Weal switched into middle as Flyers look for scoring spark

VOORHEES, N.J. » Something needed to change. The Flyers have scored just nine goals over their last five games, a pace of less than two goals per game after averaging 3.4 per in their first dozen games.

So coach Dave Hakstol said he’s hoping to bring “a little punch up the middle,” putting Jordan Weal at center in an effort to do just that.

Weal, raised a center in hockey’s developmental ranks, returns to his old position Tuesday night when he centers a second line with Wayne Simmonds and Dale Weise on his wings as the Flyers visit the Minnesota Wild.

Grinder Jori Lehtera, who in 11 games has no goals, one assist and a minus-4 rating, deservedly goes down to a third line spot as Hakstol looks for more scoring balance.

“I’ve done this before,” Weal said. “It’s not that big of a change. I have to go prepare the same way and create some offense with my linemates.

“We’re just frustrated that we’re not helping the team as much as we can. Our first line is playing great. The (fourth) line there, they’re buzzing around and playing well. But the two lines in the middle, we’re definitely playing hard and we’re trying to make something happen. Maybe just a couple of (forward) switches will help us flip the switch.”

The Flyers’ top line of Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek has a cumulative total of 60 points, while all other Flyers forwards combined total 46 points. Rookie Nolan Patrick was in that second center spot until getting injured Oct. 24.

“I don’t think the numbers not being there is indicative of how the play’s been,” said Weal, who has two goals and six points in 16 games. “I think we’ve been generating lots of chances and just haven’t been able to find the back of the net. Maybe a little spark will happen and we can get some chemistry going.

“Whatever I have to play I’ll play,” Weal added. “Wherever the coach needs me at I’ll play. It should be a good look. I’ve got two big guys there on my wings.”

*** Fourth-line winger Taylor Leier, 23, was proud of the Sunday New York Times article featuring him and his 21-year-old brother Keaton, a member of the Atlanta Ballet. Taylor said while his brother was always an allstar on the dance floor, he didn’t do much on the ice growing up in Saskatoon, Sask.

“We had a backyard rink and I’d be out there for hours,” Leier said. “He’d be out there for like, half an hour with no stick; skate around, let me deke around him and stuff. It was good, though. We had so much fun. I played like every sport ... he like, tried every sport.”

Nonetheless, Taylor said he’s looking forward to seeing his brother perform in the Nutcracker during the holidays. ***

Two-tenured Flyers alum Mark Recchi was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday night. Although no current Flyer played with Recchi, now an assistant coach with Pittsburgh, a couple of them played against him.

“He was in Boston,” Wayne Simmonds said. “A little bit of a ... I can’t say it ... but he was a little bit dirty. But you could tell the competitive spirit he had. Obviously, he’s one of the all-time greats going into the Hockey Hall of Fame.”

Added Giroux: “He was a player you don’t like to play against. He tried to outwork everybody and he did.”