Rumor: 2018-19 Kings News/Rumors/Tidbits

[fsanford]

It's funny how we got sick of that, then we wanted a coach that let them play, and now we want the structure back. Then we'll get trash can stories again.

Remember the movie the Truman Show, while we never got to see what happened to him after he left the set, we all know he probably died within a week. Same thing applies here.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Yikes. That's trying their hardest?

Maybe they’re trying their hardest to suck? The guys in the locker must really be cherishing the thought of playing with Jack Hughes.

 

[deaderhead28]

I dunno, the way I see it is that we have made changes to our system and our personnel as well. While I am not certain that JS is the right coach for us moving forward (out of our old neutral zone trap/left gun system) he has opened up our style of play and those things take time to implement.

When we get DB and JB back it will allow us to set more of a regular line up. After that it falls on coach and his staff to get the team to buy into things. We will certainly have to stop giving up 30+ shots per game and that means that we will have to actually start playing team D again (we haven't done that yet this season) but not at the sacrifice of our move forward game.

I see signs of us turning things around during each game but it does look like our forwards and D are completely out of sync with each other for the most part.

Too much talent in our line up for things to go this way for too long but if we do I think we can start talking about that coaching/system wholesale change.

Anyway I am a true believer so I still think we will get on track and have a better season this year then we did last year. We will get it together, I promise.

Two players arent righting this ship unfortunately,the Ducks have lots of injuries this season and doing just fine.

 

[deaderhead28]

Remember the movie the Truman Show, while we never got to see what happened to him after he left the set, we all know he probably died within a week. Same thing applies here.

No it's just homerism and denial.

 

[Johnny Utah]

What bothers me is the Kovalchuk signing. It was amazing that’s Kings found a taker in Gaborik and dumped another overpaid and aging forward. Then, Blake goes ahead and signs another overpaid and aging forward. He was not the last piece to this team.

Take note around the league and even from the Ducks down the street. Ducks let all these old vets go and inserted youth. Kings are so reluctant to give the kids any significant ice time. I know Steel and Terry are top prospects but what about Comtois? A 2nd rounder. Ducks let Bieska, Beauch, JT Brown, Kelly, Chimera and Boll all walk. Even with the injuries piling up they just inserted more younger players.

The knock on the Kings and Ducks was that they are stuck in an old NHL mentality, but the Ducks are transitioning away from that mentality. Murray acknowledged that over the summer.

The Kings are like the Andy Murray and Terry Murray teams of old where the vets take over and the youth have to really earn their place on the roster.

Pearson and Phaneuf were minus 4 last game. They should have not even dressed against Buffalo. Look around the league at the big name players sitting after one bad game but instead Amadio and JAD sit?

 

[Peter James Bond II]

What bothers me is the Kovalchuk signing. It was amazing that’s Kings found a taker in Gaborik and dumped another overpaid and aging forward. Then, Blake goes ahead and signs another overpaid and aging forward. He was not the last piece to this team.

Take note around the league and even from the Ducks down the street. Ducks let all these old vets go and inserted youth. Kings are so reluctant to give the kids any significant ice time. I know Steel and Terry are top prospects but what about Comtois? A 2nd rounder. Ducks let Bieska, Beauch, JT Brown, Kelly, Chimera and Boll all walk. Even with the injuries piling up they just inserted more younger players.

The knock on the Kings and Ducks was that they are stuck in an old NHL mentality, but the Ducks are transitioning away from that mentality. Murray acknowledged that over the summer.

The Kings are like the Andy Murray and Terry Murray teams of old where the vets take over and the youth have to really earn their place on the roster.

Pearson and Phaneuf were minus 4 last game. They should have not even dressed against Buffalo. Look around the league at the big name players sitting after one bad game but instead Amadio and JAD sit?

