Even if he lays him out with a clean it, what does that accomplish? I just don't understand his line of thinking there. It seems like he just wanted to add insult to injury or should I say injury to insult
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, that hit wasn't a smart play, in any way, shape, or form.

I like Rinaldo and have defended him, but that play is indefensible.

You can't give him more minutes. It's as simple as that.

The last 10 days or so, I really did think he had turned a corner and understood that if he just worked on his game, the things he does well, he could really be a 10-minute guy every night, maybe even 12-13.

But you can't do that with him. Because he just doesn't think the game well enough.

Buffalo'is playing out the string. They had little interest in playing last night, and little talent to work with. You didn't have to do much last night to win the game.

Zac Rinaldo finds a way, against a team that really had no real thoughts of winning the game, to give them a five-minute major PLUS multiple other power play opportunities with minor penalties -- why? Why, when your own team hasn't been scoring a ton, when you simply need two points against a team that is ready to give them to you...why?

Because he can't think the game well enough. You can't trick yourself into giving him more minutes. Because against a better team last night, Zac Rinaldo could've really effed things up, and 19 other guys don't deserve that.
- AllInForFlyers

Not to mention his horrible shot accuracy and the complete inability to win a board battle unless he crushes the defender. The only problem is. Who replaces him? Mcginn? Were screwed. I knew the flyers needed to pick up a fourth line player at the trade deadline.

Other than losing his mind in a 4-0 game, don't forget that Rinaldo took 3 offensive zone penalties as well.

Rinaldo does some nice things as far as energy and standing up for his teammates, but he simply can't be trusted in big games to play disciplined.

I guess if he's playing limited minutes on the 4th line it's not a huge deal, but he has no business playing a top 9 role.

Some of the calls against Rinaldo are "reputation" calls, but he's made his bed there, so it's not going to change.

Rinaldo's inability to avoid stupid penalties like last night is a primary reason that people argue that the Flyers need a better and more effective 4th line.

Not surprised that you have a nit to pick. Glad you got your argument out of the way early, now you can be on stand by for CBA questions, which is really the sole use you have.
- Jsaquella

Yikes

You can't give him more minutes. It's as simple as that.

The last 10 days or so, I really did think he had turned a corner and understood that if he just worked on his game, the things he does well, he could really be a 10-minute guy every night, maybe even 12-13.

But you can't do that with him. Because he just doesn't think the game well enough.

Buffalo'is playing out the string. They had little interest in playing last night, and little talent to work with. You didn't have to do much last night to win the game.

Zac Rinaldo finds a way, against a team that really had no real thoughts of winning the game, to give them a five-minute major PLUS multiple other power play opportunities with minor penalties -- why? Why, when your own team hasn't been scoring a ton, when you simply need two points against a team that is ready to give them to you...why?

Because he can't think the game well enough. You can't trick yourself into giving him more minutes. Because against a better team last night, Zac Rinaldo could've really effed things up, and 19 other guys don't deserve that.
- AllInForFlyers

I agree, leave Rinaldo in that 4th line spot. He is what he is. He's an effective physical player on the forecheck, and provides energy and gets under the opponents skin. Unfortunately, he does get some reputation calls, and occasionally loses discipline. He's plays on the edge.

Not to mention his horrible shot accuracy and the complete inability to win a board battle unless he crushes the defender. The only problem is. Who replaces him? Mcginn? Were screwed. I knew the flyers needed to pick up a fourth line player at the trade deadline.
- FlyersSteve118

See, the thing about Rinaldo last night is that the Buffalo guys, once Read scored...they knew what the deal was. They had, what, 10 or 11 shots after 30 minutes? They looked like they didn't really want to be there and couldn't score,even if they did.

But what happens if you piss them off after you head shot one of their guys in a meaningless game? What happens if Ted Nolan wakes up and says, "WTF...we're giving them two points and they still want to lay our guys out? John Scott, go elbow Jake Voracek in the head for me."

And we're lucky that didn't happen last night. We really are. Because hurting guys, AHL call ups jus trying to get some NHL games in...why?

It makes no damn sense whatsoever. We're damn lucky John Scott's on double-secret probation, because some poop could've started last night for no good reason whatsoever.

