As soon as you tell Umberger to win a 50-50 puck
- AllInForFlyers

Umberger has been okay lately. He was okay today. It's just the narrative of the season. And I understand that he's been a disappointment overall. He may not have much offense left, but he's still a decent checking winger.

Honestly, I think it's incredibly hard to judge defenseman when the team is as dysfunctional as it is. It's unimpeded rush after rush against the defense. And facing heavy forecheck pressure for long periods of games. Hard enough to play defense under normal circumstances.
- MJL

We don't always agree, but we do on this

They move the puck better than they have in years, get it to safe zones

Not their fault only three forwards have done anything all season at ES, one more on the PP

Yeah, I just don't see where we could fit Vinny in moving forward. I wouldn't even want him as the 4th line center. I would probably bury him as the 4th line RW to be honest. RJ can at the very least handle 4th line duties and do it effectively.
- hereticpride

If Lecavalier is not producing points, he is of no value to a team.

Umberger has been okay lately. He was okay today. It's just the narrative of the season. And I understand that he's been a disappointment overall. He may not have much offense left, but he's still a decent checking winger.
- MJL

I don't engage in narratives. Either a guy can play, or he can't

We don't always agree, but we do on this

They move the puck better than they have in years, get it to safe zones

Not their fault only three forwards have done anything all season at ES, one more on the PP
- AllInForFlyers

I don't know if you watched the game today, but the entire game played out in a familiar pattern. Flyers dump the puck in with zero speed behind it. Ranger D men have an easy retrieval and execute an easy quick up breakout, and it's an odd man rush or an even man rush unimpeded through the neutral zone. No back pressure in the neutral zone from the Flyers. Defenseman have to back in, and face minute long shifts on the cycle. Shift after shift after shift. And very few shifts where the Flyers have control of the puck and sustained pressure in the Rangers end. But hey that's all on the defenseman.

He's (Berube's) supposed mix that all together and make that work. If not, he's not effective.

- MJL

What are the criteria you would use to judge how a coach is performing?

I don't engage in narratives. Either a guy can play, or he can't
- AllInForFlyers

Umberger can still play in a 4th line role and on the PK. Unfortunately, his cap his is 4.6M.

What are the criteria you would use to judge how a coach is performing?
- exlund

The reality is that a coach is going to be judged on how his team plays. Even if it's not the coaches fault per se. That's life as a coach.

I don't know if you watched the game today, but the entire game played out in a familiar pattern. Flyers dump the puck in with zero speed behind it. Ranger D men have an easy retrieval and execute an easy quick up breakout, and it's an odd man rush or an even man rush unimpeded through the neutral zone. No back pressure in the neutral zone from the Flyers. Defenseman have to back in, and face minute long shifts on the cycle. Shift after shift after shift. And very few shifts where the Flyers have control of the puck and sustained pressure in the Rangers end. But hey that's all on the defenseman.
- MJL

Haven't watched it yet, due to holiday stuff with the fam -- had to make do with updates

Box score looked exactly like I thought it would, and i have no doubt what you just described is what happened -- forwards have been brutal in possession, with exception of Giroux/Voracek

Haven't watched it yet, due to holiday stuff with the fam -- had to make do with updates

Box score looked exactly like I thought it would, and i have no doubt what you just described is what happened -- forwards have been brutal in possession, with exception of Giroux/Voracek
- AllInForFlyers

Probably a good idea to just skip it. Very few satisfying moments.

Was MacDonald a healthy scratch, or is he "semi-healthy" -- which means he was trying to play banged up?

Probably a good idea to just skip it. Very few satisfying moments.
- MJL

I'm so damn sour at what's shaking out with them, i might just do that

How'd Luke Schenn look, relatively speaking?

Was MacDonald a healthy scratch, or is he "semi-healthy" -- which means he was trying to play banged up?
- AllInForFlyers

Don't know for sure. He played 20 minutes the game before. It's rare for a player to play the 2nd most minutes for defenseman for a team, then a coaches decision the next game.

I'm so damn sour at what's shaking out with them, i might just do that

How'd Schenn look, relatively speaking?
- AllInForFlyers

Luke Schenn. I thought he played a decent game. None of the screw ups that have plagued him in past games.

Don't know for sure. He played 20 minutes the game before. It's rare for a player to play the 2nd most minutes for defenseman for a team, then a coaches decision the next game.
- MJL

He hasn't played well, but I wonder if he's trying to grind through that injury

Lastly, I think Holmgren was studying under Sather during his years of stupidity right after the lockout. Holy crap the Macdonald and Lecavalier contracts are awful. Like seriously, wtf was he thinking?
- mjh609

Both contracts were knee jerk signings and shortsighted. You can throw in Streit's contract as well.

Luke Schenn. I thought he played a decent game. None of the screw ups that have plagued him in past games.
- MJL

That's good -- I acknowledge his limitations but haven't given up on him just yet

And this will come up often again with him now that he's playing


- ob18

I love getting bumholes like that in my classes. I make them squirm for a decent grade all semester and then they earn what they earn. Even an A...or an F. Don't give a damn if you'd rather be sniffing jocks...if you take my classes you better be ready to study and learn, just like all the other students. I get paid to educate not toss softballs.

Both contracts were knee jerk signings and shortsighted. You can throw in Streit's contract as well.
- 77rams

I disagree regarding Streit. They needed a guy to be the bridge between Kimmo and the draftee's. That's Streit. And at least he's been earning his keep.

You can scratch them both, and should -- Umberger should be waived

They are the worst two forwards, now that Akeson has been sent down. Use the cash you save by waiving Umberger and find someone who cares
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, Akeson couldn't light it up playing 7 minutes in a miscast role with the likes of Rinaldo, RJ or Vinny, but he wasn't as much a liability as those guys have been at times...also, he's only played 20 NHL games. What are the other guys' excuse for not producing with twice the minutes and pp time? I would bet $1,000 Akeson would have put up more points (so far, this season) than either of those guys if he could have swapped roles with them, while not being any worse than them defensively.

I disagree regarding Streit. They needed a guy to be the bridge between Kimmo and the draftee's. That's Streit. And at least he's been earning his keep.
- hereticpride

Like the MacDonald signing also. Solid 2nd pair #3 puck moving defenseman.

I was going to change my Hartsy avatard but i am keeping that poop in protest. That trade sucked.

Do they call him Umburglar because he is stealing a roster spot?

Yeah, Akeson couldn't light it up playing 7 minutes in a miscast role with the likes of Rinaldo, RJ or Vinny, but he wasn't as much a liability as those guys have been at times...also, he's only played 20 NHL games. What are the other guys' excuse for not producing with twice the minutes and pp time? I would bet $1,000 Akeson would have put up more points (so far, this season) than either of those guys if he could have swapped roles with them, while not being any worse than them defensively.
- exlund

I don't think Akeson was used well, but at the same time, because the coach will be held accountable for results, at some point, I do concede that a coach has the right to play who he wants

I would have handled it differently, but if Berube doesn't see fit to play him, I'm glad Akeson was sent down

Need Chief to get there with a couple more guys

I disagree regarding Streit. They needed a guy to be the bridge between Kimmo and the draftee's. That's Streit. And at least he's been earning his keep.
- hereticpride

I agree, but on a two year contract at age 35, not a four year.

I agree, but on a two year contract at age 35, not a four year.
- 77rams

Doubt he would've signed for 2 years.