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

[apocalypse]

Holy crap look at the records of the Kings' opponents for the next seven games.
View attachment 489724

Crap that last game is gonna get us.

 

[yankeeking]

Byfield & Vilardi on a line for the Reign tonight. Let's hope it goes well & they get recalled soon.

byfield was a monster , all over the ice won puck battles, faceoffs , passed well but low if any shots on goal that counted

 

[kingsfan28]

It always cracks me up when people go, "well, if you just take away these particularly bad performances, the Kings would be awesome!" It's like, "well, if you just take away that stretch when they lost six games in a row, their record would look a lot better!" Yep. Absolutely right. Can't argue with that.

Never said they were gonna be awesome , wasn't my point. it's generally known that it is much, much harder to raise your pk, than pp. One bad week and you can go from 88pct to 78 pct. The Kings pk pct got killed in the first couple of weeks, and it will take months of solid work before it move up at all. You could kill 20 straight and it may only move up 5 points. On the other side, you score 5 pp goals in a week and you can really move up. The Kings pp after the EDM game went up from 17.8 to 20.5.

 

[kingsfan28]

We are definitely losing to Arizona. Again.

If we some how end up .500 record or better [4 or 5 wins] after that gauntlet of teams we may be ok. Quick must be in net for at least 6 of those games for it to happen.

 

[kingsfan28]

I blame Luc for the sad state of the franchise currently, he is the one who pulled the powerplay to take full control of the franchise. Now you can see his fingerprints all over some of the confusing at best decisions. I can't remember the opponent, but their broadcast crew told a story about how Luc came up with the chrome helmets because he thought they resembled the nose of a fighter jet. They then proceeded to mock the buckets relentlessly for the rest of the game. Honestly, once I heard about him turning down Nickson to bring in Faust my opinion of him in his current role hit rock bottom.

Funny, he was on the NHL network the praising them, and even sent them replica helmets the next day, that Mike Rupp wore THE ENTIRE 2 HOUR SHOW!. Everyone on the show loved them. As for Nickson, so what, he didn't get the job. IMO, Nick is a better radio guy than tv. and how dare any team bring in new blood to replace a retiring broadcaster. I bet if the internet was around when Fox first started, we'd seen outrage too. Faust is fine and I've heard him call other teams and sports and have no issues at all. I think the issue is with Fox and their chemistry at times.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Any chance Byfield plays for the Kings tonight?

 

[chosen]

Is today the day Lemieux's suspension is over?

 

[King'sPawn]

Any chance Byfield plays for the Kings tonight?

There's always a chance, I guess, but I'd put it at less than 5%.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Yep Lemieux is free today, and no way Byfield plays, he's conditioning and the transaction would typically be announced.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I say Byfield plays in SD with the Reign tonight and if looks good, they call him up and he goes on the 4 game roadtrip, that starts Tuesday in Tampa. Just a guess.

Way too many forwards.

Kempe Kopitar Brown
Iafallo Danault Arvidsson
AA Kupari Kaliyev
Lemieux JAD Moore
Andersson Lizotte Grundstrom
Byfield

It's easy to say send Kupari back, but he's looked good the last 3 and love his speed.
He's coming around, will make incremental improvements as he gains experience.
His goal 3 games ago was a very tough, quick one touch over the goalie on the great
pass by Moore....and on Kaliyev's goal, he pulled up and instantly hit Arty, coming from behind.
Arty was not in Kupari's field of vision and he just put it right there, for Arthur. He had AA
in his sights, up to the right, but hit Arty. This is a pass, many on the Kings never see or make.
Any of the few Kings that have that kind of speed and pull up and stop, take 2-3 seconds to make their
next play. Rasmus did it all in about 1 second and hit Arty in his wheelhouse.
I would not be down on him. I'd rather waive AA. It seems JAD will be one to go back.
Grundstrom's been pretty good. Moore, I'd like to see him step up some. Andersson had 2
pretty milquetoast games and see him out. I was always hoping to see him and Vilardi play
with Lemieux, but oh well.

Kupari has 3 goals on 17 shots for 17.6%. I would have him shoot the puck more.

 

[Schrute farms]

No way the rush Byfield back. Even if he's ready. Simply due to the fact they have too many forwards. Which is good imo because it's less pressure for him. I prefer for him to stay in Ontario and get 100% conditioned in NHL shape...and dominate games for an extended time. Give it another month and see where we are at. Injuries, Covid, trades, etc. all have a way of opening a roster space.

