He's had a very good preseason. Likely to start the season on the third line (centered by Shawn Horcoff) but could see time in the top six as well.
- bmeltzer

What kind of holes does he have in his game? Do you think he is going to be as good as the Malkins and Ovechkin's of the league?

Again: You harp on Akeson. But when was the last time a Top 6 forward on this team scored a goal?

It's always excuses -- like Bill said in the blog. There's always excuses.

But expecting Top 6 forwards on this team to actually put the puck in the net -- just like every other team in the preseason -- isn't too much to ask.

They're 1-4-1 in the preseason. Other teams have had breaks, other teams have dressed AHL rosters.

We're the only team that's falling all over ourselves to find a way to get Scott Laughton onto the roster with absolutely no production to back it up.
- AllInForFlyers

Oh, I remember you from a few days back.
Never mind, I'm not playing this round.

Yea, like I said I forgot they were sold, but that doesnt change the fact that the Devils made the decisions they did because of financial reasons.

First because they didnt forfiet the 29th pick in 2012, they had to decide between 2013 and 2014. They decided to keep 2013 because it was a high pick. Then they decided that they couldnt afford a UFA goalie in 2014 and didn't have the 2014 pick to trade, they went and got Schneider.

IMO if they gave up that 2012 pick, they would have traded the 2014 pick for Schneider and would have drafted Nichushkin. Then I would start to think NJ would be turning the corner.
- youarewrong

Wait, so you think they decided to get Schneider because they couldnt afford to get a goalie in UFA? You arent that naive are you?

Wait, so you think they decided to get Schneider because they couldnt afford to get a goalie in UFA? You arent that naive are you?
- jak521

Not everyone can afford a Yann Danis.

The Gagne thing is another black mark on Homer's reputation. Gagne earned a re-up with the way he performed when he came back last season, and to be tossed aside for somebody who never even showed up? He brought back career backup Boucher THREE TIMES. Simon grew up with the Flyers, and deserved better, and would have been better for the team, as well. By way of comparison, cheaper than Jagr, faster, better on D.
- element_104

Well, we don't know if it was Homer or Gagne or Hextall. Maybe Gagne did something bad in LA and told Homer about it that changed his mind. Maybe Gagne wouldnt accept the deal Homer was offering. Maybe Gagne is hurt right now, and that is why he isn't playing or signing with anyone.

I think NJ has just as much, if not better, a shot at making the postseason as the Flyers.
- bradleyc4

Our only bright spot on that front is that Schneider has peaked too early:-)

Oh, I remember you from a few days back.
Never mind, I'm not playing this round.
- jmatchett383

I remember you too -- you like to talk about what players might do and can do, then moan about it when they don't do anything.

No, I don't want Jason Akeson to be the Flyers first-line winger. But at this point, it's past time for the veterans to stop tuning up and actually start accomplishing something -- again, like every other team in the league.

Wait, so you think they decided to get Schneider because they couldnt afford to get a goalie in UFA? You arent that naive are you?
- jak521

I don't understand why he is saying Schneider is average. I mean he struggled after winning the starting job but finished with a 927 save % and his situation was unlike many other goalies with that goalie saga that was going on. I expect both Lou and Schneider to have great season this year now that that whole thing has ended!

What kind of holes does he have in his game? Do you think he is going to be as good as the Malkins and Ovechkin's of the league?
- youarewrong

Most reasonable projections have him being as good as Lindros, but I could see him as a poor man's Lemieux -- just ballpark.

Wait, so you think they decided to get Schneider because they couldnt afford to get a goalie in UFA? You arent that naive are you?
- jak521

When the decision was made to trade for Schneider, yes I believe they thought that trading for Schneider was safer and cheaper then waiting until 2014's UFA goalies and either having to pay more then they could afford, or losing out all-together because... who really wants to play in Jersey?

I remember you too -- you like to talk about what players might do and can do, then moan about it when they don't do anything.

No, I don't want Jason Akeson to be the Flyers first-line winger. But at this point, it's past time for the veterans to stop tuning up and actually start accomplishing something -- again, like every other team in the league.
- AllInForFlyers

You need to stop being so positive and optimistic about these meaningless games.

Most reasonable projections have him being as good as Lindros, but I could see him as a poor man's Lemieux -- just ballpark.
- Tomahawk

I fully expect him to break Gretzky's career records by his 3rd season.

I remember you too -- you like to talk about what players might do and can do, then moan about it when they don't do anything.

No, I don't want Jason Akeson to be the Flyers first-line winger. But at this point, it's past time for the veterans to stop tuning up and actually start accomplishing something -- again, like every other team in the league.
- AllInForFlyers

Pretty sure the time to start accomplishing is Oct 2.

Pretty sure the time to start accomplishing is Oct 2.
- BulliesPhan87

Then why are we talking about firing Peter Laviolette this morning then?

