So VandeVelde on the first line is really going to happen, huh?
- NickTheKid87

sort of makes you yearn for #19 back

how many 4th liners do the flyers have in their organization?
- vejim

Several. It's obvious Berube has a soft spot for 4th liners as they seem to get the benefit of the doubt much more often.

Several. It's obvious Berube has a soft spot for 4th liners as they seem to get the benefit of the doubt much more often.
- PhillySportsGuy

Unless that 4th liner is named "Akeson".

#FreeArtRossAkeson

Several. It's obvious Berube has a soft spot for 4th liners as they seem to get the benefit of the doubt much more often.
- PhillySportsGuy

Rinaldo and 4th liner = Berube

how many 4th liners do the flyers have in their organization?
- vejim

Akeson, Jason; Bellemare, Pierre-Édouard; Jones, Blair; Lecavalier, Vincent; Mangene, Matt; Raffl, Michael; Rinaldo, Zac; Rosehill, Jay; Stortini, Zack; Straka, Petr; Umberger, R.J.; VandeVelde, Chris & White, Ryan.


So a couple.

So VandeVelde on the first line is really going to happen, huh?
- NickTheKid87

I think it's going to be Schenn, but I wouldn't be surprised to see VDV on the top line for a few shifts or if the Schenn-G-Jake line doesn't dominate from the opening shift.

Several. It's obvious Berube has a soft spot for 4th liners as they seem to get the benefit of the doubt much more often.
- PhillySportsGuy

But thank god he got them away from that dreaded fire wagon type of hockey and made them into a defensive powerhouse.

I don't believe he's an NHL caliber player. He's a call up who can play on the 4th line for short stretches. There is no reason for him to be getting anywhere close to the top line.
- PhillySportsGuy

No he's obviously not a first line player but Berube seems to want to keep balance in the lineup instead of putting another of their better players on that line. We'll see how it plays out. I doubt it lasts long anyway. I just don't think he's been as bad as people think.

Unless that 4th liner is named "Akeson".

#FreeArtRossAkeson
- johndewar

Akeson isn't a 4th liner. They play 3 4th liners though. VDV on the top line, Umberger on the 2nd line and Rinaldo on the 4th line.

Unless that 4th liner is named "Akeson".

#FreeArtRossAkeson
- johndewar

aching for Akeson

sort of makes you yearn for #19 back
- vejim

We're faster and better defensively.

No he's obviously not a first line player but Berube seems to want to keep balance in the lineup instead of putting another of their better players on that line. We'll see how it plays out. I doubt it lasts long anyway. I just don't think he's been as bad as people think.
- JonnyHammerstix

Imo its not about him not doing well up there. I think he will but so would Happy Gilmore playing with G and Jake.

Playing with those two however should be a opportunity that is given to a young player or a player who has a realistic chance at a role in the top 6/9.

Jean (frank)ing Claude Van Damme is not that player, but nice to see him getting valuable development minutes.

No he's obviously not a first line player but Berube seems to want to keep balance in the lineup instead of putting another of their better players on that line. We'll see how it plays out. I doubt it lasts long anyway. I just don't think he's been as bad as people think.
- JonnyHammerstix

If he really wanted to balance the lineup, he would have split up Jake and G. Putting VDV on the top line is just Berube rewarding a player who works hard and does what Berube tells him to. This has nothing to do with maximizing the lineup.

how many 4th liners do the flyers have in their organization?
- vejim

well, technically 3 on any given night

Akeson, Jason; Bellemare, Pierre-Édouard; Jones, Blair; Lecavalier, Vincent; Mangene, Matt; Raffl, Michael; Rinaldo, Zac; Rosehill, Jay; Stortini, Zack; Straka, Petr; Umberger, R.J.; VandeVelde, Chris & White, Ryan.


So a couple.
- mayorofangrytown

so basicly the whole Phantoms team are 4th liners

It would take season ending injuries to Giroux and Voracek to get anywhere near the top 2
- PLindbergh31

We are now doomed.

If he really wanted to balance the lineup, he would have split up Jake and G. Putting VDV on the top line is just Berube rewarding a player who works hard and does what Berube tells him to. This has nothing to do with maximizing the lineup.
- PhillySportsGuy

harsh, man. harsh.

so basicly the whole Phantoms team are 4th liners
- vejim

No, half of them and half of the Flyers.

so basicly the whole Phantoms team are 4th liners
- vejim

I think Laughton could play on the 3rd line with Couts and Read. I think Cousins and Leier are close to being NHL caliber players as well (3rd/4th liners).

Imo its not about him not doing well up there. I think he will but so would Happy Gilmore playing with G and Jake.

Playing with those two however should be a opportunity that is given to a young player or a player who has a realistic chance at a role in the top 6/9.

Jean (frank)ing Claude Van Damme is not that player, but nice to see him getting valuable development minutes.
- flyer_nutter

I don't disagree. Like I said I doubt it lasts long anyway.

harsh, man. harsh.
- mayorofangrytown

Am I wrong?

We are now doomed.

- FlyersGrace

Am I wrong?
- PhillySportsGuy

No. Spot on.

(I love typing that)

No. Spot on.

(I love typing that)
- mayorofangrytown

new blob

I think it's going to be Schenn, but I wouldn't be surprised to see VDV on the top line for a few shifts or if the Schenn-G-Jake line doesn't dominate from the opening shift.
- PhillySportsGuy

I hope they try 10-28-93 again before they through VDV on the top line.