Man, I remember watching those games -- I still watched 75-plus -- and just looking for ANY signs of hope. Anything.

Then, Homer pulled off Zhitnik for Coburn. And you knew there was at least hope.
- AllInForFlyers

I was at the final game of the season that year. The game where Brodeur broke Bernie's single season win record. For some strange reason I thought the Flyers would win that game.

But moving Akeson is not making a hole you can't replace. Dman are harder to come by and if it is a RFA for RFA i would do it.
- J35Bacher

You'd find it hard to beat Akeson's cap-hit in terms of value, though... $715k to qualify him, for a guy that didn't look out of place at all as a top-9 forward.

I'd like to add Erixon... just prefer to do it w/o losing anybody on the current roster.

I was at the final game of the season that year. The game where Brodeur broke Bernie's single season win record. For some strange reason I thought the Flyers would win that game.
- PLindbergh31

HA! That's funny -- I was just as delusional. I kept watching because I thought, every night, that was the night they were gonna turn it around.

Nobody EVER better question my fan credentials.

And Yzerman
And Lidstrom

Man what a team that was
- Giroux_Is_God

All of those players were on the 95 Wings that got absolutely eaten for dinner by McKay, Holik, and Peluso. The Crash line tap danced on their foreheads.

You'd find it hard to beat Akeson's cap-hit in terms of value, though... $715k to qualify him, for a guy that didn't look out of place at all as a top-9 forward.

I'd like to add Erixon... just prefer to do it w/o losing anybody on the current roster.
- Tomahawk

I was living my life under the notion that Erixon fell out of favor, or at least is not as highly regarded as he used to be?

No? Yes?

Erixon's not a guy I want to move a roster player for... he should command about the same as Rundblad went for at the TDL.
- Tomahawk

You think so? I wouldn't move a 2nd for Erixon. He's only 23 and hasn't had a real shot, but I'm not sure I'd give anything other than $$ or a 4th rouder for.

I was living my life under the notion that Erixon fell out of favor, or at least is not as highly regarded as he used to be?

No? Yes?
- Giroux_Is_God

He's just starting to run out of runway as a prospect... I think he's going to make it eventually... but he's taking his time with it. He's just one of those guys that does everything OK, but nothing so well that the coach can't take him out of the lineup.

He's just starting to run out of runway as a prospect... I think he's going to make it eventually... but he's taking his time with it. He's just one of those guys that does everything OK, but nothing so well that the coach can't take him out of the lineup.
- Tomahawk

Ok I see. Can't hurt to at least kick the tires then

You think so? I wouldn't move a 2nd for Erixon. He's only 23 and hasn't had a real shot, but I'm not sure I'd give anything other than $$ or a 4th rouder for.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, I'm less excited about him than I was about Rundblad.

He did play really really well in a brief call-up this year, but 'lumbus was pretty darned deep on D, so down he went.

You'd find it hard to beat Akeson's cap-hit in terms of value, though... $715k to qualify him, for a guy that didn't look out of place at all as a top-9 forward.

I'd like to add Erixon... just prefer to do it w/o losing anybody on the current roster.
- Tomahawk

I think your putting a lot of faith in Akeson. Yes he played well and better then I thought but I think he will have a hard time making the roster next season. He is going to be battling guys like Leier, Laughton, McGinn and mae draft picks from this season and possibly Dennis Rassmussen, not sure of spelling, if they sign him.

He's just starting to run out of runway as a prospect... I think he's going to make it eventually... but he's taking his time with it. He's just one of those guys that does everything OK, but nothing so well that the coach can't take him out of the lineup.
- Tomahawk

Can't the same thing be said about Akeson? I just think if you can get a dman who could be a low risk/high reward for just for example Akeson. RFA for RFA trade. No other peices, I think yuo do it. I am not saying Akeson didn't play well when called upon. But dman are much harder to find so I think it would be worth it in this type of deal.

I think your putting a lot of faith in Akeson. Yes he played well and better then I thought but I think he will have a hard time making the roster next season. He is going to be battling guys like Leier, Laughton, McGinn and mae draft picks from this season and possibly Dennis Rassmussen, not sure of spelling, if they sign him.
- J35Bacher

If nothing else, he'll be given a bigger look this season that he got in previous years. Leier will probably start off in the AHL, and Tye McGinn is nothing special, and belongs in the AHL (as much as I like him). If there is a wing spot to be won, he'll be given the chance.

I think your putting a lot of faith in Akeson. Yes he played well and better then I thought but I think he will have a hard time making the roster next season. He is going to be battling guys like Leier, Laughton, McGinn and mae draft picks from this season and possibly Dennis Rassmussen, not sure of spelling, if they sign him.
- J35Bacher

Dude, you're talking to the Mayor of Akesontown.

