2019-20 Kings News/Rumors

[BigKing]

I thought that at first, but if he truly disagreed he already told Blake behind closed doors. I doubt that their relationship has soured and McLellan is now publicly disagreeing with his boss midway through his first season on the job. It's something for the players to read or hear about and think, "Coach has my back".

Maybe, but it is still all about wanting to ice the best team possible right now. T-Mac saying that he would like Toffoli to remain a King doesn't mean he is having a public disagreement with Blake or that their relationship has soured.

Of course, there aren't going to be many coaches that are going to say "I hope we trade him". That is an awkward locker room and actually puts much more pressure on the GM than the other way around.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Just load Schmidt onto his old supplements, it'll be fine

I agree that Martinez's flexibility is a huge fit for VGK. Nashville as well. Those teams have the luxury of trying him at different spots and putting him down the lineup if that doesn't work.

Not sure what Florida would do with him, though.

Juiced Schmidt is a #1

Non-juiced Schmidt is like a #2.5

 

[SettlementRichie10]

That's just not right.

My family has lived in Las Vegas for literally five generations. Of course I’m going to like the hometown team.

Still cheered for the Kings in 2018, though.

 

[YP44]

How was McLellan supposed to answer.

I hope Toffoli sign back July 1 after getting Puljujarvi/Zboril and a 2nd at the deadline.

 

[kings11]

How was McLellan supposed to answer.

I hope Toffoli sign back July 1 after getting Puljujarvi/Zboril and a 2nd at the deadline.

No on Zboril...
Puljujarvi types are what we need

 

[crassbonanza]

My family has lived in Las Vegas for literally five generations. Of course I’m going to like the hometown team.

Still cheered for the Kings in 2018, though.

I think that is totally fair, adopting a team that moves into your home city just makes sense. I'm sure there are quite a lot of former Kings fans that cheer for VGK now as well, with frozen fury being a thing for so long.

 

[King'sPawn]

I think he's saying--and I agree--relative to position, those guys turned out very fine, even with development. Getting a 20-20-40 guy with the 30th pick is a victory, and I think that's a fair evaluation if Pearson, even given his bad year last year and his huge year this year. Toffoli is a 20-goal scorer who has broken 25 and 30, and his consistency is an issue as a streaky goal scorer, but he's a 2nd round pick for a reason. And Amadio is almost a 4th round pick, so getting an NHLer at all there is nice.

I have made vocal my questions of skill player development because I'm worried about the upcoming batch, but the truth is that's basically the first real batch they have to work with.

It's not that 'everything is okay,' it's that the highest Kings picks in consecutive drafts were low. After Schenn, they picked highest in consecutive years at 15 (Forbort), 49 (Gibson, ugh), 30 (Pearson), 37 (Zykov)--then not again till 103!, 29 (Kempe), 43 (Cernak), 51 (Clague). Then, they traded some of those guys, and the next highest picks were often in the 100s.

Like yes, it's unfortunate they landed a bunch of "just an NHLers," but it's actually a testament to drafting and development that those guys became NHLers at all as a group. It's more unfortunate they didn't land any late-round home-runs (again, bunch of "Just an NHL"ers at a greater rate than any other team), but it's pretty clear to see there isn't much evidence for the worry yet. Toffoli and Pearson have turned out--overall--just fine for what they are. There's just not a lot of high-end skill in that group to work with, less the fault of drafting/development and more the fault of asset management. Now if Clague and some after bust, we'll have a more thorough discussion.

Maybe I'm being obtuse, but this doesn't tell me a lot.

While yes, lower picks have a lower chance at success, the fact remains there is STILL success with lower picks. Again, the Kings #1 LW wasn't even picked.

So the questions remain:
- Does the development staff need higher picks to gauge their ability to develop?
- Does the amateur staff need higher picks to provide a better baseline?

Not drafting and developing a regular top line forward on this team since 2005 is a huge red flag. If one group NEEDS better tools at this point, then we need to start looking at what we're doing wrong.

I understand picks and prospects were traded. But this is going on 14 years now.

Ranford and Imoo turned an ECHL outcast into a respectable backup in what. Two years?

