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

Yeah, kinda like asking if you'd prefer a huge pimple on your ass or have sex with Roseanne Barr.
- jmatchett383

Pimple, by a friggin landslide!

Yes he led the Phantoms in scoring but that team was very weak. He wasn't a dominate AHL player.

He was top ten in the AHL in scoring. That better?


- J35Bacher[quote=J35]
Also the last year in juniors was his overage year i believe.

True, but it's worth mentioning that he was still smaller in stature than many of those below him on the scoring list. Also worth noting, is that he was well over a pt/gm in his two prior seasons, when he wasn't an overager...so, he clearly wasn't achieving the production he did just because he was an overager.

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
- J35

This is a matter of opinion, which is why is I said "in my view". I realize that this isn't the prevailing/mainstream view, but I look at the facts, the history of production at all levels, and what I've seen on the ice and it's my opinion that, despite his current role, he's one of the most skilled forward prospects the team has, and I place a high value on that. He has graduated to the NHL so he's not really a prospect anymore anyway. If you want to say he's not top 5, ok, but top ten for sure imo. There aren't really any forwards not on the big club that I'd want playing over Akeson..most of the other guys need more seasoning...Akeson paid his dues and had sufficient seasoning in the AHL.

They are not trading for Akeson? Also, what line does Eager usually play on?
- feelingkettle

there's still time. and eager plays on any line that scores SCF game winning goals against the flyers.

You know, even if Akeson doesn't pan out in Philadelphia I could see there being a few teams interested in giving him a shot.

I don't think it will be the case for Craig.

Agreed. Aaron Asham and rookie JvR carried him to his 21 points in the 2010 postseason.
- jmatchett383

Giroux played a lot of PP minutes and was sometimes playing on a line with higher end talent. Thats not an accurate analysis. I love Giroux.... but lets face it. Does he play as well as he used to? He doesnt take control of the play anymore. He also botches a lot of golden opportunities now....

how do you mean?
- Streit2ThePoint

2010 by Canes then two years later, 2012 by Ducks
what is wrong with the Hurricanes!??

True, but it's worth mentioning that he was still smaller in stature than many of those below him on the scoring list. Also worth noting, is that he was well over a pt/gm in his two prior seasons, when he wasn't an overager...so, he clearly wasn't achieving the production he did just because he was an overager.



This is a matter of opinion, which is why is I said "in my view". I realize that this isn't the prevailing/mainstream view, but I look at the facts, the history of production at all levels, and what I've seen on the ice and it's my opinion that, despite his current role, he's one of the most skilled forward prospects the team has, and I place a high value on that. He has graduated to the NHL so he's not really a prospect anymore anyway. If you want to say he's not top 5, ok, but top ten for sure imo. There aren't really any forwards not on the big club that I'd want playing over Akeson..most of the other guys need more seasoning...Akeson paid his dues and had sufficient seasoning in the AHL.
- exlund

facts. pffft.

Giroux played a lot of PP minutes and was sometimes playing on a line with higher end talent. Thats not an accurate analysis. I love Giroux.... but lets face it. Does he play as well as he used to? He doesnt take control of the play anymore. He also botches a lot of golden opportunities now....
- GOA88

clearly his hands haven't been the same since assgate.

Giroux played a lot of PP minutes and was sometimes playing on a line with higher end talent. Thats not an accurate analysis. I love Giroux.... but lets face it. Does he play as well as he used to? He doesnt take control of the play anymore. He also botches a lot of golden opportunities now....
- GOA88

His shooting % is abnormally low right now (that will normalize) and he's still only 5 points off the scoring leader in the NHL. He's killing right now in the dot, too.

I'm hoping I'm missing some sarcasm here. Giroux is playing awfully well right now, IMO.

clearly his hands haven't been the same since assgate.
- hammarby31

No, his hands have always been fine. Its his play in general that has changed. He just seems more like a PP specialist nowadays.... How many of Girouxs assist this season were secondary? a direct result of the great play Voracek made? Giroux needs to play like a dominant forward and he really hasnt since the 2012 playoffs. I understand he gets his 86 pts and hart trophy nomination but does he drive the play like Voracek?? No way.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/834352?nlid=69043_2863&src=wnl_edit_dail

this is for Nutter.

