The list of desirable destinations is already pretty short... and BOS/LA/CHI can only sign so many players each year... so it's either be victim to a Ed Snider's whims, or take your chances w/ Charles Wang, right?
- Tomahawk

That changes through a season. Teams needs change throughout the season. Especially towards the playoffs.

They've called him up twice, both times he looked like he belonged. Is he a world-beater? Probably not. But I personally haven't noticed a time when he was too slow/small to get the job done... he wasn't the worst defensive cog in that Rags series by a country mile (and he was up there w the best offensive performers).
- Tomahawk

Exactly. No one is saying that he's the chosen one sent to fill the LW spot on Giroux's line, he's just a guy with obvious talent that deserves an extended stay in the NHL just to see if he can prove himself ready. Also, I'm sure everyone would rather see Akeson in the lineup more than Leino or some other shlub.

They've called him up twice, both times he looked like he belonged. Is he a world-beater? Probably not. But I personally haven't noticed a time when he was too slow/small to get the job done... he wasn't the worst defensive cog in that Rags series by a country mile (and he was up there w the best offensive performers).
- Tomahawk

Very small sample size, both White and Tookey looked good for a few games here and there. Over time though, I think he will exposed. Heck, its just my opinion and I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see him as being successful in a top 6 role over the course of a full season, nor do I think he can be effective in a 3rd/4th line role either.

I think a lot of folks on this thread overrate Akeson. He has some nice puck skills and good hockey sense, but he is pretty slow and very undersized. I see him more as a Tim Tookey/Peter White type. A guy who can put up big numbers in the AHL, but never be much more than an injury call up who can fill in on a scoring line at the NHL level.
- BiggE

If that's the best he can be, I'm ok with that.

When is the last time the Flyers could even say they had a guy like that in their organization?

That's how bad their talent pipeline got, IMO.

With that said, I don't know if Akeson's had a great opportunity to stick around and it was somewhat telling that Berube gave him as much as ice as he gave him in the playoffs. He gave Berube options that other guys weren't able to provide.

If they open the season with him on their roster, I'd be fine with it.

/will still make terrible Art Ross Akeson jokes

At this point, he still deserves a shot though. He's proved himself in the AHL line up and has done a pretty decent job so far in his limited NHL stints, so I think he's earned a chance to be looked at a little further.
- Litepow

No doubt, he certainly deserves a chance to earn a spot and I wish him all the best!

If that's the best he can be, I'm ok with that.

When is the last time the Flyers could even say they had a guy like that in their organization?

That's how bad their talent pipeline got, IMO.

With that said, I don't know if Akeson's had a great opportunity to stick around and it was somewhat telling that Berube gave him as much as ice as he gave him in the playoffs. He gave Berube options that other guys weren't able to provide.

If they open the season with him on their roster, I'd be fine with it.

/will still make terrible Art Ross Akeson jokes
- johndewar

Very small sample size, both White and Tookey looked good for a few games here and there. Over time though, I think he will exposed. Heck, its just my opinion and I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see him as being successful in a top 6 role over the course of a full season, nor do I think he can be effective in a 3rd/4th line role either.
- BiggE

I'm just generally impressed with his decision-making with the puck... like a smaller Justin Williams.

At this point, he still deserves a shot though. He's proved himself in the AHL line up and has done a pretty decent job so far in his limited NHL stints, so I think he's earned a chance to be looked at a little further.
- Litepow

At this point, I think Akeson should be at the point where he has to play himself OUT of an NHL roster spot. If he plays well enough in the preseason he deserves to keep his spot on Couturiers wing.

I'm not saying that they should just hand him Couturiers wing, but I am saying he has shown he can play in this league and has earned serious consideration.

If that's the best he can be, I'm ok with that.

When is the last time the Flyers could even say they had a guy like that in their organization?

That's how bad their talent pipeline got, IMO.

With that said, I don't know if Akeson's had a great opportunity to stick around and it was somewhat telling that Berube gave him as much as ice as he gave him in the playoffs. He gave Berube options that other guys weren't able to provide.

