Not last year he wasnt.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Not last year he wasn't what?

You argue this yet you criticize Hakstol for not playing kids on the 4th line. We literally had this argument weeks ago before the season started where I said kids on the 4th line was a waste. Last year Fillpula was our 3rd line C. If Weal was so good, how come he couldnt out play him. He wasnt anything special in his time in Philly
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Of course I want kids playing on the 4th line. But Weal is 1) not a kid, and 2) not a 4th line player. He skillset is not that of a 4th liner. I don't see why that's so hard to understand.

And Hakstol, like a lot of other NHL coaches, puts a lot of stock in veterans over yet-unproven players, like Weal. I think Weal is/was better offensively than Filppula, but Hakstol liked Filppula's "veteran savvy", if you will, over Weal skilled yet inconsistent game.

I really don't get how you're not grasping what we're all saying. He's skilled yet inconsistent. Give him and a handful of games with skilled players, in a role that he might actually have a shot to succeed in, and see how he does. If he doesn't produce inconsistently, then yeah, move on.

You argue this yet you criticize Hakstol for not playing kids on the 4th line. We literally had this argument weeks ago before the season started where I said kids on the 4th line was a waste. Last year Fillpula was our 3rd line C. If Weal was so good, how come he couldnt out play him. He wasnt anything special in his time in Philly
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Weal was only tried at center this preseason.

We also have a coach that over values safe, heavy players.

Weal was only tried at center this preseason.

We also have a coach that over values safe, heavy players.
- VladDrag

at least ones that are perceived that way haha

at least ones that are perceived that way haha
- YuenglingJagr

"Can you skate back and forth down the wing in a straight line consistently?"

"Sure thing coach."

"Nice, very nice. And how do you feel about dumping the puck into the offensive zone."

"Actually coach, I'd prefer to carry it into the zone when I can."

"Thanks, we'll let you know. NEXT!"

MacDonald shouldn't be anywhere near the first pairing.
- Feanor

Why not?

What we do know is Mac is recovering from injury and playing through it. From this point of view, I agree. Mac shouldn’t be anywhere near the first pair...right now.

What we also know is Ghost was replaced by Mac in defensive situations at even strength next to Provorov. Ghost doesn’t play much on the PK if any PK ice time at all.

A legitimate top pair defender should be able to handle the toughest defensive situations. If not Mac, then who?

I don’t want to sound like I’m bashing Ghost in favor of Mac but these are the facts.

Not last year he wasn't what?
- ajw12

Competing with Lindblom and the Russian kid. Lindblom got a short stint late and the other was not on the team. His main competition for a roster spot was against the likes of Weise, Lehtera, Raffl, Read, Fillpula, Laughton and Leier. Most of these players are below average on a good day. Laughton had an awful sophomore year

Of course I want kids playing on the 4th line. But Weal is 1) not a kid, and 2) not a 4th line player. He skillset is not that of a 4th liner. I don't see why that's so hard to understand.

And Hakstol, like a lot of other NHL coaches, puts a lot of stock in veterans over yet-unproven players, like Weal. I think Weal is/was better offensively than Filppula, but Hakstol liked Filppula's "veteran savvy", if you will, over Weal skilled yet inconsistent game.

I really don't get how you're not grasping what we're all saying. He's skilled yet inconsistent. Give him and a handful of games with skilled players, in a role that he might actually have a shot to succeed in, and see how he does. If he doesn't produce inconsistently, then yeah, move on.
- jmatchett383

Compared to us yes he is skill. Compared to regular NHL players he is not. It takes skill just to get where he is now but he is not NHL calibur. He is a career extra forward. This guy will not be resigned and I dont expect him to sign elsewhere for an NHL starting role.

Compared to us yes he is skill. Compared to regular NHL players he is not. It takes skill just to get where he is now but he is not NHL calibur. He is a career extra forward. This guy will not be resigned and I dont expect him to sign elsewhere for an NHL starting role.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

His skill is definitely NHL caliber, it's his inconsistency that keeps him from being a regular in the lineup. Give the kid a chance with other skilled players and I think he will succeed much like how Gourde burst onto the scene at 25, maybe not as many points but I truly believe Weal could be a solid 3rd line scoring forward if his consistency improves.