But seriously, if Leier and/or McGinn were actually a threat to make an impact/make the team next season, I'd be much more open to dealing Art Ross. But they've got at least two forward spots to fill... and not much money to work with.

Can't the same thing be said about Akeson? I just think if you can get a dman who could be a low risk/high reward for just for example Akeson. RFA for RFA trade. No other peices, I think yuo do it. I am not saying Akeson didn't play well when called upon. But dman are much harder to find so I think it would be worth it in this type of deal.
- J35Bacher

I don't understand what you're saying.

You want to trade Akeson for a young dman with upside?

You know that'll just get you laughed at right?

Can't the same thing be said about Akeson? I just think if you can get a dman who could be a low risk/high reward for just for example Akeson. RFA for RFA trade. No other peices, I think yuo do it. I am not saying Akeson didn't play well when called upon. But dman are much harder to find so I think it would be worth it in this type of deal.
- J35Bacher

I think Akeson does do a couple of things really really well that made it hard for Berube to take him out... he's a strong driver of possession, and he makes the guys around him better.

I have a lot less faith that Erixon will be able to make an impact in light of the way the blueline is currently structured.

Didn't the Flyers tank in 2006-2007? They had 56 points, the team with the next fewest points was Phoenix with 67.

To think the only thing the Flyers have to show from that embarrassing season is Luke Schenn. That's enough to make a billy goat puke.
- PLindbergh31

The Flyers aren't the type of organization that says things like "Wouldn't it be cool to tank the whole (frank)ing season on the 40th anniversary of the franchise?".

I think your putting a lot of faith in Akeson. Yes he played well and better then I thought but I think he will have a hard time making the roster next season. He is going to be battling guys like Leier, Laughton, McGinn and mae draft picks from this season and possibly Dennis Rassmussen, not sure of spelling, if they sign him.
- J35Bacher

I don't think the Flyers think much of McGinn. He played very poorly this year, and was a yo-yo between Philly and Adirondack. Majority of the time when there was an injury they chose to just insert Rosehill in the lineup instead of recalling McGinn.

The thing about that season -- which makes you laugh or cry -- is that they didn't think they'd be that bad.

I know. Hindsight says they were CLEARLY awful.

But they didn't really know they were that awful, heading into it.
- AllInForFlyers

I think Clarke was personally (and unconsciously) mailing it in, on some level.

The Flyers aren't the type of organization that says things like "Wouldn't it be cool to tank the whole (frank)ing season on the 40th anniversary of the franchise?".
- johndewar

I guess it wasn't a tank, it was just a ridiculously ill conceived team that was put together.

I guess it wasn't a tank, it was just a ridiculously ill conceived team that was put together.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely correct.

Just speculation, but with Clarke quitting so quickly the way he did, you can't help but wonder if he was totally burnt out on the job.

I mean, look at those signings for cripes sake.

I guess it wasn't a tank, it was just a ridiculously ill conceived team that was put together.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, it wasn't a tank job, it was just a terrible team. Hell, I think Randy Robitaille was on the second line.

Yeah, it wasn't a tank job, it was just a terrible team. Hell, I think Randy Robitaille was on the second line.
- jmatchett383

Kyle (frank)ing Calder.

Ugh.

I think Akeson does do a couple of things really really well that made it hard for Berube to take him out... he's a strong driver of possession, and he makes the guys around him better.

I have a lot less faith that Erixon will be able to make an impact in light of the way the blueline is currently structured.
- Tomahawk

I wuld disagree. i think Akeson was the benefit of playing with two guys who do there job very well. Couturier and Read are very good defensivly so Akeson doesn't have to be great. Also those two were probably some of our bettter forwards in the playoffs. yes Akeson played well but I think it helped who he played with. he does have offensive insticts and you can see that but he is what he is.

I guess it wasn't a tank, it was just a ridiculously ill conceived team that was put together.
- PLindbergh31

Since he was mentioned so much, Umberger beat out Kyle Calder and Joni Pitkanen for the worst +/- that year with a -32.

I think Clarke was personally (and unconsciously) mailing it in, on some level.
- johndewar

I do think he really struggled trying to figure out "the speed game." I know he was quoted as saying he was trying to build a "Buffalo type team" when he brought in Mark Cullen.

I love Bob Clarke. I don't think he was bad as a GM -- we can argue it, but he did a lot of good stuff when he came back.

But one thing he struggled with...he thought all small players were the same.