If they open the season with him on their roster, I'd be fine with it.

/will still make terrible Art Ross Akeson jokes
- johndewar

Agreed. It's nice to have a guy you can call up who has some actual skill instead of a plug like Newbury or McGinn who are, essentially, warm bodies at the NHL level.

They've called him up twice, both times he looked like he belonged. Is he a world-beater? Probably not. But I personally haven't noticed a time when he was too slow/small to get the job done... he wasn't the worst defensive cog in that Rags series by a country mile (and he was up there w the best offensive performers).
- Tomahawk

Before he got called up there a lot of posts about him being slow and poor defensively.

Against the Rangers he was not slow and was not poor defensively.

Wow, how things change in just a few years. I feel much better about our farm team this year; thanks Hexy.
I am eager to see how Alt would do at the NHL level. Any news about him moving up, and why wouldn't he be moved up for some more playing time?
Thanks for the articles Bill. Keep the good things coming.

I'm just generally impressed with his decision-making with the puck... like a smaller Justin Williams.
- Tomahawk

I truly hope you are right!

NO! That's a bad hockey player, bad!

Before he got called up there a lot of posts about him being slow and poor defensively.

Against the Rangers he was not slow and was not poor defensively.
- Feanor

If he were 6'1 190, instead of 5'10 190, I think there would be more believers.

Wow, how things change in just a few years. I feel much better about our farm team this year; thanks Hexy.
I am eager to see how Alt would do at the NHL level. Any news about him moving up, and why wouldn't he be moved up for some more playing time?
Thanks for the articles Bill. Keep the good things coming.
- OrangeAndBlack1

I have a feeling, provided he has a good camp, that Alt will be the first guy called up if there is an injury and he may very well be playing regularly in the top 6 by the end of the season.

If he were 6'1 190, instead of 5'10 190, I think there would be more believers.
- Tomahawk

True

I'm just generally impressed with his decision-making with the puck... like a smaller Justin Williams.
- Tomahawk

He's also just skilled at controlling the puck with his stick. A lot of other players on the team are not, which is why you see so many missed passes and bobbled pucks. Especially when they are put under pressure.

I have a feeling, provided he has a good camp, that Alt will be the first guy called up if there is an injury and he may very well be playing regularly in the top 6 by the end of the season.
- BiggE

The crazy thing from last year is that how healthy the blueline actually was all season.

I don't know how many man-games the Flyers lost last year, but I don't think very many were on the blueline.

Off-topic:

Giroux buys in Rittenhouse Square:

http://www.philly.com/phi...-buys-in-Rittenhouse.html

Didn't Forsberg live in Rittenhouse Square too?

I don't think this is true. Holmgren wasn't removed due to poor performance. I think the change would've happened regardless.
- MJL

Holmgren was promoted.

The crazy thing from last year is that how healthy the blueline actually was all season.

I don't know how many man-games the Flyers lost last year, but I don't think very many were on the blueline.
- johndewar

Timmo lost 5 games, that was the most.

Holmgren was promoted.
- Just5

I wouldn't call that a promotion.

More like "put out to pasture".

Off-topic:

Giroux buys in Rittenhouse Square:

http://www.philly.com/phi...-buys-in-Rittenhouse.html

Didn't Forsberg live in Rittenhouse Square too?
- johndewar

Putting that $5 million signing bonus to good use.

Only four miles from the WFC.

Off-topic:

Giroux buys in Rittenhouse Square:

http://www.philly.com/phi...-buys-in-Rittenhouse.html

Didn't Forsberg live in Rittenhouse Square too?
- johndewar

I like how they throw in the Giroux was recently in the news for...

Off-topic:

Giroux buys in Rittenhouse Square:

http://www.philly.com/phi...-buys-in-Rittenhouse.html

Didn't Forsberg live in Rittenhouse Square too?
- johndewar

I wasn't ready for when the list of amenities ended and were abruptly replaced with visions of butt grabbing, lol.