The penalty thing is really good news, actually.
- johndewar

I don't feel thats sustainable for them. Their 5v5 play hasn't looked much better than last year though. Thats the area they needed to improve more than taking less penalties.

So the Flyers are averaging about 1 more PP per game than their opponent this season.



Now, we just have to figure out that tricky 5v5 part of the game.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's true, baby steps! Now we have to worry about having the worst goals against average in the East and I am sure that number will increase in Chicago tonight. I am sure both of our goalies have assumed the fetal position I their hotel rooms thinking of up coming games against Chi and Pitt

Totally agree with you. Also I don't know what the fascination with Akeson is. Yes he played well in the Rangers series. But it isn't like he played a full 82 in the NHL. I honestly think all things equal that the Flyers would prefer to have guys like Lerier, Cousins, Alderson playing Akesons roll but for development purposes they are in the AHL. Next year I would be suprised if Akeson is on the team. I think other guys will be ready to take his spot.
- J35Bacher

There's 77-games between now and then... and VDV is even less likely to turn into a NHL-regular. It would be nice for them to ride the Akeson thing out and see what they've got in him... before he wanders off to another franchise and turns into the next Clarke MacArthur (or a more extreme example, Patrick Sharp).

My problem with Akeson is that he's just not good enough to play in the top 6 and he lacks the intangibles (size, speed, defensive awareness, grit, PK ability) to succeed long term in the bottom 6. IMO, his likely niche is as a spare forward that you can plug in when one of your top 6 is injured.
- BiggE

he is the ultimate Phantom

That's what I mean when I say Berube gets skittish with the lines. He gave Schenn 5 periods on the top line before juggling. That's not an audition that's a guy paying lip service to an idea that isn't his
- Jsaquella

The 1st line was getting killed with BSchenn on it.

And I seem to recall the last coach doing plenty of line juggling. I don't think it's just a Berube thing.

Totally agree with you. Also I don't know what the fascination with Akeson is. Yes he played well in the Rangers series. But it isn't like he played a full 82 in the NHL. I honestly think all things equal that the Flyers would prefer to have guys like Lerier, Cousins, Alderson playing Akesons roll but for development purposes they are in the AHL. Next year I would be suprised if Akeson is on the team. I think other guys will be ready to take his spot.
- J35Bacher

/raises hand

I'm one of those guys fascinated by Akeson's talent. I'm just not sure he's fitting in with what Berube and Hextall are attempting to do.

If there's been one consistent thing that Berube has done with the lines and lineup, it's that he seems to value speed very highly. This would account for bumping BSchenn as well as scratching Akeson. It could be a coincidence, but taking this data together with what Hextall and Berube have said about wanting a faster team, it makes a bit of sense.

The 1st line was getting killed with BSchenn on it.
- Feanor

Jake and G had something to do with that, too... they didn't look good during those 20-odd mins that line was together for, either.

That's true, baby steps! Now we have to worry about having the worst goals against average in the East and I am sure that number will increase in Chicago tonight. I am sure both of our goalies have assumed the fetal position I their hotel rooms thinking of up coming games against Chi and Pitt
- 3flyerkids

Pittsburgh has the #1 PP at 47%. Flyers are #2 at 30%

Well, to be fair, I think their situations were a little different. MDZ's junior hockey pedigree, draft position, and expectations far exceeded those of Akeson in every measurable way. MDZ was on the 2010 All-Rookie team, etc.

Jason Akeson has always been a long shot to make the NHL, being undrafted, small, and slow. His hands and hockey sense have carried him to this point. It's not like the Flyers are burying someone they invested a draft pick in, let alone someone who has done much outside of a small sample size of games.

And I say that as someone that DOES like Jason Akeson, as a player. But let's not get carried away.

Ugh, nevermind. I think I missed a joke or something.
- johndewar

- MBFlyerfan

I really need more coffee....

My problem with Akeson is that he's just not good enough to play in the top 6 and he lacks the intangibles (size, speed, defensive awareness, grit, PK ability) to succeed long term in the bottom 6. IMO, his likely niche is as a spare forward that you can plug in when one of your top 6 is injured.
- BiggE

He is Peter White.

There's 77-games between now and then... and VDV is even less likely to turn into a NHL-regular. It would be nice for them to ride the Akeson thing out and see what they've got in him... before he wanders off to another franchise and turns into the next Clarke MacArthur (or a more extreme example, Patrick Sharp).
- Tomahawk

MacAurther was a third round pick. He is 6ft and has good skill set. He expectations are higher then Akeson's.

Akeson is a 5'9'' forward who is not icredibly fast or defensivly solid. There are reasons no one drafted him.

I just don't see the skill set that turns him into a MacAuther or Shrarp

MacAurther was a third round pick. He is 6ft and has good skill set. He expectations are higher then Akeson's.

Akeson is a 5'9'' forward who is not icredibly fast or defensivly solid. There are reasons no one drafted him.

I just don't see the skill set that turns him into a MacAuther or Shrarp
- J35Bacher

Agreed
Speed seems to be more important than ever in today's NHL and Akeson lacks speed. Now combine with a lack of size and defensive awareness and you have a borderline NHL player. I mean the guy has some skills to be sure, but it's not like he's Mario Lemieux with the puck!

He is Peter White.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly, good comparison!

MacAurther was a third round pick. He is 6ft and has good skill set. He expectations are higher then Akeson's.

