his cheeks must have sucked after a game. all sweaty and gnarly
- wilsonecho91

and you know there's a brown dirt ring around the forehead foam. gross.

It's funny when Stevens tries.. he couldn't even reach Lindros' face lol... I still think Lindros could have owned him even more if he wanted to...
- WarriorHockey21

lindros doesn't appear to be a good fighter. very little intensity with his punches. i wish he had (frank)ing caved in stevens ocular bone.

soooo the flyers have mis-used akeson and mis-evaluated his skills, he passed thru waivers making peanuts but has potential to be one of the games greatest and may be able to turn the team/franchise around? yeah


- mydoglicks

hyperbowl much?

I was at that game. It was like 1987 all over again, with Tocchet and Stevens throwing hands.
- johndewar

oh look, the devils are winning 2-1 in the 3rd period in philadelphia. how shocking.

...which has been my rub regarding Homer for the longest time.

If he could've drafted one, or (heaven forbid) two defensemen over his tenure, he wouldn't have had to lay out a 4 year 21 mil contract to a 35 year old Streit, or bid against himself for the services of AMac for an overinflated 6 year, 30 mil deal.

It's like the defenseman who pulls down the forward on a breakaway. It's considered a good play until you realize it was the d-man who let the forward walk by him to begin with. No, it's not a good play. And the Steit/AMac signings weren't good either. Necessary perhaps because of the predicament Homer placed himself in by poor drafting.

Would there have been a need for either if he had drafted Maatta and/or Carlson?
- 77rams

Lecavalier was actually doing very well on the top PP before he got hurt. When he returned from injury, he wasn't on the top PP anymore because Schenn was clicking in his spot. In my opinion, Schenn deserves it more but it doesn't really matter which one of them plays there.
- SuperSchennBros

lather, rinse, repeat.

...which has been my rub regarding Homer for the longest time.

If he could've drafted one, or (heaven forbid) two defensemen over his tenure, he wouldn't have had to lay out a 4 year 21 mil contract to a 35 year old Streit, or bid against himself for the services of AMac for an overinflated 6 year, 30 mil deal.

It's like the defenseman who pulls down the forward on a breakaway. It's considered a good play until you realize it was the d-man who let the forward walk by him to begin with. No, it's not a good play. And the Steit/AMac signings weren't good either. Necessary perhaps because of the predicament Homer placed himself in by poor drafting.

Would there have been a need for either if he had drafted Maatta and/or Carlson?
- 77rams

and you didn't even mention the jvr trade, good work

Okay, What??

Embrace the rebuild, while not worrying about the score, all in the name of Jason Akeson?

I'm sorry, but we've done this. We've seen this episode many times before. We've allowed Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier to bloom through the good and the bad already. We're doing so right now with Scott Laughton and you know what? Laughton is doing his part and Akeson hasn't shown much sign that he's capable.
- SuperSchennBros

So, last season in the Playoffs, when he was put in a suitable role, Akeson didn't show you anything that might indicate he's capable? He didn't "do his part"? Hint: He produced more points in a seven game playoff last season, against a stingy team the Flyers have trouble with, than Laughton has in his first 15 NHL games against various opponents...this included scoring the only goal in game 7...nah, he hasn't shown much a a sign...

Not earth shattering but pretty spot on.

http://www.cbssports.com/...-to-the-bottom-of-the-nhl

The underlined paragraph is absolutely pathetic.

The Flyers' inability to draft and develop their own defensemen has forced them into needing to go outside the organization to find help, often paying a premium to acquire it. Just consider that the last defenseman drafted by the Flyers to play more than 100 games for the team was Joni Pitkanen, the No. 4 overall pick in 2002. Before him, you have to go to back Janne Niinimaa in 1993.
- PLindbergh31

and the 2 best guys they acquired, desjardins and pronger both retired due to injury. shocking.

they have turned the tables finally with some highly rated prospects. we just have to wait now. and as we all now, the wait is the hardest part. /tom petty

Considering that he passed through waivers -- and the Flyers were very confident he would -- I don't think other teams see that in him, either. None of the NHL scouts I talk to do, at least.
- bmeltzer

I'm not surprised that the scouts you speak to don't give him much of a shot. If they did, he would have been drafted. Scouts often get it wrong, especially when it comes to smaller players...most scouts have a size bias. I don't necessarily blame them for that. Size is an appealing attribute when it comes to pro hockey...but I do think that, too often, small players that could be successful in the NHL aren't given the opportunity to show it. I think this could be happening here with Akeson, so, I just want a larger sample size of his play in a suitable role so there can be more certainty as to what he's capable of.

