nobody in here believes he's the second coming, but he's had proven scoring ability at every level he's played in, and had a good showing in the playoffs with other good linemates. i just don't understand the short leash, and misuse of his best attributes while other players have sucked far worse and continued to play in all situations with double the ice time. it's absurd. (frank)ing absurd.

i hope he goes to another nhl team, rips it up, and sticks it down our (frank)ing throats.
- hammarby31

i hear ya, and i dont get the short leash but long one for others. i mean i get that scouts rip akeson but what do they say about umberg and vlc?! those two are putrid.

nobody in here believes he's the second coming, but he's had proven scoring ability at every level he's played in, and had a good showing in the playoffs with other good linemates. i just don't understand the short leash, and misuse of his best attributes while other players have sucked far worse and continued to play in all situations with double the ice time. it's absurd. (frank)ing absurd.

i hope he goes to another nhl team, rips it up, and sticks it down our (frank)ing throats.
- hammarby31

I think we ask these questions because we haven't been the Florida Panthers or the Columbus Blue Jackets the past twenty years. The players still have to play the roles they were brought in for. Not that anyone asked me but do I believe if we simply scratched Vincent Lecavalier, RJ Umberger and Luke Schenn, we'll start winning? Frankly, if your okay with scratching them, while knowing we're still going to lose, that to me is moronic. I think your just giving yourself more reason to complain by sitting two 4 million dollar players and paying them for doing nothing.

im not going to say he is an awful coach. but, based on many of the concerns you guys have and the direction that seems to be apparent, i really do not think he is a guy you want. AT ALL.
- stayinthefnnet

Merely an opinion on a guy who is out there and a quick and easy comparison to Laviolette.

I'd consider Bylsma, but he's not at the top of my list

ill be trudging this week and the next with you. crunch time.
- stayinthefnnet

Cheers, my friend!

I think we ask these questions because we haven't been the Florida Panthers or the Columbus Blue Jackets the past twenty years. The players still have to play the roles they were brought in for. Not that anyone asked me but do I believe if we simply scratched Vincent Lecavalier, RJ Umberger and Luke Schenn, we'll start winning? Frankly, if your okay with scratching them, while knowing we're still going to lose, that to me is moronic. I think your just giving yourself more reason to complain by sitting two 4 million dollar players and paying them for doing nothing.
- SuperSchennBros

no matter how much ice they get, no matter the line, they have both been horrible all year with no sign of improving. is it really going to matter or hurt the team if they're both scratched for a short time? why not try it and see how the team responds.

i want the team to win, and all of our players to actually contribute. i'm not rooting for us to fail and for our players to suck hairy moose balls.

Warning: Long Post - TLDR Version: ...

Bottom line (TLDR): Can anyone truthfully say that the Flyers put Jason Akeson in the best position to succeed this season? I don't think so. Yet many seem inclined to blame the player alone for his circumstances and current status rather than look at the extenuating circumstances. Akeson deserves another shot at some point, under more favorable circumstances.
- exlund

The player didn't do himself any favors, I think even the most ardent Akeson supporter can agree with that.

That said, neither did the coach. Or the team, for that matter. Jason Akeson might be a young guy that had the week of his life last spring and can never reach those heights again. Or maybe he can. I have no real solid idea.

The only thing I sure of regarding Akeson is, that he'll never be an effective grind line player. He's not a guy who is going to carry lesser skilled linemates, but he seems to be the type of guy who can be an effective sidekick to a line that has skilled players on it.

Akeson has a couple strikes against him, he's small and not particularly fast. If he's going to get a shot with a NHL team it'll need to be soon.

no matter how much ice they get, no matter the line, they have both been horrible all year with no sign of improving. is it really going to matter or hurt the team if they're both scratched for a short time? why not try it and see how the team responds.

i want the team to win, and all of our players to actually contribute. i'm not rooting for us to fail and for our players to suck hairy moose balls.
- hammarby31

I'm not in the least saying not to scratch both players. What I am saying is, it won't matter. I expect the same results.

The player didn't do himself any favors, I think even the most ardent Akeson supporter can agree with that.

That said, neither did the coach. Or the team, for that matter. Jason Akeson might be a young guy that had the week of his life last spring and can never reach those heights again. Or maybe he can. I have no real solid idea.

The only thing I sure of regarding Akeson is, that he'll never be an effective grind line player. He's not a guy who is going to carry lesser skilled linemates, but he seems to be the type of guy who can be an effective sidekick to a line that has skilled players on it.

