Speculation: 2021-22 LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster discussion part IV Playoffs? I Danault

[Lt Dan]

2021-22 NHL season predictions: What to expect from all 32 teams, playoff projections and offseason grades

What do they say about the kings?

 

[Brodeur]

What do they say about the kings?

They have LA slotted to "barely miss the playoffs" and give the team a B+ for the offseason transactions.

 

[tny760]

I did a quick comparison between what’s on CapFriendly and the just released list for the forwards of note …


Big gains this summer …
Vilardi 1” 15#
Andersson same
Tkachev 1” 5#
JAD same
Kaliyev same 20#
Madden same 18#
Turcotte 1” 5#
Byfield 1” 5#
Fagemo same 10#
Kupari -1” 11#
Lizotte 1” 10#
Some of them boys swelled up nicely.

It appears that the biggest gains were for the 17/18 draft class or earlier. Kids tend to bulk up past the 21st birthday.

here is the source:

https://cms.nhl.bamgrid.com/images/assets/binary/326269996/binary-file/file.pdf

 

[DoktorJeep]

They have LA slotted to "barely miss the playoffs" and give the team a B+ for the offseason transactions.

I skipped ahead to the kings section, so it looks like the opinion was Lisa Dillmans alone, not a panel of reporters. Not that it would mean more.

 

[kilowatt]

 

[kilowatt]

They have LA slotted to "barely miss the playoffs" and give the team a B+ for the offseason transactions.

What do they say about the kings?

Los Angeles Kings

Season prediction: Barely miss playoffs
Offseason grade: B+

Better. Why? One, the bar isn’t set very high right now because the Kings have been fixtures in the lottery. Secondly, the combination of strategic offseason additions and the maturation of the prospect pool will result in a better Kings team. -Lisa Dillman

(That's all it said)

 

[kingsfan]

Bland and timid assessment with no desire to go out on a limb at all, but not inaccurate either.

 

[Fishhead]

Bland and timid assessment with no desire to go out on a limb at all, but not inaccurate either.

This was the Nick Shore of team analysis articles.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

The whole 'barely miss the playoffs'...

I think all underestimate that just adding Danault and Arvidsson will mean to the Kings. I believe many see these 2 players as 'decent veterans that will help the Kings',
but that is not really understanding the true dynamics of the upside here.

One of the main reasons the Kings were 21-28 was that the Kings had possibly the worst second line in the NHL, as Carter (for whatever reasons and not the player he was for Pitts)
and Vilardi had no chemistry or production. Vilardi was totally floundering for a 20 game stretch and close to being sent down. The second line alone, was a reason this was not a
playoff team.

Some of the 'experts' will see Danault as an upgrade to solidifying the 2C, but perhaps not the level of a center such as Eichel or ? could have been for the Kings.
And Arvidsson as having lost his touch somewhat, with a 10 goal season...but the Preds offense was horribrutal; Duchene 6 goals, Johansen 7 goals and star Forsbeg
only 12. You really cannot single out Arvy for having lost his touch.

The Kings have not iced an NHL level top 6 for years and will be able to now. Danault's 5 on 5 stats are pretty impressive and will go a long way to making line 2 productive.
It's hard to say who ends up in the top 6, but if the combos are not working, there are honestly several players that are in the top 6-9 range...and I think things will
sort out, pretty quick. By adding Arvidsson and Danault in the top 6, makes former top 6 players that were better suited for third line duty, now make line 3 better
as well.

Danault and Arvidsson are 'pros pros' and here to win and make everyone around them better. Forsberg seemed pissed, to be losing Viktor. I think he will
easily reach 20 goals, playing with Kopi. Or more. If Danault only reaches something like 10 G 40-45 A 50-55 Pts, that's still decent for 2C and whoever
plays with him, will produce more, than they would have with Carter or Gabe there, at 2C. I think Gabe elevates his game some and if it's 3c or RW,
matters not.

I also factor in that players like Doughty, Kopi and even Iafallo are pretty amped right now. I also expect 1 or more of : Kempe, Andersson, Iafallo, Vilardi,
to have their best season yet. Tkachev is an interesting wildcard as well.

AND...come trade deadline? The Kings have a plethora of top assets to get anyone that comes available. (yes, anyone..if they want to part with 3 of these)
Turcotte, Fagemo, Kaliyev, Madden, Kupari, Faber, Spence, Chromiak, Thomas, Grans...and on and on. Not saying they should trade 2-3 of these, but they could, if wanted. Adding a star calibre player at the deadline, propel this team into the playoffs.

 

[lumbergh]

Bland and timid assessment with no desire to go out on a limb at all, but not inaccurate either.

I’m waiting for @bland to like this post.

 

[funky]

I did a quick comparison between what’s on CapFriendly and the just released list for the forwards of note …


Big gains this summer …
Vilardi 1” 15#
Andersson same
Tkachev 1” 5#
JAD same
Kaliyev same 20#
Madden same 18#
Turcotte 1” 5#
Byfield 1” 5#
Fagemo same 10#
Kupari -1” 11#
Lizotte 1” 10#
Some of them boys swelled up nicely.

It appears that the biggest gains were for the 17/18 draft class or earlier. Kids tend to bulk up past the 21st birthday.

here is the source:

https://cms.nhl.bamgrid.com/images/assets/binary/326269996/binary-file/file.pdf

Thanks. That is interesting and a great positive if true.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

I did a quick comparison between what’s on CapFriendly and the just released list for the forwards of note …


Big gains this summer …
Vilardi 1” 15#
Andersson same
Tkachev 1” 5#
JAD same
Kaliyev same 20#
Madden same 18#
Turcotte 1” 5#
Byfield 1” 5#
Fagemo same 10#
Kupari -1” 11#
Lizotte 1” 10#
Some of them boys swelled up nicely.

