http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hockey-s-top-30-nhl-affiliated-prospects-1.183391
- jak521

I agree, if they got in the playoffs, a lack of a legitimate top defense pair would hurt them.
- MJL

This is where we disagree. Their lack of a top pair (legit or not.. right now they dont have a single player that is even feasible in that role) will keep them from getting to the playoffs.

Its their #1 deterrent

Certainly the lack of a top defense pairing is one of the Flyers biggest issues personnel wise, but that doesn't change that playing with more emtion and fire would help this team a lot.
- MJL

Help them with what? Another just make the playoffs and lose in the 1st round season again? The Flyers are in the position they are in becauase they were just good enough to make the playoffs so we make trades for players like Streit and MacDonald and give them big extensions. Sign Vinnie to a deal they will not be able to get out of. Etc Etc Etc. All it does is lead to bad decisions and mask the real problems this team has.

Do you think the Flyers see Rinaldo as a full time 2nd line winger? Akeson was stuck on the 4th line because he wasn't better then the players who were playing there at the time.
- MJL

I think his question was, if they had a position on the 2nd line open, why wasn't Akeson called up and, similarly, if they had a 4th line spot open, why was Akeson used there instead of a VdV/Jones type?

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hockey-s-top-30-nhl-affiliated-prospects-1.183391
- jak521

Man, what a nice late 2nd-round pick Christian Dvorak is... (frank)ing Phoenix. They'd better not get Marner.

Not to defend Zac, as it was a bad hit and put the team in a bad position, but if you replay the video and look at the angle of the camera that is from the PIT goalies angle, you can see Kris' numbers the entire time, was his back turned, yes, but I have seen far worse hits that did not result in an injury or a penalty...I think Zac initially was going for a hit to his side, Letang just never turned

Rinaldo just doesn't learn though, he is never going to get a favorable call, and his comment about the "speed" of the game is crap, if the game is moving too fast for him then maybe he should not be playing it anymore at the NHL level...

The poop the announcers were spewing last night is what drove this hit to a frenzy...and that is what they WANT...if they didn't do you think the NHL would sanction "Rivalry Night" and show the highlights of hits and fights for a hour before the game? This sort of hit and game just adds to the frenzy they try to create...
- JW98FlyerFan

I agree with you. However, still a bad hit and the penalties given and will be given are warranted. I actually think the DelZotto hit was worse. The difference in penalties, IMO, was injury to the receiving player. If Letang doesn't get hurt, I doubt Rinaldo gets a five and game. MDZ was lucky there was no injury on his hit.

This is where we disagree. Their lack of a top pair (legit or not.. right now they dont have a single player that is even feasible in that role) will keep them from getting to the playoffs.

Its their #1 deterrent
- jak521

I don't disagree with that. Doesn't change that not playing at a high enough level and intensity is also a big problem for this team.

Ummmmmm I don't think Rinaldo was joking about hitting and/or hurting Letang. I think he really believes what he said.
- nastyflyergirl

Best case: It was a really tone deaf joke on Rinaldo's part.

Worst case: He actually meant what he said.

Either way, it was stupid.

DelZotto
- Flyone

Speaking of MDZ, is his nickname really "Otto"? Thought I heard the mics pick up somebody calling him that on the ice. If so, that's a sad nick.

Letang is taking the optional skate. Good news (even if it is Letang)

Speaking of MDZ, is his nickname really "Otto"? Thought I heard the mics pick up somebody calling him that on the ice. If so, that's a sad nick.
- Tomahawk

I thought I heard that too. It's probably because he's so similar to Joel Otto in his defensive abilities.. hahah

Or it could be a reference to the Simpsons.. "My name is Otto..and I like to get Blotto"

I agree with you. However, still a bad hit and the penalties given and will be given are warranted. I actually think the DelZotto hit was worse. The difference in penalties, IMO, was injury to the receiving player. If Letang doesn't get hurt, I doubt Rinaldo gets a five and game. MDZ was lucky there was no injury on his hit.
- Flyone

I agree the MDZ hit was worse, Zac hits pretty heavy for a guy his size, so rarely does he just bounce off like MDZ did...

