2015-2016 Roster Talk: Bottom Six has 0 goals in Infinity Games Edition

[tsanuri]

Yeah, Jon Rosen said this in response to someone.

probably not very good news. Six games left and return not imminent.

How do you embed tweets?

You use the tag of

 

[Trolfoli]

As for Lucic and fighting for a WC spot, you just bring Williams back for two years. Team is not fighting for a WC with Williams on the roster.

Thanks, I needed that. Williams was absolute garbage his last year and is the reason Lucic was brought in. He wasn't worth signing for $3M. He was a constant liability, couldn't make a play to save his life.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

You use the tag of

Thanks.

 

[gnarls barkley]

Oh, you mean that he probably wont be back in time for the 1st round?!?! Shocking! I mean, I was told on here he'd be ready to go even though we just went through this with Pearson and his "he'll be back before the playoffs" story.

As I said when it happened, it is imperative we avoid the Ducks in Round 1 since we won't have him. Haven't expected him back until Round 2 at best.

Versteeg needs to get back to 100% before Round 1.

As for Lucic and fighting for a WC spot, you just bring Williams back for two years. Team is not fighting for a WC with Williams on the roster.

Nobody wants to hear it, but this team is extremely similar to last year's team except they crush the OT/SO. That was a playoff team last season that missed because of the skills competition. Pearson injury was gigantic and then the Sekera loss as he was rounding into form.

Toss in the seasons from VAN/CGY/WPG that were expected last year but happened this year instead and you have the perfect storm for missing the playoffs.

Last year's team couldn't win on the road and this year's road record has been sliding down. Think they set the record for most home wins in a season last year too.

If it is still 4 v 4 OT, does this team finish so many games in OT before going to the shootout? It's funny how we all **** on the 2014-15 team yet that GM or coaches poll a month before the playoffs had two votes for LA to win the Cup again I think.

IMO, that team isn't as bad as we thought or this year's team isn't as good as some think it is in comparison.

it wasn't, they had a perfect storm of off-ice issues and injuries causing roster problems along with every other Pacific team overachieving. And they ran out of gas by the end.

That being said, I think this year's team is definitely better than last year, the real question is are they as good as 2014?

 

[YP44]

No gaborik can't come back before playoffs. But you have to think he'll need a week or two of skating on his own before he'd even be close to ready. And that's the best case scenario.

He could come back before if Versteeg is moved to IR no?

That said I have no clue how long Versteeg is supposed to be out. Need to stop dealing for Hurricanes they always get injured.

 

[tsanuri]

He could come back before if Versteeg is moved to IR no?

That said I have no clue how long Versteeg is supposed to be out. Need to stop dealing for Hurricanes they always get injured.

No that would have to be LTIR likely. Just moving to IR doesn't save any salary.

 

[YP44]

No that would have to be LTIR likely. Just moving to IR doesn't save any salary.

would versteeg not meet the parameters for LTIR?

 

[tsanuri]

would versteeg not meet the parameters for LTIR?

He would hit the 10 games before the end of the year because of the compact schedule we've been on. But wouldn't hit the 24 days till the 12th of April if my numbers are right.
And even then I don't know if that would allow Gaborik to come back and be cap compliant.
But it sounds like Versteeg will likely be back either Thursday or Saturday.

 

[BigKing]

Thanks, I needed that. Williams was absolute garbage his last year and is the reason Lucic was brought in. He wasn't worth signing for $3M. He was a constant liability, couldn't make a play to save his life.

Well, Lucic wasn't too hot last year either.

How are both players doing this year?

I prefer Lucic but the point was this team would not be fighting for a WC spot if Williams was here instead of Lucic.

I love Lucic. Don't have a problem with the trade. I just don't agree with the thought process that the team would be fighting for its playoff lives without him.

All hypothetical regardless.

 

[Trolfoli]

Well, Lucic wasn't too hot last year either.

How are both players doing this year?

I prefer Lucic but the point was this team would not be fighting for a WC spot if Williams was here instead of Lucic.

I love Lucic. Don't have a problem with the trade. I just don't agree with the thought process that the team would be fighting for its playoff lives without him.

All hypothetical regardless.

Williams is doing great for the Caps. He couldn't cut it playing Kings slow grind it out hockey anymore. Too small to be effective on the forecheck and too slow to get free on the cycle.

Yes, if Williams is here instead of Lucic this is a fringe playoff team. That's it. Even if they locked up a spot because AZ lost their goalie the team would be in trouble come the playoffs. His last year here Williams was replaced by Brown, then both lost their spots to Lewis. I don't know why you'd think Williams would be better this year in the Kings system.

