GDT: 2022-23 season game 65 LA Kings vs Washington Capitals @7:30pm 3/6/23

[Herby]

Kaliyev is going to be one of those guys that is going to have to play with someone who can get him the puck. His shot is lethal, but there isn’t much else to his game. He’s just not going to be a guy who produces consistently playing on a grinding line with Lizotte or Kupari as his center.

The tough thing for Arty is, within the last year the Kings have brought in Fiala and Vilardi+Byfield have turned out to be way better wingers than centers. So not only are there less scoring line wing spots available, but potentially two skilled guys that maybe could have been his center on a third scoring line made the switch to wing. And JAD, Turcotte and Kupari all ended up being more grinding checking type centers so there really is no ideal 3C.

 

[King'sPawn]

And here's the thing - nothing wrong with sitting a player, let alone a young player. But I have issues with the defense of "yah Kaliyev's sucked the past few games" when there are other players who have played equally bad or worse. Like, say, Durzi or Walker.

But Bjornfot has sat out most of the games because TMac thought there would be more injuries. But we are now seeing he's capable of benching players to give an enforcer some ice time, but Bjornfot spends most of the season waiting for an injury or back-to-back to save miles on Edler.

I'm sure McLellan would be a great coach on a veteran-laden team, and I respect that by and large he needs to focus on winning the next game, but there's a disconnect of big-picture thinking when it comes to how younger players are treated, handled, and deployed. I don't know if that disconnect is strictly him or if upper management has weighed in on it.

 

[Fishhead]

And here's the thing - nothing wrong with sitting a player, let alone a young player. But I have issues with the defense of "yah Kaliyev's sucked the past few games" when there are other players who have played equally bad or worse. Like, say, Durzi or Walker.

But Bjornfot has sat out most of the games because TMac thought there would be more injuries. But we are now seeing he's capable of benching players to give an enforcer some ice time, but Bjornfot spends most of the season waiting for an injury or back-to-back to save miles on Edler.

I'm sure McLellan would be a great coach on a veteran-laden team, and I respect that by and large he needs to focus on winning the next game, but there's a disconnect of big-picture thinking when it comes to how younger players are treated, handled, and deployed. I don't know if that disconnect is strictly him or if upper management has weighed in on it.

Durzi is a great example. I think Walker's been better, even good lately, but he's the one being sat. They show a ton of rope with Durzi, and he's not a veteran.

It surely trends towards inexperienced players being sat more, but not always as is the case with Durzi. And I know he brings a lot, but right now I think I would sit Lizzo a game or two and get JAD back in there. Blake hasn't been very good for a spell either. Grundstrom is back in there and he's been awful most of the time on the ice since he came back, he's the one I would have sat if it was my call.

Who's sitting and who is playing down the stretch seems very random to me right now, which might mean getting players in is scheduled in advance. It wouldn't surprise me, a lot of teams like to do that to keep everyone engaged.

 

[Fishhead]

Kaliyev is going to be one of those guys that is going to have to play with someone who can get him the puck. His shot is lethal, but there isn’t much else to his game. He’s just not going to be a guy who produces consistently playing on a grinding line with Lizotte or Kupari as his center.

The tough thing for Arty is, within the last year the Kings have brought in Fiala and Vilardi+Byfield have turned out to be way better wingers than centers. So not only are there less scoring line wing spots available, but potentially two skilled guys that maybe could have been his center on a third scoring line made the switch to wing. And JAD, Turcotte and Kupari all ended up being more grinding checking type centers so there really is no ideal 3C.

Arty requires a pretty specific player type to flourish with. He's certainly looked the best with Kopitar, but that line isn't going to be messed with. He plays the next best with Lizzo, so that's where I would have him. I'd probably try Kupari between Vilardi and Iafallo, or whoever when Moore returns. I like what Blake brings but he's looked out of place. Just let Arty work with him on the 4th and get PP time. Not ideal, but it works.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Just like with the other skilled youth--guys need minutes and reps with the puck if you want them to make a difference. Kaliyev is utterly worthless playing less than 1/7th a game, it's no wonder you put him out there after he's been cold for 10 minutes and isn't nailing hotwired one timers.

He hasn't played well since his return sure but we've been right about every other kid with increased ice time.

I'd put him up with Arvidsson/Danault and let Fiala/Vilardi cook for now. And maybe I'd sit him so he can get his head together. But what I wouldn't do is play him 8 minutes next to f***ing MacEwen and then wonder what's up.

 

[chris kontos]

Am i missing something on durzi? His d is very suspect and as a rush defenseman he doesnt appear to me to have that either. He gets in other players faces i guess.
What am i missing on this guy?

 

[Sol]

I do not, he's not looked his best the last 3 games. But last weekend he looked great against both New York teams. Should we always sit guys who don't play good for a handful of games?

