Speculation: 2020-21 LA Kings News/Roster/Rumors Discussion Part VI

[tny760]

Yup. 2 games and 6 games. Kings started the season only winning 3 of their first 12, then fooled the world when they won 6 in a row and it made them look like a good team. Haven't won 2 in a row since...

that's uhh.. wow

i guess i shouldn't be surprised but yeah

 

[BigKing]

You say it's insane comment...then there is this..."They are like 10-21 since the six game win streak. " so that six game win streak, they weren't playing dominant hockey? They bulldozed St. Louis, you know, last year's Cup Champions etc.... so yea, this team has SHOWN that they can play like that.....so is the issue the players, or management? If the players have shown they can do that, then it's gotta be on the players....right? Or are you saying they played that way despite management? That's a bold take so I am asking if that's your position..

It's absolutely gone south since then.....but this debate is in regards to Blake and management, not what the players have failed to do or execute.

It's almost like playing poker, or gambling on DFS, you have to keep to the process regardless of the results, it's the same here, Blake should keep to the process REGARDLESS of the results.....

Well, the Blues did not win the Cup last season and are in 4th place in a bad division with both a five and seven game losing streak to their name this season.

Regardless, you put entirely way too much stock in to a small sample size of regular season games v. the whole picture. That's cool that they are 5-1-1 against the 4th place Blues this season but they are only 4-3-1 against the last place Ducks and 2-5-1 against San Jose. Kings are in 7th place and are a combined 6-8-2 against the 6th and 8th place teams. Look at this...it's gross.

2-3-3 v. Wild
1-3 v. Avs
2-6 v. Vegas
5-1-1 v. Blues
3-3 v. Yotes
2-5-1 v. Sharks
4-3-1 v. Ducks

A six game win streak doesn't mean anything over 82 games if you lose over half of the time in the other games. Actually, we are seeing that it doesn't mean anything in a 56 game season. I don't know why I have to say this so many times after last year's seven game win streak but this fan base should know full well that a seven game win streak doesn't mean anything after the defending champs had one in 2015 and still didn't make the playoffs, a team that I would take over this current Kings team 10/10 times.

It takes two to tango so a win streak isn't impressive unless it is done by a team that still wins more than it loses the rest of the time. You catch a team at the right time--like LA did against the Wild in February--and you can beat them but that is one game. Realizing when the other team is down a lot of key players is important when judging how "dominant" a team looks v. just seeing six wins in a row and chalking it up to these guys being able to sustain winning hockey.

As for your issue of "who to blame" for not making the playoffs, yes, it is the players fault since they are the ones playing the game. That is the literal take. Blake, however, has not done anything to make the NHL team good enough to make the playoffs so it is his fault in the broader sense since he doesn't have the right players; however, he purposely didn't try to make the team a playoff contender because that wasn't the real goal this year.

I'm not mad that they are missing the playoffs: I fully expected it. I'm not getting swayed by a seven game winning streak at the end of the season when nobody gets up to play your garbage team. I am full on the rebuild train so I'm all about "the process"; however, I am beginning to wonder if the process is being run properly. You have the utmost faith in Blake and that's cool: I only have hope but am low on faith since he has never shown anything as a GM to earn it.

 

[Reclamation Project]

There was one poster guaranteeing and arguing all year that the Kings would easily make the playoffs and then supporting it by explaining how many bad teams they would be playing that would assure it.

It would seem that the “bad” team is actually the Kings and not vice versa.

I took it to the bank, they threw me out.

 

[King'sPawn]

You say it's insane comment...then there is this..."They are like 10-21 since the six game win streak. " so that six game win streak, they weren't playing dominant hockey? They bulldozed St. Louis, you know, last year's Cup Champions etc.... so yea, this team has SHOWN that they can play like that.....so is the issue the players, or management? If the players have shown they can do that, then it's gotta be on the players....right? Or are you saying they played that way despite management? That's a bold take so I am asking if that's your position..

It's absolutely gone south since then.....but this debate is in regards to Blake and management, not what the players have failed to do or execute.

It's almost like playing poker, or gambling on DFS, you have to keep to the process regardless of the results, it's the same here, Blake should keep to the process REGARDLESS of the results.....

They were playing well enough to win, sure. But I wouldn't say they were playing dominantly. They were often out hit, had more giveaways, fewer takeaways and rarely outshot the opposition.

