Toggle sidebar

GDT: 2021-22 season game 56 LA Kings vs Columbus Blue Jackets @4:00pm 3/4/22

  • Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it. Click Here for Updates
Raccoon Jesus said:
I don't think JAD going to the top line would cause resentment but it does cause ongoing questions, like why him and Fagemo get the red carpet treatment while other prospects have to dig trenches for the vets to shit in while they're still digging. But whatever.

Re Iafallo I'm getting a good laugh because some people are going 'well the stats aren't there' and well, Iafallo when not scoring is one of the best defensive wingers in the league by all metrics and by the eye test. The difference is when Iafallo isn't producing, he's opening lanes, defending hard, forechecking, and generally still helping; when Brown isn't producing he's giving pucks away like he's part of the promotions team and can't even get into either zone to be a liability.

I'm just happy they actually shook things up for once as it suggests a pulse even if i don't like it. I expect the team will react accordingly.
Click to expand...

I don't know if getting 2 games on the top line is getting the red carpet treatment vs having a regular shift in the NHL.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: YP44
BigKing said:
Well, I wanted Iafallo with Byfield before the season started and here we are: hope I don't look as dumb as usual.

The Kings have two consistent lines: Danault's and Lizotte's. You don't want to pull the full line blender out at game 56 or whatever just because you've lost two in a row.

Iafallo is a true pro that is going to play the game the right way and knows what to do out there. Totally unselfish player. Responsible. Byfield needs that type of presence on his line as he gets comfortable at the NHL level: the hope here is that it helps him learn how to be a pro as opposed to playing like this is still the OHL.

Could you put Grundstrom up with Kopitar instead of JAD? Sure, but his play the last few games isn't worthy of a promotion. JAD earned his call-up and is the logical choice when you factor in not disrupting the two lines the coaching staff can actually rely on.

I don't expect Kaliyev to move to the PP1 unit since keeping Iafallo on it lessens any perceived demotion type talk. Kaliyev is my favorite prospect but I'm fine with the treatment: I just want the coaches to play the 2nd unit more than they currently do. As a a matter of fact, just go ahead and start them as the PP1 unit sometimes: stop being married to even having a first and second unit. They'll have the Kopitar line out there with Doughty, they draw the penalty after a full shift and then they still toss them out to start the PP.

Pretty amazing first year for Kaliyev already, IMO. He looks faster and is winning more battles. His supposed weaknesses are being fixed and that shot isn't going anywhere. Fifth on the team in shots in only 12:30 minutes of ice per game. The goal totals will rise once he gets more minutes and is with more skilled offensive players.

Not sure if it is an indictment of the other forward prospects or an indictment of the Kaliyev bashers that he is the best NHL player out of all these guys at the moment.
Click to expand...

So.....we are developing him? LOL Asking for a friend....
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
I don't think JAD going to the top line would cause resentment but it does cause ongoing questions, like why him and Fagemo get the red carpet treatment while other prospects have to dig trenches for the vets to shit in while they're still digging. But whatever.
Click to expand...
Metaphor of the week.. lol
 
If this is a capuccino for JAD (like it was for Fagemo) - then his placement is fine. If its a permanent line combo adjustment Id would check to see if Koala dropped acid while recovering from Covid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Raccoon Jesus
AbsentMojo said:
If this is a capuccino for JAD (like it was for Fagemo) - then his placement is fine. If its a permanent line combo adjustment Id would check to see if Koala dropped acid while recovering from Covid.
Click to expand...

JAD has 45 games played over 4 seasons now, I don't believe this is intended to be just a short stint and back down. There's a bunch of guys on the cusp in Ontario, he's getting a fair shot to earn a spot because once he goes back down he's stuck in a numbers game again.
 
JAD as the center piece for Laine would turn me into a Blake fan.
 
Schmooley said:
JAD on the top line is interesting. Bold move. They had him pegged as a 4th line center and now he could be a top line winger. Whats Kaliyev gotta do to get there
Click to expand...

About 27 more games. One year on the 4th line will not hurt him at all. Nobody expects him to be anywhere other than the top 6 moving forward.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Schmooley
Bandit said:
Why "for sure"? His ass was stapled to the bench last game in the 3rd when we got a PP, needed a goal and he was looking for a hat trick. A goal we didn't get, and lost the game. Must be some of that obvious genius from our "unquestionable because we're currently in second place" coaching staff.
Click to expand...

Didn't the top line stay out there the entire time?
 
AbsentMojo said:
If this is a capuccino for JAD (like it was for Fagemo) - then his placement is fine. If its a permanent line combo adjustment Id would check to see if Koala dropped acid while recovering from Covid.
Click to expand...

He's scoring goals at a gnarly rate in the AHL and I think he was moved to wing down there as well.

His goal pace when annualized last year is close to 17 over an 82 game season in limited ice time.

The answer to fixing the 3rd line just might be putting a legit, known quantity on one of the wings (Iafallo) and replacing him on Kopitar's line with someone that doesn't drag that line down. If JAD can do it then let's saddle up.

Ideal world for me has always had Iafallo on the 3rd line. That should mean that the Kings have a real nice forward lineup.
 
JAD is being too effective to remain on the top 6, he is going to find himself on the next bus to Ontario... Settle down kid, make a few turnovers, you'll get there...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom