Other than Weal being stronger on the faceoffs, what does Weal bring to the table? If it is the faceoffs alone then its a valid reason, but Weal is absolute trash on the PP as well.

I am not debating whether Vorobyev should of been sent down, it was no question the right call, but I don't see what Weal does. You can only compete so much while laying on your belly.
- Glak18

Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing

Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
- dragonoffrost

Did you just hit on me with Shakespeare?

Wow Vasilevskiy with a broken foot....

That's huge and I don't see that as short term.
- Glak18

Cue the Neuvirth for Kucherov posts.

So if we want to push ourselves into the playoffs and maybe make some noise, I agree with MJL that a 3c is needed. I don't see it in Lehigh right now. Maybe Laughton can. But I am thinking they might need to look at a trade for one. To me I don't see really any pure rental guys, like UFA types after this year, who fit. Anisimov has 2 more years left but that might not be bad as it gives frost time but he also can play wing if needed.

Cody Eakin could be one I feel.

Not sure what else is out there.

Anisimov seems like the most attractive with what he can bring

Cue the Neuvirth for Kucherov posts.
- MJL

Yeah I was going to throw a "pick a goalie" quick trade proposal then stepped away.

Other than Weal being stronger on the faceoffs, what does Weal bring to the table? If it is the faceoffs alone then its a valid reason, but Weal is absolute trash on the PP as well.

I am not debating whether Vorobyev should of been sent down, it was no question the right call, but I don't see what Weal does. You can only compete so much while laying on your belly.
- Glak18

Weal maintains puck possession and does not shy away from plays. May not be the strongest guy but he is in the corners working. wants the puck, doesn't defer to teammates. Also good in the dot like you said.

Did you just hit on me with Shakespeare?
- Glak18

mayhaps I didst

Weal maintains puck possession and does not shy away from plays. May not be the strongest guy but he is in the corners working. wants the puck, doesn't defer to teammates. Also good in the dot like you said.
- ClaudeFather

He does have decent possession stats, when he cuts back and forth along the side wall, but the problem is he can't do that when someone is actually covering him. He can battle all he wants, but if the end result is Weal losing the battle most of the time..what was the point of the battle.

Weal is the definition of "I have the puck, someone please come over and help me now".

I just feel the below isn't a balanced defensive lineup.

28 Claude Giroux - 14 Sean Couturier - 11 Travis Konecny
23 Oskar Lindblom - 19 Nolan Patrick - 93 Jakub Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk - 40 Jordan Weal - 17 Wayne Simmonds
22 Dale Weise - 21 Scott Laughton - 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel

I'm toying with the idea of moving Giroux back to center and how deep the lineup becomes.

25 James van Riemsdyk -28 Claude Giroux - 17 Wayne Simmonds
11 Travis Konecny - 14 Sean Couturier - 93 Jakub Voracek
23 Oskar Lindblom - 19 Nolan Patrick - 40 Jordan Weal
22 Dale Weise - 21 Scott Laughton - 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel

I just feel the below isn't a balanced defensive lineup.

28 Claude Giroux - 14 Sean Couturier - 11 Travis Konecny
23 Oskar Lindblom - 19 Nolan Patrick - 93 Jakub Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk - 40 Jordan Weal - 17 Wayne Simmonds
22 Dale Weise - 21 Scott Laughton - 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel

I'm toying with the idea of moving Giroux back to center and how deep the lineup becomes.

25 James van Riemsdyk -28 Claude Giroux - 17 Wayne Simmonds
11 Travis Konecny - 14 Sean Couturier - 93 Jakub Voracek
23 Oskar Lindblom - 19 Nolan Patrick - 40 Jordan Weal
22 Dale Weise - 21 Scott Laughton - 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel
- youarewrong

I really don't see them moving G back to center.

I had to listen to the Panther announcers and they said the same thing, well they said 2 teams with winning streaks not wanting to make mistakes

He does have decent possession stats, when he cuts back and forth along the side wall, but the problem is he can't do that when someone is actually covering him. He can battle all he wants, but if the end result is Weal losing the battle most of the time..what was the point of the battle.

Weal is the definition of "I have the puck, someone please come over and help me now".
- Glak18

Not saying he's the best option but he should be on the roster over Misha hands down.

I just feel the below isn't a balanced defensive lineup.

28 Claude Giroux - 14 Sean Couturier - 11 Travis Konecny
23 Oskar Lindblom - 19 Nolan Patrick - 93 Jakub Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk - 40 Jordan Weal - 17 Wayne Simmonds
22 Dale Weise - 21 Scott Laughton - 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel

I'm toying with the idea of moving Giroux back to center and how deep the lineup becomes.

