He's just stuck in the stone age with this stuff. Sometimes, I feel like theres a power struggle between Hextall and Berube. I feel like Berube would be more than happy to rid himself of Akeson, but Hextall won't allow it..
- PhillySportsGuy

I definitely get that feeling, too.

Gee I wonder who would win in a power struggle between Berube and Hextall. The GM or the coach on a one year deal.

People value points too much too imo. If VL scores 50 points this year, but needs this level of protection, he's still pretty useless.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed. If he needs to be shielded this much, he has to put up 30+ goals and 60+ points to be worth it.

is couturier still down with it ?
- -davies-

See blog update. He's playing tonight. Participated fully in morning skate.

Gee I wonder who would win in a power struggle between Berube and Hextall. The GM or the coach on a one year deal.
- Feanor

Can a coach give a GM defensive zone starts only?

Last season, if you look at Couturier's ES point production, it's well in line with 2nd line center production. Given his deployment and how he is used, it's pretty strong.
- MJL

i wasnt poopting on coots ability if thats how it came across. far from it. but given that qualifier of his deployment and how he is used, i think that will always put a damper on his numbers, that the average fan does not comprehend.

Can a coach give a GM defensive zone starts only?
- feelingkettle

pretty sure Hextall's starts have all been in the defensive zone

Gee I wonder who would win in a power struggle between Berube and Hextall. The GM or the coach on a one year deal.
- Feanor

So the contract extension was only for 2-years and expires this summer? /hope

He's just stuck in the stone age with this stuff. Sometimes, I feel like theres a power struggle between Hextall and Berube. I feel like Berube would be more than happy to rid himself of Akeson, but Hextall won't allow it.

Otoh, Hextall was the one who extended Rinaldo.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't mind the extension. If he doesn't get any better and Hextall wants to waive or trade him the future the deal is not an impediment to that. And, if by some miracle, he becomes a better player, he is then signed to a very cap friendly deal.

I totally agree with you re: Hextall and Berube. That power struggle will most likely end with Berube's firing in April.

See blog update. He's playing tonight. Participated fully in morning skate.
- bmeltzer

Whew

Gee I wonder who would win in a power struggle between Berube and Hextall. The GM or the coach on a one year deal.
- Feanor

Can you give facts as to where there is a power struggle. Seems both are exactly on the same page. They know this might not be the best year but letting the kids play in junior and AHL is better moving forward. Berube is only working with what he is given

Yes he led the Phantoms in scoring but that team was very weak. He wasn't a dominate AHL player. Also the last year in juniors was his overage year i believe.

He isn't even the top ten of the flyers prospects. The Flyers have started to build some prospects and if it wasn't for Hextalls plan of patience I am sure there are guys in the AHL you would rather have playing over Akeson
- J35Bacher

Also worth noting -- and this is to Akeson's credit ultimately -- that after leading the Phantoms in scoring as a rookie he was dispatched to ECHL at the start of his second season because Terry Murray and the organization wanted him to understand that being as small and one-dimensional as he was (especially in combination with being undersized and an average skater) was not the path they wanted him to be on. He handled that very well, actually.

Akeson has improved a lot in the last few years but NHL scouts still see a soft and undersized player who has "NHL hands but AHL feet" -- that opinion has not changed.

Can you give facts as to where there is a power struggle. Seems both are exactly on the same page. They know this might not be the best year but letting the kids play in junior and AHL is better moving forward. Berube is only working with what he is given
- J35Bacher

Considering the original claim was "sometimes I feel like there's a power struggle", I don't think this is a matter of facts.

I don't mind the extension. If he doesn't get any better and Hextall wants to waive or trade him the future the deal is not an impediment to that. And, if by some miracle, he becomes a better player, he is then signed to a very cap friendly deal.

I totally agree with you re: Hextall and Berube. That power struggle will most likely end with Berube's firing in April.
- BiggE

It's just weird that Berube practices with Blair Jones in the lineup yesterday after Jones was about to be demoted. Then, today, Akeson appears to be in the starting lineup.

It feels a little like an Art Howe vs Billy Beane type thing. I'm waiting for Hexy to trade everyone so Berube is forced to play Hatteberg, I mean Akeson.

