2017-18 3rd line center

[lumbergh]

The way I see it, the one big hole in the Kings lineup in 2017-18 is the 3rd line center spot. It was a problem in 16-17, and the Kings haven't apparently solved it yet. Who do you think spends the most time in that spot in 17-18?

Top candidates:

Nic Dowd- Has the playmaking ability for the role and works hard on both sides of the ice. Put up some points on the power play, but struggled mightily 5 on 5. Couldn't hold the spot last season despite given plenty of time. Career 48% in FO%

Nick Shore- Solid defensive center with little offensive flair. Somehow outscored Dowd at even strength. Career 51% FO%

Adrian Kempe- Speedy, but not much to show for 25 games. Might start the season in Ontario, I think. Career 44% FO% (small sample size)

Trevor Lewis- Works harder than anyone, speedy. Career 42% in FO%.

Anze Kopitar- Just kidding, sort of.

Click to read more...

 

[johnjm22]

I think it will be Shore. He's solid, and I think he's got a bit of untapped offensive upside.

 

[King'sPawn]

It's Shore's job to lose.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Tend to agree on Shore. Think he'll be a low-end 3C on the scoring spectrum, but he brings just about everything else.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Shore.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Dowd wasn't very impressive in his own end of the ice and made some rookie mistakes and pass attempts that may work at lower levels, but he's certainly the more skilled player between him and Shore.

Lewis is better suited as a winger, and that same argument is also up for debate with Kempe. He's always been more productive as a winger.

Of the options available, Shore has the best qualities to perform as a 3rd line C, although he leaves a lot to be desired physically and offensively.

The Kings need to somehow find another 2012 version of Stoll.

 

[kingsboy11]

I think Dowd will start with it, but I can easily see Shore taking it over quite early if Dowd struggles. I don't see Kempe as a center and especially with Amadio coming up soon.

 

[Basilisk]

Vilardi!!!!

 

[damacles1156]

Probably Shore.

He has all the tools, just needs to put it together.

 

[BigKing]

Dowd needs wingers that "get it" offensively or his slick vision is wasted.

Small sample size but liked him with Brodz.

Can't play Dowd with only pluggers or you'll see that big minus number again while Shore can play with plugs and give you the same output.

 

[Fishhead]

You wanna the scoring? Put Dowd there.

You wanna the lockdown? Put Shore there.

We only have "passable" options right now. It would be awesome if someone really stepped up during camp.

 

[lumbergh]

You wanna the scoring? Put Dowd there.

You wanna the lockdown? Put Shore there.

We only have "passable" options right now. It would be awesome if someone really stepped up during camp.

Dowd only put up 13 points at even strength last season. You'd like to have a 3rd line center that can put up 25-30 points without the power play points. I'm just not sure that Dowd is that guy at this age.

As I said, there's a big hole and the Kings haven't filled it over the offseason.

 

[johnjm22]

You wanna the scoring? Put Dowd there.

You wanna the lockdown? Put Shore there.

We only have "passable" options right now. It would be awesome if someone really stepped up during camp.

Dowd isn't any better than Shore offensively at even strength.

 

[damacles1156]

Dowd isn't any better than Shore offensively at even strength.

I don't know why people think Dowd is any better than Shore.

The game is played mostly 5v5, Dowd struggled badly in that area.

Shore was also used heavily on the PK.

 

[Fishhead]

I don't know why people think Dowd is any better than Shore.

The game is played mostly 5v5, Dowd struggled badly in that area.

Shore was also used heavily on the PK.

I wouldn't say Dowd sturggled badly, he had the 3rd highest CF% rel on the team at ES. His CF% at ES was also 3rd at 57.6, pretty respectable for a guy in his first full season. The team controlled play when he was on the ice at even strength. Zone starts had a hand in that, but it was pretty plain to see he was a much more dangerous player than Shore was last year.

The points are a concern as he's not scoring a whole lot, but in the long run he should produce more as his lines generate shots. He had much better possession numbers than shore did. Dowd had a PDO of 92.5, so he was a bit unlucky.

The difference between the two isn't that big, but I think Nic has more offense in him than Nick. Shore is light years ahead at defense.

 

[damacles1156]

I wouldn't say Dowd sturggled badly, he had the 3rd highest CF% rel on the team at ES. His CF% at ES was also 3rd at 57.6, pretty respectable for a guy in his first full season. The team controlled play when he was on the ice at even strength. Zone starts had a hand in that, but it was pretty plain to see he was a much more dangerous player than Shore was last year.

The points are a concern as he's not scoring a whole lot, but in the long run he should produce more as his lines generate shots. He had much better possession numbers than shore did. Dowd had a PDO of 92.5, so he was a bit unlucky.

The difference between the two isn't that big, but I think Nic has more offense in him than Nick. Shore is light years ahead at defense.

