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Mersch making most of rookie season, aiding Monarchs' run through AHL playoffs

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Nov 16, 2005
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Photo: Manchester Monarchs forward and Los Angeles Kings prospect Michael Mersch is currently third overall in AHL playoff scoring with 11 goals and 18 points in 13 games for the Calder Cup Finals-bound Monarchs (courtesy of Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)


</p> The Manchester Monarchs completed the four-game sweep of the Hartford Wolf Pack to advance to their first-ever Calder Cup Finals appearance. Several Los Angeles Kings prospects are getting experience as well as exposure, but none more than rookie forward Michael Mersch, a former University of Wisconsin standout who has burst onto the scene down the stretch and in the postseason for the Kings’ AHL affiliate.… read more

The post Mersch making most of rookie season, aiding Monarchs’ run through AHL playoffs appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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IMO he has been the most underrated Kings prospect since he was drafted, look at who he was picked behind in last years summer ranking polls.

Happy to see he is finally getting some credit here, this is a future NHL third line forward, and lord knows this team could use a massive upgrade in the bottom six.
 
Mersch and King are exactly what you want in your bottom six. Productive, younger, cost controlled players. should be fun watching Mersch develop more right in front of eyes.

Jonny Brodzinski is also going to be fun to watch, lots of skill and speed.
 
since mersch is a little older (4 years in college) in your opinion does he have a decent shot at making the team in oct.,
 
In another 2 seasons, we could have a much better-scoring bottom-6, with Shore, Mersch, Dowd, and possibly Weal or O'Neill on the club, and perhaps even Auger by then.

We have other guys too (Kempe, Brodzinsky, etc), but it's hard to say if they'll be ready in 2 years at this early point.

Might even turn out to be a top-sixer in the bunch.
Mersch is as good a candidate as any.
If he really breaks it open next season (70-80 pts), top-six would not be an unreasonable expectation.
He is a power-forward, after all.
 
yankeeking said:
since mersch is a little older (4 years in college) in your opinion does he have a decent shot at making the team in oct.,
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Don't think so, He would have to really shine in camp. Also the Kings would be wasting him as a 13th forward when other candidates are better suited for that(Andy).

With Pearson coming back, rumors of Weal playing RW, the Kings are full up. It would be better for Mersch to get playing time, not sit in the press box.
 
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damacles1156 said:
Don't think so, He would have to really shine in camp. Also the Kings would be wasting him as a 13th forward when other candidates are better suited for that(Andy).

With Pearson coming back, rumors of Weal playing RW, the Kings are full up. It would be better for Mersch to get playing time, not sit in the press box.
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Why would Weal play over Mersch? I know Weal has been in the AHL longer and scored more points. But right now I think it's safe to say they are similarly productive. Mersch is a natural winger and is 6'2. This is the problem Weal will always run into. He can be ultra productive but there's only so many open spots and it's to easy for other guys to pass him by due to his size.
 
Rusty Batch said:
Why would Weal play over Mersch? I know Weal has been in the AHL longer and scored more points. But right now I think it's safe to say they are similarly productive. Mersch is a natural winger and is 6'2. This is the problem Weal will always run into. He can be ultra productive but there's only so many open spots and it's to easy for other guys to pass him by due to his size.
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Unfortunate but probably true. Especially given the Kings system.
 
kings fans sometimes seem to think that management is set in their ways and not willing to adapt, when in reality they have adapted significantly.

Remember when it was a given that a Dean Lombardi managed team would always have a goon on the roster. Well we will likely be entering our 4th straight season without a goon on the roster.

Remember how the Kings would never give up major assets, give a large contract or use a high draft pick on a winger. The Kings traded for Carter (RW at the time) and Gaborik and drafted Pearson.

Remember the three stay at home and three puck movers and playing them together. Well how long have Muzzin and Doughty been playing together? The Kings look like they will be entering next season with four puck moving d-man.

The Kings bottom six was a disaster last season and it needs to get a alot faster and more skilled if we want to get back to the level of hockey we saw tonight.
 
Herby said:
kings fans sometimes seem to think that management is set in their ways and not willing to adapt, when in reality they have adapted significantly.

Remember when it was a given that a Dean Lombardi managed team would always have a goon on the roster. Well we will likely be entering our 4th straight season without a goon on the roster.

Remember how the Kings would never give up major assets, give a large contract or use a high draft pick on a winger. The Kings traded for Carter (RW at the time) and Gaborik and drafted Pearson.

Remember the three stay at home and three puck movers and playing them together. Well how long have Muzzin and Doughty been playing together? The Kings look like they will be entering next season with four puck moving d-man.

The Kings bottom six was a disaster last season and it needs to get a alot faster and more skilled if we want to get back to the level of hockey we saw tonight.
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Bravo, great post.

Plus everything we've read from Futa and DL this offseason suggests they're heavily reimagining things with the coaches.

I'm also sure looking at the speed of the Conference Finals and SCF will make them think. It's ****ing warp speed hockey out there.
 
Rusty Batch said:
Why would Weal play over Mersch? I know Weal has been in the AHL longer and scored more points. But right now I think it's safe to say they are similarly productive. Mersch is a natural winger and is 6'2. This is the problem Weal will always run into. He can be ultra productive but there's only so many open spots and it's to easy for other guys to pass him by due to his size.
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Dean Lombardi on Jordan Weal. "He brings an element we lack in our lineup" ,"The kid won't be denied, he dares you to underestimate him".

Jordan Weal will be given a chance to make the Kings Roster.
 
damacles1156 said:
Dean Lombardi on Jordan Weal. "He brings an element we lack in our lineup" ,"The kid won't be denied, he dares you to underestimate him".

