- evvander11

Not the gif I was looking for, but it'll do as an appetizer

ahhhhh -- the sweet pics of MAF giving it up any which way but loose

Berube's (frank)ing brain dead... VDV on the top-line full-time. Kill me now.
- Tomahawk

Certainly not ideal, but understandable under the circumstances. I'd personally give Akeson a shot. But I understand why he isn't.

Berube's (frank)ing brain dead... VDV on the top-line full-time. Kill me now.
- Tomahawk

It's the chance Berube never got!

Not sure how that can be. Is anyone going to say that a puck battle or a race for a loose puck is different playing on the 4th line versus a scoring line?

As if Akeson is along the wall in a puck battle, and he says to himself, "hmm, I'm not suited for this 4th line role, so therefore, I can't compete for this loose puck"! "However, if I was on the 3rd line, I could get in there and mix it up! "
A puck battle on the 4th line is the same as it is on the 3rd line. Playing competitively is the same on the 4th line as it is on the 3rd line.

And trust me, Akeson is not a healthy scratch because he was expected to bring offense to the 4th line, and failed to do so. He's a healthy scratch because he hasn't competed to the same level he did last season.
- MJL

Aren't you the one who droned on for weeks on end this summer about how Lecavalier would be wasted in a 4th line role because it doesn't play to his strengths? Shouldn't a coach's job be to try to get each player into a role best suited to his abilities?

Do you actually believe half the bullpoop you write, or just completely unaware that you have the same kind of biases as the people who you routinely bludgeon over the head with your opinion?

Certainly not ideal, but understandable under the circumstances. I'd personally give Akeson a shot. But I understand why he isn't.
- MJL

Let's ask Scott for his thoughts

Aren't you the one who droned on for weeks on end this summer about how Lecavalier would be wasted in a 4th line role because it doesn't play to his strengths? Shouldn't a coach's job be to try to get each player into a role best suited to his abilities?

Do you actually believe half the bullpoop you write, or just completely unaware that you have the same kind of biases as the people who you routinely bludgeon over the head with your opinion?
- Jsaquella

I'm framing this (frank)ing post

Let's ask Scott for his thoughts


- ob18

That would be the best path, IMO. Bring up Laughton. Plug him in between Rinaldo & VDV or Akeson or whomever else, slide Bellemare to Raffl's spot and you maintain talent and two way ability on the 4th line as well as keep a player somewhat similar to Raffl with Giroux & Voracek, rather than going all Maneluk on them

I'm framing this (frank)ing post



- AllInForFlyers

Just wait...in a few minutes we'll get the "Lecavalier is a proven veteran" post

Aren't you the one who droned on for weeks on end this summer about how Lecavalier would be wasted in a 4th line role because it doesn't play to his strengths? Shouldn't a coach's job be to try to get each player into a role best suited to his abilities?

Do you actually believe half the bullpoop you write, or just completely unaware that you have the same kind of biases as the people who you routinely bludgeon over the head with your opinion?
- Jsaquella

http://www.ontariohockeyl...isciplinary-action_164549

The OHL comes down harder on guys being jackasses on twitter than the NHL does on guys trying to injure opposing players.

- hereticpride

Let's ask Scott for his thoughts


- ob18

I'm glad to see them resist temptation and stick to the long-term dev plan w/ Laughts... no question he's better than at least 2-3 forwards on the current roster, but keep him in the marinade for a bit longer.

What has Blair Jones done to be put back in the lineup over Akeson? He's worked so hard and competed so hard he found himself on waivers.

Aren't you the one who droned on for weeks on end this summer about how Lecavalier would be wasted in a 4th line role because it doesn't play to his strengths? Shouldn't a coach's job be to try to get each player into a role best suited to his abilities?

