Akeson was one of the most decorated junior players in recent history. He led the league in assists and tied for the league lead in points (with T Toffoli) and won four major awards in 2010-11 as a Kitchener Ranger. After going pro, and playing in the AHL, against men, he led the Phantoms in points three years running. He had a point in each of his first two NHL games and was a close second only to Giroux in points/60 min in his first significant stint in the NHL in the playoffs last season. He was also good at both ends of the ice and had solid possession numbers.

The only notable stretch of games where Akeson has not been productive has been this season when slotted in a fourth line checking role getting limited minutes and no PP time. Coincidence? I think not.

In my view, Akeson is one of the Flyers' top 5 prospects and is worth more than a 3rd rounder. However, if Berube continues to handle the player like he has been, and doesn't put him in a position to best exploit his assets, and critizes him for his play in a role he's not suited for, the team and the league won't be able to see his value there is a risk of devaluation and potentially selling the player away for significantly less than actual value...the Flyers have made these types of mistakes before and I really don't want to see them do it again here, with Akeson.

I'm not saying Akeson is an established top six player in the NHL, but I am saying that it would behove the Flyers organization to make sure he, at some point, gets a good long look playing with linemates that can think and play the game on a similar level as him. Making conclusions about a player like Akeson's value and projected upside in the NHL based on how he performs as a fourth line checker playing with the least talented forwards would be the height of ignorance and I sincerely hope the Flyers brass are smarter than that.
- exlund

Michael Leighton is an all star goalie in the AHL.

NEXT

Akeson was one of the most decorated junior players in recent history. He led the league in assists and tied for the league lead in points (with T Toffoli) and won four major awards in 2010-11 as a Kitchener Ranger. After going pro, and playing in the AHL, against men, he led the Phantoms in points three years running. He had a point in each of his first two NHL games and was a close second only to Giroux in points/60 min in his first significant stint in the NHL in the playoffs last season. He was also good at both ends of the ice and had solid possession numbers.

The only notable stretch of games where Akeson has not been productive has been this season when slotted in a fourth line checking role getting limited minutes and no PP time. Coincidence? I think not.

In my view, Akeson is one of the Flyers' top 5 prospects and is worth more than a 3rd rounder. However, if Berube continues to handle the player like he has been, and doesn't put him in a position to best exploit his assets, and critizes him for his play in a role he's not suited for, the team and the league won't be able to see his value there is a risk of devaluation and potentially selling the player away for significantly less than actual value...the Flyers have made these types of mistakes before and I really don't want to see them do it again here, with Akeson.

I'm not saying Akeson is an established top six player in the NHL, but I am saying that it would behove the Flyers organization to make sure he, at some point, gets a good long look playing with linemates that can think and play the game on a similar level as him. Making conclusions about a player like Akeson's value and projected upside in the NHL based on how he performs as a fourth line checker playing with the least talented forwards would be the height of ignorance and I sincerely hope the Flyers brass are smarter than that.
- exlund

Well put!

true. which is why he is asked to do that instead of say vinny, who probably would have fallen down halfway through that list.

i understand why your coach does it do coots. he really doesnt have much of a choice. however, that being said, you cant turn around and look at coots numbers and go WHY YOU NO PERFORM ART ROSS!?!?!

there has to be some give and take. coots is a very nice player to have. but he isnt superman.
- stayinthefnnet

They think he's Bergeron already. He's not. He doesn't have the defensive game of Bergeron and he's not nearly at Bergeron's level offensively. If they want him to score, they need to give him more offensive zone opportunities. If they're fine with 40 points and solid defense, then they should continue to use him this way.

What bothers me is when Berube asks for more from those guys, but never asks VL to play better defense or Umberger to produce more offense or Rinaldo or VDV to take on more of a defensive burden to help Couts.

It's not meant to be condescending. Even the best players in the NHL would struggle under those circumstances. So many teams use a clog the neutral zone approach. Thats why offensive zone face-offs are so important these days. It's becoming harder and harder to move thru the neutral zone while maintaining possession.
- PhillySportsGuy

nah. you obviously just dont understand the importance of getting to your game.

