It's an odd feeling seeing a Flyer's defenseman with the puck and being confident he is typically going to create some sort of creative play offensively. He carries the puck through the neutral zone with such confidence as well.
- kcm57

You can also see that the healthy scratches were an effective method, albeit a bit too long for me. For example, last night I saw him take the puck into the Ozone on the left side boards; however, there was no forward support nearby. Instead of trying to keep the play alive, he casually flipped the puck behind the net and got back to his defensive postition. I know it's a little thing, but it was the best play he could make.

Rinaldo (before getting tossed) was playing a regular shift due to injuries, on a line with Raffl and Simmonds. How you could put him on a line with those 2 is beyond me. At least White can play SOME hockey.
- jmatchett383

Let's hope Berube can see this. That is the question

This season. Probably. If we can dump Umberger and/or Vinny. I can see him being a mainstay on the 4th line next season. Which I think is good. VDV seems to be a good player for the 4th also.
- GOA88

Is Vinny driving that line though? making VDV and PEB better?

VDV is having success, but I'm not sure how. He's very opportunistic, I guess, because if you just watch him, he doesn't look to be very good at all.
- jmatchett383

I mean... for a 4th liner. He brings speed, size, physicality and the occasional goal. He is'nt a blackhole on defense either. Is he a "good" hockey player? By NHL standards... not really. For the 4th line I think he serves his purpose though.....Play minimal minutes and dont cost your team the game, provide energy.

Is Vinny driving that line though? making VDV and PEB better?
- nails

You know, I was thinking about that last night. Probably. I wouldnt doubt it.

VDV is having success, but I'm not sure how. He's very opportunistic, I guess, because if you just watch him, he doesn't look to be very good at all.
- jmatchett383

He's pretty good in traffic and the dirty areas. Bellemare really paces that line with his 200 ft play, once they can get in on the forecheck they're effective.

You know, I was thinking about that last night. Probably. I wouldnt doubt it.
- GOA88

you have to think that the D focuses on vinny and pays less attention to the other two

Is Vinny driving that line though? making VDV and PEB better?
- nails

PEB makes that line go IMO

He's pretty good in traffic and the dirty areas. Bellemare really paces that line with his 200 ft play, once they can get in on the forecheck they're effective.
- Just5

Agree, I think it's Bellemare that drives the line. Vinny's not a very effective NZ/DZ guy, but he can be dangerous in the OZ. But most of the legwork is done by PEB & VDV

PEB makes that line go IMO
- Just5

Vinny has actually been pretty good lately. The scoresheet doesnt show it but he has been very noticeable. He is also playing the RW..... Not his natural position.

More then sending him down?

I guess you could send him to Edmonton. That might make him see how good he had it.
- J35Bacher

I think sending him down would be an appropiate mesage.

Is Vinny driving that line though? making VDV and PEB better?
- nails

I don't think he is any more than PEB or VDV are. The line as a whole is very good in the cycle game, getting pucks back to the defensemen, and getting to the net for point shots. If the two defensemen on the play can get the puck to the net consistently I can see the line having continued success.

I don't think you're ever going to see cross ice saucer passes on the tape for top-shelf one-timers. But they find a way to put up points.

I mean... for a 4th liner. He brings speed, size, physicality and the occasional goal. He is'nt a blackhole on defense either. Is he a "good" hockey player? By NHL standards... not really. For the 4th line I think he serves his purpose though.....Play minimal minutes and dont cost your team the game, provide energy.
- GOA88

He's a warm body that won't (generally) cost you. More than that, I think the offense is a bonus past 3-4 goals.

I think sending him down would be an appropiate mesage.
- MJL

Can the Flyers demote him directly to the ECHL if they wanted to?

Agree, I think it's Bellemare that drives the line. Vinny's not a very effective NZ/DZ guy, but he can be dangerous in the OZ. But most of the legwork is done by PEB & VDV
- Jsaquella

Actually Lecavalier has been doing a solid job as the 3rd man high, and backchecking, as well as playing solidly in the defensive zone. He has adjusted his game to be a better fit for the situation he is in.

I think sending him down would be an appropiate mesage.
- MJL

Rinaldo: "You're my idol, I try and play like you."
Lindros: "Ummm, thanks kid...."

Are the Flyers able to send a player from the Flyers directly to the ECHL? I'm not sure how that process works. Can players on 2-wat NHL contracts be sent to the ECHL?
- jmatchett383

Not sure about that.

Agree, I think it's Bellemare that drives the line. Vinny's not a very effective NZ/DZ guy, but he can be dangerous in the OZ. But most of the legwork is done by PEB & VDV
- Jsaquella

Love PEB. That guy is skating hard all the time. When they get in the OZ the whole line is good

I would like the message to read: Please never come back.
- Gandhi

PEB makes that line go IMO
- Just5

The whole team is benefitting from the added puck moving on the blue line. It gets hairy at times they can get hemmed in, but the flyers are winning more races in their own end and executing the breakout with more precision. That's in direct relation to the dmen that aren't playing right now

The whole team is benefitting from the added puck moving on the blue line. It gets hairy at times they can get hemmed in, but the flyers are winning more races in their own end and executing the breakout with more precision. That's in direct relation to the dmen that aren't playing right now
- Just5

So, when healthy, you'd leave Coliacovo in over Coburn?

The whole team is benefitting from the added puck moving on the blue line. It gets hairy at times they can get hemmed in, but the flyers are winning more races in their own end and executing the breakout with more precision. That's in direct relation to the dmen that aren't playing right now
- Just5

I think if Timonen can get in game shape, he can help out in that area.

If the Flyers want Timonen, Coburn, and Grossmann in the linup when they're healthy, that means 3 defenseman who are currently playing, need to come out of the lineup. One will be Colaiacovo. That means that 2 defenseman who don't deserve to come out of the lineup, will have to come out. Barring any trades.

I think if Timonen can get in game shape, he can help out in that area.

If the Flyers want Timonen, Coburn, and Grossmann in the linup when they're healthy, that means 3 defenseman who are currently playing, need to come out of the lineup. One will be Colaiacovo. That means that 2 defenseman who don't deserve to come out of the lineup, will have to come out. Barring any trades.
- MJL

There will be trades. IF those guys are all back. There better be .

I think if Timonen can get in game shape, he can help out in that area.

If the Flyers want Timonen, Coburn, and Grossmann in the linup when they're healthy, that means 3 defenseman who are currently playing, need to come out of the lineup. One will be Colaiacovo. That means that 2 defenseman who don't deserve to come out of the lineup, will have to come out. Barring any trades.
- MJL

My guess is they would take out Colaiacovo, MDZ, and Schultz.

I would prefer if they trade AMAC for nothing and play MDZ/Schultz