Wer arent that caliber yet so we work with what we have.....
- GOA88

Won't get to that caliber by continuing to run guys like Rinaldo out there, rather than more skilled guys [/img]

The Flyers really don't have that much edge in the lineup. I'm perfectly OK with giving Rinaldo more time to develop. One thing I think Hextall understands is some degree of continuity is needed to build a champion. The stats don't look good . . . no real offense, too many penalties and a +/- that isn't good . . . but he brings things that don't show up on the scoresheet and still has at least some upside. Two years might have been a push, but it's not my money.

The Flyers really don't have that much edge in the lineup. I'm perfectly OK with giving Rinaldo more time to develop. One thing I think Hextall understands is some degree of continuity is needed to build a champion. The stats don't look good . . . no real offense, too many penalties and a +/- that isn't good . . . but he brings things that don't show up on the scoresheet and still has at least some upside. Two years might have been a push, but it's not my money.
- fls13

Exactly. He has a an element that nobody else on the team has. Hextall has 2 years to replace that with someone more skillled with the same elements or Rinaldo improves in 2 years. Its not like the Flyers are making a serious cup run within 2 years anyways. Not with this defense....

You might be right. Dont mistaken me for saying Rinaldo is the next Laperriere. I am just saying he's a decent 4th line guy. He isnt great, he isnt horrible either. We could have better. I agree with that.

Personally I would rather they play a 4th line of

Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare. Hows that for defense and mild skill?
- GOA88

Now we are getting somewhere. Sure Rinaldo as a 13th is fine by me as he could add some energy but he needs to prove last year was a blip and not the norm. Rinaldo of last year has no place in an NHL line up. So he is stuck, can't be trusted but needs to be played to be trusted. I would send him to the AHL for a while. I don't care if anyone claims him, in fact maybe that's why the contract extension occurred, to scare off suitors? I'm reaching for straws here obviously- I have no idea why this contract extension has happened.

The trouble is, Rinaldo is a bad 4th liner. He's not good defensively, he's not able to produce offense, he can't effectively kill penalties, he can't play effectively for 8-10 minutes a night like a decent 4th liner.

Yes, Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare would be an ideal 4th line for a good team
- Jsaquella

As much as I dislike this Rinaldo extension because it wasn't earned, Bellemare-Raffl-Rinaldo would be a big upgrade on Rosehill-Hall-Rinaldo. Three guys who can skate and two guys who are strong on the puck and defensively sound isn't bad as Flyers 4th lines go.

Now we are getting somewhere. Sure Rinaldo as a 13th is fine by me as he could add some energy but he needs to prove last year was a blip and not the norm. Rinaldo of last year has no place in an NHL line up. So he is stuck, can't be trusted but needs to be played to be trusted. I would send him to the AHL for a while. I don't care if anyone claims him, in fact maybe that's why the contract extension occurred, to scare off suitors? I'm reaching for straws here obviously- I have no idea why this contract extension has happened.
- coffee junkie

I really like Raffl. I think he has the potential to be a 20 goal scorer. At least.

Rinaldo flat out sucks. I'm not sure why Bill even calls him a polarizing player. His only fans think you still win games like you did in the 70's. I saw some chick on Facebook react to this move with great enthusiasm, compairing Rinaldo to Michael Peca. Yeah, let that sink in for a second. Rinaldo isnt so much as polarizing as our fanbase is.

Yes, Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare would be an ideal 4th line for a good team
- Jsaquella

Wow. That line would be super tough to play against!

Rinaldo flat out sucks. I'm not sure why Bill even calls him a polarizing player. His only fans think you still win games like you did in the 70's. I saw some chick on Facebook react to this move with great enthusiasm, compairing Rinaldo to Michael Peca. Yeah, let that sink in for a second. Rinaldo isnt so much as polarizing as our fanbase is.
- hereticpride

I think your a little misguided. Just cause one fan has an opinion doesn't mean all Flyers fans see Rinaldo as Mike Peca. I actually think Flyers fansre prett smart and we know a he can and cannot do. Most of us on here have stated he needs another element to his ame to big more value

Rinaldo flat out sucks. I'm not sure why Bill even calls him a polarizing player. His only fans think you still win games like you did in the 70's. I saw some chick on Facebook react to this move with great enthusiasm, compairing Rinaldo to Michael Peca. Yeah, let that sink in for a second. Rinaldo isnt so much as polarizing as our fanbase is.
- hereticpride

The Facebook fans are something else.