 

[kings11]

Thought you guys would enjoying seeing Tyler's true worth..
He's the best all around, proven player on the block

 

[crassbonanza]

Thought you guys would enjoying seeing Tyler's true worth..
He's the best all around, proven player on the block

Not a big fan of GAR, but anything that makes Martines/Toffoli look good is awesome right now. Cliffy also looking good ion that chart.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So asking for three first rounders for Toffoli and Clifford wouldn’t be unreasonable?

 

[The Tikkanen]

When do the buy out Dustin Brown discussions begin?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Maybe I'm being obtuse, but this doesn't tell me a lot.

While yes, lower picks have a lower chance at success, the fact remains there is STILL success with lower picks. Again, the Kings #1 LW wasn't even picked.

So the questions remain:
- Does the development staff need higher picks to gauge their ability to develop?
- Does the amateur staff need higher picks to provide a better baseline?

Not drafting and developing a regular top line forward on this team since 2005 is a huge red flag. If one group NEEDS better tools at this point, then we need to start looking at what we're doing wrong.

I understand picks and prospects were traded. But this is going on 14 years now.

Ranford and Imoo turned an ECHL outcast into a respectable backup in what. Two years?

I'm sorry man but yes, you are being deliberately obtuse to make your point. It is a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem regardless, but the answers to both questions are :yes."

I think the conclusion is fine, but you have to make a lot of oversights for the premises.

Saying Kings haven't drafted and developed a regular top line forward since '05 deliberately overlooks what I posted above about '09 and forward (Does Schenn not count?), in addition to previous years:

08--Drafted Doughty, Teubert (LOL), Voynov in the first 32 picks. I'd say they did great with what they had there.
07--another d-man high in Hickey. Simmonds at 61--should they have developed him better? I'm not so sure. He became a PP monster when he left but he was essentially the same player.
06--Bernier highest pick, Trevor Lewis...not sure they could have done much more with him.

So from '06 on...they either drafted a d-man/goalie with their highest pick, traded the pick or the player, or turned them into a player appropriate to their draft spot. If we're looking at strictly top-line forwards, they haven't had the opportunity imo. That's a lot of d-man and goalie development, appropriate to a team that was very focused on two-way hockey. "What we're doing wrong" is simply not throwing top-echelon picks at forward talent, not giving appropriate credit for UFA signings (the school of thought that discounts Iafallo, Muzzin, Jones because "we didn't draft them," which I think is a little bit dishonest), and not giving guys like Schenn, Toffoli, Pearson appropriate credit for the players they are.

Really the only guy from those draft classes on I look at and wonder what could have been is Moller.

Edit: I think the question will have to be answered with this crop of dudes from the last three years: Turcotte, Vilardi, Kaliyev, Fagemo, Kupari, Thomas, Shafigullin, JAD is a good sample size of diverse top-end talent to see what happens. It's terrifying that it's high-stakes but it's the only way to know.

 

[kovacro]

FWIW...Friedman and Burke just on Sportsnet talking about AMart. Add Carolina and the Jets to the list of teams rumoured to be interested.

Burke mentions Kings not only looking for picks but speed and youth that can step into the lineup now.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Jack Campbell for Auston Matthews. E69.

 

[KINGS17]

Ah man, just saw the original Spartacus Kirk Douglas, has passed at age 103. What a life. We should all be so fortunate.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Ah man, just saw the original Spartacus Kirk Douglas, has passed at age 103. What a life. We should all be so fortunate.

In 103 years, the San Jose Sharks will remain Cupless, and a sentient being with the brain of Doug Wilson transplanted within it will be mismanaging their team.

 

[KingsofLA]

It makes me wonder how many Reign games you watch in person or on AHL Live or if you have very unrealistic expectations that young players are going to come in and dominate in a men's league that is one of the best in the world. Kupari is 19, his first games on a smaller rink. He was just starting to play better before he went to to WJC tourney, and as I've posted many times before, it takes about until Christmas for players to figure it out somewhat there first pro season in the AHL if they have the skill set. Many take a lot longer than that if they have what it takes. Kupari was still trying to skate his way through three defenders at center ice or in the opponents zone for the first few months. He was turning over the puck regularly and was terrible defensively. He was finally figuring out you can't do that on the smaller rink. You don't think the coaching and development staff have tried to punch that into his head? It's up to the player to make the adjustment. He was starting to do that before the unfortunate injury. He was given every opportunity and was centering the 1st line at the start of the season. He was demoted to the 2nd and even the 3rd line based upon his performance. Reign have development staff (outside of practice) work with the players every week (I think it's usually on Tuesday's). Stothers is also not afraid to bench guys who don't go along with what they are being taught. Ask Adrian Kempe about when he was scratched for two consecutive games in the AHL.

