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
- BiggE

Going to easy on Luke Schenn.

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
- BiggE

do you think anyone misses Kimmo more then Braydon Coburn?

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.
- Daveflyers36

It's not a question of what harm it would do, the question is two fold. Will sitting the player help him at this point, and is there an adequate replacement for him. I'd answer no to both questions. Just have to let him try and play his way out of it.

It's not a question of what harm it would do, the question is two fold. Will sitting the player help him at this point, and is there an adequate replacement for him. I'd answer no to both questions. Just have to let him try and play his way out of it.
- MJL

The Flyers are pretty much out of the playoff hunt and have no real legitimate shot at getting back in so again, What does it matter who they replace him with? And you don't know if it will help or not, you are just stating your opinion. Give him the all-star break and say another week after to rest up and give his "injured" ankle a rest. Him trying to playing through sure isn't working.

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.
- MJL

That's how you lose games, and potentially make an injury worse.

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 just find it ironic that a team's fans and journalists that recently employed Matt Cooke and specifically called up a goon (who got owned in a fight by a Euro trained player)for this game is trying to be all high and mighty.

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

Sure, the difference is relevant in regards to how and when the player suits back up, but not in regards to being sat? If your not helping the team, you should be scratched. The reason should be irrelevant.

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.
- MJL

I agree to an extent. Matt Read's pass has expired then if this were true. If you can play through an injury and not be detrimental to the success of the team, then sure. That player should get a pass if he is willing to gut it out and play.

But where is the line drawn? After so long, do you not sit Matt Read down and say...

"Listen, your clearly still not 100%. You deserve the time off to clear your head and get healthy"

Definitely agree his confidence is shattered at this point. All the more reason to let him sit for a bit. Hopefully this break will be exactly what he needs.

That's how you lose games, and potentially make an injury worse.
- wolfhounds

My point exactly! After awhile, both the Flyers and Matt Read have to realize theyre not helping each other.

It's not a question of what harm it would do, the question is two fold. Will sitting the player help him at this point, and is there an adequate replacement for him. I'd answer no to both questions. Just have to let him try and play his way out of it.
- MJL

Matt Read has earned enough "capital" to try to play out of his funk in my opinion. Its too bad his linemates have been just as bad for stretches of the season.

Its not like he is a rookie or a young player who hasn't scored 20 goals multiple times while playing against the other teams top lines night in and night out. That does count for something in my opinion.

No one is saying he hasn't had a very bad year for whatever reason. I'm just saying that players cant all be treated with the same criteria, or given the same length of rope, nor should they be.

Read has earned a longer rope.

He still has some time before he earns the rope Umberger apparently has....

Forwards

Giroux A
What more do you want from this guy?

Voracek A+
Has been spectacular from day one this season, awesome!

Raffl B+
Seems to make every line he's on better, love his effort.

B Schenn C
Another guy who is maddeningly inconsistent. He disappears for long stretches and that needs to stop

Simmonds C+
Seems to have taken a small step back from last year, really needs a quality playmaker on his line to be successful. Love his effort though.

Couturier B-
A lot of people are down on Coots, but for crissakes, he's been weighed down by a corpse and the guy who used to be Matt Read all damn season. This kid deserves better!

Umberger D
His play of late gets him out of "F" territory, but man, even though I didn't expect much, he has still been a disappointment.

Read F
Hands down, he's been the biggest disappointment on this team. And I don't care about an ankle sprain. If he's hurt then get the hell out of the lineup, his play has been pitiful on all levels.

VLC C
He's been pretty much what I expected him to be, that's all I can say.

Bellemare B+
The fight last night alone bumped him from a B to a B+, LOL He has exceeded expectations and looks like a guy who can anchor their 4th line for the next couple of years.

VDV B
Another guy who has shown me more than I expected. Looks like a legit NHL 4th liner.

Rinaldo D
The only reason he doesn't get an "F" is that he really hasn't done that much worse than I expected. He needs to play elsewhere, IMO

Laughton C+
For a kid thrust into a top 9 role a little sooner than expected, he's been solid. Look forward to watching his game develop.

Going to easy on Luke Schenn.
- Daveflyers36

I honestly didn't expect much more than he has shown.

do you think anyone misses Kimmo more then Braydon Coburn?
- Marc D

Nope

well, maybe us fans!

Matt Read has earned enough "capital" to try to play out of his funk in my opinion. Its too bad his linemates have been just as bad for stretches of the season.

Its not like he is a rookie or a young player who hasn't scored 20 goals multiple times while playing against the other teams top lines night in and night out. That does count for something in my opinion.

No one is saying he hasn't had a very bad year for whatever reason. I'm just saying that players cant all be treated with the same criteria, or given the same length of rope, nor should they be.

Read has earned a longer rope.

He still has some time before he earns the rope Umberger apparently has....

- MBFlyerfan

48 games isn't a longer rope, its a bungee cord.

48 games isn't a longer rope, its a bungee cord.
- Daveflyers36

48 games is nothing. Read gets a season in my OPINION.

Forwards

Giroux A
What more do you want from this guy?

Voracek A+
Has been spectacular from day one this season, awesome!

Raffl B+
Seems to make every line he's on better, love his effort.

B Schenn C
Another guy who is maddeningly inconsistent. He disappears for long stretches and that needs to stop

Simmonds C+
Seems to have taken a small step back from last year, really needs a quality playmaker on his line to be successful. Love his effort though.

