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.
- AllInForFlyers

Aside from that one game where he came out of the penalty box to get at a guy (Vacouver???), I don't think Rosehill generally "hurts" you with stupid plays. But, he is what he is: a one-dimensional player who happens upon a shred of luck every now and then. I like him as a guy, but he should not be in the roster at this point, especially since the Phantoms are going nowhere. I don't know why Holmstrom and Vandevelde aren't up right now.

I think the main reasons that people argued that they need a better 4th line, is that they want the 4th line to be better offensively. There are only a few who use statistics in a weak argument to say that Rinaldo is not effective as a player.
- MJL

I just want our 4th line to be able to break even. They've been better since Vinny started playing with them. They were awful to start the season.

You guys see Ehrhoff's twitter pictures of his ear yet?
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Pretty crazy. That Buffalo teams has just had no luck with injuries. I actually feel sorry for them and most of their fans.

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

Exactly

Until I see Rinaldo play an entire season without taking these type of bonehead penalties, I would never trust him to be any more than a 4th liner.

You guys see Ehrhoff's twitter pictures of his ear yet?
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Link?

I just want our 4th line to be able to break even. They've been better since Vinny started playing with them. They were awful to start the season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Really makes you jealous to see Boston's 4th line. They could be a good 3rd line on 2/3 of the NHL teams.

Link?
- PhillySportsGuy

https://twitter.com/TheRealHoff10

Pretty nasty stuff

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

The concept of enforcers in the modern era is not to stop any player from doing anything. Enforcers in any era were not capable of doing that.

Really makes you jealous to see Boston's 4th line. They could be a good 3rd line on 2/3 of the NHL teams.
- jmatchett383

They, basically are a third line. They can be used as a checking line for most teams.

It really makes you realize how important guys like Lappy were. A guy who can drop the gloves, but contribute in other areas. It seems like the Flyers always have a designated tough guy who can't do anything else.

Thornton isn't a defensive specialist like Lappy, but he can keep up with the play and isn't a liability.

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

Not if downie comes back. Although if akeson played on the second line with schenn and Simmonds. That would give us one of the best fourth lines in hockey.

First line
Akeson schenn simmonds
Downie coots read
Raffl vinny hall

https://twitter.com/TheRealHoff10

Pretty nasty stuff
- jmatchett383

Thats nasty, but I do love Ehrhoff.

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 doubt it, unless a few guys are injured. My guess is that tomorrow Downie returns on Couturiers line. And if Rinaldo is suspended for any playoff games, VDV most likely steps in on the 4th line.

Pretty crazy. That Buffalo teams has just had no luck with injuries. I actually feel sorry for them and most of their fans.
- jmatchett383

No clue what we're going to do now... We're out at least one defenseman in Ruhwedel, and it seems like Hoff and Lieuwen may be out too.

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 think Akeson's lack of sound two way play is not the only reason he has not been given a chance in the NHL. Top speculate, I don't think the Flyers feel that his offensive game will translate to the NHL level well enough to off set his weaknesses as a player. Playing him with defensive forwards can't offset that.

Not if downie comes back. Although if akeson played on the second line with schenn and Simmonds. That would give us one of the best fourth lines in hockey.

First line
Akeson schenn simmonds
Downie coots read
Raffl vinny hall
- FlyersSteve118

I don't see why they should change the second line if Downie comes back. That line is already a mess defensively. Raffl adds some defensive responsibility. I was a bit surprised they put Raffl at center. I think Berube was making a point to Schenn and Vinny that he hasn't been happy with their play and doesn't feel either deserve the center spot.

Not sure what he can provide at this point, but with Rinaldo facing suspension I guess he's going to get another chance.
- PLindbergh31

I'd rather have his NHL experience, and a chance at reestablishing their chemistry. I'm still not buying the whole #FreeAkeson thing.

They, basically are a third line. They can be used as a checking line for most teams.

It really makes you realize how important guys like Lappy were. A guy who can drop the gloves, but contribute in other areas. It seems like the Flyers always have a designated tough guy who can't do anything else.

Thornton isn't a defensive specialist like Lappy, but he can keep up with the play and isn't a liability.
- PhillySportsGuy

Betts, too, before his shoulder fell apart.

No clue what we're going to do now... We're out at least one defenseman in Ruhwedel, and it seems like Hoff and Lieuwen may be out too.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Emergency recalls may be in order.

No clue what we're going to do now... We're out at least one defenseman in Ruhwedel, and it seems like Hoff and Lieuwen may be out too.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Have you used Zadorov for 9 games yet? I know he can be an emergency call up if the team can prove it.

It would absolutely kill London's chances of winning the OHL. They've had defense injuries similar to Buffalo. Zadorov is holding that thing together for them.

I just want our 4th line to be able to break even. They've been better since Vinny started playing with them. They were awful to start the season.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think breaking even would be a good goal for a 4th line.

Emergency recalls may be in order.
- jmatchett383

The thing is, Rochester can't really afford to give us more players. They're clinging onto a playoff spot right now.

Betts, too, before his shoulder fell apart.
- jmatchett383

I know. Such a luxury to have a 4th line that is very strong defensively and can kill penalties.

The thing is, Rochester can't really afford to give us more players. They're clinging onto a playoff spot right now.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

I mean from juniors. I wouldn't even call up a guy like Zadorov, as you want him in the OHL playoffs. Bascially, you guys just need warm bodies right now. No offense, but that's what it's down to.

I mean from juniors. I wouldn't even call up a guy like Zadorov, as you want him in the OHL playoffs. Bascially, you guys just need warm bodies right now. No offense, but that's what it's down to.
- jmatchett383

Start signing fans to ATOs?

I don't see why they should change the second line if Downie comes back. That line is already a mess defensively. Raffl adds some defensive responsibility. I was a bit surprised they put Raffl at center. I think Berube was making a point to Schenn and Vinny that he hasn't been happy with their play and doesn't feel either deserve the center spot.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think it has to do with Berube wanting a Center that hounds the puck all over the ice, and pressures the puck in all 3 zones. That's a strength of a player like Raffle. He's very strong in puck pursuit, and sound defensively. That is not the game of both Lecavalier and Schenn.