Roster Talk: Nearing the 20 game mark

[gnarls barkley]

Yeah, I'm thinking something that won't cost a lot. The kings season is going to ride a lot on Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez and McNabb staying healthy. I think the kings are poised for a deep playoff run if they do.

I think that's one of the best (if not the best) top 4's in the league.

Or at the very least Doughty/Muzzin/AMart as top 3. I can't believe we once had Voynov and Mitchell on top of that.

People can go on and on about whatever other D they want, but in my eyes in the only real comparables are Keith/Seabrook/Hjalmarsson and probably Weber/Josi/Jones.

 

[deeshamrock]

L Schenn makes alot of sense IMO.

It wouldn't if you watched him play on a nightly basis...there are kumquats with higher IQ's.
And every scout watching for over 2 years they've been trying to move him is the reason he's still in Philly.
There are much better options...just about anywhere

 

[Reclamation Project]

Schenn is a disaster. I wouldn't take him if they threw in the other brother for half off.

 

[Ron*]

Stolls on waivers, you know you want him back !!!!

Surely you are joking.

 

[King'sPawn]

it's not, he's simply agreeing with me that it requires context.

There's no denying Mersch has been put in a better position to succeed. Whether that's fair or not, them's the breaks, but I can't understand, from the outside looking in, what the organization is doing with Weal. With all the comments in the offseason about "this guy won't be denied" and wondering aloud if they need a Gaudreau/Johnson type player, it's confusing that he's saddled on the 4th line with anchors and given minimal playing time even with several injuries.

Of course I think Mersch is the better NHL prospect and had passed Weal up in that regard in many eyes, i get that, but why even try to square-peg-round-hole him in an extreme checking role? Just trade him for some plug vet 4th liner and be done with it.

I don't understand how you can argue that the criticisms about Weal are fair but then argue Mersch was put in a better position to succeed. Mersch defined his game and played more assertively, and showed fewer holes in his game with a more demanding role than Weal.

Isolating linemates, Mersch has played better. Weal has improved since his first couple games, but he has had issues not related to his linemates. So I don't see what context has to do with it.

 

[YP44]

It wouldn't if you watched him play on a nightly basis...there are kumquats with higher IQ's.
And every scout watching for over 2 years they've been trying to move him is the reason he's still in Philly.
There are much better options...just about anywhere

I see about 1 in 5 flyer games. I am not saying he is lights out but I see him as an improved 5-7 who would be an insurance policy if someone goes down.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I see about 1 in 5 flyer games. I am not saying he is lights out but I see him as an improved 5-7 who would be an insurance policy if someone goes down.

An insurance policy in case they can't find other orange pylons? Luke Schenn is bad, very bad. He's immobile and still plays D as if he's still in the WHL.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

It wouldn't if you watched him play on a nightly basis...there are kumquats with higher IQ's.
And every scout watching for over 2 years they've been trying to move him is the reason he's still in Philly.
There are much better options...just about anywhere

would he be better in a 5 -6 less mins spot ? in a different system like ours ?

 

[damacles1156]

Weal hasn't done any of the things that made him a successful AHL player.

You are not simply going to get PP time, or scoring line roles just because that suits your skill set as a rookie, as an LA King with this roster.

This team is coached by Sutter, and the GM is Dean Lombardi. You have to earn those roles. Especially with the roster the way it is. Look at Pearson/Toffoli, who are more skilled than Weal/Mersch. It took Sutter a while to put Toffoli/Pearson on Scoring lines/PP.

Weal unfortunately hasn't shown he can be a consistent difference on the ice, like Mersch has in his first few games.

 

[damacles1156]

would he be better in a 5 -6 less mins spot ? in a different system like ours ?

The guy is a terrible defender, period. He was ruined from development forward.


No saving guys career's after that happens. Cause all the bad habits, they won't break out of.

 

[deeshamrock]

would he be better in a 5 -6 less mins spot ? in a different system like ours ?

No, I don't think so. IQ, Vision, instincts, all things good to great defenders depend on to maintain quality level on the ice are missing on most shifts. He makes the same mistakes over and over and over. And cutting his ice time back and even benching him hasn't helped.
Plus I don't think DL is looking for a bottom tier D, he's still hunting for top pairing D and one of the current ones will move down, I guess.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't understand how you can argue that the criticisms about Weal are fair but then argue Mersch was put in a better position to succeed. Mersch defined his game and played more assertively, and showed fewer holes in his game with a more demanding role than Weal.

Isolating linemates, Mersch has played better. Weal has improved since his first couple games, but he has had issues not related to his linemates. So I don't see what context has to do with it.

Why not? Those two things aren't mutually exclusive. Mersch is the better player and prospect and Weal has concerns, I agree with you there. But you can't possibly think that Brown and Shore aren't a better safety net than Andreoff and Nolan, especially when the player in question is a small, skilled playmaker type.

