It's misleading to say he has barely cracked an NHL lineup. He's a classic case of smaller guys being evaluated on a different scale from guys who are a few inches taller and much worse at hockey. It's not as if he's some late bloomer here:
In 2010 as a 17 year old, Weal had his first 100 point season in Junior
In 2014 as a 21 year old, Weal was already a PPG in the AHL
In 2015 as a 22 year old, Weal was by far the best player on the Calder Cup winning team in the AHL. Was over a PPG in the playoffs.
In 2016 as a 23 year old (his first year eligible for waivers), L.A. did not want to lose Weal to waivers, even though he didn't fit Sutter/L.A.'s style of play at all. It's not as if Gaudreau would have fit so well on that Kings team, they play one way which is grind you down with size.
Hextall, who was L.A.'s AGM when Weal was drafted, had the kid included in that LeCavalier trade because he obviously believed in this kid's upside.
Finally, this year, although he was waived out of camp and no one picked him up (
he was the one guy I wanted off preseason waivers) he put up 8 goals in 23 games in the NHL when he was finally given a chance.
He's a strong two-way player, his hockey sense is elite, his skill level is high, he has produced at every level he has played, he can skate, and he's a right-handed shot. He's a battler, too.