KFC would probably be preferable to my relatives' cooking.

i swear they set their oven to Hiroshima before they put the bird in.
- stayinthefnnet

Its getting tougher and tougher to root for this team. A few bright spots and three lines of passengers. It kinda seems like guys are 'checking out'. What makes me think that? 8 majors and less PIMs than 19 other teams. When the wheels were falling off last year, it wasn't until Emery let everyone know how much the team's performance was bothering him (much to the chagrin of Brayden Holtby) and what happened, a relatively passive veteran (VLC) follows suit and suddenly the flyers are caring again....I don't care that Vinny got hurt then, what I care about is him being passionate enough to say I'm a member of this team and we've got to end this funk....
A fight isn't the answer but that will to fight (both figuratively and literally) is where the positives are hidden. I don't think many flyers have that will and fighting spirit anymore. Would Vinny fight again and risk injury? Would Simmonds take a puck off the face and come back or just sit the rest of the night out? Would G mix it up with Crosby or Letang? Not so sure anymore....

If I'm the Chief I'm sending the message now....if you don't want to compete, you can watch. I'm sure there are a few hungry prospects that are willing to play above their capabilities. I'm sure a game or two at the NHL level will not harm a prospects' development. I'm sure the enthusiasm, energy and adrenaline of a first, second or third game with the big club would be enough to compensate for any potential 'rookie' mistakes while hopefully opening the eyes of the passengers assigned to the press box.

Winning is the most important thing at this level. But as a fan, if the coach is handcuffed by management, contracts, salary cap or whatever, I'd rather us lose with a group passionate guys on the ice than watch a signficant portion of the team just punch the clock and go out for a twirl to collect their cheque.

I don't dislike the kid. It's not even 'trade him', just send him down to the Phantoms where he can freakin' get some ice time.
- tangent_man

id throw him right into the fire, immediately with malkin and kunitz.

hell, id even let him go with sutter and downie on the third line. its not like the pens really go with a physical, grinding third line. its more about puck control and cycling. maybe he brings some puck skill to help sutter out.

or heaven forbid, puts adams in the press box. again, its not like he really provides a hitting, grinding element.

akeson on the fourth line isnt necessarily a death sentence, depending on what your objectives on the fourth line are. rinaldo and akeson cant really work on the same line. they are contrasting concepts. the pens dont really have that element/objective for any line

I just don't like moving a young guy, who has shown ability, because a coach who might not be long for the team, can't find a spot for him/doesn't want to give him a chance with guys who better fit his skills.
- Jsaquella

I agree.

Good chance for stolarz to get something going now, with the Zepp injury. He's basically got the same stats as him already, so hopefully this is what propels Stollie to get some more starts even when Zepp comes back.

So the flyers are behind their pace of last year after 21 games.

Boy that's hard to do. Vegas was spot on didnt they have McClellan and berube 1 and 2 for first to get fired?

So the flyers are behind their pace of last year after 21 games.

Boy that's hard to do. Vegas was spot on didnt they have McClellan and berube 1 and 2 for first to get fired?
- Just5

the Flyers had a team meeting after the game to discuss Thanksgiving dinner plans

the Flyers had a team meeting after the game to discuss Thanksgiving dinner plans
- vejim

Crow, lots and lots of crow

oh, and some brains for Umberger

The coach is delusional if he thinks the issue is compete level.

These are things coaches say because it's one of the few things they can control.
- bradleyc4

Well he did get punched in the head for a living so maybe that's why he thinks that or at least says it to the media.

Crow, lots and lots of crow

oh, and some brains for Umberger
- BiggE

Pretty sure zombieberger eats brains. Which would explain whats happening with the team. they seem to be all turning into zombies except for a select few.

Why the hell would they waive akeson

Hopefully he doesn't get picked up.

Enjoy your food comas boys and girls.

I know damn well I have a lot to be thankful for, even apart from Bill's stellar blogs and hard work day in and day out! Thanks Bill!

Here's to all you miscreants. Have a happy rest of the American Thanksgiving day!

Why the hell would they waive akeson

Hopefully he doesn't get picked up.
- Giroux_Is_God

I think he's not exempt, that could be why

Enjoy your food comas boys and girls.

I know damn well I have a lot to be thankful for, even apart from Bill's stellar blogs and hard work day in and day out! Thanks Bill!

Here's to all you miscreants. Have a happy rest of the American Thanksgiving day!
- Giroux_Is_God

Right back at ya GiG!

Glad they waived Akeson. He's too young to not be playing, and the Flyers aren't the only team in professional hockey

Good chance for stolarz to get something going now, with the Zepp injury. He's basically got the same stats as him already, so hopefully this is what propels Stollie to get some more starts even when Zepp comes back.
- Yosimar89

If Stolarz is barely playing. How is Zep looking and will we need Emery another year?

Enjoy your food comas boys and girls.

I know damn well I have a lot to be thankful for, even apart from Bill's stellar blogs and hard work day in and day out! Thanks Bill!

Here's to all you miscreants. Have a happy rest of the American Thanksgiving day!
- Giroux_Is_God

Same to you, sir

If Stolarz is barely playing. How is Zep looking and will we need Emery another year?
- SuperSchennBros

Zepp is actually playing well. 12 games, 2.43 GAA and a .921 SV%. That depends on what the club feels, i don't think they're comfortable enough handing the back up duties to a guy who's never played in the NHL though.

Zepp is actually playing well. 12 games, 2.43 GAA and a .921 SV%. That depends on what the club feels, i don't think they're comfortable enough handing the back up duties to a guy who's never played in the NHL though.
- Yosimar89

He's going to get limited starts & as Bill said he's not that close.

He's going to get limited starts & as Bill said he's not that close.
- ob18

Not saying he is, but he's putting up the same numbers as Zepp, so again whatever they may see in him that deems him not even ready to at least get 50/50 in the AHL isn't showing up in the games he's played.

One's the future and the other is a 33 year old who's ceiling is career backup in the NHL/ starter in a Euro league/AHL goalie.

Thoughts on Fazleev? It seems like Calgary have moved him up from third line duty and it's showing in his production.

Glad they waived Akeson. He's too young to not be playing, and the Flyers aren't the only team in professional hockey
- AllInForFlyers

I agree. He can't be the 14th forward here.

Not saying he is, but he's putting up the same numbers as Zepp, so again whatever they may see in him that deems him not even ready to at least get 50/50 in the AHL isn't showing up in the games he's played.

One's the future and the other is a 33 year old who's ceiling is career backup in the NHL/ starter in a Euro league/AHL goalie.

Thoughts on Fazleev? It seems like Calgary have moved him up from third line duty and it's showing in his production.
- Yosimar89

He was on a top line to start the year but he got off to a slow start, finally got it going and he's been rewarded.

Like his game but my guess is if he projects out he's probably a fringe 2nd liner and more likely 3rd liner.

Zepp is actually playing well. 12 games, 2.43 GAA and a .921 SV%. That depends on what the club feels, i don't think they're comfortable enough handing the back up duties to a guy who's never played in the NHL though.
- Yosimar89

Zepp has actually been fantastic. Every game I've watched, he's made some gigantic stops.

He was on a top line to start the year but he got off to a slow start, finally got it going and he's been rewarded.

Like his game but my guess is if he projects out he's probably a fringe 2nd liner and more likely 3rd liner.
- ob18

That would be a hell of a steal considering he was a 6th round pick.

Problem solved. Flyers waived Akeson
- Jsaquella

Free Akeson = success!