Flyers sign junior level prospects Jason Akeson, Tyler Brown
by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 4:15 PM EST
in Philadelphia Flyers Farm System
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PrintAs reported by the Flyers Official Twitter account, the team has signed undrafted free agents Jason Akeson and Tyler Brown to entry-level contracts. Continuing their strategy from last year, the team has to rely on undrafted players to fill out their organizational depth chart.
Just like last year, the team seems to have snagged a pretty impressive player. As we stand, 20 year-old Jason Akeson leads the OHL in scoring with 103 points in 59 games. The other player, 21 year-old Tyler Brown, has just as many goals as Akeson (24), but barely half as many assists.
Honestly, it's minor news for Flyers fans, but there are a few things that make this noteworthy. One, since the Flyers don't keep their draft picks, this is how they acquire prospects. Maybe it's not a bad way to go about things (and certainly, the Flyers could do worse than sign Akeson), but it's always good to see "Flyers Sign OHL Leading Scorer", regardless of odds of success.
Secondly, let's jump ahead and see what these two players can be expected to contribute to the Phantoms next year:
| Age | G | A | Pts | ||
| Jason Akeson | 21 | AHL | 15.0 | 49.4 | 64.42 |
| Tyler Brown | 22 | AHL | 15.0 | 18.8 | 33.77 |
That's quite impressive, especially if you see that the Phantoms leading scorer has only scored 35 points so far. At Denis Hamel's 0.76 points per game, that equates to a team-leader with 62.32 points over 82 games. So Akeson projects to step in and be the Phantoms leading scorer. The problem is, it's not that simple.
Brown is projected to score slightly less than Andrew Rowe was this year, and Akeson is projected to score 12.5 more points than Luke Pither was this year. Except those two players have actually combined for only 26 points this year. So, this isn't an exact science, largely because of the level of talent on the Phantoms and the difficulty in predicting how players adjust to the AHL. Essentially, the Flyers purchased two more lottery tickets.
I guess the bottom line is: Jason Akeson has potential, but he needs teammates in order to reach that potential. Otherwise, the Phantoms just signed a pair of 15-goal/30-point forwards. Which is nothing to sneeze at, but nothing to get excited about either.
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Before you make fun of me, yes I’m back on for 30 seconds…you’ve never taken a break in even your busiest of work days?
Who are Akeson’s linemates?
Geoff has Boosh, Mike's got Powe, Nodl is all mine!
Is this the right room for an argument?
Matthew Tipoff and Tobias Rieder?
No idea, just a guess based on one game’s report.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Nice to know who we’ll be trading next year at the deadline for playoff depth.
Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life
by TNBrando on Mar 2, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Hey Geoff – is one of the new signees a center to replace Chaput???
Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.
Hockeydb says Brown is a center…
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
I was disappointed in the trading of Chaput but since he was unsigned I guess getting something for him was smart.
by ryanitus on Mar 2, 2011 5:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Meaning Sestito?
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, too bad it wasn’t for your boy Calvert, he’s been on fire for Columbus.
by ryanitus on Mar 2, 2011 8:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
So does that mean trading for Sestito is no longer a problem for the team depth?
- just busting your stones -
Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.
by MaximumTalbot on Mar 3, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
Ugh.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 3, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Do you think our scouts enjoy the extra challenge of having to dig through the undrafted pool/bottom half of the draft class to find gems? I wonder if they think picking a first or second rounder is just too easy.
And wasn’t Brendon Ranford at one point this year the leading scorer of the… WHL? Is he still up there, or has he continued to regress to the Geoff like he was a few months ago? I guess I could google this information, but it’s easier just to hit post.
A) I don’t think it’s hard to see “Leading Scorer – Undrafted”, but I think Holmgren enjoys challenging his scouts, yeah.
B) Ranford is now 6th in the WHL in scoring, after scoring 33 points in his last 31 games. But, and this is separate because it’s stunning:
Ranford has scored 5 goals in his last 31 games. After scoring 28 goals in his first 32 games.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
I read about this earlier this afternoon and wondered why Geoff hasn’t written about this yet. Went to a brief meeting at my kids’ school and when I came back, whoomp, there it is! Nice to know we can all count on you, Geoff.
haha, thanks.
