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

I could see a guy like Brady Austin from London called up if we really need him. Not even sure we have him under contract anymore though.

Start signing fans to ATOs?
- BulliesPhan87

Sadly for Buffalo, it's coming close to that.

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.
- MJL

That's not true, prior to the 3rd man in and instigator rules. Enforcers absolutely protected teammates from cheap shots. Case in point, in the early 70's, on of the Vancouver Canucks high sticked Bobby Clarke in the face. At least 3 Flyers immediately jumped the guy and beat him senseless. After that, it was a LONG time before anyone else pulled a stunt like that on Clarke.

However in today's game, the current rules make it all but impossible for teammates to prevent these things from happening. And, IMO, it's a bad thing. I've seen WAY more cheap shots and dirty hits in the last 20 years than I did between 74-94. I really believe that one of major causes of this is that players have no fear of paying any on ice price for their actions, and, whats worse, star players like James Neal pretty much know that they can get away with murder.

Sadly, I think its going to take a player being paralyzed or killed before the league realizes that something significant needs to be done about cheap shots, vicious stick work and dirty hits.

Sadly for Buffalo, it's coming close to that.
- jmatchett383

Remember when the Flyers gave David Sloane a game?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sloane

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

Agreed, good point.

Remember when the Flyers gave David Sloane a game?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sloane
- johndewar

I absolutely do. Remember when Washington dressed their video coach (twice)?

http://www.cbssports.com/...s-emergency-backup-goalie

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.
- MJL

Simply put, he's a better two-way center than both of those guys right now.

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.
- BiggE

I agree, Downie will likely be added to the lineup tomorrow because of Rinaldo's impending suspension. I'm not a fan of VDV, he's not an NHL player.

I could see a guy like Brady Austin from London called up if we really need him. Not even sure we have him under contract anymore though.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

He might be injured. I know one defenseman on London has mono and the other has a broken leg. I think one is Bell and the other might be Austin. Not 100% sure though.

That's not true, prior to the 3rd man in and instigator rules. Enforcers absolutely protected teammates from cheap shots. Case in point, in the early 70's, on of the Vancouver Canucks high sticked Bobby Clarke in the face. At least 3 Flyers immediately jumped the guy and beat him senseless. After that, it was a LONG time before anyone else pulled a stunt like that on Clarke.

However in today's game, the current rules make it all but impossible for teammates to prevent these things from happening. And, IMO, it's a bad thing. I've seen WAY more cheap shots and dirty hits in the last 20 years than I did between 74-94. I really believe that one of major causes of this is that players have no fear of paying any on ice price for their actions, and, whats worse, star players like James Neal pretty much know that they can get away with murder.

Sadly, I think its going to take a player being paralyzed or killed before the league realizes that something significant needs to be done about cheap shots, vicious stick work and dirty hits.
- BiggE

You make my point. Did having Dave Schultz in the lineup prevent Clarke from being high sticked in the first place? No, and other teams targeted Clarke physically. All an enforcer can do in any era is respond to something happening. And an enforcer is on the roster, for certain situations where they think a game could get a little out of hand, due to past incidents and bad blood between teaams that could escalate. Rather then have somebody else have to stand up and take on a Colton Orr of John Scott.

Enforcers cannot, and never have prevented players from being cheapshotted.

I agree, Downie will likely be added to the lineup tomorrow because of Rinaldo's impending suspension. I'm not a fan of VDV, he's not an NHL player.
- PLindbergh31

I'd rather have VDV over Rosehill, even taking Rosehill's goal-scoring prowess into consideration.

Simply put, he's a better two-way center than both of those guys right now.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's better defensively for sure. But I don't agree with Raffl centering the 2nd line.

I absolutely do. Remember when Washington dressed their video coach (twice)?

http://www.cbssports.com/...s-emergency-backup-goalie
- jmatchett383

That dude went to Neumann, which is in Aston, PA. I did not know they had a hockey program.

