The big news of the day was that the team learned they will be without first line left wing Michael Raffl for six weeks.

Fuuuuggggggg.

Stupid Philadelphia water.

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

His parents created a kid 4 inches taller and 26 lbs heavier than Akeson's parents did

Easy to do when junior players have no CBA or union.
- ob18

True. It'd just be nice if the NHL really acted on dangerous hits and didn't pay lip service to the idea

- Tomahawk

Again: It's best used when angry

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

Man is out of his depth.

His parents created a kid 4 inches taller and 26 lbs heavier than Akeson's parents did
- Jsaquella

Why do his parents hate Akeson so much?

True. It'd just be nice if the NHL really acted on dangerous hits and didn't pay lip service to the idea
- Jsaquella

It would but the NHL & NHLPA can't even agree to how to deal with the Kings situation let alone much else.

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
- Jsaquella

Absolutely -- coaches do this all the time. Fall in love with replacement-level players

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
- Jsaquella

Well certainly Berube doesn't think that out of all the players he could move up, Vandevelde is the best option for the top line. Certainly he knows that Simmonds, or B Schenn, or even Bellemare are better options. But what he wants is to have a balanced lineup, and not have all the cards stacked on one line. The Flyers are already being carried by the top line offensively. But he wants to develop other lines, and spread the offense through the lineup. Which is why he separated Read and Umberger, who are both struggling offensively. And moved B Schenn to the Couturier line, because he is playing pretty well, and he can add a forechecking element and a scorer to the Couturier line. And he likes Bellemare at center, and he improves the 4th line. Instead of that line registering zero shots, and 10 shot attempts against.
All through the off season, there was nothing but talk about wanting to roll 4 lines. Now when the Coach is trying to do that, trying with the choices he has to creat balance through the lineup, he's criticized for it.
That has become the mantra among the clique on this forum. Criticize anything and everything Berube does. Don't step back and look at it objectively. And don't think for a second that while it's not the choice I'd make, I understand what he is trying to accomplish, and let's see what happens.

Absolutely -- coaches do this all the time. Fall in love with replacement-level players
- AllInForFlyers

But others are in love with a replacement level player in Akeson, and want him in the lineup.

His parents created a kid 4 inches taller and 26 lbs heavier than Akeson's parents did
- Jsaquella

Akeson was probably pretty close to the same height and weight when he played in 7 playoff games last season.

His parents created a kid 4 inches taller and 26 lbs heavier than Akeson's parents did
- Jsaquella

You are on a roll today!

But others are in love with a replacement level player in Akeson, and want him in the lineup.
- MJL

A 24yr old with 172 points in three years of action in the AHL is a replacement player?

I think you mean prospect.

A 24yr old with 172 points in three years of action in the AHL is a replacement player?

I think you mean prospect.
- hereticpride

If placing Chris VDV on the top line is something that has to be done to create a "balanced" lineup, you got a ton of friggin issues. Main one being a coach that has been punched in the head a million times.

A 24yr old with 172 points in three years of action in the AHL is a replacement player?

I think you mean prospect.
- hereticpride

I'm not even in love with him, I just think the coach hasn't given him a fair shake, much like Erik Gustafsson last season. My issue isn't about Akeson, specifically. it's the mindset that bigger or more physical guys get more opportunities and get to be evaluated playing a suitable role.

I even stated, at least twice, my first choice with Raffl out would be to give Laughton a shot and move Bellemare to the first line.

A 24yr old with 172 points in three years of action in the AHL is a replacement player?

I think you mean prospect.
- hereticpride

At this point at the NHL level, he is at best a replacement player. Kris Newbury is a high scorer in the AHL, currently leading the AHL in scoring. He is a so called replacement player at the NHL level.

I'm not even in love with him, I just think the coach hasn't given him a fair shake, much like Erik Gustafsson last season.

I even stated, at least twice, my first choice with Raffl out would be to give Laughton a shot and move Bellemare to the first line.
- Jsaquella

That is what I would have done as well.

I really feel like part of Berube is just trying to give these guys the chances he never got as a stiff.

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

Raffl has done a lot of good things on the top line but to say he's earned it, I just can't. At least not over names like Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds. So how the (frank) did Chris Vandevelde of all players earn this spot?

I'm not even in love with him, I just think the coach hasn't given him a fair shake, much like Erik Gustafsson last season. My issue isn't about Akeson, specifically. it's the mindset that bigger or more physical guys get more opportunities and get to be evaluated playing a suitable role.

I even stated, at least twice, my first choice with Raffl out would be to give Laughton a shot and move Bellemare to the first line.
- Jsaquella

Playing him in 8 NHL games, is giving him a fair shake. He also has opportunities in every practice, to show the coach that he deserves to play. He obviously has not made that impression in the opportunities he has been given.

At this point at the NHL level, he is at best a replacement player. Kris Newbury is a high scorer in the AHL, currently leading the AHL in scoring. He is a so called replacement player at the NHL level.
- MJL

Newbury is 32 and has come up to the NHL numerous times.

You are wildly missing the point.

That is what I would have done as well.

I really feel like part of Berube is just trying to give these guys the chances he never got as a stiff.
- hereticpride

Berube is a bright guy. I seriously doubt that is the case. He wants to win. He knows as a coach, he has to win to stay employed. He's not looking to give Chris Vandevelde a chance like it was the make a wish foundation.

That is what I would have done as well.

I really feel like part of Berube is just trying to give these guys the chances he never got as a stiff.
- hereticpride

There's definitely the smell of bias. Even if it's not intentional or by design. Rinaldo is a primary example of a guy who got chance after chance, despite repeated undisciplined play and dumb penalties.

There's definitely the smell of bias. Even if it's not intentional or by design. Rinaldo is a primary example of a guy who got chance after chance, despite repeated undisciplined play and dumb penalties.
- Jsaquella

Exactly.

There's definitely the smell of bias. Even if it's not intentional or by design. Rinaldo is a primary example of a guy who got chance after chance, despite repeated undisciplined play and dumb penalties.
- Jsaquella