Good thing for Tampa Bay that they didn't enforce a "Must be this high to play center" rule that kept short guys like Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson and Yanni Gourde out of the middle.

So I picked up NHL 19 over the weekend, been a few years since it's the same trash like always.

Played a couple quick games. Same old same old. Still has the "suck in animation" where you have a big gap, but when you make a move the player teleports and lays a hit. The stick checking OMG, it's like peewee hockey where any time a stick comes near a player they fall.

Then I decided to check ratings because that is what separates what a player can do. Same thing, all players are padded based on what overall they want them to be. Did you know that Mario Lemuiex, Joe Sakic, Gretzky, Forsberg are all faster than Paul Coffey and Mike Gartner? John Taveres skates like Coffey too.

Finally I realized by going through all the player ratings that people really do base their hockey knowledge on NHL video game stats. I have always joked about it, but I guess it is true.

So I picked up NHL 19 over the weekend, been a few years since it's the same trash like always.

Played a couple quick games. Same old same old. Still has the "suck in animation" where you have a big gap, but when you make a move the player teleports and lays a hit. The stick checking OMG, it's like peewee hockey where any time a stick comes near a player they fall.

Then I decided to check ratings because that is what separates what a player can do. Same thing, all players are padded based on what overall they want them to be. Did you know that Mario Lemuiex, Joe Sakic, Gretzky, Forsberg are all faster than Paul Coffey and Mike Gartner? John Taveres skates like Coffey too.

Finally I realized by going through all the player ratings that people really do base their hockey knowledge on NHL video game stats. I have always joked about it, but I guess it is true.
- Glak18

I haven't bought an NHL game since like 08????
I loved making a player with skating and checking maxed out and play online and just lay out everyone with him. Best way to play defense

To me he is Peter White.
- MBFlyerfan

Jarrod Ross.

So I picked up NHL 19 over the weekend, been a few years since it's the same trash like always.

Played a couple quick games. Same old same old. Still has the "suck in animation" where you have a big gap, but when you make a move the player teleports and lays a hit. The stick checking OMG, it's like peewee hockey where any time a stick comes near a player they fall.

Then I decided to check ratings because that is what separates what a player can do. Same thing, all players are padded based on what overall they want them to be. Did you know that Mario Lemuiex, Joe Sakic, Gretzky, Forsberg are all faster than Paul Coffey and Mike Gartner? John Taveres skates like Coffey too.

Finally I realized by going through all the player ratings that people really do base their hockey knowledge on NHL video game stats. I have always joked about it, but I guess it is true.
- Glak18

They really need to patch the poke checking. I played an online game and it took waaaaaay too long bc both of us were getting trip calls left and right.

Good thing for Tampa Bay that they didn't enforce a "Must be this high to play center" rule that kept short guys like Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson and Yanni Gourde out of the middle.
- Feanor

Difference is those guys have special talent.

Weal isn't on that level. So if it's between Weal and say Vorobyev, for me I go with the guy that does bring more size. Also i believe he can kill penalties too. That also gives him an edge over Weal.

Difference is those guys have special talent.

Weal isn't on that level. So if it's between Weal and say Vorobyev, for me I go with the guy that does bring more size. Also i believe he can kill penalties too. That also gives him an edge over Weal.
- J35Bacher

Gourde didn't become an NHL regular till age 26.

Speaking of guys killing penalties, did you ever address the fact that Matt Martin spent fewer than four total minutes killing penalties when he was last with the Islanders in 15-16?

I bet you he plays in over 70 games for them. he also is one of there PK guys.
- J35Bacher

Gourde didn't become an NHL regular till age 26.
- Feanor

Well then we will be in for a treat because Weal is 26.

Would you also say Tampa had a pretty good lineup for a while and might have had a hard time breaking in on it? That could have been a factor.

Difference is those guys have special talent.

Weal isn't on that level. So if it's between Weal and say Vorobyev, for me I go with the guy that does bring more size. Also i believe he can kill penalties too. That also gives him an edge over Weal.
- J35Bacher

Not sure if you've seen this or not, but Weal had the same offensive output as Point and Johnson during juniors.

Gourde played in the ECHL, and has never had a point per game season in the AHL. Weal has had 3 seasons in the AHL near or better than a point per game.

I'm not saying Weal is the answer, or that he's going to be our Johnson/Gourde, but he's got a lot of skill. He's very talented.

