The Philadelphia Flyers start playing preseason games on Sept. 16, and there
are some spots still to be determined including that of the third line
center.Possibilities for the Flyers'; Third Line Center

The two in-house candidates to fill the spot are Scott Laughton and Jordan
Weal. Of course, there is always the possibility that one of the prospects has
a great preseason and wins the job.

Laughton played a career-high 81 regular season games last year scoring 10
goals, another career best, and added 10 assists for 20 points. Nine of his 10
goals were scored at even strength and he won 314 of his 604 face-offs, a 52%
win percentage. Head coach Dave Hakstol trusted Laughton more in the defensive
zone last season as he started 52.6% of his shifts in his own zone vs. 53.7% of
 his shifts started in the offensive zone in 2015-16.Jordan Weal (Amy Irvin /
The Hockey Writers)

Jordan Weal is also in contention to be the Flyers'; third line center come
Oct. 4. He played 69 games last season and was a healthy scratch at times.
Still, he managed to set career-highs with 13 assists and 21 points. His eight
goals tied his previous best set during the 2016-17 season and he started more
of his shifts in the offensive zone (50.2%) than in the defensive
zone.Evaluating Laughton';s Play

Laughton will never be a flashy player who gets a ton of attention during a
game even though he does the little things right. He is good at creating
turnovers to get the puck out of the defensive zone and can backcheck. He';s
also not afraid to get in on the forecheck and will get to the front of the
opposition';s net knowing he might take a beating.Scott Laughton (Amy Irvin /
The Hockey Writers)

Laughton isn';t the most consistent player offensively. He can go seven or
eight games without registering a point and then get one or two in a game. In
2017-18, he scored his first two goals on Oct. 14 then didn';t score again
until Dec. 4, a span of 21 games. Laughton needs to get more pucks on net if he
 wants to improve. When he plays smart but with an edge, he';s playing his
best.The Curious Case of Weal

Weal has the potential to be a 50 to 60 point-per-season player. He has the
speed to beat opposing players to loose pucks or to break away from them.
Weal';s vision is really good and he can set up his teammates for goals. He
also has good hand-eye coordination, which helps with scoring deflections off
shots from the point. His quick hands help him find room in tight spaces, like
getting around a defender along the boards or in front of the net.Jordan Weal
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The downside to Weal is that he can be inconsistent in a game. He can have
a great shift and then in the next one look like he belongs in the minors. He
also needs to tighten up his defensive game to anticipate what the opposing
player is going to do next.Potential Third Line Player Combinations

There are a few third line options for the Flyers'; opening night. The most
likely combination has Oskar Lindblom and Wayne Simmonds on the wings. If this
happens, Weal has the advantage to be their centre since he played more than a
few games with Simmonds last season. Laughton hasn';t spent much time playing
with either player so he would have to get used to their style of play.Wayne
Simmonds (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The second but less likely combination would have Weal and Michael Raffl on
the wings with Laughton in the middle. This line was used at times last season
 and could be an option if Lindblom has a slow start or gets injured.Laughton
Will Be the Third Line Center If...

Laughton was a big part of the team last season but to be the third line
center, he will have to improve considerably. He needs to show that he can
develop chemistry with wingers Lindblom and Simmonds. He will need to take
chances in the offensive zone during the preseason. Overall, he will need to
break out offensively and produce more consistently winning face-offs and from
game to game, more than he has in his career.Michael Raffl and Scott Laughton
of the Philadelphia Flyers, Nov. 11, 2017. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)Weal
 Will Be the Third Line Center If...

Weal should be able to handle the job if he has two defensively responsible
wingers like Lindblom and Simmonds. This would free him up to create chances in
 the offensive zone, knowing that if he makes a mistake someone is there to
back him up. He has previously played with Simmonds so that gives him an
advantage over Laughton. Weal seems to like to play behind the net and with his
 good vision, he will be able to set up goals from that spot. He is also fast,
 giving the line a decent combination of size and much-needed speed.

The Flyers have the preseason to figure out who will be the team';s third line
center. Once the season starts, I think Weal will be the starting center for
that line. He is in a contract year and has something to prove if he wants to
stick around past this season.

The post Predicting the Flyers Third Line Center appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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