GDT: 2021-22 season game 69 LA Kings vs Edmonton Oilers @6:30pm 3/30/22

[GoldenBearHockey]

Last night, he would have been another candidate for promotion, like Grundstrom. How is that picking and choosing? There can be more than one option. Iafallo AND Kempe were both getting chewed up, why not flip them for even a shift, see if you can get a spark?

For an org with such a deep analytics dept and experienced coaching they are TERRIBLE at in game trends/adjustments and it's like they don't even look at TOI or player health.

I for one am not excited to see how the corpses of the top line do tonight.

But you are saying that kids can't prove themselves on this team....

Now I'm not talking about Durzi, Spence, Moveare, those were by injury we all get that,

Kupari, Byfield, Kaliyev, Bjornstrom, are all being given solid chances to prove themselves, are they not?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Apparently not much of a life since you’re still talking about my post count when you could have simply justified your position 4 messages ago

f*** Todd.

 

[YAYSAY]

But you are saying that kids can't prove themselves on this team....

Now I'm not talking about Durzi, Spence, Moveare, those were by injury we all get that,

Kupari, Byfield, Kaliyev, Bjornstrom, are all being given solid chances to prove themselves, are they not?

I think everyone would agree Kaliyev has proved himself, and look where that got him last night.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I think everyone would agree Kaliyev has proved himself, and look where that got him last night.

Ice time...and an injury it sounds like.....

 

[AbsentMojo]

In the wild, would you put your money on a Koala or an Anteater in a duel?

 

[Vamos Rafa]

I know it was time to part ways with him but it still hurts that DS didn’t retire as a Kings coach. Really thought he was gonna spend the rest of his coaching career with us.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Ice time...and an injury it sounds like.....

8 minutes for Kaliyev, less for Grundstrom.

I don't know what point you're making, because it looks like you're agreeing. Kids playing well don't get promoted, vets getting shredded don't get less ice.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

8 minutes for Kaliyev, less for Grundstrom.

I don't know what point you're making, because it looks like you're agreeing. Kids playing well don't get promoted, vets getting shredded don't get less ice.

Stuck on one game I see.....again, you say youngsters can't prove themselves, there are four clear cut examples of that being dead wrong.

 

[RaymondReddington]

, is Iafallo nursing an injury?

Ok, we can agree Iafallo is either nursing an injury or he isn't.
(1) Let's say he's not injured...there is then no physical reason for his long slump. Coach is giving him the same minutes/usage as always despite his offensive deficiency..over better producing offensive players.
or
(2) In this case Iafallo is "nursing an injury." So the coach is playing him the same minutes/usage as when he is healthy.

I would stipulate that (1), while the likely scenario, does not seem the best decision for offensive production on a team struggling to score goals. There are other options that could not possibly be worse, esp PP and 3:3.

I would stipulate that (2), if true, the coach is extremely stupid and cruel. To play an unhealthy player the exact same you would play him if he were healthy, esp PP and 3:3, is extremely unlikely, esp with the extremely poor output.

Not sure why you would even suggest (2).

That leaves (1). Scanario (1) is properly befuddling to this board's educated fanbase. It makes one wonder (a) why the hell is this happening when there are better offensive options? and
(2) would another accomplished coach (Cooper, BrindAmour) in the exact same scenario make the same decision re: Iafallo's usage as the current Kings coach?

These questions seem perfectly reasonable and valid given the circumstances.

 

[Statto]

Another vapid response offering zero substance. Glad it took a couple messages to see how hollow your opinions are of substance.

I’ll provide some of the counter argument, mainly because I’m bored. Firstly I don’t agree he’s a bad coach, nor do I think he’s the guy to win us a cup.

The Good: The system 5/5 has evolved to the right place and he has the buy in with them playing to the structure. That cannot be brushed off because this is the platform that a team needs, especially with young players. He’s managed the goaltending well and the D management has been good. I’ll come to minutes in a minute but the development of Kaliyev has been great. The holes in his game that would stop him being on the ice in key moments have definitely improved and his game is rounding out nicely. His offensive game hasn’t been adversely affected either. Byfield is getting the same treatment and has definitely improved defensively and is starting to use that base, earning more trust and ice time. He seems to have unlocked Kupari also, you cannot give all the credit to the player because it is always a symbiotic relationship.


The Bad: Ice time distribution is a huge issue. It seems to be trending better then slips back. I get he’s trying to get to the play-offs but he’s giving more ice to guys that are struggling and it’s not working. In game adjustments are an issue and there needs to be a bit more priority given to the kids, especially when they are driving play (granted with different matchups). The biggest issue for me is special teams, especially the PP. I’m fine with Kaliyev’s 5/5 usage but he needs to be on the top unit. The pp has been poor and this is where the problem with over reliance on the veterans is hurting us most. It’s a similar problem in OT with Byfield stapled to the bench, it is hard to understand.

