I might be in the minority, but I don't think our top line was a problem. G had 87 points and their possession numbers were very strong. I'm not saying they can't get better, but I don't think they should get rid of Hartnell because people feel he's overpaid.

I would like to see Schenn get more possession, two-way players. Perhaps, a line of Jussi Jokinen-Schenn-Akeson would look alright. Jokinen is strong defensively, Akeson is strong in puck possession and Schenn plays in front of the net and along the boards.
- PhillySportsGuy

Akeson has played what, less then 10 NHL games? We don't know what he strong in at the NHL level yet.

Sorry, but Akeson just looks like the kind of guy who will get exposed the more you use him. I really don't see him ever being more than an AHL star/NHL spare forward who can fill in for a short time on a scoring line.
His lack of footspeed and strength are just 2 big red flags for me and I don't think that his smarts and skill level are at a level that's high enough to overcome his flaws.
- BiggE

I lean heavily towards agreeing with you. But I think he deserves a shot.

Akeson has played what, less then 10 NHL games? We don't know what he strong in at the NHL level yet.
- MJL

His greatest strengths are offensive awareness and when he has the puck on his stick. I think we can agree that both of those aspects of Akeson are NHL level.

Akeson has played what, less then 10 NHL games? We don't know what he strong in at the NHL level yet.
- MJL

I'd rather have Akeson on the 4th line at best.

I have read that, and I've always felt Giroux's conditioning was totally fine. I thought Akeson's conditioning appeared to be totally fine, as well, during the playoffs.

The deal I'm talking about, and what I think BiggE's referring to, is his on-the-puck play, and his ability to go get it on the forecheck.

I think Akeson competes for pucks, and that's good. But it'll be tough for him to stick if he consistently loses puck battles or can't get in on the forecheck to begin with.

It's...tricky. He's not a horrific skater, and he makes up for some of it through hockey sense. But if he consistently loses puck battles because of his core strength...that might be a killer for him, if the organization isn't sold on him.
- AllInForFlyers

Well said.

His greatest strengths are offensive awareness and when he has the puck on his stick. I think we can agree that both of those aspects of Akeson are NHL level.
- PhillySportsGuy

His anticipation and decision-making have clearly been good... as has his execution in the passing and shooting games.

Hockey sense/ability to perform under pressure > fast/big/mean/skilled

Ok. But I don't want him on the 3rd or 4rth line because he is not good defensivly and not a good enough skater to be an energy guy. I know what clarkson got but why do i have to wait for him to fail instead of maybe moving him now before it happens. Clarkson could get himself bought out. He is the same type of player. His skill set is limited. If he isn;t scoring they don't provide much more then.
- J35Bacher

Clarkson's deal is buyout proof.

His anticipation and decision-making have clearly been good... as has his execution in the passing and shooting games.

Hockey sense/ability to perform under pressure > fast/big/mean/skilled
- Tomahawk

Lets not get out of hand

It is not the same comparasion. Hartnell is not in his prime and on the downside of his career. So is Vinny. Giroux is in the Prime. Also one is a more finesse player and the other is a power forward. You took the argument to left field to try and shoot down my point. So lets wait another year and try to move hartnell. and then another. Are his skills getting better. Everyone complained he was slow footed and cried when he slowed down the top line. Now i want to move him before he is really slow and we can''t do that supposedly.
- J35Bacher

Okay, so what is the magic criteria that can be applied across the board?
In 09/10, Hartnell only had 14 goals all regular season. Most would have argued that, since he was 28, nearing the end of "his prime" that his production would only drop. Since then, he's averaged 26 goals/82 games. So, can we be sure that he's well past his prime now? Is he next season? Please tell me the magic measuring stick that we can use to assess when to move a player.

I agree with you for the most part. As a general rule, you're right. I remember when the Flyers drafted Laughton, they said he's got offensive ability, but was stashed away as a shutdown forward on a very deep team.

I dont think Laughton will be a point per game player. I dont think he'll ever have a season like Richards' best seasons. I do think he's capable of getting to 60 points a few times in his career. That would be nice considering his strength is his all around play.
- PhillySportsGuy

Couturier 2.0

His anticipation and decision-making have clearly been good... as has his execution in the passing and shooting games.

Hockey sense/ability to perform under pressure > fast/big/mean/skilled
- Tomahawk

Vision, awareness, and competitiveness are all things that players either have or don't have. The rest can be learned through time.

Whats your plan for replacing him though? Its easy to say "get rid of this guy and find a better player for cheaper money."

It's more difficult to follow through with that plan.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would look into a 1 year deal with Heatley. Doesn't tie you up long term and allows you a year of development for a player in the system. Maybe a player like Benoit Pouliet to be a second line winger. Maybe a 2 year deal for Gaborik. i know higher money but not tied up long term. I just think there are other options that can be used that better help the team.

There's no doubt in your mind, which is fine. You're entitled to your opinion -- not saying you aren't.

There's doubt in mine, and I want to see how he plays if Timonen's gone and there is no replacement brought in from the outside.

And we'll see, ultimately, whether or not the new GM of the Flyers has any doubts of his own.
- AllInForFlyers

I'll say one thing, if the Flyers try and use MacDonald as a replacement for Timonen. And they overplay him in the wrong role, the fans will be disapointed in him, and he'll likely be a scapegoat. If he's used in the right role, he's a solid defenseman.