It's just weird that Berube practices with Blair Jones in the lineup yesterday after Jones was about to be demoted. Then, today, Akeson appears to be in the starting lineup.

It feels a little like an Art Howe vs Billy Beane type thing. I'm waiting for Hexy to trade everyone so Berube is forced to play Hatteberg, I mean Akeson.
- PhillySportsGuy

Should just make Akeson coach.

Also worth noting -- and this is to Akeson's credit ultimately -- that after leading the Phantoms in scoring as a rookie he was dispatched to ECHL at the start of his second season because Terry Murray and the organization wanted him to understand that being as small and one-dimensional as he was (especially in combination with being undersized and an average skater) was not the path they wanted him to be on. He handled that very well, actually.

Akeson has improved a lot in the last few years but NHL scouts still see a soft and undersized player who has "NHL hands but AHL feet" -- that opinion has not changed.
- bmeltzer

Yes he did. My feeling is that Akeson has to be a competitive player every night to stick. Unfortunately he doesn't bring enough other attributes to be able to take games off. I really have no like or dislike for the player. Whatever helps the team is what i want. But if Akeson isn't involved enough he just doesn't have an other qualities that make you need him in the lineup.

Also worth noting -- and this is to Akeson's credit ultimately -- that after leading the Phantoms in scoring as a rookie he was dispatched to ECHL at the start of his second season because Terry Murray and the organization wanted him to understand that being as small and one-dimensional as he was (especially in combination with being undersized and an average skater) was not the path they wanted him to be on. He handled that very well, actually.

Akeson has improved a lot in the last few years but NHL scouts still see a soft and undersized player who has "NHL hands but AHL feet" -- that opinion has not changed.
- bmeltzer

Yes he did. My feeling is that Akeson has to be a competitive player every night to stick. Unfortunately he doesn't bring enough other attributes to be able to take games off. I really have no like or dislike for the player. Whatever helps the team is what i want. But if Akeson isn't involved enough he just doesn't have an other qualities that make you need him in the lineup.

Should just make Akeson coach.
- stayinthefnnet

He's certainly ready to take on the player/coach responsibility.

Akeson has improved a lot in the last few years but NHL scouts still see a soft and undersized player who has "NHL hands but AHL feet" -- that opinion has not changed.
- bmeltzer

The "AHL feet" part does explain why he's on the outs, lineup wise and why Vandelay is getting 1st line looks.

Can't they fit him somewhere in the lineup where footspeed isn't a problem?

It's just weird that Berube practices with Blair Jones in the lineup yesterday after Jones was about to be demoted. Then, today, Akeson appears to be in the starting lineup.

It feels a little like an Art Howe vs Billy Beane type thing. I'm waiting for Hexy to trade everyone so Berube is forced to play Hatteberg, I mean Akeson.
- PhillySportsGuy

I read on twitter that maybe Berube will fill that 1st line spot via committee.

If that's the case, maybe he wants Akeson as an option in that spot if the situation calls for it?

ESPN Chicago ‏@ESPNChiHawks 4m4 minutes ago
Quenneville says Sharp out 3-4 weeks

Hawks are signing Ben Eager and putting him on the Toews line.

The "AHL feet" part does explain why he's on the outs, lineup wise and why Vandelay is getting 1st line looks.

Can't they fit him somewhere in the lineup where footspeed isn't a problem?
- johndewar

Half of this roster has AHL feet. Is VDV really that much faster that it offsets Akeson's hands?

I actually think Voracek would help Couts or Vinny and that would be a productive line. Giroux needs players to set up. While Voracek just carries the play all by himself. Giroux absolutely needs more support.
- GOA88

Agreed. Aaron Asham and rookie JvR carried him to his 21 points in the 2010 postseason.

ESPN Chicago ‏@ESPNChiHawks 4m4 minutes ago
Quenneville says Sharp out 3-4 weeks

Hawks are signing Ben Eager and putting him on the Toews line.
- PLindbergh31

They are not trading for Akeson? Also, what line does Eager usually play on?

Half of this roster has AHL feet. Is VDV really that much faster that it offsets Akeson's hands?
- PhillySportsGuy

VDV is bigger. If Berube had a gorilla in the locker room, he'd try and have him fitted for a pair of skates.