Line Combos: 2016-2017 Kings Roster

[Choralone]

I am more and more starting to feel that Carter is a better center than Kopitar. I know hockey experts will disagree, citing the tougher competition Kopitar faces, his possession stats, etc., but every season Carter scores goals on a consistent basis, is faster, and makes whatever winger you put on his line better. Kopitar, on the other hand, requires a good winger to elevate his game--can't say he makes others around him better.

Not saying trade Kopitar or anything crazy like that, but just want to throw some praise at Carter, who many posters are always willing to trade.

Carter is criminally underrated in general. Every World Cup dorks on the main boards pitch a fit when he's selected to Team Canada, and every year he shuts them up with stellar play.

I normally say he's the best skater on the team not named Kopitar or Doughty, but the way the latter two have been playing this year, you're right - that may be up for debate this year.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

this 9 game road trip is going to be incredibly difficult with Budaj/Zatkoff as our tandem lol

if we manage to pull 4 wins out of this, it'll be a success!

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It's odd. Kopitar was awesome at the World Cup. He looked great playing with a speedy winger like Tatar.

Then he comes back and he's been... meh.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kopitar was playing fantastic, the puck just wasn't going on; then he got hurt. Now he's pretty vanilla.

But re: Carter, people were ready to bury him last year, did we already forget that?

I'm not going to let a very strong stretch of play by Carter invalidate Kopitar's entire career.

 

[USE Fi]

It's odd. Kopitar was awesome at the World Cup. He looked great playing with a speedy winger like Tatar.

Then he comes back and he's been... meh.

Asked about Kopitar from Jon Rosen:

"Jon, would you say you are worried about Kopitar's points lot's of talk here about his scoring."

Answer:

"Yes, but it's likely related to a lingering injury issue and not because of lack of compete or desire or conditioning as many have posited. And he does enough in all other aspects of his game that I'm not overly preoccupied with it. But he should have more than two goals, and he should be shooting the puck more."

 

[KingsOfCali25]

It's odd. Kopitar was awesome at the World Cup. He looked great playing with a speedy winger like Tatar.

Then he comes back and he's been... meh.

Detroit fans are willing to sell off Tatar. He might be on the market by the TDL if the rumours from Detroit fans say.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

It's odd. Kopitar was awesome at the World Cup. He looked great playing with a speedy winger like Tatar.

Then he comes back and he's been... meh.

I think hes still feeling the effects of his injury Hes healed enough to play but not 100 % yet

 

[kingsfan28]

Detroit fans are willing to sell off Tatar. He might be on the market by the TDL if the rumours from Detroit fans say.

Tatar is soft as they come. He'd never cut it under Sutter.

 

[justonetime]

Asked about Kopitar from Jon Rosen:

"Jon, would you say you are worried about Kopitar's points lot's of talk here about his scoring."

Answer:

"Yes, but it's likely related to a lingering injury issue and not because of lack of compete or desire or conditioning as many have posited. And he does enough in all other aspects of his game that I'm not overly preoccupied with it. But he should have more than two goals, and he should be shooting the puck more."

Kopitar has probably hit 6 posts this year, he's been close.

 

[kingsfan28]

Kopitar has probably hit 6 posts this year, he's been close.

You could say the same about Lewis last season.

He had 6 breakaways last season, missed on every one.

 

[lumbergh]

GOALS FOR EVERYONE!!! Good to hear some of those guys are getting going. Slumps can be scary for prospects.



We don't know what Voodoo's got Brown playing well again, but we know one thing for sure. Don't **** with it!

Define "playing well again". 2 goals, 2 assists, -9 in last 14 games. That third line with Brown and Dowd is regularly being outscored 5 on 5.

 

[Trolfoli]

Define "playing well again". 2 goals, 2 assists, -9 in last 14 games. That third line with Brown and Dowd is regularly being outscored 5 on 5.

He's skating, hitting, and isn't destroying offense at the moment! +- is a really bad stat to use when the team has Budaj/Zatkoff letting softies in constantly. Sorry Budaj your last game was great!

Anyways.... This brings up an interesting question. Will the Kings have to protect Brown now that he's playing better in the expansion?

 

[KingsFan7824]

only problem with this is brown I think brown and dowd need to stay together Why mess with the chemistry?

What is chemistry if Brown has 1 goal 5v5, and Dowd has 0 through almost 30 games?

this 9 game road trip is going to be incredibly difficult with Budaj/Zatkoff as our tandem lol

if we manage to pull 4 wins out of this, it'll be a success!

It's definitely a points per game road trip. At least 9 points in the 9 games. 9 OT losses would work. Plus they have a home and home against the Sharks right after it.

