GDT: 2022-23 season game 53 LA Kings vs Carolina Hurricanes @4:00pm 1/31/23

[GoldenBearHockey]

I agree that sometimes the other team plays well however the issues we have were both foreseen and fixable. The fixing isn’t automatically easy because trades need other teams but you need to concede, surely, that some decisions are puzzling. It makes frustration understandable even if you don’t agree.

So sitting Björnfot is a head scratcher as he’s been pretty good. Especially because they could have say Walker instead of Edler (instead of sitting him B2B) and we’d be no worse for it.

I’m ok with missing this year and them not filling the holes we have until the summer. The key for me is the younger guys playing bigger roles as we go down the stretch, as Byfield now is. It’s why I want Lemieux and Walker waived/sat, to create spots for younger guys who I don’t think will do any worse anyway.

I don’t think Durzi is the answer but at least (as a result of sitting Walker) by playing him bottom pairing RD, it puts in a position to be his best self. Lemieux sitting the being waived means they can keep Turcotte playing until guys come back. They’d then also find it easier to have JAD retain a lineup spot that he’s definitely earned.

I think they have a foot in each of the development and playoff camps, in terms of which is priority. They really need to make a call soon. It’s not about being buyers of sellers at the TDL as such, but more a case of how to shape the roster and who to waive as players come back from injury. Big decisions are looming IMO.

Here's the difference, I know that this problem is not an LA King problem, it's a PRO SPORTS problem........here's what I also know, I DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION I NEED AT HAND, TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION OF WHY OR WHY NOT CERTAIN DECISIONS ARE MADE.

Having said that, I agree, Bjornfoot should be playing, I disagree that Walker should not, he's been fine, Durzi is a dynamic player, everyone gushes over Fialia (rightfully so) Durzi is in the same damn mold....so do you take that player out of the game? No...you find a way to play him, they did that, he's been fine, has he had brain farts, absolutely, show me a player in the league that hasn't.

I would rather play Lemieux than Fagemo right now, Fagemo needs more seasoning, I think Turcotte is going to be just fine, and if that means centering the 4th line, off and on, so be it....he's played pretty damn well in that role and there is nothing wrong with him getting his legs under him in a non pressure role like this...

I think when everyone gets healthy you are gonna see moves being made, but the teams depth right now, is at an all time high, when you are missing 3 top six players, and don't miss a beat, that's a good thing, but that's also why there is a supposed logjam on D, imagine, this scenario, Doughty, Andersson, Durzi, Roy, Edler, Walker.....with Bjornfoot and Spence in the minors.....because we want to make room, we trade Walker, Durzi....Bjornfoot, Spence comes up....and Andersson, Roy, and Doughy all go down with 2-3-4 month injuries.....what then? Why in the f*** would you create LESS depth anywhere.....when you don't have to....at all....

 

[Fat Elvis]

Did you just compare Fiala with Durzi?

 

[Choralone]

What jersey # were you? Can I have an autograph?

I laughed out loud

 

[Nasti]

The Kings are NOT a contender and I want my money back. We should be better than 1st in the division, fire TM now.

Actually, the Kings are NOT first in the division. So your sarcasm is even lamer than usual.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Did you just compare Fiala with Durzi?

100%, they are both very dynamic players....Durzi has done some crap with the puck, that no other LA player has done....except for Fiala.....but yea, let's hate on him because he's young Dman with defensive holes......lol f***ing amazing this board

 

[Schrute farms]

This another thing that simply makes you shake your head- we arent playing the best possible defensemen we can. We are giving Edler a legacy pass, playing Durzi who was never a defensive stalwart on his offside and Walker who was undrafted out of college and never had a season where he finished with a +.
We can only speculate what the record may have been with Spence/Bjornfot as a pairing as well as wonder why Tmac changes the lineup after a W- to see the team lose and then repeat the same lineup and get the same losing results.

This ^

I agree that sometimes the other team plays well however the issues we have were both foreseen and fixable. The fixing isn’t automatically easy because trades need other teams but you need to concede, surely, that some decisions are puzzling. It makes frustration understandable even if you don’t agree.

So sitting Björnfot is a head scratcher as he’s been pretty good. Especially because they could have say Walker instead of Edler (instead of sitting him B2B) and we’d be no worse for it.

I’m ok with missing this year and them not filling the holes we have until the summer. The key for me is the younger guys playing bigger roles as we go down the stretch, as Byfield now is. It’s why I want Lemieux and Walker waived/sat, to create spots for younger guys who I don’t think will do any worse anyway.

I don’t think Durzi is the answer but at least (as a result of sitting Walker) by playing him bottom pairing RD, it puts in a position to be his best self. Lemieux sitting the being waived means they can keep Turcotte playing until guys come back. They’d then also find it easier to have JAD retain a lineup spot that he’s definitely earned.

