GDT: 2022-23 season game 8 LA Kings vs Tampa Bay Lightning @7:30pm 10/25/22

[Raccoon Jesus]

I like Byfield and still have faith in him but he’s earning the ice time he’s getting. And we can’t whine about his ice time, Lizotte got 3 more minutes but he was memorable every time he was out there. Byfield looks like Amadio or Shore out there right now. Just a place holder.

In general? We absolutely can. He's been one of the best all-around forwards night after night thru most of the season.

Tonight? No, he was not good. He was also a barely 20 year old skating with a 21 year old and a barely 23 year old vs. one of the most experienced, in-your-face teams in the league. Learning experience and he clearly had the yips but that line was not good support for each other.

It's no surprise how much more confident he looked with a breakout kid like Gabe and a puck-digging leadership vet in Iafallo. That's a steep change.

And I know some will harp on he should be impactful regardless of linemates and minutes but I'll just have to disagree, especially at his age and experience. Offensive players need reps and minutes to make an impact. "good little checkers" don't. That line is not a checking line.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

I also think we're really selling Fiala short here. He's played a grand total of eight games with the team and has scored six points. He typically gets better as the season wears on anyway. He does a lot of stuff out there that Kopitar just straight up isn't ready for.

Fiala is fine. The first line is drawing the tough assignments and that’s why lines 2 and 3 are filling the nets

My only gripe are the amount of stupid f***ing penalties. 1 every 5 games is an edgy 1st line player. 1-2 every night is a fuktard!

 

[cyclones22]

In general? We absolutely can. He's been one of the best all-around forwards night after night thru most of the season.

Tonight? No, he was not good. He was also a barely 20 year old skating with a 21 year old and a barely 23 year old vs. one of the most experienced, in-your-face teams in the league. Learning experience and he clearly had the yips but that line was not good support for each other.

It's no surprise how much more confident he looked with a breakout kid like Gabe and a puck-digging leadership vet in Iafallo. That's a steep change.

And I know some will harp on he should be impactful regardless of linemates and minutes but I'll just have to disagree, especially at his age and experience. Offensive players need reps and minutes to make an impact. "good little checkers" don't. That line is not a checking line.

Also I don't know if many people noticed but Clarke and Edler are often deployed when Byfield's line is out there.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think Kopitar and Danault are fine first and second line centers. Danault's actually one of the best second line centers in the league. Kopitar just needs to play fewer minutes, it's really that simple. He should be coming in under 20 every game. Kaliyev is really only effective when playing with Lizotte, which is fine. Pump Kaliyev's minutes with power play time and let him float the rest of the shift while Lizotte and Lemieux work their asses off. We can make a really effective top nine with everyone else.

Clarke is starting to play with a little more confidence, which is really exciting. Yeah, he still thinks he's playing against junior players sometimes, and a lot of his dangles aren't going to work here. But I'm excited to see him try to figure these things out. I really hope they keep him up the whole season.

Really is just the biggest thing here.

Picking up right where he left off last year--the production is still there because the talent obviously is. But the body can't give the same way and that much is clear as well--funny enough it's the opposite of what I thought where his two-way game has fallen off while his points are still up there.

Reducing Kopi's minutes bumps everyone elses and makes the lineup more effective top to bottom. It sort of reminds me of when they were force feeding Doughty 28-30 a game during the post-Cup years and you could tell he was almost always playing in conservation mode rather than being able to go out hard. How effective would a 15-16 minute Kopitar be?

I also think we're really selling Fiala short here. He's played a grand total of eight games with the team and has scored six points. He typically gets better as the season wears on anyway. He does a lot of stuff out there that Kopitar just straight up isn't ready for.

I laughed when he wired that spinaround pass to Kopi in front. Anze was like the f*** is THIS doing here

 

[Docgonzo]

In general? We absolutely can. He's been one of the best all-around forwards night after night thru most of the season.

Tonight? No, he was not good. He was also a barely 20 year old skating with a 21 year old and a barely 23 year old vs. one of the most experienced, in-your-face teams in the league. Learning experience and he clearly had the yips but that line was not good support for each other.

It's no surprise how much more confident he looked with a breakout kid like Gabe and a puck-digging leadership vet in Iafallo. That's a steep change.