Agreed. Instead of having 10 people on the development team, (have only 8) I think they should have a fulltime person doing a study on how the Hell Vegas took the 6th or 7th best player (or worse - given a draft pick to take the 8th best player, or bad a contract) and be so good. How in the Hell did virtually 100% of these players go on to have their BEST year ever? (except for James Neal) Do a full analysis
of each pick and the background of the player...do what Waddell and his staff did for a year: evaluate every team and their players....find the 6,7,8 best players in each organization and upsides. Start exploring trades for some of these.

I was stuck in Dallas a year, 2 years ago and saw Cody Eakin....a player who could not make the Kings, from what I saw...and suddenly he'd be one of the
best on the Kings? How does this happen? Is it coaching? Systems? Letting the player just go out and play? There should be a person who analyzes what creates success. Why not? 2 years ago, you ask
me if Paul Ladue or Shea Theodore is better? Theodore cannot consistently play with the Ducks and I thought he sucked and liked him on the ice against the Kings..and 2 years later, he's a 5 million a yr
defenseman and Ladue still can't play? Makes me wonder...if Theodore was still on the Ducks, would he be 7th man there? OR if Ladue was on Vegas, if Ladue would be scoring 10 goals and 20 assists and be the second pairing there....shhhtt, 33% of their defense has McNabb and Colin Miller, 2 King castaways. Colin Miller could not get a ton of ice in Boston for 2 years...

I recall seeing the first ad for the Knights, a day after the expansion draft...seeing Fleury and McNabb and a few others and feeling sorry for them...I thought,
there's a 15 Win Team...guess they will get the #1 pick on 2018.

I think PART of it, is that Plan A was "you're it. Colin Miller, you're #2 RD...go out and play...oh and first PP unit"..."Brayden McNabb, you and Derek Engelland, are the 2 pillars on the PK....go out and get it done"....there was no PLAN B...no chance of being healthy scratch! Failure not an option.
No REAL pressure...NO expectations....sure, Gallant had expectations. These players also had something to prove to the team that didn't protect them.

Bet if Amadio and Ladue were there, they would be playing and excelling. Period. Make a mistake? Fine, all make mistakes (DD makes 5+ a game) Go out there and play! Not going to bench you.
We believe in you. Stevens scratches these guys and Amadio is wasted on line 4.
So he's penciled in #2 center and 6 minutes in the game, Stevens switches things up.
Wagner misses an assignment (by 2 feet and the one who was responsible for the one who passed it, no big deal) sits 3 games. Then gets
a shot 4 games later and is playing scared, probably. Ladue has more talent than Fantenberg and perhaps even Marty. Put him out there, PERIOD. He does not suck. Sick of this.

Play JAD, or send him down...he has the ability to play here now, but should get stronger. 6 minutes play, does him no good.
I'm sure the experience has been great for him (except the current state of the team) but send him down. He will come back strong and be a line #3 fixture for years. (if they do not trade him for a 32 year old at the deadline that can get the Kings to the 'promised land' in a contract year, desperate move)

 

[KINGS17]

The Kings are going to be irrelevant until they take out the garbage from the '90s. Why after years of failure with former players as execs, then finally going outside to hire Lombardi and reach the top of the mountain, they go back to putting former players who never won jack in control of the franchise is beyond me.

 

[KingsFan7824]

What bothers me is the Kovalchuk signing. It was amazing that’s Kings found a taker in Gaborik and dumped another overpaid and aging forward. Then, Blake goes ahead and signs another overpaid and aging forward. He was not the last piece to this team.

Take note around the league and even from the Ducks down the street. Ducks let all these old vets go and inserted youth. Kings are so reluctant to give the kids any significant ice time. I know Steel and Terry are top prospects but what about Comtois? A 2nd rounder. Ducks let Bieska, Beauch, JT Brown, Kelly, Chimera and Boll all walk. Even with the injuries piling up they just inserted more younger players.

The knock on the Kings and Ducks was that they are stuck in an old NHL mentality, but the Ducks are transitioning away from that mentality. Murray acknowledged that over the summer.

The Kings are like the Andy Murray and Terry Murray teams of old where the vets take over and the youth have to really earn their place on the roster.

