Maybe. But part of Rinaldo's game is walking that fine line. He's an asset to the team when he's playing that way. Which is why he's a 4th line winger; you don't want him out there more than he has to be when you're protecting a 1-goal lead. You want him out there to get some momentum and maybe rattle a few bodies in the first and second. Which does not make him a bad player, but a different player.
- jmatchett383

I agree, but he needs to recognize time and place. There will be times when he needs to play in the 3rd period of a close game. Maybe only a few shifts, but in those situations just play a little more conservative.

Comparing Rinaldo to Dustin Brown now. Sound logic.
- PLindbergh31

You missed the point. There was no comparison made between Rinaldo and Brown. Brown was used to make a point that just because a player has a high hit total. doesn't automatically mean that player is playing a lot of shifts where his line doesn't possess the puck.

I don't want to speak for PLind, but I think he is maybe comparing how Nodl was viewed here on this forum to how Raffl is seen.

There were several who thought Nodl was going to pan out to be a solid NHL player and others didn't see his value. There were numerous arguments over Nodl.

I think people are seeing the same thing with Raffl, some like him and some think he is worthless.

It is kind of early for these labels. I really like what I've seen from Raffl so far and think he could have a role as a secondary player on this team.
- Marc D

Also, I think PLind was making an Ace Ventura joke.

As long as that trashcan crashes the net, like healthcare.gov
- jmatchett383

FTFY

So you're saying you'd trade Hartnell for Hossa or Kane? And Schenn for Keith or Seabrook?
Blasphemy!
- jmatchett383

I'd like to see Schenn develop before selling low on him!

Those teams have quite a bit of depth as well. I'd like to have a lot of the things Chicago and Boston have.

We have better sandwiches though.
- PhillySportsGuy

Even elite teams like the Pens have trouble icing a competent 4th line.
The had Engelland playing forward when they played the Flyers, and IIRC, he had a golden scoring opportunity that he messed up in that game (or maybe Mason made a great save).

I guess it doesn't matter when Crosby is getting 2-3 points every night what your 4th line looks like on the Pens.

That's just extremely lazy comparison. 'Yes, let's just compare this Austrian with the only other Austrian that has suited up for the Flyers'...
- PhillySteen

Ok. Raffl is Renberg, Renberg is Raffl. Better?

I don't want to speak for PLind, but I think he is maybe comparing how Nodl was viewed here on this forum to how Raffl is seen.

There were several who thought Nodl was going to pan out to be a solid NHL player and others didn't see his value. There were numerous arguments over Nodl.

I think people are seeing the same thing with Raffl, some like him and some think he is worthless.

It is kind of early for these labels. I really like what I've seen from Raffl so far and think he could have a role as a secondary player on this team.
- Marc D

The only comparison I see to Nodl is that they're Austrian. They took totally different routes to the NHL, and Nodl was notorious for not being able to finish his chances over the course of a season. Raffl's played 5 games. Raffl is also a faster skater and a better passer than Nodl.

As long as that trashcan crashes the net.
- jmatchett383

Agree, and I think Raffl is not afraid to do that...and neither was McGinn...so I don't see a REAL problem with who is on that wing based on their choices...

I don't think the hits are meaningless at all. But he negates them by taking dumb penalties. He was improving in that area, but he has regressed. Can't have a guy who plays 5 minutes a game taking a few minor penalties. It totally defeats the purpose of dressing him.
- PLindbergh31

He's had a couple of bad games lately. But if you include last Season and most games this Season, he has been disciplined.

FTFY
- youarewrong

really? REALLY?

The only comparison I see to Nodl is that they're Austrian. They took totally different routes to the NHL, and Nodl was notorious for not being able to finish his chances over the course of a season. Raffl's played 5 games. Raffl is also a faster skater and a better passer than Nodl.
- jmatchett383

Nodl also came over as an offensive player. He needed to learn how to play better defensively. Raffl is already a solid two-way player.

I agree, but he needs to recognize time and place. There will be times when he needs to play in the 3rd period of a close game. Maybe only a few shifts, but in those situations just play a little more conservative.
- PhillySportsGuy

Absolutely. If he can take 3-4 30-second shifts, still be physical but maybe reel it back a little bit that would be okay. But I don't expect him to try to be Couturier out there. Just get the puck, move it up and either pass or dump it in, forecheck with a little restraint, come to bench for change.

The only comparison I see to Nodl is that they're Austrian. They took totally different routes to the NHL, and Nodl was notorious for not being able to finish his chances over the course of a season. Raffl's played 5 games. Raffl is also a faster skater and a better passer than Nodl.
- jmatchett383

Nodl came to North America to play College Hockey whereas Raffl has been playing professionally for awhile now, I think.

The only comparison I see to Nodl is that they're Austrian. They took totally different routes to the NHL, and Nodl was notorious for not being able to finish his chances over the course of a season. Raffl's played 5 games. Raffl is also a faster skater and a better passer than Nodl.
- jmatchett383

Raffl also makes better struedel than Nodl.

Absolutely. If he can take 3-4 30-second shifts, still be physical but maybe reel it back a little bit that would be okay. But I don't expect him to try to be Couturier out there. Just get the puck, move it up and either pass or dump it in, forecheck with a little restraint, come to bench for change.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. He can't give the referee any reason to penalize him because they watch him like a hawk.

really? REALLY?
- jmatchett383

Come on. Even you had to chuckle at that one...

Raffl also makes better struedel than Nodl.
- PLindbergh31

Raffl also makes better struedel than Nodl.
- PLindbergh31

I actually laughed out loud at this comment. People in my office are staring at me.

Nodl came to North America to play College Hockey whereas Raffl has been playing professionally for awhile now, I think.
- johndewar

Yep. Raffl played in Austria for a few years then Sweden's....whatever the division below the SEL is called (Allekevsan or something).

He's had a couple of bad games lately. But if you include last Season and most games this Season, he has been disciplined.
- MJL

Ok. He's had some undisciplined games lately. He's a 4th line player. Where is the accountability? You were big on criticizing Laviolette for not holding players accountable.

Come on. Even you had to chuckle at that one...
- youarewrong

BECAUSE OBAMA'S A HORRIBLE COMPUTER PROGRAMMER!
AMIRITE!?

I actually laughed out loud at this comment. People in my office are staring at me.
- PhillySportsGuy

Read the post out loud to them and report their reaction, please.

Raffl also makes better struedel than Nodl.
- PLindbergh31

link?

Ok. He's had some undisciplined games lately. He's a 4th line player. Where is the accountability? You were big on criticizing Laviolette for not holding players accountable.
- PLindbergh31

So you WANT them to dress Rosehill over Rinaldo?