Isn't Gus the 7th dman? Wouldn't he step in if there is an injury?
- PLindbergh31

I think that depends on which defenseman gets injured. If Grossmann goes down, Gill might be more likely to fill in than Gus

Gustafsson earned his spot due to his play in the past, and his future potential based on that, and you know what you're getting in Gill.
- MJL

I guess. Neither did anything I'd call "earning" the spot this preseason that I saw, though. In a not-so-incendiary way, that feels like getting the spot "by default" to me.

Actually, he's the perfect Penguin goalie.

Last 2 years regular season:
11/12 - 92.0 SV%, 2.49 GAA
12/13 - 92.0 SV%, 1.93 GAA

Last 2 years regular playoffs:
11/12 - 86.5 SV%, 4.34 GAA
12/13 - 83.8 SV%, 5.45 GAA
- jmatchett383

Seems like he could step right in.

Did I miss something? I don't remember Rosehill playing bad last season. Its not like throwing Shelly or Fedoruk out there. I think Rosehill-Hall-Rinaldo can be a very effective energy line.
- youarewrong

You forgot this?

So you're saying he could be the starting SS for the Phillies?
- jmatchett383

With a little less hustle in his game, it's possible.

I guess. Neither did anything I'd call "earning" the spot this preseason that I saw, though. In a not-so-incendiary way, that feels like getting the spot "by default" to me.
- BulliesPhan87

I think he was disappointing enough in what I saw of the preseason that they would have waived him and assigned him to the AHL if they thought he'd pass through. He has enough value that I doubt he'd make it through and the Flyers value him too much to risk it.

Did I miss something? I don't remember Rosehill playing bad last season. Its not like throwing Shelly or Fedoruk out there. I think Rosehill-Hall-Rinaldo can be a very effective energy line.
- youarewrong

I mostly agree, but that's a strictly 'five minutes or less' 4th line. Inoffensive, but not reliable for much except catching the other lines a breather.

That's Marv Albert
- Tomahawk

Yeah, I think I grabbed the wrong link there. Will have to go back an edit that. Sheesh...

I think he was disappointing enough in what I saw of the preseason that they would have waived him and assigned him to the AHL if they thought he'd pass through. He has enough value that I doubt he'd make it through and the Flyers value him too much to risk it.
- mayorofangrytown

They almost certainly would have lost him in waivers. Gus played really well down the stretch last year and in the Worlds, they weren't going to give up on him because of a couple shaky preseason games.

I think if Schenn continues to be invisible on the ice, I quickly switch him and Read positions, I can see Read doing really well With Vinny and Simmer. on 2nd line. This to me is Schenns make or break season.

I guess. Neither did anything I'd call "earning" the spot this preseason that I saw, though. In a not-so-incendiary way, that feels like getting the spot "by default" to me.
- BulliesPhan87

If they were handing out spots only to guys who "earned" them in preseason, I'd say this team would be short a few dozen players.

With that said, I don't mind Gill -- the one that still irks me is Streit, especially in light of Liles, a better player, on waivers for free (with a less-risky contract, no less), and guys like Whitney and Gilbert signing for $900k.

I think that depends on which defenseman gets injured. If Grossmann goes down, Gill might be more likely to fill in than Gus
- mcefalu

So there has to be tiers now to the Flyers 7th, 8th, 9th dmen?

My gosh, if anyone goes down Gus would be first up. Quite frankly if Meszaros keeps looking like a shell of himself I would expect Gus will be in there in short order.

If they were handing out spots only to guys who "earned" them in preseason, I'd say this team would be short a few dozen players.

With that said, I don't mind Gill -- the one that still irks me is Streit, especially in light of Liles, a better player, on waivers for free (with a less-risky contract, no less), and guys like Whitney and Gilbert signing for $900k.
- Tomahawk

He's still available.

Just call us.

Oh, please, just call us.

They almost certainly would have lost him in waivers. Gus played really well down the stretch last year and in the Worlds, they weren't going to give up on him because of a couple shaky preseason games.
- BiggE

Completely agree. I can't imagine they want him as the 7th defenseman though. If they could send him down without waivers I think that's where they'd prefer him right now.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Gervais is capable of being that guy. Does it kill the Flyers signing Gill? Not really, but there is zero need for him.
- PLindbergh31

You're right and I dunno the reason for preferring Gill over Gervais for that role.

They like Gill's leadership? Maybe he can house wayward young players, like Danny B? I dunno.

Yes, but not exactly a poster child for the type of "non-meathead" player you're talking about. Shore was a certifiable nut case.

From his wiki page:

"During their first practice with the Bruins, Shore strutted back and forth in front of Coutu and Cleghorn. Coutu body-slammed Shore, head-butted, elbowed, and tried to torment Shore. Coutu picked up the puck and made a rush at Shore. The two players collided. Shore held his ground and Coutu flew through the air violently crashing to the ice. Shore's ear was almost ripped off but he barely noticed it. Coutu was out cold and was out of commission for a week. Shore visited several doctors who wanted to amputate the ear, but found one who sewed it back on. After refusing anesthetic, Shore used a mirror to watch the doctor sew the ear on."
- BringBack25

He was certifiable, but he was also good at hockey.

The big guy who can't play hockey didn't really come around until the 90's, as skilled players were getting bigger and stronger. Not-so-smart teams would counter with bears on skates.

He's still available.

Just call us.

Oh, please, just call us.
- Atomic Wedgie

Streit for Liles, straight up?

So there has to be tiers now to the Flyers 7th, 8th, 9th dmen?

My gosh, if anyone goes down Gus would be first up. Quite frankly if Meszaros keeps looking like a shell of himself I would expect Gus will be in there in short order.
- PLindbergh31

Chelios would be nice in the 10th spot

Completely agree. I can't imagine they want him as the 7th defenseman though. If they could send him down without waivers I think that's where they'd prefer him right now.
- mayorofangrytown

Probably true, but if Mez struggles, Gus could be back in the lineup by game 2 or 3.

He was certifiable, but he was also good at hockey.

The big guy who can't play hockey didn't really come around until the 90's, as skilled players were getting bigger and stronger. Not-so-smart teams would counter with bears on skates.
- bradleyc4

Shore was a maniac, but he was also one of the best players of his era and one of the best defenseman of all time.

Chelios would be nice in the 10th spot
- funmaster18

I mean why not sign Ray Bourque as the 13th dman.

Probably true, but if Mez struggles, Gus could be back in the lineup by game 2 or 3.
- BiggE

I hope Mez gets back to his form after a few games. It would be nice if he can make homer's decision tough, plus it increased his value if they trade him anyway

He was certifiable, but he was also good at hockey.

The big guy who can't play hockey didn't really come around until the 90's, as skilled players were getting bigger and stronger. Not-so-smart teams would counter with bears on skates.
- bradleyc4

Definitely, I'd say the league wide proliferation of the big guy who can't play was in the '90's.

But if you can tell me what Dave Semenko did well when he played hockey in the '80's (other than protect Wayne Gretzky), I'll hang up and listen.

Gervais is capable of being that guy. Does it kill the Flyers signing Gill? Not really, but there is zero need for him.
- PLindbergh31

They probably want an option of a defenseman who is bigger and more physical then Gervais is. If you think about the future just a little bit, it'll give some insight into why they signed Gill.