Akeson brings too little tools, both physically and skill-wise, to be considered a full-time top 9 guy in the NHL.

End of discussion.

I'm not sure why Akeson is held in higher regard then Umberger and Lecavalier. I realize that Umberger is not playing well right now, but he has been a solid player his entire career. As has Lecavalier, who is still a pretty good offensive player. How is Akeson so much better that playing with those two players is beneath him? I don't get it. If all Akeson is going to bring to the ice, is offensive skills, then he's likely going to be a career AHL player. Because he's just not skilled enough, big enough, or fast enough to put up enough points without bringing more to the table. This is why the Flyers are trying to get him to compete and play better without the puck. Because if he can hold his own there, and compete in those areas, his chances of sticking in the NHL are that much better. And he's more valuable to the Flyers, because they can keep him in the lineup, and he can pitch in some offense. The Flyers need another playmaker in the lineup, so he's getting an opportunity here. And make no mistake about it. Whether he succeeds or not is all on him. Not on Lecavalier and Umberger.
- MJL

I don't think it's beneath Akeson to play with those guys, I just have my doubts as to if playing with a struggling vet (RJ) is going to click. I think Vinny can still be a pretty effective player in the offensive zone so I'm not as concerned about him. Yes, Akeson will have to find a way to show what he can do with them. I have to disagree that the deficiencies in Akeson's game without the puck are that bad though...he may not be a Sean Couturier out there, but I think he can hold his own as well as some other offensive types on the team.

I feel like Akeson is Tebow.

Played a good playoff series last year and now he is seen as this underappreciated, misused player who if Berube doesn't play will end up becoming a 40m goal scorer on another team.

Akeson brings too little tools, both physically and skill-wise, to be considered a full-time top 9 guy in the NHL.

End of discussion.
- KGBflyers10

Perhaps once Akeson brings the bag of tools VDV brings to the party, he might become a regular.

Akeson is a smallish, but very skilled playmaker type. He needs to play with players that think and play the game with a certain level of skill in order for a team to realize his value. Conclusions about his potential value to a team shouldn't be made based on how he performs getting limited minutes on a checking line with the team's lowest skilled players (and no pp time). Akeson showed he can be a valuable asset when playing with good mates, like he did last season against the Rangers...you're just not going to see the value a player like him can add while playing as as a fourth line grinder.
- exlund

I think saying he's very skilled, is over selling it. He's moderatly skilled. His skils are borderline for the NHL, which is why he needs to do more to build an NHL career, than just relying on his offensive skills. You don't need to see a player with certain linemates, to see how much fight he has in him. What you're looking to see with a player like Akeson on the 4th line, is what he's willing to do to earn more icetime, to earn playing time on a scoring line. The Flyers know how his hands are in terms of offensive skills. That's not what they need to see.

I feel like Akeson is Tebow.

Played a good playoff series last year and now he is seen as this underappreciated, misused player who if Berube doesn't play will end up becoming a 40m goal scorer on another team.
- J35Bacher

Akebow?

Akeson brings too little tools, both physically and skill-wise, to be considered a full-time top 9 guy in the NHL.

End of discussion.
- KGBflyers10

No, this discussion is far from complete. What are you basing this on? His play as a fourth line grinder?

Soooo, when he was (a close) second only to G in pts/60 mins against the Rangers last playoff series and had the best possession metrics of any Flyer forward, he wasn't good enough?

I don't think it's beneath Akeson to play with those guys, I just have my doubts as to if playing with a struggling vet (RJ) is going to click. I think Vinny can still be a pretty effective player in the offensive zone so I'm not as concerned about him. Yes, Akeson will have to find a way to show what he can do with them. I have to disagree that the deficiencies in Akeson's game without the puck are that bad though...he may not be a Sean Couturier out there, but I think he can hold his own as well as some other offensive types on the team.
- exlund

I think it needs to be proven if he can hold his own. He hasn't done that. And Akeson isn't an equal to the other offensive types on the team.

No, this discussion is far from complete. What are you basing this on? His play as a fourth line grinder?

Soooo, when he was (a close) second only to G in pts/60 mins against the Rangers last playoff series and had the best possession metrics of any Flyer forward, he wasn't good enough?
- exlund

Last years playoff success = small sample size

Being scratched after a handful of games this year = non-competitive

Perhaps once Akeson brings the bag of tools VDV brings to the party, he might become a regular.
- PLindbergh31

Correct.

