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

[YP44]

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.

The Nashville game, I thought, LA played decent in. Just Suro's stole that one.

 

[Mats26]

When are we benching Brown?.... no reason for Turc and Kupari to sit out. #freethekids

 

[Statto]

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.

Like I said, I’m just being pedantic and I annoy myself mostly. A turnover is usually passing it cleanly to someone on the opposite side. The last time I bothered getting an official definition, If he mishandles a pass before he controls it and gives up possession he won’t get a turnover , because who to say if it the person that passes it or receives it that causes it. It would have to be very clear cut, buts it’s still subjective if you award one. Equally you can turn it over without it also being a takeaway for the other team. It’s VERY subjective in so many facets and why the total takeaways do not equal the total giveaways in the league - I don’t even need to check it. So the differential should not be used IMO. BTW, I’m not saying he doesn’t concede possession too frequently (remember, pedantic ).

I used to record them for the local pro-team and I was annoyingly inflexible on the definition I used, frequently arguing with our coaches and players alike (I used the same definition season to season, and didn’t care if the ‘new coach’ wanted me to use his definition - I valued long term trends for most stats). However I cannot honestly say I was even 90% consistent as there are just so many factors. I’m a huge advocate of stats (hence the name) but not so much for fan consumption because so many of them are subjective and require context. It’s why the eye test is still, and will always be, crucial. Many of them are a coaching tool and so often get misused by fans.

 

[GameNight]

random question. Does anyone remember what LA was rumored to have offered Vancouver for Burtuzzi before he was sent to Florida? Cannot seem to find it.

Wasn't it going to be Brown and Frolov to the Panthers for Luongo? and instead the Florida (Luongo) and Vancouver (Bertuzzi) deal went down.

 

[kingsfan28]

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.

I like most of everything except Kupari. He's been bad, on both side of the puck. My god, he won't shoot or use his speed, or even back check hard at times. In the last few games, how many times have we heard Stoll and Fox just pleading for him to use his speed and shot? He just skate into the zone and pulls up. Even in the SJ game where he got actual extra minutes, he didn't do anything with them. Aside from his half ass behind the back pass to Turcotte, [that he did instead of shooting of course] that all I remember. 40 games he's had to show he belongs here, and he's failed in my opinion.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

The Nashville game, I thought, LA played decent in. Just Suro's stole that one.

Yep, LAK was definitely the better team in that game...it happens.

 

[kingsfan28]

It's about time. Byfield is the number one person in this organization that needs to get up and running.

 

[kingsfan28]

Tonight on the national tv game [espn] would be an excellent time for QB to get his first career goal.

 

[Herby]

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.

This is mostly true. With what they did in the offseason there is no way they were going to play the develop strategy, and especially not when they are the third best team in the division through the half way point. This is a team that most seasons since 2014 has always told us, "We are only (x amount) of points out of the wildcard", "we are one good streak away" and "we just need a chance, look at 2012", they believe in these veterans even if it could be the death of their rebuild. Sorry guys, they aren't calling up young players and handing them spots in a playoff race. Byfield is up because they view him as the best option for the 3rd line center spot and Turcotte because he is the best option for the 4th line left wing even if it isn't the best option for either guys long-term development. The youth won't be handed chances until the Kings have an "x" to their name or whatever the legend says means "Eliminated from Playoffs"

Now I am on record as disagreeing with this way of thinking because I believe Luc and Blake are putting us in the black hole again. I would have rather seen another bad year but again with what they did this offseason we shouldn't be surprised with how this has played out with the usage of the youth.

Not excuses, you just clearly don't get it.

The rebuild doesn't end by simply drafting players, it ends when those picks replace the old and feeble players ahead of them.

That doesn't happen until the babysteps are taken and the players grow into NHLers. Every single one of the kids who debuted this year were ready for that first step out of camp. But, this organization still has delusions of grandeur and installed speed bumps instead of taking the correct route.

You could maybe change your tone, the "You don't get it" when discussing intangible stuff just makes you sound like a jerk. The person you are talking with has clearly shown solid knowledge of the game in his years posting here.

As for the rest of the post, you talk about development and everyone being ready, I respectfully disagree. There is no concern at all that Turcotte as RJ said "Is being programed into a good checker?" To me it seems like nothing they have done with this player since drafting him has been right move if they are trying to develop him into a high end 2nd line center (which should be the floor of a Top 5 pick). They seem like to steal another one from RJ "are developing him to be a Cogliano". He was rushed out of college showing nothing close to dominant offensive play at that level (9 points in 21 conf games). No big deal, it's a big jump in play from the USHL to NCAA, tell him to work on offensive skills and live in the weight room. Dozens of other teams have said the same exact thing with players who had similar seasons with mostly positive results. You think Josh Norris (a similar talent) is having this kind of success if he leaves school early? Compare the players, both NTDP/NCAA guys. Turcotte much more productive as a 17 year old more productive as a freshman. Both had disappointing freshman seasons and then their development paths unfortunately went in different directions. That is why in many cases development is just as important as evaluating.

The Kings are different though, that is what they said, they wanted him in their 'vaunted' development system lead by the GM's best friend.

As far as QB, its tough to say this in the short term because Danault has been amazing, but with the center situation did it make sense? It's just going to be tough for Byfield and almost impossible for Turcotte, Vilardi, JAD to crack the NHL in their natural positions. Again, Danault has been great and I think we all figured he'd be pretty good the first 2 or 3 years, but he is going to make it tough for some guys the Kings heavily invested in to crack the NHL roster.

