i have to think Akeson's confidence is a little shot. he looked great in the 7 game series last yr and last game of the season. small sampling yes but this yr has also been a small sampling. why not put the kid in the position to succeed
- nastyflyergirl

I think saying he looked great in the playoffs is a stretch. He made a few plays. Every time a player is out on the ice, he is in a position to succeed, and is given an opportunity. Whether you play on the 1st line or the 4th line, a player has to be strong on the puck, and play well away from the puck. And if you don't do that, and you're going to be an offensive specialist. You better score at a significant level. Akeson is too small and too slow to likely score at the level he needs to, to make up for his deficiencies in other areas.

I disagree. what has Umberger done this year so warrant his ice time? not much if you ask me
- nastyflyergirl

If they had a better choice, Umberger would be playing less. The Flyers are short on LW's with Raffl out. They don't have a better choice. And they're hoping that Umberger can play his way out of his funk. And Umberger can also play on the PK.

If they had a better choice, Umberger would be playing less. The Flyers are short on LW's with Raffl out. They don't have a better choice. And they're hoping that Umberger can play his way out of his funk. And Umberger can also play on the PK.
- MJL

I would like to see Akeson get a shot

Last season, as a rookie, Akeson played 8 games with good, middle six linemates (mostly Coots/Read). He played more than 100 minutes (including some pp time). and averaged .5 pts per game while playing decent defensively. He showed flashes of high end skill and was among the Flyers best players in the playoff series against the Rangers. A pretty promising start.

This season Akeson has played 12 games. He's played limited minutes (91 so far) in a miscast role with with the team's least skilled/most struggling players. He has zero points and is in the coaches doghouse.

Now what's the obvious difference between the two situations? Now, what would be the most obvious and logical reason to explain why Akeson isn't producing and showing his value this season versus last?
- exlund

Watching the games, the most obvious difference is in Akeson's play on the ice. Or do we not want to include that variable, and place zero culpability on the player himself, for why he can't get in the lineup?

From many Akeson supporters, it always he's not playing with the right players, or he's not in the right role. Never any blame on Akeson himself. Did it ever occur to you that one of the logical reasons why Akeson isn't playing is that he just isn't that good?

Even as poorly as Umberger has played, he is still better away from the puck then Akeson is. And Umberger can be used on the PK. Akeson is not playing ahead of Umberger, simply because he isn't better then Umberger is. Even as poorly as Umberger has played.
- MJL

I can't say I agree with all that. Umberger has been horrible in coverage, where Akeson has been pretty good...Umberger has made more egregious errors on the defensive end than Akeson too. Yeah RJ can play PK but not that great lately...others on the team can play that role for him...Akeson can likely be more effective offensively than RJ if given his minutes es and on the pp. Akeson is a younger developing rookie type who needs a real shot to show what he can do...RJ just needs to be shot.

I would like to see Akeson get a shot
- nastyflyergirl

I think he's already had a shot and an opportunity. He didn't do anything with it to earn more ice time.

He didn't do anything with it to earn more ice time.
- MJL

Neither did VDV or Umberger... yet there they were, in the top-9.

Watching the games, the most obvious difference is in Akeson's play on the ice. Or do we not want to include that variable, and place zero culpability on the player himself, for why he can't get in the lineup?

From many Akeson supporters, it always he's not playing with the right players, or he's not in the right role. Never any blame on Akeson himself. Did it ever occur to you that one of the logical reasons why Akeson isn't playing is that he just isn't that good?
- MJL

Maybe his is, maybe he isn't. I havent seen enough to say one way or another. and that is my point. I'd like to see him get an opportunity before they move on from him

Neither did VDV or Umberger... yet there they were, in the top-9.
- Tomahawk

I need more people to join the clique of ignoring this guy. He's having the same (frank)ing argument in two threads at the same (frank)ing time...It'd be amazing if it was so ridiculous.

