If the Flyers win tomorrow, are they a ".500 team" or an "above .500 team"?

Need everyone's opinion ASAP.
- bradleyc4

Definitely .500. 5 wins - 5 losses.

That's a fact jack.

No place for creative book keeping.

I absolutely agree. But what MJL said totally brought back flashbacks of Ken Hitchcock's tenure.

This isn't a shot at Hitchcock, because that guy knows how to coach and win hockey games.

But he was brutal on young players, especially skilled players. People forget that. He prefers veterans, and size -- it's not right or wrong. It's just his thing.

But it wasn't a surprise to me when Hitchcock got the gate. It wasn't just because the Flyers were brutal that year. Eight games doesn't get a guy fired like that.

What got Hitch fired was that, after Bob Clarke had already traded Justin Williams and Daymond Langkow and Patrick Sharp in order to give Hitch the roster he preferred, during a time when CLEARLY Frick and Frack were the future of this franchise, Hitch said he saw Richards as nothing more "than a third-line checker."

That's not any different from how Berube sees Akeson, or Gus. Whatever we see, or anyone else sees, doesn't matter. John Stevens saw Richards as a No. 1 center, or a No. 2, depending on how you saw Jeff Carter.

Hitch was wrong there. But it goes to show that coaches make their minds up about players, rightly or wrongly.
- AllInForFlyers

Makes sense and seems rather frustrating if you're the player. I would be constantly wondering what the moment was when the coach decided "Though this worked in the playoffs, it will no longer work after the off season."

I get that hockey is also a game of matchups, but again, Berube's logic is suspect at times. But as you say, that is true of many coaches.

To me its about what an organization values. Winning any given game at whatever the cost, or perhaps losing a few more games but developing their players for the future. Putting higher value on an older AHL veteran who is the safer choice and wont hurt you on the ice, or young kid that may lose the game with a mistake but has the shot to develop into much more than a warm body.
- flyer_nutter

A team can do both.

Do you see anything positive going on with the Flyers?

Couturier is currently on pace for a 27 goal season and close to 50 points.
- MJL

Why does my opinion matter so much to you?

Aww (frank) that, I just back read the last trainwreck.
- Jsaquella

you're welcome...

They never seem to beat Tampa.
- nastyflyergirl

They have them right where they want them

Makes sense and seems rather frustrating if you're the player. I would be constantly wondering what the moment was when the coach decided "Though this worked in the playoffs, it will no longer work after the off season."

I get that hockey is also a game of matchups, but again, Berube's logic is suspect at times. But as you say, that is true of many coaches.
- mcefalu

Absolutely -- if you're that 12/13 forward or 6/7 defenseman and you're young...that might be the hardest poop in the NHL to be

something something management something trash fire
- Crimsoninja

It's what keeps everyone warm at night.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Optional Skate, Lecavalier Update, Manning Recall, Mason
- bmeltzer

I have no earthly idea what Berube sees in Vandevelde. He scored his first goal as a Flyer, second of his career but outside of this, what has he done? I actually blame him for his bad read on the second Kings goal, not Rinaldo. He's not a very good faceoff man and I view him as below average defensively, with very little offensive ability. I know he has points in the last two games but common!

Get the idea to carry 7 d-men, but if they have Ghost benched in favour of Manning...

Kid isn't getting a really great chunk of ice time with a good mentor as is. Completely benching him is asinine.
- flyer_nutter

Hardly a big deal, if they scratch Gostisbehere for a game or so. I imagine if he's not going to play regularly he will return to the AHL

Good idea

The TSN Hockey List: Nine CHLers who would be good candidates for the AHL

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...ates-for-the-ahl-1.119377

I get that hockey is also a game of matchups, but again, Berube's logic is suspect at times. But as you say, that is true of many coaches.
- mcefalu

So if he can't play D and he's only got his scoring/hands to his credit... why the (frank) is he not on the 2PP? A unit that is pretty much useless right now and is in desperate need of a spark, I would say.

I've liked and noticed Raffl from the beginning. He's the kind of player that a team needs. How good he becomes depends on how his offensive game develops. Whether he develops into a full time scoring line player, or a role playing defensive forechecking winger on a lower line.
- MJL

Right now I do not view Michael Raffl as a top line player. I'm fine with him filling in, he's feeding off his linemates and having success. To me he's not being used in the most ideal situation but he does belong in the NHL, I'll never take this fact from him. I can't.

something something management something trash fire
- Crimsoninja

Finally, some words of wisdom around here!

Hardly a big deal, if they scratch Gostisbehere for a game or so. I imagine if he's not going to play regularly he will return to the AHL
- Jsaquella

Your drifting away from the dark side is concerning.

Good idea

The TSN Hockey List: Nine CHLers who would be good candidates for the AHL

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...ates-for-the-ahl-1.119377
- ob18

I want Nick Ritchie from the Ducks now! What can we trade for him?

So if he can't play D and he's only got his scoring/hands to his credit... why the (frank) is he not on the 2PP? A unit that is pretty much useless right now and is in desperate need of a spark, I would say.
- Tomahawk

I'd have no problem with Akeson getting a shot on the 2nd unit PP. And that unit does need a spark. But I suspect that he's going to have to earn that. Right or wrong.

Right now I do not view Michael Raffl as a top line player. I'm fine with him filling in, he's feeding off his linemates and having success. To me he's not being used in the most ideal situation but he does belong in the NHL, I'll never take this fact from him. I can't.
- SuperSchennBros

It remains to be seen if he can keep scoring. His puck pressure skills are helping that line. Not to mention he's doing something that is very important. He's getting to the net.

I want Nick Ritchie from the Ducks now! What can we trade for him?
- coffee junkie

He's a solid player, still learning to control his temper.

You'd like Lawson Crouse from Kingston for this years draft.

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

If we can't find a place for Jason Akeson in the line up, I think we've gotta turn him into a draft pick. With his skillset I do not believe him to be a fourth line player. He's a third line, boarderline second line player right now but definitely not a fourth liner.

He's a solid player, still learning to control his temper.

You'd like Lawson Crouse from Kingston for this years draft.
- ob18

BORN FLYER.

It remains to be seen if he can keep scoring. His puck pressure skills are helping that line. Not to mention he's doing something that is very important. He's getting to the net.
- MJL

I cannot disagree.

I have no earthly idea what Berube sees in Vandevelde. He scored his first goal as a Flyer, second of his career but outside of this, what has he done? I actually blame him for his bad read on the second Kings goal, not Rinaldo. He's not a very good faceoff man and I view him as below average defensively, with very little offensive ability. I know he has points in the last two games but common!
- SuperSchennBros

He consistently meets low expectations. NHL coaches love the poop out of those kinds of players, for some reason.

BORN FLYER.
- coffee junkie

Lawson Crouse, I agree

If we can't find a place for Jason Akeson in the line up, I think we've gotta turn him into a draft pick. With his skillset I do not believe him to be a fourth line player. He's a third line, boarderline second line player right now but definitely not a fourth liner.
- SuperSchennBros

He is a good add in for a trade, injury replacement for a top 6 forward or a replacement forward if one is traded for a D man but I would hold onto him instead of trade him for a draft pick right now. He gives them options which is a better asset then a draft pick IMHO.