I'm aware of that. My point was really to refute the statement made that if the Flyers expect to be a playoff team, then they shouldn't have Rinaldo on the roster. Well how many times have they made the playoffs with Rinaldo on the roster? I think the re-signing of Rinaldo has been completely overblown.
- MJL

It has been overblwon. In the end, it's a relatively minor move, and had it happened in July, no one would have cared nearly as much.

I like how Amac and Luke Schenn played together.

Streit was one of their best D guys as the season wore on.

Why not Coburn and Streit together, then Amac/Luke.

Delzotto and Grossmann for third pair minutes.

Not sure how this works for " handedness" of the players.
- Marc D

I might try the following:

5 on 5
Grossmann-Coburn
AMac-Streit
MDZ-Schenn

PK and late in period/game when leading
Grossmann-Coburn
AMac-Schenn

Late in game, when trailing and possibly when 4 on 4
MDZ-Coburn
AMac-Streit

There absolutely will be issues. A lot of 3-4 guys with differing skillsets will do that to you.

Schenn is not a much better skater than Grossmann agility-wise, but he has more pure foot speed. His skating style makes him look slow, and while he's no speedster, he's not exactly D Hatch ca. 2008 either. I think I'd prefer these:

Coburn - AMac
Streit - Schenn
Grossmann - MDZ

But that's just me.
- jmatchett383

I'd like to see that tried in training camp as well!

There absolutely will be issues. A lot of 3-4 guys with differing skillsets will do that to you.

Schenn is not a much better skater than Grossmann agility-wise, but he has more pure foot speed. His skating style makes him look slow, and while he's no speedster, he's not exactly D Hatch ca. 2008 either. I think I'd prefer these:

Coburn - AMac
Streit - Schenn
Grossmann - MDZ

But that's just me.
- jmatchett383

If Schenn can find his game and play with consistency, I'd be fine with that.

It has been overblwon. In the end, it's a relatively minor move, and had it happened in July, no one would have cared nearly as much.
- jmatchett383

I don't think it's overblown. All but guaranteeing a roster spot to a player who sucks defensively, sucks offensively, and has zero discipline is bad business in my book.

If Schenn can find his game and play with consistency, I'd be fine with that.
- MJL

Personally I think L.Schenn has quietly been the most steady defense for the Flyers over the past 2 seasons behind Coburn. He hits (a lot), blocks shots, kills penalties and has a decent +/- rating. I happen to think he will continue to improve this season.

Personally I think L.Schenn has quietly been the most steady defense for the Flyers over the past 2 seasons behind Coburn. He hits (a lot), blocks shots, kills penalties and has a decent +/- rating. I happen to think he will continue to improve this season.
- GOA88

Overall, he may be, but that's not saying much, seeing as the only players to compare him to are Grossmann and a very old Timonrn. He was fantastic in the 12-13 season, but he had a rough first half of last year before rounding into form. If he can just bring some more 5-v-5 consistency, he makes a very nice 2nd pair shutdown player.

There absolutely will be issues. A lot of 3-4 guys with differing skillsets will do that to you.

Schenn is not a much better skater than Grossmann agility-wise, but he has more pure foot speed. His skating style makes him look slow, and while he's no speedster, he's not exactly D Hatch ca. 2008 either. I think I'd prefer these:

Coburn - AMac
Streit - Schenn
Grossmann - MDZ

But that's just me.
- jmatchett383

MDZ can only play left D. Was an issue in NY. The pairing of Grossmann and Streit was very good from Feb onward last season.

Personally I think L.Schenn has quietly been the most steady defense for the Flyers over the past 2 seasons behind Coburn. He hits (a lot), blocks shots, kills penalties and has a decent +/- rating. I happen to think he will continue to improve this season.
- GOA88

His game has been inconsistent from year to year, and even during the season. He was very good overall in 12/13, but inconsistent in 13/14. He picked his game up in the playoffs, but we need to see him playing at a high level consistently.

I don't think it's overblown. All but guaranteeing a roster spot to a player who sucks defensively, sucks offensively, and has zero discipline is bad business in my book.
- PLindbergh31

If they signed him to a Jody Shelley deal, I'd agree. But this deal is below the league minimum for cap clearance, so he can be demoted if it comes to that. He's a cheap bottom-six player who is being given a chance to try to improve. And it's not as though there are a slew of players who offer a better fit in the system.

The timing is a bit weird, but as of right now, it's not like they went out and signed Michael Leighton to a 5-year deal for $30M to be the starter, which is how some people are making it out to be.

MDZ can only play left D. Was an issue in NY. The pairing of Grossmann and Streit was very good from Feb onward last season.
- bmeltzer

They may have played well (I don't recall, honestly), but on paper at least, it scares me. Who on the Flyers is an option to play right D?

They may have played well (I don't recall, honestly), but on paper at least, it scares me. Who on the Flyers is an option to play right D?
- jmatchett383

Coburn, Schenn and Streit.

His game has been inconsistent from year to year, and even during the season. He was very good overall in 12/13, but inconsistent in 13/14. He picked his game up in the playoffs, but we need to see him playing at a high level consistently.
- MJL

I think it's to be expected. He is only 24 years old and typically d-men at that age battle consistancy issues. MDZ is another example. Obviously the skill is there.