Again I'm not saying it's unfair because that's just how hockey works but Mersch (through his work and skills) is being put in a position to succeed and Weal is not, he's just being used as an extra forward on a crappy line with bad road matchups. What exactly do you disagree with?

Edit: I'm not trying to be combative, I just genuinely don't see how what I'm saying is so contentious.

 

[Omni Owl]

Man, Luke Schenn was getting hyped as **** when he was drafted. Both brothers have been disappointing in their careers so far.

 

[damacles1156]

One thing Sutter hasn't tried is Weal as a winger, I imagine it's because Weal is weak on the boards, you have to win board battles at all times as a Kings winger. Mersch can do this consistently(so far), it's why he looks good, that with net presence.

Weal's only saving grace, is his Vision. Unfortunately Weal is stuck in the same situation Linden Vey found himself in. Pigeon holed into Center role, cause they can't handle winger duties; also not good enough to be a bottom six Center on the LA Kings.

Honestly Weal doesn't look any different than Brandon Kozun did at the NHL level, not good enough.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

One thing Sutter hasn't tried is Weal as a winger, I imagine it's because Weal is weak on the boards, you have to win board battles at all times as a Kings winger. Mersch can do this consistently(so far), it's why he looks good, that with net presence.

Weal's only saving grace, is his Vision. Unfortunately Weal is stuck in the same situation Linden Vey found himself in. Pigeon holed into Center role, cause they can't handle winger duties; also not good enough to be a bottom six Center on the LA Kings.

Honestly Weal doesn't look any different than Brandon Kozun did at the NHL level, not good enough.

That's fair re: Kozun.

And really he's only in the lineup because of injuries anyway, I just think his value right now is really tanking to the extent that he's turning into waiver fodder here. So be it.

 

[Omni Owl]

I'm also hoping Mersch will learn some things or 2 from Lucic. Its gotta help to have a guy like that mentoring the youth. Unfortunately for Weal, his size is a great weakness. Reminds me a lot of Oscar Moller, Kozun too.

 

[damacles1156]

That's fair re: Kozun.

And really he's only in the lineup because of injuries anyway, I just think his value right now is really tanking to the extent that he's turning into waiver fodder here. So be it.

The Kings weren't going to get anything of value from Weal anyway, a Team like Jersey might have gave up a 6th or 7th rounder, but that is about it.

Or a team would have traded another struggling forward and swapped with the Kings, ala Kozun deal.

 

[LAKings88]

If Mersch sticks.

Pearson Kopi Gaborik
Lucic Carter Toffoli
Mersch Shore Brown
King Lewis Clifford

AA
Nolan
Weal

 

[YP44]

One thing Sutter hasn't tried is Weal as a winger, I imagine it's because Weal is weak on the boards, you have to win board battles at all times as a Kings winger. Mersch can do this consistently(so far), it's why he looks good, that with net presence.

Weal's only saving grace, is his Vision. Unfortunately Weal is stuck in the same situation Linden Vey found himself in. Pigeon holed into Center role, cause they can't handle winger duties; also not good enough to be a bottom six Center on the LA Kings.

Honestly Weal doesn't look any different than Brandon Kozun did at the NHL level, not good enough.

cream always rises. Vey can't cut it in Vancouver either.

 

[YP44]

Pearson Kopi Gaborik
Lucic Carter Toffoli
Mersch Shore Brown
King Lewis Clifford

AA
Nolan
Weal

I would switch Mersch and King.
Also to have those three as scratches it would mean Forbort goes down leaving only 6 with the big team. So I think a forward would need to go down. My preference would be weal

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I would switch Mersch and King.
Also to have those three as scratches it would mean Forbort goes down leaving only 6 with the big team. So I think a forward would need to go down. My preference would be weal

I would agree with that but I'd also like Forbort to get some playing time; better to do that and bring Schultz up as #7 than expose Weal to waivers and lose yet another asset for nothing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'd also like to see Mersch get some PP time so we can see him channel that inner Holmstrom!

...but we'd need a PP first and no guarantees there

 

[YP44]

I would agree with that but I'd also like Forbort to get some playing time; better to do that and bring Schultz up as #7 than expose Weal to waivers and lose yet another asset for nothing.

doesn't forbort require waivers? I didn't think Weal did.

If both Forbort and Weal require waivers I would almost rather expose Nolan (after trying to trade him for a 5th or something)

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

doesn't forbort require waivers? I didn't think Weal did.

If both Forbort and Weal require waivers I would almost rather expose Nolan (after trying to trade him for a 5th or something)

I might be getting mixed up now but i'm under the impression that it's shore and forbort that do not require waivers, weal that does.

 

[go4hockey]

would he be better in a 5 -6 less mins spot ? in a different system like ours ?

No he is a nightmare. He would be a #8 guy on our roster as I feel all 7 guys we have and even Greene when he comes back are better than him. Leave him in Philly