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2017-18 Kings News/Rumors/Tidbits

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Don't understand how the depth is killing it due to Rob Blake and then I read the names of a bunch of guys drafted by DL.

Blake gets credit for closing the Iafallo signing after AI was being scouted heavily by the Kings already but the fact that he was well on the Kings radar already doesn't make this a "Blake is a genius and DL wouldn't have wanted to sign him" argument.

Blake's best move so far that I can give him full credit for is the Phaneuf trade. I've said the trade deadline is where we can really start grading Blake on his own merit as the moves won't already have DL's fingers on them. So far, so good on that front.
 
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BigKing said:
Don't understand how the depth is killing it due to Rob Blake and then I read the names of a bunch of guys drafted by DL.

Blake gets credit for closing the Iafallo signing after AI was being scouted heavily by the Kings already but the fact that he was well on the Kings radar already doesn't make this a "Blake is a genius and DL wouldn't have wanted to sign him" argument.

Blake's best move so far that I can give him full credit for is the Phaneuf trade. I've said the trade deadline is where we can really start grading Blake on his own merit as the moves won't already have DL's fingers on them. So far, so good on that front.
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How about Mitchell? He's been a big part of that depth love.

But agreed on guys like Brodzinski. I'm not trying to jump to Blake deserves the credit for everything but I think he's done a bang-up job for a first year GM with not much wiggle room in terms of assets or situation. Inheriting a blackhole team has to be more difficult than inheriting the Oilers.
 
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BigKing said:
Don't understand how the depth is killing it due to Rob Blake and then I read the names of a bunch of guys drafted by DL.

Blake gets credit for closing the Iafallo signing after AI was being scouted heavily by the Kings already but the fact that he was well on the Kings radar already doesn't make this a "Blake is a genius and DL wouldn't have wanted to sign him" argument.

Blake's best move so far that I can give him full credit for is the Phaneuf trade. I've said the trade deadline is where we can really start grading Blake on his own merit as the moves won't already have DL's fingers on them. So far, so good on that front.
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Its DLs players, but the line up we're icing was not dean modus operandi
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
How about Mitchell? He's been a big part of that depth love.

But agreed on guys like Brodzinski.
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If we are talking about Mitchell, then we are just talking about the last few games. I was ready to drive him to the airport a week ago if I could get the Dwight King pick back.

If Mitchell keeps playing well then I'll give credit where it is due: I'm still not sold on him.

It's a very small sample size, but adding what appears to be an actual #4 defenseman is the big move so far. As many have complained about on this board, the lack of defenseman able to make an outlet pass outside of 8/6/27 has been just as much of a problem for this team's offense than the actual talent up front.
 
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I give Blake a ton of credit for the Phaneuf trade. I thought it would take at least a 1st plus a prospect to get rid of Gaborik's contract. Blake turned it into a top 4 D and even got Ottawa to retain. :laugh:

While most of the players were DL acquisitions, I don't think they get the opportunity under DL/Sutter as Sol stated. Sure Iafallo was scouted under DL. But I don't think he signs unless the opportunity to win a regular spot in the lineup was offered. And that is something I don't think happens under DL.
 
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KINGS17 said:
2011-12 LA Kings Roster included:

Voynov - Rookie
Nolan - Rookie
King - Rookie
Martinez - 2nd full season
Lewis - 2nd full season
Loktionov - Rookie

The idea that Dean wouldn't give young players a chance is a myth.
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And then Toffoli, Pearson, Muzzin in 2014.
 
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Sol said:
I dont think there is any reason to doubt that Iafallo will produce.

He has amazing vision, good passing, good shot, good speed, and really good hockey sense.

We've got a better justin williams on our hands
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Woah there. Slow it down. Justin Williams put up 76 and 67 points in 2005-6 and 2006-7. If Iafallo even got close to how good Justin Williams is or was, I would be very, very pleasantly surprised.
 
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lumbergh said:
Woah there. Slow it down. Justin Williams put up 76 and 67 points in 2005-6 and 2006-7. If Iafallo even got close to how good Justin Williams is or was, I would be very, very pleasantly surprised.
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Agreed the one thing he does have that very much reminds me of Williams is his puck retrieval.
 