Just a couple examples:
In their 2-1 win against St. Louis, they were outshot 36-20. I recognize goaltending is part of the team, but the skaters were bailed out by goaltending.

Their most "dominant" game relative to the opposition was when they outshot Arizona 29-22 to win 3-2. Even then, they still had more giveaways.

I disagree with the statement they dominated. They won 6 games, yes. And by all means they played well enough to earn those wins. But a span of 6 games shouldn't acquit/define a team whether it's positive or negative.

 

[KINGS17]

Well, the Blues did not win the Cup last season and are in 4th place in a bad division with both a five and seven game losing streak to their name this season.

Regardless, you put entirely way too much stock in to a small sample size of regular season games v. the whole picture. That's cool that they are 5-1-1 against the 4th place Blues this season but they are only 4-3-1 against the last place Ducks and 2-5-1 against San Jose. Kings are in 7th place and are a combined 6-8-2 against the 6th and 8th place teams. Look at this...it's gross.

2-3-3 v. Wild
1-3 v. Avs
2-6 v. Vegas
5-1-1 v. Blues
3-3 v. Yotes
2-5-1 v. Sharks
4-3-1 v. Ducks

A six game win streak doesn't mean anything over 82 games if you lose over half of the time in the other games. Actually, we are seeing that it doesn't mean anything in a 56 game season. I don't know why I have to say this so many times after last year's seven game win streak but this fan base should know full well that a seven game win streak doesn't mean anything after the defending champs had one in 2015 and still didn't make the playoffs, a team that I would take over this current Kings team 10/10 times.

It takes two to tango so a win streak isn't impressive unless it is done by a team that still wins more than it loses the rest of the time. You catch a team at the right time--like LA did against the Wild in February--and you can beat them but that is one game. Realizing when the other team is down a lot of key players is important when judging how "dominant" a team looks v. just seeing six wins in a row and chalking it up to these guys being able to sustain winning hockey.

As for your issue of "who to blame" for not making the playoffs, yes, it is the players fault since they are the ones playing the game. That is the literal take. Blake, however, has not done anything to make the NHL team good enough to make the playoffs so it is his fault in the broader sense since he doesn't have the right players; however, he purposely didn't try to make the team a playoff contender because that wasn't the real goal this year.

I'm not mad that they are missing the playoffs: I fully expected it. I'm not getting swayed by a seven game winning streak at the end of the season when nobody gets up to play your garbage team. I am full on the rebuild train so I'm all about "the process"; however, I am beginning to wonder if the process is being run properly. You have the utmost faith in Blake and that's cool: I only have hope but am low on faith since he has never shown anything as a GM to earn it.

Six game win streaks should only impress us when they occur in the playoffs.

 

[Mats26]

Do you think Blake has the cojones to buy out Brown? We have the cap space to do so, it would send a message and free up a roster spot for the prospects. But, it is Dustin Brown we are talking about. If he is setting a poor example, isn't it best to cut ties now?

Not a buyout, I don't think so. I do see him moved down the lineup at times next season and possibly moved at the deadline.

 

[bland]

I know we disagree a lot, and I appreciate the thought.

If Blake were outside the organization, I'd give him more leeway. However, he usurped Lombardi with the knowledge of what he had already. He's known the players and their mental makeup.

He absolutely needs to be held accountable for his own targets and to instill his vision.

He has had four seasons now to show us. If he can't make the playoffs next when he expected them to compete THIS year, then I feel he has lost the chance to demonstrate his judgment.

I give him credit for restocking the cupboards and being patient. But Lombardi literally built the developmental system at play and left Blake with the same staff he won with. He has to do more than restocking for five years, especially when he himself expected better results this year.

I am not a fan of Blake or Robitaille by any stretch. Hated the Kovalchuk signing, hated the Phanuef trade, hated the Pacioretty offer. Not a fan of the beach volleyball team nepotizing the developmental team. I thought he had the perfect ready made opportunity to come in and announce the necessity of the rebuild right away but he doubled down on Lombardi's hubris.

But, this is the right way to handle things right now. Nobody can succeed while rebuilding a cupboard from scratch. The team had to struggle through this part of the process in order to come out stronger on the other side.