The rest of you open at your own jeopardy
you have been warned
- Marc D

Need to log in to read..

His shooting % is abnormally low right now (that will normalize) and he's still only 5 points off the scoring leader in the NHL. He's killing right now in the dot, too.

I'm hoping I'm missing some sarcasm here. Giroux is playing awfully well right now, IMO.
- johndewar

He has been a good all around player. But can you say... by watching him play that he is a 8 mill player? Right now thats Voracek.

No, his hands have always been fine. Its his play in general that has changed. He just seems more like a PP specialist nowadays.... How many of Girouxs assist this season were secondary? a direct result of the great play Voracek made? Giroux needs to play like a dominant forward and he really hasnt since the 2012 playoffs. I understand he gets his 86 pts and hart trophy nomination but does he drive the play like Voracek?? No way.
- GOA88

i was joking.

i was joking.
- hammarby31

I know. Im just trying to get my point across. The point is Giroux doesnt seem like the same player as he was just 2-3 seasons ago.

He has been a good all around player. But can you say... by watching him play that he is a 8 mill player? Right now thats Voracek.
- GOA88

Yeah, I think he is. We aren't on the same page here. Claude Giroux might be guilty of trying to do too much at times, but he's still the straw that stirs the drink.

And believe me, I love Scoracek, but the book on the Flyers has recently been that if you stop Giroux, you'll beat them. That simple.

He has been a good all around player. But can you say... by watching him play that he is a 8 mill player? Right now thats Voracek.
- GOA88

He seems to start out slow.

Personally though I am a lot more annoyed with the cap amounts of the following:
Umberger: 4.6
Vinny: 4.5
Macdonald: 5
Luke Schenn: 3.6

Giroux has been the team's good little soldier since being thrown to the wolves after the departure of Richards, another guy the team put into the spotlight and captain role far too early. I get what you mean though, I do agree Voracek is driving that line right now.

someone explain tome how Frederik Andersen was drafted twice ?
- MrBigglesworth

Rights expired w/ the 'Canes, he could go back into the draft since he's a non-NA player.

Need to log in to read..
- flyer_nutter

here is the title:
Restless Genital Syndrome a Variant of Restless Legs?

He seems to start out slow.

Personally though I am a lot more annoyed with the cap amounts of the following:
Umberger: 4.6
Vinny: 4.5
Macdonald: 5
Luke Schenn: 3.6

Giroux has been the team's good little soldier since being thrown to the wolves after the departure of Richards, another guy the team put into the spotlight and captain role far too early. I get what you mean though, I do agree Voracek is driving that line right now.
- flyer_nutter

I'm not annoyed with Girouxs cap. While he is still a great player I just dont feel he plays the same as he used to. I dont ever see "amazing" from him anymore.

I know. Im just trying to get my point across. The point is Giroux doesnt seem like the same player as he was just 2-3 seasons ago.
- GOA88

i agree. and i've never been a huge giroux fan.

I'm not annoyed with Girouxs cap. While he is still a great player I just dont feel he plays the same as he used to. I dont ever see "amazing" from him anymore.
- GOA88

He doesn't bother trying now he's got his money. We were warned he was a Fraud, but didn't listen till it was too late.

i agree. and i've never been a huge giroux fan.
- hammarby31

Giroux made me a fan with his great individual efforts back in 2011 and 2012 seasons. Now he seems too passive and isnt using his talent to the best of his ability. Playing too simple at times. Giroux needs to get loose!!!

I guess most people forget that Akeson was a point a game player in the regular season last year.

I guess most people forget that Akeson was a point a game player in the regular season last year.
- feelingkettle

Akeson... Smakeson. He isnt earning the ice time. period.