He has other choices, he just chooses not to use them.

Umberger and Bellemare are both defensively capable and good on FO's, and either could center a secondary (or primary) checking line so Coots could get more even deployment.

Of course, Vinny makes that inconvenient, so..........
- Tomahawk

Umberger hasn't played Center or taken a lot of faceoffs in a number of seasons. He does use Bellemare on D zone draws. He also uses Giroux there. Heavily at times.

They think he's Bergeron already. He's not. He doesn't have the defensive game of Bergeron and he's not nearly at Bergeron's level offensively. If they want him to score, they need to give him more offensive zone opportunities. If they're fine with 40 points and solid defense, then they should continue to use him this way.

What bothers me is when Berube asks for more from those guys, but never asks VL to play better defense or Umberger to produce more offense or Rinaldo or VDV to take on more of a defensive burden to help Couts.
- PhillySportsGuy

He starts more in the D zone than Bergeron, too. His defensive load is ridiculous. Vinny's comparative zone starts are almost the exact opposite of Couturier's

Against the Oilers the team CF at ES was 53-58

http://www.naturalstattri...eason=20142015&game=20174

Umberger was 13-8 with Vinny and 13-9 with Simmonds at ES, and Simmonds was 14-11 with Vinny. So actually, they were above average.

In 2:19 with BSchenn Vinny went 1-7. That's the kind of poop the 108-40-17 line prevents.
- Feanor

Was just looking at CF rel, but the raw counts w/ just his linemates are better. Wonder how much of that was tallied in the 1st.

NST is a pretty nifty/responsive site... too bad the UI so darned ugly, lol.

They think he's Bergeron already. He's not. He doesn't have the defensive game of Bergeron and he's not nearly at Bergeron's level offensively. If they want him to score, they need to give him more offensive zone opportunities. If they're fine with 40 points and solid defense, then they should continue to use him this way.

What bothers me is when Berube asks for more from those guys, but never asks VL to play better defense or Umberger to produce more offense or Rinaldo or VDV to take on more of a defensive burden to help Couts.
- PhillySportsGuy

exactly. i agree with all of this. i get into arguments all the time. WELLLLL IF COOTS WANTS TO BE A SECOND LINE CENTER HE NEEDS TO SCORE MOAR. well if you want him to score more, someone needs to carry the defensive load a little bit. like i said, i understand him not really getting relieved at all, because until laughton comes up, there really isnt anyone else who can. but you cant expect him to be atlas in the defensive end and still chip in 60 70 points. youre right. he isnt bergeron right now, and wanting him to be wont make it so.

NST is a pretty nifty/responsive site... too bad the UI so darned ugly, lol.
- Tomahawk

It sure runs a lot better than ExtraSkater ever did.

Akeson was one of the most decorated junior players in recent history. He led the league in assists and tied for the league lead in points (with T Toffoli) and won four major awards in 2010-11 as a Kitchener Ranger. After going pro, and playing in the AHL, against men, he led the Phantoms in points three years running. He had a point in each of his first two NHL games and was a close second only to Giroux in points/60 min in his first significant stint in the NHL in the playoffs last season. He was also good at both ends of the ice and had solid possession numbers.

The only notable stretch of games where Akeson has not been productive has been this season when slotted in a fourth line checking role getting limited minutes and no PP time. Coincidence? I think not.

In my view, Akeson is one of the Flyers' top 5 prospects and is worth more than a 3rd rounder. However, if Berube continues to handle the player like he has been, and doesn't put him in a position to best exploit his assets, and critizes him for his play in a role he's not suited for, the team and the league won't be able to see his value there is a risk of devaluation and potentially selling the player away for significantly less than actual value...the Flyers have made these types of mistakes before and I really don't want to see them do it again here, with Akeson.