You make my point. Did having Dave Schultz in the lineup prevent Clarke from being high sticked in the first place? No, and other teams targeted Clarke physically. All an enforcer can do in any era is respond to something happening. And an enforcer is on the roster, for certain situations where they think a game could get a little out of hand, due to past incidents and bad blood between teaams that could escalate. Rather then have somebody else have to stand up and take on a Colton Orr of John Scott.

Enforcers cannot, and never have prevented players from being cheapshotted.
- MJL

I remember Bill writing a piece about Shelley and why they signed him. Guys like Richards said they felt more comfortable on the ice knowing Shelley was in the lineup.

I'd rather have VDV over Rosehill, even taking Rosehill's goal-scoring prowess into consideration.
- jmatchett383

I guess. Neither is all that appealing an option. Rosehill isn't terrible when comparing him with other enforcers. He's got decent wheels.

He's better defensively for sure. But I don't agree with Raffl centering the 2nd line.
- MJL

Seemed to work well last night.

Buffalo is terrible, but I wouldn't change things.

I guess. Neither is all that appealing an option. Rosehill isn't terrible when comparing him with other enforcers. He's got decent wheels.
- PLindbergh31

He does, he's a guy you can put out there and not think, "Dammit, Shelley's on the ice!!!" But given the choice, you drink the poop over the poison.

You make my point. Did having Dave Schultz in the lineup prevent Clarke from being high sticked in the first place? No, and other teams targeted Clarke physically. All an enforcer can do in any era is respond to something happening. And an enforcer is on the roster, for certain situations where they think a game could get a little out of hand, due to past incidents and bad blood between teaams that could escalate. Rather then have somebody else have to stand up and take on a Colton Orr of John Scott.

Enforcers cannot, and never have prevented players from being cheapshotted.
- MJL

Well, not the first time. Maybe not even the second time. But you can be pretty sure that if it didn't "prevent" a third time, it made any player really think twice about getting near Clarke from then on.

Seemed to work well last night.

Buffalo is terrible, but I wouldn't change things.
- PhillySportsGuy

They played Buffalo. I don't think he's good enough offensively at this point to center a 2nd line.

They played Buffalo. I don't think he's good enough offensively at this point to center a 2nd line.
- MJL

I'll sacrifice a little offense if it means our second line isn't out for a goal against every game.

Edit: I would be willing to move Raffl to LW and Schenn to C. I just don't want to see the combination of Vinny-Schenn-Simmonds anymore. Thats a failed experiment no matter which position they play.

That dude went to Neumann, which is in Aston, PA. I did not know they had a hockey program.
- johndewar

Here's a quick read:

http://www.sportingnews.c...pitals-wild-ducks-canucks

Well, not the first time. Maybe not even the second time. But you can be pretty sure that if it didn't "prevent" a third time, it made any player really think twice about getting near Clarke from then on.
- MBFlyerfan

Sure, but most NHL players aren't intimidated. If they think they can get a player off his game by taking physical liberties with a player, they'll do it. Any enforcer is not going to stop that.

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 really love the idea of Raffl playing with Schenn and Simmonds. They are better with both his puck possession and his speed.
He fits better on that line then with Couturier and Read.

Also Vinnie lately has been scoring goals when he is the 4th line center.
I know his goal last night was when the lines were scrambled up after a PK but he makes that 4th line relevant. They had some good shifts. Granted against Buffalo and their AHL guys.

I'll sacrifice a little offense if it means our second line isn't out for a goal against every game.

Edit: I would be willing to move Raffl to LW and Schenn to C. I just don't want to see the combination of Vinny-Schenn-Simmonds anymore. Thats a failed experiment no matter which position they play.
- PhillySportsGuy

Understandable. But if the 2nd line doesn't produce offensively in the playoffs, that will generate plenty of criticism towards that line. A 2nd line is not a line you want to play like it's a checking line. It's needs to produce offensively at ES.

The combination of Schenn Simmonds and Lecavalier in the middle, is not a failed experiment. They played well in the beginning of the Season.

Sure, but most NHL players aren't intimidated. If they think they can get a player off his game by taking physical liberties with a player, they'll do it. Any enforcer is not going to stop that.
- MJL

I think this is only because of the instigator rule. We will agree to disagree on the rest.