Trading for Mr. Fist is not backwards at all. That's like 900 steps forward.
- jmatchett383

Is that is porn name too?

Is that is porn name too?
- PhillySportsGuy

No, that's what Parros went by in his early 20's.

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

I know it's a short sample size, but in the NHL time he's gotten so far the concerns about his play away from the puck appeared to be overstated.

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.
- MJL

So, what plays in particular did you witness that make you believe his all-around game isn't NHL-level?

So what's going to be the difference maker for Akeson?
- MJL

His ability to anticipate the game at an above-average level.

Plenty of guys in the minors w/ better tools and/or more rounded games... the vision/IQ/instinct is a much more rare thing.

His ability to anticipate the game at an above-average level.

Plenty of guys in the minors w/ more tools or more rounded games... the vision/IQ/instinct is a much more rare thing.
- Tomahawk

Less Akeson

More McGinn/Newbury

So, what plays in particular did you witness that make you believe his all-around game isn't NHL-level?
- jmatchett383

The fact that he wasnt in and out of the lineup after being called up show to me that the coaching staff may feel a bit differently.. especially considering he played in all 7 games in the playoffs.

You guys remember when Braydon Coburn broke his butt?

There's some kinda Giroux joke in there somewhere.

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.
- MJL

This isn't what I was saying. I'm saying Akeson's ability to handle the puck can help move the team up ice more efficiently.

He can receive a pass and quickly get it ahead to trigger the transition game.

I know it's a short sample size, but in the NHL time he's gotten so far the concerns about his play away from the puck appeared to be overstated.
- BulliesPhan87

That's how I feel. I just assumed that his play without the puck wasn't good and that his skating was below-average. But, in the small sample I've seen, they seem to be way overblown.

Less Akeson

More McGinn/Newbury
- jmatchett383

Only if you're talking about Baby Bro Brock.

This isn't what I was saying. I'm saying Akeson's ability to handle the puck can help move the team up ice more efficiently.

He can receive a pass and quickly get it ahead to trigger the transition game.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's not Claude Giroux or Sean Couturier. Bum.

Only if you're talking about Baby Bro Brock.
- Tomahawk

I don't know who that is. That frightens me. Fight me.

Less Akeson

More McGinn/Newbury
- jmatchett383

you think we'll trade to get McGinn back?

you think we'll trade to get McGinn back?
- Doc_Sarcasm

With a name like Doc_Sarcasm...

His ability to anticipate the game at an above-average level.

Plenty of guys in the minors w/ better tools and/or more rounded games... the vision/IQ/instinct is a much more rare thing.
- Tomahawk

Guys that the puck always seem to find are generally guys who can read play & find holes in a defense. I admit , I haven't seen a ton if Akedon, but thus far there hasn't been anything to dislike.

That's how I feel. I just assumed that his play without the puck wasn't good and that his skating was below-average. But, in the small sample I've seen, they seem to be way overblown.
- jmatchett383

I expected a Briere-esque defensive liability prior to seeing him. What I saw was a decent hockey player who deserves every chance to make the team.

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.
- Feanor

What were his numbers in 2011-12...

You have to take into account that we were good in both PK and PP.

PK: 42 penalties with an 84.8% kill, equals 6.3 goals (-)
PP: 28 penalties with an 19.7% score equals 5.5 goals (+)

He's running about neutral... Depending on where those PP and PK are in a game is huge. If he draws a penalty in close game, and gives one on a Flyers lopsided win.

you think we'll trade to get McGinn back?
- Doc_Sarcasm

McGone.

I don't know who that is. That frightens me. Fight me.
- jmatchett383

They're like Fergus ON's answer to the Thunder Bay Staals:
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=76486

I expected a Briere-esque defensive liability prior to seeing him. What I saw was a decent hockey player who deserves every chance to make the team.
- BulliesPhan87

Exactly.

He'll never be a premier two-way player, but I feel he may be an effective secondary scorer who is not a complete liability away from the puck. I have yet to see much evidence to the contrary aside from what I've read in scouting reports prior to last season.

What were his numbers in 2011-12...

You have to take into account that we were good in both PK and PP.

PK: 42 penalties with an 84.8% kill, equals 6.3 goals (-)
PP: 28 penalties with an 19.7% score equals 5.5 goals (+)

He's running about neutral... Depending on where those PP and PK are in a game is huge. If he draws a penalty in close game, and gives one on a Flyers lopsided win.
- leon neon

Stats from this past season are much more relevant than 3 years ago.

Also, a +/- of 0.8 goals per PP/PK is a HUGE difference...although I'm not sure what you're trying to prove, other than that his penalties taken led to more goals against that his penalties for led to goals for.

Stats from this past season are much more relevant that 3 years ago.
- jmatchett383

I read this as sarcasm at first, lol.

I read this as sarcasm at first, lol.
- Tomahawk

That's what I'd expect Mrs. Akeson to say.

Exactly.

He'll never be a premier two-way player, but I feel he may be an effective secondary scorer who is not a complete liability away from the puck. I have yet to see much evidence to the contrary aside from what I've read in scouting reports prior to last season.
- jmatchett383

Maybe they mixed up his and McGinn's reports. Now there's a guy who proved to be wholly unremarkable in all departments.