I didn’t see it until recently.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Why is having prospects necessary? I am beginning to believe that having players at any level lower then the Phantoms is pointless and huge waste of money. Even having the Phantoms is beginning to be useless do to how difficult it is to move players back and forth. At this point there are probably close to 60 players that are the “property” of the Flyers and maybe 3 in total have any chance at becoming useful NHL players. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Just Call Me "M"!
The Flyers agree with you. It’s why they don’t give a shit about anybody not wearing a Flyers uniform :)
But just because the Flyers don’t have any use for prospects doesn’t mean other teams don’t. (Oh, and the Flyers don’t have to pay their Juniors, NCAA, or European prospects. They have their own contracts with their teams.)
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Well what is the extent of these two signings we are talking about in this article? Neither of these guys is ever going to even fly to Philadelphia I would imagine or they would already be drafted or on a minor league team. Not ripping you Geoff but there are already 100 guys that are in the NHL that don’t belong let alone having any need for an ECHL. It just seems so useless.
Just Call Me "M"!
I would say that having this kind of “interesting” prospect has many uses, M. You have to remember last year in the playoffs, for example. When a player goes down, you like to have a guy like that to plug in to the lineup, and maybe play really well. (different situation, but Ville Leino comes to mind.) And if he happens to play well, you may or may not need him on the immediate roster. But an Atlanta, Edmonton, rebuilding teams definitely took notice, and they would love to have a guy like him. In short, if you can;t get anything out of that kind of prospect player on your roster, or there isn’t room, you can always make a very good deal involving a player like this, because not every team has the depth of Philadelphia or Detroit.
Carrying an extra roster player for the Playoffs and having 25 guys in Greenville is completely mutually exclusive. I am just challenging the entire notion of having anything to do with players lower then the AHL which in itself is about 60% useless. If a player isn’t able to take a roster spot from Powe or Carcillo let alone anyone in Adirondack, why would you bother with these players. Not that I am saying these minor leagues should go away especially if they are self sustaining entities but the Flyers worrying about having low level prospects or draft picks when anyone drafted over the last two years and next two years isn’t getting on this roster unless they are phenomenal. And the FLyers aren’t picking anyone in the phenomenal range.
Just Call Me "M"!
You may just be speaking in hyperbole, but of the 51 players the Flyers have under contract, 25 are on the NHL roster; 20 are in the AHL; 2 are in the ECHL; 1 is in Europe; 1 was sent back to Juniors (failure); 1 is in college, and one is still fulfilling their Junior eligibility.
So a) These guys were signed to play in the AHL next year; and b) the only 5 skaters not in the NHL are Harper, Lehtivuori, Klotz, Lauridsen, and Manning.
That’s three guys who played in the AHL this year, and two guys who have yet to turn pro. I don’t understand your criticism of filling an AHL roster. Is there an argument that Brian Stewart shouldn’t have been signed? Sure. But other than goalies, I don’t see the problem stockpiling talent.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
Erik Gustafsson was an undrafted free agent who’s already “flown to Philadelphia”, so I think you’re being overly harsh.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Hey Geoff! Aren’t you supposed to be making a phone call now? ;-)
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Mikefive apparently didn’t respond… Want to join anyway as a guest?
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
I’m fine. I will just wait until next time or whenever Mike responds. I am not sure there is anything I can talk about as a guest.
Thanks, though!
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You sure? Ben and I aren’t really saying much.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
Sure, give me a call. I can’t promise you I’ll add much, but I am almost positive it will be better than you and Ben not saying anything. :-)
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
I don’t have your number, so I told Travis to call. He apparently hasn’t. I think he’s waiting until Ben leaves.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
I figured Travis had given it to you because you and Ben were supposed to do the trivia alone without Travis, that’s why I assumed you had it.
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Maybe Ben has it?
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know. Travis should have it.
