Crosby has caused more injuries with dirty plays than Rinaldo has in the last two years. He just got away with slashing the **** out of Giroux's wrists because the refs were too chicken to call him for a penalty.
- Feanor

im not going to say crosby is an angel. but the preferential treatment claims are grossly overstated anymore.

i would never question asham's toughness, but in that instance i do think he crossed the line. honestly, rinaldo is annoying as hell, and i just cant do anything but laugh when people try to convince me he is some sort of skilled nhler, but he actually isnt really THAT dirty.

but yeah, there arent a lot out there, which i am fine with. even some of the older stalwarts of the fighting guard at least used to have an unwritten code, in which they would at least square off against each other. to me, those guys typically just make for brutal hockey to watch if they arent fighting, but at least they saved it for each other and they knew what they were getting in to.

my issue is when say lower skill player X takes dirty liberties with finesse star Y. and im not talking about good physical d either, as i realize that is really the only way to effectively take guys like crosby and giroux off of their game. it is the dirty stuff and post whistle stuff that upsets me. the star has no winnable situation. either take it, risk injury and be branded a wussy, or play along and go to the box. to me, the game is a better overall product when each team's premier skill guys are on the ice
- stayinthefnnet

Here is my take on Rinaldo. He is a great skater. A very good fighter. He does have skills with the puck, and I think will develop in a decent 3rd or 4th line player.

As for his reputation. I believe 100% Rinaldo goes out every shift with the intent to hurt someone. But I also believe that 99% of the time they are legal hits, and those hits take a toll on him as much as the other guys he hits. I can see why oposing teams hate him, but he isn't like Kaleta or Cooke who play mega dirty games.

I thought Laughton was good at the dot?
- JAKEw1234

61.1% last season in Oshawa

ugh. now were going to test all of this good will i see haha
- stayinthefnnet

Crosby's dirty because the refs let him get away with it. I can't fault him as much as the refs. If they stop letting him get away with it, he'll stop. I'd expect every player to do the same.

ugh. now were going to test all of this good will i see haha
- stayinthefnnet

He is right. Crosby is dirty. So is Briere, and I can admit it. Can you admit Crosby is dirty?

VINNY VINNY VINNY!
- 2Real

Dallas Dallas Dallas

Peter Mueller not tendered a QO.

Nodl and Pither, too.

Dallas Dallas Dallas
- nonpoint22

no need vinny unless we're going to 1st overall next year

im not going to say crosby is an angel. but the preferential treatment claims are grossly overstated anymore.
- stayinthefnnet

i disagree, i still think he gets 'jordan rules' in his favor. also, there's no denying that both he and malkin slashed the s out of g's wrists without mercy, and got away with it scott free

I thought Laughton was good at the dot?
- JAKEw1234

He might be but couturier was none to be a good faceoff man in junior and wasn't too bad his rookie season as a flyer but that second season was bad by a number of flyers except Giroux. What if we have a repeat with Laughton's inexperience added to the problem. My attitude is a rookie is a rookie. I wanna win one for Kimmo Timonen.

I'm sorry, what classifies Scott Laughton as ready? MJL's word?

I will look no further the Claude Giroux. He played to emergency call up games. The following season didn't look good in camp. In fact he was "a lock" and Steve Downie played light years better. McGinn or Cousins could come in and simply be better.

Brayden Schenn also had his issues making the Kings line up a few times. I wouldn't exactly say his first camp here went smoothly. You could say it was a financial thing no more a play issue during preseason games but Couturier surprisingly found a home here over Schenn.

Couturier might be the only player who has come right out of camp in recent years but he could be lightning in a bottle himself.
- dingo8urbaby

What classifies Laughton as ready, is that he looked like he could play in the NHL last year. He didn't look out of place. He has played 3 Junior Seasons. Going back to play as an overager, against players younger then he is isn't going to do much for him. As well as all indications are, that the Flyers feel he's ready also.

I just wiped a tear from my eye. I wish we could all fly spaceships as well...
- FlyersGrace

You didn't hear? Those are time machines.

