800k to spend most of his ice time in the box and throw the occasional hit or two, sign me up!

The draft seemed pretty good. Jumping on MDZ when Kimmo went down wasn't bad.
- jmatchett383

MDZ was my personal #1 UFA target this summer... so stoked they got him. And you're right, draft was terrific, too.


IMO, other above-meh moves:
- Kimmo extension cap-hit,
- Getting a 3rd for McGinn,
- Losing Hartsy's contract,
- Not plunging into UFA, instead saving roster spots for guys in the system.

Nope. Overall, I think Hextall has done a solid job. I question some of the depth signings, after all the talk of being more disciplined, but a good number of those were AHL moves.
- Jsaquella

There are some things I would have liked to see him do that he hasn't but I don't know what the offers back could have looked like so the fact he didn't make those moves is better than making a bad one. Maybe things will open up once the season starts.

Most of this summer's moves had left me saying why bother.

MDZ was my personal #1 UFA target this summer... so stoked they got him. And you're right, draft was terrific, too.


IMO, other above-meh moves:
- Kimmo extension cap-hit,
- Getting a 3rd for McGinn,
- Losing Hartsy's contract,
- Not plunging into UFA, instead saving roster spots for guys in the system.
- Tomahawk

Well, as to your last point, he didn't really have much of a choice to go into UFA, at least for the big names. I wouldn't say MDZ would be my #1 guy, but with Kimmo out, he'll at least (hopefully) fill part of the void, offensively. Who knows, maybe he's this year's Niskanen.

Nope. Overall, I think Hextall has done a solid job. I question some of the depth signings, after all the talk of being more disciplined, but a good number of those were AHL moves.
- Jsaquella

read the first few pages.

props on ignoring argumentative a-jobs.

My first Flyers game at the Spectrum was in 1970 against the Oakland Seals. I don't remember the score or even who won. But I still remember the chants of "CA-ROL - CA-ROL".
- 2731color

I became a big fan of Vadnais' during a game against the Seals some moons ago.

A fight broke out and players paired off as they usually did. Somehow, Vadnais found himself paired off with Michel Parizeau - all (generously) 5'9", 160 lbs of him. Apparently annoyed by the intrusion, Carol pulled Michel's jersey up and completely covered his head, then circled around the ice with him until the main bout was over, a long 2 minutes later.

The sight of Vadnais, towering over and gliding around the ice with a headless Parizeau, who obviously had no clue what was going on around him, gave everyone a good laugh.

I personally have no issues with the Rinaldo extension.
He isn't going to make or break the team either way.
If Rinaldo can go out there and throw hits or respond to someone on the other team meaning that Simmonds and B Schenn dont have to then I am all for it.
That being said, if he doesn't show growth (whatever that means) then I think the experiment needs to end after this deal.

MDZ was my personal #1 UFA target this summer... so stoked they got him. And you're right, draft was terrific, too.


IMO, other above-meh moves:
- Kimmo extension cap-hit,
- Getting a 3rd for McGinn,
- Losing Hartsy's contract,
- Not plunging into UFA, instead saving roster spots for guys in the system.
- Tomahawk

I watched the first episode of 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic a couple nights ago. Torts actually had Del Zotto killing penalties. I don't know what it is about John Tortorella but as much of an ass he can be, he does get results.

Who knows, maybe he's this year's Niskanen.
- jmatchett383

I'd be tickled pink if we got a Niskanen or Carle kind of season out of him.

Also cognizant of the possibility that he could completely fizzle like Eminger... but I love the value aspect of the signing.

read the first few pages.

props on ignoring argumentative a-jobs.
- kicksave856

I'm trying real hard...to be the Shepard

MDZ was my personal #1 UFA target this summer... so stoked they got him. And you're right, draft was terrific, too.


IMO, other above-meh moves:
- Kimmo extension cap-hit,
- Getting a 3rd for McGinn,
- Losing Hartsy's contract,
- Not plunging into UFA, instead saving roster spots for guys in the system.
- Tomahawk

I think the Del Zotto move is a low risk move, that could potentially yield a big return for little investment, if he can find his game again. We'll see.

But what I find puzzling is that a minor signing with no real risk to the future, is met with such disdain in reaction to re-signing Rinaldo. While truly what was actually a bad contract that before Timonen having blood clot issues, was almost certainly going to have a punitive effect on the future cap situation, was met with high approval. I understand completely, that Timonen is an important player for the Flyers, and there was a real need to have him return, but it was not a good contract.

And the Flyers did plunge into free agency in signing Emery, Schultz, White and Del Zotto. Not to mention that MacDonald was pretty much a free agent signing also, although not technically.

I personally have no issues with the Rinaldo extension.
He isn't going to make or break the team either way.
If Rinaldo can go out there and throw hits or respond to someone on the other team meaning that Simmonds and B Schenn dont have to then I am all for it.
That being said, if he doesn't show growth (whatever that means) then I think the experiment needs to end after this deal.
- opeth_pa

The things that have me concerned are:

-not sure you can ice a highly effective 4th line with Rinaldo. His lack of discipline isn't limited to taking penalties. He gets to running around looking for the big hit, doesn't play good defense, provides little offense and has subpar hockey sense.