And I know some will harp on he should be impactful regardless of linemates and minutes but I'll just have to disagree, especially at his age and experience. Offensive players need reps and minutes to make an impact. "good little checkers" don't. That line is not a checking line.

He’s 100% a passenger right now and he needs to be a driver. He has 5 shots in 8 games. 5 shots? You kidding me? Only player on the team with less shots is Edler.

 

[King'sPawn]

Good game.

Arguably a sign of things to come for Kempe. That goal is vintage him.

Vilardi with a great game again... and still only got 13:50.

Clarke floundered a bit defensively on the first goal, but overall played well. That assist is one of many reasons I thought he could contend for first overall in 2021. Oh, and he had 10:51 in ice time. Least among defensemen.

Kaliyev showing the ignorant, again, he's not just a one-trick pony. Oh, and he had second least ice time among all players with 10:02.

Probably Byfield's worst game of the season. That said, I think he'd benefit more from playing with a veteran player or two, as Iafallo really boosted his confidence.

I'll also say that, once again, each of the "kids" should be playing with vets. Notice how even more in control of himself Vilardi was? That's what playing with two skilled vets gives you. Fiala would do wonders with Byfield.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Rumor has it Clarke is going to stick.. that makes this season more fun watch him develop up here.. i think its the right call.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

the peeve in QB’s game or lack thereof that makes me not like him is he has the killer instincts of a bunny rabbit!

 

[kilowatt]

He’s 100% a passenger right now and he needs to be a driver. He has 5 shots in 8 games. 5 shots? You kidding me? Only player on the team with less shots is Edler.

He had the same number of breakaways tonight (1) as shots (1), and that shot didn't come on the breakaway.

 

[AbsentMojo]

the pieve of QB’s game or lack thereof that makes me not like him is he has the killer instincts of a bunny rabbit!

Ya me too. Ive soured on him a bit.. I still think he's going to be fine.. ive noticed he is paying a lot more attention detail defensively so that is good. But he is not grabbing the bull by the horns and asserting himself.. carrying the puck he looks good for 3 strides then loses or fumbles the puck. its just going to require patience.

 

[kilowatt]

I think Fiala is going to be fine - I dont think he's junk, im just saying if we knew what Gabe was going to become - it may have changed the strategy in this last off season.

For sure, it's an interesting question. Would the Kings be better off with someone like Chychrun or Provorov? Maybe they even trade that package (and then some) to Minnesota for Brodin and Wallstedt instead? Vilardi's on the top line raking with Kempe and Kopitar and our defense looks a lot better.

Kempe - Kopitar - Vilardi
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Iafallo - Byfield - Grundstrom
Lemieux - Lizotte - Kaliyev

Brodin - Doughty
Anderson - Clarke
Durzi - Roy

Quick
Wallstedt

 

[AbsentMojo]

For sure, it's an interesting question. Would the Kings be better off with someone like Chychrun or Provorov? Maybe they even trade that package (and then some) to Minnesota for Brodin and Wallstedt instead? Vilardi's on the top line raking with Kempe and Kopitar and our defense looks a lot better.

Kempe - Kopitar - Vilardi
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Iafallo - Byfield - Grundstrom
Lemieux - Lizotte - Kaliyev

Brodin - Doughty
Anderson - Clarke
Durzi - Roy

Quick
Wallstedt

Thats exactly what I was thinking.. Patch goalie / LD and seeing we have a hole at center (I really believe Kopi needs a Handzus (tm by RJ) 3rd line assignment and someone to bridge until QB is ready.

 

[johnjm22]

They've got to do something about the 1st line. It's just not working. Kopitar is the main problem IMO, but there's really not much other options.

This game was a lot like last year where we have two lines working (2nd and 4th), and two lines not working (1st and 3rd).

DD was pretty bad. I hope he gets better as the season goes on. No reason for him to be playing 28min +

I was impressed with how the team got better as the game went on.

 

[kilowatt]

Byfield's also just slowly being eased into things. He was on the second unit power play tonight, and was playing on the penalty kill last game. We don't have insight into the development plan, so all we see is him not getting the opportunities we think he should get because he's a high draft pick and we expect a lot.