It appears that the biggest gains were for the 17/18 draft class or earlier. Kids tend to bulk up past the 21st birthday.

here is the source:

https://cms.nhl.bamgrid.com/images/assets/binary/326269996/binary-file/file.pdf

2 for certain errors. Austin Wagner, 6'1" 190 lbs. He's truly 6'3" and certainly over 200. 205 to 210.
Akil Thomas is not 6'0" 175. He's 6'1" and minimum 200 if not more. He's really grown and added
25 to 30 lbs last 2 yrs and lots of muscle.

 

[funky]

When Akil was on Hoven and Bernstein's podcast I believe he said he's up 198 now

that was a wicked interview. Thomas wants to fight. He was hilarious

 

[Token]

2 for certain errors. Austin Wagner, 6'1" 190 lbs. He's truly 6'3" and certainly over 200. 205 to 210.
Akil Thomas is not 6'0" 175. He's 6'1" and minimum 200 if not more. He's really grown and added
25 to 30 lbs last 2 yrs and lots of muscle.

I used what they posted so as good as it gets for now.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[YP44]

for the anti Alex crowd. Mayor just announced Nickson is doing a couple of TV broadcasts.

 

[TwzKing]

for the anti Alex crowd. Mayor just announced Nickson is doing a couple of TV broadcasts.

Only half of the problem is gone but I'll take the welcome news.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The new voice of the Ontario Reign is great. I really would rather have him be the next PBP voice of the Kings.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Kings Announce Complete 2021-22 Broadcast Schedule & Information

To be fair... the team announced it...

 

[YP44]

Only half of the problem is gone but I'll take the welcome news.

I am not an anti-alex guy but I am a pro Nick Nickson guy

 

[SmytheKing]

The whole 'barely miss the playoffs'...

I think all underestimate that just adding Danault and Arvidsson will mean to the Kings. I believe many see these 2 players as 'decent veterans that will help the Kings',
but that is not really understanding the true dynamics of the upside here.

One of the main reasons the Kings were 21-28 was that the Kings had possibly the worst second line in the NHL, as Carter (for whatever reasons and not the player he was for Pitts)
and Vilardi had no chemistry or production. Vilardi was totally floundering for a 20 game stretch and close to being sent down. The second line alone, was a reason this was not a
playoff team.

Some of the 'experts' will see Danault as an upgrade to solidifying the 2C, but perhaps not the level of a center such as Eichel or ? could have been for the Kings.
And Arvidsson as having lost his touch somewhat, with a 10 goal season...but the Preds offense was horribrutal; Duchene 6 goals, Johansen 7 goals and star Forsbeg
only 12. You really cannot single out Arvy for having lost his touch.

The Kings have not iced an NHL level top 6 for years and will be able to now. Danault's 5 on 5 stats are pretty impressive and will go a long way to making line 2 productive.
It's hard to say who ends up in the top 6, but if the combos are not working, there are honestly several players that are in the top 6-9 range...and I think things will
sort out, pretty quick. By adding Arvidsson and Danault in the top 6, makes former top 6 players that were better suited for third line duty, now make line 3 better
as well.

Danault and Arvidsson are 'pros pros' and here to win and make everyone around them better. Forsberg seemed pissed, to be losing Viktor. I think he will
easily reach 20 goals, playing with Kopi. Or more. If Danault only reaches something like 10 G 40-45 A 50-55 Pts, that's still decent for 2C and whoever
plays with him, will produce more, than they would have with Carter or Gabe there, at 2C. I think Gabe elevates his game some and if it's 3c or RW,
matters not.

I also factor in that players like Doughty, Kopi and even Iafallo are pretty amped right now. I also expect 1 or more of : Kempe, Andersson, Iafallo, Vilardi,
to have their best season yet. Tkachev is an interesting wildcard as well.

AND...come trade deadline? The Kings have a plethora of top assets to get anyone that comes available. (yes, anyone..if they want to part with 3 of these)
Turcotte, Fagemo, Kaliyev, Madden, Kupari, Faber, Spence, Chromiak, Thomas, Grans...and on and on. Not saying they should trade 2-3 of these, but they could, if wanted. Adding a star calibre player at the deadline, propel this team into the playoffs.

More than any lineup analysis, I think the biggest factor working in the Kings favor is that they just don't play in a very good division right now. Outside of the Oilers and Vegas, are there two other for sure teams that are definitely better than the Kings? I don't think there is.

 

[Pucknut50]

The new voice of the Ontario Reign is great. I really would rather have him be the next PBP voice of the Kings.

Josh Schaefer?

 

[redcard]

Kings Announce Complete 2021-22 Broadcast Schedule & Information

To be fair... the team announced it...

This day and age, you can't expect us to read more than 144 characters.

 

[King'sPawn]

This day and age, you can't expect us to read more than 144 characters.

This is a great point. I think the advent of Twitter has encouraged us to skim through miniature posts to understand the general point the author is trying to make.

Though I don't think Jesse would make any assumptions about us, there is a point to be made of the attention span

 

[redcard]

This is a great point. I think the advent of Twitter has encouraged us to skim through miniature posts to understand the general point the author is trying to make.

Though I don't think Jesse would make any assumptions about us, there is a point to be made of the attention span

Yes but its also created a wonderful information stream:

Kings post several paragraphs of information.
Insiders summarize the key parts into tweets.
Eager posters link the most interesting tweets here.
We misinterpret and draw outlandish conclusions which we spread to offline family and friends.
My cousin calls me excited that Austin Matthews is being traded to LA.

Its a process we've grown comfortable with.