Akeson has a couple strikes against him, he's small and not particularly fast. If he's going to get a shot with a NHL team it'll need to be soon.
- Jsaquella

Hopefully when management decides to throw in the towel on this season, they bring him back up and let him play top 6 minutes. Give the guy an extended look.

I think we ask these questions because we haven't been the Florida Panthers or the Columbus Blue Jackets the past twenty years. The players still have to play the roles they were brought in for. Not that anyone asked me but do I believe if we simply scratched Vincent Lecavalier, RJ Umberger and Luke Schenn, we'll start winning? Frankly, if your okay with scratching them, while knowing we're still going to lose, that to me is moronic. I think your just giving yourself more reason to complain by sitting two 4 million dollar players and paying them for doing nothing.
- SuperSchennBros

If we scratch them, no, the Flyers will not automatically start winning. Actually, I'd rather see Luke Schenn play a bigger role, despite his issues, because he's younger and more physical than some of the other options-and honestly, he's not playing any worse than Coburn, Grossmann, MacDonald or anyone else, really.

I have zero issue scratching them, even if the team loses, because they're not the future. Umberger might end up getting bought out about 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded. Hextall will undoubtedly trade Lecavalier if he has any takers that don't want to stick him with too much of the cap hit for the next 3 years.

Bring in the kids. See what they can do. There's almost no possible way they can be much worse than Umberger or Lecavalier, and it provides a window to evaluate them against NHL competition.

The only rational reason to give Umberger or Lecavalier more ice time or bigger roles is if it helps Hextall trade them. Unfortunately, the level of play they have shown actually hurts their value.

The player didn't do himself any favors, I think even the most ardent Akeson supporter can agree with that.

That said, neither did the coach. Or the team, for that matter. Jason Akeson might be a young guy that had the week of his life last spring and can never reach those heights again. Or maybe he can. I have no real solid idea.

The only thing I sure of regarding Akeson is, that he'll never be an effective grind line player. He's not a guy who is going to carry lesser skilled linemates, but he seems to be the type of guy who can be an effective sidekick to a line that has skilled players on it.

Akeson has a couple strikes against him, he's small and not particularly fast. If he's going to get a shot with a NHL team it'll need to be soon.
- Jsaquella

I agree completely.

Cheers, my friend!
- Giroux_Is_God

hopefully there will be much clinking of glasses upon the ending of these 2 weeks

Hopefully when management decides to throw in the towel on this season, they bring him back up and let him play top 6 minutes. Give the guy an extended look.
- FlyerFan16

I'd settle for top 9 minutes. I doubt he'll score at a top 6 level in the NHL. I think that his ceiling is third liner who can pot 10-15 goals and help a second powerplay unit. I'm not expecting much more than that-and I'm really not even expecting that.

Just willing to see if he can be that.

I'd settle for top 9 minutes. I doubt he'll score at a top 6 level in the NHL. I think that his ceiling is third liner who can pot 10-15 goals and help a second powerplay unit. I'm not expecting much more than that-and I'm really not even expecting that.

Just willing to see if he can be that.
- Jsaquella

That's fair. But, I don't expect it.

If we scratch them, no, the Flyers will not automatically start winning. Actually, I'd rather see Luke Schenn play a bigger role, despite his issues, because he's younger and more physical than some of the other options.

I have zero issue scratching them, even if the team loses, because they're not the future. Umberger might end up getting bought out about 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded. Hextall will undoubtedly trade Lecavalier if he has any takers that don't want to stick him with too much of the cap hit for the next 3 years.

Bring in the kids. See what they can do. There's almost no possible way they can be much worse than Umberger or Lecavalier, and it provides a window to evaluate them against NHL competition.

The only rational reason to give Umberger or Lecavalier more ice time or bigger roles is if it helps Hextall trade them. Unfortunately, the level of play they have shown actually hurts their value.
- Jsaquella

All I can say is, at least half of this season to date, Lecavalier and Umberger have played together.

Merely an opinion on a guy who is out there and a quick and easy comparison to Laviolette.

I'd consider Bylsma, but he's not at the top of my list
- Jsaquella

yeah i understand. i just think a lot of the issues that people gripe about berube for, DB has as well.

young players, ridiculously short leash. Only now is despres starting to show flashes since he finally gets to relax and play. He loves the whole grinding attitude. He would probably fall head over heels for a guy like VdV. He is a very buddy buddy coach with his players, and loves effort. But your young guys would be hard pressed to get playing time, especially in the back end, as long as guys like grossmann and schultz were still around.

That's fair. But, I don't expect it.
- FlyerFan16

maybe if actually gets a legitimate chance to go through some growing pains at the nhl level, he might. he's a (frank)ing rookie.

oh that's right, it's better to trot out vdv, jones and play the other schlock 15 minutes a night.

