Rant and ramble time. I wish I could comfortably say Powe, but who the hell knows. The Powe re-signing has been the most exciting news of this offseason for me. I find it absolutely hysterical that there were people in that thread complaining about Powe being overpaid, or saying he was overpaid by 50 or 75k. Like, really? Lol, who does that? What's also funny is that there are also people who will interpret this post to mean that I think Darroll Powe is the second coming of Christ. When in fact, the truth of the matter is that I just enjoy watching Powe play...I like his game, his work ethic, effort, hustle, hitting...he's the god damn Energizer Bunny out there. I don't get why some people seem to think it's stupid to be a big fan of a certain guy just because he isn't the most talented in the world. It's so boring the way some people seem to just worship the flashy, big money players. And it totally boggles my mind how any Flyers fan could have any kind of problem whatsoever with Powe being re-signed for $725k. He's just about the perfect 4th liner if you ask me. All that said, I do happen to be a big Kalinski fan as well, and would love to see him get a legit shot. Not at the expense of a $725k Powe, though.
Who the hell knows is the correct answer at this point.
I have faith in Laviolette to play the better player, which is obviously Powe, but that could take time and since your question was "who plays on opening night" rather then who will earn the spot eventually, it's kind of a toss-up.
Powe should and probably will beat out Shelley for a spot though. He's undeniably the better played (and somehow 400k cheaper too).
Well, Powe will almost certainly be centering Shelley on opening night.
I do look forward to two guys on 3-year contracts spending significant time in the press box, however.
I love how the organization keeps bringing people that we can't wait to get rid of in after the last people that we couldn't wait to get rid of just left. For example:
Randy Jones and Rathje completely off the team. Cote only has one year left on his deal....so they sign Shelley for three years at 1.1 mil and trade for both Meszaros and Walker. Granted, Meszaros will have a constant roster spot, but his contract does have potential to hamper us a la Randy Jones (in fact, it already has).
I love how the organization keeps bringing people that we can't wait to get rid of in after the last people that we couldn't wait to get rid of just left. For example:
Randy Jones and Rathje completely off the team. Cote only has one year left on his deal....so they sign Shelley for three years at 1.1 mil and trade for both Meszaros and Walker. Granted, Meszaros will have a constant roster spot, but his contract does have potential to hamper us a la Randy Jones (in fact, it already has).
They are most definitely reckless when it comes to the contracts they acquire/dole out for the latter half of the roster.
I don't know guys. It sounded to me in the interview he had with Timmy P (see the other line thread post) that Betts would be ready to rock for the opener.
Powe isn't competing for playing time with Shelley. Shelley does his thing (fight, intimidate, protect) and Powe does his (forecheck, PK, hustle).
If anything Powe is competing for playing time with Carcillo and Lappy.
Powe will probably center the 4th line until Betts comes back. Shelley will probably wear some nice suits with his new contract come playoff time.
If they wanted an enforcer to only play 30 games they would hae signed John Scott for $500M (THAT'S WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE). Shelley will play unless he pulls a Brashear and Lavi pulls a Torts.
If a young team looking to for leadership to take the next step asks for Lappy do you move him? This team had leaders already (Pronger, Kimo, Richards, Briere) and added ODonnell. Powe would take his spot on the 4th line for @ $600M less.
Powe isn't competing for playing time with Shelley. Shelley does his thing (fight, intimidate, protect) and Powe does his (forecheck, PK, hustle).
If anything Powe is competing for playing time with Carcillo and Lappy.
I agree with this. I think Powe's main competition for ice time isn't Shelley, it's Carcillo and Lappy, because their roles all overlap to some degree.
If Carcillo or Powe isn't an assertive forechecking presence, one is going to lose ice time to the other. If Lappy breaks his face again, or the PK is in a rut, Powe will pick up minutes.
Shelley over Powe in the regular season and Powe over Shelley in the playoffs.
You're not going to sit Powe all year for Shelley and then suddenly break him out come playoff time.
That's why this whole situation is so stupid. Shelley will definitely be in there against teams with "enforcers" -- just because we're going to do that -- and Powe will be in there against teams where an actual player/PKer is mandated. They'll both be in when someone is hurt.
Powe isn't competing for playing time with Shelley. Shelley does his thing (fight, intimidate, protect) and Powe does his (forecheck, PK, hustle).
If anything Powe is competing for playing time with Carcillo and Lappy.
Powe will probably center the 4th line until Betts comes back. Shelley will probably wear some nice suits with his new contract come playoff time.
If they wanted an enforcer to only play 30 games they would hae signed John Scott for $500M (THAT'S WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE). Shelley will play unless he pulls a Brashear and Lavi pulls a Torts.
If a young team looking to for leadership to take the next step asks for Lappy do you move him? This team had leaders already (Pronger, Kimo, Richards, Briere) and added ODonnell. Powe would take his spot on the 4th line for @ $600M less.
