The key is team. That is a team stat, not an individual player stat. There are 4 other skaters on the ice with Rinaldo when he is out there. And I'm quite sure that some of that data is compiled when Akeson and Rinaldo are on the ice together. That stat cannot be used to evaluate an individual player.
- MJL

Rinaldo's 5 minors in 84 minutes is an individual stat.

He's poor defensively, lacks discipline, and can't hang on to the puck well leading to bad possession numbers and eventually goals against.

OK, then why don't Rinaldo and VandeVelde have to "earn" regular playing time?

Why is it, that pointing out Akeson hasn't played well in a role he's poorly suited for, is making excuses for Akeson?

Conversely, why is it acceptable to ignore that Rinaldo & VandeVelde, while better suited to the roles that they are being asked to play, are only marginally better than Akeson and have been mostly ineffective?

You want to say Akeson has to earn time by playing better, yet excuse the ineffective play of Rinaldo and VandeVelde. Isn't that a double standard?
- Jsaquella

They both have earned playing time. That's why they're in the lineup. Nothing is being excused. If the coach had better options, then Rinaldo or Vandevelde, they would be in the lineup, and those players wouldn't be. But Akeson is currently not a better option.

Yup
And that is why I've joined your Ignore MJL Club.

And, MJL, before you message me to ask if this is the way it's going to be, let me save you some time. THIS IS THE WAY ITS GOING TO BE!!

God, the ignore button cannot come soon enough!
- BiggE

All we need now is a treasurer and we're set.

I cant resist.

Nothing personal but imo Rinaldo and Jean Claude Van Damme are piece of poop NHL players. We know damn well what we are getting and at best its a warm body. They should be out on the streets, instead of Berube's sheets.

Akeson is a young kid that on a team starved for actual skill is being targeted because he doesn't play completely D first or chase for a big hit. The bigger issue is that in Akeson you have room to grow and develop a player that can actually contribute something worthwhile. He isn't going to get that with his ass hairs glued to the press box.


What team other than the flyers right now would employ Rinaldo and VDV?

/end rant
- flyer_nutter

It absolutely is an excuse. It's as if Akeson is playing on the 4th line, so therefore he can't win a puck battle, can't get in on the forecheck, and can't pressure the puck. When he gets easily knocked off the puck, which happens frequently. That is because he is not a 4th line player, and his skill set is not suited for it. Rather then he is simply not competitive. Because a puck battle playing on the 2nd line, is different from a puck battle on the 4th line.

Rinaldo and Vandevelde have been more effective then Akeson. Which is why they're playing, and Akeson isn't currently.
- MJL

We are very simple people up here. We live near farms and hunt/fish.

However to me if you have a young kid that has room to grow and develop, who has actual NHL skill you try and get the most out of him and take the lumps. He is an unknown but the unknown can be something worthwhile.

Rinaldo and VDV will never be more than what they are. At best a warm bodies. Just a nutter's thoughts.

All we need now is a treasurer and we're set.
- Jsaquella

Where's Tangentman when you need him!

Rinaldo's 5 minors in 84 minutes is an individual stat.

He's poor defensively, lacks discipline, and can't hang on to the puck well leading to bad possession numbers and eventually goals against.
- Feanor

Nah. Rinaldo taking a penalty every 16 or so minutes on ice is solid. Discipline is right where it should be.

Rinaldo's 5 minors in 84 minutes is an individual stat.

He's poor defensively, lacks discipline, and can't hang on to the puck well leading to bad possession numbers and eventually goals against.
- Feanor

I disagree that he lack discipline. I don't have a problem with the penalties he's taken. A number have been poor calls. He is competitive on the puck. While I don't think he is great defensively, I don't think he is poor.

We are very simple people up here. We live near farms and hunt/fish.

However to me if you have a young kid that has room to grow and develop, who has actual NHL skill you try and get the most out of him and take the lumps. He is an unknown but the unknown can be something worthwhile.

Rinaldo and VDV will never be more than what they are. At best a warm bodies. Just a nutter's thoughts.
- flyer_nutter

Amen

How are things up in the frozen north?

Yup
And that is why I've joined your Ignore MJL Club.

And, MJL, before you message me to ask if this is the way it's going to be, let me save you some time. THIS IS THE WAY ITS GOING TO BE!!

God, the ignore button cannot come soon enough!
- BiggE

Can I join???!!! I will even donate some fine scotch for an honorary membership card!

We are very simple people up here. We live near farms and hunt/fish.

However to me if you have a young kid that has room to grow and develop, who has actual NHL skill you try and get the most out of him and take the lumps. He is an unknown but the unknown can be something worthwhile.

Rinaldo and VDV will never be more than what they are. At best a warm bodies. Just a nutter's thoughts.
- flyer_nutter

You don't take lumps when a player isn't competing. If he doesn't change that, he doesn't have much of a future in the NHL. That is the entire point.

