It wasn't about earning it for Gostisbehere. They knew he would only be up for a few games. And it's likely that Gostisbehere's play in the AHL, earned him the call up. And Gostisbehere's future is as an NHL offensive PP defenseman. He has elite offensive talent, and an elite shot.
- MJL

Is Akeson future in the NHL a 4th line grinder/ defensive specialist?

Stevens is staying in LA. He's Sutter's heir apparent.

I think Babcock only leaves Detroit for one of two things: A ready built contender or the bright lights of Toronto.
- Jsaquella

Don't want to touch Stevens with a 10 foot pole.

Only possible viable coaches that I see being on the hot seat are maybe Hitch and Mclellan.

Not sure about the guys down in the juniors leagues but I wouldn't be opposed to that. The curious thing would be which path the next guy takes. In terms of philosophy/systems play.

Rinaldo was not on the ice for a single shot attempt in the Florida trip.

The team never scores when he's on the ice, but regularly concedes goals. A GF% of zero can't be good.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2014-15&sit=5v5
- Feanor

Rinaldo is not the only player responsible for that.

Is Akeson future in the NHL a 4th line grinder/ defensive specialist?
- jak521

Already discussed that.

If Tippett gets fired... I'd be all over that.
- Tomahawk

I used to be all about Tippett, but idk. I dont know what type of coach would be best for the current squad/ prospects

To there credit they play hard, they have been making plays, they are engaged in the game, Rinaldo has done what everyone has asked and taken less penalties and actually has been doing well on PK when he is out there. VDV has been noticable too during games. Something that I can't say of Akeson.
- J35Bacher

Exactly why they're playing over Akeson.

BUt how long would he want to wait? If the offer is there for him would he really wait? You never know what other hot commodity comes along.

Babcock might like Toronto but are they that much better then Philadelphia? Also if it comes down to money which some of it seems to be about you don't think if Hextall wants Babcock, Snider wouldn't right that check.
- J35Bacher

Toronto is the center of the hockey universe. If Babcock wins there, he's an immortal. That playing for/coaching the Leafs to glory thing exists. And the Leafs can certainly pay him as much as Snider can.

Stevens was willing to ignore potential opportunities this summer. Sutter has two years left on his current deal. Would he leave LA? Possibly. But if he's got a promise to be elevated soon, to handle a team with that talent level, why leave it?

You just can't make that poop up, lol.
- Tomahawk

Schultz averages 0:45 per game, Rinaldo 0:14, PEB 0:11, VDV 0:10, Luke Schenn 0:09 and Akeson averages 0:08 per game. Ghost averaged 2:17 FWIW.

If not Babcock you could settle for the poor man version. Blashill is their AHL coach, that won coach of the year last season.

Scratch that.. Just signed a 3 year extension this summer.

Schultz averages 0:45 per game, Rinaldo 0:14, PEB 0:11, VDV 0:10, Luke Schenn 0:09 and Akeson averages 0:08 per game. Ghost averaged 2:17 FWIW.
- NickTheKid87

Except for Schultz, all of that comes from late shift changes when the PP is basically over.

To there credit they play hard, they have been making plays, they are engaged in the game, Rinaldo has done what everyone has asked and taken less penalties and actually has been doing well on PK when he is out there. VDV has been noticable too during games. Something that I can't say of Akeson.
- J35Bacher

Except they really haven't been making plays or been effective. It's a fallacy. When VandeVelde has been noticeable, it when he's getting slid up the line up for a shift with Giroux or Voracek.

With the 4th line, Vandevelde hasn't done much of anything. Neither has Rinaldo. They haven't been effective on the PK, either. The Flyers PK is 24th in the NHL right now. You could get that level of PK performance from any replacement level player.

Don't want to touch Stevens with a 10 foot pole.

Only possible viable coaches that I see being on the hot seat are maybe Hitch and Mclellan.

Not sure about the guys down in the juniors leagues but I wouldn't be opposed to that. The curious thing would be which path the next guy takes. In terms of philosophy/systems play.
- flyer_nutter

I'm not sold that they need a proven NHL guy, but a guy with a few seasons of head coaching experience would be a must.