I'd settle for top 9 minutes. I doubt he'll score at a top 6 level in the NHL. I think that his ceiling is third liner who can pot 10-15 goals and help a second powerplay unit. I'm not expecting much more than that-and I'm really not even expecting that.

Just willing to see if he can be that.
- Jsaquella

exactly. that about realistically sums him up for me as well. and i just have a hard time believing that type of player doesnt belong on an NHL roster.

All I can say is, at least half of this season to date, Lecavalier and Umberger have played together.
- SuperSchennBros

So what? Umberger's in his second straight year of bad play. Lecavalier is in his second straight-a lot of folks would argue third straight-season of poor play.

I don;t give a rat's ass what they did 4 years ago. I care that right now, when they are on the ice, either together or apart, the Flyers are getting outshot and outchanced at a higher rate than when they are not on the ice.

That's not conductive to winning hockey. I'd rather see Akeson get a chance to prove or disprove he can be a NHL player than see Lecavalier skating lazy circles collecting a check or Umberger blowing coverage or icing the puck two strides before he hits the red line.

So what? Umberger's in his second straight year of bad play. Lecavalier is in his second straight-a lot of folks would argue third straight-season of poor play.

I don;t give a rat's ass what they did 4 years ago. I care that right now, when they are on the ice, either together or apart, the Flyers are getting outshot and outchanced at a higher rate than when they are not on the ice.

That's not conductive to winning hockey. I'd rather see Akeson get a chance to prove or disprove he can be a NHL player than see Lecavalier skating lazy circles collecting a check or Umberger blowing coverage or icing the puck two strides before he hits the red line.
- Jsaquella

Beyond them, we have no solid kids coming up through the pipe line at wing who are expected to become a Flyer in the near future.

Beyond them, we have no solid kids coming up through the pipe line at wing who are expected to become a Flyer in the near future.
- SuperSchennBros

What does that matter? If you put garbage in, you're going to get garbage out. Umberger and Lecavalier have been garbage for an extended period of time. When they play the Flyers generally have been dominated.

I'd rather see what Akeson can do. Or even a kid like Taylor Leier, even if he's not felt to be on a fast track to the NHL. Or the next time a team waives a Brian Gibbons or Matt Frattin, grab him and see if he can fit in at a low salary.

What does that matter? If you put garbage in, you're going to get garbage out. Umberger and Lecavalier have been garbage for an extended period of time. When they play the Flyers generally have been dominated.

I'd rather see what Akeson can do. Or even a kid like Taylor Leier, even if he's not felt to be on a fast track to the NHL. Or the next time a team waives a Brian Gibbons or Matt Frattin, grab him and see if he can fit in at a low salary.
- Jsaquella

Well gee golly, write Hextall a letter. I'm sure he could do all of this and when it blows up in his face, he'll be accused of rushing the kids or going back on his "plan".

yeah i understand. i just think a lot of the issues that people gripe about berube for, DB has as well.

young players, ridiculously short leash. Only now is despres starting to show flashes since he finally gets to relax and play. He loves the whole grinding attitude. He would probably fall head over heels for a guy like VdV. He is a very buddy buddy coach with his players, and loves effort. But your young guys would be hard pressed to get playing time, especially in the back end, as long as guys like grossmann and schultz were still around.
- stayinthefnnet

True, and that's my main area of concern with him. I've talked to several Pens fans who feel Disco Dan was a hinderance to the development of several young guys.

Right now, my first two choices/guesses would be Guy Boucher & Mark Morris. Boucher has some NHL bonafides. Morris worked with Hextall at Manchester and won a Calder Cup.

Well gee golly, write Hextall a letter. I'm sure he could do all of this and when it blows up in his face, he'll be accused of rushing the kids or going back on his "plan".
- SuperSchennBros

He could bench them both now and not go back on his plan or call up a single kid. I'd rather see Blair Jones than RJ Umberger.

He could bench them both now and not go back on his plan or call up a single kid. I'd rather see Blair Jones than RJ Umberger.
- Jsaquella

Blair Jones made the team and was sent down.

True, and that's my main area of concern with him. I've talked to several Pens fans who feel Disco Dan was a hinderance to the development of several young guys.

Right now, my first two choices/guesses would be Guy Boucher & Mark Morris. Boucher has some NHL bonafides. Morris worked with Hextall at Manchester and won a Calder Cup.
- Jsaquella

yeah. he needs a veteran team. not one looking to groom guys coming up.

you can have mike johnston after the pens get babcock next year