When he was able to use it accurately, he had a decent shot from the point. Would've been nice to have his overtime goal scoring magic.
- BulliesPhan87

He also brought a lot of energy to when he was on his game. Would have loved to have that too.

Absolutely.
- Jsaquella

Voracek getting Kronwalled is timely again since Fraser's comments were posted just last night.

Ah, nevermind. Have a good day everybody, and enjoy the game tonight. Go Flyers!

They had a spot pretty much locked up awhile ago. But they were anointed as the Atlantic champs and 1st seed in the East about a month ago, which was dumb.
- Jsaquella

As we have seen in all of sports, as long as you make it to the dance...

As for the anointed ones...we shall see

Their record vs playoff teams of late is terrible..
- jak521

3-7 to be exact.

If I remember correctly it was a cap move wasn't it?
- RooNosHockey

Basically, yes. It gave the room to recall Giroux for the stretch and playoffs. But they traded Upshall and a second for Carcillo. Just too many assets given up.

Voracek getting Kronwalled is timely again since Fraser's comments were posted just last night.

Ah, nevermind. Have a good day everybody, and enjoy the game tonight. Go Flyers!
- tangent_man

I'm just joking. My opinion on the hit isn't changed by Fraser's post, although I respect his opinion and think he'd be perfect to replace Shanahan in a few years after the stress of the job gives him a twitchy eye and lower back pain.

I guess this is what I was trying to say... Not downgrading Mesz, but with Kubina and Grossmann it hurts a lot less. As long as there are no more injuries on defense, you might not even notice too much...

But that brings up the questions... Lilja or Gus in the playoffs?
- RooNosHockey

I'd say if Lilja keeps playing we when he gets back, then him. Rather have the veteran if he is playing well enough.

He's a little guy, who plays a hard nosed game. That leads to injuries. I don't especially mind that they traded him, just don't like the trade they made when they did move him.
- Jsaquella

He's not that little... 6' and 200 lbs. Rinaldo is 5'11" at 169 lbs (just for comparison).

I'd say if Lilja keeps playing we when he gets back, then him. Rather have the veteran if he is playing well enough.
- funmaster18

Yea, and he adds that physical presence, and will drop the gloves if push comes to punches....

He's not that little... 6' and 200 lbs. Rinaldo is 5'11" at 169 lbs (just for comparison).
- leon neon

True, but Upshall played liked he was 6'2" 225. He is injury prone, there's no question, but it's not because he's fragile.


Rinaldo isn't human That's the only explanation I have. He hits like a truck for such a small guy

Yea, and he adds that physical presence, and will drop the gloves if push comes to punches....
- RooNosHockey

Absolutely. He also looks like he's had some extra snarl in his game lately. I like going with guys that have that extra something this time of year.

Did you guys see the Rangers-Jersey opener last night...

I say when we play the rag dolls we do the same thing... Piss off Torts from the start...

Shelly-Simmonds-Rinaldo
Coburn-Lilja

Does anyone know if Grossmann fights... He looks like a mean SOB that could handle himself in a tussle....

NVM... He as 2 NHL fights and someone said, "its not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, and Grossmann fights like a Chihuahua."

Now I assume that person never had a Chihuahua like I do, but the point is still there lol....

I guess this is what I was trying to say... Not downgrading Mesz, but with Kubina and Grossmann it hurts a lot less. As long as there are no more injuries on defense, you might not even notice too much...

But that brings up the questions... Lilja or Gus in the playoffs?
- RooNosHockey

Lilja, without a second thought.

Gus hasn't played that great lately. He's made some very solid plays, but I have seen him caught flat footed and unsure quite a bit as well. He's basically going through what 90% of rookies do. Lilja is not on par with Meszaros or Grossmann or Coburn, but he is a veteran who isn't going to be fazed by playing in the playoffs.

