FanPost

Weight close to signing 1yr/850k deal

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/08/26/weight_islanders/?utm_source=Hockey%20lineup%20RSS-Images&utm_medium=feed&utm_content=Weight%2C%20Islanders%20finalizing%20one-year%20deal

Some interesting points in the comments section. Got me thinking a bit. Weight signs the deal, is he a lock for the nhl roster? Sure, we said we'd take weight back, but obviously he isn't going to get anything more then 3rd line minutes, most likely 4th line mins, he isn't close to the offensive force he was, he is going to be 40yrs old mid-season, he is coming off of shoulder surgery, he isn't going to be taking his effective center role on any line, and he arguably could be taking minutes from a much more deserving/better role player for that spot. I honestly don't know how well weight is going to be able to fit the role of playing on the 4th line/energy line with konopka and martin/parenteau/sim/hilbert. If weight takes 3rd line minutes, we could be in for some trouble or a slow start to our season. I like him mentoring the youngings, but at what cost and can he even fit well in a 3rd/4th line role/minutes?

My belief:

Keep him as a bench reserve or coach. I'd prefer a 3rd line of:

Martin/Parenteau/Nino(if he's good enough) and hunter nielsen, over a weight nielsen hunter line for a number of reasons, and I just don't see weight skating well enough or playing the style to fit a 4th line role with Konopka and martin/parenteau/sim/hilbert(?). I see Sim or Hilbert having a much better playing style to fit the 4th line and meshing better with (most likely) Martin and Konopka

What's your take or thoughts on what the isles should do with weight and why?

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