Kopitar, on the other hand, requires a good winger to elevate his game--can't say he makes others around him better.

I sometimes think it's the opposite. If he's out there with better wingers, like Gaborik, he defers to them more often. Almost have to put him out there with wingers that will force him to shoot himself. Alright, I'm out here with Clifford and Nolan, I have to make something happen myself.

He's skating, hitting, and isn't destroying offense at the moment! +- is a really bad stat to use when the team has Budaj/Zatkoff letting softies in constantly. Sorry Budaj your last game was great!

But Dowd and Brown have the two worst +/- ratings on the team. It's not a great stat, but those two aren't scoring 5v5.

Anyways.... This brings up an interesting question. Will the Kings have to protect Brown now that he's playing better in the expansion?

Why? No. You expose him no matter what he does. He could have 100 points this year and you still do it. If Vegas wants 100% of that contract, they should be more than welcome to it.

 

[deeshamrock]

Third article down, JQ's return originally was thought to out about 3 months , looks like it might be longer

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/12/12/quick-still-in-rehab-mode-return-doesnt-sound-close/

“He’s still very much in the rehab mode,†head coach Darryl Sutter said, per L.A. Kings Insider. “They’re still talking about a month before he could even begin to say what that next step was.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Third article down, JQ's return originally was thought to out about 3 months , looks like it might be longer

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/12/12/quick-still-in-rehab-mode-return-doesnt-sound-close/

At this point, it might be best he just sits out the year.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

At this point, it might be best he just sits out the year.

Anyone know the rules regarding a conditioning assignment for Quick? Let's say he's ready by March. Can the Kings send him to Ontario to play on a "conditioning assignment" while keeping him on LTIR? Is there a set # of games/days he can be there, if at all?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Anyone know the rules regarding a conditioning assignment for Quick? Let's say he's ready by March. Can the Kings send him to Ontario to play on a "conditioning assignment" while keeping him on LTIR? Is there a set # of games/days he can be there, if at all?

Pretty sure he has to be off LTIR for a conditioning stint, otherwise you could even MORE easily game the cap rules, especially because the NHL can reject it/penalize for it.

 

[tsanuri]

He can go down while on LTIR but it's a weird rule. And not sure it makes sense to use it. Both of these start on page 74 of the CBA.

13.9
Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan.
A Player who is
on the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception as set forth in Article 50 may, with his
consent, during the term of such Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception (but in no event
during the first fourteen (14) calendar days and six (6) NHL Games), be Loaned on a
Conditioning Loan (the "Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan") for
a period not to exceed up to the longer of six (6) days and three (3) games, solely for the purpose
of determining whether the Player is fit to play. If the Club determines that it needs more time to
assess the Player's fitness to play, the Club may file a written request with the Commissioner's
Office, with a copy to the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof, to extend the Loan for
an additional two (2) games. The Commissioner, upon good cause, may approve the one-time
extension. The Commissioner's approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. A Player on a
Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan will continue to be listed on
Injured Reserve and will not count against the Club's 23-man roster limit. The Club's Bona Fide
Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception will continue until the Conditioning Loan ends, and his
Paragraph 1 NHL Salary and Bonuses will continue to count against the Club's Upper Limit and
the Players' Share during such time. The Commissioner may take whatever steps he deems
necessary to investigate the circumstances under which a Player is placed on a Bona Fide Long-
Term Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan. If he has reason to believe or determines that the Club
has used the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Conditioning Loan to evade Waivers or
otherwise to Circumvent any provision of this Agreement, he may take other disciplinary action
against the Club as he deems appropriate. A Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Conditioning
Loan may be extended on one occasion. This procedure can only be used once during each
period of time that the Player is on a Bona Fide Long-Term Injury Exception.

They could after removing him could send him down with his permission for 14 days.

13.8
Conditioning Loan.
Unless a Player consents, he shall not be Loaned on a Conditioning
Loan to a minor league club. Such Conditioning Loan shall not extend for more than fourteen
(14) consecutive days. The Commissioner may take whatever steps he deems necessary to
investigate the circumstances under which a Player is Loaned on a Conditioning Loan. If the
Commissioner has reason to believe or determines that the Club has used the Conditioning Loan
to evade Waivers, or otherwise Circumvent any provision of this Agreement, he may take such
disciplinary action against the Club, as he deems appropriate. The Player shall continue, during
the period of such Conditioning Loan, to receive the same Paragraph 1 NHL Salary, and be
entitled to the same benefits, that he would have received had he continued to play with the Club.

 

[deeshamrock]

Anyone know the rules regarding a conditioning assignment for Quick? Let's say he's ready by March. Can the Kings send him to Ontario to play on a "conditioning assignment" while keeping him on LTIR? Is there a set # of games/days he can be there, if at all?

