Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo is one of the most polarizing players on the roster. Supporters believe that he is a valuable “energy” forward who gets under the skin of opposing players. Detractors feel that he is more of a liability than an asset.

Pound for pound, Rinaldo is one of the NHL’s best bodycheckers. He is an above-average skater with good balance and can bowl over much bigger players.

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REMEMBERING PETER ZEZEL

Today marks five years since the passing of Peter Zezel at age 44. On this Memorial Day in the United States, I thought it would be appropriate to devote today’s blog to Zezel’s memory as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.

A fan favorite in Philadelphia and elsewhere during a career that spanned 873 regular season games an

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The Flyers face a tough decision this summer with restricted free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon. The 24-year-old, who showed promise in 45 games as a rookie at the NHL level during the 2011-12 season, has missed most of the last two seasons due to post-concussion syndrome.

Bourdon has dressed in just 41 games since February 18, 2012. He has sustained four concussions in that time span —

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Flyers center Brayden Schenn has now completed his entry level contract and can become a restricted free agent on July 1. New Flyers general manager Ron Hextall recently told Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia that re-signing Schenn is his top priority. Days before he was officially moved up the front office ladder from general manager to club president, Paul Holmgren said that there have been no dis

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WORLDS: CANADA OUSTED IN QUARTERFINALS

Team Canada suffered a third period collapse and lost 3-2 to Finland in the medal round quarterfinals of the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Minsk, Belarus. The Canadians took a 2-1 lead into the third period before the Finns rallied for a pair of unanswered goals.

Finland struck first in the game, on a first period power play goal by Olli Palola (the

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THURSDAY QUICK HITS

* Coming off a 56-day layoff from game action, Flyers goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz had a rough Memorial Cup for the winless London Knights. Last night, Stolarz stopped 14 of 17 shots before giving way to Jake Patterson in a 7-2 loss to the Guelph Storm. Stolarz yielded one even-strength goal and two power play tallies before he was pulled at 2:23 of the second period

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* Today is an off-day at the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Minsk, Belarus. Tomorrow, single elimination play begins with the medal round quarterfinals.

Team Canada, featuring Flyers players Brayden Schenn, Matt Read and Braydon Coburn, will take on Finland. The winner will advance to the semifinals to take on the winner of the quarterfinal match between Team USA and the Czech Republic. The A

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TUESDAY QUICK HITS

* Team Canada defeated Norway by a 3-2 count earlier today at the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Minsk, Belarus. Joel Ward notched two goals to lead Canada after the Norwegians took a 1-0 lead to the first intermission. None of the Flyers representatives on Team Canad recorded a point in the game.

Brayden Schenn did not record a shot on goal in 17:37 of ice time but did

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TWO MAJOR FLYERS ANNIVERSARIES

Forty years ago today, Bernie Parent authored a 30-save shutout to make a first period deflection power play goal by Rick MacLeish stand up for the duration of a 1-0 victory at the Philadelphia Spectrum over the Boston Bruins. The win, of course, clinched the Stanley Cup for the Flyers and turned coach Fred Shero’s pregame bulletin board message into a prophesy.

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* Denmark registered an upset 4-3 shootout victory over the Czech Republic yesterday at the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Minsk, Belarus. Phantoms defenseman Oliver Lauridsen logged 15:47 of ice time for the victorious Danes. He was even at full strength but was out for a power play goal scored by former Flyers right winger Jaromir Jagr in the first period. Mikkel Boedker scored the winning g

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