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

And also dressed Jason Akeson for 7 games in the playoffs.

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

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.
- mickel25

Ironically, when somebody suggests putting Lecavalier or Umberger on the 4th line, he'll say it's a waste of their talents and point out that they are proven vets.

Apparently a proven vet, who is ineffective and has been for an extended period, gets to use the "He's not suited for the role" rationale, and when it's applied to Akeson it's dismissed as an invalid excuse.

He's played poorly. Absolutely. But he's in a role that's not suited to his skillset.

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.
- mickel25

They weren't forcing him to be a grinder. They were giving him an opportunity to play. Akeson's offensive ability alone, is not good enough to keep him in the NHL. He needs to improve his game away from the puck. He needs to compete away from the puck like any other players does. Regardless of position or role. A puck battle on the 2nd line is the same as on the 4th line. Last year Akeson was competitive away from the puck. Which is why he stayed in the lineup for 7 games in the playoffs. He is capable of doing it. Other players were better then he was in camp, pre season, and during the season to this point. The responsibility for Akeson not playing is on Akeson.

I see....
- VladDrag

Like clockwork.

It's Pavlovian

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.
- MJL

Although I don't post here a lot, I do spend a fair amount of time reading these boards. From what I remember, he's never been a "supporter" of Akeson (Jsaq, intervine if I'm wrong about that). He's even said he may end up being a career minor leaguer, but putting him in a role outside of his skill set is not beneficial for him or the club.
If you want to get the most out of secondary playmaker with below average defense, you should put him with linemates that have decent two-way ability to limit his deficiencies.

Tells you a lot.
- MJL

Given that Akeson's performance on the ice has been noticeably superior to Jones' I think it tells you that the coach has lost the plot.

They weren't forcing him to be a grinder. They were giving him an opportunity to play. Akeson's offensive ability alone, is not good enough to keep him in the NHL. He needs to improve his game away from the puck. He needs to compete away from the puck like any other players does. Regardless of position or role. A puck battle on the 2nd line is the same as on the 4th line. Last year Akeson was competitive away from the puck. Which is why he stayed in the lineup for 7 games in the playoffs. He is capable of doing it. Other players were better then he was in camp, pre season, and during the season to this point. The responsibility for Akeson not playing is on Akeson.
- MJL

I am not going to agree on this issue. So I am moving on.

Ironically, when somebody suggests putting Lecavalier or Umberger on the 4th line, he'll say it's a waste of their talents and point out that they are proven vets.

Apparently a proven vet, who is ineffective and has been for an extended period, gets to use the "He's not suited for the role" rationale, and when it's applied to Akeson it's dismissed as an invalid excuse.

He's played poorly. Absolutely. But he's in a role that's not suited to his skillset.
- Jsaquella

Let's clear something up here. The reason for Lecavalier's struggles last year were injury related, and being moved to a position that he can't play even if he's healthy. Akeson is healthy, and playing a position he is capable of playing.
Akeson is not the proven offensive player that Lecavalier is. Nor is he as proven as a player that Umberger is. And if you wanted to put Umberger on the 4th line now, and play Akeson, I'd have zero problem with that. And you know what I wouldn't do. Is say that if Umberger doesn't play well on the 4th line, well it's just because he's not a 4th line player. That's a lame excuse. I'd put it on Umberger. Just like I have been when I've criticized Umberger for not being involved enough offensively this year.
When is the Akeson fan club going to put responsibility and culpability on Akeson for why he is a scratch?

Although I don't post here a lot, I do spend a fair amount of time reading these boards. From what I remember, he's never been a "supporter" of Akeson (Jsaq, intervine if I'm wrong about that). He's even said he may end up being a career minor leaguer, but putting him in a role outside of his skill set is not beneficial for him or the club.
If you want to get the most out of secondary playmaker with below average defense, you should put him with linemates that have decent two-way ability to limit his deficiencies.
- VladDrag

Maybe put him with Read and Couturier. Wait that worked too well in the playoffs. Lets make him work for minutes with borderline NHL'ers. Then bench him when he does not produce.