Yes, he can, 6 days/3 games

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/en/v3/ext/CBA2012/NHL_NHLPA_2013_CBA.pdf

CBA Under Article `13 on page 74

13.9
Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan.

A Player who is on the Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception as set forth in Article 50 may, with his consent, during the term of such Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception (but in no event
during the first fourteen (14) calendar days and six (6) NHL Games), be Loaned on a Conditioning Loan (the "Bona Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan") for a period not to exceed up to the longer of six (6) days and three (3) games, solely for the purpose of determining whether the Player is fit to play. If the Club determines that it needs more time to
assess the Player's fitness to play, the Club may file a written request with the Commissioner's Office, with a copy to the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof, to extend the Loan for
an additional two (2) games

 

[Trolfoli]

Anyone know the rules regarding a conditioning assignment for Quick? Let's say he's ready by March. Can the Kings send him to Ontario to play on a "conditioning assignment" while keeping him on LTIR? Is there a set # of games/days he can be there, if at all?

Do you really want to go into the playoffs with Quick missing the year and coming off a conditioning stint to game the LTIR?

 

[KingsFan7824]

http://lakingsinsider.com/2016/12/12/reign-rewind-the-veteran-rule-predicament/

The basics of what you need to know are the Reign can dress five players classified as veterans under the rule each game. Goalies don’t apply, which is why Peter Budaj was easily able to start nearly every game here last season.

The players that apply for the Reign are Sean Backman, Paul Bissonnette, T.J. Hensick, Rob Scuderi, Brett Sutter and now … Teddy Purcell.

It’s the addition of Purcell that’s made things a bit trickier for head coach Mike Stothers, who said after Purcell scored the overtime game-winner against Tuscon last Wednesday that Purcell was sent to Ontario to “get the offensive side of his game going.†It’s hard to see him out of the lineup for one due to the circumstances and secondly his production. He has a goal and three assists in his first three games.

“We are, at present, with six and you can only dress five,†he said after Saturday’s 5-2 win over Charlotte. “So that does present a bit of a challenge. You look at it, you’re going to have somebody who’s healthy enough to play but can’t play. The crazy part of the rule is you could actually be understaffed. You could have one or two guys under the limit and have a healthy body but you can’t play ’em because you’ve got your maximum amount of veterans.

Have to keep these things in mind when calling for vets to be waived, or a bunch of young guys called up.

 

[lumbergh]

He's skating, hitting, and isn't destroying offense at the moment! +- is a really bad stat to use when the team has Budaj/Zatkoff letting softies in constantly. Sorry Budaj your last game was great!

Anyways.... This brings up an interesting question. Will the Kings have to protect Brown now that he's playing better in the expansion?

5 vs 5, the Kings get outscored at a nearly 2 to 1 ratio when Brown is on the ice. As a team, the Kings are well above 50% goals for. This is after 1/3 of a season. I don't have a good explanation outside of: the Kings are getting crushed when Dowd and Brown are on the ice. If it weren't for the duo scoring occasionally on the second power play unit, I would have a hard time finding a reason to dress the two on a nightly basis.

Seriously, the third line is being outplayed by the fourth line. Sutter would be better off just skipping the Dowd line for a regular shift. Put Dowd and Brown out just for power play time. That or split the two and see if they can find some chemistry with other players.

 

[Little Psycho]

There's a game at 10 AM on Sunday...

 

[damacles1156]

5 vs 5, the Kings get outscored at a nearly 2 to 1 ratio when Brown is on the ice. As a team, the Kings are well above 50% goals for. This is after 1/3 of a season. I don't have a good explanation outside of: the Kings are getting crushed when Dowd and Brown are on the ice. If it weren't for the duo scoring occasionally on the second power play unit, I would have a hard time finding a reason to dress the two on a nightly basis.

Seriously, the third line is being outplayed by the fourth line. Sutter would be better off just skipping the Dowd line for a regular shift. Put Dowd and Brown out just for power play time. That or split the two and see if they can find some chemistry with other players.

It's one reason Dowd got scratched, the Kings need more than some offensive awareness out of him.

Brown has been caught cheating a little in his own zone numerous times this year, and paid for it a couple times in the +-.

 

[Trolfoli]

It's one reason Dowd got scratched, the Kings need more than some offensive awareness out of him.

Brown has been caught cheating a little in his own zone numerous times this year, and paid for it a couple times in the +-.

When you have rookie D behind you and questionable goaltending sometimes you pay for it regardless.

It's just strange using +- when any given night a team could put up 5 or 6 against the Kings. There are too many player ****ing up on a regular basis right now.