Clague made the AHL all-star team this year. Yes, I agree he has trouble defensively, especially with his consistency, but he's come a long way since the start of last season. He still has deficiencies, he's only 21 (if he was 23/24 yes, we have a problem), and he had two really bad games in early January, otherwise he'd be about even for the season plus/minus. The knock on Clague coming out of juniors was his defense. It's still a work in progress. I think Bowen Byram is a good example here. A player with a lot of offensive talent that really struggles defensively and will take some time to make the NHL.

Sodergran. I'm not sure what you expected here from a 6th rounder. He was a bottom line grinder in the SHL, he was a bottom line grinder in the WJC tourney for Sweden, and he's a bottom line grinder on the Reign that has a limited skill set. He had some games playing on the top two lines, but his offensive skill set is not that good, especially his puck handling. Maybe they can turn him into an NHL 4th liner, we'll have to wait and see how he progresses.

Rempal was paired with the top guys to start last season (Amadio, Moulson and Maillet much of the time), and started out on fire last year. But when you don't have as much talent around that are excellent puck distributors (they are all gone) you're gonna struggle. Rempal has been given every opportunity this year on the top two lines and on the PP and wasn't getting the job done. He went 50 games without scoring a goal. He's easily knocked off the puck. He's not an NHL talent. And Luff was an undrafted camp invitee who got a contract and has overachieved for his limited hockey IQ due to his excellent shot release. Again, I think your expectations are too high. We have had a lack of blue chip talent in the AHL for years in this organization. You're just starting to see a few guys trickle in (Bjornfot, Vilardi, Clague), and Petersen has been solid, no room at the inn. I disagree with your assessment.

I respect your opinion and we obviously disagree & that is okay. Hope you take nothing to heart. I've watched about 80% of the games (almost all the games this season) the last two seasons on AHL Live (Live WA) and some before that as well when a certain website would stream AHL games for free.

My view on Kupari is different with him getting better before he left to the WJC, since he had one point in the last 8 games & was a -6. Before those 8 games, games he had 2 points in 2 games, but still turned the puck over plenty of times in those games. Now JAD and Vilardi have great IQ, but have als

Petersen 4.02 and 3.48 are not solid number when he had 2.48 his rookie year. He has been better the last couple games last 4 games. Id prefer he get of out of Ontario soon, where he can around better leadership/teacher.

Stothers was more transition coach for the Sutter like teams He had a great record his first 3 years and understood style. Once LA transitioned from the board battling style to a more offensive style, Ontario struggles began. We can blame the kids, but the stats show his team as a whole have struggled when systems changed in the organization.

 

[redcard]

In 103 years, the San Jose Sharks will remain Cupless, and a sentient being with the brain of Doug Wilson transplanted within it will be mismanaging their team.

He'll be telling his great-grandroids about how they almost won in 2016

 

[KingsFan7824]

When do the buy out Dustin Brown discussions begin?

He has 2 years left. To buy him out this year, leaves $3m in dead cap for the next 2 years, then two more years at $1m. To buy him out next year, leaves $3m in dead cap for 1 year, then another year at $1m. Why bother in either instance? Just live with him for 2 years, and then you're done with him. They'll lose at least 2 veteran forwards this year, and 3 if Clifford isn't re-signed. Having Brown there isn't going to stop a young guy from being on the team. More than enough space for someone to win a job.

I said that same thing about Phaneuf last year. If they waited a year to do it with him, they wouldn't have to deal with 4 years of dead cap, but, they bit that bullet, which I found a little surprising, since this year wasn't going to be anything anyway. Saying that, Phaneuf is not Brown. Brown is forever the first King to touch the Cup. If he was chasing something, and they couldn't trade him, maybe they buy him out so he's able to go somewhere and get that championship in his later years, but he's not chasing anything. If Brown wanted out, that could change it to, but, does he have the hunger to want out? He seems fairly content. You could say that's the reason to get rid of him at any cost, but, next year isn't going to be a hunger year anyway.