So far, we have two samples of his NHL play to go by...Akeson looked good and was effective in a scoring role with offensively capable linemates last season and he looked mediocre in a checking role with offensively challenged linemates this season. It's pretty likely that the difference in his performance had more to do with his dramatically different role and treatment than any deficiency or flaws in his abilities.

The thing is, what would the flyers have to lose by giving Akeson an extended look in a scoring role at some point? They were willing to put him in that position in important games last season, and he came though. Now, all of the sudden, he can't get a sniff of the top nine or PP because RJ Umberger or Chris Vandevelde need minutes? This is bizzare to me.

I wouldn't be surprised if Berube and or Hexy looked at the roster and decided they want a team that has more size and speed...they probably concluded that Akeson doesn't fit that mold and essentially phased him out and off the team. I get that, but I just think there's enough talent there that you want to be sure what you have before you throw it away...the Flyers invested a good amount of time and money into the kid, and he worked his way up the ranks and was a good soldier. I was excited to see what he could do after seeing him look promising last season. It was offputting and disappointing to see how Berube basically shafted the kid. Some here have hopes that Akeson will someday catch on with another team and make the Flyers regret it...I get that and maybe a small part of me would feel vindicated if that took place...but what I'd rather see is the Flyers give him another shot back in a role similar to the ones he had last season, and in pre-season this year...he produced 8 pts in 14 games in that role and wasn't bad defensively...again, what's the downside to finding out if the kid can maintain that kind of production over a longer sample?

Damn that Jason Akeson. In his 21 NHL games played he has bust written all over him. Burn him!

Better to play those vets who have no chance at significantly improving their games over this bum.
- flyer_nutter

he's clearly proven that he doesn't belong. don't you get that?

So, last season in the Playoffs, when he was put in a suitable role, Akeson didn't show you anything that might indicate he's capable? He didn't "do his part"? Hint: He produced more points in a seven game playoff last season, against a stingy team the Flyers have trouble with, than Laughton has in his first 15 NHL games against various opponents...this included scoring the only goal in game 7...nah, he hasn't shown much a a sign...

- exlund

forget it, man. just forget it.

Apparently he should be a top line winger and would put up 60 points if given the chance....
- MBFlyerfan

Who said this?

Not earth shattering but pretty spot on.

http://www.cbssports.com/...-to-the-bottom-of-the-nhl

The underlined paragraph is absolutely pathetic.

The Flyers' inability to draft and develop their own defensemen has forced them into needing to go outside the organization to find help, often paying a premium to acquire it. Just consider that the last defenseman drafted by the Flyers to play more than 100 games for the team was Joni Pitkanen, the No. 4 overall pick in 2002. Before him, you have to go to back Janne Niinimaa in 1993.
- PLindbergh31

Well good thing they have not drafted any dmen recently and they have no solid prospects.

It's way more productive as as fan to just live in the past.

I'm not surprised that the scouts you speak to don't give him much of a shot. If they did, he would have been drafted. Scouts often get it wrong, especially when it comes to smaller players...most scouts have a size bias. I don't necessarily blame them for that. Size is an appealing attribute when it comes to pro hockey...but I do think that, too often, small players that could be successful in the NHL aren't given the opportunity to show it. I think this could be happening here with Akeson, so, I just want a larger sample size of his play in a suitable role so there can be more certainty as to what he's capable of.

So far, we have two samples of his NHL play to go by...Akeson looked good and was effective in a scoring role with offensively capable linemates last season and he looked mediocre in a checking role with offensively challenged linemates this season. It's pretty likely that the difference in his performance had more to do with his dramatically different role and treatment than any deficiency or flaws in his abilities.

The thing is, what would the flyers have to lose by giving Akeson an extended look in a scoring role at some point? They were willing to put him in that position in important games last season, and he came though. Now, all of the sudden, he can't get a sniff of the top nine or PP because RJ Umberger or Chris Vandevelde need minutes? This is bizzare to me.

I wouldn't be surprised if Berube and or Hexy looked at the roster and decided they want a team that has more size and speed...they probably concluded that Akeson doesn't fit that mold and essentially phased him out and off the team. I get that, but I just think there's enough talent there that you want to be sure what you have before you throw it away...the Flyers invested a good amount of time and money into the kid, and he worked his way up the ranks and was a good soldier. I was excited to see what he could do after seeing him look promising last season. It was offputting and disappointing to see how Berube basically shafted the kid. Some here have hopes that Akeson will someday catch on with another team and make the Flyers regret it...I get that and maybe a small part of me would feel vindicated if that took place...but what I'd rather see is the Flyers give him another shot back in a role similar to the ones he had last season, and in pre-season this year...he produced 8 pts in 14 games in that role and wasn't bad defensively...again, what's the downside to finding out if the kid can maintain that kind of production over a longer sample?
- exlund

The kid has had 21 (frank)ing NHL games total. With most of them this season, I'd wager all of them under 10 minutes of ice time per game.