I'm not saying Akeson is an established top six player in the NHL, but I am saying that it would behove the Flyers organization to make sure he, at some point, gets a good long look playing with linemates that can think and play the game on a similar level as him. Making conclusions about a player like Akeson's value and projected upside in the NHL based on how he performs as a fourth line checker playing with the least talented forwards would be the height of ignorance and I sincerely hope the Flyers brass are smarter than that.
- exlund

Yes he led the Phantoms in scoring but that team was very weak. He wasn't a dominate AHL player. Also the last year in juniors was his overage year i believe.

He isn't even the top ten of the flyers prospects. The Flyers have started to build some prospects and if it wasn't for Hextalls plan of patience I am sure there are guys in the AHL you would rather have playing over Akeson

exactly. i agree with all of this. i get into arguments all the time. WELLLLL IF COOTS WANTS TO BE A SECOND LINE CENTER HE NEEDS TO SCORE MOAR. well if you want him to score more, someone needs to carry the defensive load a little bit. like i said, i understand him not really getting relieved at all, because until laughton comes up, there really isnt anyone else who can. but you cant expect him to be atlas in the defensive end and still chip in 60 70 points. youre right. he isnt bergeron right now, and wanting him to be wont make it so.
- stayinthefnnet

Last season, if you look at Couturier's ES point production, it's well in line with 2nd line center production. Given his deployment and how he is used, it's pretty strong.

They think he's Bergeron already. He's not. He doesn't have the defensive game of Bergeron and he's not nearly at Bergeron's level offensively. If they want him to score, they need to give him more offensive zone opportunities. If they're fine with 40 points and solid defense, then they should continue to use him this way.

What bothers me is when Berube asks for more from those guys, but never asks VL to play better defense or Umberger to produce more offense or Rinaldo or VDV to take on more of a defensive burden to help Couts.
- PhillySportsGuy

Classic Berube double standard, happens all the time. For example:

Rinaldo takes 7 mins of penalties in one game but he's right back in the lineup the next game. However, Akeson has an ineffective game playing a role he's not suited for and we have to file a missing persons report to find the guy.

Luke Schenn last year had long stretches of games where he was ineffective, yet he was in the lineup nearly every night. Gustafsson has one bad game, welcome to the press box for the next month or so.

B. Schenn struggles when moved from center to wing, its on him to do better and try harder. VLC struggles when moved from center to wing, well, what did you expect, he's a center!

It's stuff like this that really has me looking forward to the end of the Berube era.

He starts more in the D zone than Bergeron, too. His defensive load is ridiculous. Vinny's comparative zone starts are almost the exact opposite of Couturier's
- Jsaquella

I just don't think you can compete long term like that. I feel like Berube coaches this team like it's 1995. Two scoring lines, one checking line used exclusively for checking and one 4th line used for ENERGY!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, the rest of the league has figured out that balancing the lines is the way to go.

2. Had a funny conversation with a GM last weekend. Heard he was looking for a defenceman. He responded with, “Everyone is looking for a defenceman.” Montreal is checking to see what’s out there. The decimated Rangers are bringing in Tomas Kaberle, with no contract offer. Philadelphia’s search, before signing Carlo Colaiacovo, was exhaustive. “Name someone,” one agent said. “They considered him.” The same GM quoted above talked to a team with eight, one-way contracts on its blueline, only to be told none were available. “They wanted to keep all of them,” he said.

From Elliotte Friedman's 30 thoughts

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...to-be-easy-for-ted-nolan/
- Jsaquella

time to trade one of ours for a winger.

Yes he led the Phantoms in scoring but that team was very weak. He wasn't a dominate AHL player. Also the last year in juniors was his overage year i believe.