Dowd had the lowest D-zone starts among forwards. Also Dowd's lines struggled to keep pucks out of the Kings net.

There will be a lot of competition at camp this year, someone hopefully rises to the challenge.

 

[deeshamrock]

Since I don't see a trade for a 3C (any trade for a forward will be for a top 6 winger/center) I think it's Shore's job to lose. He's over 2 yrs younger and the better player, esp defensively which is very important on the 3rd line. He's only about to turn 25 and given a better position, system, coach, usage, etc. I expect he'll get better.
Dowd is what he is, he's 27 and a decent 4th liner.
And there is a competitive camp coming up and maybe one of the younger guys wins the spot.

 

[lumbergh]

Since I don't see a trade for a 3C (any trade for a forward will be for a top 6 winger/center) I think it's Shore's job to lose. He's over 2 yrs younger and the better player, esp defensively which is very important on the 3rd line. He's only about to turn 25 and given a better position, system, coach, usage, etc. I expect he'll get better.
Dowd is what he is, he's 27 and a decent 4th liner.
And there is a competitive camp coming up and maybe one of the younger guys wins the spot.

Why not an external acquisition for 3C? We already have Kopitar, Carter, Cammalleri, Toffoli, Pearson, Brown, and Gaborik. How many more top6ers can you fit in there?

I'm just not convinced that Shore has the offensive chops to put up points for that spot.

I wonder if the Kings might find a dumpster-dive as camps wrap up and veterans get cut. I'm really hoping Amadio goes into camp and blows the doors off. That's the best outcome I can think of.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Shore has struggled offensively under Sutter, if he comes out flat offensively again, Dowd or Kempe gets a shot. Kings can't have a 3rd line center who is good defensively but can't put up any points.

 

[deeshamrock]

Why not an external acquisition for 3C? We already have Kopitar, Carter, Cammalleri, Toffoli, Pearson, Brown, and Gaborik. How many more top6ers can you fit in there?

I'm just not convinced that Shore has the offensive chops to put up points for that spot.

I wonder if the Kings might find a dumpster-dive as camps wrap up and veterans get cut. I'm really hoping Amadio goes into camp and blows the doors off. That's the best outcome I can think of.

I would prefer trading or signing a 3C, but from what I've gathered thru the LA media and some of the Canadian media, they want(ed) a center or winger for the top 6. Cammy, Gabby and Brown are borderline, if that top 6. Carter is a proficient scorer and was great last year thru 60 , just like the year before, he stopped producing after 60 games, so maybe they noticed that. Shifting him to wing would be less stress for him. I think they are open to options.

I don't know off the top of my head centers that might fill the bill on the 3rd. The one name that I read ina couple articles in the last few weeks (and possibly moving out) is Nick Bjugstad. Last year was not a good one for him (and he had 2 injuries) but both articles seems to suggest the Cats are willing to 'move on' from him. One of the articles said that he's stuggled to find the right chemistry with various linemates. Now , i'm not sure how connected either reporter was, or what it would take but you have to think that GM's talk, so if they suspected a young center that showed potential but had an off year and stuggled on the defensive side, might be available, you think they'd make a call.

Another odd rumor from about 1 month ago was the Rags buying out Marc Staal so they'd have room to trade for Tyler Bozak. He (and JVR) will be moved by the Leafs. And he's a very good, solid 2 way center. He can play 2nd or 3rd line.


But I think, as you pointed out, they will see thru camp and perhaps the first 20 or so games to see how they fare. Amadio has a lot of potential and Stevens , unlike Sutter, is very good with Young players, I saw that with the Flyers. So it might be Shore is given linemates that will provide what he needs and play well under Stevens. If not, they do have AMart or Muzzin if they wanted to upgrade.
Time will tell.

 

[Fishhead]

Dowd had the lowest D-zone starts among forwards. Also Dowd's lines struggled to keep pucks out of the Kings net.

There will be a lot of competition at camp this year, someone hopefully rises to the challenge.

That they certainly did.

I feel the same way, someone has to grab the spot and run with it to make this team competitive. There's a lot of options, it would certainly fill a big hole.

 

[Fishhead]

But I think, as you pointed out, they will see thru camp and perhaps the first 20 or so games to see how they fare. Amadio has a lot of potential and Stevens , unlike Sutter, is very good with Young players, I saw that with the Flyers. So it might be Shore is given linemates that will provide what he needs and play well under Stevens. If not, they do have AMart or Muzzin if they wanted to upgrade.
Time will tell.

I would love for Amadio to turn heads, but I feel he's a year out. Shore puzzles me, he shows flashes then nothing. Even though Sutter said he expected young guys making mistakes (at least when he talked the media), maybe a new coach will loosen up Shore a little. Since he's came up, he's always looked like he was playing really conservative and gripping his stick.