Do you actually believe half the bullpoop you write, or just completely unaware that you have the same kind of biases as the people who you routinely bludgeon over the head with your opinion?
- Jsaquella

Lecavalier is a veteran player who is a proven NHL player and proven scorer. Akeson is an unproven rookie in the NHL. Not hard to understand the difference.
Lecavalier is also one of the best 9 forwards on this team. Akeson is not. So with that being said the only open spot on the team for Akeson this season, is on the 4th line. So the only bullpoop being written is that the reason why Akeson hasn't played well, is because he is on the 4th line in a role he isn't suited for. So let's ignore the actual factors that Lecavalier is capable of scoring 20-30 goals and 50-60 points on a scoring line, and that Akeson hasn't proven he can do that.
There is no bias involved in my current opinion on Akeson. Only what the situation indicates, and his play on the ice has shown. I lobbied in the off season for Akeson to make the team, and hoped that he would be successful. And still do hope. But I'm not going to close my eyes to the players culpability and make a copout excuse for him and blame the coach.

That would be the best path, IMO. Bring up Laughton. Plug him in between Rinaldo & VDV or Akeson or whomever else, slide Bellemare to Raffl's spot and you maintain talent and two way ability on the 4th line as well as keep a player somewhat similar to Raffl with Giroux & Voracek, rather than going all Maneluk on them
- Jsaquella

But really, that just is how this has to go, isn't it?

Think about it: Most of us thought it was kinda weird that VDV would get the odd shift or two with Giroux and Voracek, but it could kinda be explained at the time, usually when Michael Raffl was killing a penalty and L1 was up.

But what if all along, Chief's standing back there with a "(frank) you, JSaq. You too, Sweetcheeks. You got a problem with me, Tomahawk? I'm gonna give you SOBs a little bit more VDV. How do you like THAT?"

So of course, Raffl had to get hurt. This is what had to happen. We have to see this -- the Flyers, the team we live and die with, had to be the ones to give Chris Vandevelde the 1LW spot to a Hart Trophy finalist and a winger who is leading the NHL in scoring

Why? Because (frank) everybody, that's why

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/article/ohl-announces-disciplinary-action_164549

The OHL comes down harder on guys being jackasses on twitter than the NHL does on guys trying to injure opposing players.
- Jsaquella

Easy to do when junior players have no CBA or union.

I'm glad to see them resist temptation and stick to the long-term dev plan w/ Laughts... no question he's better than at least 2-3 forwards on the current roster, but keep him in the marinade for a bit longer.
- Tomahawk

Scott doesn't like this reply

Just wait...in a few minutes we'll get the "Lecavalier is a proven veteran" post
- Jsaquella

Right on cue

Like (frank)ing clockwork.

What has Blair Jones done to be put back in the lineup over Akeson? He's worked so hard and competed so hard he found himself on waivers.
- PLindbergh31

Berube is a scrub's scrub.

Berube is a scrub's scrub.
- hereticpride

Card carrying scrub union members stick together, apparently.

Just wait...in a few minutes we'll get the "Lecavalier is a proven veteran" post
- Jsaquella

Or we could wait for another "Akeson hasn't been given a chance by the coach, and has been asked to play a role he's not suited for" post. The difference is, that Lecavalier being a proven veteran is actually relevant. And the not given a chance for Akeson, is just an excuse.

Right on cue
- Tomahawk

Like saying "Candyman" three times, isn't it?

But really, that just is how this has to go, isn't it?

Think about it: Most of us thought it was kinda weird that VDV would get the odd shift or two with Giroux and Voracek, but it could kinda be explained at the time, usually when Michael Raffl was killing a penalty and L1 was up.

But what if all along, Chief's standing back there with a "(frank) you, JSaq. You too, Sweetcheeks. You got a problem with me, Tomahawk? I'm gonna give you SOBs a little bit more VDV. How do you like THAT?"

So of course, Raffl had to get hurt. This is what had to happen. We have to see this -- the Flyers, the team we live and die with, had to be the ones to give Chris Vandevelde the 1LW spot to a Hart Trophy finalist and a winger who is leading the NHL in scoring

Why? Because (frank) everybody, that's why


- AllInForFlyers

The sad part is, I think he really believes this is the best possible route.

That's what worries me. I don't think it's a well, let's throw a dart and give it a shot. It's a thought out process and decision process that resulted in this.

The sad part is, VandeVelde will probably get points with those two. I think a baked potato would manage points with those two, especially how red hot Voracek is right now

Sweetcheeks
- AllInForFlyers