GDT: 2022-23 season game 10 LA Kings vs Toronto Maple Leafs @4:00pm 10/29/22

[bland]

In a related note - once both Kempe and Vilardi were moved to wing, it wasnt long before they started to produce. Center really is a much tougher position - faceoff responsibility (burns energy).. more chasing style defensive responsibility (burns a lot of energy covering one of the forwards down low), more skating required to get into the o-zone (starting lower in the D-zone 9/10 times). Vilardi has the play making style of a center, but he doesnt have the wheels. I think it was wise to move him to wing. So maybe Vilardi's late development was due to this but give Kings credit for moving him to wing.

Its more than that - it has happened to both players when they were moved to wing AND placed in situations with offensive players who allowed them to develop their primary skill sets instead of playing in revolving make-shift bottom 6 roles.

 

[Sol]

Hopefully Todd doesn’t start Cal tonight

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Where do you go hiding when the Kings lose though

I never go into hiding, I just don't make predictions because that would make me look like a dumbass. Then again, I did predict that Byfield would have 35+ points this season....

 

[steepdrop]

I never go into hiding, I just don't make predictions because that would make me look like a dumbass. Then again, I did predict that Byfield would have 35+ points this season....

Not if He keeps getting those Yeast infections

 

[Fishhead]

Its more than that - it has happened to both players when they were moved to wing AND placed in situations with offensive players who allowed them to develop their primary skill sets instead of playing in revolving make-shift bottom 6 roles.

Kempe was with offensive guys early in his career, he started with Kopitar and Toffoli right when he came up. Let's not change history here and start stating opinions as facts.

And certainly not Vilardi. He's never really played on the 4th line or has been asked to grind or check or anything like that, he's always been with offensive players. It has zero to do with who Gabe plays with and everything to do with Gabe himself. As soon as he moved to the wing he stopped overthinking and worrying about all the things a center has to do and can concentrate on what he's good at. It's as simple as that.

He took the bull by the horns and did it himself. To say GV broke out because of who he is playing with is an insult to him, really. He was going to do it no matter what, which is what happens with most good players.

 

[Schmooley]

Kempe was with offensive guys early in his career, he started with Kopitar and Toffoli right when he came up. He also never really played center for the Kings, he was moved to wing in the AHL almost immediately when he came over. It's not like the Kings were forcing him at center or putting him with grinders. Let's not change history here and start stating opinions as facts.

When Kempe came up he was centering Wagner and someone else I forget. He got moved up when Carter got injured and looked good between Pearson and Toffoli but it was a short lived line. He then moved around the bottom six with Lizotte, Amadio, Luff, Wagner, Andreoff?, etc. He was not moved to wing at the NHL level until pretty late.
Watch the interviews from him last year and he said himself getting minutes with good players was the reason for his success.

 

[TruKingFan]

Kempe was with offensive guys early in his career, he started with Kopitar and Toffoli right when he came up. Let's not change history here and start stating opinions as facts.

And certainly not Vilardi. He's never really played on the 4th line or has been asked to grind or check or anything like that, he's always been with offensive players. It has zero to do with who Gabe plays with and everything to do with Gabe himself. As soon as he moved to the wing he stopped overthinking and worrying about all the things a center has to do and can concentrate on what he's good at. It's as simple as that.

He took the bull by the horns and did it himself. To say GV broke out because of who he is playing with is an insult to him, really. He was going to do it no matter what, which is what happens with most good players.

Agree 100%. In blands make believe world, the player has nothing to do with his own success (or failure for that matter) - just the team.

GV has finally felt he can trust his health if he plays his game. With that confidence he’s able to play like he wants to. I really think this is a big part of his breaking out.

 

[Fishhead]

When Kempe came up he was centering Wagner and someone else I forget. He got moved up when Carter got injured and looked good between Pearson and Toffoli but it was a short lived line. He then moved around the bottom six with Lizotte, Amadio, Luff, Wagner, Andreoff?, etc. He was not moved to wing at the NHL level until pretty late.
Watch the interviews from him last year and he said himself getting minutes with good players was the reason for his success.

Yeah, I meant to say "playing center with grinders" which is why I edited for clarity.

Kempe wasn't centering Wagner when he came up, he started with Kopitar and Toffoli. Wagner didn't even debut until 2018, he was still in juniors so not sure how Kempe was centering him. I can't recall ever seeing him with Lizotte, Blake has only been here a couple years and has exclusively been 4th line, which Kempe never plays. Luff was barely here, Amadio centered the 4th. Yeah, I remember seeing him play with Wagner here and there but Kempe has always been given the opportunity. Opportunities don't get much better than taking over for a 2nd line center when you are a young guy. He wasn't ready and it showed. Nothing wrong with being a late bloomer.

 

[Lt Dan]

Hopefully Todd doesn’t start Cal tonight

I hope he does. It would be the right move.

It's time for Cal to shit or get off the pot

 

[Schmooley]

Yeah, I meant to say "playing center with grinders" which is why I edited for clarity.

