Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Second Power Play Unit, Practice Updates, Alumni & More

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Second Power Play Unit, Practice Updates, Alumni & More
- bmeltzer

Amen Bill!!

To not use Akeson on the pp, which is exactly the place to make best use of his skill set, because you aren't satisfied with his ES play is just flat out dumb.

Something that puzzles me: When Flyers head coach Craig Berube has dressed Jason Akeson for games this season, he has avoided using the player on the power play. I don't get it. If there is one thing Akeson does truly well at the pro level, it's work the power pay. Putting aside the question of whether Akeson can adapt to a fourth-line role at even strength, it seems like a no-brainer to give him ice time on the secondary unit (stationed in the left half-boards role that Claude Giroux plays on the top unit).
- bmeltzer

It puzzles most of us, as does Berube's insistence/bias/compulsion to hold a player such as Akeson or Gustafsson to some higher standard than a player like Rinaldo, VandeVelde or Luke Schenn.

I understand and accept the "he works hard" reasoning, and there is validity to it. But if a guy is an ineffective player, or less skilled and unable to be much more than what he is, or is undisciplined and takes too many penalties or runs around and plays subpar defense, what good is hard work?

I'm not saying Akeson or Gustafsson are or ever will be good or even average NHLers. Somebody called Akeson Peter White Lite last night and it might be true. But I do know that Akeson showed a lot of promise last season, in the playoffs, when used in a role that better suited his abilities and I wonder why Berube is unwilling to try him in that role now.

I'm not saying Akeson shouldn't have to play better in his current role, because he hasn't been effective. But honestly, neither has most of the roster. Despite that ineffectiveness, guys like Rinaldo and VandeVelde get more bigger roles and more responsibility.

Meanwhile, Akeson is playing mediocre hockey in a role ill-suited for his skill set-despite a need for that skill set on the second PP unit and the possibility that he could be more effective at ES in another role than a guy currently playing that role.

Amen Bill!!

To not use Akeson on the pp, which is exactly the place to make best use of his skill set, because you aren't satisfied with his ES play is just flat out dumb.
- BiggE

The 2nd PP unit is such a mess, I just don't see what it could hurt at this point to use either of Akeson and Umberger.

It might be a shot of adrenaline for both players and might help their confidence in 5v5 play.

Amen Bill!!

To not use Akeson on the pp, which is exactly the place to make best use of his skill set, because you aren't satisfied with his ES play is just flat out dumb.
- BiggE

I'm not sure how he's satisfied with anyone's ES play, outside of Giroux, Voracek and Raffl. That's where the trouble lies for me. Akeson hasn't played well. But neither has Umberger or Lecavalier or Read or VandeVelde or Jones or Rinaldo.

If you want to give the former a break because they are veterans, that's OK to an extent. But at some point why not try something else when what you've been doing is not working?

I'm not sure how he's satisfied with anyone's ES play, outside of Giroux, Voracek and Raffl. That's where the trouble lies for me. Akeson hasn't played well. But neither has Umberger or Lecavalier or Read or VandeVelde or Jones or Rinaldo.

If you want to give the former a break because they are veterans, that's OK to an extent. But at some point why not try something else when what you've been doing is not working?
- Jsaquella

Berube did try something else when it's not working. He changed the lines around. He got criticized for it. Lecavalier has played 4 games. He has played well in those 4 games. Umberger plays well away from the puck, and on the PK. But he needs to get more involved offensively, as does Read. Both aren't generating much offensively right now. Which was one good reason for splitting them up.

I think anything is worth a try on the second PP unit. Basically all they are effectively doing is killing off the other team's penalty for them.

As far as the Rinaldo/Akeson debate. I don't really see either of them as a long-term answer on the fourth line or any other line for that matter. They may not have better options this year, but guys like Laughton, Alderson, and Leier certainly could be better options in the future. Why not guys that are defensively responsible, with above average speed, and some offensive skill? Bellemare is an excellent example. I don't think Rinaldo or Akeson fits these criteria.

I think anything is worth a try on the second PP unit. Basically all they are effectively doing is killing off the other team's penalty for them.

As far as the Rinaldo/Akeson debate. I don't really see either of them as a long-term answer on the fourth line or any other line for that matter. They may not have better options this year, but guys's like Laughton, Alderson, and Leier certainly could be better options in the future. Why not guys that are defensively responsible, with above average speed, and some offensive skill? Bellemare is an excellent example. I don't think Rinaldo or Akeson fits these criteria.
- ManCity

As much as I defend Rinaldo, because I do think he brings some positive attributes to the team. Having more Bellemare types in the lineup would certainly help. Players that skate well, check well, have some offensive ability, and grit to their game.

The 2nd PP unit is such a mess, I just don't see what it could hurt at this point to use either of Akeson and Umberger.