So Morin was in the wrong for his hit last season that led to his fight with Farnham? Funny, I don't remember a lot of people on here taking issue with it.

I'm not saying you should be out there looking to run people, and I get that. But it's a contact sport. So while he could have let up, I don't see it as he went out and was looking to injure someone like a Tom Wilson type does. It was a hard, clean hit, and it unfortunately ended badly for Sanheim.
- jmatchett383

Martin knows full well that the player is off balance and vulnerable. He should let up on a hit like that in the pre season in my opinion.

They really need to patch the poke checking. I played an online game and it took waaaaaay too long bc both of us were getting trip calls left and right.
- arichardson22

yeah you have to time poke checks way better, and pretty much none from behind. I like the change they made to skating though, it's much better.

The matchmaking system for EASHL is messed up though, I rarely get into a game before it times out. Hopefully they fix that soon.

Well then we will be in for a treat because Weal is 26.

Would you also say Tampa had a pretty good lineup for a while and might have had a hard time breaking in on it? That could have been a factor.
- J35Bacher

weal has had so many chances to make an impact with the flyers and we haven't had a good line up for a few years

Gourde didn't become an NHL regular till age 26.

Speaking of guys killing penalties, did you ever address the fact that Matt Martin spent fewer than four total minutes killing penalties when he was last with the Islanders in 15-16?
- Feanor

Sorry. I thought he killed a lot more. I'll make sure to google statistics next time.

yeah you have to time poke checks way better, and pretty much none from behind. I like the change they made to skating though, it's much better.

The matchmaking system for EASHL is messed up though, I rarely get into a game before it times out. Hopefully they fix that soon.
- Ftown19125

Lucky enough I am excellent at killing PKs in the game lol. But yeah same here for EASHL. Gotta say that “Ones” mode is kinda fun. I tried it not knowing what it was and ended up destroying the other two players.

Not sure if you've seen this or not, but Weal had the same offensive output as Point and Johnson during juniors.

Gourde played in the ECHL, and has never had a point per game season in the AHL. Weal has had 3 seasons in the AHL near or better than a point per game.

I'm not saying Weal is the answer, or that he's going to be our Johnson/Gourde, but he's got a lot of skill. He's very talented.
- VladDrag

Jason Akeson had also put up some solid numbers too.

I am not saying Weal isn't skilled. i just don't think he brings enough. He had a short stretch of playing well at the end of the 16-17 season but for him to be a full time NHL player he needs to produce more or at least be involved offensively more.

Also if I remember Gourde plays with a little edge in his game for his size. Weal doesn't seem to have that type of game.

weal has had so many chances to make an impact with the flyers and we haven't had a good line up for a few years
- 2Real

I don't hate Weal.

Just don't see enough in his game. Especially now with some of the prospects getting closer to NHL jobs.

Lucky enough I am excellent at killing PKs in the game lol. But yeah same here for EASHL. Gotta say that “Ones” mode is kinda fun. I tried it not knowing what it was and ended up destroying the other two players.
- arichardson22

haha I played that when they released the beta. it was fun for a while, but I got tired of it. I love playing 3v3 EASHL, I'm really pissed about it not working. I've been settling for drop in Threes. It's close enough I guess.

Jason Akeson had also put up some solid numbers too.

I am not saying Weal isn't skilled. i just don't think he brings enough. He had a short stretch of playing well at the end of the 16-17 season but for him to be a full time NHL player he needs to produce more or at least be involved offensively more.

Also if I remember Gourde plays with a little edge in his game for his size. Weal doesn't seem to have that type of game.
- J35Bacher

Akeson put up a 100 point season as an overager, Weal put up a 100 point season in his draft year .I thought you said you were going to google stats before you posted? (I'm just messing around here).

One thing those other TBL players have is plus skating, and Weal does not. He's not terrible, but he's not a plus skater.

Akeson put up a 100 point season as an overager, Weal put up a 100 point season in his draft year .I thought you said you were going to google stats before you posted? (I'm just messing around here).

One thing those other TBL players have is plus skating, and Weal does not. He's not terrible, but he's not a plus skater.
- VladDrag

They do.

For me it's just I don't see enough in his game. And if he is playing in the bottom 6 I wonder how productive he will be. Also I think Vorobyev can kill penalties. that is something that gives a point in his favor as someone filling a bottom 6/3rd line center role.