When the decision was made to trade for Schneider, yes I believe they thought that trading for Schneider was safer and cheaper then waiting until 2014's UFA goalies and either having to pay more then they could afford, or losing out all-together because... who really wants to play in Jersey?
- youarewrong

Scot Stevens
Scott Neidermayer
Martin Broduer

Just to name as few of the recent HOFers who had no trouble playing there for decades+

Really man broke ? Look at who our owner is. I thought you would already know seeing as he owns the 76ers. The guy is worth 2.1 Billion. If anything we finally have financial stability to spend with the big boys. We still have one of the best active GMs in the League and even though we might be lacking the stars Like Crosby,Tavares, Giroux,Nash, that the rest of the teams boast we can roll 3 2nd lines and a solid 4th line. I am also not agreeing that taking Matteau was the right move but I doubt the guy we would of drafter this year wouldn't be ready to play on the big club next year like Matteau who will have 3 years of development under his belt come next season.
- blizzzard

The point with the Matteau thing is, you had to give up a 1st rounder, so why not give up the 29th pick when statistically there's only a 3% chance of getting a lower overall pick over the next two seasons, and that 3% means you would have had to win the Cup as well.

Unless Matteau is literally a can't miss pick, which he isn't.

With that being said, I think Schneider wins the Vezina this year. I watched him a ton last year, he's a stud goalie and behind this NJ defense he will excel.

Then why are we talking about firing Peter Laviolette this morning then?
- AllInForFlyers

People have been talking about that since we lost to NJ 2 seasons ago. And because people are reactionary as hell about meaningless preseason games.

Well, we don't know if it was Homer or Gagne or Hextall. Maybe Gagne did something bad in LA and told Homer about it that changed his mind. Maybe Gagne wouldnt accept the deal Homer was offering. Maybe Gagne is hurt right now, and that is why he isn't playing or signing with anyone.
- youarewrong

Well Gags said that he was expecting an offer, and felt like he got a slap in the face after reading in the news that Homer said "our time to sign Simon has passed," or something similar after the Cleary debacle.

Maybe Columbus will sign him. That seems to be the premier destination for Flyers who've had the rug pulled out from under them by Homer.

Then why are we talking about firing Peter Laviolette this morning then?
- AllInForFlyers

Because of problems spanning much further than this preseason, problems that go back further than even last season.

I don't understand why he is saying Schneider is average. I mean he struggled after winning the starting job but finished with a 927 save % and his situation was unlike many other goalies with that goalie saga that was going on. I expect both Lou and Schneider to have great season this year now that that whole thing has ended!
- blizzzard

I'm just not a Schneider fan. Never was. I didn't want the Flyers to go after him either. I remember another goalie that put up good numbers in another a city, then came to philly... and... well....

Schneirder isnt a crappy goalie, but I dont think he will be an all-star. And he wont be top 3 in the conference. Sorry. He just wasn't work the 9th overall pick in such a deep draft.

The point with the Matteau thing is, you had to give up a 1st rounder, so why not give up the 29th pick when statistically there's only a 3% chance of getting a lower overall pick over the next two seasons, and that 3% means you would have had to win the Cup as well.

Unless Matteau is literally a can't miss pick, which he isn't.

With that being said, I think Schneider wins the Vezina this year. I watched him a ton last year, he's a stud goalie and behind this NJ defense he will excel.
- GirouxForTheShow

Because exorcising demons = priceless:

Scot Stevens
Scott Neidermayer
Martin Broduer

Just to name as few of the recent HOFers who had no trouble playing there for decades+
- jmatchett383

Sorry how many of them were UFA signings?

The point with the Matteau thing is, you had to give up a 1st rounder, so why not give up the 29th pick when statistically there's only a 3% chance of getting a lower overall pick over the next two seasons, and that 3% means you would have had to win the Cup as well.

Unless Matteau is literally a can't miss pick, which he isn't.

With that being said, I think Schneider wins the Vezina this year. I watched him a ton last year, he's a stud goalie and behind this NJ defense he will excel.
- GirouxForTheShow

And I don't agree with the decision. I don't know if I am just not a good hockey scout but he has shown me nothing other then he knows how to get his equipment on. He isn't physical or assertive. I just don't see him being anything more then a 4th liner. If I had to make the 29th pick I think I would of taken Pearson over Matteau.

Sorry how many of them were UFA signings?
- youarewrong

None...but you asked "Who wants to play in NJ" and I gave you 3 names of pretty good players who seemed to like it.

Oh, I remember you from a few days back.
Never mind, I'm not playing this round.
- jmatchett383

I personally agree with him. Akeson is a much better candidate for top line duty than Voracek. That guy practically never scores, where as Akeson is a Goal Per Game player at this point in his career.