It might be a shot of adrenaline for both players and might help their confidence in 5v5 play.
- johndewar

We may as well give them a shot on the 2nd PP. Umberger needs something to make him look somewhat visible. Akeson has the skill to work that unit and should have a chance. I always felt the Flyers never really gave Gus a long enough look. When he did play he was no worse than Luke Schenn ( even though their games are different)

We may as well give them a shot on the 2nd PP. Umberger needs something to make him look somewhat visible. Akeson has the skill to work that unit and should have a chance. I always felt the Flyers never really gave Gus a long enough look. When he did play he was no worse than Luke Schenn ( even though their games are different)
- 3flyerkids

The timing for Gus last year wasn't good. The blueline was pretty healthy all year.

This year, Gus would probably be pulling major icetime if he had been able to stick around. Not that I blame him for leaving, though.

And I agree with Bill, I don't like Lecavalier in the high slot on the left side on the first unit. He doesn't look comfortable there. Put him on the 2nd unit, on the right side of the ice, where he can set up in his wheel house. Continue to use him on the first unit for 5 on 3 PP's.

I think anything is worth a try on the second PP unit. Basically all they are effectively doing is killing off the other team's penalty for them.

As far as the Rinaldo/Akeson debate. I don't really see either of them as a long-term answer on the fourth line or any other line for that matter. They may not have better options this year, but guys's like Laughton, Alderson, and Leier certainly could be better options in the future. Why not guys that are defensively responsible, with above average speed, and some offensive skill? Bellemare is an excellent example. I don't think Rinaldo or Akeson fits these criteria.
- ManCity

The reason they're not using Laughton or Leier is that Hextall's intent is to leave younger guys in the AHL until he's certain they are ready.

I agree. I'd rather have Laughton up and playing than either Akeson or Rinaldo. Right now, the Flyers are being patient with their kids. I'm cool with that. They'd rather err on the side of caution, whether it's a young defenseman or young forward.

As far as Akeson on the PP, I think the reason is that he hasn't earned PP time in Berube's eyes, due to his poor play away from the puck. Right or wrong.

It is becoming more frustrating every game to watch this team play from behind.
Nine of eleven games they are scored on first...that is a team issue. They have a problem getting out of the gates. Is it a personel or coaching issue? It just simply happens way too much. We are NOT the Sabres, but we come out like them.

So the Flyers are unequivocally under .500.

It is becoming more frustrating every game to watch this team play from behind.
Nine of eleven games they are scored on first...that is a team issue. They have a problem getting out of the gates. Is it a personel or coaching issue? It just simply happens way too much. We are NOT the Sabres, but we come out like them.
- 3flyerkids

It's not the players nor the coach.

It's the organization.

This wildly inconsistent kind of play has been going on for six, seven years. It is utterly maddening.

As far as Akeson on the PP, I think the reason is that he hasn't earned PP time in Berube's eyes, due to his poor play away from the puck. Right or wrong.
- MJL

Its kind of a conundrum. Akeson for sure is not a 4th line type of player. If he is ever going to be effective he does need to be put in a more offensive role, even if that is on the power play.

However, as has been stated, he has done nothing to earn a promotion, at least enough to demote another player down to the 4th line. Most people here would say Umberger. And I agree that Umberger has the skill set that he could play on the 4th line and be effective. But the only other player who on merit alone should be demoted to the 4th line is Matt Read.

Now, is Berube really going to make that switch? I don't think so. Akeson doesn't merit demoting Raffl, Simmonds, BSchenn, or even VLC at 5 on 5 in my opinion.

So the only thing available is the 2nd PP unit.

I agree with JSaq that Berube seems to hold certain players to unfair expectations while excusing others. Yes Umberger has earned some slack due to his career and veteran status, plus he is more versatile. Status Akeson hasn't earned.

But there comes a point where you have to decide what is best, putting the best lineup combos out to win, or making some point at the expense of success.

I call Akeson Peter White Lite because that is what he is. A borderline elite AHL level scorer who doesn't have enough skill to be the same thing in the NHL, and brings nothing else to the table in terms of his overall game. I think that if he could be sent down without having to pass through waivers he would already have been sent down.

In the end I think Berube's stubbornness with certain types of players and his seeming inability to bend and adjust his mindset to get each and every player in the best position to succeed is going to be the thing that gets him fired.

Akeson hasn't earned squat, his play certainly hasn't earned him a place on the second unit, but it does seem like his skill set would help. Berube needs to realize that if he wants to be considered a good coach one of these days. Put the team over his stubbornness.

As far as Akeson on the PP, I think the reason is that he hasn't earned PP time in Berube's eyes, due to his poor play away from the puck. Right or wrong.
- MJL

I'm sure that's the reason. On the other hand, it seems foolish to me not to use Akeson at what he does best regardless of his struggles adapting at five-on-five.