If he blows a wad of kids trying to get marginally better this summer, yeah, he deserves to be fired. If he stays this course fine with me, its the best way to improve the most. I don't care if he thinks they will make the playoffs, that was always a looooooongshot even if it was a goal.

 

[funky]

One of the biggest things I see with this team is they are mentally fragile. There is no killer instinct or will to win. You can’t tell me with the stars we have on this team, and players we had on this team go on the other team to have more success recently that there’s not something broken mentally in the dressing room.

Our star players would rather pass than shoot, our power-play consist of players passing up shots to defer back to the defense, or checkers do drive-bys, we miss simple passes, we don’t stick up for others.
no this falls on everyone including our leader ship on the ice, our coach’s behind the bench, and our GM for allowing this shit to happen.

We have all seen Kopitar’s shot, we have seen him take the puck in the end with six people on him in the past. Now a super skilled guy like that bubbles passes and shoots a puck that appears to be 30 pounds? I consider him and doubting the best players on the team and you see Doughty mis defensive assignments more in the last few years that he has in his career. This goes right down to the bottom of our lineup where we carry guys like Big Mac who refuse to fight. I have seen him try and pinch in the offense of zone more this year than I’ve seen him make a hit.

It has become a country club. It looks like the coach has lost the players yet again. I love Kopitar, Doughty, Brown, etc. to death but who’s fault is it when you lose or push out five or six different coaches. Who’s fault is it when you keep passing up shots and deferring to your defense on a power-play were you should be crashing the net.

If they had a more killer instinct, pucks would be staying on their sticks, they would be driving the net, they would be finishing their checks or hell even throw in some checks. If a teammate got knocked down they would knock over who did it.

I’m not going to bash Blake yet, but he has a lot of work to do with his roster. As I said in a few threads this team needs a John Tortorella, and at this time it won’t be the coach to go next it will be the players that don’t live up to his expectations

 

[BigKing]

I am not a fan of Blake or Robitaille by any stretch. Hated the Kovalchuk signing, hated the Phanuef trade, hated the Pacioretty offer. Not a fan of the beach volleyball team nepotizing the developmental team. I thought he had the perfect ready made opportunity to come in and announce the necessity of the rebuild right away but he doubled down on Lombardi's hubris.

But, this is the right way to handle things right now. Nobody can succeed while rebuilding a cupboard from scratch. The team had to struggle through this part of the process in order to come out stronger on the other side.

If he blows a wad of kids trying to get marginally better this summer, yeah, he deserves to be fired. If he stays this course fine with me, its the best way to improve the most. I don't care if he thinks they will make the playoffs, that was always a looooooongshot even if it was a goal.

I see the product out there on the ice and I am constantly thinking about Lombardi saying how he didn't want guys coming to play here for the weather etc. Then I think about how our GM is the poster boy for this and it make me worry. The first image on Google Images when searching "Rob Blake surfing" is him, Emerson and Glen Murray paddle boarding together hahaha.

People can--and should--live their lives the way they want so I'm not against anyone enjoying living at the beach: of course not. That said, it can make you soft when there doesn't seem to be any accountability from the GM, coach, media and a lot of the fans.

Blake was supposed to come in with lessons learned from Lombardi but with an updated vision. I haven't seen much of anything yet that shows that this is the case and it is tough to fully believe in him since I have so much Blake PTSD and, to be fair to Blake, simply Kings GM/Ownership/Management PTSD in general.

 

[tomd]

I am not a fan of Blake or Robitaille by any stretch. Hated the Kovalchuk signing, hated the Phanuef trade, hated the Pacioretty offer. Not a fan of the beach volleyball team nepotizing the developmental team. I thought he had the perfect ready made opportunity to come in and announce the necessity of the rebuild right away but he doubled down on Lombardi's hubris.

But, this is the right way to handle things right now. Nobody can succeed while rebuilding a cupboard from scratch. The team had to struggle through this part of the process in order to come out stronger on the other side.

If he blows a wad of kids trying to get marginally better this summer, yeah, he deserves to be fired. If he stays this course fine with me, its the best way to improve the most. I don't care if he thinks they will make the playoffs, that was always a looooooongshot even if it was a goal.