 

[KingsFan7824]

In a minute? It was building from the day he acquired Justin Williams, and provided three seasons of championship hockey. In a minute my ass.

He said he was going to build something that would last. He wanted the Detroit Red Wings. That didn't happen. TB is going on a decade. Washington. Pittsburgh. The Kings snuck in there, and were gone just as quick. Part of that might be that guys like Kopitar and Brown were not DL picks. He did have to work around that poor leadership to build a 2 time champ that was full of snarl and vinegar. We see that today. We're still complaining about Kopitar being soft. Brown was never a guy to pick a fight. There's no Mike Richards is either one of those guys.

Holy crap look at the records of the Kings' opponents for the next seven games.
View attachment 489724

At least we'll know if the season is over for sure by Christmas.

 

[HookKing]

He said he was going to build something that would last. He wanted the Detroit Red Wings. That didn't happen. TB is going on a decade. Washington. Pittsburgh. The Kings snuck in there, and were gone just as quick. Part of that might be that guys like Kopitar and Brown were not DL picks. He did have to work around that poor leadership to build a 2 time champ that was full of snarl and vinegar. We see that today. We're still complaining about Kopitar being soft. Brown was never a guy to pick a fight. There's no Mike Richards is either one of those guys.



At least we'll know if the season is over for sure by Christmas.

Dude, go back to 2012 and watch the Vancouver series (easily the best team they faced in the playoffs). Brown and Quick were total beasts that won that series. Tell me again about not DL guys.

 

[Johnny Utah]

They mentioned Byfield joining Ontario and then world juniors. We might not see him for a bit.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

They mentioned Byfield joining Ontario and then world juniors. We might not see him for a bit.

I don't see him going the the WJC....1. after they snubbed Clarke and 2. QB even said he wants to play in the NHL and mentioned something about not thinking about the WJC.

 

[BillyCostigan]

No way the rush Byfield back. Even if he's ready. Simply due to the fact they have too many forwards. Which is good imo because it's less pressure for him. I prefer for him to stay in Ontario and get 100% conditioned in NHL shape...and dominate games for an extended time. Give it another month and see where we are at. Injuries, Covid, trades, etc. all have a way of opening a roster space.

Idk about too many forwards, he was supposed to start the season with the Kings and he's a #2 pick, doesn't belong in the AHL for more than a few games imo.

If he's not back on the roster next week I'll be surprised, but maybe it will have to do with how the Kings look tonight. If they blow it he probably gets called up, imo. Why not? Kaliyev is playing. Makes no sense for Byfield to spend time in the AHL.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Dude, go back to 2012 and watch the Vancouver series (easily the best team they faced in the playoffs). Brown and Quick were total beasts that won that series. Tell me again about not DL guys.

Dude, DL seemed fine taking the C from Brown. Maybe that was DL's farmer buddy's idea, but he didn't sabotage that one. And I said Kopitar, not Quick.

 

[HookKing]

Dude, DL seemed fine taking the C from Brown. Maybe that was DL's farmer buddy's idea, but he didn't sabotage that one. And I said Kopitar, not Quick.

You said not DL picks and guys LIKE Kopitar and Brown -- not exclusive. And yeah, he seemed fine with stripping the C -- of course it may just have been a continuation of him not having a clue on how to sustain a championship run.

 

[KingsFan7824]

You said not DL picks and guys LIKE Kopitar and Brown -- not exclusive. And yeah, he seemed fine with stripping the C -- of course it may just have been a continuation of him not having a clue on how to sustain a championship run.

So not a culture builder.

And Brown being great in the 2012 playoffs does not a DL guy make. Brown was never confrontational enough. He hit guys obviously, sometimes questionably, but he wasn't in your face.

 

[crassbonanza]

Funny, he was on the NHL network the praising them, and even sent them replica helmets the next day, that Mike Rupp wore THE ENTIRE 2 HOUR SHOW!. Everyone on the show loved them.

The NHL network is geared towards promoting the league, of course they are going to praise the buckets, especially when Luc comes on in order to... promote them. I don't think this is the great example you think it is.

As for Nickson, so what, he didn't get the job. IMO, Nick is a better radio guy than tv. and how dare any team bring in new blood to replace a retiring broadcaster.

