11/06/2003
PANTHERS RECALL WEISS FROM SAN ANTONIO
LW MacDonald Assigned to Rampage
SUNRISE - Florida Panthers General Manager Rick Dudley announced Thursday that the club has recalled C Stephen Weiss and assigned LW Craig MacDonald to San Antonio (AHL).
Weiss, 20, paced San Antonio with six goals and ranked second on the club with nine points (6-3-9). Since being assigned to San Antonio on Oct. 6, Weiss had recorded at least one point in eight of the 10 games he has played. In his most recent action, he scored a pair of goals, leading San Antonio to a 4-1 win over the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday.
The 5-foot-11, 191-pound native of Toronto, Ontario, played in 77 games with the Panthers last year, registering 21 points (6-15-21). He has yet to appear in a regular-season game with Florida this season. Weiss was originally drafted by Florida with the Panthers' first choice (fourth overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
MacDonald, 26, was scoreless in eight games with the Panthers. For his NHL career, he has played in 66 NHL contests with Florida and Carolina, recording six points (2-4-6). Last season he split time between Carolina and Lowell (AHL), recording eight goals and 23 assists.
The Panthers (4-7-2-0) complete their three-game homestand tomorrow night when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m.
He definitely deserved the call-up. I can't wait to see him again at the ODC. The game tomorrow has another reason for me to go now (besides Fleury). The question is what line does he play on and with what linemates?? I think you have to give him a chance as the #2 center and see what he does for a few games.
why are the lines never
jokenin - koz - bure ????????????
anyways i think wiess' line will have horton on for a physical side
I think that could be very well true, with maybe Huselius or Hagman on the left side. One problem with that thougt. Our present centers are Jokinen, Kozlov, Horton and Weiss, with Ritchie and Cullen out, and no one able to play the position of any great consequence elsewise. Maybe Nilson centers the checking line, or even Samuelsson, but god knows we could very well see the future in a similar line that I've personally compared to the Nucks' top line, if Horton plays the right side of Weiss and Huselius.
I like the idea of playing Horton on the 2nd line with Weiss...gives them both a chance and the thought of the line gives me goosebumps. Bednar has been a consistent scratch and he can play center as well. Put Nilson or him at 3rd/4th line center spots and that satisfies the lower lines. Yes Bednar isn't that much of a grinder for a 3rd line spot but thats why you put guys like Hagman and Novo on his wings who are and can use their speed. So if Keenan has any sense in his melon (which he doesn't), the lines would look pretty good on paper:
Bure - Jokinen - Kozlov
Huselius - Weiss - Horton
Hagman - Bednar - Novo (if Bednar isn't good here, then swap in Samuelsson)
Hordichuk - Nilson - Messier
Good lines, but why nilson on the 4th... I think he should be centering the 3rd, with Samuesson on the 4th, with no Bednar as he wants to be traded.
I want to grant him that wish to be traded. Best way to maximize it, play him as a way to showcase his talent. If you haven't noticed, Nilson has been on all kinds of lines this yr and I have seen him play on the 4th line once or twice this yr.
