Pretty narrow measuring stick. St. Louis' stats in both 4 years of college and the AHL was a better indication of his NHL future than what Jordan Weal has put up. That isn't to say that Weal's stats aren't respectable. But Weal doesn't hold a candle to St. Louis in skill level. And that is something their respective organizations see and saw every day in workouts and practices. They see way more than we as fans do on a daily basis.

To me Weal is Peter White +. A great AHL player but at best an NHL journeyman.
- MBFlyerfan

Weal has 2 100pt seasons in the WHL (and a 96 point season) and was a ppg player in the AHL. Not sayin he’s going to be a stud but he has a lot more skill than people think. He’s also not been given a shot a center for any significant time.

Weal has 2 100pt seasons in the WHL (and a 96 point season) and was a ppg player in the AHL. Not sayin he’s going to be a stud but he has a lot more skill than people think. He’s also not been given a shot a center for any significant time.
- VladDrag

Well what do you expect with guys like Filppula and Umberger on the roster? He obviously was way behind on the depth chart with studs like them.

Also, I thought the Weal signing was a good move. Very low-risk/high-reward. I was hoping he could be our Tyler Johnson, but he probably won't. Still, it was a good shot.

Exactly. When Provorov starts looking like himself again, it should help stabilize things to a large degree and other things will snap into place underneath.

Additionally, if Sanheim and Hägg play on a regular basis how they've played overall -- not on a rough play here or there, but on the bulk of their shifts -- in the last two games, the supporting pairs' outlooks should be better.

Right now, though, that's a lot of hoping. Also, unless there is more consistent forward support defensively, and not just in one game, it's going to make life rough on the D and the goalies even beyond them trying to sort out their own play. So far, it's a vicious circle.
- bmeltzer

This is a big problem right now.

Weal has 2 100pt seasons in the WHL (and a 96 point season) and was a ppg player in the AHL. Not sayin he’s going to be a stud but he has a lot more skill than people think. He’s also not been given a shot a center for any significant time.
- VladDrag

So did Alex Diagle. How did he work out? Junior stats dont translate to the NHL. Everything is easier when you play against trash. The fact is Weal is not able to elevate himself to be a NHL regular. There is a big talent level jump from junior to major

Weal has 2 100pt seasons in the WHL (and a 96 point season) and was a ppg player in the AHL. Not sayin he’s going to be a stud but he has a lot more skill than people think. He’s also not been given a shot a center for any significant time.
- VladDrag

He's also 26, how long should we wait?

So did Alex Diagle. How did he work out? Junior stats dont translate to the NHL. Everything is easier when you play against trash. The fact is Weal is not able to elevate himself to be a NHL regular. There is a big talent level jump from junior to major
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

That's true and fine. But the post he was replying to was talking about MSL's college stats as a rebuttal.

He's also 26, how long should we wait?
- ClaudeFather

Game #8

@frank_seravalli
13h13 hours ago
More
Connor McDavid has set a new #NHL record, factoring in on all eight of #Oilers' goals to start a season (4g+4a). Previous record was held by Adam Oates (7).

actually got it to 9 before the oilers scored a goal without him lol (3 on 3 OT goal)

Considering that he is winning puck battles, backchecking and in the middle of a couple scoring chances per game, no.
- bmeltzer

him no fight him no score him useless

My game observations:

- Something is missing. i know they have some injuries right now but something is just off that I can't put my finger on.

- I think you need to break up the provorov/gostisbehere pairing. I think more to get Provorov going. Just not sure who he would be paired with.

- First two goals were just soft. I know Elliott played well against Vegas but those first 2 need to be stops in my opinion.

- Weal played a pretty good game.

- Gostisbehere was solid again. Really playing well.

- Love what I am seeing in Hagg's game. he is getting involved offensively and love the edge he plays with on defense.
- J35Bacher

Provy and Amac

True and it's nothing new. I remember guys like Drew Callendar, Magnus Roupe, Jiri Latal, and others having strong preseasons and then quickly disappearing once the games began to count. The difference is night and day.
- BiggE

Jon Sim was a great pre season NHL player. Regular season, not so much.

