If Vinny cant stand in the right circle and take batting practice on the PP he is useless.
- MBFlyerfan

Fixed

Fixed
- Tomahawk

Honestly, we can just jettison the prepositional phrase. He's just plain useless.

Fixed
- Tomahawk

Pretty much

He is eligible but is better off in the AHL than in a third WJC.
- bmeltzer

bill what is the plan with goulbourne, are they going to get him signed ?

I would take a look at him if the price is right. He would bring some grit but who would you move from your top 9.
- 3flyerkids

rj umberger

Fixed
- Tomahawk

I stand corrected.

bill what is the plan with goulbourne, are they going to get him signed ?
- -davies-

That kid ain't worth a contract slot

rj umberger
- -davies-

Gldaly...IF they buy that Zombie out

However, if you ask me who is a more valuable player, Jones or Akeson, I would tell you it's Jones because he can do more things. Jones has played 132 NHL games. I hope Akeson proves me wrong, but I don't think he'll make to 50 NHL GP even when he (almost inevitably) changes organizations.

Akeson did score a shootout goal on Saturday and had the huge four-point (2G, 2A) game yesterday. However, he was benched for much of the third period on Friday night. It shouldn't take that to spur him.
- bmeltzer

I repsect your opinion Bill, but personally, I don't think it's prudent to make conclusions about Akeson's NHL potential until we see if he can continue to produce when playing on more of a scoring role like he did last season, versus being miscast in a checking role with offensively challenged linemates that was tried this season. Akeson actually played more minutes in the former role last season when he was productive (.5 pts per game) and looked like he belonged, than in the latter, this season, when he looked ineffective...yet his detractors seem to want to favor the smaller sample size of mediocre play this season when giving their opinion.

Akeson has always had his doubters...by and large he's proven them wrong, but in order to do that at the NHL level he needs to be put into a position to succeed...he's not the type of player that can easily prove his value in a checking line role and work his way up to a scoring role where he belongs...he doesn't have the size, physical game or skating to do that...he needs a GM/coach etc., that understands this and can put him in situations that play to his strengths...I think this notion is abundantly evident in the disparity between his performance and effectiveness last season vs. this season. We'll see if he ever gets that chance (again) with the Flyers. It's tough to see how he will at this point, but you never know how things play out.

Akeson for Stewart.

Unrelated: What would happen if the Flyers waive RJ?

Vinny?

I suspect no one would take them and the Flyers would be on the hook for all but 900,000 right?

Would it help Vinny to think about retirement? Would it give him conditioning while waiting for his next chance?

Akeson for Stewart.

Unrelated: What would happen if the Flyers waive RJ?

Vinny?

I suspect no one would take them and the Flyers would be on the hook for all but 900,000 right?

Would it help Vinny to think about retirement? Would it give him conditioning while waiting for his next chance?
- coffee junkie

Vinny: NMC. They can't waive him.

Umby: $925k max savings.

Akeson for Stewart.

Unrelated: What would happen if the Flyers waive RJ?

Vinny?

I suspect no one would take them and the Flyers would be on the hook for all but 900,000 right?

Would it help Vinny to think about retirement? Would it give him conditioning while waiting for his next chance?
- coffee junkie

Pass on Stewart. He'd just become another player for us to complain about.

I repsect your opinion Bill, but personally, I don't think it's prudent to make conclusions about Akeson's NHL potential until we see if he can continue to produce when playing on more of a scoring role like he did last season, versus being miscast in a checking role with offensively challenged linemates that was tried this season. Akeson actually played more minutes in the former role last season when he was productive (.5 pts per game) and looked like he belonged, than in the latter, this season, when he looked ineffective...yet his detractors seem to want to favor the smaller sample size of mediocre play this season when giving their opinion.

Akeson has always had his doubters...by and large he's proven them wrong, but in order to do that at the NHL level he needs to be put into a position to succeed...he's not the type of player that can easily prove his value in a checking line role and work his way up to a scoring role where he belongs...he doesn't have the size, physical game or skating to do that...he needs a GM/coach etc., that understands this and can put him in situations that play to his strengths...I think this notion is abundantly evident in the disparity between his performance and effectiveness last season vs. this season. We'll see if he ever gets that chance (again) with the Flyers. It's tough to see how he will at this point, but you never know how things play out.
- exlund

I understand what you are saying here. But he is such a one dimensional player that in order for him to stay in the lineup he would have to produce at a pretty prodigious pace for him to overcome his AHL level skills. The Flyers don't believe he can do it, nor does most of the NHL if we are to take Bills word for it.

You keep talking about his "effectiveness" last season. He had 7 games in the playoffs. Sure he performed well. But come training camp he showed himself to be the same below average NHL, above average AHL player that everyone thinks he is. The Flyers and Berube were trying to HELP HIM by putting him on the 4th line in the hopes that he would show that he can work hard and do the things necessary to show he belongs in the NHL. IE, win battles along the boards, get in on the forecheck, play responsible defensive game....all against the other teams inferior players. He couldn't do it. The hockey world and the AHL is littered with players just like him. He is just not good enough.

