Rumors are a 1 year 1 mil contract for Ville.

1.5 mil for just for his beard.
- 77rams

That beard could cut diamonds.

I would say it's more neutral zone play and transition
- PhillySportsGuy

So you think that Akeson is going to be a strong player positionally defensively. And is going to be strong on the back check, and strong on the puck in puck battles and with takeaways. And then use his speed and puck skills to transition the puck the other way? Because that's what neutral zone and transition play is!

Save our $$ for august 16th. Take a stab at getting Hayes.
- moylander

Isaac Hayes...Shaft

So you think that Akeson is going to be a strong player positionally defensively. And is going to be strong on the back check, and strong on the puck in puck battles and with takeaways. And then use his speed and puck skills to transition the puck the other way? Because that's what neutral zone and transition play is!
- MJL

His vision and ability to move the puck quickly and hit a player in stride is an asset that I believe can help the transition game.

In the brief time I saw him play, I didn't notice a huge problem with his defense and lack of physicality. I'm sure it will creep up the more I see him, but I don't think we should assume he's Zherdev out there. If he's just adequate in those other areas, it will likely be enough to make him a net positive for the team.

So you think that Akeson is going to be a strong player positionally () defensively. And is going to be strong on the back check, and strong on the puck in puck battles and with takeaways (). And then use his speed and puck skills to transition the puck () the other way? Because that's what neutral zone and transition play is!
- MJL

(add 'makes consistently good reads' in there, too.)

Isaac Hayes...Shaft
- vejim

Von Hayes. 5 for 1.

Yup, that would be a nice improvement.
- wolfhounds

Know what else would be an improvement?

1. TRADE FOR BOB RYAB FIST!
2. TRADE FOR SHEA WEBER; MORIN, READ, HAGG, AND A 1ST SHOULD DO IT!
3. TRADE EVERYONE FOR SOMEONE ELSE
4. FIRE HOMER!

His vision and ability to move the puck quickly and hit a player in stride is an asset that I believe can help the transition game.

In the brief time I saw him play, I didn't notice a huge problem with his defense and lack of physicality. I'm sure it will creep up the more I see him, but I don't think we should assume he's Zherdev out there. If he's just adequate in those other areas, it will likely be enough to make him a net positive for the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

He definitely has puck skills and can make a pass. But that's going to happen how many times a game? I agree I don't think we should assume anything about him. Including being a srong neutral zone and transitional player.

What is the dimension that he adds that the team sorely needs, if it's not offense?
I'd like to see him have a chance and stick with the team if he earns it.
- MJL

Time travel

Know what else would be an improvement?

1. TRADE FOR BOB RYAB FIST!
2. TRADE FOR SHEA WEBER; MORIN, READ, HAGG, AND A 1ST SHOULD DO IT!
3. TRADE EVERYONE FOR SOMEONE ELSE
4. FIRE HOMER!
- jmatchett383

I don't care what other people say about you, you're aces in my book

I don't care what other people say about you, you're aces in my book
- coffee junkie

They're all right. Especially all the ladies who start to sob uncontrollably at the mention of me.

What's the general vibe on Leino?

But hey keep sending Rinaldo out there to take one undisciplined penalty after another. A big factor in Rinaldo throwing so many hits is when he's on the ice, his team never has possession of the puck. Both Rinaldo and Rosehill are both wastes of cap space and contract slots.
- PLindbergh31

The Flyers NEED an agitator. This role has a fine line between good and bad (a good agitator is undervalue characteristic). Rinaldo is still gaining experience. Rinaldo has improved in his "agitators +/-", ie. the amount of penalties drawn and taken. He improved penalties taken; 2011-12 was 232, and 2013-14 was 153. Last year, it seemed to have drawn a lot of penalties (records are not kept for this one). I don't care if he takes an occasional penalty, if he's not then he's not doing his job. The penalty should be well placed, nothing like rev'in up a team who's down a goal with a good hit or hope for a retaliation penalty.

What's the general vibe on Leino?
- coffee junkie

Skates. Has eyes.

The Flyers NEED an agitator. This role has a fine line between good and bad (a good agitator is undervalue characteristic). Rinaldo is still gaining experience. Rinaldo has improved in his "agitators +/-", ie. the amount of penalties drawn and taken. He improved penalties taken; 2011-12 was 232, and 2013-14 was 153. Last year, it seemed to have drawn a lot of penalties (records are not kept for this one). I don't care if he takes an occasional penalty, if he's not then he's not doing his job. The penalty should be well placed, nothing like rev'in up a team who's down a goal with a good hit or hope for a retaliation penalty.
- leon neon

Rinaldo, to me, is too loose of a cannon. If he's out there hitting and getting on teams' nerves, that's fine. But for every 5 good things he does, he does something ridiculous like jumping Roussell or taking an unnecessary head shot at that guy on Buffalo. He's quite the liability, and with things as close as they are, his stupid penalties can be the difference in 2-3 games that cost us a playoff spot.