Akeson put up a 100 point season as an overager, Weal put up a 100 point season in his draft year .I thought you said you were going to google stats before you posted? (I'm just messing around here).

One thing those other TBL players have is plus skating, and Weal does not. He's not terrible, but he's not a plus skater.
- VladDrag

Don't pretend to be a skating expert, but IMO Weal has some inconsistencies in his skating which annoy me. There are games where he is all over the place and ends up winning lots of puck battles and there are games where he seems to be just a step behind. By his own admission, he seems to like playing more at center and hopefully that leads to him getting back to skating all over the place. As Bill has noted, he is a hard worker.

My thoughts on the third line are basically that something is going to have to fall in place because there aren't many ideal options if they keep Giroux at LW. It will inevitably change throughout the season, but if Weal looks good at center this preseason I think he starts there and I would expect Laughton to be on his wing (obviously a 4c candidate as well). If he has chemistry with Laughton and Simmonds for a while they should roll with it. It seems like it is his job to lose and as I have previously mentioned, the final decision will still be better than what we started with last year.

They do.

For me it's just I don't see enough in his game. And if he is playing in the bottom 6 I wonder how productive he will be. Also I think Vorobyev can kill penalties. that is something that gives a point in his favor as someone filling a bottom 6/3rd line center role.
- J35Bacher

Yeah, I know what you mean. Again, I'm not saying he's going to have a 60 point season this year and blow our socks off, but I do think given the right usage and wings, he could be a 35-40 point guy, maybe more.

When it comes to Misha, I did not expect him to look as good as he has so far. He's done much better than I thought. I won't be upset if Weal wins the job and he goes down to be the 1C for a few months. I won't be upset if Laughton wins the 3C job, as I think he should have been given a chance last year.

What I don't want to see is Jori in that spot, or in the lineup at all.

Also, I don't think there's been enough talk on how good Myers has been so far. He was the best skater on the ice last game, using his size effectively, moving the puck, both with his stick and skates. He's playing with Provy tonight, so that going to be awesome to watch!

Don't pretend to be a skating expert, but IMO Weal has some inconsistencies in his skating which annoy me. There are games where he is all over the place and ends up winning lots of puck battles and there are games where he seems to be just a step behind. By his own admission, he seems to like playing more at center and hopefully that leads to him getting back to skating all over the place. As Bill has noted, he is a hard worker.

My thoughts on the third line are basically that something is going to have to fall in place because there aren't many ideal options if they keep Giroux at LW. It will inevitably change throughout the season, but if Weal looks good at center this preseason I think he starts there and I would expect Laughton to be on his wing (obviously a 4c candidate as well). If he has chemistry with Laughton and Simmonds for a while they should roll with it. It seems like it is his job to lose and as I have previously mentioned, the final decision will still be better than what we started with last year.
- YuenglingJagr

You think Laughton goes to 3LW and Lindblom goes to 4LW? I like Laughton as a winger. Thought about it a lot, and I think he can be a good middle 6 winger. I would be okay if Lindblom goes to 4LW, but I want to see who else would be there.

I think if Weal goes to 3C and Laughton moves to 3LW, then Jori comes into the team..

You think Laughton goes to 3LW and Lindblom goes to 4LW? I like Laughton as a winger. Thought about it a lot, and I think he can be a good middle 6 winger. I would be okay if Lindblom goes to 4LW, but I want to see who else would be there.

I think if Weal goes to 3C and Laughton moves to 3LW, then Jori comes into the team..
- VladDrag

I have the feeling that is how they see it right now, so obviously some guys will have to have impressive preseasons to change something. I am of the "I will believe it when I see it" belief when it comes to Lehtera not being in the lineup

I have the feeling that is how they see it right now, so obviously some guys will have to have impressive preseasons to change something. I am of the "I will believe it when I see it" belief when it comes to Lehtera not being in the lineup
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah - unfortunately, me too. Putting lines together that will likely not happen but fun to do anyway (slow at work). Came up with this:

21-14-93 (the last PO game, Laughton looked awesome next to Couts).
28-19-11
25-40-17
54-Misha-12

PP1
19
25
28 93
53

PP2
17
54
11 40/9/PM (if he makes it)
6

Already got tickets for the Vegas Game in Philly (10/13) but man with EK joining the Sharks I am very tempted to buy ticket for home opener.