See, the thing about Rinaldo last night is that the Buffalo guys, once Read scored...they knew what the deal was. They had, what, 10 or 11 shots after 30 minutes? They looked like they didn't really want to be there and couldn't score,even if they did.

But what happens if you piss them off after you head shot one of their guys in a meaningless game? What happens if Ted Nolan wakes up and says, "WTF...we're giving them two points and they still want to lay our guys out? John Scott, go elbow Jake Voracek in the head for me."

And we're lucky that didn't happen last night. We really are. Because hurting guys, AHL call ups jus trying to get some NHL games in...why?

It makes no damn sense whatsoever. We're damn lucky John Scott's on double-secret probation, because some poop could've started last night for no good reason whatsoever.
- AllInForFlyers

Impossible! Rosehill is in the lineup to prevent those sort of things!

See, the thing about Rinaldo last night is that the Buffalo guys, once Read scored...they knew what the deal was. They had, what, 10 or 11 shots after 30 minutes? They looked like they didn't really want to be there and couldn't score,even if they did.

But what happens if you piss them off after you head shot one of their guys in a meaningless game? What happens if Ted Nolan wakes up and says, "WTF...we're giving them two points and they still want to lay our guys out? John Scott, go elbow Jake Voracek in the head for me."

And we're lucky that didn't happen last night. We really are. Because hurting guys, AHL call ups jus trying to get some NHL games in...why?

It makes no damn sense whatsoever. We're damn lucky John Scott's on double-secret probation, because some poop could've started last night for no good reason whatsoever.
- AllInForFlyers

I think Buffalo played very hard and competed as best as they could. They just lack a lot of talent to start, and are crippled by injuries. I would not be upset with how Buffalo competed if I was the Coach.

The rest I agree with. Time, place, score.

Impossible! Rosehill is in the lineup to prevent those sort of things!
- PLindbergh31

Exactly -- that is exactly why the concept of enforcers in the modern era is laughable. You can't stop stupid.

I wouldn't shed any tears if we never saw Rinaldo take the ice in the orange and black again. Really, I just want him away from that Couturier line.

Exactly -- that is exactly why the concept of enforcers in the modern era is laughable. You can't stop stupid.
- AllInForFlyers

Worst thing that could have happened was Rosehill scoring in that game against Boston. I'm afraid he's going to dress in the playoffs now.

I wouldn't shed any tears if we never saw Rinaldo take the ice in the orange and black again. Really, I just want him away from that Couturier line.
- BulliesPhan87

Trickle down effect. Because there isn't a credible option to insert in the lineup, Rosehill gets put in, and it elevates Rinaldo to the third line.

Give Akeson a chance to play with Couturier and Read. He's certainly got more skill than Rinaldo and is more disciplined. Putting him with the two best defensive forwards the Flyers have can mask his shortcomings.

Trickle down effect. Because there isn't a credible option to insert in the lineup, Rosehill gets put in, and it elevates Rinaldo to the third line.

Give Akeson a chance to play with Couturier and Read. He's certainly got more skill than Rinaldo and is more disciplined. Putting him with the two best defensive forwards the Flyers have can mask his shortcomings.
- PLindbergh31

I'd rather see Downie get another shot with those guys.

Not to defend Rinaldo, but his history isn't as involved as Cooke's. He's been fined once and suspended once, both of which occurred more than two years ago. The hit on Ruhwedel was dirty, no question about it.

But Rinaldo has a reputation that exceeds his actions. I hope the NHL does slam him hard, but at the same time he's had far fewer incidents than a guy like James Neal.
- Jsaquella

He's still pretty young, hopefully he will learn to control himself. With that being said, I hope he gets a long suspension. Perhaps that will teach him the lesson he needs to learn.

Rinaldo deserves and should get at least what Douglas Murray got. No need for it at the time/place (the correct time/place is very rarely present). So whatever he gets, he deserves.

As for everything else, does this win mean a damn thing? You're playing a team where their #4 goalie (Miller, Enroth, Hackett traded/hurt) is in net, half of their skaters are hurt, they were 30th in the league WITH a full roster...there's no reason to do anything BUT to beat them soundly. And they sorta did that. Sure, you can skate circles around their defense, and you can have 3 guys cover the puck carrier because they lack the skillset to make you pay for overcommiting. But I don't think there was anything really different between this game and the previous week's games.