If they signed him to a Jody Shelley deal, I'd agree. But this deal is below the league minimum for cap clearance, so he can be demoted if it comes to that. He's a cheap bottom-six player who is being given a chance to try to improve. And it's not as though there are a slew of players who offer a better fit in the system.

The timing is a bit weird, but as of right now, it's not like they went out and signed Michael Leighton to a 5-year deal for $30M to be the starter, which is how some people are making it out to be.
- jmatchett383

It's not the term of the deal that bothers me much. Signing Rinaldo doesn't really exclude them from doing other things, it's the mentality behind it. Rinaldo doesn't do anything that helps a team win hockey games. That is my issue. Sure he skates well, and has energy, but it's misguided. He's often running around looking for the big hit. More times than not it leads to the Flyers being short handed. I prefer 4th line players to be solid defensively, responsible in their own zone, able to contribute on the PK, and chip in a little offense. Rinaldo does none of that.

MDZ can only play left D. Was an issue in NY. The pairing of Grossmann and Streit was very good from Feb onward last season.
- bmeltzer

Yup, MDZ is left side only. I think it's either gonna be

Mac-Coburn
Grossmann-Streit
MDZ-Schenn

or

Grossmann-Coburn
Mac-Streit
MDZ-Schenn

They may have played well (I don't recall, honestly), but on paper at least, it scares me. Who on the Flyers is an option to play right D?
- jmatchett383

Right:
Luke Schenn
Coburn (even though he is lefty)
I guess Streit?

It's not the term of the deal that bothers me much. Signing Rinaldo doesn't really exclude them from doing other things, it's the mentality behind it. Rinaldo doesn't do anything that helps a team win hockey games. That is my issue. Sure he skates well, and has energy, but it's misguided. He's often running around looking for the big hit. More times than not it leads to the Flyers being short handed. I prefer 4th line players to be solid defensively, responsible in their own zone, able to contribute on the PK, and chip in a little offense. Rinaldo does none of that.
- PLindbergh31

I see what you're saying, but I still don't think anything about the deal is an alarming issue. I'd have preferred they waited till the end of the season, but I think they count on him being more of an asset going forward and wanted to get him locked in. They may be right, they may be wrong, but at least he seems honest about wanting to improve him game.

Right:
Luke Schenn
Coburn (even though he is lefty)
I guess Streit?
- Marc D

Then I'd try:

Coburn - Grossmann
Schenn - AMac
Streit - MDZ

The sad things is there was nothing about Rinaldo's play last season that should make him a lock for an NHL roster spot. Not on a team that expects to make the playoffs.
- Feanor

I'm inclined to agree with you simply because the things that Rinaldo does do well don't happen enough to offset the areas where he sets the team back. It's the same reason we got rid of Danny Carcillo. I think Rinaldo is a smarter player than Carcillo, but I just don't think Zac is all that skilled of a hockey player.

I see what you're saying, but I still don't think anything about the deal is an alarming issue. I'd have preferred they waited till the end of the season, but I think they count on him being more of an asset going forward and wanted to get him locked in. They may be right, they may be wrong, but at least he seems honest about wanting to improve him game.
- jmatchett383

We shall see. If he improves discipline wise it won't be terrible. If it is the same old same old with him, I want to see the Flyers admit their mistake and send him to the Phantoms. I'm not sure that will happen. I think they are trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

I think it's to be expected. He is only 24 years old and typically d-men at that age battle consistancy issues. MDZ is another example. Obviously the skill is there.
- GOA88

I don't disagree with that, and although Luke Schenn is still fairly young, how much leeway does he get? I think it's time for Schenn to play consistently like the veteran he is. This will be his 7th NHL season coming up.

We shall see. If he improves discipline wise it won't be terrible. If it is the same old same old with him, I want to see the Flyers admit their mistake and send him to the Phantoms. I'm not sure that will happen. I think they are trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
- PLindbergh31

We'll see. The worrisome thing, to me, is loyalty and an unwavering ability to admit a mistake, and it's not specific to this deal.

For a good 3-month stretch, Steve Downie was 100% awful. He did nothing well, was a net negative every game, and looked like an ECHL player. But because of past success, they continued to roll him out with two of our top players, and it stifled their production. Going forward, I'd like to see the team be more proactive in sitting players for stretches when they're not contributing to the team's success. Even with limited options, I'd rather them send messages that players need to earn their time.

Then I'd try:

Coburn - Grossmann
Schenn - AMac
Streit - MDZ
- jmatchett383

You have all of them on the wrong side...

Not Flyers-related, but I was watching the Pittsburgh-Buffalo Winter Classic yesterday. I thought it was funny how the NHL keeps trying to throw the "showcase" teams in the Winter Classic every year but that the most entertaining one yet was hosted by a team very few people league-wide care about. Even though the Flyers have been in two, I think that having the WC (it's not going away any time soon) in a variety of northern regions using a wide array of teams would be best.

Also, I am refusing to go to any more Flyers outdoor games unless they play the Penguins, on the off chance that I can throw snowballs at the Penguins.

You have all of them on the wrong side...
- Feanor

I was listing pairings, not sides. But if it bothers you:

Grossmann - Coburn
AMac - Schenn
MDZ - Streit