 

[Herby]

It's about time. Byfield is the number one person in this organization that needs to get up and running.

Agreed. The training wheels have to come off starting now. No one is expecting domination right away but he needs to look the part and be productive player for the team by the end of the year. Yes he is young, but he is also a 2-OA pick, plenty of guys from his draft look solid in the NHL so far, lets hope he holds serve.

 

[ru4reals]

Tonight on the national tv game [espn] would be an excellent time for QB to get his first career goal.

That would be fantastic. Now the probability would be low because well not sure how Brown will get him a pass LOL. But maybe Grundstrom can help. I would have loved to see Turcotte with Byfield tonight.

 

[cyclones22]

Don't use giveaway/takeaway as any kind of useful stats. Back when I REALLY used to dig into that during the Kings dominance, it's highly subjective and the statisticians at Staples didn't seem to care about those stats much. I compared the home/road splits on stats and everything except for hits and shots were completely underreported at home for the Kings. So it's basically useless.

 

[King'sPawn]

Oh snap. People are criticizing aspects of the organization. Thank goodness for the apologist brigade to set the "whiners" straight.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

That would be fantastic. Now the probability would be low because well not sure how Brown will get him a pass LOL. But maybe Grundstrom can help. I would have loved to see Turcotte with Byfield tonight.

Durzi will set QB up on the PP for his first goal!

 

[kingsholygrail]

Oh snap. People are criticizing aspects of the organization. Thank goodness for the apologist brigade to set the "whiners" straight.

Everyone who disagrees with me is an apologist and a shill.

 

[Schrute farms]

Serious question (maybe a stupid one too...not my first) for those more educated on the topic: is it possible for Kopitar to move to the wing successfully in a year or so to make room down the middle for QB, Turc, etc.? Obviously that's under the assumption that he doesn't regain his elite form. Even a 3rd line winger. Is that possible for him to be a decent 2nd or 3rd line winger in his last few years? Or is his style of play simply Center or bust?

 

[Herby]

Brown has not been nearly as bad as some are saying, I can't believe some of the stuff I am reading. If this team had been able to properly draft and develop top 6 players we have Brown as a very effective bottom six veteran player on what is likely a playoff team.

The Kings are a low scoring team and Brown (playing all over the lineup) has produced a at what amounts to a 37 point pace, with all but one of those points coming at ES. To blame Brown for the scoring issues of some people or complain about QB making his season debut centering one of the alltime great players in franchise history seems a bit unfair.

 

[Herby]

Serious question (maybe a stupid one too...not my first) for those more educated on the topic: is it possible for Kopitar to move to the wing successfully in a year or so to make room down the middle for QB, Turc, etc.? Obviously that's under the assumption that he doesn't regain his elite form. Even a 3rd line winger. Is that possible for him to be a decent 2nd or 3rd line winger in his last few years? Or is his style of play simply Center or bust?

Yeah, he could move to wing. But the guy will be 35 years old and been a center his entire life. It's very unlikely to be a smooth transition for a team that will likely again be trying to sneak into the playoffs.

I think next year its quite possible that Kopitar, Danault and QB are all about equal players and the Kings are rolling more of a top 9 (with Lizotte as the 4C), kind of similar to what they are doing this year.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Oh snap. People are criticizing aspects of the organization. Thank goodness for the apologist brigade to set the "whiners" straight.

Spoken like a true whiner.

 

[unicornpig]

Everyone who disagrees with me is an apologist and a shill.

It's not disagreeing its whining about whining

 

[KingsHockey24]

When are we benching Brown?.... not reason for Turc and Kupari to sit out. #freethekids

He'll be gone and retired at the end of the season and replaced with Josh Anderson when we trade for him and Romanov in the Summer.

Kempe - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Iafallo - Danault - Arvidsson
Moore - Byfield - Josh Anderson
Lemieux - JAD - Kupari

Alexander Romanov - Doughty
Anderson - Durzi
Bjornfot - Roy

 

[Schmooley]

Brown has not been nearly as bad as some are saying, I can't believe some of the stuff I am reading. If this team had been able to properly draft and develop top 6 players we have Brown as a very effective bottom six veteran player on what is likely a playoff team.

The Kings are a low scoring team and Brown (playing all over the lineup) has produced a at what amounts to a 37 point pace, with all but one of those points coming at ES. To blame Brown for the scoring issues of some people or complain about QB making his season debut centering one of the alltime great players in franchise history seems a bit unfair.

Browns scoring one tonight to shut me up!

 

[King'sPawn]

Spoken like a true whiner.

Just let me know when it's okay to criticize the team. I'll stop posting until then. You are clearly the gatekeeper of thought around here.

 

[Little Psycho]

He'll be gone and retired at the end of the season and replaced with Josh Anderson when we trade for him and Romanov in the Summer.

Kempe - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Iafallo - Danault - Arvidsson
Moore - Byfield - Josh Anderson
Lemieux - JAD - Kupari

Alexander Romanov - Doughty
Anderson - Durzi
Bjornfot - Roy

Well....hello. Who's the guy in the gif?

 

[KingsHockey24]

Well....hello. Who's the guy in the gif?

Josh Anderson