Given that Akeson's performance on the ice has been noticeably superior to Jones' I think it tells you that the coach has lost the plot.
- Feanor

I personally think that Akeson should be playing ahead of Jones, and in that first line spot. But you know what we don't know. Is how each player is practicing. How each player is working. What reason would Berube have to not play Akeson? He just decided he doesn't like the player? A player gets in a coaches doghouse for a reason.

Although I don't post here a lot, I do spend a fair amount of time reading these boards. From what I remember, he's never been a "supporter" of Akeson (Jsaq, intervine if I'm wrong about that). He's even said he may end up being a career minor leaguer, but putting him in a role outside of his skill set is not beneficial for him or the club.
If you want to get the most out of secondary playmaker with below average defense, you should put him with linemates that have decent two-way ability to limit his deficiencies.
- VladDrag

He's never been a supporter of Akeson, but yet he put him in the lineup for the 7 most important games of the season last year. And why was Akeson in the lineup then? Why did he remain in the lineup when given that opportunity?

I personally think that Akeson should be playing ahead of Jones, and in that first line spot. But you know what we don't know. Is how each player is practicing. How each player is working. What reason would Berube have to not play Akeson? He just decided he doesn't like the player? A player gets in a coaches doghouse for a reason.
- MJL

See Patrick Sharp and Ken Hitchcock.

And why was Akeson in the lineup then?
- MJL

Alderson, Cousins, Straka were the other Black Aces. Not exactly a smorgasbord or experience there.

He's never been a supporter of Akeson, but yet he put him in the lineup for the 7 most important games of the season last year. And why was Akeson in the lineup then? Why did he remain in the lineup when given that opportunity?
- MJL

He in my post meant Jsaq, not Brube.

See Patrick Sharp and Ken Hitchcock.
- VladDrag

Patrick Sharp played on the 4th line for Hitchcock.

Given that Akeson's performance on the ice has been noticeably superior to Jones' I think it tells you that the coach has lost the plot.
- Feanor

We know Hexy prioritizes Arty over Jones based on who's going through waivers, at least.

Alderson, Cousins, Straka were the other Black Aces. Not exactly a smorgasbord or experience there.
- Tomahawk

So he was given a chance to get in the lineup, and what happened?

See Patrick Sharp and Ken Hitchcock.
- VladDrag

I wont say he is Patrick Sharp but the situation is similar. I guarantee you that if Akeson goes to waivers he will be claimed. He will also score goals on whatever team claims him. The Flyers will look dumb.

We know Hexy prioritizes Arty over Jones based on who's going through waivers, at least.
- Tomahawk

Well of course. Akeson is a younger player that has some potential. Jones is a AHL/NHL call up.

I wont say he is Patrick Sharp but the situation is similar. I guarantee you that if Akeson goes to waivers he will be claimed. He will also score goals on whatever team claims him. The Flyers will look dumb.
- mickel25

I don't know if I would make that guarantee. Patrick Sharp had a lot more skill, size, and speed.

So he was given a chance to get in the lineup, and what happened?
- MJL

In nine (7 playoffs) NHL games before this season Akeson had 3 goals and 2 assists.

In 8 games this season zero points. Misuse?

In nine (7 playoffs) NHL games before this season Akeson had 3 goals and 2 assists.

In 8 games this season zero points.
- mickel25

He played well last year.
Akeson is not out of the lineup, because he hasn't produced any points.

We know Hexy prioritizes Arty over Jones based on who's going through waivers, at least.
- Tomahawk

He's in a Catch-22. Akeson isn't going to be effective playing in an energy line role with grinders of limited skill, but he won't be elevated by this coach unless he plays effectively with 4th line grinders of limited skill.

We all get that part of why he's not playing is that he hasn't played well. I want to discuss why that might be, rather than hear the same old pabulum

I wont say he is Patrick Sharp but the situation is similar. I guarantee you that if Akeson goes to waivers he will be claimed. He will also score goals on whatever team claims him. The Flyers will look dumb.
- mickel25

Agreed, I did not mean it in skill level comparisons. And I don't know if Akeson will be an NHL regular, but I know he has a chance to be if utilized properly.