We got our first look at what 22 year old Jason Akeson could do in the NHL tonight. And boy did we get an eyeful. Akeson played a great game outside of scoring his first goal of the season. He could create his own space, drive the net, force turnovers (like he did on his goal), and move the puck rather well.
While Akeson did make a few miscues, missing Voracek on a pass in the first and having a pass blocked on the rush in the third, he was overall very impressive. The mistakes that he made could easily be worked out after a few more games in the NHL. The biggest concerns the Flyers had with Akeson, his speed and defensive play, didn't look to be big problems (though his defensive ability wasn't really tested). He looked like he belonged in the NHL. He looked like he belonged with the Flyers top line. And he was able to create offense against one of the top defensive teams in the league.
Akeson has been a late bloomer compared to most hockey players. In 2007-08, his draft eligible year, he spent most of the season in the Central Canada Hockey League. A Junior "A" league (most players are drafted out of a Major Junior league) that is a lesser league even when compared to other Junior A leagues like OJHL or the BCHL. Akeson made the leap to Major Junior as an overage player and immediately started making an impact. He scored more than a point per game his first year with the Kitchner Rangers and by the 2010-11 season he was leading the league in points.
Akeson has been playing with the Phantoms since signing with the organization in the 2011 offseason; and he's been their best player over the last two seasons. Playing with a below average team Akeson has still been able to put up decent points. After being considered a passer and playmaker Akeson had a goal scoring break out this past season with 20 goals in 62 games. And those numbers aren't overly inflated from playing guys like Schenn and Couturier during the lockout because Akeson spent the first month and half of the season in the ECHL.
Akeson has showed he can play in NHL but he has to be given the right opportunity. Unlike players like Sean Couturier and Matt Read who could stick with the team because of their ability to play on the 3rd and 4th line Akeson needs to be given a top six role. While his speed and defensive ability are improving he's not suited for 4th line play. But with Danny Briere likely on his way out a top six role for a space creating playmaker has opened up. And with a limited free agent market and a reduced salary cap it will be difficult for the Flyers to go out and buy a replacement.
We saw how he did skating with friend/mentor Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek tonight. Earlier this year we saw another young undrafted AHLer be given a shot with two superstars in Tampa Bay. Cory Conacher, who led the AHL in points in 2011-12, skated on a line with Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos and he produced enough points to get him into the Rookie of the Year conversation. Akeson's size and skill set compared to Conacher should translate to even better to the NHL so it wouldn't be unreasonable to give Akeson time on the Flyers top line. His ability to create space on his own could be a real facilitator for Claude Giroux. And if Akeson played on a line with Giroux and Voracek for some or most of the season he could easily put up enough points to get himself in Calder Trophy consideration.
Keeping Akeson on the Flyers next season could also really help the Flyers cap situation. Akeson only has a $900,000 cap hit. If the Flyers could get a top six forward for less than a million dollars it would be much easier to go out and get an expensive defenseman.
I think Akeson could end up being a Martin Erat type player. Erat, who was drafted 191st Overall in 1999, has turned into a very solid player scoring 49 or more points in each of the last 8 seasons. Earlier this year Erat was traded for Filip Forsberg, one of the top prospects in the NHL, which shows how valuable an Erat type player can be. Though Erat is slightly bigger they play a similar style and their AHL production was similar (Akeson's was slightly better).
You may be thinking that I'm overreacting a little bit calling him a Rookie of the Year candidate, but his age and years of professional experience will definitely help his candidacy if he plays all of next season. Mostly because he wouldn't hit the wall like younger and less experience players. I may be reading too much into one strong game but I've been thinking Akeson would turn into a great pro ever since the Flyers signed him and I'm happy to see him get his shot.
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