that doesn't occur to me as a particularly calculating scenario.
- BulliesPhan87

It's not. He's probably a bit miffed an angry, they've lost 9 straight and it never hurts to have extra motivation.

It's not. He's probably a bit miffed an angry, they've lost 9 straight and it never hurts to have extra motivation.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. Plus he's playing for an expansion team that will never ever win a Stanley Cup.

It's not. He's probably a bit miffed an angry, they've lost 9 straight and it never hurts to have extra motivation.
- Jsaquella

love that ek picked them to win the division

that doesn't occur to me as a particularly calculating scenario.
- BulliesPhan87

love that ek picked them to win the division
- Crimsoninja

They have had ridiculous injury luck this season. I expected them to be a good solid team, but Johansen missing camp, Horton, Dubinsky, Anisimov, Jenner...they've had the poop kicked out of them

They have had ridiculous injury luck this season. I expected them to be a good solid team, but Johansen missing camp, Horton, Dubinsky, Anisimov, Jenner...they've had the poop kicked out of them
- Jsaquella

The Flyers are right there. And they've had the same bad injury luck.

You get a whole different perspective when you are there to witness and/or take part in these discussions than reading others' coverage of it later:

1) I know enough both on and off the record to say that Berube/Hextall and Hartnell aren't at the top of each other's Christmas card lists. That's hardly unusual and it didn't prevent Berube and Hartnell from coexisting as coach and player.

2) As professionals and out of respect for what Hartnell brought to the team and organization for numerous years, the vast majority of the comments each made about the other yesterday were complimentary. Yes, Berube did start out by saying he doesn't think anything is missed with Hartnell's absence but then immediately softened it by saying nice things about him and summing it up by saying both sides have moved on.

3) I was there for the media conference call with Hartnell. He was calm, relaxed, laughing and most of what he said was positive. He said that he had hoped to play the rest of his career here.

4) Near the end, Hartnell was specifically asked for a reaction to Berube saying "I don't think anything is missed" with no other balancing context added to it. Even then, Hartnell started out by saying that he respects Berube and felt they worked fine together. Then he let his guard down enough to make the statement about feeling like Berube had a hand in the trade. From there, he pulled it right back to more positive-focused stuff.

5) A very similar thing happened when Hartnell was asked about the reception he expects from Flyers fans. He talked at length about how he treasured his relationship with the fans, loves the area, etc. He added that he thinks the Flyers fans know that he gave 100 percent to them at all times but then added that there have been other guys who did that for the Flyers then ended up getting booed when they came back to town with other teams.

The nature of these interviews is that the juiciest parts get handpicked out of them and become the entire focus of conversation. If one wanted to paint Hartnell as the bitter "bad guy" here, you could say he "ripped" the organization and the fans. In reality, he handled it very professionally. So did Hextall. Chief tends to be a little more blunt but what he said was pretty balanced, too.

The nature of these interviews is that the juiciest parts get handpicked out of them and become the entire focus of conversation. If one wanted to paint Hartnell as the bitter "bad guy" here, you could say he "ripped" the organization and the fans. In reality, he handled it very professionally. So did Hextall. Chief tends to be a little more blunt but what he said was pretty balanced, too.
- bmeltzer

Thank you. It's really not that hard of a concept. People are trying to stir poop up when there's nothing to stir up. Typical, and I don't mean that just about the Philly media. That's life.

[/life lesson for PhillySportsGuy]

oh i know
- Crimsoninja

You get a whole different perspective when you are there to witness and/or take part in these discussions than reading others' coverage of it later:

1) I know enough both on and off the record to say that Berube/Hextall and Hartnell aren't at the top of each other's Christmas card lists. That's hardly unusual and it didn't prevent Berube and Hartnell from coexisting as coach and player.

2) As professionals and out of respect for what Hartnell brought to the team and organization for numerous years, the vast majority of the comments each made about the other yesterday were complimentary. Yes, Berube did start out by saying he doesn't think anything is missed with Hartnell's absence but then immediately softened it by saying nice things about him and summing it up by saying both sides have moved on.

3) I was there for the media conference call with Hartnell. He was calm, relaxed, laughing and most of what he said was positive. He said that he had hoped to play the rest of his career here.

4) Near the end, Hartnell was specifically asked for a reaction to Berube saying "I don't think anything is missed" with no other balancing context added to it. Even then, Hartnell started out by saying that he respects Berube and felt they worked fine together. Then he let his guard down enough to make the statement about feeling like Berube had a hand in the trade. From there, he pulled it right back to more positive-focused stuff.

