Speculation: 2021-22 LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread Part VI

[Schmooley]

100%, but I don't understand a lot of the negativity around here...especially given the season we've had so far. Just a lot of miserable people on message boards if I had to take a guess....

Both are true. Every kings fan is miserable and Brown sucks.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Its not his first game he got his feet wet last season.
Throw the kid into the fire as a star player and say its his job to lose.
Every top 2 pick pretty much ever has gotten that opportunity.
Its ok if he cant cut it and then you move him down to be a role player or back to the ahl to develop.

If he can't handle the bottom six he can't handle the top six. This isn't Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby here. His draft position means f*** all considering how weak the draft was.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Well, I for one am sure glad the Dustin Brown booster club is here to tell us what we're actually seeing, I was under the impression he was the guy flailing through the neutral zone turning the puck over all game, but turns out he's still the 2012 power forward hitting everything that moves and going to the net hard and scoring.

Thank goodness, our power play could use that kind of presence. Oh, what's that? I'm being told he's already on the PP and the top line minutes? Huh. Imagine that.

Dustin Brown called...he said to tell you all to suck it:

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

So you want to put QB in his very first NHL game up against the top D and line of the Avs and bump Kopitar down to the 3rd line?

I mean, TM gets last change. But I'm with you, he would be that stupid.

 

[YP44]

100%, but I don't understand a lot of the negativity around here...especially given the season we've had so far. Just a lot of miserable people on message boards if I had to take a guess....

there is a lot of negativity everywhere right now. for me hockey is a distraction from that.
If this is Brown's final season as a king or otherwise I am trying to enjoy it. If QB is the next face of this team kind a neat having him play with Brown.

 

[Schmooley]

If he can't handle the bottom six he can't handle the top six. This isn't Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby here. His draft position means f*** all considering how weak the draft was.

Hell cut it playing 12 minutes of defensive hockey. But it wont be enough offensively and hell be a depth player. Kopitar wouldnt do much offensively in 12 minutes playing with grundstrom and brown either.
If Byfield cant be a top line player that can take on Mcdavid and Crosby the Kings are screwed in the long run and need to find a Kopitar replacement from outside the organization.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Im wondering if the Kings are going to kick off QB's ELC or not... maybe its a 9 game trial and then a decision will be made based on his ability to contribute and how the team is doing by mid Feb

 

[BigKing]

Kings are in a playoff spot and you better believe that's now the goal of this season -- players will develop (maybe not how some of the fanbase wants), but management is not going to sacrifice team success for development.

I get it. That said, Byfield could be more productive with Iafallo next to him and Kopitar could do a better job than Byfield carrying Brown and Grundstrom since he is much better defensively than Byfield.

I'm glad he's playing: period. My initial post, however, was just harkening back to lineup discussions before the season started and how I never would have imagined this line ever happening.

As for your comment about the negativity around here, I think the season is going as well as most would have hoped from a points/standings perspective but many are still concerned that making the playoffs this season on the backs of 20+ minute a night 11/8 and Quick doesn't mean anything for the real goal which is grooming the future correctly. The proper way to groom the future is a matter of opinion though and will be argued until the end of time.

Of course, they were going to win the division after the Pittsburgh game last week so the mood can change pretty quick.

 

[YP44]

Im wondering if the Kings are going to kick off QB's ELC or not... maybe its a 9 game trial and then a decision will be made based on his ability to contribute and how the team is doing by mid Feb

I am more concerned about them ruining his calder eligibility next season. If they burn one year of his ELC I am not concerned because either he will show he is a star player worthy of getting paid or he won't.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Dustin Brown called...he said to tell you all to suck it:

Yes, every once in a while we get a surprise display of hands or hits. I wish it happened more often.

I guess I'm the only one who watched him the last three games, everyone in here is going hard after Turcotte/Kupari and giving Dustin Brown every reprieve in the world.

Over the last several games, Turcotte has been by far the best player and least of the liabilities on that line. Kupari has at least gotten in on the forecheck. Brown hasn't even gained the blueline except the time Turcotte fed him an easy shot in front that he fired into the corner.