It's kind of like saying a good cook is barred from the kitchen because he has no idea how to farm (apologies to the late Mitch Hedberg for copping his joke).

Amen Bill!!

To not use Akeson on the pp, which is exactly the place to make best use of his skill set, because you aren't satisfied with his ES play is just flat out dumb.
- BiggE

I'm sure that's the reason. On the other hand, it seems foolish to me not to use Akeson at what he does best regardless of his struggles adapting at five-on-five.
- bmeltzer

It puzzles most of us, as does Berube's insistence/bias/compulsion to hold a player such as Akeson or Gustafsson to some higher standard than a player like Rinaldo, VandeVelde or Luke Schenn.

I understand and accept the "he works hard" reasoning, and there is validity to it. But if a guy is an ineffective player, or less skilled and unable to be much more than what he is, or is undisciplined and takes too many penalties or runs around and plays subpar defense, what good is hard work?

I'm not saying Akeson or Gustafsson are or ever will be good or even average NHLers. Somebody called Akeson Peter White Lite last night and it might be true. But I do know that Akeson showed a lot of promise last season, in the playoffs, when used in a role that better suited his abilities and I wonder why Berube is unwilling to try him in that role now.

I'm not saying Akeson shouldn't have to play better in his current role, because he hasn't been effective. But honestly, neither has most of the roster. Despite that ineffectiveness, guys like Rinaldo and VandeVelde get more bigger roles and more responsibility.

Meanwhile, Akeson is playing mediocre hockey in a role ill-suited for his skill set-despite a need for that skill set on the second PP unit and the possibility that he could be more effective at ES in another role than a guy currently playing that role.
- Jsaquella

I think the idea that Akeson needs to succeed in the 4th line role to earn PP time is flawed. It's basically apples to oranges; succeed in one role so you can be rewarded with a completely unrelated role. It's not like earning increased ice time or something like that.

I think the idea that Akeson needs to succeed in the 4th line role to earn PP time is flawed. It's basically apples to oranges; succeed in one role so you can be rewarded with a completely unrelated role. It's not like earning increased ice time or something like that.
- NickTheKid87

- Tomahawk

You're awfully agreeable this morning.

I'm sure that's the reason. On the other hand, it seems foolish to me not to use Akeson at what he does best regardless of his struggles adapting at five-on-five.

It's kind of like saying a good cook is barred from the kitchen because he has no idea how to farm (apologies to the late Mitch Hedberg for copping his joke).
- bmeltzer

RIP Mitch

Just my feeling but even as good as Vinny plays his presence seems to jumble everything up. This team seem to be finding their game a little with him out. Lines seemed to be gelling a little. Now that he comes back it seems everything has to change to fit him. I know he has played well when in but seems like it throws the team off a little. I guess i can just hope he keeps playing well and maybe can med at TDL.

Its kind of a conundrum. Akeson for sure is not a 4th line type of player. If he is ever going to be effective he does need to be put in a more offensive role, even if that is on the power play.

However, as has been stated, he has done nothing to earn a promotion, at least enough to demote another player down to the 4th line. Most people here would say Umberger. And I agree that Umberger has the skill set that he could play on the 4th line and be effective. But the only other player who on merit alone should be demoted to the 4th line is Matt Read.

Now, is Berube really going to make that switch? I don't think so. Akeson doesn't merit demoting Raffl, Simmonds, BSchenn, or even VLC at 5 on 5 in my opinion.

So the only thing available is the 2nd PP unit.

I agree with JSaq that Berube seems to hold certain players to unfair expectations while excusing others. Yes Umberger has earned some slack due to his career and veteran status, plus he is more versatile. Status Akeson hasn't earned.

But there comes a point where you have to decide what is best, putting the best lineup combos out to win, or making some point at the expense of success.

I call Akeson Peter White Lite because that is what he is. A borderline elite AHL level scorer who doesn't have enough skill to be the same thing in the NHL, and brings nothing else to the table in terms of his overall game. I think that if he could be sent down without having to pass through waivers he would already have been sent down.

In the end I think Berube's stubbornness with certain types of players and his seeming inability to bend and adjust his mindset to get each and every player in the best position to succeed is going to be the thing that gets him fired.

Akeson hasn't earned squat, his play certainly hasn't earned him a place on the second unit, but it does seem like his skill set would help. Berube needs to realize that if he wants to be considered a good coach one of these days. Put the team over his stubbornness.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. I'm not even remotely saying that Akeson's level of play has been good enough to promote him. And he may well be just an AHL guy that had a good run. (sorry I forgot it was you who coined the White Lite term. Very good, though )

But as others are saying, it's foolish to say because a guy can't do one thing, that you're going to bar him from doing something that he can do.