There's nothing to really gain from the cap savings. To what end? They don't have an RFA that's going to break the bank any time soon. The only potential RFA's that might do that one day are RFA's only after Brown's contract ends naturally. To do it would be to simply get him off the roster, but they're not going to have a whole roster of young players. They would likely have to sign some sort of veteran stop gap, and they already have one of those in Brown. It's the same thing with Carter. He and Brown are the Scott Thornton's of today. The vet who is just looking to cash another check, but is stable in life, comes to work every day, the kind of human you want the young guys to be around. Sure, Brown and the rest of the core aren't the leaders like Williams, Richards, Mitchell, etc, but that's ok at this point.

I would doubt very much there will ever be Dustin Brown buyout discussions.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I respect your opinion and we obviously disagree & that is okay. Hope you take nothing to heart. I've watched about 80% of the games (almost all the games this season) the last two seasons on AHL Live (Live WA) and some before that as well when a certain website would stream AHL games for free.

My view on Kupari is different with him getting better before he left to the WJC, since he had one point in the last 8 games & was a -6. Before those 8 games, games he had 2 points in 2 games, but still turned the puck over plenty of times in those games. Now JAD and Vilardi have great IQ, but have als

Petersen 4.02 and 3.48 are not solid number when he had 2.48 his rookie year. He has been better the last couple games last 4 games. Id prefer he get of out of Ontario soon, where he can around better leadership/teacher.

Stothers was more transition coach for the Sutter like teams He had a great record his first 3 years and understood style. Once LA transitioned from the board battling style to a more offensive style, Ontario struggles began. We can blame the kids, but the stats show his team as a whole have struggled when systems changed in the organization.

I literally cannot remember an AHL team with so many teenagers on it, and whose every impact player outside Petersen is 20 or younger (21 Clague). And with how many of those guys are also transitioning from Europe...

My biggest beef with Ontario is that they don't have a Matt Moulson around to help the kids more, these guys are getting battered every night and working their way through it but I don't think it's Stothers 'fault,' he deserves a chance to adapt too. He's at least still great with tough love and accountability and that matters a lot more to me than their spot in the standings right now.

As we were discussing above, I think it's fair to critique what we're doing with the skill players, but that's less Stothers and more others in the org anyway.

 

[kings11]

Not a big fan of GAR, but anything that makes Martines/Toffoli look good is awesome right now. Cliffy also looking good ion that chart.

It’s not just GAR.. most metrics seem to indicate this for Tyler, we just hate all our players

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It’s not just GAR.. most metrics seem to indicate this for Tyler, we just hate all our players

That'll tend to happen when you have to bear witness to one of the worst teams in the NHL for 164 games in a row.

 

[KingsofLA]

I literally cannot remember an AHL team with so many teenagers on it, and whose every impact player outside Petersen is 20 or younger (21 Clague). And with how many of those guys are also transitioning from Europe...

My biggest beef with Ontario is that they don't have a Matt Moulson around to help the kids more, these guys are getting battered every night and working their way through it but I don't think it's Stothers 'fault,' he deserves a chance to adapt too. He's at least still great with tough love and accountability and that matters a lot more to me than their spot in the standings right now.

As we were discussing above, I think it's fair to critique what we're doing with the skill players, but that's less Stothers and more others in the org anyway.

Agree, that blame should also go the organization. Looking at Blake and im not surprise about the whispers of him stepping down (is probably realizing how many layers an org. has). But last seasons' team did not have those young players and well, it went worse. Stothers gives me the Sutter vibe. He has a specialty and now the org. has moved away from it.

This years Moulson is Frk. Not only does he score goals, but he has that team toughness attitude that will not leave a teammate battle alone. If not for Frk, Ontario would probably be a basement team again.

 

[kings11]

That'll tend to happen when you have to bear witness to one of the worst teams in the NHL for 164 games in a row.

That’s my point... we are currently a shit team so the few guys we have that net positive metrics are valuable.. GMs know this and are likely trying to play Blake and get them on the cheap

 

[DAkings20]

Buckle up boys