Why are so many teams chasing a FA with 37 games of NHL experience?

This season's free-agent class is conspicuously weak.

Kevin Shattenkirk tops the list, while Washington Capitals teammate Karl Alzner is reportedly getting a lot of sniffs from potential suitors. But after that, the most sought-after name might be Philadelphia Flyers forward Jordan Weal, who's reportedly fielded over a dozen calls.

The Canucks are apparently among those interested in the North Vancouver native, and he's expected to visit this week.

At first glance the hoopla surrounding Weal, 25, is a head-scratcher, considering he has a measly 37 games of NHL experience under his belt.

So why all the interest?

A third-round selection in 2010 by the Los Angeles Kings, Weal didn't get his first taste of NHL action until the 2015-16 campaign.

Weal landed with the Flyers in January 2016 as part of the Vincent Lecavalier trade, but he mostly watched as a healthy scratch as Philadelphia didn't want to risk putting him through waivers.

Weal played the majority of the 2016-17 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he posted an impressive 15 goals and 47 points in 43 games, serving as the only player on the team to average more than a point per game. He got a call-up in February, recording 12 points in 23 games with the big club.

His best statistical AHL season came in 2013-14, when he recorded 70 points for the Manchester Monarchs. The following year, he put up 69 points in the regular season and 22 in the playoffs en route to a Calder Cup title. Weal was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP.

Though Weal has dressed in under 40 career NHL games, he has shown he can thrive when given an opportunity.

During his first crack at the NHL, Weal went pointless in 14 games split between the Kings and Flyers. However, Weal averaged just 9:13 of ice time per game, playing a high of 14:04 just twice, and as little as 6:42.

But he proved what a little patience can do in his 23 games with the Flyers this season. Weal played an average of 14:18 a night and finished hot, with four goals and seven points in the final seven games.

Here's what else he accomplished at 5-on-5:

• Led the Flyers with 2.19 points per 60 minutes
• Finished third on the Flyers with 7.92 shots per 60 minutes.
• Led the Flyers with 1.46 goals per 60 minutes.
• Led the Flyers in shooting percentage with a 18.42 percent rate.
• Led the team with a 55.96 percent Corsi-for rating.

Weal looks to be a budding star and it appears teams across the league have caught on. Flyers general manager Ron Hextall is reportedly doing his darnedest to re-sign him, too.

He might not have the experience, but Weal could be worth a gamble. And teams are lining up.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)