One thing that isn't hypothetical, Lombardi: Lucic > Williams + 1st + Miller + Jones (1st). That's Lombardi, not me.

 

[damacles1156]

The Kings would still be in a playoff spot (solid) without Williams or without Lucic.

Kopitar has proven to carry the load no matter who he has as a winger over the years.

Which is why the excuse of "Kopitar sucks cause of his wingers" Excuse, has always just been that, an excuse.

There is nothing wrong with being on the "Fringe" for playoffs, just get in. The 2012 team was a "Fringe" team, with league worst scoring. Still to this day that 2012 team I consider the best Kings team I have ever watched Live.

 

[goosh]

I would eat my hat if Matt Greene plays this season. He's done for the year. Even if he's ready, it would be insane to play him over any of the current D after missing the entire season.

 

[damacles1156]

I was really upset about the Lucic deal. Connor was falling into that slot and I think he will be a good one. Barzel and Konecny were also there.

That said, it's hard not to like Lucic. Will feel better about it if Lucic re-signs in LA.

Short term it would be good, long term he is another Dustin Brown type contract.

By then it probably won't matter, the Kings window will be closed.

 

[damacles1156]

The Kings are never going to be an offensive team or have high scorers. This team could have

Gabo(prime)Kopitar/Kane
Pearson/Toews/Toffoli
King/Vinny(prime)/St Lou(Prime

I bet that top Nine playing Kings style hockey wouldnt crack the Top Five in GF.

 

[BigKing]

Williams is doing great for the Caps. He couldn't cut it playing Kings slow grind it out hockey anymore. Too small to be effective on the forecheck and too slow to get free on the cycle.

Yes, if Williams is here instead of Lucic this is a fringe playoff team. That's it. Even if they locked up a spot because AZ lost their goalie the team would be in trouble come the playoffs. His last year here Williams was replaced by Brown, then both lost their spots to Lewis. I don't know why you'd think Williams would be better this year in the Kings system.

One thing that isn't hypothetical, Lombardi: Lucic > Williams + 1st + Miller + Jones (1st). That's Lombardi, not me.

Well, the topic at hand wasn't how they would fare in the playoffs but rather that they wouldn't be scraping to get in the playoffs. Regardless, they would be the #3 in the Pacific so there wouldn't be a WC battle.

Your last point is hypothetical in the sense of tacking on the 1st round draft pick on Jones as if Lombardi traded two 1st round picks;however, I love Lucic so you don't have to sway me towards liking the guy. Still, the Lucic trade was made with an eye towards the future as well and Lucic has more years left in him than Williams so it isn't just a "this season" move. Lombardi doesn't think all of that is not equal or greater than Lucic for one season: pretty sure of that.

I can play devil's advocate as well and say Lombardi: 10 games of Sekera > 2016 1st round draft pick.

 

[gnarls barkley]

The Kings are never going to be an offensive team or have high scorers. This team could have

Gabo(prime)Kopitar/Kane
Pearson/Toews/Toffoli
King/Vinny(prime)/St Lou(Prime

I bet that top Nine playing Kings style hockey wouldnt crack the Top Five in GF.

that's taking it a bit far I think.

I mean, Kane this year alone has basically carried (along with Crawford) the Hawks to the playoffs. Give him Kopi and prime Gaborik to finish on the other wing? are you kidding me?

but realistically yes, point taken - Kings are never going to be a true high-octane offense. I'm ok with that though, the system is part of why I love watching this iteration of the Kings.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

The Kings would still be in a playoff spot (solid) without Williams or without Lucic.

Kopitar has proven to carry the load no matter who he has as a winger over the years.

Which is why the excuse of "Kopitar sucks cause of his wingers" Excuse, has always just been that, an excuse.

There is nothing wrong with being on the "Fringe" for playoffs, just get in. The 2012 team was a "Fringe" team, with league worst scoring. Still to this day that 2012 team I consider the best Kings team I have ever watched Live.

Yup. One of the better post-lockout Cup winners at their best, too, right up there with 07 Ducks and 08 Wings.

 

[Trolfoli]

Well, the topic at hand wasn't how they would fare in the playoffs but rather that they wouldn't be scraping to get in the playoffs. Regardless, they would be the #3 in the Pacific so there wouldn't be a WC battle.

Your last point is hypothetical in the sense of tacking on the 1st round draft pick on Jones as if Lombardi traded two 1st round picks;however, I love Lucic so you don't have to sway me towards liking the guy. Still, the Lucic trade was made with an eye towards the future as well and Lucic has more years left in him than Williams so it isn't just a "this season" move. Lombardi doesn't think all of that is not equal or greater than Lucic for one season: pretty sure of that.