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hockey-s-top-30-nhl-affiliated-prospects-1.183391
- jak521

3 in the top 20 and all dmen. last time that happened was never

Help them with what? Another just make the playoffs and lose in the 1st round season again? The Flyers are in the position they are in becauase they were just good enough to make the playoffs so we make trades for players like Streit and MacDonald and give them big extensions. Sign Vinnie to a deal they will not be able to get out of. Etc Etc Etc. All it does is lead to bad decisions and mask the real problems this team has.
- Daveflyers36

Yep. #truth

I don't care how hard Rinaldo works and how hard he says he wants to improve, he's an idiot. He's not a NHL caliber player, he's unable to control himself and quite frankly his idiotic comments after the game, joking or not, will do little to reduce the giant bullseye he's painted on his own back.

He's an embarrassment.
- Jsaquella

+1
I'd rather have Rosehill up than keep Rinaldo on this team.

The Flyers definitely caught a break on the OT goal. The puck went into Greiss' jersey. It should have been blown dead at that point. Luckily, it somehow managed not to get stuck in the pant and fell through. You take what they give you.

Man, what a nice late 2nd-round pick Christian Dvorak is... (frank)ing Phoenix. They'd better not get Marner.


- Tomahawk

Mentioned Dvorak last year.......would have been nice too

+1
I'd rather have Rosehill up than keep Rinaldo on this team.

The Flyers definitely caught a break on the OT goal. The puck went into Greiss' jersey. It should have been blown dead at that point. Luckily, it somehow managed not to get stuck in the pant and fell through. You take what they give you.
- GeorgeBailey

They also got robbed on the loose puck that was blown dead on the (Schenn?) no goal. Even.

I agree with you. However, still a bad hit and the penalties given and will be given are warranted. I actually think the DelZotto hit was worse. The difference in penalties, IMO, was injury to the receiving player. If Letang doesn't get hurt, I doubt Rinaldo gets a five and game. MDZ was lucky there was no injury on his hit.
- Flyone

this is a problem too... he got injured now you get suspended... gimme a (frank)ing break with that nonsense... it's ok just dont get caught is what theyre saying with their already dumb rules.

Best case: It was a really tone deaf joke on Rinaldo's part.

Worst case: He actually meant what he said.

Either way, it was stupid.
- johndewar

Meh... The NHL is littered with Rinaldo's. One per team.

They also got robbed on the loose puck that was blown dead on the (Schenn?) no goal. Even.
- jmatchett383

I think the difference between the 2 plays was the goalie. On the first one, the goalie was stationary and looking like he had covered the puck, in OT he was moving around trying to find it which made it look like the puck was still loose. Yes the official is suppose to blow the whistle when he loses sight of it but I believe since everyone including the goalie was still trying to find it the play was allowed to continue.

I agree the MDZ hit was worse, Zac hits pretty heavy for a guy his size, so rarely does he just bounce off like MDZ did...
- JW98FlyerFan

Taking the result out, MDZ's hit was way worse. He clearly leaps before contact and led with his elbow up high.

Letang is taking the optional skate. Good news (even if it is Letang)
- BulliesPhan87

Good news for Rinaldo, too.

this is a problem too... he got injured now you get suspended... gimme a (frank)ing break with that nonsense... it's ok just dont get caught is what theyre saying with their already dumb rules.
- JoeRussomanno

To me it's the same as high sticking. No blood, 2 min. Blood, 4 min. IMO, it should be unintentional 2 and intentional 4 and if that latter causes injury, 5. Penalties shouldn't be based on the result but on the actual infraction.

Best case: It was a really tone deaf joke on Rinaldo's part.

Worst case: He actually meant what he said.

Either way, it was stupid.
- johndewar

He doesn't come off as real bright. I'm going with he actually meant it.

Good news for Rinaldo, too.
- Feanor

that's too bad