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

Exactly -- I swear to God, I don't know how in the hell Brayden Schenn struggled to figure that out

On that line, especially with the way Voracek's playing and Giroux as well, you have three responsibilities:

1. Get the puck out of the corner or off the wall

2. Go to the net

3. Backcheck if you are not doing (1) or (2) and someone not wearing orange has the puck

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.
- coffee junkie

Makes sense.

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

Berube needs to reach higher.

Exactly -- I swear to God, I don't know how in the hell Brayden Schenn struggled to figure that out

On that line, especially with the way Voracek's playing and Giroux as well, you have three responsibilities:

1. Get the puck out of the corner or off the wall

2. Go to the net

3. Backcheck if you are not doing (1) or (2) and someone not wearing orange has the puck
- AllInForFlyers

I'll just add to #1, if you have the puck, either shoot it, or pass it to Giroux or Voracek, then bust it to the net. Because that's where the puck is going.

Schenn just wasn't skating when he was on that line.

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

If McGinn gets you a 3rd I think Akeson has to get you at least that. And given that we're not picking in the 2nd round another 3rd would be a nice thing to have.

I'll just add to #1, if you have the puck, either shoot it, or pass it to Giroux or Voracek, then bust it to the net. Because that's where the puck is going.

Schenn just wasn't skating when he was on that line.
- MJL

he was not

for all five periods he was on that line

If McGinn gets you a 3rd I think Akeson has to get you at least that. And given that we're not picking in the 2nd round another 3rd would be a nice thing to have.
- hereticpride

I don't want to trade him, I just don't see how we can get the best of him right now.

I don't want to trade him, I just don't see how we can get the best of him right now.
- SuperSchennBros

Play him with Couturier & Read, despite Umberger's proven vet status. RJ hasn't been able to provide sustained good play, and if Akeson blossoms, it's good for the team. If he doesn't, Umberger can slide back in.

Being a dependable, versatile vet, he should be able to adjust.

Bob Rotruck, Phantoms PxP guy, said there's no official word on Alt, but he's likely out "a few weeks"

Bob Rotruck, Phantoms PxP guy, said there's no official word on Alt, but he's likely out "a few weeks"
- Jsaquella

Shame

Play him with Couturier & Read, despite Umberger's proven vet status. RJ hasn't been able to provide sustained good play, and if Akeson blossoms, it's good for the team. If he doesn't, Umberger can slide back in.

Being a dependable, versatile vet, he should be able to adjust.
- Jsaquella

Umberger has still played better then Akeson. And Akeson isn't a great fit for a line that is going to play against top lines and take a lot of D zone draws. Akeson is too weak on the puck, and too much of a perimeter player.

Saying a prayer for Mr. Hockey.

Bob Rotruck, Phantoms PxP guy, said there's no official word on Alt, but he's likely out "a few weeks"
- Jsaquella

A bit of a set back but hopefully it's just that a few weeks

A bit of a set back but hopefully it's just that a few weeks
- ob18

He only got hurt Friday

I wonder if Pronger had a voice in the John Moore suspension?

He only got hurt Friday
- Jsaquella

I didn't watch the game.

I wonder if Pronger had a voice in the John Moore suspension?
- 77rams

yes

Just curious about what people think

Reading reports out there saying Mason's 2013-14 season was an anomaly and we shouldn't be surprised to see emery in net

Just curious about what people think

Reading reports out there saying Mason's 2013-14 season was an anomaly and we shouldn't be surprised to see emery in net
- 2Real

I've seen that too. The problem is that he played well the entire time since he's been traded. That is long enough to prove that something in CBJ just wasn't right. He's had a slow start to the season, in front of a D that was struggling through the first few weeks, nothing else.

The media will do what they do though and they'll turn this into a circus like they always do.

I've seen that too. The problem is that he played well the entire time since he's been traded. That is long enough to prove that something in CBJ just wasn't right. He's had a slow start to the season, in front of a D that was struggling through the first few weeks, nothing else.

The media will do what they do though and they'll turn this into a circus like they always do.
- hereticpride

was just curious because they were referencing his play before last season

Laughton got robbed on a odd man rush with Leier

Umberger has still played better then Akeson. And Akeson isn't a great fit for a line that is going to play against top lines and take a lot of D zone draws. Akeson is too weak on the puck, and too much of a perimeter player.
- MJL

I don't know that this is accurate. Umberger was pretty pedestrian for a number of games and he doesn't seem to be doing much for that line. I like what he does on the PK though. Akeson doesn't get that chance on special teams, but
some of his even strength metrics compare favorably to Umberger. Akeson drives possession better, draws more penalties, has a better on ice save %. Of course he sees lesser competition vs. Umby, but also plays with lesser linemates.

When Akeson played with Read and Coots last season, they were among the Flyers best lines against a very good team...and Akeson was a standout, while playing against tough matchups. He drove possession (best numbers on the Flyers), produced points and was good defensively. I don't agree with the perception that Akeson is a one dimensional player and/or a defensive liability. He has proven chemistry with that line and I don't see any reason that he shouldn't at least be given a shot to play on it or be somewhere in the top 9 mix.

Like you said before, Akeson may get his chance at some point...maybe they end up trading a top 9 forward or there are injuries and he gets his shot...it's just kind of concerning to see how Berube seems to be calling him out for dubious reasons and reducing his already limited minutes when others that (had) more egregious mistakes get promoted. I feel that Akeson HAS earned his spot and deserves to get an extended look in the right role at some point. If the Flyers don't give him that opportunity, they risk repeating the mistakes of the past where they sell low on in-house talent only to see it blossom elsewhere.

I don't know that this is accurate. Umberger was pretty pedestrian for a number of games and he doesn't seem to be doing much for that line. I like what he does on the PK though. Akeson doesn't get that chance on special teams, but
some of his even strength metrics compare favorably to Umberger. Akeson drives possession better, draws more penalties, has a better on ice save %. Of course he sees lesser competition vs. Umby, but also plays with lesser linemates.

When Akeson played with Read and Coots last season, they were among the Flyers best lines against a very good team...and Akeson was a standout, while playing against tough matchups. He drove possession (best numbers on the Flyers), produced points and was good defensively. I don't agree with the perception that Akeson is a one dimensional player and/or a defensive liability. He has proven chemistry with that line and I don't see any reason that he shouldn't at least be given a shot to play on it or be somewhere in the top 9 mix.

Like you said before, Akeson may get his chance at some point...maybe they end up trading a top 9 forward or there are injuries and he gets his shot...it's just kind of concerning to see how Berube seems to be calling him out for dubious reasons and reducing his already limited minutes when others that more egregious mistakes get promoted. I feel that Akeson HAS earned his spot and deserves to get an extended look in the right role at some point. If the Flyers don't give him that opportunity, they risk repeating the mistakes of the past where they sell low on in-house talent only to see it blossom elsewhere.
- exlund

You mean playing 5 minutes each night on a line with VDV and Rinaldo isn't enough to determine whether he fits or not?

You mean playing 5 minutes each night on a line with VDV and Rinaldo isn't enough to determine whether he fits or not?
- PhillySportsGuy

HE'S A MARKSMAN

HE'S A MARKSMAN
- wilsonecho91

Clearly. I feel like Akeson is only on the roster because Hextall wants him to be.

I get the feeling Berube would much rather be surrounded by VDVs and Blair Jones'