this would be my preference

McGinn could play with G and Vinnie,

or have G center Harts and Vinnie and McGinn plays with Jake and Schenn
- Marc D

It's been said ad nauseam Rosehill is a waste of time, and although Rinaldo is an energy guy that skates pretty well, all he provides is hitting people as a result of his line never possessing the puck when he's on the ice. Oh... he provides dumb penalties as well, can't leave that out.

I see it the same as you, and I think Berube has a pretty good feel for his players and their roles, so we'll see.
- Marc D

BAD TOUCH!

Yeah it's been that kinda day.

I really, really want them to win tonight.

Hertl was one of the highest ranked prospects in the world before this season... you need to put the pipe down.
- Tomahawk

I'm not even going to respond now.

Less than zero sense. Using a player who may not even be an NHL caliber guy on the top line is beyond dumb.
- PLindbergh31

Ducks have had success doing it for the past 2-3 seasons... Matt Beleskey, Maroon, Palmieri, and Bonino have all taken turns riding the Getz/Perry gravy train... 1st-lines typically see less difficult defensive situations and are usually don't go head-to-head against the other team's top forwards, so it's not the worst place to hide Raffl if you're forced to have him in the lineup.

Hertl was one of the highest ranked prospects in the world before this season... you need to put the pipe down.
- Tomahawk

Raffl is Nodl, Nodl is Raffl.

this would be my preference

McGinn could play with G and Vinnie,

or have G center Harts and Vinnie and McGinn plays with Jake and Schenn
- Marc D

They really should just keep it the way it is for now. Each line has good balance in terms of puck handling, shooting, size, skating and two-way play.

Ducks have had success doing it for the past 2-3 seasons... Matt Beleskey, Maroon, Palmieri, and Bonino have all taken turns riding the Getz/Perry gravy train... 1st-lines typically see less difficult defensive situations and are usually don't go head-to-head against the other team's top forwards, so it's not the worst place to hide Raffl if you're forced to have him in the lineup.
- Tomahawk

That is certainly a fair point. I just think when you have a player who is offensively challenged playing with your high skilled guys it brings them down.

It's been said ad nauseam Rosehill is a waste of time, and although Rinaldo is an energy guy that skates pretty well, all he provides is hitting people as a result of his line never possessing the puck when he's on the ice. Oh... he provides dumb penalties as well, can't leave that out.
- PLindbergh31

How many 4th lines on NHL teams posess the puck a lot, and contribute significant offense to their teams?

That is certainly a fair point. I just think when you have a player who is offensively challenged playing with your high skilled guys it brings them down.
- PLindbergh31

Raffle made a nice little pass to get Lecavalier the puck on his 2nd goal.

Hemsky is a UFA with quite a hefty contract for his production. Unless something else is coming back, no way you give up Coburn or Simmonds.

I would think about Hemsky and Nurse for Coburn and a pick though.
- youarewrong

We got Coburn near the height of his trade value for just Zhitnik... and you think you're going to get a top-six forward AND a blue-chip D prospect for him today, after his offensive upside has finally proven out to be nonexistent?

That is certainly a fair point. I just think when you have a player who is offensively challenged playing with your high skilled guys it brings them down.
- PLindbergh31

Give the kid some time, he's played a handful of games in North America, I'm not sure we can write the book on him just yet. And speaking of offensively challenged, that would be G, Jake, Hartnell, etc.

How many 4th lines on NHL teams posess the puck a lot, and contribute significant offense to their teams?
- MJL

Every 4th line that plays against the Flyers 4th line.

Ducks have had success doing it for the past 2-3 seasons... Matt Beleskey, Maroon, Palmieri, and Bonino have all taken turns riding the Getz/Perry gravy train... 1st-lines typically see less difficult defensive situations and are usually don't go head-to-head against the other team's top forwards, so it's not the worst place to hide Raffl if you're forced to have him in the lineup.
- Tomahawk

Exactly, and in Maroon's case, the first or second line is the ONLY place you can play him. His only real asset is his combo of hands and size. He's a below-average skater, below average defensively and has never been in great condition (although he's improved that quite a bit over the years).

Ducks have had success doing it for the past 2-3 seasons... Matt Beleskey, Maroon, Palmieri, and Bonino have all taken turns riding the Getz/Perry gravy train... 1st-lines typically see less difficult defensive situations and are usually don't go head-to-head against the other team's top forwards, so it's not the worst place to hide Raffl if you're forced to have him in the lineup.
- Tomahawk

So far, from what I've seen, Raffl deserves to be in the lineup.

How many 4th lines on NHL teams posess the puck a lot, and contribute significant offense to their teams?
- MJL

Several teams have good puck possession 4th lines. Boston is probably the best example. They get the puck, get it in deep and work the puck around/cycle. Not generally ones that generate a high % of offense, but definitely players capable of gaining and sustaining puck possession.

That is certainly a fair point. I just think when you have a player who is offensively challenged playing with your high skilled guys it brings them down.
- PLindbergh31

He's not going to be driving play on the line, but I don't think he's unskilled enough to be a complete anchor either. At least it's not Rinaldo or Talbot on the top line.

Give the kid some time, he's played a handful of games in North America, I'm not sure we can write the book on him just yet. And speaking of offensively challenged, that would be G, Jake, Hartnell, etc.
- wolfhounds

I'm not saying Raffl isn't an NHL player, my point is I think we all agree he's not a first line type talent.

Every 4th line that plays against the Flyers 4th line.
- PLindbergh31

Is there any statisitical evidence that backs that up?

Every 4th line that plays against the Flyers 4th line.
- PLindbergh31

We got Coburn near the height of his trade value for just Zhitnik... and you think you're going to get a top-six forward AND a blue-chip D prospect for him today, after his offensive upside has finally proven out to be nonexistent?
- Tomahawk

Leads the Flyers defense in goals and the team in GWG. Not the best sample, but just sayin...

He's not going to be driving play on the line, but I don't think he's unskilled enough to be a complete anchor either. At least it's not Rinaldo or Talbot on the top line.
- Tomahawk

Talbot does have a 19 goal NHL season on his resume. Not sure Raffl ever approaches that. But I understand where you are coming from. We know Max isn't a first line player.

Several teams have good puck possession 4th lines. Boston is probably the best example. They get the puck, get it in deep and work the puck around/cycle. Not generally ones that generate a high % of offense, but definitely players capable of gaining and sustaining puck possession.
- jmatchett383

I think Rinaldo and Talbot are certainly good 4th line players. If they could add a guy like Lappy, I would be more than satisfied with the 4th line.

Rosehill isn't the reason the team is 3-7, but he's certainly not worthy of a starting spot IMO.

I'm not saying Raffl isn't an NHL player, my point is I think we all agree he's not a first line type talent.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think it's a knock on Raffl to point out that it would be better to have a more experienced talent on that line. Raffl's been in North America for roughly 5 minutes.

Raffl's done some good stuff so far and that's great. I look forward to watching him grow as a player.

But the fact that he's on the first line right now speaks to a talent deficit, IMO.

Leads the Flyers defense in goals and the team in GWG. Not the best sample, but just sayin...
- jmatchett383

If the Oilers, for some unexplained reason, are willing to just trade Coburn for Nurse straight up, I will DRIVE Coburn to Edmonton.

Is there any statisitical evidence that backs that up?
- MJL

Yeah. How is Rinaldo among the leaders in hits per minute? Is he running around hitting guys when the Flyers have control of the puck?