Nickson is an important part of this organization(at least I thought he was), he often times filled in for Bob and did a fantastic job. It seemed logical that he would be Bob's successor, since he had been with the team from the low points to the highest highs. He would have been a perfect transition broadcaster after Bob had to retire. Listening to Faust say "we" when talking about the Kings winning cups just sounds wrong to me.

Faust is fine and I've heard him call other teams and sports and have no issues at all. I think the issue is with Fox and their chemistry at times.

I'm glad you like Faust, I really am, but I honestly can not stand the broadcast. Last year I had to stop watching it completely, I would try to sync up the radio feed with the TV feed. This year I have exclusively been watching away feeds for every game and it has been so great. If you get a chance I would recommend catching another teams home broadcast, the difference in quality is jarring. They actually call the game, they don't act like every viewer is ignorant and they actually talk about other things happening around the league(instead of wine and college football). It's actually an enjoyable experience. I pretty much catch every hockey game I can(I'm watching the Sens-Bolts right now) and I can say that in my opinion we unequivocally have the worst broadcast in the league.

 

[ibleedkings]

The NHL network is geared towards promoting the league, of course they are going to praise the buckets, especially when Luc comes on in order to... promote them. I don't think this is the great example you think it is.



Nickson is an important part of this organization(at least I thought he was), he often times filled in for Bob and did a fantastic job. It seemed logical that he would be Bob's successor, since he had been with the team from the low points to the highest highs. He would have been a perfect transition broadcaster after Bob had to retire. Listening to Faust say "we" when talking about the Kings winning cups just sounds wrong to me.



I'm glad you like Faust, I really am, but I honestly can not stand the broadcast. Last year I had to stop watching it completely, I would try to sync up the radio feed with the TV feed. This year I have exclusively been watching away feeds for every game and it has been so great. If you get a chance I would recommend catching another teams home broadcast, the difference in quality is jarring. They actually call the game, they don't act like every viewer is ignorant and they actually talk about other things happening around the league(instead of wine and college football). It's actually an enjoyable experience. I pretty much catch every hockey game I can(I'm watching the Sens-Bolts right now) and I can say that in my opinion we unequivocally have the worst broadcast in the league.

I usually watch the other team’s broadcast too. Just started doing that this season, and you’re right it’s night and day better than the Kings.

 

[kingsfan28]

Dude, DL seemed fine taking the C from Brown. Maybe that was DL's farmer buddy's idea, but he didn't sabotage that one. And I said Kopitar, not Quick.

DL gave the "C" to Brown, it was Sutter who basically demanded him being removed as captain in order to re-sign his contract. Such a stupid move just to appease him . Oh yeah, this was the year Sutter blew a 14 point lead , which forced us to play the Sharks , who SMOKED US! DL then gave him his damn extension, new Captain and all. It put a black cloud over the entire org.

 

[cyclones22]

DL gave the "C" to Brown, it was Sutter who basically demanded him being removed as captain in order to re-sign his contract. Such a stupid move just to appease him . Oh yeah, this was the year Sutter blew a 14 point lead , which forced us to play the Sharks , who SMOKED US! DL then gave him his damn extension, new Captain and all. It put a black cloud over the entire org.

Sutter will always be a legend here for getting this team over the hump. But he definitely has a shelf life. It is proven over and over and over throughout his coaching career that eventually he wears his teams down. Coaches are hired to be fired. The message eventually gets stale.

 

[Statto]

I don't see him going the the WJC....1. after they snubbed Clarke and 2. QB even said he wants to play in the NHL and mentioned something about not thinking about the WJC.

I doubt Clarke comes into it and nor should it, but Byfields wishes will to some degree. I’m sure QB would prefer both the AHL & NHL over world juniors so expect that’s where he will be.

 

[crassbonanza]

Sutter will always be a legend here for getting this team over the hump. But he definitely has a shelf life. It is proven over and over and over throughout his coaching career that eventually he wears his teams down. Coaches are hired to be fired. The message eventually gets stale.

I mean, while I agree that he has a shelf life(like you said all coaches are hired to be fired), but I think it being proven over and over again is a little over exaggerated. He stepped down in Chicago to take care of his son and his last season there had a conference finals run. He was fired from the Sharks despite finishing 1st in the division the season before(by Deano no less). He transitioned to a GM with the Flames and finished 1st in the division his last season coaching. He was fired from the Kings and this one seems to be the most apparent shelf life example. Now he is back with the Flames and he has them 1st in the division so far. He really has only been fired as a coach twice and was wildly successful at each stop.