Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: MacDonald, Morin, Weal, Phantoms, Prospects

You can never be sure with goalies, but man, Hart looks like the real deal. Hopefully he can have a monster season with the Phantoms next year and make his NHL debut in 19-20.

Bill, rather than call the Lehtora/Wise substitution for Weal/Leier something sure to be unpopular with the social media crowd why not just call a spade a spade? It's a high risk low reward move by a coach who keeps going back to it.

man the eagles are laying the smack down

Bill, rather than call the Lehtora/Wise substitution for Weal/Leier something sure to be unpopular with the social media crowd why not just call a spade a spade? It's a high risk low reward move by a coach who keeps going back to it.
- hereticpride

Yeah, I can see sitting Weal for a game, but Leier has played fine in a limited role. Moves like this absolutely make me think the coach is feeling some heat.

man the eagles are laying the smack down
- 2Real

As Bernie Parent would say, "it's a beautiful thing!"

😍😍

Yeah, I can see sitting Weal for a game, but Leier has played fine in a limited role. Moves like this absolutely make me think the coach is feeling some heat.
- BiggE

Feeling heat and you put two guys who you took out of the lineup because of their performance back in for two guys you feel underperforming... just wonderful!!
But let’s not bring up anyone else to see if they can help.

put Foles in

Add Weal to the list of players who have regressed under this coach.

I'd be okay with one of them in for a game but why both? It adds some size but that is about it. Weal has not been the same player this season as he was last year so I can understand a game off, I'm just not happy about the replacement. Hopefully reuniting Hagg with Gostisbehere will help get Gostisbehere going again.

Add Weal to the list of players who have regressed under this coach.
- Konalover

How about last year when Weal played well? Who was the coach then?

Add Weal to the list of players who have regressed under this coach.
- Konalover

I'm willing to give Hak the rest of the season, but he's trending in the wrong direction. I'm sure his advocate will soon pop in to tell us that it's all on the players and the coach is blameless, but I think we can all see and judge for ourselves.

I'm willing to give Hak the rest of the season, but he's trending in the wrong direction. I'm sure his advocate will soon pop in to tell us that it's all on the players and the coach is blameless, but I think we can all see and judge for ourselves.
- BiggE

It's a shame that you're offended by my opinions offered on Hakstol. Seems like a personal problem.

It's a shame that you're offended by my opinions offered on Hakstol. Seems like a personal problem.
- MJL

It's a shame that you think a coach of a 8-9-6 team is utterly blameless for his team's performance. Seems like a judgement problem.

I'd be okay with one of them in for a game but why both? It adds some size but that is about it. Weal has not been the same player this season as he was last year so I can understand a game off, I'm just not happy about the replacement. Hopefully reuniting Hagg with Gostisbehere will help get Gostisbehere going again.
- MJL

They lose a ton of speed with taking both Weal and Leier out. I flat out don't get it.

They lose a ton of speed with taking both Weal and Leier out. I flat out don't get it.
- hereticpride

Apparently the coach knows exactly what he's doing. Us mere mortals should not dare to criticize him.

It's a shame that you think a coach of a 8-9-6 team is utterly blameless for his team's performance. Seems like a judgement problem.
- BiggE

That's a false narrative by you. I have never stated that Hakstol is utterly blameless for his team's performance. I just think the players deserve a lot of the criticism rather than putting it all on Hakstol. Seems like a comprehension problem.

well i know what the eagles are going to practice this week

It's a shame that you think a coach of a 8-9-6 team is utterly blameless for his team's performance. Seems like a judgement problem.
- BiggE

Easy big fella, it’s a battle you can’t win with him.

They lose a ton of speed with taking both Weal and Leier out. I flat out don't get it.
- hereticpride

Weise is a decent skater but they do lose quickness and skill. Weal just hasn't gotten it done this season. Martel has replaced him in the top 9 which is a smaller player so maybe Hakstol wants to add some size. Team is floundering and people want the coach to make changes. Well here are some changes.

How about last year when Weal played well? Who was the coach then?
- MJL

What, you talking about the small sample size of like last quarter of a season or less?

What, you talking about the small sample size of like last quarter of a season or less?
- Buzzo

It was 23 games last season but it's okay to blame the coach for Weal regressing in 20 games this season.

Add Weal to the list of players who have regressed under this coach.
- Konalover

how has he regressed under this coach when it's his first full year? or are you saying he's playing worse as the year goes

man tribisky sucks

How about last year when Weal played well? Who was the coach then?
- MJL

So Weal came in like gangbusters from another coach and played well last year.
My point is that he has "regressed" since then and the only head coach in that period from signing him cause he seemed to have an upside, so did other teams, but the kid has gone backwards. Yes yes injury yada yada coach doesn't have any impact, players should be self motivated to improve themselves.