Pearson and Phaneuf were minus 4 last game. They should have not even dressed against Buffalo. Look around the league at the big name players sitting after one bad game but instead Amadio and JAD sit?

They didn't find a taker for Gaborik. All they did was move the cap space around for an older player from forward to defense. There was no way of getting rid of Gaborik. At best it's LTIR, and then what? How does that help? Gives you space during the season, but what are you going to do with it?

If they keep playing like this, what's the difference if they sign Kovalchuk or not? Could be looking at a top 5, top 3 pick. Signing Kovalchuk isn't keeping them in the black hole in that scenario.

The Ducks let Bieksa, Beauch, Kelly, Chimera, and Boll walk. Haha. Yes, let them walk. They all basically, if not actually, retired. None of them are playing anywhere right now. How many of them were in their late 30's? I think that's making it sound better for the Ducks than it actually is. Did they trade away any big contracts that their veterans have? No? Ok. Is their goaltending putting up crazy numbers this year? Yes. Are they a bottom 10 offense? Yes. Are they bleeding shots this year? Yes. Are they getting outshot more than the Kings are on average? So far, yes. Where is Winston Wolf when you need him?

 

[KingsFan7824]

I things keep going the way they have been for both teams, what the hell is that Nov 6th game against the Ducks going to look like?

 

[Reaper45]

I things keep going the way they have been for both teams, what the hell is that Nov 6th game against the Ducks going to look like?

A bloodbath.

 

[KingsHockey24]

A bloodbath.

On the score sheet that is.

Only player that'll probably try doing something is Clifford and maybe Phaneuf. Everyone else will continue to float around and do absolutely nothing.

 

[tonellisghost]

Agreed. Instead of having 10 people on the development team, (have only 8) I think they should have a fulltime person doing a study on how the Hell Vegas took the 6th or 7th best player (or worse - given a draft pick to take the 8th best player, or bad a contract) and be so good. How in the Hell did virtually 100% of these players go on to have their BEST year ever? (except for James Neal) Do a full analysis
of each pick and the background of the player...do what Waddell and his staff did for a year: evaluate every team and their players....find the 6,7,8 best players in each organization and upsides. Start exploring trades for some of these.

I was stuck in Dallas a year, 2 years ago and saw Cody Eakin....a player who could not make the Kings, from what I saw...and suddenly he'd be one of the
best on the Kings? How does this happen? Is it coaching? Systems? Letting the player just go out and play? There should be a person who analyzes what creates success. Why not? 2 years ago, you ask
me if Paul Ladue or Shea Theodore is better? Theodore cannot consistently play with the Ducks and I thought he sucked and liked him on the ice against the Kings..and 2 years later, he's a 5 million a yr
defenseman and Ladue still can't play? Makes me wonder...if Theodore was still on the Ducks, would he be 7th man there? OR if Ladue was on Vegas, if Ladue would be scoring 10 goals and 20 assists and be the second pairing there....shhhtt, 33% of their defense has McNabb and Colin Miller, 2 King castaways. Colin Miller could not get a ton of ice in Boston for 2 years...

I recall seeing the first ad for the Knights, a day after the expansion draft...seeing Fleury and McNabb and a few others and feeling sorry for them...I thought,
there's a 15 Win Team...guess they will get the #1 pick on 2018.

I think PART of it, is that Plan A was "you're it. Colin Miller, you're #2 RD...go out and play...oh and first PP unit"..."Brayden McNabb, you and Derek Engelland, are the 2 pillars on the PK....go out and get it done"....there was no PLAN B...no chance of being healthy scratch! Failure not an option.
No REAL pressure...NO expectations....sure, Gallant had expectations. These players also had something to prove to the team that didn't protect them.