I think they have a foot in each of the development and playoff camps, in terms of which is priority. They really need to make a call soon. It’s not about being buyers of sellers at the TDL as such, but more a case of how to shape the roster and who to waive as players come back from injury. Big decisions are looming IMO.

and this ^

 

[Nasti]

It’s going to suck big time when Blake chooses to trade Spence instead of Durzi, Roy, or Walker.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Actually, the Kings are NOT first in the division. So your sarcasm is even lamer than usual.

In fact--Kings are currently OUT of a playoff spot by points percentage.

5th in the division, 9th in the conference.

So whatever smug bullshit is being peddled about where we are in the standings vs. what we want is just ignorant...but I guess there's a reason ignore is there.

It’s going to suck big time when Blake chooses to trade Spence instead of Durzi, Roy, or Walker.

Whatever trade he makes next heavily signifies the direction the franchise is taking--now or later.

If he trades Spence for Demko we're in line for a few years of Dave Taylor-ing.

 

[Nasti]

In fact--Kings are currently OUT of a playoff spot by points percentage.

5th in the division, 9th in the conference.

So whatever smug bullshit is being peddled about where we are in the standings vs. what we want is just ignorant...but I guess there's a reason ignore is there.

I’m tempted to ignore but I’m a bit of a masochist.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Par for the course in this thread,

All year long: Kings suck we need this, we need that....coach is a moron, we will neve win....

When the Kings lose: OMG how could they lose?

You guys say they are shit all year long, then act surprised as hell when they lose, it would be flat out amusing if it wasn't so pathetic....

And it's never....damn, the other team played a good game, it's always, Durzi, or Tmac, or Edler, or half a dozen other scape goats.....I mean Jesus Christ, last night was a GOOD game to watch and enjoy, and half of you can't even recognize that given the posts in here.

I think giving up 3 goals in the 3rd and then losing in OT after having a commanding lead is not playing well. But you must go to the Dave Roberts school of coaching/managing. Effort is all that matters. Results be damned.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Actually, the Kings are NOT first in the division. So your sarcasm is even lamer than usual.

Tied for 1st?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I think giving up 3 goals in the 3rd and then losing in OT after having a commanding lead is not playing well. But you must go to the Dave Roberts school of coaching/managing. Effort is all that matters. Results be damned.

Again, they played fine, it's amazing how little credit you give to opposing teams, do you think that LITTLE of them? That the only way they can win is if the Kings suck monkey balls? Do you think Carolina was just lucky? Do you think they have any skill at all? Or this was just pure luck?

 

[Fat Elvis]

100%, they are both very dynamic players....Durzi has done some crap with the puck, that no other LA player has done....except for Fiala.....but yea, let's hate on him because he's young Dman with defensive holes......lol f***ing amazing this board

That's a bit aggressive gbh. Was just hoping you'd clarify that comparison. Not sure I understand it. No need to respond like that. Be better

That comparison just doesn't make sense.

 

[AbsentMojo]

In fact--Kings are currently OUT of a playoff spot by points percentage.

5th in the division, 9th in the conference.

So whatever smug bullshit is being peddled about where we are in the standings vs. what we want is just ignorant...but I guess there's a reason ignore is there.



Whatever trade he makes next heavily signifies the direction the franchise is taking--now or later.

If he trades Spence for Demko we're in line for a few years of Dave Taylor-ing.

If Demko's hips werent a question mark.. if they took Cal (obvious way to make the money work) and a prospect - thats no brainer... but thats a lot of ifs. Every goaltender acquistion is a gamble at some level - adding an injury history to that is asking for further gut wrenching.. So ya, NO.

 

[Schrute farms]

Tied for 1st?

 

[kingsholygrail]

Again, they played fine, it's amazing how little credit you give to opposing teams, do you think that LITTLE of them? That the only way they can win is if the Kings suck monkey balls? Do you think Carolina was just lucky? Do you think they have any skill at all? Or this was just pure luck?

The Hurricanes took what the Kings gave them in the 3rd. They're a good team which is why the Kings play was NOT GOOD because they allowed Carolina to get momentum and take the victory away. If the Kings dream of remaining a playoff team, this cannot happen. The failure was spread around the team. No one came up with the big play to stop the bleeding and there was no answer in scoring. Andersen ended up playing better than Copley in the end when it mattered most.

 

[Lt Dan]

The Hurricanes took what the Kings gave them in the 3rd. They're a good team which is why the Kings play was NOT GOOD because they allowed Carolina to get momentum and take the victory away. If the Kings dream of remaining a playoff team, this cannot happen. The failure was spread around the team. No one came up with the big play to stop the bleeding and there was no answer in scoring. Andersen ended up playing better than Copley in the end when it mattered most.