It's all splitting hairs I guess but it's been my usual beef this season, even when a kid is clearly displaying aptitude far above a vet, the kid is the one that sees the bench. And now we're replacing him with ANOTHER kid with the same burden.

I'd love it if they found some chemistry and a way to get going tonight, solidifying a third line that on paper brings some speed skill and sandpaper would be excellent and would send Kupari and Turcotte down to get ACTUAL top six minutes in Ontario. But what I saw the last few games was Kupari and Turcotte trying and failing to drag around a f***ing corpse.

 

[Fishhead]

Brown does have 5 points in 7 games since returning, so other than the flailing he’s producing at least. You could put Byfield with Fagemo, Kupari, or Kaliyev, but it’s not like they’ve been productive lately. Over that same span Kupari has 3 points, Kaliyev 1, and Sammy hasn’t tallied yet.

I know we are all impatient to get the young guys going, but when Brown has been producing more over the last couple weeks than all of our young players combined, what are you going to do?

The lack of production from young guys is more concerning to me that sticking Byfield with Brown, at least. It will come, it’s just difficult to stay patient.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Brown does have 5 points in 7 games since returning, so other than the flailing he’s producing at least. You could put Byfield with Fagemo, Kupari, or Kaliyev, but it’s not like they’ve been productive lately. Over that same span Kupari has 3 points, Kaliyev 1, and Sammy hasn’t tallied yet.

I know we are all impatient to get the young guys going, but when Brown has been producing more over the last couple weeks than all of our young players combined, what are you going to do?

The lack of production from young guys is more concerning to me that sticking Byfield with Brown, at least. It will come, it’s just difficult to stay patient.

Give them opportunity.

In that same stretch PP1 has given up as many goals as they have scored.

(consistently) Reduce Kopitars minutes from 22 to 17, raise the other Cs to 14-18 all around, and change up PP1. Hell make PP2 into PP1 and put some additional skilled kids on it.

We're not asking for profound shit here, just a coach attentive to recent trends.

FWIW I get the feeling things might be a little different with Byfield so I'll admit I'm complaining a little bit pre-emptively but what has the organization done this year to make me feel otherwise?

 

[kingsfan]

Not sure why people think sticking QB with Brown is a terrible idea and then in the same post advocate for putting him with Turcotte or Fagemo who have a combined 11 games of NHL experience. He's getting his first NHL game of the year against arguably the best team in the league and you want to play him with another raw rookie on his line? That sounds like great development for those kids.

He's getting eased in on the third line with a semi-experienced (100+ games) Grundstrom and the guy who has played the most games ever as a King. It makes plenty of sense to me.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Not sure why people think sticking QB with Brown is a terrible idea and then in the same post advocate for putting him with Turcotte or Fagemo who have a combined 11 games of NHL experience. He's getting his first NHL game of the year against arguably the best team in the league and you want to play him with another raw rookie on his line? That sounds like great development for those kids.

He's getting eased in on the third line with a semi-experienced (100+ games) Grundstrom and the guy who has played the most games ever as a King. It makes plenty of sense to me.

To me, the Brown I watched the last few games vs. skilled and fast teams is no help on that line whatsoever, where at least Turcotte and Kupari can get up and down the ice quickly enough to check and cause chaos. Brown is too slow/gassed to do anything, the experience isn't a factor imo.

Grundstrom is fine, my only worry with him is it's his first game back after a couple of WEEKS with covid.

Maybe what we'll see is the third line is the 'spare parts' line where Grundy will have limited minutes as will someone else, shrug. I'm willing to see it play out. I'm just frustrated given all the options.

 

[YP44]

Brown is also 4th on the team in shots and surely not all of those are on the PP. A few take always for me on that are 1) he must be getting open 2) he must either be getting a lot of O-Zone starts or is not the black hole of breakouts some think he is 3) his shooting % is shit.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Brown is also 4th on the team in shots and surely not all of those are on the PP. A few take always for me on that are 1) he must be getting open 2) he must either be getting a lot of O-Zone starts or is not the black hole of breakouts some think he is 3) his shooting % is shit.

He's at a near career low of 5.6% on shooting. But I believe most of, if not all of, his points are at even strength.