I don't give a (frank) if he is a bust, so be it. However to classify him as one, or continuously punish him/bench him after such a short time is asinine. Especially when 18 and 40 were given a much longer rope, or Rinaldo.

I'd rather play an unknown, who has a chance to develop into something decent, than try to polish a bunch of turds.

I'm not surprised that the scouts you speak to don't give him much of a shot. If they did, he would have been drafted. Scouts often get it wrong, especially when it comes to smaller players...most scouts have a size bias. I don't necessarily blame them for that. Size is an appealing attribute when it comes to pro hockey...but I do think that, too often, small players that could be successful in the NHL aren't given the opportunity to show it. I think this could be happening here with Akeson, so, I just want a larger sample size of his play in a suitable role so there can be more certainty as to what he's capable of.

So far, we have two samples of his NHL play to go by...Akeson looked good and was effective in a scoring role with offensively capable linemates last season and he looked mediocre in a checking role with offensively challenged linemates this season. It's pretty likely that the difference in his performance had more to do with his dramatically different role and treatment than any deficiency or flaws in his abilities.

The thing is, what would the flyers have to lose by giving Akeson an extended look in a scoring role at some point? They were willing to put him in that position in important games last season, and he came though. Now, all of the sudden, he can't get a sniff of the top nine or PP because RJ Umberger or Chris Vandevelde need minutes? This is bizzare to me.

I wouldn't be surprised if Berube and or Hexy looked at the roster and decided they want a team that has more size and speed...they probably concluded that Akeson doesn't fit that mold and essentially phased him out and off the team. I get that, but I just think there's enough talent there that you want to be sure what you have before you throw it away...the Flyers invested a good amount of time and money into the kid, and he worked his way up the ranks and was a good soldier. I was excited to see what he could do after seeing him look promising last season. It was offputting and disappointing to see how Berube basically shafted the kid. Some here have hopes that Akeson will someday catch on with another team and make the Flyers regret it...I get that and maybe a small part of me would feel vindicated if that took place...but what I'd rather see is the Flyers give him another shot back in a role similar to the ones he had last season, and in pre-season this year...he produced 8 pts in 14 games in that role and wasn't bad defensively...again, what's the downside to finding out if the kid can maintain that kind of production over a longer sample?
- exlund

that's the whole point. give a real look and see what you have. if you have nothing, you've lost nothing by looking. it's not like this is a truly competitive team that should win, or is a piece or two away from being legit. not even close. so what is the big (frank)ing deal?

Worked all day and couldn't check in , what was I worried about..

1. Akegretzy will save us all
2. Flyers suck
3. Flyers blow
4. Flyers are terrible

Who said this?
- exlund

nobody. nobody said this. ever.

Worked all day and couldn't check in , what was I worried about..

1. Akegretzy will save us all
2. Flyers suck
3. Flyers blow
4. Flyers are terrible
- opeth_pa

nobody has said any of that.

forget it, man. just forget it.
- hammarby31

Nope...can't do it. The situation is still salvageable so long as he's still Flyers property...maybe if they don't re-sign him, I'll stop. But why wouldn't they sign him? He's at the very least, a very good AHL player...the Phantoms need to keep a good team in that new building.

Nope...can't do it. The situation is still salvageable so long as he's still Flyers property...maybe if they don't re-sign him, I'll stop. But why wouldn't they sign him? He's at the very least, a very good AHL player...the Phantoms need to keep a good team in that new building.
- exlund

i agree it's salvageable. i'm just saying you're wasting pixels. you've clearly explained the situation in a very reasonable manner, many, many times. you won't get anywhere here with it.

and the 2 best guys they acquired, desjardins and pronger both retired due to injury. shocking.

they have turned the tables finally with some highly rated prospects. we just have to wait now. and as we all now, the wait is the hardest part. /tom petty
- hammarby31

Yup! If one of the prospect turns out to be a top pairing guy, I'd be ecstatic. If 3 of them become NHL regulars that would be great, too

Nope...can't do it. The situation is still salvageable so long as he's still Flyers property...maybe if they don't re-sign him, I'll stop. But why wouldn't they sign him? He's at the very least, a very good AHL player...the Phantoms need to keep a good team in that new building.
- exlund

We dont care who you are.. Unless you do things our way.. Or whatever the (frank) that arrogant sign says.

All while 18, Rinaldo and up until recently 40 get all the rope they can use.

precisely.
- hammarby31

Ty. I love you

oh look, the devils are winning 2-1 in the 3rd period in philadelphia. how shocking.
- hammarby31

sog:
flyers 39
devils 14