Couturier 2.0
- jmatchett383

Couturier 2.0 x Richards 2.0 - Schenn 1.0 + Horvat 2.0

Edit: Solve for Laughton

I would look into a 1 year deal with Heatley. Doesn't tie you up long term and allows you a year of development for a player in the system. Maybe a player like Benoit Pouliet to be a second line winger. Maybe a 2 year deal for Gaborik. i know higher money but not tied up long term. I just think there are other options that can be used that better help the team.
- J35Bacher

Aside from the fact that we can't let him drive any of his teammates around, what has he done to make you consider him? He's a year older than Hartnell, and hasn't posted 20 goals in 2 seasons. He's about as 1-dimensional as a player can be, and is basically Nik Zherdev again. No thanks, unless we're going back to 2005.

P.S. All moot since there's no chance that Hartnell waives his NTC.

His greatest strengths are offensive awareness and when he has the puck on his stick. I think we can agree that both of those aspects of Akeson are NHL level.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think he has the skill to make plays with the puck, and he plays with poise with the puck. But a player like Akeson, who brings little else to the ice, is going to have to produce offensively to stay in the lineup. If he doesn't improve or show that he can contribute in other ways. Coaches normally have little patience for that kind of player, if he doesn't produce offensively. I think he deserves a legitimate chance, and we'll see what happens.

I would look into a 1 year deal with Heatley. Doesn't tie you up long term and allows you a year of development for a player in the system. Maybe a player like Benoit Pouliet to be a second line winger. Maybe a 2 year deal for Gaborik. i know higher money but not tied up long term. I just think there are other options that can be used that better help the team.
- J35Bacher

I like Pouliot quite a bit, but Heatley skates like an old man now. Better to look elsewhere on that one, IMO, even for one year.

Couturier 2.0 x Richards 2.0 - Schenn 1.0 + Horvat 2.0

Edit: Solve for Laughton
- PhillySportsGuy

Laughton is 1/2 Couturier, 1/4 Richards, 1/8 part Schenn & Horvat

Therefore, he is (1/2 x 2.0) x (1/4 x 2.0) - (1/8 x 1.0) + (1/8*2.0), or

Bobby Clarke v 0.875

I would look into a 1 year deal with Heatley. Doesn't tie you up long term and allows you a year of development for a player in the system. Maybe a player like Benoit Pouliet to be a second line winger. Maybe a 2 year deal for Gaborik. i know higher money but not tied up long term. I just think there are other options that can be used that better help the team.
- J35Bacher

You want to put Dany Heatley on the top line?
Beniot Puliout is a 3rd line player.
Gaborik will get more than 2 years.
Who in the system has the upside of a top line LW? Even if they draft someone at #17, there is no guarantee he develops into that player and, if he does, it will be in 4-5 years.

The only logical thing the team could do is make a trade for a LW. Based on Hextall's comments about the importance of centers, I dont think he's going to be dealing one of our centers for a top line LW.

Couturier 2.0 x Richards 2.0 - Schenn 1.0 + Horvat 2.0

Edit: Solve for Laughton
- PhillySportsGuy

Laughton = SQRT [(Couturier 2.0 / Richards 2.0) + Staal^3] - Schenn 1.0 + 1/8[Giroux 2.0]

Aside from the fact that we can't let him drive any of his teammates around, what has he done to make you consider him? He's a year older than Hartnell, and hasn't posted 20 goals in 2 seasons. He's about as 1-dimensional as a player can be, and is basically Nik Zherdev again. No thanks, unless we're going back to 2005.

P.S. All moot since there's no chance that Hartnell waives his NTC.
- jmatchett383

agreed. pass.

I think he has the skill to make plays with the puck, and he plays with poise with the puck. But a player like Akeson, who brings little else to the ice, is going to have to produce offensively to stay in the lineup. If he doesn't improve or show that he can contribute in other ways. Coaches normally have little patience for that kind of player, if he doesn't produce offensively. I think he deserves a legitimate chance, and we'll see what happens.
- MJL

Thank you, but I was saying Akeson's ability with the puck and offensive awareness are NHL level. I understand he's not great at much else.

Laughton is 1/2 Couturier, 1/4 Richards, 1/8 part Schenn & Horvat

Therefore, he is (1/2 x 2.0) x (1/4 x 2.0) - (1/8 x 1.0) + (1/8*2.0), or

Bobby Clarke v 0.875
- jmatchett383

I think you've solved the Da Vinci Code

Edit: Da Clarky Code

You want to put Dany Heatley on the top line?
Beniot Puliout is a 3rd line player.
Gaborik will get more than 2 years.
Who in the system has the upside of a top line LW? Even if they draft someone at #17, there is no guarantee he develops into that player and, if he does, it will be in 4-5 years.

The only logical thing the team could do is make a trade for a LW. Based on Hextall's comments about the importance of centers, I dont think he's going to be dealing one of our centers for a top line LW.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd do Vinny for Booth, or maybe Stalberg. Booth had a horrible year, but Vancouver might be in a "retooling" mode. And if Lavi wants Lecavalier, maybe we could get Stalberg. They're not top liners, but are players who can play on the top line.

You want to put Dany Heatley on the top line?
Beniot Puliout is a 3rd line player.
Gaborik will get more than 2 years.
Who in the system has the upside of a top line LW? Even if they draft someone at #17, there is no guarantee he develops into that player and, if he does, it will be in 4-5 years.

The only logical thing the team could do is make a trade for a LW. Based on Hextall's comments about the importance of centers, I dont think he's going to be dealing one of our centers for a top line LW.
- PhillySportsGuy

Trade Schenn for a Dman. Sign Moulson and Stastny.

Moulson G Jake
Hartnell Stastny Simmonds

Only way to do it.