 

[Statto]

… I was under the impression he was the guy flailing through the neutral zone turning the puck over all game…

I understand and largely agree with the concerns over Brown, especially with too many minutes. However I’m a pedantic butt head… about week ago he was at 14 turnovers on the season, so even allowing for a degree of subjectivity on the stat (same for hits, takeaways, chances), that statement simply isn’t accurate. Sorry, I can’t help myself… it’s a compulsion.

 

[Statto]

He's at a near career low of 5.6% on shooting. But I believe most of, if not all of, his points are at even strength.

1+0 on the pp, which makes his pp time bemusing. I’m fairly open minded on the coaching but I see no defence on that one, especially considering how ineffective the 1st pp unit has been. If he was always the screen on an otherwise solid pp unit it would be a different argument.

 

[kingsholygrail]

1+0 on the pp, which makes his pp time bemusing. I’m fairly open minded on the coaching but I see no defence on that one, especially considering how ineffective the 1st pp unit has been. If he was always the screen on an otherwise solid pp unit it would be a different argument.

Yeah, I don't know why he's out there for the PP at all, especially when it's not to park him in front of the net.

 

[Mats26]

It wasn't the last 11 games for each player, it was the same thing he did, summed up the stats i wanted everyone to see.

If you're gonna slap the rookies with minuses, better look at what the 'stars' and vets have been doing the last few games, as well.

If anything, the rookies haven't been productive 7 WHOLE GAMES into their NHL career...but they've been better defensively than the guys that have been here for years. That was the whole point of that dishonest presentation.

But you're right--PLAY BROWN MORE

I think you should actually read my post and not try to respond to every single poster on here. Not a good look when you are confusing posters.
I don't think I ever said or suggested to play Brown more... not since the 2012 playoffs.

I was only questioning where posters get their stats from.

 

[Fishhead]

Give them opportunity.

In that same stretch PP1 has given up as many goals as they have scored.

(consistently) Reduce Kopitars minutes from 22 to 17, raise the other Cs to 14-18 all around, and change up PP1. Hell make PP2 into PP1 and put some additional skilled kids on it.

We're not asking for profound shit here, just a coach attentive to recent trends.

FWIW I get the feeling things might be a little different with Byfield so I'll admit I'm complaining a little bit pre-emptively but what has the organization done this year to make me feel otherwise?

I agree with all this in general, but it's not like Kupari hasn't been given the opportunity. Kaliyev I think they should move up, but then I think why should they? That line has been carrying us some games. Out of the young guys he's the only one that has shown nearly enough to supplant someone on the top two lines. Fagemo/Turcotte have shown flashes and promise but still have nothing to show for it. This is definitely not the time to move them up with this rough stretch of top teams.

There are deployment concerns, but at the same time this team has been performing pretty damn well so it's hard to rock the boat. PP1 is absolutely the elephant in the room that needs to be addressed, it's too predictable. Kopitar's ice time has been trending down, the TB game was the first time he's hit 22 minutes in nearly 3 weeks, so I think McClellan is actually paying attention there. Ice time spread has been great recently overall.

It's just weird to see the focus on Byfield playing with Brown. Turcotte, Fagemo, and Kupari get similar ice time to Brown, yet DB is the one that is producing. Arty gets more ice time than Brown and has produced less. I'm not that worried about it, but I definitely worry more than I do about a 37 year old on their way out who is at least putting up points.

I suppose it comes down to how one views development. What is more important?

1. Putting young guys in tougher situations to see what they can do and give them extended looks on top lines, getting them more experience in those situations, even though with the tight standings it has a good chance of costing you a playoff spot.

or

2. Putting young guys in lesser roles and increasing your chances of getting into the playoffs where they experience what it takes to actually get in and get to see the ramped-up intensity of the SCP.