5) A very similar thing happened when Hartnell was asked about the reception he expects from Flyers fans. He talked at length about how he treasured his relationship with the fans, loves the area, etc. He added that he thinks the Flyers fans know that he gave 100 percent to them at all times but then added that there have been other guys who did that for the Flyers then ended up getting booed when they came back to town with other teams.

The nature of these interviews is that the juiciest parts get handpicked out of them and become the entire focus of conversation. If one wanted to paint Hartnell as the bitter "bad guy" here, you could say he "ripped" the organization and the fans. In reality, he handled it very professionally. So did Hextall. Chief tends to be a little more blunt but what he said was pretty balanced, too.
- bmeltzer

great stuff, bill
thanks for the real story.

i expect a big ovation for him Friday

great stuff, bill
thanks for the real story.

i expect a big ovation for him Friday
- Crimsoninja

followed by boos when he injures Richie.

So, is Mike Richards a Flyer yet?
- Jsaquella

Umberger is holding up the deal by not giving him his #18 back.

I think what trumps all of that, is that Berube was willing to play the guy in the most imporant games he has been behind the bench as the Flyers head coach for. The playoff series last year against the Rangers. I think that pretty much proves that if Akeson plays well, Berube will put him in the lineup. Was Berube not coaching under the same pressure last year in the playoffs?
- MJL

Good point. But why then would he seem to not trust him/play him nearly as much in less meaningful games?

Does Akeson look any less hungry this year away from the puck than in the playoffs last year??

No.

Good point. But why then would he seem to not trust him nearly as much in less meaningful games?
- exlund

I don't think it's about trusting Akeson. It's simply about his play. Does any responsibility fall on Akeson for being taken out of the lineup?

http://www.tsn.ca/the-cas...the-hall-of-fame-1.133979

You get a whole different perspective when you are there to witness and/or take part in these discussions than reading others' coverage of it later:

1) I know enough both on and off the record to say that Berube/Hextall and Hartnell aren't at the top of each other's Christmas card lists. That's hardly unusual and it didn't prevent Berube and Hartnell from coexisting as coach and player.

2) As professionals and out of respect for what Hartnell brought to the team and organization for numerous years, the vast majority of the comments each made about the other yesterday were complimentary. Yes, Berube did start out by saying he doesn't think anything is missed with Hartnell's absence but then immediately softened it by saying nice things about him and summing it up by saying both sides have moved on.

3) I was there for the media conference call with Hartnell. He was calm, relaxed, laughing and most of what he said was positive. He said that he had hoped to play the rest of his career here.

4) Near the end, Hartnell was specifically asked for a reaction to Berube saying "I don't think anything is missed" with no other balancing context added to it. Even then, Hartnell started out by saying that he respects Berube and felt they worked fine together. Then he let his guard down enough to make the statement about feeling like Berube had a hand in the trade. From there, he pulled it right back to more positive-focused stuff.

5) A very similar thing happened when Hartnell was asked about the reception he expects from Flyers fans. He talked at length about how he treasured his relationship with the fans, loves the area, etc. He added that he thinks the Flyers fans know that he gave 100 percent to them at all times but then added that there have been other guys who did that for the Flyers then ended up getting booed when they came back to town with other teams.

The nature of these interviews is that the juiciest parts get handpicked out of them and become the entire focus of conversation. If one wanted to paint Hartnell as the bitter "bad guy" here, you could say he "ripped" the organization and the fans. In reality, he handled it very professionally. So did Hextall. Chief tends to be a little more blunt but what he said was pretty balanced, too.
- bmeltzer

Thats weird. I've never seen that happen before

Thank you. It's really not that hard of a concept. People are trying to stir poop up when there's nothing to stir up. Typical, and I don't mean that just about the Philly media. That's life.


- Giroux_Is_God[/life lesson for PhillySportsGuy]

Thank you. It's in the notebook right next to "For a good night out with your lady, head over to Red Lobster"

Thats weird. I've never seen that happen before
- PhillySportsGuy

It's rare for most places but some of our esteemed local media members like to take those things and create widespread mass hysteria

Thank you. It's in the notebook right next to "For a good night out with your lady, head over to Red Lobster"
- PhillySportsGuy

Nutter

I don't think it's about trusting Akeson. It's simply about his play. Does any responsibility fall on Akeson for being taken out of the lineup?
- MJL

That's the thing...his play was fine. He did a fair job of what was being asked of him, all things considered, and I didn't see anything that stood out to warrant being put so abruptly into the doghouse or being benched or called out in public...furthermore, other players, some of whom had more egregious mistakes, weren't punished (in those ways) for it. The point you brought up before, about Berube seemingly trusting Akeson enough to play him during the Rangers series last season, makes it all the more bewildering as now, there seems to be a completely different standard that Berube seems to have for Akeson...it doesn't seem fair to bring that type of wrath on a young player, especially when he's trying hard to fulfill a role that plays more to his weaknesses than his strengths.