Akeson is a 5'9'' forward who is not icredibly fast or defensivly solid. There are reasons no one drafted him.
- J35Bacher

MacArthur ain't big or fast either... and like Akeson, he spent forever in the minors because of concerns over his ability to play D. Somebody just had to give him a shot at a top-6 role.

Well, to be fair, I think their situations were a little different. MDZ's junior hockey pedigree, draft position, and expectations far exceeded those of Akeson in every measurable way. MDZ was on the 2010 All-Rookie team, etc.

Jason Akeson has always been a long shot to make the NHL, being undrafted, small, and slow. His hands and hockey sense have carried him to this point. It's not like the Flyers are burying someone they invested a draft pick in, let alone someone who has done much outside of a small sample size of games.

And I say that as someone that DOES like Jason Akeson, as a player. But let's not get carried away.

Ugh, nevermind. I think I missed a joke or something.
- johndewar

I like Jason Akeson also, and I think he has some offensive ability. But personally, I think he's miscast as a 4th line player because it doesn't put him in the best position to make use of his strengths. But I don't see a spot for him on another line currently. Vandelvelde was put into the lineup, because he can play center, and he skates well, and plays well on the forecheck, and defensively. He's a decent depth player that can come up and do just that on the 4th line. And centers who can do that are important in Berube's system of play. And with Lecavalier injured, they've moved Bellemare up to take his spot. But rather then look a t it logically, just label Vandevelde as a waste.

There's 77-games between now and then... and VDV is even less likely to turn into a NHL-regular. It would be nice for them to ride the Akeson thing out and see what they've got in him... before he wanders off to another franchise and turns into the next Clarke MacArthur (or a more extreme example, Patrick Sharp).
- Tomahawk

I don't think the Flyers are done playing Akeson. When Lecavalier comes back, and Bellemare can move back into the 4th line center spot, I expect Akeson back in the lineup, to continue to see if he can work in that spot. If he can, that's great. I'd also like to see him get some PP time, but he has to earn that. And it's not a bad thing to have a player with some skill in the lineup to move up in case of an in game injury.

Keys to a Flyers victory over Chicago

1. Break Kane's leg
2. Break Toew's leg
3. Break Keith's leg

GO FLYERS!!

Keys to a Flyers victory over Chicago

1. Break Kane's leg
2. Break Toew's leg
3. Break Keith's leg

GO FLYERS!!
- BiggE

Berube strategem at its finest

Keys to a Flyers victory over Chicago

1. Break Kane's leg
2. Break Toew's leg
3. Break Keith's leg

GO FLYERS!!
- BiggE

4. Have local Chicago construction company build brick wall to cover Flyer net

Keys to a Flyers victory over Chicago

1. Break Kane's leg
2. Break Toew's leg
3. Break Keith's leg

GO FLYERS!!
- BiggE

... Carcillo with the hat trick, TvR w/ the GWG just for laughs. 'Hawks win 4-3.

MacArthur ain't big or fast either... and like Akeson, he spent forever in the minors because of concerns over his ability to play D. Somebody just had to give him a shot at a top-6 role.
- Tomahawk

But 6ft is greater then 5'9. Also as a third round pick there is more expectations that MacAurther had skills. Akeson has skill but why do you think everyone passed on him in the draft. Why do you think no one offered anything for Gustafson before he went overseas. They just lack certain things and don't have enough of certain things to be full timers.

Guys like Gerbe and Ennis and Briere have lasted because they can overcome shortcomings because they can do other things well. If not then they would probably be in Akeson's boat too. And by Berube's comments he seems to see it that way. Fair or unfair Akeson's has to play at a better then average level or there are other guys that can come in and do the same things.

But 6ft is greater then 5'9. Also as a third round pick there is more expectations that MacAurther had skills. Akeson has skill but why do you think everyone passed on him in the draft. Why do you think no one offered anything for Gustafson before he went overseas. They just lack certain things and don't have enough of certain things to be full timers.

Guys like Gerbe and Ennis and Briere have lasted because they can overcome shortcomings because they can do other things well. If not then they would probably be in Akeson's boat too. And by Berube's comments he seems to see it that way. Fair or unfair Akeson's has to play at a better then average level or there are other guys that can come in and do the same things.
- J35Bacher

He went undrafted because he played on a powerhouse junior team (Landeskog, Jeremy Morin, Skinner) and they didn't give him credit for the numbers he put up. Plus he was really slightly built on draft day.

He's 5-10 (was listed as 5-11 in junior) and a really solid 190 after working out w/ Tony Greco for the past few summers. For all intents and purposes, size ain't the thing that separates him from MacA.

Desharnais was undrafted. So was Zuccarello. MSL. Matt Read. Doesn't really mean much. The kid can play... he just needs an opportunity.

He went undrafted because he played on a powerhouse junior team (Landeskog, Jeremy Morin, Skinner) and they didn't give him credit for the numbers he put up. Plus he was really slightly built on draft day.

He's 5-10 (was listed as 5-11 in junior) and a really solid 190 after working out w/ Tony Greco for the past few summers. For all intents and purposes, size ain't the thing that separates him from MacA.

Desharnais was undrafted. So was Zuccarello. MSL. Matt Read. Doesn't really mean much. The kid can play... he just needs an opportunity.
- Tomahawk

He was given 4 games, and although he didn't play poorly, he also didn't play to the level where the coach can't take him out. And obviously, Jones was going to get some playing time eventually. It's still very much a competition for Akeson for playing time.