Arty has 3 points and is a -5 in his last 10 since he came back against 4th liners, that's a lot more than just not looking good for a few games. Philip is also -5 in his last 10, but he plays against top competition and has 7 points over that span. He also kills penalties and has been a big part of that percentage creeping up. Not to mention sitting him would leave a huge hole at center, which makes zero sense.

You might just be being obtuse here to make a point, but yeah, not a good comparison at all.

And when was the last time any vet was sat for being bad ? I’m not being obtuse I’m being realistic.

 

[Lt Dan]

And when was the last time any vet was sat for being bad ? I’m not being obtuse I’m being realistic.

Quick

 

[Herby]

Important to remember that TM was given a mandate to win before last season, and the team has done just that. When the goal was to rebuild you saw things like Bjornfot making the team as a teenager and Vilardi being handed a 2C spot. If there is anger about the bailing on the rebuild and younger players not being given the chance to grow in larger roles it falls on Blake and not TM.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Important to remember that TM was given a mandate to win before last season, and the team has done just that. When the goal was to rebuild you saw things like Bjornfot making the team as a teenager and Vilardi being handed a 2C spot. If there is anger about the bailing on the rebuild and younger players not being given the chance to grow in larger roles it falls on Blake and not TM.

Did Axl hack your acct? JK.. good take

 

[Sol]

Quick

OKAY COME ON. like they had a choice lol

 

[AbsentMojo]

My friend asked me why Fiala doesnt score w 1st line and now with 2nd line.. I thought about it: my theory is as follows: Fiala wants to carry the puck and create in the ozone without passing, he does best when he can create chaos in there dish it off when he's pressed. When he cant find a seem, he will dish it, but wants it back (and should get it back). Thats not how 1st and 2nd line operate at all... RV likes to carry if he gets a pass he shoots if there is a clear lane to the net even if not high danger.. thts just how he plays. Kempe is a shooter too. GV is not into carry the puck as much, works better for Fiala..Lizotte not bad, he tries to create in the o-zone but shouldnt... the plan should be: give to Fiala whenever possible, get open for a shot, dont try to do too much when you do have the puck and no shot - other than to find him again.

 

[Herby]

Did Axl hack your acct? JK.. good take

No, he would never dare say anything negative about Blake.

I have always been a big TM fan, sure there are some things I disagree with in-game, but development of youth has more to do with management decisions than it does with coaching ones.

Management makes the decisions, and they decided in the summer of 2021 that they were going to try and win, and TM’s done just that, he deserves a lot of credit.

 

[Bandit]

Quick

Can you really “bench” a goalie? He still played going into and coming out of the break when there was zero reason.

 

[AbsentMojo]

No, he would never dare say anything negative about Blake. Him and TKF would tell us that the team is both doing an amazing job at winning and developing the youth to their full potential.

I have always been a big TM fan, sure there are some things I disagree with in-game, but development of youth has more to do with management decisions than it does with coaching ones.

Management makes the decisions, and they decided in the summer of 2021 that they were going to try and win, and TM’s done just that.

There's some things I like about him too... its a results business - so if I see some decent results I will give credit: He finally addressed the dismal special teams which god knows why it didnt happen sooner so thats on the plus ledger for this year. The team hasnt mailed it in too many times.. and recovered from a couple of major swoons fairly rapidly (after Buffalo fiasco and Cal demotion) and then the little 3 game losing streak when he started JQ back to back in December. He got QB up on the 1st line.. really good idea, gets on the job mentoring without having to anchor a line as center. He seems like a fair mind person even keel guy, and is patient at pressers. I dont like a lot of his deployment decisions esp on D. He doesnt seem to feel when things are going South and pre-emptively call a timeout.. those are some of my gripes. Re Blake, for sure he hamstrung TM with the goalies, Edler and the logjam at RD.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

No, he would never dare say anything negative about Blake.

Stupid take...

In reality, I was never a Blake fan. Was very unhappy that Lombardi was fired and Blake given the reigns...couldn't understand it and had very little faith that the guy was capable of thinking outside of the box and/or managing this team to any success.

However, IMO, he's at least proven me wrong over the last couple years. Not a whole lot of decisions/trades the guy has been responsible for in last couple years that I have any issues with. Very pleased with current state of the team.

 

[Herby]

There's some things I like about him too... its a results business - so if I see some decent results I will give credit: He finally addressed the dismal special teams which god knows why it didnt happen sooner so thats on the plus ledger for this year. The team hasnt mailed it in too many times.. and recovered from a couple of major swoons fairly rapidly (after Buffalo fiasco and Cal demotion) and then the little 3 game losing streak when he started JQ back to back in December. He got QB up on the 1st line.. really good idea, gets on the job mentoring without having to anchor a line as center. He seems like a fair mind person even keel guy, and is patient at pressers. I dont like a lot of his deployment decisions esp on D. He doesnt seem to feel when things are going South and pre-emptively call a timeout.. those are some of my gripes. Re Blake, for sure he hamstrung TM with the goalies, Edler and the logjam at RD.