I can play devil's advocate as well and say Lombardi: 10 games of Sekera > 2016 1st round draft pick.

Still don't buy that for a second... you're basically saying it's the improvement of the OT, but icing crap like Williams/Brown/Lewis in the top 6 combined with the D this year there is no way this team has that many OT games... they'd have more losses, fewer points and still be fighting for the last spot.

Never said Lucic was for one season... personally I don't see how Lombardi gives up that much if he's not serious about bringing the guy back. Even so, the fact that Lombardi didn't find $3M to make space for Williams (for free) tells you how Lombardi valued Williams contributions his last year here.

Sekera never was worth that 1st... filling the void left by Voynov and returning mostly the same team that won it all the year before was worth it. Even if it didn't work out.

 

[Trolfoli]

but realistically yes, point taken - Kings are never going to be a true high-octane offense. I'm ok with that though, the system is part of why I love watching this iteration of the Kings.

They did manage to put up 3 goals a game after the deadline they got Gaborik, they scored the most goals and the most goals per game in that years playoffs. It took adding skill guys into the line up over plugs like Frattin/Carcillo/Clifford/Nolan/Lewis/Brown laugh.

It is easier to teach Toffoli/Pearson how to play better defense then it is to teach Lewis how to put the puck in the net. The adjustment is easy... the offensive depth to have 3 lines capable of being dangerous, that way you can maximize the chances that you do get even with the slow methodical offense.

So no I don't buy that this team has to have an offense in the bottom 10 in the league even with their defensive play.

 

[YP44]

He would hit the 10 games before the end of the year because of the compact schedule we've been on. But wouldn't hit the 24 days till the 12th of April if my numbers are right.
And even then I don't know if that would allow Gaborik to come back and be cap compliant.
But it sounds like Versteeg will likely be back either Thursday or Saturday.

gotcha,
Seeing as bleacher report has an article from the LA times about how gaborik may miss the playoffs I don't think it's something to worry about.

Wouldn't surprise me if Gaborik needs surgery and he is testing to see if he will be able to play through and then have surgery after the season or if he needs to get the surgery shutting him down for the year. Purely speculative on my part.

 

[gnarls barkley]

They did manage to put up 3 goals a game after the deadline they got Gaborik, they scored the most goals and the most goals per game in that years playoffs. It took adding skill guys into the line up over plugs like Frattin/Carcillo/Clifford/Nolan/Lewis/Brown laugh.

It is easier to teach Toffoli/Pearson how to play better defense then it is to teach Lewis how to put the puck in the net. The adjustment is easy... the offensive depth to have 3 lines capable of being dangerous, that way you can maximize the chances that you do get even with the slow methodical offense.

So no I don't buy that this team has to have an offense in the bottom 10 in the league even with their defensive play.

well, we know they CAN be a really dangerous offensive team, but they never do it for an entire season. I guess that sort of ties in with the system in general (not really being at full force for the whole 82 games + playoffs), but I just meant that it's highly unlikely that we'd ever see a Sutter-run Kings team as a top 3-5 offensive team over an entire season.

 

[regulate]

gotcha,
Seeing as bleacher report has an article from the LA times about how gaborik may miss the playoffs I don't think it's something to worry about.

Wouldn't surprise me if Gaborik needs surgery and he is testing to see if he will be able to play through and then have surgery after the season or if he needs to get the surgery shutting him down for the year. Purely speculative on my part.

His injury is a 3rd degree knee sprain.

 

[AlphaBravo]

If Gaborik is walking around Six Flags, I doubt his leg is in such a serious condition that he will miss all of the first round. They have absolutely no reason to rush him back and based on the original time table he should be back by middle of the first round. I wouldn't make much of Sutter's press conference yesterday; he never shows his hand and says inconsistent things to the media.

 

[Omni Owl]

If Gaborik is walking around Six Flags, I doubt his leg is in such a serious condition that he will miss all of the first round. They have absolutely no reason to rush him back and based on the original time table he should be back by middle of the first round. I wouldn't make much of Sutter's press conference yesterday; he never shows his hand and says inconsistent things to the media.

Agreed, they're just being extra precautious with him, most likely with Versteeg as well.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If Gaborik is walking around Six Flags, I doubt his leg is in such a serious condition that he will miss all of the first round. They have absolutely no reason to rush him back and based on the original time table he should be back by middle of the first round. I wouldn't make much of Sutter's press conference yesterday; he never shows his hand and says inconsistent things to the media.

Maybe they were pushing him around in a wheelchair and cutting in lines!