To me, "stay the course" means make a conscious effort to not improve in obvious areas of need and being content being a bottom 5 team for the next 3-4 years. If that is the case, then the organization is being criminally incompetent by not trying to trade the two assets (Doughty and Kopitar) that will further the "stay the course" program. Trade them both for picks and prospects and let the team be really bad for the next 5 years. Keeping Doughty and Kopitar makes NO sense if the organization does the "stay the course" strategy.

 

[SFKingshomer]

To me, "stay the course" means make a conscious effort to not improve in obvious areas of need and being content being a bottom 5 team for the next 3-4 years. If that is the case, then the organization is being criminally incompetent by not trying to trade the two assets (Doughty and Kopitar) that will further the "stay the course" program. Trade them both for picks and prospects and let the team be really bad for the next 5 years. Keeping Doughty and Kopitar makes NO sense if the organization does the "stay the course" strategy.

We don't know that they haven't tried to trade those 2. They don't have much value due to their contracts and inconsistent play the past few years.

 

[kingsboy11]

Blake and Luc have talked about building a culture and taking certain players with those kind of characteristics and I do believe they have done that. Guys like Turcotte, Thomas, JAD, Bjornfot and Anderson all have those characteristics and being leaders, but only 3 of those guys are on the NHL rosters and they are all rookies and aren't expected to be the leaders because they're main focus is staying up with the big team.

The issue at the moment is that the older players need a reality check, including the the coaching staff and front office guys. I don't know if they've lost all confidence, belief or acceptance, but something has to change mentally. I mean the fact that we haven't won 2 games in a row in 2-3 months says it all. I honestly think that's what has been holding the team back at least this season and I don't think its contentment with living the So Cal lifestyle.

 

[tomd]

We don't know that they haven't tried to trade those 2. They don't have much value due to their contracts and inconsistent play the past few years.

Well, I strongly disagree about their value. Yes, the Kings would have to retain salary but they shouldn't have any problem with that as it will allow them to reach the cap floor for the next few years. In principle, however, you agree that Blake should do everything in his power to trade both of them to further the "stay the course" strategy, correct?

 

[YP44]

I think the Kings played the Blues when the Blues were at their weakest. That team has had a lot of key injuries this year, and I could see being a tough out.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Well, I strongly disagree about their value. Yes, the Kings would have to retain salary but they shouldn't have any problem with that as it will allow them to reach the cap floor for the next few years. In principle, however, you agree that Blake should do everything in his power to trade both of them to further the "stay the course" strategy, correct?

The only way they should be moved is if you get value for them. Trading them for the sake of a trade doesn't make sense unless they asked to be moved. I'm on with trading both for a culture shake up because it appears trading all but the 4 vets isn't a big enough of a wake up call.

 

[Gjwrams]

I am not a fan of Blake or Robitaille by any stretch. Hated the Kovalchuk signing, hated the Phanuef trade, hated the Pacioretty offer. Not a fan of the beach volleyball team nepotizing the developmental team. I thought he had the perfect ready made opportunity to come in and announce the necessity of the rebuild right away but he doubled down on Lombardi's hubris.

But, this is the right way to handle things right now. Nobody can succeed while rebuilding a cupboard from scratch. The team had to struggle through this part of the process in order to come out stronger on the other side.

If he blows a wad of kids trying to get marginally better this summer, yeah, he deserves to be fired. If he stays this course fine with me, its the best way to improve the most. I don't care if he thinks they will make the playoffs, that was always a looooooongshot even if it was a goal.

"The beach volleyball crowd" made me chuckle, but you are correct. I wish Kopi and Brown had the fire of Quickie. regardless, I agree with most of what you said. The ONLY move I'd like to see Blake and crew make is acquiring a Top 4, LHD. Someone that can knock the snot out of someone. If it costs us a 1st and a Kupari or Akil Thomas, Then so be it.

I'd also like to see him jettison some folks that don't fit the future.....Wagner, Lizotte and maybe Grundtstrom for futures. Even if they are late round picks in the future.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Check out the scoring leaders on the Kings in the last 10 games:

NHL Stats

Kopitar and Trevor Moore lead the team with 4 goals, followed by Brown and Athanasiou with 2 goals, then a bunch of players with 1 or less goals, including Iafallo, Kempe, Vilardi, Doughty, etc.

That type of production isn't going to win you very many hockey games.

On the other hand, Quick's numbers have been stellar in the past 10 games with a .924 save percentage and 2.15 GAA. However, Petersen has been putrid, sporting a .885 save percentage and 3.78 GAA.

