GDT: 2021-22 season WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS Game 3 LA Kings vs Edmonton Oilers @7:00pm Series Tied 1-1

[crassbonanza]

I think Danault and Arvidsson are the new core for the next 3-5 years.
I meant Kopitar, Doughty, Iafallo and Quick. Do you think it would be a smart move to explore trade options? All 4 have good value.

Danault and Arviddson are only 2 years younger than Doughty and neither of them are as talented as him. It is ridiculous to decide to build around a core of 30 year old forwards who have averaged a combined 37 points per season over the past 3 years.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Todd needs to go.
Sturm needs to go.
Sign Forsberg.
Send Byfield to boot camp or jail and have him come back buff.

Fire the scouts too. They chose the wrong people in the first round.

What are you adding Forsberg to? Who are you, Marc Bergevin?

 

[Schmooley]

Danault and Arviddson are only 2 years younger than Doughty and neither of them are as talented as him. It is ridiculous to decide to build around a core of 30 year old forwards who have averaged a combined 37 points per season over the past 3 years.

You arent building a core around them though. They are just the veterans holding it down for 2-4 years until the next core is formed. They are definitely good enough for that role.
The point is that they keep building around Kopitar Doughty and Quick and its not working and wont work long term. So may as well get assets for them that can be part of the next core.

 

[Schmooley]

What are you adding Forsberg to? Who are you, Marc Bergevin?

Yea they arent a Forsberg away from the cup right now. Theyd be better off promoting from within and seeing what they have next season. Continuing to get assets for guys like Roy and Iafallo without totally tanking may be smart also if they dont have confidence in their draft picks.

 

[crassbonanza]

You arent building a core around them though. They are just the veterans holding it down for 2-4 years until the next core is formed. They are definitely good enough for that role.
The point is that they keep building around Kopitar Doughty and Quick and its not working and wont work long term. So may as well get assets for them that can be part of the next core.

Why not get assets for Arvidsson and Danault as well? Why hold on to different, less talented 30 year old players? Kopitar scored 67 points this year, 13 better than Kempe who was second on the team. Those 67 points are 14 points better than Danault's career high and 6 points better than Arvidssons.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Yea they arent a Forsberg away from the cup right now. Theyd be better off promoting from within and seeing what they have next season. Continuing to get assets for guys like Roy and Iafallo without totally tanking may be smart also if they dont have confidence in their draft picks.

It's not even that. If they picked the wrong guys with the top 5 picks, then why add Forsberg to make Doughty happy? Because if Byfield and Turcotte aren't anything, that's all you're doing. They should be making Doughty as miserable as possible. If you add Forsberg to non-elite players, all you're doing is becoming a David Poile team.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Why not get assets for Arvidsson and Danault as well? Why hold on to different, less talented 30 year old players? Kopitar scored 67 points this year, 13 better than Kempe who was second on the team. Those 67 points are 14 points better than Danault's career high and 6 points better than Arvidssons.

That ain’t happening, give me a break.

 

[Schmooley]

Why not get assets for Arvidsson and Danault as well? Why hold on to different, less talented 30 year old players? Kopitar scored 67 points this year, 13 better than Kempe who was second on the team. Those 67 points are 14 points better than Danault's career high and 6 points better than Arvidssons.

They just brought in Arvidsson and Danault and its rare players get moved so soon. Why bring them in in the first place if you already have your veteran leaders would have been the better question. But its too late to question that now.
Kopitar is better sure but points dont tell the whole story if you are a minus player most nights. I dont think at this point it would be smarter to keep him over Danault if you have to decide between the two. And with the centers in the pipeline that need looks they should decide.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Why not get assets for Arvidsson and Danault as well? Why hold on to different, less talented 30 year old players? Kopitar scored 67 points this year, 13 better than Kempe who was second on the team. Those 67 points are 14 points better than Danault's career high and 6 points better than Arvidssons.

Moore will likely never have higher value either. Decent production for less than $2m for another year? Get rid of him.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

These playoffs should be super illuminating for Kopitar the way this season was for Brown. I don't care that he's scored his points, he's got his ass kicked night in and night out for about 6 months now, losing his matchups no matter who he's up against. It's just extra clear when it's Draisaitl and McDavid.

The game has passed them by and there's no shame in that.

SHOULD make it easier for TM to not try to play him #1 Dman minutes next year and to actually embrace playing kids all year instead of wondering why they aren't turning out when you use them as 8 minute checkers.

 

[Schmooley]

These playoffs should be super illuminating for Kopitar the way this season was for Brown. I don't care that he's scored his points, he's got his ass kicked night in and night out for about 6 months now, losing his matchups no matter who he's up against. It's just extra clear when it's Draisaitl and McDavid.

The game has passed them by and there's no shame in that.

SHOULD make it easier for TM to not try to play him #1 Dman minutes next year and to actually embrace playing kids all year instead of wondering why they aren't turning out when you use them as 8 minute checkers.