He definitely has puck skills and can make a pass. But that's going to happen how many times a game? I agree I don't think we should assume anything about him. Including being a strong neutral zone and transitional player.
- MJL

I know. That's why I preface my statements with I believe or I think

(add 'makes consistently good reads' in there, too.)
- Tomahawk

Here's the deal I see with Akeson. I think he has obvious offensive ability and has good hands and can make a play offensively with the puck if he has it in the right spots. And I think he has a nose for the puck. And sometimes a player is a diamond in the rough, and can just play. Regardless of what the scouts think. Akeson could be one of those players. And it's a possibility. But that's a long shot. But it's far more likely that the reality is that his offensive ability is what is going to punch his ticket to the NHL, if he can produce at a decent level, and hold his own in other areas and not be a liability. But I think the odds are greatly stacked against him to become a regular NHL players based on his all around game, or his play away from the puck. That's not his strong suit or what's going to keep him in the NHL most likely. But we'll see.

Know what else would be an improvement?

1. TRADE FOR BOB RYAB FIST!
2. TRADE FOR SHEA WEBER; MORIN, READ, HAGG, AND A 1ST SHOULD DO IT!
3. TRADE EVERYONE FOR SOMEONE ELSE
4. FIRE HOMER!
- jmatchett383

I guess we're working backwards

I have the pride, the privilege, nay, the pleasure of introducing to you to a knight, sired by knights. A knight who can trace his lineage back beyond Charlemagne. I first met him atop a mountain near Jerusalem, praying to God, asking his forgiveness for the Saracen blood spilt by his sword. Next, he amazed me still further in Italy when he saved a fatherless beauty from the would-be ravishing of her dreadful Turkish uncle. In Greece he spent a year in silence just to better understand the sound of a whisper. And so without further gilding the lily and with no more ado, I give to you, the seeker of serenity, the protector of Italian virginity, the enforcer of our Lord God, the one, the only, Sir Claude Giroux!
- jmatchett383

A Knights Tale thanks you.

Here's the deal I see with Akeson. I think he has obvious offensive ability and has good hands and can make a play offensively with the puck if he has it in the right spots. And I think he has a nose for the puck. And sometimes a player is a diamond in the rough, and can just play. Regardless of what the scouts think. Akeson could be one of those players. And it's a possibility. But that's a long shot. But it's far more likely that the reality is that his offensive ability is what is going to punch his ticket to the NHL, if he can produce at a decent level, and hold his own in other areas and not be a liability. But I think the odds are greatly stacked against him to become a regular NHL players based on his all around game, or his play away from the puck. That's not his strong suit or what's going to keep him in the NHL most likely. But we'll see.
- MJL

Prior to actually seeing him, I'd agree. We were all informed of his deficiencies/shortcomings. But from what I've seen, those have been unfounded. Granted, it's a small sample size, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt until I'm proven wrong.

I guess we're working backwards
- PhillySportsGuy

Trading for Mr. Fist is not backwards at all. That's like 900 steps forward.

I know. That's why I preface my statements with I believe or I think
- PhillySportsGuy

It's hard because there is such a small sample size. But to compare take a player like Raffle. He's fast and strong on the puck. He can pressure the puck in all 3 zones. And he's sound defensively, and in puck battles. I don't see the same with Akeson. I see better offensive instincts, and better hands, but not the all around game that Raffl has. That's what you're describing as a strenght of Akeson. That's what playing away from the puck is about. All those aspects that I described. Akeson didn't show that as a strenght. He showed that he can be adequate, but not the level that Raffl displayed. So what's going to be the difference maker for Akeson? His ability to produce points at the NHL level.

The Flyers NEED an agitator. This role has a fine line between good and bad (a good agitator is undervalue characteristic). Rinaldo is still gaining experience. Rinaldo has improved in his "agitators +/-", ie. the amount of penalties drawn and taken. He improved penalties taken; 2011-12 was 232, and 2013-14 was 153. Last year, it seemed to have drawn a lot of penalties (records are not kept for this one). I don't care if he takes an occasional penalty, if he's not then he's not doing his job. The penalty should be well placed, nothing like rev'in up a team who's down a goal with a good hit or hope for a retaliation penalty.
- leon neon

Rinaldo took 42 penalties (in about 515 minutes of total ice time ) and only drew 28. He had 4 points and was -13.

No team needs a player like that. Unless they are tanking.

Skates. Has eyes.
- jmatchett383

This one could be debated based on the last couple of seasons

Prior to actually seeing him, I'd agree. We were all informed of his deficiencies/shortcomings. But from what I've seen, those have been unfounded. Granted, it's a small sample size, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt until I'm proven wrong.
- jmatchett383

I don't think that he was a liability out there. But his all around game wasn't strong enough to keep him in the NHL if he doesn't produce offensively. If he can't produce offensively at the NHL level, his all around game and play away from the puck is going to have to get better to stay there.