Nah. Rinaldo taking a penalty every 16 or so minutes on ice is solid. Discipline is right where it should be.
- PLindbergh31

Earning that ice time, one reputation call (and PP-goal against) at a time.

Can I join???!!! I will even donate some fine scotch for an honorary membership card!
- PLindbergh31

You Sir, are in!!

Nah. Rinaldo taking a penalty every 16 or so minutes on ice is solid. Discipline is right where it should be.
- PLindbergh31

Its about principle. Akeson is a piece of poop as well. However I'd like to know the head coach understands that giving a kid with room to grow to develop is more important than playing a turd like Rinaldo/VDV.

Which means playing that kid more than 5 minutes a game with decent linemates.

Berube's time is running out though, I have no doubt about that. Is what it is. Just have to wait for the day.

We are very simple people up here. We live near farms and hunt/fish.

However to me if you have a young kid that has room to grow and develop, who has actual NHL skill you try and get the most out of him and take the lumps. He is an unknown but the unknown can be something worthwhile.

Rinaldo and VDV will never be more than what they are. At best a warm bodies. Just a nutter's thoughts.
- flyer_nutter

I agree with everything but the "NHL skill" part. I think Akeson has AHL skill, and is a borderline NHL player and always will be.

I disagree that he lack discipline. I don't have a problem with the penalties he's taken. A number have been poor calls. He is competitive on the puck. While I don't think he is great defensively, I don't think he is poor.
- MJL

He's no more competitive on the puck than Akeson. He's physically stronger, but his limited stick skills means he usually loses puck battles. This is why his CF% Rel is third worst on the team.

http://www.naturalstattri...teams.php?team=PHI&sit=ev

Only Jones, VDV and Manning are below him.

OK, then why don't Rinaldo and VandeVelde have to "earn" regular playing time?

Why is it, that pointing out Akeson hasn't played well in a role he's poorly suited for, is making excuses for Akeson?

Conversely, why is it acceptable to ignore that Rinaldo & VandeVelde, while better suited to the roles that they are being asked to play, are only marginally better than Akeson and have been mostly ineffective?

You want to say Akeson has to earn time by playing better, yet excuse the ineffective play of Rinaldo and VandeVelde. Isn't that a double standard?
- Jsaquella

Because I don't think they have been ineffective. They go out and do their job. Get in on the forecheck, battle hard on the wall, are better skaters, bring some speed and provide a little grit if needed. I would be all for sitting one in favor of Akeson but he hasn't shown anything to even earn being a regular. Yes he has more skill. But that skill means nothing if he can't battle for the puck. Also he isn't doing anything to even suggest that he should be pushed ahead of anyone else in the top 9. Guys like Raffl and PEB got a chance because they did things they had too in the limited minutes they got on the 4th line.

Earning that ice time, one reputation call (and PP-goal against) at a time.
- Tomahawk

He's well on his way to 30 points! I got my checkbook ready to donate to charity.

I agree with everything but the "NHL skill" part. I think Akeson has AHL skill, and is a borderline NHL player and always will be.
- MBFlyerfan

I think he is too slow to be a fit long term. He does get outmuscled too easily true.

For a smaller skilled guy like that I think he needs the speed to set him apart.

Its about principle. Akeson is a piece of poop as well. However I'd like to know the head coach understands that giving a kid with room to grow to develop is more important than playing a turd like Rinaldo/VDV.

Which means playing that kid more than 5 minutes a game with decent linemates.

Berube's time is running out though, I have no doubt about that. Is what it is. Just have to wait for the day.
- flyer_nutter

Yup, I think Berube will probably last the season, but I'm guessing that will be it.

You Sir, are in!!
- BiggE

Earning that ice time, one reputation call (and PP-goal against) at a time.
- Tomahawk

Yes, from memory the other team has scored on at least two of Zac's five penalties this year.

Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer 1m1 minute ago

Forward lines: 12-28-93, 18-40-17, 10-14-24,36-78-76. Extra skaters are Akeson and Jones, being mixed in.

Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer 3m3 minutes ago

In other words, barring a change at morning skate tomorrow, looks like same Flyers lineup except Colaiacovo in and Manning out. Mason in net

I agree with everything but the "NHL skill" part. I think Akeson has AHL skill, and is a borderline NHL player and always will be.
- MBFlyerfan

I think he has NHL quality puck skills, but his lack of speed and strength will always hold him back. That being said, he could definitely help the 2nd pp unit right now.

He's no more competitive on the puck than Akeson. He's physically stronger, but his limited stick skills means he usually loses puck battles. This is why his CF% Rel is third worst on the team.

http://www.naturalstattri...teams.php?team=PHI&sit=ev

Only Jones, VDV and Manning are below him.
- Feanor

You keep trying to supply team stats to asess an individual player. Corsi, or relative corsi, simply cannot do that. The difference between Rinaldo and Akeson in the physical game, is night and day. Akeson has ben completely non competitive away from the puck.