I think the point though is that Berube really seems to not like Akeson at all (at least at the moment). Which is odd, based on how he used him effectively during the playoffs.

And maybe this is just based what sound bites the media filters, but there always seems to be pretty harsh criticism from Berube about Akeson even when he has what I viewed as a very solid game. And while I agree that Rinaldo has been a much better and smarter player so far this year, we rarely heard any harsh criticisms of dumb things Rinaldo did on the ice last year, from what I recall.

Just doesn't seem very fair to me.
- mcefalu

That's my criticism of it, as well.

Berube scratched Akeson, and specifically mentioned turnovers as a reason why. At the time, as Exlund pointed out, Akeson had been charged with 1 turnover.

I get if it's a matchup thing, but use the player correctly and don't hold him to a different standard than the other 4th liner/bubble guys and then it's at least fair.

don't tell me what to don't do
- BulliesPhan87

You do that!

i mean im perfectly fine talking about chick fil a for 3 hours
- stayinthefnnet

The correct terminology is overrate.

NEXT.
- Giroux_Is_God

estimate (something) to be better, larger, or more important than it really is.
"his influence cannot be overestimated"

This is the dictionary example of overestimate. My word choice stands.

The only thing he brings to the ice is his offense, and he brings a lot of risky plays with that. If he had more speed or was good defensively, Berube would be more willing to risk it.
- aflyerpower8

He's a pretty smart player and brings more than offense. What does Blair Jones bring? So far it's been stupid play with the puck and dumb penalties without the puck.

I'll take Akeson over that.

BALLS!

The only thing he brings to the ice is his offense, and he brings a lot of risky plays with that. If he had more speed or was good defensively, Berube would be more willing to risk it.
- aflyerpower8

If that's the case, send Akeson to the AHL then. I don't see how Akeson playing on the fourth line is less risky than playing him on the third line, other than the third line getting more defensive starts. And if that's true, switching Umberger and Akeson potentially makes the 3rd and 4th line more defensively balanced.

From what I remember, he was fine in the playoffs last year. Not a large sample size, but I'm still confused about the moment when Berube decided that no longer worked. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't remember him even trying Akeson-Coots-Read together this year so far.

I think the point though is that Berube really seems to not like Akeson at all (at least at the moment). Which is odd, based on how he used him effectively during the playoffs.

And maybe this is just based what sound bites the media filters, but there always seems to be pretty harsh criticism from Berube about Akeson even when he has what I viewed as a very solid game. And while I agree that Rinaldo has been a much better and smarter player so far this year, we rarely heard any harsh criticisms of dumb things Rinaldo did on the ice last year, from what I recall.

Just doesn't seem very fair to me.
- mcefalu

it isn't. rinaldo's had a very long leash, regressed quite a bit last year, which earned him a 2 year extension.

by all means, akeson needs to earn his minutes, but he also needs to be put in the best scenario for him to be effective.

raffl has been used on the fourth line. he hasn't done much offensively and hasn't been a stellar bottom 9 to warrant being bumped to the top line - yet he has been, and now he's producing in no small part due to the talent around him. shocking.

That's my criticism of it, as well.

Berube scratched Akeson, and specifically mentioned turnovers as a reason why. At the time, as Exlund pointed out, Akeson had been charged with 1 turnover.

I get if it's a matchup thing, but use the player correctly and don't hold him to a different standard than the other 4th liner/bubble guys and then it's at least fair.
- Jsaquella

Yep

Agree 100%. My fear is that Akeson ends up being (unfairly) judged by the Flyers based on his current role (and Berube's apparent disdain for the player) rather than one for which he's infinitely more suited. Let's face it...we all knew he wasn't a fourth liner...he's just not that effective as a checking line winger getting limited minutes and no PP time. That's basically the opposite of how he should be used. While I think Berube's criticisms may have some truth to them they have to be taken in context and with the knowledge that he's playing in a role that is laregly out of his element. The kid didn't all of the sudden forget how to play hockey and produce points. Put him with players that have actual skill and talent (like with Read and Coots last season) and you'll see a much different look from Akeson imo. Hopefully the Flyers brass see it along those lines and aren't misled by Berube's current view. I would love to see Umberger and Akeson swap lines...I mean, RJ was a hair from being waived by Cbus. Why does he get an automatic slot (Akeson's spot from the playoffs) in the top 9? I don't care what the salaries are.
- exlund

