This is a " Sacred Sports Evening" in my house tonight. My 3 teams are all at the same time

Flyers

Bengals


Clemson Tigers


Hoping for a 3-0 sweep!!
- 3flyerkids

You really like orange

I get that each line needs some balance; however, I don't know if that is the case. I really don't know what his thought process is. Sometimes, one really has to question his logic.

If you want balance, then separate your two best possession players, G and Jake. Through the first 12 games, Jake has shown he can drive the play without G. If it’s me, my lines would look like this (assuming Couts can play tonight).

BSchenn-G-Simmonds
Read-Couts-Jake
Umby-Vinny-Akeson
Rinaldo-PEB-Jones/VDV
- VladDrag

Berube: "I wonder how much dead weight I can put on the top-line before it cools Jake's hot streak off..."

Personally I'd try Umberger on the top line. It couldn't hurt to have someone on that line to help out defensively......

Berube: "I wonder how much dead weight I can put on the top-line before it cools Jake's hot streak off..."
- Tomahawk

I get that each line needs some balance; however, I don't know if that is the case. I really don't know what his thought process is. Sometimes, one really has to question his logic.

If you want balance, then separate your two best possession players, G and Jake. Through the first 12 games, Jake has shown he can drive the play without G. If it’s me, my lines would look like this (assuming Couts can play tonight).

BSchenn-G-Simmonds
Read-Couts-Jake
Umby-Vinny-Akeson
Rinaldo-PEB-Jones/VDV
- VladDrag

I agree that separating Giroux and Voracek would go a long way towards balancing out the lineup. But he apparently doesn't want to do that. But wanting to keep a dynamic pair together isn't sound logic? I understand what he's trying to do, and it is sound logic. I don't agree with every choice, but that's never going to happen with any coach.

Personally I'd try Umberger on the top line. It couldn't hurt to have someone on that line to help out defensively......
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You're right. That top line has been poor defensively at times.

- VladDrag

Think of it as an experiment in chemistry:

I agree that separating Giroux and Voracek would go a ling way towards balancing out the lineup. But he apparently doesn't want to do that. But wanting to keep a dynamic pair together isn't sound logic? I understand what he's trying to do, and it is sound logic. I don't agree with every choice, but that's never going to happen with any coach.
- MJL

Just because he is playing well doesn't mean he would elsewhere. Him and Giroux work. Dont fix what isn't broken. Berube keeping Simmonds on the 2nd line is balancing out the Roster. Berube could Easily put him on Giroux's LW.

I agree that separating Giroux and Voracek would go a oing way towards balancing out the lineup. But he apparently doesn't want to do that. But wanting to keep a dynamic pair together isn't sound logic? I understand what he's trying to do, and it is sound logic. I don't agree with every choice, but that's never going to happen with any coach.
- MJL

The logic that would be in question, for example, would be his use of Akeson. You know, the whole square peg, round hole argument.

Just because he is playing well doesn't mean he would elsewhere. Him and Giroux work. Dont fix what isn't broken. Berube keeping Simmonds on the 2nd line is balancing out the Roster. Berube could Easily put him on Giroux's LW.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Simmonds has played RW most, if not all, his career, but he could try it.

The logic that would be in question, for example, would be his use of Akeson. You know, the whole square peg, round hole argument.
- VladDrag

Yeah, that approach has been tried.

He's going to say Akeson hasn't played well, and played poorly in practice and ask why you're blaming the coach

Just because he is playing well doesn't mean he would elsewhere. Him and Giroux work. Dont fix what isn't broken. Berube keeping Simmonds on the 2nd line is balancing out the Roster. Berube could Easily put him on Giroux's LW.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I agree with that logic. Voracek and Giroux are playing well together, so why split them up. But I also agree that putting Voracek with Lecavalier would add a playmaker that line needs. Both make sense.

Let the VDV era begin!
- Tomahawk

Must have balance.

Jones has been -1 in each of four games for the Flyers despite only getting 7 minutes per game. Akeson must really be in the doghouse to still be a healthy scratch.

Must have balance.


- PLindbergh31

Yeah, Giroux and Voracek can carry equal parts of VDV while he's on the top line

The logic that would be in question, for example, would be his use of Akeson. You know, the whole square peg, round hole argument.
- VladDrag

That logic isn't in question. Akeson coming out of camp wasn't one of the 9 best forwards, and he still isn't. The only open spot for him was the 4th line. And saying he can't play on the 4th line, is just a BS excuse. Player like Jeff Carter and Mike Richards started on the 4th line in their NHL careers. But Akeson can't. Akeson has to show up and play. In game and practice.

Yeah, Giroux and Voracek can carry equal parts of VDV while he's on the top line
- Jsaquella

Playing with Giroux and Voracek you or I would collect a few points.

Just because he is playing well doesn't mean he would elsewhere. Him and Giroux work. Dont fix what isn't broken. Berube keeping Simmonds on the 2nd line is balancing out the Roster. Berube could Easily put him on Giroux's LW.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I'm no fan of Berube, but we really have no idea if Simmonds can or wants to play LW.

Yeah, that approach has been tried.

He's going to say Akeson hasn't played well, and played poorly in practice and ask why you're blaming the coach
- Jsaquella

And Akeson supporters such as yourself are going to make the excuses that poor Jason Akeson is being used in a role that he's not suited for, so that's why he can't compete on the ice.

Jones has been -1 in each of four games for the Flyers despite only getting 7 minutes per game. Akeson must really be in the doghouse to still be a healthy scratch.
- Feanor

Tells you a lot.

Jones has been -1 in each of four games for the Flyers despite only getting 7 minutes per game. Akeson must really be in the doghouse to still be a healthy scratch.
- Feanor

Jones has also been pretty undisciplined in his limited ice time. We're seeing now why he's never been able to stick in the NHL. He's had past chances in a top 9 role, in fourth line roles and has never taken advantage of it. Much like VandeVelde.

Maybe if Berube gives him a shift with Giroux and Voracek, he'll score a goal and then Berube can use that to justify keeping Jones in the line up

Jones has been -1 in each of four games for the Flyers despite only getting 7 minutes per game. Akeson must really be in the doghouse to still be a healthy scratch.
- Feanor

This is the same guy who dressed the U.S.S. Hal Gill in the PO's

Jones has also been pretty undisciplined in his limited ice time. We're seeing now why he's never been able to stick in the NHL. He's had past chances in a top 9 role, in fourth line roles and has never taken advantage of it. Much like VandeVelde.

Maybe if Berube gives him a shift with Giroux and Voracek, he'll score a goal and then Berube can use that to justify keeping Jones in the line up
- Jsaquella

Much like Vandevelde, who has taken the opportunity he has been given on the 4th line this season, and has now due to that play, been given a shot at playing with Giroux and Voracek.

What is the evidence that Berube has a bias against the player? That he's not playing him? Playing in a role that a player is not suited for, does not stop a player from competing and earning more playing time or a better role.
Who has said that Umberger can't play on the 4th line?

Bottom line, can make passive aggressive comments , or actually discuss the situation.
- MJL

I completely disagree. Some players aren't good at everything. Sure if you put Giroux on the 4th line he would be great. Akeson is an offensive player. Forcing him to be a grinder is a waste of a talented asset. Also, he did not prove himself worthy of playing above the 4th line in the playoffs last year? He was one of a few forwards who was effective in that series.

Yeah, that approach has been tried.

He's going to say Akeson hasn't played well, and played poorly in practice and ask why you're blaming the coach
- Jsaquella

I see....