Losing the last two years of that contract was, and is, a good idea -- the final returns on that deal aren't in yet, and last time I checked, Columbus was still behind the Flyers, even with as horrific as Umberger has been
- AllInForFlyers

What does Columbus' position in the standings have to do with anything?

Really? It takes two team to make a trade? I wasn't sure

But since trades are getting made, Hextall can make them, too -- which is his job, as Ed Snider said 24 hours ago
- AllInForFlyers

I didn't think you were sure, as you said Hextall could make a trade today. He just can't make a trade anytime he wants. There has to be a trade available that is agreeable to him. And none of us know if there is.

I hated the deal. Still do. The idea that Hartnell couldn't have been moved without eating a huge contract in return is preposterous. Preposterous!
- PhillySportsGuy

Eh, he probably could have. Who the Hell knows? I need beer

I'm not saying that he's been the worst. But he also hasn't clearly been better or been good during this stretch. Who has? I'm saying that Del Zotto's play during this stretch is not good enough to put him on the "protected" list along with Giroux and Voracek. Del Zotto is not undeserving of being scratched. Everyone deserves to sit except Giroux and Voracek with the way this team has been playing.
- MJL

So then there's absolutely no reason to disagree with me if you feel that Del Zotto hasn't been the worst, because that's my entire point: It's not true accountability if you're not sitting the worst players

That's the definition of arbitrary, not accountability, and it is how you lose players when you are preaching accountability

Because he hasn't been that dynamic lately.
- MJL

a huge problem is the D can't get the puck up ice and get hemmed in (this is a team wide issue and not on the D per se)

another huge problem is that when they are in the offense zone, when the forwards send it back to the point, there aren't enough defenseman on the team who can do something with it

a third problem is the team speed is slow

MDZ even if he has cooled off, is a solution to these things

I just don't get it

maybe he is hurt or under the weather like another poster suggested
otherwise the move is bewildering at best, stupid at worst

What does Columbus is position in the standings have to do with anything?
- SuperSchennBros

It has everything to do with it, because both teams suck. Scott Hartnell might have helped the Flyers be in a playoff position, he might not have. But he's not here, he's there, and neither team is in the playoffs, so it's not as if Hartnell was the final piece to their puzzle, either

turn on your radio for coatsey in all his glory
- Marc D

i don't think i have a radio

So then there's absolutely no reason to disagree with me if you feel that Del Zotto hasn't been the worst, because that's my entire point: It's not true accountability if you're not sitting the worst players

That's the definition of arbitrary, not accountability, and it is how you lose players when you are preaching accountability
- AllInForFlyers

I disagree. If any player is not playing as well as they can or they should be playing, then scratching them is holding them accountable. Your definition of accountability is what's arbitrary.

i don't think i have a radio
- -davies-

I've said this a few times this week, but I want to see something along these lines starting tonight and moving forward...

Raffl-Giroux-Read
Schenn-Couturier-Voracek
PEB-Laughton-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier/CV-Rinaldo

No more Voracek with Giroux, no more Read with Couturier, and no more Vinny/Umberger in the top 9. It's actually my understanding Vinny will be scratched tonight.

I'm never going to be able to get the spelling of his name right w/o looking it up. Ever.
- Tomahawk

I just try to get all the letters in there at least once.

a huge problem is the D can't get the puck up ice and get hemmed in (this is a team wide issue and not on the D per se)

another huge problem is that when they are in the offense zone, when the forwards send it back to the point, there aren't enough defenseman on the team who can do something with it

a third problem is the team speed is slow

MDZ even if he has cooled off, is a solution to these things

I just don't get it

maybe he is hurt or under the weather like another poster suggested
otherwise the move is bewildering at best, stupid at worst
- Marc D

I understand it. If he truly is a solution to it, then maybe he should start doing it. One of things Berube said about MacDonald is that he needs to skate better and move the puck better. There is nothing wrong with competition for playing time. Especially when you have 8 NHL defenseman.