Basically, this team has taken a pretty much guaranteed playoff spot and is now fighting just to get in. And unless they get it figured out soon, they're going to just be fodder for a team like Boston/Pitt/NYR, if they make it at all now. Don't get me wrong, I'll take the 2 points, but this team is beyond frustrating.

Not to defend Rinaldo, but his history isn't as involved as Cooke's. He's been fined once and suspended once, both of which occurred more than two years ago. The hit on Ruhwedel was dirty, no question about it.

But Rinaldo has a reputation that exceeds his actions. I hope the NHL does slam him hard, but at the same time he's had far fewer incidents than a guy like James Neal.
- Jsaquella

But, but Neal is a star and of course one of the leagues precious Penguins so he can do no wrong in the eyes of Bettman and Shanahan.

I won't really care how long he's suspended. I think it will be the rest of the regular season. I wish the NHL would come down much harder on these head shots. I wish they'd start giving 10 games
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm guessing the rest of the regular season and 1 playoff game.

Trickle down effect. Because there isn't a credible option to insert in the lineup, Rosehill gets put in, and it elevates Rinaldo to the third line.

Give Akeson a chance to play with Couturier and Read. He's certainly got more skill than Rinaldo and is more disciplined. Putting him with the two best defensive forwards the Flyers have can mask his shortcomings.
- PLindbergh31

But there's no reason to put Akeson there. Akeson is a one-trick pony, and that one trick is scoring. If you put him on the 3rd line to mask his shortcomings, you're basically also cancelling out his abilities. Akeson's NHL career will be in the top-6 or nothing. As much as I'm no fan, if Downie's healthy, he deserves to be in the lineup on that 3rd line.

Worst thing that could have happened was Rosehill scoring in that game against Boston. I'm afraid he's going to dress in the playoffs now.
- PLindbergh31

I don't even...it's just...it's just tiresome. Zac Rinaldo can skate well enough to play a regular shift in the NHL, and is tough enough to do so.

Jay Rosehill is bigger than Rinaldo, also tough enough, skates well enough to play a lesser role. He does have some ability.

But neither of them would be on my roster. Because you can't trust them.

See, the thing about Rinaldo last night is that the Buffalo guys, once Read scored...they knew what the deal was. They had, what, 10 or 11 shots after 30 minutes? They looked like they didn't really want to be there and couldn't score,even if they did.

But what happens if you piss them off after you head shot one of their guys in a meaningless game? What happens if Ted Nolan wakes up and says, "WTF...we're giving them two points and they still want to lay our guys out? John Scott, go elbow Jake Voracek in the head for me."

And we're lucky that didn't happen last night. We really are. Because hurting guys, AHL call ups jus trying to get some NHL games in...why?

It makes no damn sense whatsoever. We're damn lucky John Scott's on double-secret probation, because some poop could've started last night for no good reason whatsoever.
- AllInForFlyers

You would like to think there is more class in the nhl than that. The penalty was stupid and reckless. It was not malicious.

The replay of the play at normal speed looks no where near as bad as slow motion. Yes it is a hit that rinaldo cannot make, but the defender did put himself in a very precarious spot. I think that will limit the length of the suspension. But rinaldo needs to learn to hold back at certain times, and since he can't he deserves a suspension. But this is going to screw us in the future because the refs are going to call every big hit he makes a penalty now.
- FlyersSteve118

And that is the problem. Up 4-0 on a bottom dwelling team, there is no reason to even hit the guy. None.

You guys see Ehrhoff's twitter pictures of his ear yet?

Trickle down effect. Because there isn't a credible option to insert in the lineup, Rosehill gets put in, and it elevates Rinaldo to the third line.

Give Akeson a chance to play with Couturier and Read. He's certainly got more skill than Rinaldo and is more disciplined. Putting him with the two best defensive forwards the Flyers have can mask his shortcomings.
- PLindbergh31

I wouldn't be surprised if we see this happen.

I'd rather see Downie get another shot with those guys.
- BulliesPhan87

Not sure what he can provide at this point, but with Rinaldo facing suspension I guess he's going to get another chance.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see this happen.
- MBFlyerfan

I would like to see it. Not sure we will.