Jon Sim was a great pre season NHL player. Regular season, not so much.
- MJL

u r so leight

Well what do you expect with guys like Filppula and Umberger on the roster? He obviously was way behind on the depth chart with studs like them.

Also, I thought the Weal signing was a good move. Very low-risk/high-reward. I was hoping he could be our Tyler Johnson, but he probably won't. Still, it was a good shot.
- jmatchett383

The Flyers right now could use a player like Filppula.

u r so leight
- jmatchett383

better leight than never hue hue hue hue

The Flyers right now could use a player like Filppula.
- MJL

I disagree, but okay.

Exactly. When Provorov starts looking like himself again, it should help stabilize things to a large degree and other things will snap into place underneath.

Additionally, if Sanheim and Hägg play on a regular basis how they've played overall -- not on a rough play here or there, but on the bulk of their shifts -- in the last two games, the supporting pairs' outlooks should be better.

Right now, though, that's a lot of hoping. Also, unless there is more consistent forward support defensively, and not just in one game, it's going to make life rough on the D and the goalies even beyond them trying to sort out their own play. So far, it's a vicious circle.
- bmeltzer

it looks like provorov can barely skate, is there no talk of an LBI?

The Flyers right now could use a player like Filppula.
- MJL

I don't think so.

Also as much as we are thinking it is all doom and gloom we are 6 games in and playing without 2 big parts of the team.

I also wonder if expectations are playing a part. This team knows it was to take a step this year. The GM has said they needed to. I think things will work out.

I don't think so.

Also as much as we are thinking it is all doom and gloom we are 6 games in and playing without 2 big parts of the team.

I also wonder if expectations are playing a part. This team knows it was to take a step this year. The GM has said they needed to. I think things will work out.
- J35Bacher

Optimism is not allowed around here so could you please tone it down a bit sheesh

Flyers goal difference under Hakstol
1st period: 166 - 202 = -36
2nd period: 267 - 244 = +23
3rd period: 234 - 238 = -4
Overtime: 26 - 18 = +8
- Feanor

Have we thought about switching ends at home? Seriously? 1st and 3rd period it looks like our blue line has a lip that our guys can't get the puck over. Horrible failed clears. Not as many problems in the 2nd for some reason.

He's also 26, how long should we wait?
- ClaudeFather

Yanni Gourde played his first season last year at 25 and score 64 points.

I would say give him 20-30 games. You’ll have a good idea 15 games into it.

So did Alex Diagle. How did he work out? Junior stats dont translate to the NHL. Everything is easier when you play against trash. The fact is Weal is not able to elevate himself to be a NHL regular. There is a big talent level jump from junior to major
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Don’t disagree. I just think he deserves a chance. Played well a two years ago in a relatively decent size sample.

I don't think so.

Also as much as we are thinking it is all doom and gloom we are 6 games in and playing without 2 big parts of the team.

I also wonder if expectations are playing a part. This team knows it was to take a step this year. The GM has said they needed to. I think things will work out.
- J35Bacher

This is the start of Year 4, from when Hextall picked Dave Hakstol to run the ship. We have been asked for patience and I think most right thinking Flyers fans have been patient.

For me, the expectations are higher this year and my patience is a little thinner tbh. They need to be more consistent, night in and night out.

And somehow, the things like slow starts that have plagued this team for quite some time now are still there, costing this team games.

I'm not tossing hope on the season and I'm not ready to fire Hakstol (yet), but this start feels less like a step forward and more like a fall down the stairs.

I don't think so.

Also as much as we are thinking it is all doom and gloom we are 6 games in and playing without 2 big parts of the team.

I also wonder if expectations are playing a part. This team knows it was to take a step this year. The GM has said they needed to. I think things will work out.
- J35Bacher

Flyers are having to use Couturier more against top lines and in Dzone starts. Having a veteran center that can take some of that load off of Couturier frees that line up to be used differently. It's a factor.

Have we thought about switching ends at home? Seriously? 1st and 3rd period it looks like our blue line has a lip that our guys can't get the puck over. Horrible failed clears. Not as many problems in the 2nd for some reason.
- cdearth23

The point I think he is trying to make is that the longer change does not allow for Hak to try match lineups as much

flyers could use a new coach that can motivate these bums from the get go