Except they really haven't been making plays or being effective. It's a fallacy. When VandeVelde has been noticeable, it when he's getting slid up the line up for a shift with Giroux or Voracek.

With the 4th line, Vandevelde hasn't done much of anything. Neither has Rinaldo. They haven't been effective on the PK, either. The Flyers PK is 24th in the NHL right now. You could get that level of PK performance from any replacement level player.
- Jsaquella

And Rinaldo has been on the ice for all those goals?

It wasn't about earning it for Gostisbehere. They knew he would only be up for a few games. And it's likely that Gostisbehere's play in the AHL, earned him the call up. And Gostisbehere's future is as an NHL offensive PP defenseman. He has elite offensive talent, and an elite shot.
- MJL

So you've always got to earn it... unless you're special. Got it.

So you've always got to earn it... unless you're special. Got it.
- Tomahawk

Kind of.

And Rinaldo has been on the ice for all those goals?
- J35Bacher

Not saying he has. But he's playing regularly on a PK unit that is among the worst in the NHL. He hasn't played well, either on the PK or at ES.

While I'd be fine with Babcock, Hitch or Tippet as the Flyers next coach, I'd like to see them try to find a good young coach who is ready to take the next step and bring some fresh ideas into the mix.

Except they really haven't been making plays or been effective. It's a fallacy. When VandeVelde has been noticeable, it when he's getting slid up the line up for a shift with Giroux or Voracek.

With the 4th line, Vandevelde hasn't done much of anything. Neither has Rinaldo. They haven't been effective on the PK, either. The Flyers PK is 24th in the NHL right now. You could get that level of PK performance from any replacement level player.
- Jsaquella

That's not true. Both Rinaldo and Vandevelde have been better then Akeson has. Stronger on the puck, stronger on the forecheck, better at pressuring the puck. That's why they're in the lineup over Akeson.

You keep bringing up the PK. There are 5 forwards on the team that average more PK ice time per game, then Rinaldo and Vandevelde. They are essentially the 6th and 7th PK forwards on the team. So there's plenty of other players ot blame for the PK woes.

It wasn't about earning it for Gostisbehere. They knew he would only be up for a few games. And it's likely that Gostisbehere's play in the AHL, earned him the call up. And Gostisbehere's future is as an NHL offensive PP defenseman. He has elite offensive talent, and an elite shot.

The PP icetime that those players, except for Schultz, which honestly I don't get, is when they come on late at the end of a PP. They aren't really putting Luke Schenn out on the PP.
- MJL

I know but the Schultz thing is a head scratcher. Why him on the PP unit and not Akeson? Do the 4 forwards and 1 dman. I don't see how Schultz could be better on the PP than Akeson. Powerplays are different than 5 on 5 so any inefficiencies Akeson might have away from the puck at even strength aren't that relevant while on the man advantage.

At the end of the day, what do they have to lose by trying Akeson on the 2nd PP unit? It's already bottomed out.

If not Babcock you could settle for the poor man version. Blashill is their AHL coach, that won coach of the year last season.

Scratch that.. Just signed a 3 year extension this summer.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think they would hold him back if he got an NHL offer. If Babcok resigns with the Redwings and he gets a chance to coach in the NHL they probably have some out clause.

Braydon Coburn is on th ice, per Dave Isaac.

Bill tweeted that Morin is on the Phantoms side, working with Kjell Samuelsson

And Rinaldo has been on the ice for all those goals?
- J35Bacher

No, but he's going to get the blame.

Not saying he has. But he's playing regularly on a PK unit that is among the worst in the NHL. He hasn't played well, either on the PK or at ES.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, though I think the biggest problem with the PK is no Coburn or Timonen. Losing either one is bad enough, not having both was going to impact the PK sooner or later.

In Winnipeg its as fine as you get.
- flyer_nutter

Salisbury House

Braydon Coburn is on th ice, per Dave Isaac.

Bill tweeted that Morin is on the Phantoms side, working with Kjell Samuelsson
- Jsaquella

Hope Coburn can get back soon, they could really use him.