Couturier B-
A lot of people are down on Coots, but for crissakes, he's been weighed down by a corpse and the guy who used to be Matt Read all damn season. This kid deserves better!

Umberger D
His play of late gets him out of "F" territory, but man, even though I didn't expect much, he has still been a disappointment.

Read F
Hands down, he's been the biggest disappointment on this team. And I don't care about an ankle sprain. If he's hurt then get the hell out of the lineup, his play has been pitiful on all levels.

VLC C
He's been pretty much what I expected him to be, that's all I can say.

Bellemare B+
The fight last night alone bumped him from a B to a B+, LOL He has exceeded expectations and looks like a guy who can anchor their 4th line for the next couple of years.

VDV B
Another guy who has shown me more than I expected. Looks like a legit NHL 4th liner.

Rinaldo D
The only reason he doesn't get an "F" is that he really hasn't done that much worse than I expected. He needs to play elsewhere, IMO

Laughton C+
For a kid thrust into a top 9 role a little sooner than expected, he's been solid. Look forward to watching his game develop.
- BiggE

Love your grades for Raffl and Valveeta. Both guys working hard. I would give Simmonds a higher grade say a B...just because he has not really had a stable line to work with and he has missed Hartnell as the other guy who can provide grit.
The Corpse should also get an F.. He is a very expensive Corpse to top it off

I just find it ironic that a team's fans and journalists that recently employed Matt Cooke and specifically called up a goon (who got owned in a fight by a Euro trained player)for this game is trying to be all high and mighty.
- Hextall271

The particular columnist who wrote that piece today is practically a house writer for the Pittsburgh sports teams and he is pandering to the inferiority complex people in Western PA have with the Eastern part of the state.

He and his work are best ignored.

If he really wants to look at why the Pens lost, he could look at the fact that they couldn't capitalize on the power play despite having two of the 5 best players in the world on their team.

48 games is nothing. Read gets a season in my OPINION.

- MBFlyerfan

Not playing on the checking line against top lines of opposing teams.

The Flyers are pretty much out of the playoff hunt and have no real legitimate shot at getting back in so again, What does it matter who they replace him with? And you don't know if it will help or not, you are just stating your opinion. Give him the all-star break and say another week after to rest up and give his "injured" ankle a rest. Him trying to playing through sure isn't working.
- Daveflyers36

You're right, I am just giving my opinion. The Flyers management and players do not have the mindset that they don't have a legitimate shot at getting back in again, and I agree with them in that. However unrealistic that may be. There's 35 games or so left. Best thing to do is let Read try and find his game, in my opinion of course.

I honestly didn't expect much more than he has shown.
- BiggE

For JVR? He definetly should expect much more than he has shown.

The particular columnist who wrote that piece today is practically a house writer for the Pittsburgh sports teams and he is pandering to the inferiority complex people in Western PA have with the Eastern part of the state.

He and his work are best ignored.

If he really wants to look at why the Pens lost, he could look at the fact that they couldn't capitalize on the power play despite having two of the 5 best players in the world on their team.
- johndewar

Yeah.. I didn't post the link becasue it's written to get clicks not to be balanced or accurate.

Firstly Rinaldo is a tool who should be gone ! He's not worth the drama ! It was nice to see the Flyers put a beat down on the whining Pens team. Maybe Sill next time can take on a fighter, and not a finesse player. You stay cowardly Sill. Bobby Farnham? LMAO. Brought up for this game and got pounded for his effort. I will give him credit for not taking a cheap shot at Bellemare..Downie should have "Everlast" tattood on his forehead for the beating he takes.

To all the pathetic and whining Penguins fans, who cry about the Flyers being dirty... Firstly, learn the game ! Secondly, Where were you trolls when Neal was flying around with his elbows? Cindy slashing people's wrists? Yeah thought so, hiding ! You pens fans, FOR YEARS, have whined about "Broad Street Bullies" this and that and this and that. Who has the most penalty minutes, and fighting majors? Your Penguins! Funny how I dont hear this Broad Street Bullies cries anymore. So typical Pittsburgh fans, not all mind you, but the trolls who frequent flyer forums thinking their hardcore

That's how you lose games, and potentially make an injury worse.
- wolfhounds

Not all the time, especially if a less then 100% Matt Read is still better then any of the alternatives. If by playing Read could've made the injury worse or risked further damage, they would've shut him down.

Yeah.. I didn't post the link becasue it's written to get clicks not to be balanced or accurate.
- Hextall271

I had a much harsher assessment of that columnist written, but some might have found it distasteful.

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

They can't put Powe in there. He doesn't have a contract but there are other players they could have recalled and given that shot while Read got treatment and rest.

You're right, I am just giving my opinion. The Flyers management and players do not have the mindset that they don't have a legitimate shot at getting back in again, and I agree with them in that. However unrealistic that may be. There's 35 games or so left. Best thing to do is let Read try and find his game, in my opinion of course.
- MJL

They have let Read try and find his game and it hasn't work. That of course isn't my opinion. That is a fact. Not at any point in the last 3 months has Read even looked like he was close to finding his game. And if the Flyers management really thought this team still has a shot at the playoffs I would think sitting Read for a few would be in the cards because he is not helping the cause. Not even close.