I repsect your opinion Bill, but personally, I don't think it's prudent to make conclusions about Akeson's NHL potential until we see if he can continue to produce when playing on more of a scoring role like he did last season, versus being miscast in a checking role with offensively challenged linemates that was tried this season. Akeson actually played more minutes in the former role last season when he was productive (.5 pts per game) and looked like he belonged, than in the latter, this season, when he looked ineffective...yet his detractors seem to want to favor the smaller sample size of mediocre play this season when giving their opinion.

Akeson has always had his doubters...by and large he's proven them wrong, but in order to do that at the NHL level he needs to be put into a position to succeed...he's not the type of player that can easily prove his value in a checking line role and work his way up to a scoring role where he belongs...he doesn't have the size, physical game or skating to do that...he needs a GM/coach etc., that understands this and can put him in situations that play to his strengths...I think this notion is abundantly evident in the disparity between his performance and effectiveness last season vs. this season. We'll see if he ever gets that chance (again) with the Flyers. It's tough to see how he will at this point, but you never know how things play out.
- exlund

You know Akeson was just on waivers. If any team saw a huge value in him they could have had him for nothing. I think that shows that no one took a chance on him.

Yes he could provide spot duty on an NHL roster but I just don't see enough strengths that will make him a consistant NHL player.

Devon Setagouchi was waived and he has proven NHL success. Akeson doesn't have half the success Setagutchi has had yet he is supposed to be placed in a top 9 roll.

Pass on Stewart. He'd just become another player for us to complain about.
- Streit2ThePoint

Wouldn't that be a reason to get him!?

Wouldn't that be a reason to get him!?
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah.. getting kinda tired of beating down Umby, Vinny, and Coby... we need some fresh meat!

Vinny: NMC. They can't waive him.

Umby: $925k max savings.
- Tomahawk

I have to say that Umberger, as flawed as he is now, is at least playing at replacement level right now

That's good enough for me, considering how awful he had been playing and that I never expected him to play to his cap hit

I have to say that Umberger, as flawed as he is now, is at least playing at replacement level right now

That's good enough for me, considering how awful he had been playing and that I never expected him to play to his cap hit
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, money aside, he can still play a borderline 3rd line or a 4th line role.

Vinny is useless in that role.

I can totally understand if there aren't very Chris Stewart fans here but I'm wondering, if we made a deal for him, shouldn't his cap hit come down to any team that trades for him due to his contract winding down this season?

I want Chris Stewart. I think we could use the toughness and grit. Obviously familiar Simmonds as close friends, so I'm assuming Simmonds should have a positive effect on him in terms of work ethic. I think our second PP unit looks pathetic most nights, so I believe him being a net presence should be an upgrade there. I think he could be a fit with Read and Couturier but if not there, he hastop line experience too, not that I'm forcing Raffl off the top line.

I think Chris Stewart is a fit here. In terms of resigning him. Same approach as Del Zotto and Mason. Stewart can take it or leave it this summer.
- SuperSchennBros

Any team trading for Stewart would take on the remaining pro rated portion that's left on his deal for this season.
I think the Flyers could use the size, but I also think they need speed, and a playmaking forward more then the type of player that Stewart is.
The Flyers didn't spend any assets to acquire Del Zotto. Can't give up substantial assets to acquire a pending UFA with the approach that he can take it or leave it.

Yeah, money aside, he can still play a borderline 3rd line or a 4th line role.

Vinny is useless.
- MBFlyerfan

FTFY

That kid ain't worth a contract slot
- Just5

they better sign him after using a 3rd rounder on him

Just read an article which stated Snider was "proud" of the Flyers during their west coast road trip.

I think Easy Eddie is softening in his golden years. Proud of losing 2 out of 3 games? Good lord....

Pass on Stewart. He'd just become another player for us to complain about.
- Streit2ThePoint

I wouldn't mind taking a shot at stewart except he is making 4.1. they would need to take RJ or Vinny (who would have to waive) to open up that kind of space and why would Buffalo do that?

Any team trading for Stewart would take on the remaining pro rated portion that's left on his deal for this season.
I think the Flyers could use the size, but I also think they need speed, and a playmaking forward more then the type of player that Stewart is.
The Flyers didn't spend any assets to acquire Del Zotto. Can't give up substantial assets to acquire a pending UFA with the approach that he can take it or leave it.
- MJL

Definitely goes without saying I would be pissed if they moved any decent asset for a 27 yo pending UFA who has been struggling

I wouldn't mind taking a shot at stewart except he is making 4.1. they would need to take RJ or Vinny (who would have to waive) to open up that kind of space and why would Buffalo do that?
- nastyflyergirl

Umberger + CBJ's 4th for Stewart? They get an extra pick and a cap hit to help them meet the floor in 15-16 and 16-17.