Bet if Amadio and Ladue were there, they would be playing and excelling. Period. Make a mistake? Fine, all make mistakes (DD makes 5+ a game) Go out there and play! Not going to bench you.
We believe in you. Stevens scratches these guys and Amadio is wasted on line 4.
So he's penciled in #2 center and 6 minutes in the game, Stevens switches things up.
Wagner misses an assignment (by 2 feet and the one who was responsible for the one who passed it, no big deal) sits 3 games. Then gets
a shot 4 games later and is playing scared, probably. Ladue has more talent than Fantenberg and perhaps even Marty. Put him out there, PERIOD. He does not suck. Sick of this.

Play JAD, or send him down...he has the ability to play here now, but should get stronger. 6 minutes play, does him no good.
I'm sure the experience has been great for him (except the current state of the team) but send him down. He will come back strong and be a line #3 fixture for years. (if they do not trade him for a 32 year old at the deadline that can get the Kings to the 'promised land' in a contract year, desperate move)

I quoted all of your post because as per usual I either agree with or am challenged by what you have written. We still have so many solid posters around here that it makes me miss the place when I am gone.

That said I think you and I were having a conversation a few years back about our need to bring more kids into the line up and the same holds true today. Carter should have been moved along with Quick Thompson Muzz Marty DP etc etc etc and brought back picks/prospects. We caught lightning in a bottle in 2011 and a couple of us truly believed that we would win the cup in 2012. Back then we had a 3/4 year window with our roster at the time and here 4 years past that deadline struggling to compete.

I for one would have moved Kopi as much as I love him before his mega millions contract and started the rebuild then and there but we didn't do that. So here we are again and the question bares repeating now as much as then, when will we deal a meal a few of our vets for either high draft picks or to teams on the verge of winning it all who could use a solid vet to take them over the top?

Anyways great post.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Emily Sadler of Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos on ‘Headlines’ notes that ownership groups are watching their teams closely and there could be some coaches on the hot seat. Kypreos notes LA Kings, St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers are being watched.

“They want results, now,” Kypreos said. “The barometer in the past has always been American Thanksgiving for teams to make drastic changes. The sense is now… it’s a lot earlier.”​

 

[KINGS17]

Help us CBA lockout with compliance buy outs, you're our only hope.

 

[TopT]

So Stevens is not yet fired, damn; I ll came back in a week to check out

 

[BallPointHammer]

Agreed. Instead of having 10 people on the development team, (have only 8) I think they should have a fulltime person doing a study on how the Hell Vegas took the 6th or 7th best player (or worse - given a draft pick to take the 8th best player, or bad a contract) and be so good. How in the Hell did virtually 100% of these players go on to have their BEST year ever? (except for James Neal) Do a full analysis
of each pick and the background of the player...do what Waddell and his staff did for a year: evaluate every team and their players....find the 6,7,8 best players in each organization and upsides. Start exploring trades for some of these.

I was stuck in Dallas a year, 2 years ago and saw Cody Eakin....a player who could not make the Kings, from what I saw...and suddenly he'd be one of the
best on the Kings? How does this happen? Is it coaching? Systems? Letting the player just go out and play? There should be a person who analyzes what creates success. Why not? 2 years ago, you ask
me if Paul Ladue or Shea Theodore is better? Theodore cannot consistently play with the Ducks and I thought he sucked and liked him on the ice against the Kings..and 2 years later, he's a 5 million a yr
defenseman and Ladue still can't play? Makes me wonder...if Theodore was still on the Ducks, would he be 7th man there? OR if Ladue was on Vegas, if Ladue would be scoring 10 goals and 20 assists and be the second pairing there....shhhtt, 33% of their defense has McNabb and Colin Miller, 2 King castaways. Colin Miller could not get a ton of ice in Boston for 2 years...

I recall seeing the first ad for the Knights, a day after the expansion draft...seeing Fleury and McNabb and a few others and feeling sorry for them...I thought,
there's a 15 Win Team...guess they will get the #1 pick on 2018.