 

[SFKingshomer]

It's best for Byfield to go to the OHL and for the kids in Ontario to stay there. Let these kids develop instead of rushing them.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Are some posters here seriously backpatting over a 6 game win streak during the dead zone of mid-season?

We can nitpick any statistic we want. The only one that matters has the Kings at the bottom of their division and outside the playoffs. Again.

 

[funky]

It's best for Byfield to go to the OHL and for the kids in Ontario to stay there. Let these kids develop instead of rushing them.

I agree there is no point rushing a kid. But you have to look at each individual prospects separately when you say that. There is no point sending by Byfield back to the OHL next year. That kid is still growing and will probably come into Camp 10 pounds heavier next year. What challenge is he going to have running over people in the OHL?

We seen a massive progression with him from his first 10 games to his last 10 games in the AHL. He’s getting a taste of NHL life and will be sent back to the AHL for their final couple games and their mini playoffs. He is getting the proper coaching and training advice that he needs and will come back a year older and more mature at the start of next year.

It won’t be till the end of training camp without any proper assessment of byfield can be made.

The best thing that could’ve happened to him this year was the OHL being canceled. The kid learned how to be a pro and is currently learning how to play like a pro. That is time well invested

 

[tomd]

I agree there is no point rushing a kid. But you have to look at each individual prospects separately when you say that. There is no point sending by Byfield back to the OHL next year. That kid is still growing and will probably come into Camp 10 pounds heavier next year. What challenge is he going to have running over people in the OHL?

We seen a massive progression with him from his first 10 games to his last 10 games in the AHL. He’s getting a taste of NHL life and will be sent back to the AHL for their final couple games and their mini playoffs. He is getting the proper coaching and training advice that he needs and will come back a year older and more mature at the start of next year.

It won’t be till the end of training camp without any proper assessment of byfield can be made.

The best thing that could’ve happened to him this year was the OHL being canceled. The kid learned how to be a pro and is currently learning how to play like a pro. That is time well invested

The big question with Byfield is whether Blake "gifts" him the 2c spot next year or not. Byfield has shown steady improvement but hasn't shown that he's ready to handle 82 games in a critical position. Vilardi isn't the answer either. So does Blake do his usual nothing and give the spot to one of them or does he go out and get a competent and proven 2c?

 

[funky]

The big question with Byfield is whether Blake "gifts" him the 2c spot next year or not. Byfield has shown steady improvement but hasn't shown that he's ready to handle 82 games in a critical position. Vilardi isn't the answer either. So does Blake do his usual nothing and give the spot to one of them or does he go out and get a competent and proven 2c?

Can’t be any gifting going forward. If we are to try for the playoffs people have to earn their spot.

Next year we have Byfield and Vilardi competing for that number 2 spot and possibly the number 3 spot as well.

Something is up with Gabe, it looks like the kings have sucked the life right out of him. I find it weird how when our prospects come up they look great for the first few games and then slowly disappear.

 

[tomd]

Can’t be any gifting going forward. If we are to try for the playoffs people have to earn their spot.

Next year we have Byfield and Vilardi competing for that number 2 spot and possibly the number 3 spot as well.

Something is up with Gabe, it looks like the kings have sucked the life right out of him. I find it weird how when our prospects come up they look great for the first few games and then slowly disappear.

Problem is that Blake has to make that call this summer. He won't find a competent 2c once the season starts and it's apparent that Byfield and Vilardi aren't ready. The Kings have developed him the right way this year; throwing him into the NHL next year on a full-time basis is a super risky strategy. Better for Blake to go get a 2c and then give Byfield 9 games to see where he fits. If Byfield is ready then alternate him between 3c/4c and the pp where he can be somewhat sheltered. If he isn't ready then send him back to junior. But at least the 2c slot won't be a disaster for like the 4th or 5th year in a row.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

From my memory when the Kings won those 6 games they were also getting secondary scoring. Secondary scoring has been non-existent most of the season. While it's nice watching Kopitar and Brown produce at their age it's really deflating seeing the young guys in the line up struggle to play at a consistent level.

 

[SFKingshomer]

I’m not seeing a potential #2 center available and teams don’t give those up cheap. Not really a fan of moving 1 of the better prospects for a marginal upgrade.