Compared to us yes he is skill. Compared to regular NHL players he is not. It takes skill just to get where he is now but he is not NHL calibur. He is a career extra forward. This guy will not be resigned and I dont expect him to sign elsewhere for an NHL starting role.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I think he definitely has NHL skill, it's the consistency that he lacks. When he's on his game, he's very effective and actually wins more board battles than one would expect. But when he's off his game, he doesn't bring enough to the table to warrant a roster spot. If he could find some more consistency, I think he'd be a solid, if unspectacular, middle-6 player.

His skill is definitely NHL caliber, it's his inconsistency that keeps him from being a regular in the lineup. Give the kid a chance with other skilled players and I think he will succeed much like how Gourde burst onto the scene at 25, maybe not as many points but I truly believe Weal could be a solid 3rd line scoring forward if his consistency improves.
- ajw12

Almost anyone can be good with skilled players. Cheechoo is the perfect example of that. For the longest time Crosby only played with 3rd line players.

I think the problem with Weal is that he is inconsistently not consistent. I don't believe it's a case of him being consistent in his inconsistents.


Some may disagree to agree.

Almost anyone can be good with skilled players. Cheechoo is the perfect example of that. For the longest time Crosby only played with 3rd line players.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

So now we're comparing Joe Thornton and Sidney Crosby to Wayne Simmonds and Oskar Lindblom?

Almost anyone can be good with skilled players. Cheechoo is the perfect example of that. For the longest time Crosby only played with 3rd line players.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I can even add myself to that mix. On a good day I am a ppg player in a beer league. I played a season with an A division player on my team and my point totals doubled and was in the running for league scoring title. Lost to the A division guy obviously.

I think the problem with Weal is that he is inconsistently not consistent. I don't believe it's a case of him being consistent in his inconsistents.


Some may disagree to agree.
- hockeylover

I will inconsistently disagree that he isn't consistently inconsistent, but I will not consistently agree to inconsistently disagree that he isn't inconsistently inconsistent.

So now we're comparing Joe Thornton and Sidney Crosby to Wayne Simmonds and Oskar Lindblom?
- jmatchett383

Hes played with higher skill than that. Hes been on Girouxs line.

I will inconsistently disagree that he isn't consistently inconsistent, but I will not consistently agree to inconsistently disagree that he isn't inconsistently inconsistent.
- jmatchett383

My brain now hurts, thank you..

Hes played with higher skill than that. Hes been on Girouxs line.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

For how many games was he a fixture on Giroux's line? Are you really going to keep dragging this on?

My brain now hurts, thank you..
- ajw12

You are thank you. I do the type yes and it. Like it hmm?

I will inconsistently disagree that he isn't consistently inconsistent, but I will not consistently agree to inconsistently disagree that he isn't inconsistently inconsistent.
- jmatchett383

If Mac is still recovering from injury, I say let him recover. Does anybody know if we can fit Phillipe Myers under the cap?

Personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with carrying a defenseman. I’m also not so sure Folin should be an every night guy. Get Myers up. Play Myers.

For how many games was he a fixture on Giroux's line? Are you really going to keep dragging this on?
- jmatchett383

Yes! I dont know how long but I know for sure he has played with Giroux and also was on a line with Voracek(Not both at once).

Hes played with higher skill than that. Hes been on Girouxs line.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

So since you believe that Weal is trash, would you rather Lehtera be the 2C with Patrick out and Weal be waived?

So since you believe that Weal is trash, would you rather Lehtera be the 2C with Patrick out and Weal be waived?
- ajw12

I would rather crawl in a corner and cry. There is no right option there.

If Mac is still recovering from injury, I say let him recover. Does anybody know if we can fit Phillipe Myers under the cap?

Personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with carrying a defenseman. I’m also not so sure Folin should be an every night guy. Get Myers up. Play Myers.
- SuperSchennBros

Would have to waive someone to call Myers up. It's a roster numbers issue, not a cap issue.