That's the wrong read on the situation. What's going to make Akeson a better player, is becoming a better player away from the puck. And playing better defensively, and in physical battles. if he does that, along with his obvious puck skills, he has a chance to be a pretty good player. He's a rookie in his first NHL season. it's the right move to make him earn more icetime in bigger roles by improving his play without the puck.
- MJL

Akeson's strengths:
Good puck skills
Good hockey sense in the offensive zone
Decent shot

Akeson's weaknesses:
Inconsistent defensively
Lacks size
Lacks speed

At age 24, and now in his 4th pro season, I'm not sure how much more he will develop. While he COULD continue to get better and turn into a solid 2nd line RW, the odds are against him. I also don't think he has the attributes that most teams look for in a 4th liner or the defensive acumen, size or speed to play on a shut down line.

IMO, his most likely future is that of borderline NHL player who you can carry as a spare forward who can step in when a skill player gets injured.

Yes
Umberger glides so effortlessly that he is nearly invisible out there
- Marc D

I need to start paying more attention!

Yep, physical, gritty vet with a rep as a hard worker? Guy made an honest mistake.

Smallish, younger guy who is more offensively inclined does same thing? Too soft and inconsistent
- Jsaquella

As it should be. The established vet and the rookie are never treated the same. Nor should they be.

In other news Jeff Carter is off to a screaming start this season.
- coffee junkie

He has a couple of nice wingers to skate with.

Good size speed and skill on that line.
Plus Kopitar gets the best shut line against his line, so Carts gets the B line to skate against.

They are built for the postseason.
Just locked up Muzzin to a reasonable deal as well.

My issues remain the double standard for different players and his seeming unwillingness to use a guy like Akeson in a role more suited to his strengths. He's not going to be an energy guy who changes momentum with a big hit. He's not going to be a stellar defender like Couturier. What he's best at is creating offense and finding seams in opposing teams' defense
- Jsaquella

He doesn't have to be. But what he does have to find a way to do, is have some kind of impact on the game, without having the puck in an offensive situation. Because it's not likely that he's going to be a big point producer right now. Rinaldo and Bellemare can both have an impact on the game without the puck. Sometimes the wrong way with Rinaldo. But nonetheless, they are able to contribute without the puck. When Akeson does that, good chance he might see some PP time. Or play on a higher line.

Akeson's strengths:
Good puck skills
Good hockey sense in the offensive zone
Decent shot

Akeson's weaknesses:
Inconsistent defensively
Lacks size
Lacks speed

At age 24, and now in his 4th pro season, I'm not sure how much more he will develop. While he COULD continue to get better and turn into a solid 2nd line RW, the odds are against him. I also don't think he has the attributes that most teams look for in a 4th liner or the defensive acumen, size or speed to play on a shut down line.

IMO, his most likely future is that of borderline NHL player who you can carry as a spare forward who can step in when a skill player gets injured.
- BiggE

This is where I am with him. He does nice things but not enough to think I need to put him above someone else higher in the lineup. He is what he is. He just doesn't bring enough to the table or do one thing so astonishing that I need to see him higher up in the lineup. If he becomes automatic on shootout attempts then maybe he can stick.

He doesn't have to be. But what he does have to find a way to do, is have some kind of impact on the game, without having the puck in an offensive situation. Because it's not likely that he's going to be a big point producer right now. Rinaldo and Bellemare can both have an impact on the game without the puck. Sometimes the wrong way with Rinaldo. But nonetheless, they are able to contribute without the puck. When Akeson does that, good chance he might see some PP time. Or play on a higher line.
- MJL

Gonna be hard for him to do with his lack of speed. Rinaldo and Bellemare can flat out fly.

This is where I am with him. He does nice things but not enough to think I need to put him above someone else higher in the lineup. He is what he is. He just doesn't bring enough to the table or do one thing so astonishing that I need to see him higher up in the lineup. If he becomes automatic on shootout attempts then maybe he can stick.
- J35Bacher

Be nice if they would let him at least try!

Akeson's strengths:
Good puck skills
Good hockey sense in the offensive zone
Decent shot

Akeson's weaknesses:
Inconsistent defensively
Lacks size
Lacks speed

At age 24, and now in his 4th pro season, I'm not sure how much more he will develop. While he COULD continue to get better and turn into a solid 2nd line RW, the odds are against him. I also don't think he has the attributes that most teams look for in a 4th liner or the defensive acumen, size or speed to play on a shut down line.

IMO, his most likely future is that of borderline NHL player who you can carry as a spare forward who can step in when a skill player gets injured.
- BiggE

Improve on his play away from the puck, and he could be more then just a border line player or a spare forward.

Be nice if they would let him at least try!
- BiggE

He missed in the preseason. We also don't see practice so maybe he isn;t good there so they haven't been given a reason too place him in one yet. But I would let him try again.

