Are you sure?
- GOA88

Yes. He's a player who has good offensive instincts and could fill-in on a scoring line and provide depth scoring. His highest potential would be Matt Read without the defensive game or speed.

As for the 20 goals, you're probably right. He could maybe approach a 15/15/30 season, but that's probably about it. But as a fill-in on a scoring line, he's adequate.

Yes. He's a player who has good offensive instincts and could fill-in on a scoring line and provide depth scoring. His highest potential would be Matt Read without the defensive game or speed.
- jmatchett383

Thats being generous.

Thats being generous.
- GOA88

Like I said, that's his highest possible ceiling. I wouldn't consider that a "star."

Thats being generous.
- GOA88

In the two regular seasons before this season, Akeson was a point a game player in the NHL.

Like I said, that's his highest possible ceiling. I wouldn't consider that a "superstar."
- jmatchett383

I dont think you would. I just dont get all this "put Akeson on the 1st line" poop I've been reading.

In the two regular seasons before this season, Akeson was a point a game player in the NHL.
- feelingkettle

He was on pace for 82 goals. Hes a stud.

Need to log in to read..
- flyer_nutter

Yeah what's up with that. I'm curious now you can't tease me like this Marc

I dont think you would. I just dont get all this "put Akeson on the 1st line" poop I've been reading.
- GOA88

The reason they want him on the top line is because his best asset he possesses is as an offensive player. Not a "star" player, but one who is best suited to a scoring line. And since there is an opening on the scoring line, a player like him seems a better fit than a guy who's a career 4th liner/tweener. Not the preferred choice, but given the options, he's the best fit.

I dont think you would. I just dont get all this "put Akeson on the 1st line" poop I've been reading.
- GOA88

The Flyers put a guy on the 1st line that they signed out of a second tier Swedish league last year.

Now, they are trying a guy on that line presumably because he has his own equipment and played with Ron Hextall's kid in college.

It's not like the Flyers haven't experimented with less heralded players on the first line in the past 12 months or so.

That's why I was asking. But it seems to me, that if you think Mason had a chance to make the save, then he derserves part of the blame. Does that not make sense? In my view, maybe saying he had no chance is too strong, but I don't think he had much of a chance. I can't really fault anyone on that play. It's just an excellent skilled play by RNH.
- MJL

it was excellent work by RNH all around. he used his assets and scored a pretty goal. to clarify about mason - it was a goal scorer's goal. and while he had a chance given how the play unfolded, it wasn't an automatic, easy save therefore not a bad goal. that's what i meant by "not blaming". did he have a chance yes.

i recently described here this exact same play in one of my games from a few weeks ago and what happened. came from the other side of the ice going from my right to left to my glove side. the player is a good skater, long strides a bit shifty, a big stick, long reach and good hands. i knew he'd drive through the crease and i didn't trust my ability to stay with him and cover the far side due to his reach, so i waited for him to drop his head right as he got to the crease and i dove forward with the poke check - different than mason's reach while remaining upright and pushing laterally in case he missed, which he did. i got the puck...perfect timing and surprise. the only problem was the skater toppled over me, and i remained prone while the puck went into the slot and was picked up by a late trailer for an easy tap in with no dman in sight. that's what i meant by execution for mason - not that he missed - but his technique. mason actually did well to stay with him - he just got beat by a better shot. i'm not a huge fan of the technique he employed because even though he's pushing across, his balance and strength is compromised a little by the stick reach and it opens up the body. i'd rather he go for it with a forward poke, or stay tight and push across with the paddle and pads down. just my preference.

The Flyers put a guy on the 1st line that they signed out of a second tier Swedish league last year.

Now, they are trying a guy on that line presumably because he has his own equipment and played with Ron Hextall's kid in college.

It's not like the Flyers haven't experimented with less heralded players on the first line in the past 12 months or so.
- johndewar

Keith Jones
Brent Fedyk
Bob Corkum (briefly)
Dan Carcillo

Not the first time it's happened.

I will say this. I would rather have ANYONE else on the 1st line than VandeVelde. Unless its Rinaldo.

Keith Jones
Brent Fedyk
Bob Corkum (briefly)
Dan Carcillo

Not the first time it's happened.
- jmatchett383

Mike (frank)ing Maneluk played on a 1st line in this town.

Unless Mason gets a shutout he was'nt good enough.
- GOA88

clearly.

I will say this. I would rather have ANYONE else on the 1st line than VandeVelde. Unless its Rinaldo.
- GOA88

If Vandelay scores tonight, I think Flyers twitter will implode on itself.

The "AHL feet" part does explain why he's on the outs, lineup wise and why Vandelay is getting 1st line looks.

Can't they fit him somewhere in the lineup where footspeed isn't a problem?
- johndewar

It didn't seem to be much of an issue when he played against the speedy Rangers last season. It seems like sometimes people just make (dubious) excuses to justify why he's been discounted. His D isn't as bad as many think, he battles, and his skating is average, not well below average as some would have you think...he may not be a speedster, but he pivots/turns well and doesn't seem to get left behind the play all that often.

I will say this. I would rather have ANYONE else on the 1st line than VandeVelde. Unless its Rinaldo.
- GOA88

I think that's the point. It's not so much we need Akeson as opposed to he's a better temporary fit than Jones or VdV for the top line.

The reason they want him on the top line is because his best asset he possesses is as an offensive player. Not a "star" player, but one who is best suited to a scoring line. And since there is an opening on the scoring line, a player like him seems a better fit than a guy who's a career 4th liner/tweener. Not the preferred choice, but given the options, he's the best fit.
- jmatchett383

I think Schenn deserves another shot. An extended look on that line.

Yeah what's up with that. I'm curious now you can't tease me like this Marc
- Giroux_Is_God

Your name is not Nutter poser!



Rock on hooligans, out for end of rotation shift. Good night and good hockey.

clearly.
- hammarby31

Even if he gets a shutout, he got lucky, and the team played a good, 60-minute game. The fact that he didn't score any goals himself shows he's a marginal starter.

clearly.
- hammarby31

Obviously

It didn't seem to be much of an issue when he played against the speedy Rangers last season. It seems like sometimes people just make (dubious) excuses to justify why he's been discounted. His D isn't as bad as many think, he battles, and his skating is average, not well below average as some would have you think...he may not be a speedster, but he pivots/turns well and doesn't seem to get left behind the play all that often.
- exlund

I don't disagree.

Mostly, it's me trying to find the one thing that guys who have been in the lineup ahead of Akeson (like VdV and Jones) have that Akeson doesn't have and the one factor seems to be foot speed.

VDV is bigger. If Berube had a gorilla in the locker room, he'd try and have him fitted for a pair of skates.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, it's pretty obvious Berube values size, physicality and skating over skill.

Culture Change'd...

What if he is traded to Dallas?
- feelingkettle

ARE WE GOING TO IGNORE THIS (frank)ING COMMENT

DO YOU SEE THIS (frank)ING COMMENT PEOPLE

Personally I've been waiting for a big, fast, talented forward to dominate in Flyers uniform. Thats my type of player. Voracek is that guy finally.
- GOA88

voracek had lots of potential and has gotten better, imo, on a nice trajectory since arriving here. he's now really starting to finish more consistently and is creating on virtually every shift. it's fun to watch. frankly, the team needs it, and it takes a little burden off of giroux.