What's lost on the lack of FA prospect signings by DL during the "golden era" is that these guys didn't see a clear path to playing time because the Kings were good, or at least though to be good.

Kings were rumored in on some of these guys but they chose other places that either guaranteed a roster spot or you could see a clear path to a spot.

It is not a coincidence that the Kings have better results in signing these guys coming off of a losing season that was the 2nd time in 3 years they missed the playoffs.

If I'm Iafallo, I'm looking at the Kings roster and easily seeing that there is a spot for me. Not necessarily 1st line, but I know they need speed and I've got it.

If I'm Petersen in July of '17, I see a goalie factory and a #1 that just came off a serious injury, is aging and plays a style that probably won't hold up very well. I see Petr Budaj getting another NHL contract after being picked up off the scrap heap.

If I'm Alex Lyon in April of 2016, all I see is Jonathan Quick in front of me on a team that has a 100 point season so I'm going to choose Philly instead.

What a difference a year makes.
 
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KINGS17 said:
2011-12 LA Kings Roster included:

Voynov - Rookie
Nolan - Rookie
King - Rookie
Martinez - 2nd full season
Lewis - 2nd full season
Loktionov - Rookie

The idea that Dean wouldn't give young players a chance is a myth.
Click to expand...

That's not what im saying but OK
 
lumbergh said:
Woah there. Slow it down. Justin Williams put up 76 and 67 points in 2005-6 and 2006-7. If Iafallo even got close to how good Justin Williams is or was, I would be very, very pleasantly surprised.
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That came off wrong. I meant he's got better tools than JW and I believe he can be better than him IMO.


He hasn't put it together obviously yet. But when he does I think hes gonna be a gem.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
Re: Kings drafting (not development).

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I credit DL for that. I remember reading an interview with DL where he talked about what set quality organizations apart from the rest since everyone has the same cap. He wanted top notch scouting, drafting, player development, and facilities/staff. Lucic even referred to the kings having an incredible setup.

Also, it's very good to have an owner willing to pay for all of that.
 
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Sol said:
I think it's safe to say playing with Toffoli and Pearson has done Kempe no favors
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And I think its fair to say they are all problems in their own way.

And Iafallo, a better Justin Williams? That is one of the biggest leaps I've seen around here in some time.
 
KINGS17 said:
2011-12 LA Kings Roster included:

Voynov - Rookie
Nolan - Rookie
King - Rookie
Martinez - 2nd full season
Lewis - 2nd full season
Loktionov - Rookie

The idea that Dean wouldn't give young players a chance is a myth.
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Yep. There's a lot of myths about DL around here. People have short memories and a recency bias.

Most of the moves Blake has made were put in motion while DL was still GM. Kings already had their eye on Iafallo and Folin for example.
 
Dean just wasn't going to play ball with demands of immediate playing time and a guaranteed roster spot for UDFA players. He also was going to lean towards AHL seasoning on prospects unless there was overwhelming reasons to play them in the NHL ASAP.

Seemed to work until they didn't draft as well for a stretch there due to lack of 1st rounders and whiffing on 2nd rounders whereas they used to crush it. Of course, they also traded some of those 2nd rounders.

While we bash Forbort, we are seeing another full season out of him, the first full season out of Kempe and now later round picks like Amadio and Brodz are starting to make an impact. Not drafting studs that can make the jump quickly (Doughty/Simmonds/Pearson) and contribute really hurt DL as the cap space was limited and there wasn't any calvary coming from the minors.
 
Speaking of Blake. I don't think we can underestimate the importance of him signing both Kuemper and Folin to league minimum bargains.

He is saying the right thing in the fact that he's not going to treat prospects for a rental.

I am not worried so much about this trade deadline but his next years off-season to see what Blake is made out of. The DOughty contract will be the big thing
 
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robitaillefan said:
The maroon to LA buzz won’t die down. He’s a product of playing with the best in the world, heck put me with McDavid and he’d bang 20 off my stick. Hope Blake avoids this slug
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And all they want is Amadio and a 2nd....lmfao... but seriously, Blake better not !!!!
 
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