That's a major oversimplification. Teams have turnover and need to fill key roster positions, it's just reality. I'm not going to crucify the Flyers for not having their starter nailed down in the period between buying out Bryzgalov and the start of free agency.
- BulliesPhan87

Not to mention that the Season doesn't start until October.

Peter Mueller not tendered a QO.

Nodl and Pither, too.
- Tomahawk

Your kidding? As great as Nodl is? So let me get this right. Randy Jones and Andreas Nodl are having trouble finding work? No, I cannot believe that for one second.

Not sure anyone is crucifying the Flyers. I think the entire Bryzgalov fiasco has left a little yolk on the brows, and omelettes on the suites of Flyers brass.
- PLindbergh31

I think the Flyers brass has moved on, and is focusing on the future.

The 4th Period reports that Giroux and Flyers could have an extension done by the end of the week, expected cap hit to be a bit over $7mm per

He is right. Crosby is dirty. So is Briere, and I can admit it. Can you admit Crosby is dirty?
- youarewrong

if we are using briere as a barometer, then yes i will concede that crosby is right around in that category. both crosby and briere do their fair share of penalties. and yeah, im sure once in a while crosby may get away with a hook or something of that nature. but i wouldnt put crosby or briere in the category in which i am referring to, which is guys like kaleta and the old matt cooke. (and yes i realize most of you will scoff at that distinction for cooke, but it is true)

but crosby and briere, they may be "dirty" in the sense that they commit infractions, but they are not of the elbowing, headhunting, charging variety

Peter Mueller not tendered a QO.

Nodl and Pither, too.
- Tomahawk

Nodl and Pither will look good on our second line with Newbury. He'll easily elevate their games. Pither is ready to break out, just look at his numbers in junior.

He is right. Crosby is dirty. So is Briere, and I can admit it. Can you admit Crosby is dirty?
- youarewrong

Almost all their stars, are dirty. Malkin is (although i just think he's as slow as he looks) and Neal well he's probably the worse of the 3.

The 4th Period reports that Giroux and Flyers could have an extension done by the end of the week, expected cap hit to be a bit over $7mm per
- Jsaquella

Called it. I said between 7-7.5.

The 4th Period reports that Giroux and Flyers could have an extension done by the end of the week, expected cap hit to be a bit over $7mm per
- Jsaquella

great!

61.1% last season in Oshawa
- ob18

beast

i disagree, i still think he gets 'jordan rules' in his favor. also, there's no denying that both he and malkin slashed the s out of g's wrists without mercy, and got away with it scott free
- flyerscup2011

giroux is not a saint either. him and crosby are both more alike, in both skill level and personality, than anyone on either fanbase side will care to admit.

and for all of the jordan rules in his favor, crosby was routinely mauled during the bruins series to little to no penalties called by the refs. (not that it would have mattered anyway, because the pens PP couldnt have scored in a whorehouse with a pocket full of hundreds, but still.)

and for the record, i find malkin harder to defend as far as dirtiness goes. more of his actions are of the kind that could lead to injury, regardless of penalty or not

Here is my take on Rinaldo. He is a great skater. A very good fighter. He does have skills with the puck, and I think will develop in a decent 3rd or 4th line player.

As for his reputation. I believe 100% Rinaldo goes out every shift with the intent to hurt someone. But I also believe that 99% of the time they are legal hits, and those hits take a toll on him as much as the other guys he hits. I can see why oposing teams hate him, but he isn't like Kaleta or Cooke who play mega dirty games.
- youarewrong

I disagree completely that Rinaldo goes out every shift with the intent to hurt someone. He goes out every shift with the intent to play a physical game, get in on the forecheck, and help the team win in any way he can. But he is not trying to injure other players. That's ridiculous.

The Flyers have little to some interest. I don't believe they would sign him for his asking price.

Holmgren has bigger fish to fry.
- stveshdy

Speaking of Defense. Somebody (maybe it was Garth) said Elder to buff. Elder was available what could the. Flyers through at them... Maybe take Luongo (since no one else will - allowing them to start fresh) and Elder. Obviously it would have to be enough salary to balance.