I agree that Akeson is in a tough spot. It's hard to cement a spot in the lineup with so little icetime, and playing in a role that he is not suited for. But honestly, what has he done to warrant or earn more ice time? and think about what the Flyers biggest issues are? It's not goal scoring. It's not offense. Their biggest issue is 5 on 5 play and team defense. Akeson is not a player who is going to make a difference there. Umberger is a proven veteran player, who is easily a better all around player then Akeson is. He's much bigger, skates better, is stronger defensively and in board battles. And can play on the PK.
I see Akeson as an offensive player, with little else to his game. Who more then likely won't be able to produce enough offensively, to stay in the lineup on a scoring line, because he offers little else. Now I certainly could be wrong about that. And really the only way to truly know is to play him. Well he is going to have to do something to earn more playing time that the Coach likes. In the same way that Raffl, Bellmare, and recently Vandevelde have. If they can do it from getting 4th line minutes, so can Akeson. How about putting some responsibility on the player, rather then just the coach?

One last thing, the NHL season is a long season. Things change in a hurry. Last year Akeson came from now where to being called up and then playing in the playoffs. Injuries happen, players slump. Akeson will likely get a chance at some point in the season.

BALLS!
- jmatchett383

bocce?

He's a pretty smart player and brings more than offense. What does Blair Jones bring? So far it's been stupid play with the puck and dumb penalties without the puck.

I'll take Akeson over that.
- Jsaquella

I'm not saying Blair Jones is better, just that Akeson is not speedy, good defensively, great at puck protection, or particularly physical. When you take that and the risky plays he is prone to making into account, its easy to see why a coach would have a short leash for him.

I guess Berube had nothing to say about VdV's terrible performance on faceoffs, or him not picking up Richards on the Kings second goal, or the great shot Akeson put on Quick that almost resulted in a goal.
- Feanor

It's a small sample size with Vandevelde on faceoffs. He's only taken 11 draws. Not sure how to single one player out, but one of Vandevelde or Rinaldo needs to look around and pick up the trailer. Both were fixated on the puck. I though Akeson played well in the first period against LA.

I think he's capable of being a solid third liner, who can put up points and help drive play a bit. I'd prefer seeing him with Couturier & Read than Umberger
- Jsaquella

I don't see Akeson as a fit for the third line at all. I see him as a scoring line player. if he can't produce enough offense, then there isn't much else to his game. Not a player you want out there against top lines. Doesn't have the physical ability either that you're looking for in a 3rd line player. Umberger is the better player for that 3rd line spot in my opinion.

BALLS!
- jmatchett383

I guess Berube had nothing to say about VdV's terrible performance on faceoffs, or him not picking up Richards on the Kings second goal, or the great shot Akeson put on Quick that almost resulted in a goal.
- Feanor

One of several good chances I thought Akeson had last night.

"DOESNT MATTER HE MISPLAYED THE PUCK RAWR"

That's my criticism of it, as well.

Berube scratched Akeson, and specifically mentioned turnovers as a reason why. At the time, as Exlund pointed out, Akeson had been charged with 1 turnover.

I get if it's a matchup thing, but use the player correctly and don't hold him to a different standard than the other 4th liner/bubble guys and then it's at least fair.
- Jsaquella

Hockey and how coaches treat players is rarely fair or equal. It's just the way it is.

