For real though, does anybody buy the dimwitted "we need him as a deterrent" logic when acquiring these guys? Adding dirty players will almost certainly escalate the dangerous play, not keep it in check.

Rinaldo should have gotten more than 8. He's an actual piece of human waste. The "logo on the front" has nothing to do with it, but his name has everything to do with it because he's an unskilled maggot that does nothing but run around like a donkey and try to either fight or injure someone. There is literally nothing else to his game. He is a cancer in this league.
- eichiefs9

I wouldn't say there's "nothing else" to his game. He actually does hit cleanly, for the most part. But it's his propensity for dirty hits that make him a player I'd like nothing to do with.

Going back to Lemieux's comments last summer about the team not having enough grit, character and toughness, he's now seemed to have found a GM who either shares that view or isn't too stubborn to follow his boss' wishes.

The Pens don't like how the league isn't protecting stars or skilled players, so they have gone all in on trying to be the tougher team.

I'm not sure I completely agree with the approach, but this team has been pushed around for the better part of the last 5 losing playoff seasons. Trying to outskill the opponent has only resulted in beating the Ottawa Senators (twice), the NY Islanders, and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nothing againt those teams, but it's not like they are the 2001-02 Red Wings.

I'm all in with this approach, and will enjoy the ride.

Found this interesting:

@404ResponseCode - anyone worried about losing Goc for the PK shouldn't be - worst CA60 on the team 4v5 at 113.58. 124 out of 134 Fs >50 mins.

Found this interesting:

@404ResponseCode - anyone worried about losing Goc for the PK shouldn't be - worst CA60 on the team 4v5 at 113.58. 124 out of 134 Fs >50 mins.
- cap1681

translation?

translation?
- dbell646

Numbers seem to say that he's not as good on the PK as people think.

For real though, does anybody buy the dimwitted "we need him as a deterrent" logic when acquiring these guys? Adding dirty players will almost certainly escalate the dangerous play, not keep it in check.
- BulliesPhan87

I feel the same way. I really like the idea of getting tougher, but I don't think the weasel/agitating type are a good idea.

I said the same thing when we called up Farnham just for the Flyers game...it doesn't deter anything, it just gets people more riled up and the whole game becomes a bloodfest.

translation?
- dbell646

CA 60 is corsi against per 60 minutes of ice time

I wouldn't say there's "nothing else" to his game. He actually does hit cleanly, for the most part. But it's his propensity for dirty hits that make him a player I'd like nothing to do with.
- jmatchett383

Of course he hits cleanly, he can't do something filthy on every single play. Trevor Gillies hit cleanly sometimes too, but on the whole he was an embarrassment to both the Islanders and the sport of hockey. Rinaldo is barely an iota better than Gillies, and that's probably only because he can manage to walk 10 feet without stepping on his knuckles.

On the whole Rinaldo is a player this sport would be better off without. Sadly, he's someone that I hope has his career ended by someone before he seriously injures someone important to the game. He's worthless as a player.

Numbers seem to say that he's not as good on the PK as people think.
- rival22

I like this trade. Goc rarely left an impression on me during a game. I don't think Lapi is Laraque and I don't think he's brought in to be a deterrent. I think what he was brought in to do is to hit, win faceoffs, and get under the skin of the other teams. He's very capable of that and actually can score here and there.

CA 60 is corsi against per 60 minutes of ice time
- cap1681

This is what I just read
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Numbers seem to say that he's not as good on the PK as people think.
- rival22

Of course, numbers also say that Goc is a more physical player than Lapierre.

For real though, does anybody buy the dimwitted "we need him as a deterrent" logic when acquiring these guys? Adding dirty players will almost certainly escalate the dangerous play, not keep it in check.
- BulliesPhan87

There is no such thing. But with knuckledraggers still operating in the front office and not suspending players proper amounts, there is no reason not to have these types.
You can be as preachy as you want on the issue, but this league still runs itself like the wild west and it sure as hell doesn't hurt you to carry a gun.
I love this sport and want it to change for the better, but this is the unfortunate reality. Eat or be eaten.

I feel the same way. I really like the idea of getting tougher, but I don't think the weasel/agitating type are a good idea.

I said the same thing when we called up Farnham just for the Flyers game...it doesn't deter anything, it just gets people more riled up and the whole game becomes a bloodfest.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Well, at the very least the entertainment value of Flyers v. Pens games is doomed to increase (along with the chance of injuries).

There is no such thing. But with knuckledraggers still operating in the front office and not suspending players proper amounts, there is no reason not to have these types.
You can be as preachy as you want on the issue, but this league still runs itself like the wild west and it sure as hell doesn't hurt you to carry a gun.
I love this sport and want it to change for the better, but this is the unfortunate reality. Eat or be eaten.
- usethe1-2-2

To be fair, the league's hands are tied by the NHLPA's influence, so I think they deserve some blame too.

To be fair, the league's hands are tied by the NHLPA's influence, so I think they deserve some blame too.
- BulliesPhan87

No being fair!

I hate this goof with every bone in my body. Grit is one thing, being a complete douche is another.

One of the cheapest players in the league, then likes to run and hide after starting poop with that stupid grin on his face. I hope Adams injures him in practice.

Of course he hits cleanly, he can't do something filthy on every single play. Trevor Gillies hit cleanly sometimes too, but on the whole he was an embarrassment to both the Islanders and the sport of hockey. Rinaldo is barely an iota better than Gillies, and that's probably only because he can manage to walk 10 feet without stepping on his knuckles.

On the whole Rinaldo is a player this sport would be better off without. Sadly, he's someone that I hope has his career ended by someone before he seriously injures someone important to the game. He's worthless as a player.
- eichiefs9

I don't want his career ended, because, in the end, he's a human being and I don't want his quality of life to suffer regardless of how he plays a game. That said, if he was unable to find employment in the NHL, I'm all for it.

To be fair, the league's hands are tied by the NHLPA's influence, so I think they deserve some blame too.
- BulliesPhan87

That's true as well. You are right. The NHLPA is blindly supporting scum as if they are the actual peers or true NHL'rs.

I hate this goof with every bone in my body. Grit is one thing, being a complete douche is another.

One of the cheapest players in the league, then likes to run and hide after starting poop with that stupid grin on his face. I hope Adams injures him in practice.
- canadianpenfan

I'm not surprised that Lapierre and Burrows were on the same team.

That's true as well. You are right. The NHLPA is blindly supporting scum as if they are the actual peers or true NHL'rs.
- usethe1-2-2

My issue with the NHLPA is that they would rather protect the rights of the offenders as compared to the health of the victims.

No being fair!
- Guile

Oh, right. Let me start over.

Well, just goes to show the Pens have been the ones dragging down the division (and the league) into this dirty cheapshot BS all along. Way to guys, you are all personally responsible for this.

Oh, right. Let me start over.

Well, just goes to show the Pens have been the ones dragging down the division (and the league) into this dirty cheapshot BS all along. Way to guys, you are all personally responsible for this.
- BulliesPhan87

Eh... the trash Boston fans that believe the Pens have been the dirtiest team in the NHL the last decade are more funny.

My issue with the NHLPA is that they would rather protect the rights of the offenders as compared to the health of the victims.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. I worked in labor law as an intern and sae the same issue with unions. Their hands are bound because they represent the collective, they can't just pick and choose. Its an unfortunate reality.

Numbers seem to say that he's not as good on the PK as people think.
- rival22

The numbers can be chosen and angled any way the presenter wishes. As we have all witness on here.