You can’t simply say he’s a bad coach because we are in a Play-Off spot despite the form of Kopitar and the injuries to DD. He has to be doing plenty right given where we are, but that’s not to say he doesn’t have flaws.

I think at the end of the season Blake probably takes stock and decide if TMac is the guy still for where we ad at. I think he perhaps gets another year but much depends on how the roster evolves. Blake has the ability to force line up changes by not signing Brown and AA. He also pushes a kid into the top 6 if he trades Iaffalo (as an example). If he works with TMacs flaws by forcing youth into the lineup then another year is OK, as they bed in the younger guys. That said I’d have no with a coaching changes as long as he’s THE guy. I think it should become about Blake waiting for the right guy to become available because there is no point bringing in a guy that he doesn’t think can win a cup. Until then he should stick with Mac.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You can’t simply say he’s a bad coach because we are in a Play-Off spot despite the form of Kopitar and the injuries to DD. He has to be doing plenty right given where we are, but that’s not to say he doesn’t have flaws.

I would venture to guess this is damn near a consensus opinion on this forum.

The problem isn't this opinion, it's that some posters believe others can't reasonably hold both views, that it's either one or the other, and they jump into every GDT to make sure everyone knows it.

GDT's are a place for quick reactionary posts and each member should feel comfortable making their posts without a disclaimer. Like, if QB makes a dumbass play, I can say "God damnit Quinton, get a longer stick" without having to say "But I actually like QB and he's a growing prospect learning on the job." When I point out Todd has played a struggling Kopitar 25 minutes, I can say "TM sucks at icetime management" without having to say "but bless him for having us here in the standings." When I say "quality win," I don't have to say "but we still have issues."

The drive-by fan policing has to stop, like, yesterday.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I would venture to guess this is damn near a consensus opinion on this forum.

The problem isn't this opinion, it's that some posters believe others can't reasonably hold both views, that it's either one or the other, and they jump into every GDT to make sure everyone knows it.

GDT's are a place for quick reactionary posts and each member should feel comfortable making their posts without a disclaimer. Like, if QB makes a dumbass play, I can say "God damnit Quinton, get a longer stick" without having to say "But I actually like QB and he's a growing prospect learning on the job." When I point out Todd has played a struggling Kopitar 25 minutes, I can say "TM sucks at icetime management" without having to say "but bless him for having us here in the standings." When I say "quality win," I don't have to say "but we still have issues."

The drive-by fan policing has to stop, like, yesterday.

You are kind of glossing over 'quick reactionary posts'...when people are throwing out insults that we aren't even allowed to say to each other on this board (trust me, I would take advantage of that in a heartbeat) and go as low as saying our coach should be executed....yah, I'm gonna speak up when our team is sitting in 2nd place. f*** that...f*** stupid posters who stay stupid shit.

Be upset, be angry...but the disgusting, pathetic insults have got to stop...like, yesterday.

 

[Jason Squirties]

I would venture to guess this is damn near a consensus opinion on this forum.

The problem isn't this opinion, it's that some posters believe others can't reasonably hold both views, that it's either one or the other, and they jump into every GDT to make sure everyone knows it.

GDT's are a place for quick reactionary posts and each member should feel comfortable making their posts without a disclaimer. Like, if QB makes a dumbass play, I can say "God damnit Quinton, get a longer stick" without having to say "But I actually like QB and he's a growing prospect learning on the job." When I point out Todd has played a struggling Kopitar 25 minutes, I can say "TM sucks at icetime management" without having to say "but bless him for having us here in the standings." When I say "quality win," I don't have to say "but we still have issues."

The drive-by fan policing has to stop, like, yesterday.

Can you put all of this on a banister that we have to read as we walk into the Lobcker Room here? Holy Jumpin

 

[Jason Squirties]

You are kind of glossing over 'quick reactionary posts'...when people are throwing out insults that we aren't even allowed to say to each other on this board (trust me, I would take advantage of that in a heartbeat) and go as low as saying our coach should be executed....yah, I'm gonna speak up when our team is sitting in 2nd place. f*** that...f*** stupid posters who stay stupid shit.

Be upset, be angry...but the disgusting, pathetic insults have got to stop...like, yesterday.

Hyperbole, Karen. Let it go.

 

[Statto]

The problem isn't this opinion, it's that some posters believe others can't reasonably hold both views, that it's either one or the other, and they jump into every GDT to make sure everyone knows it.

Absolutely, good post.

You can also guarantee which posters will jump on the slightest mistake by their whipping boy and get over excited when they favourite player has a shift without conceding a goal. It’s the same when some guys say almost nothing when it’s going well and jump on everything when it isn’t (or vice-versa). I’ll be honest, it entertains me because when things happen I tend to think “xxxxx, won’t like that” and wait for the post. I’m rarely wrong .

I’m happy to admit I almost never post any sort of negative reactionary comment about the team (Players, coach, GM) but each to their own. However I don’t think I get over excited too often either.

As long as posters are respectful, then go for it.