No coach is perfect. Sutter was the best coach in team history and look at some of the stuff he did. Kyle Clifford was used as an extra attacker multiple times over the years. In 2014 the Kings nearly lost both the SJ and Chicago series because of Sutter’s refusal to Old-Yeller Mike Richards.

The complete disaster in goal this year and the team still being in the spot they are in is a real credit to TM.

 

[Fishhead]

And when was the last time any vet was sat for being bad ? I’m not being obtuse I’m being realistic.

Walker gets scratched all the time when he's bad. And a lot of the time he's been better than Durzi.

What vets have really been bad this year? You could probably make a case for Moore when he was slumping (although he's battled injuries), or Iafallo in January. But who else on offense?

Arty certainly has struggled at even strength this year, even when he was getting 15 minutes a night for a while. He's gotten like 3 ES points in his last 20 games, and while the PP is his bread and butter that needs to get better.

 

[chris kontos]

I dont remember us having a pure scorer like arty. Sad to me whats happened to him. Might as well trade him during the summer for what they’ve done with him

 

[Surf Nutz]

Kaliyev sitting for MacEwen? Called it unfortunately.

Kaliyev sitting for MacEwen? Called it unfortunat

Might as well send Kaliyev down to AHL for some reps for his overall game and recovery for Wednesdays game Reign against the Cuda.

MC E. Is coming off a broken jaw and wearing a chin guard.
He may mix it up a bit but he will not throw blows and I think opposing players will respect it.
Not sure why Mact made him wag his jaw with the media, loosening it up, if someone does throw a blow at his face.

Danault is Staple on the team as his upside was pointed above.
You don't scratch him unless he is bad for like 20 games.
Plus he probably had a knock.

Gotta be patient with Arty but I would send him down, above.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Surprised Copley is starting. Thought they'd let Korpisalo keep going for a while until he proved he didn't look good.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Surprised Copley is starting. Thought they'd let Korpisalo keep going for a while until he proved he didn't look good.

Gotta reward Copper and let him use his knowledge to have at his former team who did not believe in him.
Let Korpi have another game to chill and adjust.
Additionally this is what MacT said he would do.
Keep both guys running well, as we battle for position and into the playoffs.
Your scheme is to set up a player for failure that is not what you do.
Big test for Copper, he could get besieged and Korpi could end up in relief.

 

[Fishhead]

I dont remember us having a pure scorer like arty. Sad to me whats happened to him. Might as well trade him during the summer for what they’ve done with him

Yeah, because the Kings have ruined him and it has nothing to do with Arty.

Toffoli was a better pure scorer than Arty by a good margin. Kempe has obviously evolved into one as well. Arvidsson is a better pure scorer too. Jeff Carter was the best pure scorer this team had since Palffy.

All of those guys also bring consistency in all parts of their game (except maybe Kempe until recently). My biggest frustration with Arty is his inconsistency with effort. He'll look fantastic for a few games where he's all over the place, checking, winning battles, and scoring. Then he disappears for a stretch. He's been invisible most of the year at 5v5, and yeah he's always fantastic on the power play, but he doesn't have to do much other than line up in his spot.

And that's totally normal at his age, I fully think we will see great things from Kaliyev as he grows. But it's amusing when every time he's scratched for someone it's on the organization and coaches, when the reality is he just hasn't been very good this year at even strength. He's definitely not one of our top-9 forwards at even strength this season.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Gotta reward Copper and let him use his knowledge to have ar his former team who did not believe n him. Let Korpi have another game to chill and adjust.
Additionally this is what MacT said he would do.
Keep both guys running well, as we battle for position and into the playoffs.
Your scheme is to set up a player for failure that is not what you do.
Big test for Copper, he could get besieged and Korpi could end up in relief.

I'm not setting him up for failure but I'm seeing what I have. You already more or less know what you have in Copley. Still a lot of season to go do not an issue, just thought they'd let Korpi gain some momentum.

 

[chris kontos]

Yeah, because the Kings have ruined him and it has nothing to do with Arty.

Toffoli was a better pure scorer than Arty by a good margin. Kempe has obviously evolved into one as well. Arvidsson is a better pure scorer too. Jeff Carter was the best pure scorer this team had since Palffy.

All of those guys also bring consistency in all parts of their game (except maybe Kempe until recently). My biggest frustration with Arty is his inconsistency with effort. He'll look fantastic for a few games where he's all over the place, checking, winning battles, and scoring. Then he disappears for a stretch. He's been invisible most of the year at 5v5, and yeah he's always fantastic on the power play, but he doesn't have to do much other than line up in his spot.

And that's totally normal at his age, I fully think we will see great things from Kaliyev as he grows. But it's amusing when every time he's scratched for someone it's on the organization and coaches, when the reality is he just hasn't been very good this year at even strength. He's definitely not one of our top-9 forwards at even strength this season.

My thought is he hasnt gotten enough time.
Arvidson ??
And i cant really judge his effort from watching. The lines he’s been on are grind lines i guess although those lines are mire often getting ground rather than grinding