akeson needs to compete in all areas better than he has, but he also can be given a chance to show that. in my opinion his rope has been cut unfairly short. i hope for his and the team's sake that he works hard in practice and gets another crack at the lineup.

i'd like to go back and watch his limited ice time and review his lack of compete and poor play away from the puck. my bet is that it's overblown.
- hammarby31

Yes, some timestamps for all these times that Akeson has allegedly not competed would be nice.

These are the two goals he's been on the ice for.

http://video.nhl.com/vide...nsole?id=2014020126-496-h

http://video.nhl.com/vide...id=2014020142-14-ingame-h

I agree, and you know what. If anyone wants to move Umberger to the 4th line and give Akeson a shot on a higher line. I have no problem with that. And if Umberger plays poorly, I won't use the excuse that he's playing in a situaiton that is poor for him as a reason. I'll put the blame squarely on Umberger.
- MJL

and so does umberger get scratched after playing poorly on the 4th line? or does he get moved back up because of his contract and the flyers didn't sign him to be a 4th line player?

akeson needs to compete in all areas better than he has, but he also can be given a chance to show that. in my opinion his rope has been cut unfairly short. i hope for his and the team's sake that he works hard in practice and gets another crack at the lineup.

i'd like to go back and watch his limited ice time and review his lack of compete and poor play away from the puck. my bet is that it's overblown.
- hammarby31

He had 8 games to show it. He did show it in about the same amount of games last year. And earned a spot in the lineup in the playoffs, and kept a spot with his play.

and so does umberger get scratched after playing poorly on the 4th line? or does he get moved back up because of his contract and the flyers didn't sign him to be a 4th line player?
- hammarby31

I don't know. Can't see the future. This coach didn't let a contract stop him from playing Lecavalier on the 4th line last year.

Absolute horse sh!£

We can't score on Luongo so put VDV on the top line instead of Akeson?! Or B Schenn? This coach is an idiot. Unless it works and then he is a genius. I'm confident I know how this will turn out, traded to SJ for a third.

the end of the play was nice, cutting through the slot, avoiding streit who i mistook for schenn, getting around mason's poke check and pad/glove to score - but skating fast down the wall and getting past a check isn't anything spectacular. rinaldo was even with him and got neither the body nor the puck and it wasn't because rnh did anything special.
- hammarby31

Disagree. To even keep up with a player who has elite speed there was a strong effort. It was a highly skilled play by RNH. To the point where Mason had no chance on the play.

the end of the play was nice, cutting through the slot, avoiding streit who i mistook for schenn, getting around mason's poke check and pad/glove to score - but skating fast down the wall and getting past a check isn't anything spectacular. rinaldo was even with him and got neither the body nor the puck and it wasn't because rnh did anything special.
- hammarby31

Yeah, because he stumbled.

Disagree. To even keep up with a player who has elite speed there was a strong effort. It was a highly skilled play by RNH. To the point where Mason had no chance on the play.
- MJL

the finish was highly skilled. and mason had a chance. he gambled on the poke check and lost. to his credit he stayed with rnh across the crease but got beat. mason could have executed the poke in a different manner. or he could have chosen to just move with him and try to stuff him on the wide side.

either way, my point was about rinaldo. i'm not saying he didn't try. he did. his effort was not good enough and i don't think it's because rnh did anything magical.

the finish was highly skilled. and mason had a chance. he gambled on the poke check and lost. to his credit he stayed with rnh across the crease but got beat. mason could have executed the poke in a different manner. or he could have chosen to just move with him and try to stuff him on the wide side.

either way, my point was about rinaldo. i'm not saying he didn't try. he did. his effort was not good enough and i don't think it's because rnh did anything magical.
- hammarby31

Not to this specific case, but:

One of our star players makes a great individual play, it was tremendous skill.

An opposing team's star player makes a great individual play, and it was our team's fault and completely preventable.

So, in this specific case, maybe it's just that RNH made a great play and no one on the team was in position (non-literal) to stop him.

Yes, some timestamps for all these times that Akeson has allegedly not competed would be nice.

These are the two goals he's been on the ice for.

http://video.nhl.com/vide...nsole?id=2014020126-496-h

http://video.nhl.com/vide...id=2014020142-14-ingame-h
- Feanor

First one was definitely Rinaldos fault for chasing the puck. 2nd one was bad luck. Deflected off Akeson's stick.

First one was definitely Rinaldos fault for chasing the puck. 2nd one was bad luck. Deflected off Akeson's stick.
- PhillySportsGuy

Absolutely. Granted, neither Rinaldo or VdV decided to backcheck at all, but Rinaldo 1) caused the turnover by stickhandling backwards with 2 guys on him (not shown in the video) and 2) went to VdV's check, leaving Richards wide open.

Working outside right now and it sucks

That is all

Absolutely. Granted, neither Rinaldo or VdV decided to backcheck at all, but Rinaldo 1) caused the turnover by stickhandling backwards with 2 guys on him (not shown in the video) and 2) went to VdV's check, leaving Richards wide open.
- jmatchett383

Akeson was the one who hustled back and ended up taking out the guy near the net. I thought Rinaldo and VDV coasted.

Working outside right now and it sucks

That is all
- BiggE

Working in my house and it feels awesome. Happy belated birthday. You're one day after the wife

The biggest problem I have with the whole Akeson thing is that for the first two games it looked like the Flyers (finally) had a very useful skilled fourth line with PEB centering Akeson and Rinaldo.

Then Vinnie gets hurt and PEB slides up to his spot, and the 4th line has largely been outplayed.

Now VLC is back and PEB is centering the 4th line again.

Why the (frank) is Akeson not playing with PEB and Rinaldo?

That line was actually pretty good.

The 4th line does not have to be all grinders to work.
I think Akeson showed he can play on that line when he had PEB as his center.

The second biggest issue is not using Akeson on the 2nd PP.
Smaller issue to me but still a mistake.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Obviously Akeson hasn't played well enough in games or practices. Berube in no way, shape or form has biases as a bright hockey guy and Akeson's subpar performance is in no way due to being used in a role he's ill suited for. If he was good he'd do well in that role.

And before you suggest sending Umberger to the 4th line, he's a proven veteran and not suited to the 4th line.
- Jsaquella

Absolute horse sh!£

We can't score on Luongo so put VDV on the top line instead of Akeson?! Or B Schenn? This coach is an idiot. Unless it works and then he is a genius. I'm confident I know how this will turn out, traded to SJ for a third.
- coffee junkie

If Akeson could get us a 3rd rounder i'll buy his ticket to SJ. Unfortunately he just doesnt have that value

Working in my house and it feels awesome. Happy belated birthday. You're one day after the wife
- PhillySportsGuy

Are you at least wearing clothes

First one was definitely Rinaldos fault for chasing the puck. 2nd one was bad luck. Deflected off Akeson's stick.
- PhillySportsGuy

If he was a real Flyer he'd have voluntarily broken his foot blocking the shot

I don't know why everyone's freaking about VDV it's not like he's any worse than umberger or lecavalier. The big problem here is our 2nd scoring line....a black hole

Flyers - 3
Panthers - 1

VDV - 2 assists

Working in my house and it feels awesome. Happy belated birthday. You're one day after the wife
- PhillySportsGuy

A 45 minute commute took 90 minutes because people are terrible (frank)ing drivers in the rain.

/hyperventilates

Are you at least wearing clothes

- BiggE

Shorts and a T shirt. Dog on lap as well.