I think PART of it, is that Plan A was "you're it. Colin Miller, you're #2 RD...go out and play...oh and first PP unit"..."Brayden McNabb, you and Derek Engelland, are the 2 pillars on the PK....go out and get it done"....there was no PLAN B...no chance of being healthy scratch! Failure not an option.
No REAL pressure...NO expectations....sure, Gallant had expectations. These players also had something to prove to the team that didn't protect them.

Bet if Amadio and Ladue were there, they would be playing and excelling. Period. Make a mistake? Fine, all make mistakes (DD makes 5+ a game) Go out there and play! Not going to bench you.
We believe in you. Stevens scratches these guys and Amadio is wasted on line 4.
So he's penciled in #2 center and 6 minutes in the game, Stevens switches things up.
Wagner misses an assignment (by 2 feet and the one who was responsible for the one who passed it, no big deal) sits 3 games. Then gets
a shot 4 games later and is playing scared, probably. Ladue has more talent than Fantenberg and perhaps even Marty. Put him out there, PERIOD. He does not suck. Sick of this.

Play JAD, or send him down...he has the ability to play here now, but should get stronger. 6 minutes play, does him no good.
I'm sure the experience has been great for him (except the current state of the team) but send him down. He will come back strong and be a line #3 fixture for years. (if they do not trade him for a 32 year old at the deadline that can get the Kings to the 'promised land' in a contract year, desperate move)

Excellent post! Every player in the organization under 25 years old should be put in a situation where they are getting maximum ice time. Young players need ice time and games to develop. At the NHL level play Amadio, Ladue, Wagner, etc. full time minutes.

And how many hundreds/ thousands of times have you heard a player say "I got to play top line minutes in every situation, make mistakes, put in tough matchups and take a regular shift every game" and it was the best way to develop into a good NHL player.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Rumor has it Nylander could be on the block. Toronto won’t likely meet his demands by 12/1 with Mathews needing a new deal and already big money thrown at Marleau and Tavares.

They want a d man in return - would the Kings be willing to move a Muzzin for him?

We would have to clear more salary so likely another player goes the other way or to another team in a three way.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Rumor has it Nylander could be on the block. Toronto won’t likely meet his demands by 12/1 with Mathews needing a new deal and already big money thrown at Marleau and Tavares.

They want a d man in return - would the Kings be willing to move a Muzzin for him?

We would have to clear more salary so likely another player goes the other way or to another team in a three way.

I’ll drive Muzzin, his stupid beard, and whichever morose forward the Leafs want for Nylander.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Luc’s real worried about the Kings slide. Enjoying another cocktail party at the Pond with the Ducks.

 

[deaderhead28]

Concern when you've back to back blowouts and the coach has deer in the headlights look in a post game interview with no answers to what is happening.
2 team meetings after back to back games and your teams GM is sent to fire up and motivate a team to play.Then hearing certain players have been lagging on the ice is another issue and concern.Leadership and the coach shouldnt be having the GM of a team in there doing their job.Its time for a new coach and leadership.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Rumor has it Nylander could be on the block. Toronto won’t likely meet his demands by 12/1 with Mathews needing a new deal and already big money thrown at Marleau and Tavares.

They want a d man in return - would the Kings be willing to move a Muzzin for him?

We would have to clear more salary so likely another player goes the other way or to another team in a three way.

The question is would Toronto take Muzzin for him, and if they're wanting to help their defense, the answer would be no.

 

[Herby]

The question is would Toronto take Muzzin for him, and if they're wanting to help their defense, the answer would be no.

Yeah the time to move Muzzin was in 2015 or 2016, and ofcourse he wasn't.

Muzzin still has some value because his contract is pretty good right now, but no way is he bringing back a 22 year old 60 point scorer.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

No way Toronto takes only Muzzin. Probably want Wagner or Cal Petersen thrown in plus mid-round draft pick for Nylander.

 

[funky]

For Nylander I would personally drive the beard and Tyler Country Club Toffoli to the airport.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

No way Toronto takes only Muzzin. Probably want Wagner or Cal Petersen thrown in plus mid-round draft pick for Nylander.

And that’d still be fine.