Weights and Measures

Alright, excuse my attempt at a witty title.

I try to avoid posting crazy rumors and speculation, but I will always post something when I feel it it has somewhat of a credible substance. Why post anything about Doug Weight however, especially if we are supposedly in a rebuild?

That is an easy question to answer.

Doug Weight is a 37 year old center and big-bodied forward, born from the same class of current Islanders players such as Bill Guerin and Mike Sillinger. I have said on numerous occasions that you need gritty veterans around to show the youngsters the ropes and pass on all the knowledge they have gathered during their long NHL careers. Doug Weight fills numerous roles, he can pot some goals, he is a centerman, he fits the above criteria on teaching the Islanders youth of tomorrow and most importantly – is a very close friend of the aforementioned Bill Guerin.

Some of Weight’s stats from the past two seasons:

Season Team League Games Goals Assists PTS PIM
2006–07 St. Louis Blues NHL 82 16 43 59 56
2007-08 St. Louis Blues NHL 29 4 7 11 12
2007-08 Anaheim Ducks NHL 38 6 8 14 20

While Weight had a decline in production last season, this was mostly due to playing on a sniper depleted team in the Blues and in new territory after being traded to Anaheim at last years trade deadline. He is only one season removed from a 59 point output – which he should be able to get back to if lined up with some potential stars in Okposo and Bergenheim.

Do I think Doug Weight is a savior or a means to an end? No, but I think he will serve the perfect veteran role on the Islanders and provide them with secondary scoring they so sorely lack. Chris Botta really hits a home run with his post tonight on Weight, which is the real inspiration to expand on the notion of his addition.