his injury is hampering that much to the point that he isn't helping, what difference does it make who they replace him with?

Seravelli just posted the link to an article by a Pittsburgh sports columnist calling the Flyers the most repugnant franchise in sports. haha

Some really nice comments showing how he understands the game.... calls the conversion of a 4 on 3 in OT the equivalent of freee throw in basketball hahaha That's comedy Gold.
- Hextall271

i guess that columnist missed the last playoff series between these guys, open season on flyers, but thats ok, who's laughing now?

Matt Read has been fighting an injury and due to his strong play in the past, gives Read a pass. Combined with the fact that there really isn't a good replacement for him.
- MJL

I mean no offense, the bolded is really dumb.

There should be no "passes". Either your healthy or playing well enough to contribute to the team, or your not.

Play Akeson. Play anybody. But don't be a sub-500 team and continue to lose games and then make excuses for certain players. That's just retarded.

(edit: and by retarded, I mean what the Flyers are apparently doing, not you )

He just looks lost and disinterested.

If he really is THAT hurt, he should have been sat awhile ago. I'd rather see someone healthier with a fire in their belly like Akeson.
- mochoson

Agree to disagree. Playing hockey with a high ankle shows me he has plenty of fire and guts.

I will agree that he should have sat out when he got hurt. Sometimes I think these NHL players are brain dead when it comes to playing through injury...especially when it occurs 10 games in to a season. Its not like he got hurt in April with the playoffs right around the corner.

The begining of November? It's damn near February? Is he playing through the entire healing process? Why even mention the injury then?

I see absolutely no difference in sitting a guy for poor play or poor effort? Either way that player should be sat. Idk about everyone else, I'm not seeing the effort from Matt Read at all, and that's why he's playing poorly.

Whether he's trying his best and is limited by injury or is simply just in a rut, either way he needs to be sat. The semantics behind it are irrelevant. He's not helping the team win, at all.
- mochoson

He is in a rut, and probably has a serious confidence issue right now. I disagree that he is playing poorly due to a lack of effort. The difference between playing poorly and playing with a lack of effort is not semantics, but an important distinction.

Matt Read plays on the line that defends most other teams top lines. When he makes a mistake it usually ends up in the net because of the skill level. So his mistakes are bigger mistakes than say someone like Vandervelde or B.Schenn. If his injury is hampering that much to the point that he isn't helping, what difference does it make who they replace him with?
- Daveflyers36

i dont understand the insistence of this team to play guys who are struggling that badwith injuries... wouldnt it be better to stick darrol powe in there for a month And let read get healthy?

i guess that columnist missed the last playoff series between these guys, open season on flyers, but thats ok, who's laughing now?
- JoeRussomanno

I've never even heard of him. He contends that Giroux got eveyone together on Monday night and orchestrated the goon tactics at a steak house. There's some real wisdom in the article.

So, cause I'm bored, here are one man's grades for the Flyers at the all star break. The grades were based on a combo of on ice performance and preseason expectations.

Goalies
Mason A-
except for a few games here and there, his play has been stellar. Take Mason off this team all season and they are right down there with the Sabres

Emery C-
He battles and was solid last night, but he is at the end of his rope physically.

Zepp - incomplete, need to see more

D
Coburn D+
really expected more from him, a big disappointment, IMO

AMac C
He is what he is and has been ok. The problem is his contract calls for better than ok.

Streit A-
His offensive game has been great, too many miscues defensively though to earn the full "A"

Grossmann C
Has done his job for the most part. Nothing great, nothing awful

L Schenn C-
His lack of consistency is very frustrating.

Schultz B+
For guy signed out of the bargain bin to be the 7th guy, his play has greatly exceeded expectations.

MDZ C
Been better of late, but he's as inconsistent as Schenn

Carlo - incomplete
Hasn't played enough to judge

Forwards coming in a following post

I mean no offense, the bolded is really dumb.

There should be no "passes". Either your healthy or playing well enough to contribute to the team, or your not.

Play Akeson. Play anybody. But don't be a sub-500 team and continue to lose games and then make excuses for certain players. That's just retarded.

(edit: and by retarded, I mean what the Flyers are apparently doing, not you )
- mochoson

No it isn't dumb, and yes there should be passes. When a player is affected by an injury and trying to play though it, he gets a pass. Especially when there isn't an adequate replacement.

He is in a rut, and probably has a serious confidence issue right now. I disagree that he is playing poorly due to a lack of effort. The difference between playing poorly and playing with a lack of effort is not semantics, but an important distinction.
- MJL

Ok lets say he is in a rut and has a serious confidence issue. What harm at this point of the season is to give him 2-3 games off to rest, practice, and just watch.

Agree to disagree. Playing hockey with a high ankle shows me he has plenty of fire and guts.

I will agree that he should have sat out when he got hurt. Sometimes I think these NHL players are brain dead when it comes to playing through injury...especially when it occurs 10 games in to a season. Its not like he got hurt in April with the playoffs right around the corner.
- MBFlyerfan

I admire his desire to want to help, but if your play is going to be detrimental to the team, you need to swallow that pride and get healthy.

It's not so much on Matt Read as it is on Berube and the Flyers staff if he really is hurt. What's Matt Read suppose to say if he feels he's healthy enough to at least suit up and no one questions him?

i dont understand the insistence of this team to play guys who are struggling that badwith injuries... wouldnt it be better to stick darrol powe in there for a month And let read get healthy?
- JoeRussomanno

That is probably what they should have done. Read should have sat, it was November, not May.