Speculation: 2021-21 LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster discussion part V

[cyclones22]

Durzi looks like a different player this season. He started looking much better in Ontario after the entire team had a poor start trying to learn Wrobo's system last season. But after that, he was pretty good and is on another level compared to last.

 

[YP44]

pumped for Durzi

 

[Eagle Fang]

Durzi looks like a different player this season. He started looking much better in Ontario after the entire team had a poor start trying to learn Wrobo's system last season. But after that, he was pretty good and is on another level compared to last.

Just my 2 cents, but he actually doesn't look much different from last season. From last year to now, he's offensive zone ability is obviously really good. It's just the points are really coming now because of the amount of firepower overall ONT can deploy. Defensively he's still pretty bad, though not quite as bad as last season. Again though, I think a part of that has to do with the team overall comparatively.

I wouldn't have been overly surprised if he had a call up last season. Definitely glad he's finally getting his chance and I hope he succeeds. Kid plays with bite and heart, something the team is sorely lacking.

 

[YP44]

Just my 2 cents, but he actually doesn't look much different from last season. From last year to now, he's offensive zone ability is obviously really good. It's just the points are really coming now because of the amount of firepower overall ONT can deploy. Defensively he's still pretty bad, though not quite as bad as last season. Again though, I think a part of that has to do with the team overall comparatively.

I wouldn't have been overly surprised if he had a call up last season. Definitely glad he's finally getting his chance and I hope he succeeds. Kid plays with bite and heart, something the team is sorely lacking.

I have not seen him but what I have read on him i thought his defensive game was a lot better?

 

[regulate]

Durzi will certainly help the PP when he draws in. The whole question, just like Clague will be how is he defensively and eliminating risky plays/turnovers. It will be interesting who they pair him with, but I suspect it would be Clague on the 3rd pairing and Maatta will be the 7th guy.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Can Turcotte play D?

Don’t know, but Akil can! Get him in shape in ONT and move him up to rover in NHL. The dreaded 3-1-1. Aggressive hockey is back in town.

 

[Eagle Fang]

I have not seen him but what I have read on him i thought his defensive game was a lot better?

It's just my opinion, but while better compared to last year, it's still not great. Don't get me wrong, it's not like Markus Phillips bad (though even he played pretty ok the last game), but sometimes he makes some weird decisions with and without the puck in the defensive and neutral zones. In the offensive zone, he's a wizard. That being said, Clauge looked really bad at the AHL level too so it hopefully means nothing.

 

[KingsHockey24]

I remember mentioning calling up Durzi earlier this season when Walker and Doughty got hurt and was flamed for it telling me he's a career AHL'er.

Also apparently NYR is in the market for a middle six forward? Vilardi for Ryan Lindgren anyone?

23 year old, left shot top 4D. More of a shutdown guy that has some edge to his game.

 

[Bandit]

Who is he replacing? Be realistic. Don't say Brown. Lizotte has been decent as the 4C, and people complain if young guys are on the 4th line anyway.

Brown.

 

[kingsfan]

I remember mentioning calling up Durzi earlier this season when Walker and Doughty got hurt and was flamed for it telling me he's a career AHL'er.

Also apparently NYR is in the market for a middle six forward? Vilardi for Ryan Lindgren anyone?

23 year old, left shot top 4D. More of a shutdown guy that has some edge to his game.

While I really like Lindgren, he's kind of redundant on our blueline. I agree, we need a puckmover, someone that can QB the powerplay and generate a more north-south type of breakout pass. We actually have some speed in our forward ranks, let's utilize it. I'm not sure anyone on their squad interests me outside of Fox and Trouba and both are not coming to LA for various reasons.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Lindgren is just big market Mikey Anderson. Not worth trading for redundancy.

 

[Fishhead]

My fear is that since he has a similar skillset to Clague, that Kale is out and they pair him with Maatta. I actually think Olli has been better the last few games, but that doesn't mean he's one of the top 6 best on the team right now. Hopefully we get a break from the Finnish Flailer.

 

[kings11]

[QUOTE=If TB was going to get rid of him, and there's still no primary reason they would, you'd have to think Clarke is in that deal.

I don’t think the Kings would include him nor Byfield, Turcotte or Kaliyev.. I would think it depends on whether the TBL still view themselves as contenders and how long of a window they think they still have… they need cheap talent, a blend of young and Vet and picks..
2022 1st top 3 protected
2022 3rd Ed pick
Gabriel Vilardi
Sean Walker
Adrian Kempe
Rasmus Kupari
Matt Roy
JAD

3-4 of the assets above is what I think they would offer.. before you say that isn’t enough, Jack Eichel returned much less and Serg is due a raise in the $7-8.5 range so he’s not in their LT plans I don’t think..