While. U mostly agree with you here, I am starting to think that the Canes are just that good and took the second period off.
Rod the Bod gave them the business between periods and well we know the rest., (I only used two dots there to not trigger riznat)

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

WhileI mostly agree with you here, I am starting to thinkt hat the Canes are just that good and took the second period off.
Rod the Bod gave them the business between periods and well we know the rest., (I only used two dots there to not trigger riznat)

Yeah on one hand, it's arguably the best team in the NHL and this is exactly what they do.

On the other, we've seen this movie far too many times for the opponent to matter.

 

[Lt Dan]

Yeah on one hand, it's arguably the best team in the NHL and this is exactly what they do.

On the other, we've seen this movie far too many times for the opponent to matter.

True

As an optimist, I hope that the Toddfather gets a reaction out of the team like he did after that massacre vs Boston and that he can somehow still make them feel the sting thru the all-star break

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I think they have a foot in each of the development and playoff camps, in terms of which is priority. They really need to make a call soon. It’s not about being buyers of sellers at the TDL as such, but more a case of how to shape the roster and who to waive as players come back from injury. Big decisions are looming IMO.

This is precisely the problem, and why I've become a broken record with things like, "Blake has no plan."

From the day they were hired, Blake and Luc have always wanted to contend. They literally said as much in their first presser even though it was clear the 12-14 team was running on empty and changes were needed. They re-shuffled the deck with a safe coaching hire, opened up the offensive system, and got a career year out of Anze Kopitar. And then they got wrecked in the first round by an expansion Vegas team.

Blake tried to pull a rabbit out of his hat by signing Kovalchuk, but that failed spectacularly, and at some point it became clear the glory days were well and truly over. But Blake couldn't risk alienating his franchise defenseman by committing to a scorched earth rebuild, so now we're stuck in this awkward will they or won't they retool.

There is no long term plan or vision or culture for this organization, and there hasn't been since 2017. Blake and Luc thought they could sweep in and re-heat Lombardi's leftovers and continue contending for Cups. Blake has made some good picks and trades, but he has proven himself to be objectively terrible at any sort of long term (3+ year) planning. Everything is always right now or next year. Dean and Darryl are gone? Promote Stevens and contend for another year or two. Can't score in the playoffs against Vegas? Sign Ilya Kovalchuk and contend for another year or two. Team is terrible, but can't rebuild because Doughty is crying to the media? Bring in some vets and contend for another year or two.

Half measures. The story of Rob Blake.

 

[kingsholygrail]

WhileI mostly agree with you here, I am starting to thinkt hat the Canes are just that good and took the second period off.
Rod the Bod gave them the business between periods and well we know the rest., (I only used two dots there to not trigger riznat)

I think the Hurricanes started slow for sure. I think the Kings just continued their trend lately of being slow to start, having a good 2nd, and then falling apart in the 3rd.

 

[LeftKinger]

WhileI mostly agree with you here, I am starting to thinkt hat the Canes are just that good and took the second period off.
Rod the Bod gave them the business between periods and well we know the rest., (I only used two dots there to not trigger riznat)

Kings have shown a tendency to let off when they have a lead of two or more. I know this is natural to an extent, but the way the Kings have collapsed at times this year has been jarring. The fact that TM doesn’t use timeouts doesn’t help, but this team has proven to be mentally fragile. I don’t think you can give them the benefit of the doubt in this game, and say well Carolina is a good team and just took it to the Kings in the third.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

There's a main board thread about how good the Canes are at coming back, it's more than half their games, and lately they've been at the hottest pace in the league. So again, there's the 'alibi.' Not super mad about this game in a vacuum--the issue is that this is repetitive, not a one-off. Has anyone told TM yet he has time outs?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

That's a bit aggressive gbh. Was just hoping you'd clarify that comparison. Not sure I understand it. No need to respond like that. Be better

That comparison just doesn't make sense.

Probably a bad morning, but honestly, don't take shit personally, I don't see how you can't see that Durzi and Fiala are both dynamic players, it's plain as day to me, so I don't know what you are seeing etc....

Tell me why it doesn't make sense?

 

[Sol]

It's coming-up on the 6th anniversary of Blake getting the GM job, and the construction of the roster is a mess. The Kings are sitting on so many young and fringe wings, and right shot defeseman that's it's ridiculous. Meanwhile, he allowed the goaltending position and pipeline to become the worst in the NHL, and the Kings are icing exactly one LD who should be taking nightly shifts in the NHL. All the excuses of "what do you want him to do, overpay?' are just that, excuses. It's almost 6 years, this is his roster

That’s why when people ask this stupid question I’m like no shit you overpay for one. There’s only ONE reason I want the Kings to trade for Chychrun. I’d rather take a chance with his injuries because when he’s healthy he’s really good. Kings have nothing close to a Chychrun. Size skill and has an edge. He’s exactly what they need. The Kings have a ton of pieces they can trade and they have redundancy with. It’s almost moronic at this point. The kings aren’t going anywhere unless they get a goalie and an LD.