Kempe wasn't centering Wagner when he came up, he started with Kopitar and Toffoli. Wagner didn't even debut until 2018, he was still in juniors so not sure how Kempe was centering him. I can't recall ever seeing him with Lizotte, Blake has only been here a couple years and has exclusively been 4th line, which Kempe never plays. Luff was barely here, Amadio centered the 4th. Yeah, I remember seeing him play with Wagner here and there but Kempe has always been given the opportunity. Opportunities don't get much better than taking over for a 2nd line center when you are a young guy. He wasn't ready and it showed. Nothing wrong with being a late bloomer.

Im almost positive Kempe played with Wagner at some point. Perhaps during the Willie D season? Wagner highlights were even featured in Kings commercials on tv like he was going to be a big player for their future. It was a lone bright spot of the season because they looked pretty good as a 3rd line.
Maybe I remember wrong though. Pretty positive Lizotte was with him at one point also.
It doesnt really matter I suppose. Hes a good player! Always liked him even when people thought he had no toolbox to make it.

 

[Fishhead]

Im almost positive Kempe played with Wagner at some point. Perhaps during the Willie D season? Wagner highlights were even featured in Kings commercials on tv like he was going to be a big player for their future. It was a lone bright spot of the season because they looked pretty good as a 3rd line.
Maybe I remember wrong though. Pretty positive Lizotte was with him at one point also.
It doesnt really matter I suppose. Hes a good player! Always liked him even when people thought he had no toolbox to make it.

Kempe did play with Wagner, but not when he came up. Or did you mean when Wagner came up? I probably misconstrued what you said.

The point was more that Kempe was given a lot of opportunity when he came up, there really isn't one best way to do it. A lot of development is very prospect specific.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Kempe did play with Wagner, but not when he came up. Or did you mean when Wagner came up? I probably misconstrued what you said.

The point was more that Kempe was given a lot of opportunity when he came up, there really isn't one best way to do it. A lot of development is very prospect specific.

Help me with the history.. Kempe i know was drafted as L Wing.. then didnt he spend 2 seasons at center - i recall thinking this is not a good idea.

 

[Sol]

I hope he does. It would be the right move.

It's time for Cal to shit or get off the pot

What do you think he’s been doing this whole time lol one good game won’t change anything.

 

[kilowatt]

February 15 practice notes; Nolan skates for first time - LA Kings Insider

Good afternoon from El Segundo, Insiders. We know what you’re looking for. LINES. Today, the Kings reconvened at Toyota Sports Center and began trickling onto the ice at 9:35 a.m. local time. Once they got down to brass tacks, they aligned as such: Yellow: Kempe-Kopitar-Toffoli Blue...

lakingsinsider.com

Kempe's first ever practice was on the left wing with Kopitar at center and Toffoli at right wing. He played 15:18 the following night with Kopitar and Toffoli, getting the fifth-most minutes among forwards behind Kopitar, Carter, Pearson, and Toffoli. True to LA Kings form, he followed that up with 13:10 the next game, and 8:30 the one after.

February 23 morning skate notes: Nolan closer; LaDue skates - LA Kings Insider

Good afternoon from El Segundo on a chilly (if we’re grading on a curve) February afternoon. The Kings took the ice for their game day skate well in advance of 10:00 a.m., and though I missed the first set of line rushes due to Thursday morning traffic, the team rolled through lines later in the […]

lakingsinsider.com

A week later, Kempe was on the fourth line with Dowd and Clifford.

March 11 morning skate notes: Quick expected to start; Gravel could play - LA Kings Insider

Good morning from El Segundo. I hope you are reading this from the shade of a palm tree while sipping a cold beverage, because it’s just too nice to be inside, Insiders. Meanwhile, from the cool confines of Toyota Sports Center, the Kings aligned thusly in advance of their game tonight against...

lakingsinsider.com

A few weeks later, he was centering the third line with Lewis and Brown on his wings.

March 22 practice notes; Brodzinski on his way up? - LA Kings Insider

Good afternoon to you, Insiders. Shortly before 10:00 a.m., a full Kings group took the ice at Toyota Sports Center and aligned as such up front: White: Brown-Kopitar-Iginla Blue: Pearson-Carter-Toffoli Yellow: Gaborik-Kempe-Lewis Purple: Clifford-Dowd-Nolan-Andreoff -There were your typical...

lakingsinsider.com

Centering Gaborik and Lewis... (Iginla sighting!)

April 7 practice notes: #ThankYouBob - LA Kings Insider

Good afternoon from Toyota Sports Center, where Jesse Cohen, Jim Fox and I just taped the final Saturday Straight up of the 2016-17 season. Here’s a big thank you to Mike Altieri, Steven Dorfman (aka Hoover), Jack Wilson, Ed Lewis, Josh Cooper, Sean O’Donnell, Jim and Jesse for participating in...

lakingsinsider.com

And here's the last I care to find -- third line left wing, with Dowd at center and Brodzinski at right wing.

Three days later, the Kings fired Lombardi and Sutter

 

[SmytheKing]

I'm not sure why folks don't use Dobber to see line combos and who someone played with. Quite useful. Here's Kempe's rookie season at ES.

Line Combinations - Frozen Tools

NHL line combinations, NHL lineups from dobberhockey.com

frozenpool.dobbersports.com

 

[kilowatt]

edit: wrong thread