Now, it is quite possible that there are X factors here. Maybe this is just Berube's way of treating rookies. Maybe Berube wants to prove nothing will be given, even if you're tight with Capn' G like Akeson. Maybe Hextall has had some discussions with Berube and wants to see certain guys get minutes over others (for now) and Berube has to deflect and reach for excuses when asked about it publicly. Maybe a trade is coming and/or they're anticipating injuries...maybe Akeson is being a douche or something off-the-ice...maybe there are other things we're not seeing publicly that may be impacting Berube's treatment of the player. ???

You get a whole different perspective when you are there to witness and/or take part in these discussions than reading others' coverage of it later:

1) I know enough both on and off the record to say that Berube/Hextall and Hartnell aren't at the top of each other's Christmas card lists. That's hardly unusual and it didn't prevent Berube and Hartnell from coexisting as coach and player.

2) As professionals and out of respect for what Hartnell brought to the team and organization for numerous years, the vast majority of the comments each made about the other yesterday were complimentary. Yes, Berube did start out by saying he doesn't think anything is missed with Hartnell's absence but then immediately softened it by saying nice things about him and summing it up by saying both sides have moved on.

3) I was there for the media conference call with Hartnell. He was calm, relaxed, laughing and most of what he said was positive. He said that he had hoped to play the rest of his career here.

4) Near the end, Hartnell was specifically asked for a reaction to Berube saying "I don't think anything is missed" with no other balancing context added to it. Even then, Hartnell started out by saying that he respects Berube and felt they worked fine together. Then he let his guard down enough to make the statement about feeling like Berube had a hand in the trade. From there, he pulled it right back to more positive-focused stuff.

5) A very similar thing happened when Hartnell was asked about the reception he expects from Flyers fans. He talked at length about how he treasured his relationship with the fans, loves the area, etc. He added that he thinks the Flyers fans know that he gave 100 percent to them at all times but then added that there have been other guys who did that for the Flyers then ended up getting booed when they came back to town with other teams.

The nature of these interviews is that the juiciest parts get handpicked out of them and become the entire focus of conversation. If one wanted to paint Hartnell as the bitter "bad guy" here, you could say he "ripped" the organization and the fans. In reality, he handled it very professionally. So did Hextall. Chief tends to be a little more blunt but what he said was pretty balanced, too.
- bmeltzer

There is nothing wrong with taking things at face value Bill, but I don't.

Bill, were you in the room last summer when Berube blurted out "That's why we got rid of Hartnell" when a question was asked. I believe the question was directed at Hextall and asked about penalties.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thank you. It's in the notebook right next to "For a good night out with your lady, head over to Red Lobster"
- PhillySportsGuy

Damn right.

That's the thing...his play was fine. He did a fair job of what was being asked of him, all things considered, and I didn't see anything that stood out to warrant being put so abruptly into the doghouse or being benched or called out in public...furthermore, other players, some of whom had more egregious mistakes, weren't punished (in those ways) for it. The point you brought up before, about Berube seemingly trusting Akeson enough to play him during the Rangers series last season, makes it all the more bewildering as now, there seems to be a completely different standard that Berube seems to have for Akeson...it doesn't seem fair to bring that type of wrath on a young player, especially when he's trying hard to fulfill a role that plays more to his weaknesses than his strengths.

Now, it is quite possible that there are X factors here. Maybe this is just Berube's way of treating rookies. Maybe Berube wants to prove nothing will be given, even if you're tight with Capn' G like Akeson. Maybe Hextall has had some discussions with Berube and wants to see certain guys get minutes over others (for now) and Berube has to deflect and reach for excuses when asked about it publicly. Maybe a trade is coming and/or they're anticipating injuries...maybe Akeson is being a douche or something off-the-ice...maybe there are other things we're not seeing publicly that may be impacting Berube's treatment of the player. ???
- exlund

We disagree, and obviously Berube doesn't agree with that either. His play wasn't fine for a number of games. That's why he was scratched. And it's not unfair, and it's not about Berube. It's about Akeson.
We can discuss it until the cows come home. But we obviously view his play differently. What further sense is there in hashing it out more?

Really the only thing that matters is going forward. He has an opportunity here. He needs to seize it. And I hope he does.

There is nothing wrong with taking things at face value Bill, but I don't.

Bill, were you in the room last summer when Berube blurted out "That's why we got rid of Hartnell" when a question was asked. I believe the question was directed at Hextall and asked about penalties.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.
- SuperSchennBros

I think Berube was being sarcastic and trying to be humorous there, but there is always a little truth in humor.