He isn't even the top ten of the flyers prospects. The Flyers have started to build some prospects and if it wasn't for Hextalls plan of patience I am sure there are guys in the AHL you would rather have playing over Akeson
- J35Bacher

Well he might squeak into the top ten, but I agree, he's not a top 5 prospect.

exactly. i agree with all of this. i get into arguments all the time. WELLLLL IF COOTS WANTS TO BE A SECOND LINE CENTER HE NEEDS TO SCORE MOAR. well if you want him to score more, someone needs to carry the defensive load a little bit. like i said, i understand him not really getting relieved at all, because until laughton comes up, there really isnt anyone else who can. but you cant expect him to be atlas in the defensive end and still chip in 60 70 points. youre right. he isnt bergeron right now, and wanting him to be wont make it so.
- stayinthefnnet

People value points too much too imo. If VL scores 50 points this year, but needs this level of protection, he's still pretty useless.

So I guess Berube is our Matt Carle for the year?

It sure runs a lot better than ExtraSkater ever did.
- Feanor

It's especially noticeable after I've been using WOI for awhile... damn is that site slow.

Yeah check that he's still out. Apparently he has the worst flu of all time.
- Panthers88

Gallant told him to stay home, so he's not on the trip. Basically, the team just wanted to reduce the chance of the flu going around the team and to give Huberdeau a couple extra days to feel like himself again.

Smart way to handle it, IMO.

Classic Berube double standard, happens all the time. For example:

Rinaldo takes 7 mins of penalties in one game but he's right back in the lineup the next game. However, Akeson has an ineffective game playing a role he's not suited for and we have to file a missing persons report to find the guy.

Luke Schenn last year had long stretches of games where he was ineffective, yet he was in the lineup nearly every night. Gustafsson has one bad game, welcome to the press box for the next month or so.

B. Schenn struggles when moved from center to wing, its on him to do better and try harder. VLC struggles when moved from center to wing, well, what did you expect, he's a center!

It's stuff like this that really has me looking forward to the end of the Berube era.
- BiggE

If Akeson was struggling and just making some mistakes like some of the other players have, and competing. He likely wouldn't find himself scratched. This coach will deal with mistakes and a bad game as long as a player is competing. It's pretty clear that he has an issue with players that don't compete. And his team when they don't compete. Such as after the Florida game.

Gallant told him to stay home, so he's not on the trip. Basically, the team just wanted to reduce the chance of the flu going around the team and to give Huberdeau a couple extra days to feel like himself again.

Smart way to handle it, IMO.
- bmeltzer

is couturier still down with it ?

Classic Berube double standard, happens all the time. For example:

Rinaldo takes 7 mins of penalties in one game but he's right back in the lineup the next game. However, Akeson has an ineffective game playing a role he's not suited for and we have to file a missing persons report to find the guy.

Luke Schenn last year had long stretches of games where he was ineffective, yet he was in the lineup nearly every night. Gustafsson has one bad game, welcome to the press box for the next month or so.

B. Schenn struggles when moved from center to wing, its on him to do better and try harder. VLC struggles when moved from center to wing, well, what did you expect, he's a center!

It's stuff like this that really has me looking forward to the end of the Berube era.
- BiggE

He's just stuck in the stone age with this stuff. Sometimes, I feel like theres a power struggle between Hextall and Berube. I feel like Berube would be more than happy to rid himself of Akeson, but Hextall won't allow it.

Otoh, Hextall was the one who extended Rinaldo.

People value points too much too imo. If VL scores 50 points this year, but needs this level of protection, he's still pretty useless.
- PhillySportsGuy

Disagree completely. There is more then enough icetime to go around, and use Lecavalier in O zone situations. If he puts up 50 points then he's had a strong season.

He's just stuck in the stone age with this stuff. Sometimes, I feel like theres a power struggle between Hextall and Berube. I feel like Berube would be more than happy to rid himself of Akeson, but Hextall won't allow it.

Otoh, Hextall was the one who extended Rinaldo.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's not stuck in the stone age, he has limitations with his roster.

Yes he led the Phantoms in scoring but that team was very weak. He wasn't a dominate AHL player. Also the last year in juniors was his overage year i believe.
- J35Bacher

Arty was good all throughout his junior career... he went undrafted because of size, but also because he played with some really good players (Skinner, Morin, Ryan Murphy, Landeskog) and I guess teams thought he was sponging points off them.