GDT: 2021-22 season game 34 LA Kings vs Nashville Predators @7:30pm 1/6/22

[KINGS17]

10 million reasons we lost right there.

1. Five Kings staring at the opposing player with the puck.

 

[KINGS17]

Kopi gets a bum rap because the organization has done such a crappy job finding his replacement. They didn't even have to find another HOF caliber player, even a guy like Barzal would have the fanbase saying how nice it is to have a guy like Kopitar on the 2nd line. Kopitar turns 35 this year, we should be thankful he is still able to play at a 2nd line level, many players were long cooked by then. He is obviously getting way worse, especially defensively, but that was going to happen.

Our fanbase shouldn't blame Kopi that he is on the 1st line at his age.

Nah, I blame management for not trading him earlier.

 

[KINGS17]

Why would you put him on wing? The one thing Kopitar is still doing right is face-offs. He's near 60%.

Taking the faceoffs doesn't mean you have to play center.

 

[Schmooley]

Why would you put him on wing? The one thing Kopitar is still doing right is face-offs. He's near 60%.

Hes not scoring and his two way game isnt anything special this year. Whats the point then of revolving everything around him? If there wasnt Danult and Turcotte I wouldnt think of it. But there is and he only has a couple years left on his contract so why not start lessening his role. They wont be totally caught with their pants down this way when hes totally checked out and theyll have the pieces in place to take over.

 

[kingsfan28]

He certainly got away from Kopi's defensive coverage. Badum tish.

 

[kingsfan28]

yeah, thats what I love about Durzi the most....the kid is decisive and quick about it

As much as I hate Karlsson and Burns, I'm totally envious at the way the get the puck off so quickly and accurately. Now imagine if Doughty had that in his game?

 

[crassbonanza]

As much as I hate Karlsson and Burns, I'm totally envious at the way the get the puck off so quickly and accurately. Now imagine if Doughty had that in his game?

I'd still take Doughty any day over either of them.

 

[kinghock]

Mikey Anderson< Toby

I know I am going to be burned for this, but I will say it.
Why everybody is afraid/hate to admit that Mikey Anderson is not a very good player…

 

[King'sPawn]

I know I am going to be burned for this, but I will say it.
Why everybody is afraid/hate to admit that Mikey Anderson is not a very good player…

Because he's still learning and adapting his game. He's hitting obstacles like Muzzin - over-commits and misreading the play. The hope is he continues to grow.

 

[Reaper45]

Because he's still learning and adapting his game. He's hitting obstacles like Muzzin - over-commits and misreading the play. The hope is he continues to grow.

Muzzin sucked his first stint with the Kings. But then he played what a season and a quarter or so in Manchester and came up and was a different player. I think if he’s eligible Anderson could use some time in the A.

 

[King'sPawn]

Muzzin sucked his first stint with the Kings. But then he played what a season and a quarter or so in Manchester and came up and was a different player. I think if he’s eligible Anderson could use some time in the A.

It's a fair argument. At this point, I'm still okay with Anderson playing in the NHL. While it's not a developmental league, the difference in timing/pace may be best reconciled playing at that pace.

But I also wouldn't be opposed to Blake giving him some AHL time, especially if they keep Moverare up - he played well and now he can get a chunk of playing time in the majors.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Given those options at the time, if I didn't pick McDermid I think I would have taken Grundstrom, which says about all it needs to about the value of those players at that time. Odds are Seattle wanted us to fork over a pick to take Quick and we didn't take the bait thankfully.

Seattle even having interest in Quick was a rumor...why would an expansion team want a 35-36 year old 'tender,he's not Terry Sawchuk,heck he's not even Martin Brodeur

 

[Schmooley]

I know I am going to be burned for this, but I will say it.
Why everybody is afraid/hate to admit that Mikey Anderson is not a very good player…

He plays worse when hes with Doughty. He was great with Bjornfot this year and also Roy.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Muzzin sucked his first stint with the Kings. But then he played what a season and a quarter or so in Manchester and came up and was a different player. I think if he’s eligible Anderson could use some time in the A.

Can't hurt

 

[kinghock]

He plays worse when hes with Doughty. He was great with Bjornfot this year and also Roy.

I do not believe he ever was great.
There is so many better roster defensemen or prospects on the team:
Doughty, Bjornfot, Durzi and Roy

Clarke, Faber, Grans, Spence and Moverare

 

[Schmooley]

I do not believe he ever was great.
There is so many better roster defensemen or prospects on the team:
Doughty, Bjornfot, Durzi and Roy

Clarke, Faber, Grans, Spence and Moverare

When Doughty was out he and Bjornfot played really well as a pair especially considering they are young. But yea maybe great is the wrong word as Im not so high on Mikey. I do like Bjornfot a lot though. Hes a perfect partner for offensive dmen like Durzi.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Mikey is the only one who has proven he can handle those minutes without getting shookup when things go wrong.

We've just been so spoiled with great #2s that people don't realize what an average top pairing guy can look like.

That being said Anderson is looking like Willie Mitchell, ideally probably not top pairing, he looks absolutely MONSTROUS in any role other than next to Doughty, I think people are too focused on his mistakes rather than what he's doing right because it's not sexy/flashy. You can hear him talk out there, he punishes people with his stick too, and people forget he's only 22. He has better puck skills than he gets credit for. Not many kids his age able to handle what he's handled. Imagine how he looks in two years.

I disagree he needs some AHL time. I don't think he learns a damn thing going back down. Move him to the 2nd/3rd pairing for a bit? Sure I could get on board with that. But you don't go from being pretty successful in big minutes with Doughty to the AHL.