Jordan Weal will be given a chance to make the Kings Roster.
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My comment was based on Weal getting a shot over Mersch. Not whether or not Weal is good enough to get a shot. I just think it's tough for Weal to surpass players that he is not dramatically out performing. I hope he makes it and I think he deserves it. But at the end of the day deserving it doesnt really matter.

Weal has played 3 full seasons in the AHL. Mersch is in his rookie season. Weal was more productive in the regular season. But both have been equaly tearing up the postseason.
Same age, but I think Mersch is about 5 months younger. The size advantage is huge for Mersch.
I'm no expert in scouting but just looking at this objectively. Mersch is ahead of Weal. Especially if it's for a winger spot
 
Rusty Batch said:
My comment was based on Weal getting a shot over Mersch. Not whether or not Weal is good enough to get a shot. I just think it's tough for Weal to surpass players that he is not dramatically out performing. I hope he makes it and I think he deserves it. But at the end of the day deserving it doesnt really matter.

Weal has played 3 full seasons in the AHL. Mersch is in his rookie season. Weal was more productive in the regular season. But both have been equaly tearing up the postseason.
Same age, but I think Mersch is about 5 months younger. The size advantage is huge for Mersch.
I'm no expert in scouting but just looking at this objectively. Mersch is ahead of Weal. Especially if it's for a winger spot
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The Kings brass would disagree with you. Weal has already been called up once, and was scheduled to be called up twice last season. But didn't get that first call up due to cap reasons.

Lombardi once again "Weal has paid his dues" ,

Also Weal is out of options next season, He is waiver eligible.

Mersch has been good, but Weal has been consistently the best Monarchs player on the ice nightly in the post season.
 
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I agree that Mersch fills a role on the Kings better though, though in a perfect world, he gets another year in Manchester. We haven't really had a guy like Mersch since Smyth. I've just been admiring watching Mersch eat three players on his way to getting tackled in front of the net. However, with DL's comments on Weal, his play, his 'seniority', and his waiver situation, I don't see any way Weal isn't on this roster (unless he's traded due to high value, shrug). They're not really comparable players/slots imo though.
 
The only way I see Weal not making the roster is, Lombardi is offered a deal at the Draft he can't pass up. Or if Weal totally botches his preseason showing next time around.
 
damacles1156 said:
The only way I see Weal not making the roster is, Lombardi is offered a deal at the Draft he can't pass up. Or if Weal totally botches his preseason showing next time around.
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100% agreed. I think that DL quote about Weal refusing to be denied is laced with how much he loves the kid's fire.
 
I saw Weal play last year during a pre-season game against the Ducks. I don't really follow the prospects as much as some other folks on this board, but while watching the game he immediately stood out. He is fast and has some sick skills with puck handling. He plays a Kane-style, but obviously he is not near Kane's level. The only thing I would not want to see is Sutter sticking him on the fourth line. That would be such a waste for Weal, since he does not play a grinding game. He would be perfect on a line with Gaborik and Kopitar.
 
AlphaBravo said:
I saw Weal play last year during a pre-season game against the Ducks. I don't really follow the prospects as much as some other folks on this board, but while watching the game he immediately stood out. He is fast and has some sick skills with puck handling. He plays a Kane-style, but obviously he is not near Kane's level. The only thing I would not want to see is Sutter sticking him on the fourth line. That would be such a waste for Weal, since he does not play a grinding game. He would be perfect on a line with Gaborik and Kopitar.
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He will have to earn his ice time just like everyone else. I am confident that Weal can make an impact on any line though.

The fourth line is still required to do things in the offensive zone.
 
damacles1156 said:
The Kings brass would disagree with you. Weal has already been called up once, and was scheduled to be called up twice last season. But didn't get that first call up due to cap reasons.

Lombardi once again "Weal has paid his dues" ,

Also Weal is out of options next season, He is waiver eligible.

Mersch has been good, but Weal has been consistently the best Monarchs player on the ice nightly in the post season.
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You can say Kings brass disagrees with me. But I didn't see Weal in a kings game this year. In fact when they needed a C from the AHL team it was Shore ( and Andreoff) not Weal who played. I would not be surprised to see Weal on the kings roster if his contract status mandates it. But I would be surprised to see him actually playing wing over Mersch.
 
KingCanadain1976 said:
Damacles where do u see Weal playing ? I want to try and see where people think he'll fit in So can you post what your lineup looks like with Weal
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Weal if retained and not dealt at the Draft, will most likely be tried at RW. Williams is not coming back (highly doubtful), and Brown is Brown. So you have to do something on the right side.

Weal has the skill set to play wing just fine. The Kings have plenty of players that can go into corners, and come out with puck.

The Kings LACK skilled wingers, that can create their own offense. Weal can do that. I use to think the Kings wouldn't play guys like Weal either.

Mike Strothers changed my mind, seeing how he uses his players, and how the Kings allow him to, is eye opening.

As long as the Kings don't try and turn Weal into some sort of low skilled grinder, he will be fine. I think the Kings brass is finally starting to learn their lesson about letting players play their natural game.

Vey/Moller/Clifford/Loki/ have taught the Kings Brass some lessons the hard way.
 
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Rusty Batch said:
You can say Kings brass disagrees with me. But I didn't see Weal in a kings game this year. In fact when they needed a C from the AHL team it was Shore ( and Andreoff) not Weal who played. I would not be surprised to see Weal on the kings roster if his contract status mandates it. But I would be surprised to see him actually playing wing over Mersch.
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If you recall, they tried early on, but were cap-blocked by Slava's situation (the 100 dollar deal). Then they called him up again at the end of the season and inexplicably didn't play him. But you should believe they tried to play him early on with his fantastic camp and when we were shorthanded, so saying the boldfaced is true, but not completely accurate to the spirit of what happened.
 
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