-why now? He wasn't a free agent until next summer, and after a lockout season where he seemed to start making improvements, he really regressed last season. I see no harm or reason not to wait it out, and see if he can get back to his short year form or if that was the mirage.

read the first few pages.

props on ignoring argumentative a-jobs.
- kicksave856

Kick sighting

Neat

I personally have no issues with the Rinaldo extension.
He isn't going to make or break the team either way.
If Rinaldo can go out there and throw hits or respond to someone on the other team meaning that Simmonds and B Schenn dont have to then I am all for it.
That being said, if he doesn't show growth (whatever that means) then I think the experiment needs to end after this deal.
- opeth_pa

Well put. Honestly if it doesn't work out they can waive him. No big deal

Capgeek has made an excellent addition to their website. You can now know instantly if a player is waiver exempt or not, just by looking at each team's cap roster.

I'm trying real hard...to be the Shepard
- Jsaquella

Can't blame you... he's kind of a badass:

-why now? He wasn't a free agent until next summer, and after a lockout season where he seemed to start making improvements, he really regressed last season. I see no harm or reason not to wait it out, and see if he can get back to his short year form or if that was the mirage.
- Jsaquella

Yup, the timing does seem a bit odd to me..
Unless a Rosehill + Rinaldo for Evander Kane is incoming.. (a guy can dream)

There are some things I would have liked to see him do that he hasn't but I don't know what the offers back could have looked like so the fact he didn't make those moves is better than making a bad one. Maybe things will open up once the season starts.

Most of this summer's moves had left me saying why bother.
- mayorofangrytown

Oh sure, there's things that didn't happen I would have liked to see, but just judging on what did happen, I'm very comfortable with Hextall

Yup, the timing does seem a bit odd to me..
Unless a Rosehill + Rinaldo for Evander Kane is incoming.. (a guy can dream)
- opeth_pa

I just hope he justifies the faith and manages to get back to the positive changes he made during the lockout year. The degree of regression from 2012-13 to 2013-14 is my real worry

I think the Del Zotto move is a low risk move, that could potentially yield a big return for little investment, if he can find his game again. We'll see.

But what I find puzzling is that a minor signing with no real risk to the future, is met with such disdain in reaction to re-signing Rinaldo. While truly what was actually a bad contract that before Timonen having blood clot issues, was almost certainly going to have a punitive effect on the future cap situation, was met with high approval. I understand completely, that Timonen is an important player for the Flyers, and there was a real need to have him return, but it was not a good contract.

And the Flyers did plunge into free agency in signing Emery, Schultz, White and Del Zotto. Not to mention that MacDonald was pretty much a free agent signing also, although not technically.
- MJL

I think Del Zotto could be apart of this team's future but it depends on how much he cares and how much he's capable of bringing to the table. I do believe the Del Zotto situation is comparable to Mason's situation when he first came to Philadelphia. The problem for Del Zotto is, moving beyond this season, we might not need him as much as we've needed Mason for some stability in net. Del Zotto needs to sell himself to us, he needs to make us want to keep him. Del Zotto could possibly replace Mark Streit's role moving forward if the organizations feels like he's capable in doing so. Right now Del Zotto has guaranteed money at a bargain price but for me, I still look at it as a tryout.

I think Del Zotto could be apart of this team's future but it depends on how much he cares and how much he's capable of bringing to the table. I do believe the Del Zotto situation is comparable to Mason's situation when he first came to Philadelphia. The problem for Del Zotto is, moving beyond this season, we might not need him as much as we've needed Mason for some stability in net. Del Zotto needs to sell himself to us, he needs to make us want to keep him. Del Zotto could possibly replace Mark Streit's role moving forward if the organizations feels like he's capable in doing so. Right now Del Zotto has guaranteed money at a bargain price but for me, I still look at it as a tryout.
- SuperSchennBros

Anytime a player is on a one year deal that has been in the League for a while, it's sort of like a tryout for a future contract. Whether it's with his current team, or another team in the future. There obviously wasn't a high demand for Del Zotto. Not sure why. But I know that it's very easy for a young player who has had early success, to get sidetracked and lose confidence. Develop bad habits and have his game go south. The talent is obviously there, so maybe all he needs is to be put in the right spot, with the right team, given some guidance and a chance. Like you said, very similar to Mason's situation. Really the Flyers don't have much to lose there, and far more to gain potentially.

"I'm surprised that we even starting to talk about it so early but I am thrilled," Rinaldo told the Flyers website.

Even 'naldo is shocked by the timing.
- Tomahawk

After letting some time pass still don't like it

Nicolas Aube-Kube is on the NHL Network - They are replaying the Memorial Cup

the rangers 4th line basically won the series for them against the flyers.
- hammarby31

no brayden coburn passing the puck into hal gil's skate did

800k to spend most of his ice time in the box and throw the occasional hit or two, sign me up!
- Pelle31Forever

It's more then just the occasional hit. If it was broken down to hits/60, Rinaldo would probably be tops in the League. I personally would like him to be far more selective, and hit less often.