 

[kingsfan]

Tampa is back to back cup champs and are 9-3-3 so far. They definitely are cup contenders still.

 

[bland]

Brown.

I was surprised when I looked up the game logs the other day to post that Brown had no PP points this year, so I decided to look into last year as well.

Dustin Brown has 2 PP points in his last 41 games. And up until yesterday he was part of the first unit the entire time.

He is done, no shame in that at all. But for the organization to allow that to happen, that is just piss poor management.

 

[King'sPawn]

I don't know how much of an upgrade Durzi is over everyone else. He overhandles in the offensive zone, and he is still soft defensively.

If they actually are playing the powerplay differently, maybe he'll benefit.

 

[kings11]

I remember mentioning calling up Durzi earlier this season when Walker and Doughty got hurt and was flamed for it telling me he's a career AHL'er.

Also apparently NYR is in the market for a middle six forward? Vilardi for Ryan Lindgren anyone?

23 year old, left shot top 4D. More of a shutdown guy that has some edge to his game.

He’s still the same player with the same upside but he’s earned a call up.. maybe he pulls a Clague and players better in the NHL

 

[kings11]

Tampa is back to back cup champs and are 9-3-3 so far. They definitely are cup contenders still.

Then they need depth and NHL ready assets..
Unless they move McD, they’re in serious cap trouble with the raise Serg is due. They can’t sign Sergachev to a fair contract and still sign the need depth players..
if you replace Sergachev with Walker, add Kempe and Kupari to the middle 6 and still have a top 3 protected 2022 1st.. that adds tremendous value to your team.. assuming they view those players with the same value

 

[regulate]

I was surprised when I looked up the game logs the other day to post that Brown had no PP points this year, so I decided to look into last year as well.

Dustin Brown has 2 PP points in his last 41 games. And up until yesterday he was part of the first unit the entire time.

He is done, no shame in that at all. But for the organization to allow that to happen, that is just piss poor management.

I agree he should be removed from the unit as he is not producing, but your numbers for last year are incorrect. He had 6 goals and 1 assist on the PP his last 41 games. And 9 goals and 2 assists on the PP for the 49 GP. Still low, but not 2 pts low.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Then they need depth and NHL ready assets..
Unless they move McD, they’re in serious cap trouble with the raise Serg is due. They can’t sign Sergachev to a fair contract and still sign the need depth players..
if you replace Sergachev with Walker, add Kempe and Kupari to the middle 6 and still have a top 3 protected 2022 1st.. that adds tremendous value to your team.. assuming they view those players with the same value

Sergachev has the worst +/- on the entire Lightning roster.

Maybe if he struggles hard this season they'll actually be willing to move him. Otherwise Tampa would be crazy to move him. Hedman, Sergachev, Cernak are top tier D.

McDonagh makes the most sense to move due to his age.

 

[bland]

I agree he should be removed from the unit as he is not producing, but your numbers for last year are incorrect. He had 6 goals and 1 assist on the PP his last 41 games. And 9 goals and 2 assists on the PP for the 49 GP. Still low, but not 2 pts low.

No, my numbers are correct. Its the last 41 games total, the equivalent of a half season. You appear to be looking up his numbers for the last 41 last season alone.

Zero in 16 this year, 2 in his last 25 last year. 41 games used as a half season measuring stick.

 

[Eagle Fang]

My fear is that since he has a similar skillset to Clague, that Kale is out and they pair him with Maatta. I actually think Olli has been better the last few games, but that doesn't mean he's one of the top 6 best on the team right now. Hopefully we get a break from the Finnish Flailer.

Honestly, I hope they scratch Maatta, but that's a long-shot unfortunately.

I don't know how much of an upgrade Durzi is over everyone else. He overhandles in the offensive zone, and he is still soft defensively.

If they actually are playing the powerplay differently, maybe he'll benefit.

That is true, but it seems like the Kings could use a little more offense from the back end. Anderson and Bjornfot have been trying, but they don't seem to have the offensive acumen (though Bjornfot seems to have potential). That really leaves Clague (and Doughty) as the only potential offensive threat. Hopefully he shows well for however long his shot will be.

Also I just really like that he plays like he's got a pair.

 

[bland]

He’s still the same player with the same upside but he’s earned a call up.. maybe he pulls a Clague and players better in the NHL

Wondering if Roy is banged up a bit.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Lindgren is just big market Mikey Anderson. Not worth trading for redundancy.

Not quite. I'd say he's much more physical and scrappy than Anderson will ever be.

He throws McNabb level hits.

 

[johnjm22]

A lot of people were down on Durzi's play last year in the AHL.

I know he's producing, but has something changed in his game? Is he that much better?