I think TM firmly falls into camp #2, but if you think about it, he hasn't been shy to put young guys out in challenging spots. I can't remember the last time so many rookies were playing this many minutes for the team. Yeah, we have protocol/injuries, etc, but in the past vets would have been brought in as a stopgap. At the very least Frk would be in. The Koala probably get's more hate than is deserved, even though he drives us nuts with how he does some things.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I under and largely agree with the concerns over Brown, especially with too many minutes. However I’m a pedantic butt head… about week ago he was at 14 turnovers on the season, so even allowing for a degree of subjectivity on the stat (same for hits, takeaways, chances), that statement simply isn’t accurate. Sorry, I can’t help myself… it’s a compulsion.

his giveaway/takeaway differential is significantly worse than any forward on the team.

null los-angeles-kings Hockey Statistics | TSN

That being said it's also subjective and terrible and also influenced by minutes. I'm just going by what I saw last game and that was a guy who couldn't do a thing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I agree with all this in general, but it's not like Kupari hasn't been given the opportunity. Kaliyev I think they should move up, but then I think why should they? That line has been carrying us some games. Out of the young guys he's the only one that has shown nearly enough to supplant someone on the top two lines. Fagemo/Turcotte have shown flashes and promise but still have nothing to show for it. This is definitely not the time to move them up with this rough stretch of top teams.

There are deployment concerns, but at the same time this team has been performing pretty damn well so it's hard to rock the boat. PP1 is absolutely the elephant in the room that needs to be addressed, it's too predictable. Kopitar's ice time has been trending down, the TB game was the first time he's hit 22 minutes in nearly 3 weeks, so I think McClellan is actually paying attention there. Ice time spread has been great recently overall.

It's just weird to see the focus on Byfield playing with Brown. Turcotte, Fagemo, and Kupari get similar ice time to Brown, yet DB is the one that is producing. Arty gets more ice time than Brown and has produced less. I'm not that worried about it, but I definitely worry more than I do about a 37 year old on their way out who is at least putting up points.

I suppose it comes down to how one views development. What is more important?

1. Putting young guys in tougher situations to see what they can do and give them extended looks on top lines, getting them more experience in those situations, even though with the tight standings it has a good chance of costing you a playoff spot.

or

2. Putting young guys in lesser roles and increasing your chances of getting into the playoffs where they experience what it takes to actually get in and get to see the ramped-up intensity of the SCP.

I think TM firmly falls into camp #2, but if you think about it, he hasn't been shy to put young guys out in challenging spots. I can't remember the last time so many rookies were playing this many minutes for the team. Yeah, we have protocol/injuries, etc, but in the past vets would have been brought in as a stopgap. At the very least Frk would be in. The Koala probably get's more hate than is deserved, even though he drives us nuts with how he does some things.

I just am not seeing the rhyme or reason to it is all. ZERO problem putting Fagemo on the top line--but Turcotte is playing on the 3rd/4th AND out of position.

Maybe the confusion here is a lot of posters seem to be talking about the season as a whole but I'm talking about the last few games. The bigger sample size is superior--but the last few games have seen TM repeal a lot of the good things that were making both the team's success and development work well; all of a sudden the disparity in forward minutes went from 13-18 on the streak to 8-23; all of a sudden we're throwing prospects out of position and giving them tougher starts with lesser linemates; why did he change his mind? Is it chicken or egg with the tough teams on the schedule? Because there was zero problem doing all that vs. Pittsburgh, but suddenly vs. TBL and Colorado we're throwing it back out the window?

I'm just questioning weird decisions coming off a winning streak and of course questioning TM's career-long proven inability to adjust to opponents.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I DO hope I look stupid by tonight because I'd love nothing more than for Brown to bury some Byfield passes and PP1 to get rolling, Kopitar to crush his matchups, and the D to coalesce again. I'm sure we'll look back on these last few games as merely a bump in the road like the VGK and Nashville games were when all is said and done. I'm more positive than I sound, just wondering aloud (and heavily) why we are going back to decisions that were some very apparent issues in the first place.

 

[Docgonzo]

his giveaway/takeaway differential is significantly worse than any forward on the team.

null los-angeles-kings Hockey Statistics | TSN

That being said it's also subjective and terrible and also influenced by minutes. I'm just going by what I saw last game and that was a guy who couldn't do a thing.

All those stats showed me was Roy is the weak link on the defense.

32 giveaways and 3 takeaways in 800+ mins.

Roy and Anderson are the problems on D and not Maatta.