This is the truth. Its just pointless to keep Kopitar in a reduced role when you have a pipeline of centers that need experience, minutes, and opportunity. Kopitar can be useful to teams that need what he brings and will pay a good price for him.

 

[KingsFan7824]

These playoffs should be super illuminating for Kopitar the way this season was for Brown. I don't care that he's scored his points, he's got his ass kicked night in and night out for about 6 months now, losing his matchups no matter who he's up against. It's just extra clear when it's Draisaitl and McDavid.

The game has passed them by and there's no shame in that.

SHOULD make it easier for TM to not try to play him #1 Dman minutes next year and to actually embrace playing kids all year instead of wondering why they aren't turning out when you use them as 8 minute checkers.

The only way Kopitar isn't playing a bunch is if he's a 10g/40pt guy. Here's hoping. He has to produce his way off the top line, like Brown and eventually Iafallo did. It might take 40 games, but hopefully by January Kopitar has 3g and 15pts.

 

[KingsFan7824]

This is the truth. Its just pointless to keep Kopitar in a reduced role when you have a pipeline of centers that need experience, minutes, and opportunity. Kopitar can be useful to teams that need what he brings and will pay a good price for him.

Only teams that are ok with being mediocre. Like the Kings. Of course it has to be one of the 7 teams he agrees to go to. Getting rid of Kopitar isn't about the assets coming back though. Which is good, because you're not getting any real assets for a soon to be 35 year old. Even at 50%, which the Kings wouldn't do for the next 2 years anyway. Especially if they're not making the playoffs next year.

 

[shuchukfan]

Did the Kings rehire Pete Demers as their athletic trainer? That's the only reason I can think of regarding all the injuries they had this year.

 

[tny760]

These playoffs should be super illuminating for Kopitar the way this season was for Brown. I don't care that he's scored his points, he's got his ass kicked night in and night out for about 6 months now, losing his matchups no matter who he's up against. It's just extra clear when it's Draisaitl and McDavid.

The game has passed them by and there's no shame in that.

SHOULD make it easier for TM to not try to play him #1 Dman minutes next year and to actually embrace playing kids all year instead of wondering why they aren't turning out when you use them as 8 minute checkers.

should

all reality it's more of the same next season, maybe kaliyev gets bumped up a line

todd ain't gonna change his stripes at this point

 

[Schmooley]

The only way Kopitar isn't playing a bunch is if he's a 10g/40pt guy. Here's hoping. He has to produce his way off the top line, like Brown and eventually Iafallo did. It might take 40 games, but hopefully by January Kopitar has 3g and 15pts.

How about getting burnt by Luff? Or being on the ice for 6 goals against in a playoff game? A point in a game doesnt mean much if you are allowing more than 1 against.

 

[YAYSAY]

These playoffs should be super illuminating for Kopitar the way this season was for Brown. I don't care that he's scored his points, he's got his ass kicked night in and night out for about 6 months now, losing his matchups no matter who he's up against. It's just extra clear when it's Draisaitl and McDavid.

The game has passed them by and there's no shame in that.

SHOULD make it easier for TM to not try to play him #1 Dman minutes next year and to actually embrace playing kids all year instead of wondering why they aren't turning out when you use them as 8 minute checkers.

That's why I expect a regression next season. Kopi can't be used as a 1C anymore, and shouldn't be. But none of the kids were given the opportunity to try and be the 1C, or 2C except Vilardi. So next season will probably be more like what we should have done this season. I don't even think we should trade for a game breaking scoring winger since he'll likely only be utilized with Kopi. It's gonna be frustrating when the Senators or Red Wings are better sooner than the Kings.

 

[Sol]

Yea they arent a Forsberg away from the cup right now. Theyd be better off promoting from within and seeing what they have next season. Continuing to get assets for guys like Roy and Iafallo without totally tanking may be smart also if they dont have confidence in their draft picks.

What are you adding Forsberg to? Who are you, Marc Bergevin?

What the f***? The top picks have been complete trash outside of Vilardi a bit. Kings can’t promote shit. The hell is that dumb logic. Promote what exactly? They’re ass and have been extremely unimpressive. Kings should sign someone like Forsberg to offset the high likelihood that these players are busts. Get real.

 

[Schmooley]

What the f***? The top picks have been complete trash outside of Vilardi a bit. Kings can’t promote shit. The hell is that dumb logic. Promote what exactly? They’re ass and have been extremely unimpressive. Kings should sign someone like Forsberg to offset the high likelihood that these players are busts. Get real.

I disagree. Theres a chance they all bust but may as well throw em into the fire in real roles next year. Then the following offseason the bust assessment and future ceilings can be determined for the first batch. There will always be free agents to overpay. Plus if they do bust they are in the basement again and get some more lottery tickets.

 

[KingsFan7824]

How about getting burnt by Luff? Or being on the ice for 6 goals against in a playoff game? A point in a game doesnt mean much if you are allowing more than 1 against.

