Agreed. No more sheltered use and depth PP guy, get him out there more and let him play a ton of minutes.
- Jsaquella

I honestly believe thats part of why they were moving him all around.. Kinda sheltering him from some things.

He has a really good set of skills. He is physical, has a good shot, reads the play really well, and is a very good play maker as well. I think he will do really well with more time. He is also only 22.

Thanks. I mean, you cannot like him all you want. But when it comes down to it, he's simply the best player in the game right now.
- jmatchett383

Which makes it all the more painful when people say he's overrated. He's done everything and will continue to do more, regardless of the fact that we all hate him.

I honestly believe thats part of why they were moving him all around.. Kinda sheltering him from some things.

He has a really good set of skills. He is physical, has a good shot, reads the play really well, and is a very good play maker as well. I think he will do really well with more time. He is also only 22.
- jak521

People are giving up on him because he was once touted as the "best player not in the NHL" the year we traded for him, and he's been showing some growing pains. If he can just improve his skating and finishing ability, he can become a very solid player.

I honestly believe thats part of why they were moving him all around.. Kinda sheltering him from some things.

He has a really good set of skills. He is physical, has a good shot, reads the play really well, and is a very good play maker as well. I think he will do really well with more time. He is also only 22.
- jak521

Agreed. He's really got to be used better by the coaches. I hope he gts to stick with Giroux or Voracek and blossoms, be it as a center or a wing.

youaredeleted
- jmatchett383

f u

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Umburger-Lecavalier-Voracek
Raffl-Couturier-Read

Lindros debate
Crosby debate
Iron Maiden is great
(that last one is not up for debate)
- BulliesPhan87

Sounds riveting

People are giving up on him because he was once touted as the "best player not in the NHL" the year we traded for him, and he's been showing some growing pains. If he can just improve his skating and finishing ability, he can become a very solid player.
- Litepow

I don't think anyone is giving up on him. Or at least, not the informed fans. Which, if you read the Flyers Facebook pages, Philly.com or listen to WIP/97.5, you aren't going to hear many informed fans.

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Umburger-Lecavalier-Voracek
Raffl/Akeson-Couturier-Read
- SuperSchennBros

Maybe.

f u
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah, well, f U2. They suck.

I really dont notice too much of a difference. I think he can produce (and at a decent clip) pretty much any where.

I would just like to see some consistency with line mates.
- jak521

And consistency with a position. I think he's more suited to the Wing. But regardless, if he's going to be a Center, keep him there. If he's a Wing, keep him there.

Maybe.



- MBFlyerfan

I'm convinced Akeson is NHL ready, and with the one year contract it seems this is last chance to impress the Flyers brass. He either makes the team, or is buried another year in the Phantoms.

So, a question to you all:

After the moves that the Flyers have made this off season, where do you see the team finishing this upcoming year?

I think that if they stay relatively healthy (always a key) and young players like Couturier and B. Schenn continue to improve, that they will finish somewhere between 95-100 points.

At 95 points, I think they finish 3rd or 4th in the division and, if they are 4th, squeak in as the 7th or 8th seed. If they reach 100 points, I think they are either 2nd or 3rd in the division.

Thoughts?
- BiggE

without a number 1 defenseman it doesn't matter. First or second round exits are all that's in the cards for a few years until our d prospects can make an impact in the NHL. The offense on this team is actually pretty great but without a solid d corp it's a wash.

Sounds riveting
- Giroux_Is_God

the dawg days of summer are upon us

People are giving up on him because he was once touted as the "best player not in the NHL" the year we traded for him, and he's been showing some growing pains. If he can just improve his skating and finishing ability, he can become a very solid player.
- Litepow

People get way too carried away with his draft position... even Pierre "King of Hyperbole" MacGuire only called him a prototypical 2nd-line C on draft day.

IMO, his development is still right on track.

I'd love to see him take steps forward defensively so they can stop worrying about sheltering his line so much. I'm not worried about points/goals at all with him... I'm fairly confident that those will increase commensurately w/ more icetime.

Yeah, well, f U2. They suck.
- jmatchett383

Bono is a tool who uses charity to inflate his own ego. He's also made out of poop, I heard.

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Umburger-Lecavalier-Voracek
Raffl-Couturier-Read
- SuperSchennBros

I have a huge problem with schenn playing wing an out of position at such a crucial time in his devolpement. It should be what's best for schenn and couturier not about where lecavier is comfortable. Schenn earned 2c last year with his play and should be allowed to grow in that spot.

Bono is a tool who uses charity to inflate his own ego. He's also made out of poop, I heard.
- Litepow

His charity work is worthy of respect. The ego is offputting, and the music is crap, but he puts his money where his mouth is.

I have a huge problem with schenn playing wing an out of position at such a crucial time in his devolpement. It should be what's best for schenn and couturier not about where lecavier is comfortable. Schenn earned 2c last year with his play and should be allowed to grow in that spot.
- 28Girouxsalem28

I don't see it as playing out of position. I think he should be a Winger, not a center. And it even makes more sense when we look at the center depth on the team.

And consistency with a position. I think he's more suited to the Wing. But regardless, if he's going to be a Center, keep him there. If he's a Wing, keep him there.
- MJL

I agree, but I honestly believe it was their way of kinda sheltering him. keeping him with certain players, moving him around in certain situations.

I wanna see him take on a bigger role this year. Make him a staple on the PP.. give him more exposure. I think he will open a lot of eyes this season.

Small problem.. he doesnt seem to project to be our 2nd line center. Couts does. So, if he needs to be placed in on position, let it be wing.
- jak521

Actually schenn is already a 2c and has grown every year. Couts right now is an elite shutdown 3c who hasn't tapped any of his offense yet. I wouldn't mind putting couts up with Giroux to spark that offense we all know he has. Schenn earned 2c with his play last season and needs to grow as a center not a winger.

Actually schenn is already a 2c and has grown every year. Couts right now is an elite shutdown 3c who hasn't tapped any of his offense yet. I wouldn't mind putting couts up with Giroux to spark that offense we all know he has. Schenn earned 2c with his play last season and needs to grow as a center not a winger.
- 28Girouxsalem28

Playing Couturier with Giroux on the Wing would be a hoge mistake. Couturier is a Center, and that is where his long term position is. Schenn can play the Wing.

I don't see it as playing out of position. I think he should be a Winger, not a center. And it even makes more sense when we look at the center depth on the team.
- MJL

I think it may be too late. Last season he played nearly a full year at center, and if this year we want him to play a full year at wing, it could screw up his development. Regardless on whether or not his style is suited for the wing, the fact is he's more than likely at this point have a better chance to reach his potential if we keep him at center, and I'd rather have someone who caps out as a decent 2c than someone who's struggling to adapt to the wing.

I agree, but I honestly believe it was their way of kinda sheltering him. keeping him with certain players, moving him around in certain situations.

I wanna see him take on a bigger role this year. Make him a staple on the PP.. give him more exposure. I think he will open a lot of eyes this season.
- jak521

I don't think they tried to shelter him, I just think they were trying to find the best lineup fit under Berube. And a lot of shuffling happened due to the Lecavalier situation.

Schenn earned 2c with his play last season and needs to grow as a center not a winger.
- 28Girouxsalem28

Yeah, he's not fast enough, or threatening enough 1v1, to thrive on the wing. His bread and butter is in the middle of the ice, and camping low in the right circle. Like Vinny, LW neuters most of his options.