If not, I can email you now.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Should be getting a call within 5 minutes.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
Okay. Thanks!
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Trust me, BSHers: You can’t wait to hear this episode
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
When do some of the posters get to be on the show? I have a lot to say. Of course nothing about stats and prospects.
Just Call Me "M"!
Just email Travis.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:26 PM EST up reply actions
Hey Detweiler, this time stats do matter. Just saying.
But still while I’m liking the fact that he’s the leading scorer in the OHL, he is 5’10.
Also Just saying.
But all in all, I’d say I kind of like Holmgren’s idea here. While I do not in any way agree with treating draft picks like free candy, I at least give Homer credit for trying to get something going in the farm system.
5’10" doesn’t matter, small players can flourish in this league for a long time. Look at Mark Recchi and Marty St. Louis. The new league rules make smaller players more valuable.
by ryanitus on Mar 2, 2011 5:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
haha, stats always matter, it’s just a matter of which ones and how much weight they get.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:07 PM EST up reply actions
I just think smaller players can make much bigger impacts in the league now than before the lockout, the rule change makes speed and finesse and players that size much more valuable.
by ryanitus on Mar 2, 2011 8:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Would it be possible to bump this Akeson guy up to the Phantoms like… now? Seems to me like hes got nothing left to prove in the OHL.
We can’t have him on the AHL roster now, we already have 50 contracts. Unless he were to sign an AHL contract like Riopel did. But I think it best he completes the season where he is in order to maximize his TOI.
Right. And since he’s already signed an NHL deal…
But I’m not positive on any of this.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
I must admit I like what I have been reading about Akeson. Bit of a late bloomer in terms of development, but as mentioned, it is always good to hear about the Flyers signing a prospect who is leading the OHL in scoring.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
If he was leading the OHL in scoring, how come no other team jumped on him? Im sure our FA isnt the only FA in the league that checks the OHL scoring charts…
by philiafan14364 on Mar 2, 2011 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
Huh? He is currently leading the OHL in scoring. That’s factual information.
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Didnt mean to reply to you, but…
Im just wondering why no other team was in on him. Like, why did the Flyers get to sign him instead of say the Stars? I would think other teams in the league would have liked to sign the OHL scoring leader too, no?
by philiafan14364 on Mar 2, 2011 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
There’s really no way of knowing why he had not signed w/ anyone until now. It could be that he was trying to play out the season maximizing or “inflating” his point totals in order to land a more lucrative contract or sign w/ a more preferable team. But he’s ours now, so good for Homer. I guess.
I would not be surprised if Homer signed a couple more undrafted kids, especially after the college season is over.
The fact that the Flyers signed him doesn’t mean other teams didn’t try to. I’m sure other teams were looking at him.
What can't Giroux do?
Exactly. Same thing with Testwuide last year. Other teams surely want him.
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Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
Any news on the college player they were in on the Da Costa kid? I think that’s his name.
by ryanitus on Mar 2, 2011 8:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I haven’t heard anything.
Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999 and Matt Calvert since May 2010
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
So off topic:
But Trevor Gillies is a piece of shit. I think he might rival Matt Cooke in overall scumbagedness.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
Did I miss something? What happened?
"In fact, it is probably safe to say, the statement "I am a hockey fan" is the same as "I hate gary bettman."- bfrank27
In the first game back from his dirty hit and further beat down of Eric Tangradi, Gillies thought this was a good idea.
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The amazing thing is that the ref was literally 2 feet away and staring right at Gillies as he did it. How stupid do you have to be? The NHL should sit him down for the rest of the year.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
Have to agree, he should be out for the year, no room in this sport for a player like that.
by ryanitus on Mar 2, 2011 11:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Devils beat the Lightning 2-1
9 points back of the Canes with a game in hand.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
Laugh. The LIghtning lose and the Devils are still not making the playoffs.
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Isn’t this how we got – Kyle Wellwood ?
FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! www.naawayland.com Robert Wilson
Nah, 6th round draft pick
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Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
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by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 2, 2011 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
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