I can't say I agree with all that. Umberger has been horrible in coverage, where Akeson has been pretty good...Umberger has made more egregious errors on the defensive end than Akeson too. Yeah RJ can play PK but not that great lately...others on the team can play that role for him...Akeson can likely be more effective offensively than RJ if given his minutes es and on the pp. Akeson is a younger developing rookie type who needs a real shot to show what he can do...RJ just needs to be shot.
- exlund

Umberger has played 168 more minutes of hockey they Akeson has also. And against different match ups. Umberger has not played well. Even with that, I'd play him over Akeson. Akeson has had plenty of opportunity to show that he deserves a longer look. That Akeson can't get on the ice even with as poorly as Umberger is playing, is telling.

I think he's already had a shot and an opportunity. He didn't do anything with it to earn more ice time.
- MJL

I have to say i disagree

I would like to see Akeson get a shot
- nastyflyergirl

In case you were wondering, yes, you just got explained to you that what you want to see shouldn't be what you want to see, because

Neither did VDV or Umberger... yet there they were, in the top-9.
- Tomahawk

Vandevelde has played better then Akeson has. Umberger is a veteran player. And even as poorly as he has played, he's still a better choice then Akeson is.

Vandevelde has played better then Akeson has.
- MJL

Um, no.

In case you were wondering, yes, you just got explained to you that what you want to see shouldn't be what you want to see, because
- AllInForFlyers

So, I guess I'll be exclusively hanging on twitter tonight

Maybe his is, maybe he isn't. I havent seen enough to say one way or another. and that is my point. I'd like to see him get an opportunity before they move on from him
- nastyflyergirl

I don't think anyone can definitively close the door on Akeson. But the chances of him becoming an NHL regular player at this point, isn't very good. Offensive player who is small and doesn't skate well enough to score enough points to compensate for his weaknesses in other areas.

Umberger has played 168 more minutes of hockey they Akeson has also. And against different match ups. Umberger has not played well. Even with that, I'd play him over Akeson. Akeson has had plenty of opportunity to show that he deserves a longer look. That Akeson can't get on the ice even with as poorly as Umberger is playing, is telling.
- MJL

players not getting on the ice isn't always a good indication of anything.....see sharp, patrick. No i am NOT saying Akeson is remotely as good nor do I think he ever would be. what I am saying is it just seem to me he has not been put in a postion to take advantage of what he can do and I think that is short sighted.

Maybe his is, maybe he isn't. I havent seen enough to say one way or another. and that is my point. I'd like to see him get an opportunity before they move on from him
- nastyflyergirl

He looked great w/ Bellemare and Rinaldo every game they were together. It's just too bad Chief won't keep that line together.

As for his one shot in the top-9 this season... Umberger and Vinny... nuff said.

I need more people to join the clique of ignoring this guy. He's having the same (frank)ing argument in two threads at the same (frank)ing time...It'd be amazing if it was so ridiculous.
- Jsaquella

I didn't bring the Akeson conversation to this thread. But if that is the discussion on this thread, I have the right to voice my opinion, and join in. And last time I looked, I'm not discussing it with myself.

I need more people to join the clique of ignoring this guy. He's having the same (frank)ing argument in two threads at the same (frank)ing time...It'd be amazing if it was so ridiculous.
- Jsaquella

dat avatar

Um, no.
- Tomahawk

^^^

I need more people to join the clique of ignoring this guy.
- Jsaquella

Meh, I can only blacklist one person at a time.

He looked great w/ Bellemare and Rinaldo every game they were together. It's just too bad Chief won't keep that line together.

As for his one shot in the top-9 this season... Umberger and Vinny... nuff said.


- Tomahawk

They have looked good, that Akeson-Bellemare-Rinaldo line. Been very effective.

Meh, I can only blacklist one person at a time.
- Tomahawk

It's me isn't it

Meh, I can only blacklist one person at a time.
- Tomahawk

There's only one I'm blacklisting Not sure he realizes it, with as many times as he replies to my posts.