25 James van Riemsdyk -28 Claude Giroux - 17 Wayne Simmonds
11 Travis Konecny - 14 Sean Couturier - 93 Jakub Voracek
23 Oskar Lindblom - 19 Nolan Patrick - 40 Jordan Weal
22 Dale Weise - 21 Scott Laughton - 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel
- youarewrong

How about this one:

Giroux - Couturier - Konecny
Lindblom - Patrick - Voracek
van Riemsdyk - ANISIMOV - Simmonds
Wiese - Laughton/Lehtara - Laughton/Aube-Kubel


Anisimon is a solid two way player and that 3rd line would give teams trouble with their size.

I really don't see them moving G back to center.
- dragonoffrost

He shouldn't. 102 points and seems to be excelling again this year.

Other then face offs...
Weal can hang onto the puck and I think will create some scoring on a line with JvR.
He also is pretty good at shoot outs.

His faults are obvious and he is not the ideal guy at 3C

He may be their best option for now, but after last game I think the coach is open to at least trying Laughton in that spot

Other then face offs...
Weal can hang onto the puck and I think will create some scoring on a line with JvR.
He also is pretty good at shoot outs.

His faults are obvious and he is not the ideal guy at 3C

He may be their best option for now, but after last game I think the coach is open to at least trying Laughton in that spot
- Marc D

I won't be shocked to see an even split of time at 3/4c for Weal and Laughton.

I won't be shocked to see an even split of time at 3/4c for Weal and Laughton.
- dragonoffrost

If that line doesn't look good I could see a quick switch to Laughton moving up to that spot.

No, Filppula was acquired in case Patrick wasn't ready, remember?
- jmatchett383

We had Filppula way before we knew we would get a second overall pick...

If that line doesn't look good I could see a quick switch to Laughton moving up to that spot.
- J35Bacher

As much as people hate Hakstol he seems to be getting the pulse of this team. The move of Laughton to C last game, the time out and goalie change against Arizona it's not same old business.

We had Filppula way before we knew we would get a second overall pick...
- SuperSchennBros

He was a throw in to make the salary work for the Streit deal. Tampa needed to get some cap space to be able to take him and flip him to Pittsburgh.

So Lehtera not playing tonight is the major story of the day. For whatever reason his impact is being compared to Filppula’s impact on this team this season.

My question now becomes, how will we ever win tonight’s game or any future games without Jori Lehtera???

It was more for the reference when he stated "Lehtera is not a player that is going to be here long term." and his statements made yesterday about Filipula.

Doesn't matter about their future status, if you have them now you use them the best you can. Plus I don't feel Weal is seen as long term either.
- Glak18

I think you're right. I don't think they view Weal as long term. His short term success before he was re-signed on a 2 year deal as a UFA, has not translated into more of the same. He is quick , has good possesion at times but ends up running around in circles until he is knocked off of the puck. Has been very risky defensively in the past as well

He was a throw in to make the salary work for the Streit deal. Tampa needed to get some cap space to be able to take him and flip him to Pittsburgh.
- dragonoffrost

I know....why are you telling me this?

Listen, if you read any post I have made about Weal in the last couple weeks, you would know that I don’t think his debut at center is going well. I do think he is an NHL player. Looks mostly like a playmaking RW who would work with a defensive center. Obviously with the depth the Flyers have at RW and lack of a defensive 3C center this becomes a poor fit problem.

This doesn’t mean I won’t give him a fair shot at the gap on 3C. JVR is a different style player than Weise or Laughton. I’m keeping an open mind.

Edit: I guess you could say I’m being patient.
- NC Flyers Fan

I pretty much agree with and I am being patient with Weal. Weal really needs to get the puck the net more. I think he is on the puck quickly but then holds it or gets knocked off of it after doing some loops on the boards, get it to the net . Now with Simmer and JVR he has no excuse, JVR brings more skill and hockey sense to the line, where Weise was a grinder.

As much as I am patient, I think Weal has about 3 more games to show something more. I thought the game against the Panthers was one of Weals worse this season.

unless Laughton really stands out, then Weal might have 1 game left.

He shouldn't. 102 points and seems to be excelling again this year.
- ClaudeFather

Was it the move to wing or finally being healthy? We wont know unless we test the theory. But the team needs him at center, that much is clear. With Patrick centering a 3rd line that will get more minutes then a 3rd line centered by Weal and a 2nd line centered by Couts that can be sent out on a defensive zone draw, this should take some "Tough" minutes away from Giroux if he moves back to center.

However if you can get a good, cheap, short-term 3C without giving alot up... sure. I just dont want to wait till the deadline to make a move.