Agreed. I don't see as a reward at all. Ghost was on the 2nd PP unit when he was called up and how could he have ever "earned" that? He was put there for developmental purposes and also because his skill-set lends itself to that situation. This makes me think Berube doesn't see it as a reward either. Besides, what do they honestly have to lose by putting Akeson on the 2nd unit?
- NickTheKid87

I think other players get this.

- MBFlyerfan

Not an aspic fan, I suppose?

The Flyers are the Sabres with two elite players. If you take out empty nets and the goals involving Giroux or Voracek , the Flyers have scored 12 goals in 11 games for an average of 1.09. Buffalo has scored 14 goals in 13 games for an average of 1.08. Goals against for the Flyers is 3.27. For the Sabres 3.31. So basically the difference is Giroux and Voracek so pray neither gets hurt.
- psuhockey

It's a bit of a stretch, but not much of one.

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

you've been chopped

Not an aspic fan, I suppose?
- Tomahawk

After reading what it is, I don't think so.


I would rather do the pots and floors.

when do we think Hexy will fire Berube and bring Terry Murray back?

when do we think Hexy will fire Berube and bring Terry Murray back?
- vejim

My guess would be if this happen, Hextall is going completely out of the organization.

when do we think Hexy will fire Berube and bring Terry Murray back?
- vejim

I think, unless they totally go into the toilet, Berube is safe for this season. I'm not sure Murray would be the full time choice to replace him.

when do we think Hexy will fire Berube and bring Terry Murray back?
- vejim

I don't think there is any coaching change until end of season if there is one. Both Hextall and Berube seem to be on the same page so no need to change the plan mid season.

Maybe at the end of the season they could look to make a change. Maybe Hextall brings and LA guy back like Stevens or maybe they look at Babcock if he is available or another coach that fits Hextall direction.

After reading what it is, I don't think so.


I would rather do the pots and floors.
- MBFlyerfan

- Tomahawk

Ugg.

when do we think Hexy will fire Berube and bring Terry Murray back?
- vejim

This is a weird season. Hextall basically came out and said this team isn't good enough to win the cup yet he doesn't want to play any kids and live with the growing pains. So they are stuck in limbo. If your not trying to win the cup and your not going all out young to rebuild, what is the plan this season? My guess he is going to ride out the rest of the way without any changes.

my thought was if the flyers are really bad mid season then Hexy would bring in Murray until the end of the season

This is a weird season. Hextall basically came out and said this team isn't good enough to win the cup yet he doesn't want to play any kids and live with the growing pains. So they are stuck in limbo. If your not trying to win the cup and your not going all out young to rebuild, what is the plan this season? My guess he is going to ride out the rest of the way without any changes.
- psuhockey

It is a weird season. Hextall tried to do some surgery in the summer and, despite moving Hartnell's contract, was unsuccessful. He was kind of stuck with the hand he was dealt.

I think what we will see this season is standing pat, except for three types of moves:

1. Moves to fill injury holes. We saw Gostisbehere get a short look, but they almost immediately brought in the more experienced Manning and signed Colaiacovo after seeing if a cheap replacement could be had via trade. If there's another longer term injury or multiple ones, we might see something, rather than recalling the kids.

2. If Hextall can make a deal that lands him a player young enough to be a future building block, be it a young NHLer, prospect or draft pick.

3. The lowest level of probability: a trade where another team agrees to take on the bulk of a remaining, fairly large contract.

my thought was if the flyers are really bad mid season then Hexy would bring in Murray until the end of the season
- vejim

Yeah, but thus far they are a game under .500 (NHL .500 anyhow) and not really in the toilet.

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

It absolutely is like earning increased icetime. PP time is ice time. In my opinion, the Flyers know that Akeson's future in the NHL is not as a 4th line player. They aren't trying to remake him into a 4th line player. But they also know that his offensive ability alone, is not enough for Akeson to have a full time career as an NHL player on a scoring line. So he needs to develop other parts of his game to a satisfactory level, in order to play in a bigger role. There are likely two outcomes to Akeson as a player. Secondary scoring winger in the NHL, or career minor leaguer with an occasional call up.

It is a weird season. Hextall tried to do some surgery in the summer and, despite moving Hartnell's contract, was unsuccessful. He was kind of stuck with the hand he was dealt.

I think what we will see this season is standing pat, except for three types of moves:

1. Moves to fill injury holes. We saw Gostisbehere get a short look, but they almost immediately brought in the more experienced Manning and signed Colaiacovo after seeing if a cheap replacement could be had via trade. If there's another longer term injury or multiple ones, we might see something, rather than recalling the kids.

2. If Hextall can make a deal that lands him a player young enough to be a future building block, be it a young NHLer, prospect or draft pick.

