good answer, bo.

i played my best game in probably 3 years last night, 2nd of a double header. 1 goal allowed (rebound off a breakaway, and i still got a piece of it), roughly 50 shots against.
- hammarby31

Better than the USA games?

Time for Rinaldo to run McDonagh tonight.
True Grit.
True Hustle.
Zac Rinaldo.
- PhillySportsGuy

You know, I know we're going back a few months now, but:

I was surprised Flyers players like Hartnell/Rinaldo/Simmonds didn't test McDonagh's shoulder more. Remember, Burrows injured McD's shoulder on a dirty (not illegal) hit a few weeks prior. That thing HAD to be hurting. The fact that they didn't seem to target it was odd to me.

You know, I know we're going back a few months now, but:

I was surprised Flyers players like Hartnell/Rinaldo/Simmonds didn't test McDonagh's shoulder more. Remember, Burrows injured McD's shoulder on a dirty (not illegal) hit a few weeks prior. That thing HAD to be hurting. The fact that they didn't seem to target it was odd to me.
- jmatchett383

I remember him aggravating it, but I don't remember anyone taking runs or giving his shoulder a shot.

To be honest, the Flyers never really generated any kind of forecheck in that series. They didn't have that many opportunities to take their shots legally.

Is it just me or has Zack Stortini been in almost every pre-season game?

I remember him aggravating it, but I don't remember anyone taking runs or giving his shoulder a shot.

To be honest, the Flyers never really generated any kind of forecheck in that series. They didn't have that many opportunities to take their shots legally.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd have been okay with a few illegal ones, to be totally honest with you.

Is it just me or has Zack Stortini been in almost every pre-season game?
- aflyerpower8

They've had so many games in a short period of time. They won't feel bad about overplaying a guy like Stortini in order for others to get the night off.

Is it just me or has Zack Stortini been in almost every pre-season game?
- aflyerpower8

He has, and will continue to be. For the preseason, you want a player out there to do his best to keep some kid looking to make an impression somewhat honest out there. Plus, one less player to potentially get injured that would impact the big club.

Better than the USA games?
- jmatchett383

better.

fancy stats of the day -

http://www.fearthefin.com...goalie-is-not-the-problem

I'd have been okay with a few illegal ones, to be totally honest with you.
- jmatchett383

I wouldn't want Rinaldo boarding him, but if a scrum broke out, I wouldn't have minded seeing the Flyers take a quick jab at it.

fancy stats of the day -

http://www.fearthefin.com...goalie-is-not-the-problem
- hammarby31

Of course you'd like that. All goalies are interchangeable.

fancy stats of the day -

http://www.fearthefin.com...goalie-is-not-the-problem
- hammarby31

I think where Mason falls in the spectrum is up for debate. But overall, outside of the top-3 or so goalies, the next best 25-30 goalies in the league are almost equals.

And there's a ton of variation in their stats from year to year, based on numerous outside/uncontrollable factors.

Which also why you shouldn't pay top dollars for a guy in that middle tier.

Of course you'd like that. All goalies are interchangeable.
- jmatchett383

Emerby

I wouldn't want Rinaldo boarding him, but if a scrum broke out, I wouldn't have minded seeing the Flyers take a quick jab at it.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm not saying board him, but maybe a step beyond "finishing your check" on that shoulder. Maybe he lets the pass go, admires it, and a guy comes in a bit blindside and lands a hit targeting that shoulder. Being the Rangers had an H1N1-riddled PP, I'd have been cool with it.

I'm not saying board him, but maybe a step beyond "finishing your check" on that shoulder. Maybe he lets the pass go, admires it, and a guy comes in a bit blindside and lands a hit targeting that shoulder. Being the Rangers had an H1N1-riddled PP, I'd have been cool with it.
- jmatchett383

I wouldn't have been cool with that. It would have increased the likelihood of a retaliation on Giroux.

I wouldn't want the Flyers to take McDonagh out with a dirty hit. They should have gotten a better forecheck going and hit him legally.

Of course you'd like that. All goalies are interchangeable.
- jmatchett383

i didn't say i like it.

what i like is that people often under rate goalies and blame them far too often. "this guy" sucks...yeah. right.

I think where Mason falls in the spectrum is up for debate. But overall, outside of the top-3 or so goalies, the next best 25-30 goalies in the league are almost equals.

And there's a ton of variation in their stats from year to year, based on numerous outside/uncontrollable factors.

Which also why you shouldn't pay top dollars for a guy in that middle tier.
- bradleyc4

Did Leighton fall in that 25-30 range?

I think where Mason falls in the spectrum is up for debate. But overall, outside of the top-3 or so goalies, the next best 25-30 goalies in the league are almost equals.

And there's a ton of variation in their stats from year to year, based on numerous outside/uncontrollable factors.

Which also why you shouldn't pay top dollars for a guy in that middle tier.
- bradleyc4

agreed.

Did Leighton fall in that 25-30 range?
- PhillySportsGuy

No. He would be part of the third tier, imo.

No. He would be part of the third tier, imo.
- bradleyc4

Bryz?

Bryz?
- PhillySportsGuy

Probably third tier as well. I think I could name 25-30 better goalies.

Flyers obviously thought differently when they signed him.

fancy stats of the day -

http://www.fearthefin.com...goalie-is-not-the-problem
- hammarby31

Really interesting read although I think the WAA stat is still in need of refinement. Sometimes the team in front of a goalie makes the shots taken by the opposition more manageable (i.e. Quick probably gets less difficult shots on average with less rebounds than Bryz did in his time here, plus less odd man rushes). This may be negligible in the data though.

Bryz?
- PhillySportsGuy

Out(er space)lier

Why not move on and give fresh blood an opportunity? Let Laughton center the 4th line, with two decent linemates, so he's not stuck dragging Rinaldo or Rosehill around every night for 6 minutes.

He's likely to make the team now, and he'll get to play on an energy line with poor players. Welcome to the NHL kid. You had more talented linemates in Junior, but go out and wow us!
- Jsaquella

That's absolutely what you don't want -- I think Rinaldo's a bad hockey player, and for the life of me I don't get what the Flyers saw in him that merited a two-year!!! extension, but this has to be the make-or-break year.

I hope he develops into an effective PKer and cuts down on the penalties, because he's on the roster. But he hasn't shown that he could do either at the level of a replacement-level player, and to me, that's the point: If you're just a replacement-level player, you sure as hell better not be taking ridiculous penalties, or an excessive amount of penalties, because you're not scoring or preventing goals.

Probably third tier as well. I think I could name 25-30 better goalies.

Flyers obviously thought differently when they signed him.
- bradleyc4

It'd be mildly surprising if he ends up with a NHL deal. Minnesota has Backstrom & Keumper to fill in for Harding, barring injury no other team has an obvious need. It'd be funny if he ended up in Winnipeg