Because VDV is a fourth-line player who has skills to be a successful fourth-line player, whereas Akeson does not. He has greater skill fro a top 9 slot, but who are you going to replace on those first three lines that can be successful?

Akebow?
- PLindbergh31

I mean Tebow was a great college player, had a good playoff win for the broncos but he just didn't have the best skill set to succeed in the NFL.

Akeson was a good junior player and average AHL player who had a good playoff series. But he just doesn't have the best skill set to be a player who can get away with down games. He needs to bring it every night

Akebow?
- PLindbergh31

I mean Tebow was a great college player, had a good playoff win for the broncos but he just didn't have the best skill set to succeed in the NFL.

Akeson was a good junior player and average AHL player who had a good playoff series. But he just doesn't have the best skill set to be a player who can get away with down games. He needs to bring it every night

Correct.

Because VDV is a fourth-line player who has skills to be a successful fourth-line player, whereas Akeson does not. He has greater skill fro a top 9 slot, but who are you going to replace on those first three lines that can be successful?
- KGBflyers10

He does? Where has he accomplished this?

I feel like Akeson is Tebow.

Played a good playoff series last year and now he is seen as this underappreciated, misused player who if Berube doesn't play will end up becoming a 40m goal scorer on another team.
- J35Bacher

I see Akeson as a slightly better skilled version of Peter White.

He does? Where has he accomplished this?
- PLindbergh31

Right here. This season.

Right here. This season.
- KGBflyers10

Nothing more than an empty uniform. The AHL is littered with players better than VDV.

No, this discussion is far from complete. What are you basing this on? His play as a fourth line grinder?

Soooo, when he was (a close) second only to G in pts/60 mins against the Rangers last playoff series and had the best possession metrics of any Flyer forward, he wasn't good enough?
- exlund

Here is the reality. His play last year in the playoffs earned him a spot on the team this year, and showed some potential. Nothing more, nothing less. Coming into the season, the slate is clean, and he isn't owed anything more then what he earns this season. That's the way it is.

Last years playoff success = small sample size

Being scratched after a handful of games this year = non-competitive
- PLindbergh31

logical. i like it.

Last years playoff success = small sample size

Being scratched after a handful of games this year = non-competitive
- PLindbergh31

You sir, are a scalpel.

I see Akeson as a slightly better skilled version of Peter White.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm not even sure he's better skilled. And Peter White remade his game and became a player that could be used on the PK, to try and build an NHL career.

I feel like Akeson is Tebow.

Played a good playoff series last year and now he is seen as this underappreciated, misused player who if Berube doesn't play will end up becoming a 40m goal scorer on another team.
- J35Bacher

what i saw last year was a kid get a big chance and he responded very well, enough to give him a shot this year. i want the guy to get a legitimate (frank)ing chance to show what he can do and contribute, hopefully along with players who can help him do that. if the team really believes he's not in their plans, then move him.

I see Akeson as a slightly better skilled version of Peter White.
- MBFlyerfan

I guess that is a close comparrison.

I don't hate Akeson. I think he has some skill. But i also don't see him as a player who is even here next year unless it is a two way deal. If not for patience with our prospects I doubt he is on this team. Next year their will be players like Leirer, Alderson, Laughton, Cousins who could take over his spot and give you more.

Here is the reality. His play last year in the playoffs earned him a spot on the team this year, and showed some potential. Nothing more, nothing less. Coming into the season, the slate is clean, and he isn't owed anything more then what he earns this season. That's the way it is.
- MJL

give you a 6th round pick for akeson. would you take it?

So then tell me where Akeson should play.

Is he bumping someone off the top line?

Is he bumping someone off the Couturier line?

Berube is trying him with Vinny. He is getting a chance. But don't give me this stuff about since he was a scorer in the AHL he needs to play with skill guys. You want to know a scorer in the AHL who can come up and not miss a beat playing fourth line minutes? Kris Newbury. Patrick Maroon. My thing is i don't care what he does in the AHL. It is what he does in his chances in the NHL and he hasn't brought enough in his limited minutes to suggest he get more of a chance. The past two games he played well and will get a look see but if he sticks he will be back to 4th line or scratch.
- J35Bacher

Scoring champ in the OHL, led his AHL team in points three seasons in a row, produced nicely in his first several games in the NHL when on a line with talented mates...hasn't produced when deployed with the team's least skilled players. You seem to only see the last part and are making conclusions about his potential based on that...which is exactly what I fear the Flyers may end up doing.

the slate is clean
- MJL

I thought you just got done saying the slate doesn't get wiped... see: Umberger/VL.