3. The lowest level of probability: a trade where another team agrees to take on the bulk of a remaining, fairly large contract.
- Jsaquella

I agree.

With this. I bet he is praying Vinny plays well enough for a playoff team needing center help or offense that he could unload him to. Also I could see a trade of B. Schenn for another young player who fits better. A natural winger with skill. Alsomaybe Gorssmann or Schenn to playoff teams looking for size and experience.

my thought was if the flyers are really bad mid season then Hexy would bring in Murray until the end of the season
- vejim

I'm betting Berube's grace period will last until the end of the season, at least. Not sure there's much to be gained right now from breaking continuity either w/ the Flyers or Phantoms.

I'm still disturbed at why/how Berube was hired in the first place. Essentially no head coaching experience at any level, and only Homer's endorsement of his hockey mind as rationale. Keep in mind, Homer's also the guy who did the same w/ Pierre McGuire back in the day...

Figured I'd get a little fancy with the gf last night.

Took a stroll down to red lobster. 12 ounce bloody New York with a lobster tail. (frank)ing incredible.

It is a weird season. Hextall tried to do some surgery in the summer and, despite moving Hartnell's contract, was unsuccessful. He was kind of stuck with the hand he was dealt.

I think what we will see this season is standing pat, except for three types of moves:

1. Moves to fill injury holes. We saw Gostisbehere get a short look, but they almost immediately brought in the more experienced Manning and signed Colaiacovo after seeing if a cheap replacement could be had via trade. If there's another longer term injury or multiple ones, we might see something, rather than recalling the kids.

2. If Hextall can make a deal that lands him a player young enough to be a future building block, be it a young NHLer, prospect or draft pick.

3. The lowest level of probability: a trade where another team agrees to take on the bulk of a remaining, fairly large contract.
- Jsaquella

I would love to know what was in that package to Florida for the number#1. It would give a good indication of how Hextall feels about players not only on the roster but in the prospect pool. I think it would include some players/prospects fans wouldn't necessarily think were available since by some accounts Florida almost pulled the trigger on it.

I agree.

With this. I bet he is praying Vinny plays well enough for a playoff team needing center help or offense that he could unload him to. Also I could see a trade of B. Schenn for another young player who fits better. A natural winger with skill. Alsomaybe Gorssmann or Schenn to playoff teams looking for size and experience.
- J35Bacher

All possibilities. I also would expect to see another effort to move Lecavalier this summer, after another season has been burned off and after his July 1st bonus clears another couple of million off the total that a new team would have to pay him

I'm still disturbed at why/how Berube was hired in the first place. Essentially no head coaching experience at any level.
- Tomahawk

Berube was head coach of the phantoms for a year and was the last coach to get the Phantoms into the playoffs.

Do you think Akeson has been that bad away from the puck. Worse than any other vet? I dont.

Hell, I thought the fourth line played at its best with Pebbles, Rinaldo and Akeson.
- jak521

First of all, Akeson is not a vet. He is an NHL rookie with less then 20 NHL games under his belt. And wrong or right, a rookie like Akeson is not going to be treated the same as a vet. I thought the 4th line had some decent games, before Bellemare got moved up. I'd like to see that line given another chance. But with that being said, I think overall, Akeson has been easily knocked off the puck. He doesn't get in on the froecheck to knock pucks loose, and he doesn't pressure the puck. When he has the puck, which doesn't happen often, he can make a play. And he does handle the puck well in all 3 zones. Akeson't puck skills are not the issue. That part of his game is fine. But he's been non competitive away from the puck for the most part.

FWIW, here's what I would do re the Flyers forward lines:

First, I'd waive and demote Jones and bring up Laughton, there is no doubt in my mind that he can play in the NHL right now.

1st line: Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
Currently one of the best lines in the league, no reason to mess with success.

2nd line: Bellemare-VLC-Read
Vinnie needs wingers with speed and who are solid defensively. Also Read needs a change to get himself going.

3rd line: Schenn-Couturier-Simmonds
Simmonds and Schenn have shown good chemistry in the past and since neither is strong defensively, Couturier will fill that role. Plus this line has decent size and strength and should be able to cycle well down low.

4th line: Umberger-Laughton-Akeson
Solid line that can take a regular shift and play in most situations. For those concerned about Laughton's ice time. He should get around 9-9.5 minutes at ES and another 1-2 on the PK giving him a total of 10-11.5 per game which is fine, IMO.

I don't see it as a reward as much as I see it as putting a player in the best position to succeed. I think even the other players would understand that, especially if it works.
- MBFlyerfan

I understand that an offensive situation is the best situation for Akeson. But they are trying to get him to understand that he needs to do more to be a full time NHL player. Or else it's a minor league career for him.