I don't know. I doubt there's some super coach out there that would willingly play Kopitar less. He's a coach's dream. He's a coach's fantasy. He has to force a coach to play him for 15 minutes. Or, Byfield or whoever has to clearly be better.

 

[kilowatt]

We’re now in this weird spot where we’re half in, half out of a rebuild. Making the playoffs was a great accomplishment for a team like ours, but getting our teeth absolutely kicked in round one probably wasn’t the goal. There’s nothing to learn from here except that Kopitar can’t defend the best players in the league anymore.

I’ve posted it before but I wonder if there’s a bit of the Patrick Ewing effect in play here. Kopitar’s been number one for so long that he is the de facto all situations player. No one can step up and be that guy because no one will ever get the chance. Now if we hadn’t signed Danault and traded for Arvidsson we would have been brutal this year. But are we going to be even more brutal next year and the year after with a 36 year old declining 1C?

What would the team look like without Kopitar, Doughty, Brown, and Quick?

 

[KingsFan7824]

What the f***? The top picks have been complete trash outside of Vilardi a bit. Kings can’t promote shit. The hell is that dumb logic. Promote what exactly? They’re ass and have been extremely unimpressive. Kings should sign someone like Forsberg to offset the high likelihood that these players are busts. Get real.

And all you'll be is the Nashville Predators.

Forsberg, with the team as is, would be the same kind of move that Blake was criticized for making last summer. In the big picture sense. Sure, Danault was a great individual signing, but look where the team is. They've already lost this series, and they won't get better. It would just be to make Doughty happy. Danault, Arvidsson, Edler, just making Doughty happy. Bring Forsberg in here, with what is guaranteed to be a giant contract, and you're ok with being average. No different than Danault.

 

[tny760]

I disagree. Theres a chance they all bust but may as well throw em into the fire in real roles next year. Then the following offseason the bust assessment and future ceilings can be determined for the first batch. There will always be free agents to overpay. Plus if they do bust they are in the basement again and get some more lottery tickets.

it's definitely getting hard to defend their contributions(lack thereof), between vilardi, kupari, turc, byfield.. i do feel like they need to be playing real roles next season but if management is chasing playoff success is that going to happen? especially with todd behind the bench? todd's gonna todd and he'll play kopitar into the dirt

these kids need to be electric out of camp and if this team isn't firing on all cylinders by the deadline, blow the bitch up, strip captainships and send todd with it. been piddling around here with half-measures wayyy too long already

 

[Schmooley]

it's definitely getting hard to defend their contributions(lack thereof), between vilardi, kupari, turc, byfield.. i do feel like they need to be playing real roles next season but if management is chasing playoff success is that going to happen? especially with todd behind the bench? todd's gonna todd and he'll play kopitar into the dirt

these kids need to be electric out of camp and if this team isn't firing on all cylinders by the deadline, blow the bitch up, strip captainships and send todd with it. been piddling around here with half-measures wayyy too long already

Vilardi was electric out of camp and they sent him down after what six games? Iafallo was not electric for months and took months and months to even drop down a line. The kids have been given a very narrow margin for error while being put into roles they have never been asked to play. And are being expected to bail out a mediocre top six while sometimes not stepping on the ice for 10 minutes at a time between shifts.

 

[DoktorJeep]

The press release for the end of the season has already been written. It’s fair to say the team massively improved and multiple individuals took a leap forward. And the previous summers moves that worked will be endlessly trumpeted to convince fans that more of the same is what’s needed.

We’ll hear about how this is a playoff caliber team that is looking to advance past their next first round series. So the way to get there is to target upgrades at key positions. And the goal from the beginning has been to build a home grown champion, so improvements will not come at the expense of moving roster players or top prospects.

You look for three new players. A top six winger to upgrade on AA both on consistency and dollars. Something similar to an Arvidsson who comes in around $4M for 20’ish goals. My best guess would be a trade for Neiderreiter. Vilardi, a third and a fifth going the other way.

Next is a bottom six winger to replace Brown. A vet who is a character guy that can slot in lower in the lineup but can play up for short stints. And he’ll have a reputation as a playoff difference maker. Similar to an Edler but a depth forward move instead of D.

Josh Bailey seems like a guy who fits the bill. I see Walker and a 2nd going to the Islanders. And I think Edler comes back and is talked about as an upgrade on the Maata role.

Final move is the capstone. Last year was Danault, and this summer is a defenseman on the UFA market. My money is on Chiarot as the organization’s answer to the LD question. Lucky and Bergy will convince Blakey that the Kings have enough Swedes and need some more Quebecois to get to the next level. 5x$5M plus full NMC will be the price. He’ll come in and triple his career high with 21g while taking hard defensive minutes from the first pair with Doughty.

Kempe Kopitar Neiderreiter
Arvidsson Danault Moore
Iafallo Lizotte Bailey
Kaliyev/Lemieux Byfield Kupari

Anderson Doughty
Chiarot Roy
Edler Durzi
Bjornfot

Quick
Petersen

Good for at least 96 points, third in the west and out in round one after six games regardless the opponent.