Basically, yes. It gave the room to recall Giroux for the stretch and playoffs. But they traded Upshall and a second for Carcillo. Just too many assets given up.
- Jsaquella

Wasn't Upshall at the time going to be a UFA or RFA? And, they believe that they were not going to be able to resign him in the off-season. My guess is that they had their eye on Carcillo. The second was a little much.

I looked up the second round pick... Lucas Lessio / Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (hockey future) playing in the CHL.

Did you guys see the Rangers-Jersey opener last night...

I say when we play the rag dolls we do the same thing... Piss off Torts from the start...

Shelly-Simmonds-Rinaldo
Coburn-Lilja

Does anyone know if Grossmann fights... He looks like a mean SOB that could handle himself in a tussle....
- RooNosHockey

That was the stupidest thing I have seen. Yes, the fights were entertaining, but what's the point? Win the game, no need for the sideshow bullpoop

He also brought a lot of energy to when he was on his game. Would have loved to have that too.
- funmaster18

+1

Wasn't Upshall at the time going to be a UFA or RFA? And, they believe that they were not going to be able to resign him in the off-season. My guess is that they had their eye on Carcillo. The second was a little much.

I looked up the second round pick... Lucas Lessio / Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (hockey future) playing in the CHL.
- leon neon

ps. We had a pick early in the 3rd round just a few past the second rounder that we gave up... We took Nick Cousins with the 3rd, and my guess is that we would have taken Nick at the 2nd round spot.

That was the stupidest thing I have seen. Yes, the fights were entertaining, but what's the point? Win the game, no need for the sideshow bullpoop
- Jsaquella

Did you see how pissed it got Torts? Thats the point. Throw the coach off his game. It didn't really help in the NJ game, but every advantage is key...

Wasn't Upshall at the time going to be a UFA or RFA? And, they believe that they were not going to be able to resign him in the off-season. My guess is that they had their eye on Carcillo. The second was a little much.

I looked up the second round pick... Lucas Lessio / Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (hockey future) playing in the CHL.
- leon neon

If it was Upshall for Carcillo straight up, I'd have no problem with the trade.

Did you see how pissed it got Torts? Thats the point. Throw the coach off his game. It didn't really help in the NJ game, but every advantage is key...
- RooNosHockey

Torts seems to do a better job when he's pissed off.

Did you guys see the Rangers-Jersey opener last night...

I say when we play the rag dolls we do the same thing... Piss off Torts from the start...

Shelly-Simmonds-Rinaldo
Coburn-Lilja

Does anyone know if Grossmann fights... He looks like a mean SOB that could handle himself in a tussle....

NVM... He as 2 NHL fights and someone said, "its not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, and Grossmann fights like a Chihuahua."

Now I assume that person never had a Chihuahua like I do, but the point is still there lol....
- RooNosHockey

Well, he willingly took on George Parros. He didn't win, but he didn't back down either.

If it was Upshall for Carcillo straight up, I'd have no problem with the trade.
- Jsaquella

I agree the Flyers dropped the ball... It would have been better to just put Upshall on Waivers and not get Carcillo, then to give up a second with Upshall...

That was the stupidest thing I have seen. Yes, the fights were entertaining, but what's the point? Win the game, no need for the sideshow bullpoop
- Jsaquella

Didn't see it. Was it staged fight off the opening face off?

Grossmann thumped Cody McCormick in this fight...

very true...I don't want to rehash things but I like Fraser's perspective although I wasn't really a fan of his during his days as a ref.
What he outlined is what I've been saying the last couple of years.

If the NHL has a lockout...as much as I'm very passionate about this sport, it may be time to move on...we shall see...(this is in reference to someone posting about canceling their NHL cable channel).
- phi1671

I liked Fraser. No referee is perfect (hey, it's a tough job), but seeing a guy like Auger calling a game sure makes you wish Kerry were still donning the stripes.

As for a lockout or cancelling the NHL Network, it'd suck. I'd still end up tuning in for the Flyers, though.