3 pages on old Zac already. Outside of NHL refs, no one has given him this much attention since the day he was born.

The Flyers obviously like Rinaldo, and want to see him develop as a player. So why put a young player under the pressure of having to play for a contract? Let him be comfortable, but still letting him know what is expected of him going forward, and show some confidence in the player. I would have preferred a one year deal, but really with the cap cost, it's not a big deal.
- MJL

I am a rinaldo fan. he's a 4th liner, seems to gel well on and off the ice with the team. High energy, good speed, exciting hits.

I'm glad the organization feels the same way. I'm hoping this means they see him developing a bit more defensively.

3 pages on old Zac already. Outside of NHL refs, no one has given him this much attention since the day he was born.
- BiggE

Don't forget these guys:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ev...tm?location=/playersafety

I think your a little misguided. Just cause one fan has an opinion doesn't mean all Flyers fans see Rinaldo as Mike Peca. I actually think Flyers fansre prett smart and we know a he can and cannot do. Most of us on here have stated he needs another element to his ame to big more value
- J35Bacher

Well I didn't paint all fans with that same brush...

Really though, follow the Flyers on Facebook or attend some games in the 200 level. I went to 12 last year and had to listen to four guys every game saying Mason was the problem and that we need to trade Couturier for Ryan Miller. A large portion of this fanbase is pretty close to clueless imo.

The Facebook fans are something else.
- Feanor

The facebook fans talk about trading the team away after every loss. How much Giroux sucks.. etc etc etc.

Some of them still think Holmgren is the GM.

I am a rinaldo fan. he's a 4th liner, seems to gel well on and off the ice with the team. High energy, good speed, exciting hits.

I'm glad the organization feels the same way. I'm hoping this means they see him developing a bit more defensively.
- moylander

I'm a Rinaldo fan as well. High energy, borderline assault and general scumbaggery are all things that I value quite highly when assessing hockey players and humans.

3 pages on old Zac already. Outside of NHL refs, no one has given him this much attention since the day he was born.
- BiggE

Its september, we have nothing left to talk about.

Well I didn't paint all fans with that same brush...

Really though, follow the Flyers on Facebook or attend some games in the 200 level. I went to 12 last year and had to listen to four guys every game saying Mason was the problem and that we need to trade Couturier for Ryan Miller. A large portion of this fanbase is pretty close to clueless imo.
- hereticpride

You ain't kiddin.

I really like Raffl. I think he has the potential to be a 20 goal scorer. At least.
- GOA88

I have doubts Rinaldo will score 20 goals in his entire NHL career

Its september, we have nothing left to talk about.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Good point.

Hey, if anyone in the Philly area is looking for something to do this Saturday night, my duo, Fake ID, is playing the brand new Malelani Cafe, 6734 Germantown Ave in Mt. Airy from 7-10pm

BTW, it's a byob with great food!

Its september, we have nothing left to talk about.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Yeah, we need actual games here...

Well I didn't paint all fans with that same brush...

Really though, follow the Flyers on Facebook or attend some games in the 200 level. I went to 12 last year and had to listen to four guys every game saying Mason was the problem and that we need to trade Couturier for Ryan Miller. A large portion of this fanbase is pretty close to clueless imo.
- hereticpride

You think thats bad?! Attend a game in a non traditional hockey market. I used to live in Tampa. Now those fans are as clueless as any. They dont even know most of the rules. They get excited for every shot on goal like it was a breakway or a one-timer in the slot.

I have doubts Rinaldo will score 20 goals in his entire NHL career
- BulliesPhan87

I was referring to Raffl...

I like this article: http://www.broadstreethoc...yers-fourth-line-analysis

It brings up that Rinaldo should still need to earn his spot and 4th lines need to be filled with productive players in the current NHL.

I was referring to Raffl...
- GOA88

now you're just nitpicking