Gonna be hard for him to do with his lack of speed. Rinaldo and Bellemare can flat out fly.
- BiggE

He's not fast, but he's not slow either. Couturier isn't a speedster, but he uses smarts and instinct to be in the right place. I realize they aren't in any way comparable as players. But you don't have to have blazing speed to impact the game in a positive way.

Improve on his play away from the puck, and he could be more then just a border line player or a spare forward.
- MJL

Yup, no doubt. I just think that his ability to improve his play away from the puck is hampered by his lack of speed and size. You can get away with lacking one, but lacking both is tough. You rarely see a player succeed in today's NHL who is both small and slow. It's not impossible, but unless you have world class skills or smarts, and I haven't seen that from Akeson, it's very, very, hard.

He doesn't have to be. But what he does have to find a way to do, is have some kind of impact on the game, without having the puck in an offensive situation. Because it's not likely that he's going to be a big point producer right now. Rinaldo and Bellemare can both have an impact on the game without the puck. Sometimes the wrong way with Rinaldo. But nonetheless, they are able to contribute without the puck. When Akeson does that, good chance he might see some PP time. Or play on a higher line.
- MJL

I actually would say that Akeson in very limited time has looked fine with Bellemare and Rinaldo.

I think that line was slightly worse with Jones when Bellemare moved up.

One or two shifts the 4th line got trapped on D, but that has happened to every Flyer line (dammit).

Overall the 4th line has been ok and better then what we watched last year.

Improve on his play away from the puck, and he could be more then just a border line player or a spare forward.
- MJL

I just don't see it. Also he would have to do it quick as there are finally starting to bring guys through the system that bring more. Next year a guy like Leirer could push him out. Same Alderson or Cousins. Also you have guys like Straka and Abul-kubel that bring more size and speed with skill then him. I think he could be a solid 13 forward to bring in for a couple games during an injury but not a full time player.

Do you ever wonder if Hextall looks at Holmgren, Snider and Berube and thinks to himself "I left LA for this?"
- BiggE

Time to roll up those sleeves Hexy.

I call BS on thinking that Marsh is making the story up.
- MJL

I call BS on your calling BS on my calling BS on Marshy.

I actually would say that Akeson in very limited time has looked fine with Bellemare and Rinaldo.

I think that line was slightly worse with Jones when Bellemare moved up.

One or two shifts the 4th line got trapped on D, but that has happened to every Flyer line (dammit).

Overall the 4th line has been ok and better then what we watched last year.
- Marc D

Agreed
If you are going to use Akeson on the 4th line, you need to surround him with speed (Rinaldo and Bellemare), grit (Rinaldo) and at least one other guy with some skill (Bellemare)

Do you ever wonder if Hextall looks at Holmgren, Snider and Berube and thinks to himself "I left LA for this?"

- BiggE

Well, it's not like Hextall didn't know what he was getting himself into.

He's known every one of those individuals since the mid to late 80's.

Agreed
If you are going to use Akeson on the 4th line, you need to surround him with speed (Rinaldo and Bellemare), grit (Rinaldo) and at least one other guy with some skill (Bellemare)
- BiggE

I agree. Using Akeson on the 4th line is what they are doing today. We'll see what happens when it starts getting colder outside.

I actually would say that Akeson in very limited time has looked fine with Bellemare and Rinaldo.

I think that line was slightly worse with Jones when Bellemare moved up.

One or two shifts the 4th line got trapped on D, but that has happened to every Flyer line (dammit).

Overall the 4th line has been ok and better then what we watched last year.
- Marc D

top 6 spot opens up due to injury.... put schenn back at center? get akeson some top 6 time to better use his skills?

nah, move bellemare up to the 2nd line.

Akeson doesn't dump the puck in enough for Berube's taste.

Actually, I understand Berube's thought process here, making a young guy earn more ice time. At the same time, there's such a thing as using a square peg to fill a round hole.

I'd like to see Akeson used in a role that's better suited to his abilities before complaining about his consistency when he's filling a role he's not especially suited for. But that seems to be Berube's MO. Skill guys get less rope than energy guys & small guys get less rope than bigger guys.
- Jsaquella

him and danny bylsma swapping notes?

He has a couple of nice wingers to skate with.

Good size speed and skill on that line.
Plus Kopitar gets the best shut line against his line, so Carts gets the B line to skate against.

They are built for the postseason.
Just locked up Muzzin to a reasonable deal as well.
- Marc D

oh yeah. i think the kings have doughty, muzzin, and voynov all locked up long term for around a combined 15 per year. great value for what they bring.

I call BS on your calling BS on my calling BS on Marshy.
- Tomahawk

You can't triple stamp a double stamp!

Yup, the old Berube double standard
- BiggE

Some on this board made the same comments about Lavy when he was here...inability to change/adapt to the players they had on the rosters.

Some on this board made the same comments about Lavy when he was here...inability to change/adapt to the players they had on the rosters.
- aantny88

rather have lava back