It has everything to do with it, because both teams suck. Scott Hartnell might have helped the Flyers be in a playoff position, he might not have. But he's not here, he's there, and neither team is in the playoffs, so it's not as if Hartnell was the final piece to their puzzle, either
- AllInForFlyers

he would have helped keeping the locker room in a good mood, that is for sure

I watched CBJ last night

Hartnell is a way better skater then the current version of RJU
that was one of the selling points we were fed, RJ is a much better skater... its BS

I didn't think you were sure, as you said Hextall could make a trade today. He just can't make a trade anytime he wants. There has to be a trade available that is agreeable to him. And none of us know if there is.
- MJL

I said Hextall could make a trade today, if he chose to do so. He could. He could trade their first-round pick today, if he wanted to. Everything else is implied and understood

You want to argue some ridiculous semantics tonight, for whatever reason, help yourself. But it won't be with me, because I'm not in the mood for that poop tonight

maybe he is hurt or under the weather like another poster suggested
otherwise the move is bewildering at best, stupid at worst
- Marc D

Anybody over-thinking MDZ being scratched needs to take a step back. Were talking about a guy we signed last minute to fill a bottom-6 depth role. Him being scratched one game is not at all the end of the world. It's actually probably a game or 2 over-due.

I understand it. If he truly is a solution to it, then maybe he should start doing it. One of things Berube said about MacDonald is that he needs to skate better and move the puck better. There is nothing wrong with competition for playing time. Especially when you have 8 NHL defenseman.
- MJL

yup, they need a good two game from Amac in the worst way

Anybody over-thinking MDZ being scratched needs to take a step back. Were talking about a guy we signed last minute to fill a bottom-6 depth role. Him being scratched one game is not at all the end of the world. It's actually probably a game or 2 over-due.
- mochoson

no YOU step back buddy i'm not budging

Anybody over-thinking MDZ being scratched needs to take a step back. Were talking about a guy we signed last minute to fill a bottom-6 depth role. Him being scratched one game is not at all the end of the world. It's actually probably a game or 2 over-due.
- mochoson

I get he has deficiencies on the defensive side of things

but they have no one outside of Streit capable of offense from the back end right now

he may have been signed as a last minute deal, but as far as puck skill/skating he is badly needed on this team imo

I get he has deficiencies on the defensive side of things

but they have no one outside of Streit capable of offense from the back end right now

he may have been signed as a last minute deal, but as far as puck skill/skating he is badly needed on this team imo
- Marc D

agreed

Anybody over-thinking MDZ being scratched needs to take a step back. Were talking about a guy we signed last minute to fill a bottom-6 depth role. Him being scratched one game is not at all the end of the world. It's actually probably a game or 2 over-due.
- mochoson

What difference does it make when he was signed? Coburn's been here since 2007 and he's been one of the worst players on the defense

he would have helped keeping the locker room in a good mood, that is for sure

I watched CBJ last night

Hartnell is a way better skater then the current version of RJU
that was one of the selling points we were fed, RJ is a much better skater... its BS
- Marc D

He is a much better skater, he's just slower. There's a huge difference.

Hartnell has absolutely no agility or balance what so ever. Everyones entitled to their opinion obviously, but I don't miss him in the slightest. As bad as Umberger has been, Hartnell wouldn't be doing much better on this team. We're just not very good.

I said Hextall could make a trade today, if he chose to do so. He could. He could trade their first-round pick today, if he wanted to. Everything else is implied and understood

You want to argue some ridiculous semantics tonight, for whatever reason, help yourself. But it won't be with me, because I'm not in the mood for that poop tonight
- AllInForFlyers

There's no semantics involved. No what else is understood and implied, that Hextall just isn't going to make a trade to make a trade. And that he'd only make a trade if he felt it was a good deal for the team. If he wanted to give away their first round pick, for a lousy return, I'm sure he could make a deal in about 5 minutes. But that's not what we're talking about, is it?

So what's the bottom line? If Hextall is going to make a trade, then there has to be one available that is satisfactory to both teams. And no GM can make one anytime he wants on demand!

I get he has deficiencies on the defensive side of things

but they have no one outside of Streit capable of offense from the back end right now

he may have been signed as a last minute deal, but as far as puck skill/skating he is badly needed on this team imo
- Marc D

Yeah, let's not pretend he's not in the running for the Barry Ashbee right now.

who is playing point on the dreadful 2nd PP with MDZ out?

Amac and Coburn?

it is kind of a joke to me

Anybody over-thinking MDZ being scratched needs to take a step back. Were talking about a guy we signed last minute to fill a bottom-6 depth role. Him being scratched one game is not at all the end of the world. It's actually probably a game or 2 over-due.
- mochoson

It's overdue for a lot of players.