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'
- PhillySportsGuy

i was referring to Mr. VDV.

http://gfycat.com/UnimportantFlashyAcaciarat

no goal for goalie interference

http://gfycat.com/UnimportantFlashyAcaciarat

no goal for goalie interference
- wilsonecho91

Cant believe they waived that goal off

http://gfycat.com/UnimportantFlashyAcaciarat

no goal for goalie interference
- wilsonecho91

No way...that actually was waved off?

No way...that actually was waved off?
- Giroux_Is_God

you tell me?

http://gfycat.com/Impertu...bableWeeklyGreathornedowl

No way...that actually was waved off?
- Giroux_Is_God

And he was given a penalty

And he was given a penalty
- PhillySportsGuy

you tell me?

http://gfycat.com/Impertu...bableWeeklyGreathornedowl
- wilsonecho91

Unreal. Those guys should never be able to work an NHL game again

And he was given a penalty
- PhillySportsGuy

Prolly a delayed call for goalie interference behind the net. When Detroit touched the puck by shooting it in, the call was made.

Or...a reallllly bad call.

Prolly a delayed call for goalie interference behind the net. When Detroit touched the puck by shooting it in, the call was made.

Or...a reallllly bad call.
- 77rams

Awful call. Holtby fell well after Glendening skated away. Refs just plain missed it.

http://gfycat.com/UnimportantFlashyAcaciarat

no goal for goalie interference
- wilsonecho91

oh my god

oh my god

- MBFlyerfan

jesus christ that's a horrible call

oh my god

- MBFlyerfan

if Glendenning pulled a Subban I might understand

Sounds like the Phantoms are struggling with three top dmen out. These are the forward lines.

23 Leier 21 Laughton 10 Gordon
24 Straka 25 Cousins 45 Stortini
36 Powe 17 Goumas 19 Alderson
11 Fyten 12 Johnston 29 Mathers

Sounds like the Phantoms are struggling with three top dmen out. These are the forward lines.

23 Leier 21 Laughton 10 Gordon
24 Straka 25 Cousins 45 Stortini
36 Powe 17 Goumas 19 Alderson
11 Fyten 12 Johnston 29 Mathers
- Feanor

On the board tonight!

Sounds like the Phantoms are struggling with three top dmen out. These are the forward lines.

23 Leier 21 Laughton 10 Gordon
24 Straka 25 Cousins 45 Stortini
36 Powe 17 Goumas 19 Alderson
11 Fyten 12 Johnston 29 Mathers
- Feanor

Was watching as a team moving the puck was an issue in the 1st

Sounds like the Phantoms are struggling with three top dmen out. These are the forward lines.

23 Leier 21 Laughton 10 Gordon
24 Straka 25 Cousins 45 Stortini
36 Powe 17 Goumas 19 Alderson
11 Fyten 12 Johnston 29 Mathers
- Feanor

They could use Akeson in there... just saying.

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.


- exlund

That would all be relevant if they were actually player stats that can be attributed to any one player. But they they aren't, they're team stats. Umberger plays more minutes against tougher opponents. While Akeson plays limited and sheltered minutes. Not comparable. Akeson also has better possession numbers then Couturier does. Does he compare favorably to Couturier also?

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.


- exlund

Akeson wasn't a standout. He played well for a call up. Nor did he drive possession. He was a passenger, not a driver. He is pretty much a one dimensional player. This year the only time he is effective in the very brief times that he has the puck on his stick.While I don't think he's a flat out liability, play without the puck is not a strong suit for him. Either in coverage or in puck battles. Nor is he strong on the forecheck where he can break pucks loose, or pressure the puck. He just doesn't skate well enough.
Chemistry is not proven in 7 games. Far too small of a sample size. For chemistry or any metric. He shouldn't be given a shot to play on the top 9 because he's not better then anyone currently there, even with Lecavalier out.

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.
- exlund

As I said before, Berube is trying to motivate and push Akeson to work on other areas of his game. Because the chances of him sticking or having a long NHL career aren't real strong if he doesn't add some other elements to his game. I don't see how Akeson has earned anything but a spot on the team. In fact, he hasn't done anything to catch the coaches eye, the way that players like Raffl, Bellemare, and even Vandevelde has lately. Who have all been on the 4th line, have done. Instead of gifting Akeson more playing time, he has to do something to earn it. And he has not done that to this point of the season.

And yes, I agree that there is a possibility that he could move on and blossom somewhere. But right now, I think patience is key. The season is 9 games old. Akeson will at some point get a chance. He'll have to make something of it. But right now, he isn't better then the other players who are in the top 9, and he hasn't done much to earn more playing time to this point.

Bottom line, I think he is a player who has some offensive potential. I think it is good to have a player with some puck skills for depth. Injuries happen.

They could use Akeson in there... just saying.
- mayorofangrytown

And Rinaldo

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'
- PhillySportsGuy

That makes sense since Berube has played Akeson 7 games, and Jones 4 games.

And Rinaldo
- ob18

And Gostisbehere & Manning.

- Jsaquella

x2

Play nice

Play nice
- ob18

Always

And Gostisbehere & Manning.
- Jsaquella

Ahh yes the art of drafting & developing