Hockey and how coaches treat players is rarely fair or equal. It's just the way it is.
- MJL

Exhibit A; Keenan, Mike

I agree that Akeson is in a tough spot. It's hard to cement a spot in the lineup with so little icetime, and playing in a role that he is not suited for. But honestly, what has he done to warrant or earn more ice time? and think about what the Flyers biggest issues are? It's not goal scoring. It's not offense. Their biggest issue is 5 on 5 play and team defense. Akeson is not a player who is going to make a difference there. Umberger is a proven veteran player, who is easily a better all around player then Akeson is. He's much bigger, skates better, is stronger defensively and in board battles. And can play on the PK.
I see Akeson as an offensive player, with little else to his game. Who more then likely won't be able to produce enough offensively, to stay in the lineup on a scoring line, because he offers little else. Now I certainly could be wrong about that. And really the only way to truly know is to play him. Well he is going to have to do something to earn more playing time that the Coach likes. In the same way that Raffl, Bellmare, and recently Vandevelde have. If they can do it from getting 4th line minutes, so can Akeson. How about putting some responsibility on the player, rather then just the coach?

One last thing, the NHL season is a long season. Things change in a hurry. Last year Akeson came from now where to being called up and then playing in the playoffs. Injuries happen, players slump. Akeson will likely get a chance at some point in the season.
- MJL

As long as he gets a chance at some point. I don't want them to give up on him as he does have offensive skill. Like you said, it is a long season and hopefully he will have his chance. Umberger really has not done much with his one goal and -5. I want to see him work harder and win more board battles if he isn't going to give anything offensively.

it isn't. rinaldo's had a very long leash, regressed quite a bit last year, which earned him a 2 year extension.

by all means, akeson needs to earn his minutes, but he also needs to be put in the best scenario for him to be effective.

raffl has been used on the fourth line. he hasn't done much offensively and hasn't been a stellar bottom 9 to warrant being bumped to the top line - yet he has been, and now he's producing in no small part due to the talent around him. shocking.
- hammarby31

Raffl is a player that is effective without scoring a point. He is strong on the puck in all 3 zones, strong on the forecheck, strong defensively, and puts a lot of pressure on the puck all over the ice. The scoring in a bonus. Akeson can't offer any of that. With the hands that Akeson has, if he had the off the puck skills that Raffle or Bellmare have, then he'd be a pretty good player. But he doesn't have that.

estimate (something) to be better, larger, or more important than it really is.
"his influence cannot be overestimated"

This is the dictionary example of overestimate. My word choice stands.
- aflyerpower8

Raffl is a player that is effective without scoring a point. He is strong on the puck in all 3 zones, strong on the forecheck, strong defensively, and puts a lot of pressure on the puck all over the ice. The scoring in a bonus. Akeson can't offer any of that. With the hands that Akeson has, if he had the off the puck skills that Raffle or Bellmare have, then he'd be a pretty good player. But he doesn't have that.
- MJL

Sounds like the current incarnation of a young, very hyped-up defenseman that the team has.

I'm not saying Blair Jones is better, just that Akeson is not speedy, good defensively, great at puck protection, or particularly physical. When you take that and the risky plays he is prone to making into account, its easy to see why a coach would have a short leash for him.
- aflyerpower8

But what is frustrating is that Matt Read had a really poor play with the puck on the PP that resulted in a SH goal for the Kings. Should Berube tighten the leash in that scenario? I would say no because Read is part of a strong defensive pair with Coots.

From what I saw last night, Akeson played a really solid game (came really close to scoring at least once) and the only sound bite that we heard or sentiment from Berube we got was that Akeson make a mistake with the puck once and how bad that mistake was

- Giroux_Is_God

...Idjits!

Raffl is a player that is effective without scoring a point. He is strong on the puck in all 3 zones, strong on the forecheck, strong defensively, and puts a lot of pressure on the puck all over the ice. The scoring in a bonus. Akeson can't offer any of that. With the hands that Akeson has, if he had the off the puck skills that Raffle or Bellmare have, then he'd be a pretty good player. But he doesn't have that.
- MJL

i agree that he doesn't have the same overall ability as a 2 way player, and isn't as strong on the puck as raffl. i'm simply saying raffl has never wowed me in any area - he's a guy that competes and doesn't seem to hurt them - yet here he is on the first line. and now he's producing.