I refuse to believe that Todd just doesn't like the kid and doesn't care. I have to imagine that there's a plan for this. Manage the minutes, manage the bumps and bruises, focus on specific parts of the game night in and night out, and once one area starts to stick, add another layer. Byfield has gotten a lot better defensively, which is a big thing for a young player. He has a ton of growing and learning to do and he's doing it on the job for a team aiming to make the playoffs.

The real issue for me is that Byfield and Kaliyev are both struggling in various areas and to different degrees, and when put together, they combine to completely waste a shift. Kaliyev in particular has looked clueless to start this season.

 

[johnjm22]

The real issue for me is that Byfield and Kaliyev are both struggling in various areas and to different degrees, and when put together, they combine to completely waste a shift. Kaliyev in particular has looked clueless to start this season.

Kaliyev looks like he's skating in mud.

And for a guy who's supposed to have a good shot, his shot sure hasn't looked good in a long time.

I might be all alone on this, but if I had to trade a young player/prospect I would move Kaliyev before I would move Kupari.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Kaliyev looks like he's skating in mud.

And for a guy who's supposed to have a good shot, his shot sure hasn't looked good in a long time.

I might be all alone on this, but if I had to trade a young player/prospect I would move Kaliyev before I would move Kupari.

What Kupari has is wheels.. he really reminds me a lot of Kempe who was mishandled at center and turned into a great wing just last year. So I think you may be right. Kaliyev does have a better and harder shot.. something is off about him so far this season.. but its only a few games in so we'll see.

 

[King'sPawn]

Byfield's also just slowly being eased into things. He was on the second unit power play tonight, and was playing on the penalty kill last game. We don't have insight into the development plan, so all we see is him not getting the opportunities we think he should get because he's a high draft pick and we expect a lot.

I refuse to believe that Todd just doesn't like the kid and doesn't care. I have to imagine that there's a plan for this. Manage the minutes, manage the bumps and bruises, focus on specific parts of the game night in and night out, and once one area starts to stick, add another layer. Byfield has gotten a lot better defensively, which is a big thing for a young player. He has a ton of growing and learning to do and he's doing it on the job for a team aiming to make the playoffs.

The real issue for me is that Byfield and Kaliyev are both struggling in various areas and to different degrees, and when put together, they combine to completely waste a shift. Kaliyev in particular has looked clueless to start this season.

I would never say MacLellan dislikes Byfield or any prospect.

I just think he feels more comfortable leaning on veterans. Like some posters here, maybe even there's a concern of "breaking a player" by giving them too much too early.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think we need to remember that developmental years are a thing too

Kupari being 'better' than Kaliyev at this point SHOULD be a thing. He's bigger, faster, stronger, older. He's also a talented kid who lost time to a knee injury--more than anything I'm happy he's relatively normal now because his skating was his calling card and the knee injury could have been a death sentence.

I fully expect Byfield to look the greenest at this point, and Vilardi the most senior.

I would never say MacLellan dislikes Byfield or any prospect.

I just think he feels more comfortable leaning on veterans. Like some posters here, maybe even there's a concern of "breaking a player" by giving them too much too early.

Yeah I agree, if it ever comes off as I think the org literally hates a kid, I think it's just tongue in cheek/half joking. Most of it if anything seems to be excessive care and caution which meshes with the rest of the org's structure from what we know (they take care of their people). But you can be too cautious, and I think that's the actual criticism--especially when it means you aren't getting 'reward' opportunities like PP time or consistent minutes.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I think Fiala is going to be fine - I dont think he's junk, im just saying if we knew what Gabe was going to become - it may have changed the strategy in this last off season.

This Vilardi and no Fiala, we'd still complain they don't have enough offense. There's really no reason to think they didn't get Fiala while also hoping Vilardi would start scoring.

the peeve in QB’s game or lack thereof that makes me not like him is he has the killer instincts of a bunny rabbit!

He's a fawn. He still has to learn how to control his body. Gangling. There won't be, and probably can't be, a killer instinct if you're fighting your own body.

He was a long term project from the day of his draft.

 

[tny760]

i just have one thing to add: pretty nice assist from the one trick pony again

 

[crassbonanza]

In general? We absolutely can. He's been one of the best all-around forwards night after night thru most of the season.

Tonight? No, he was not good. He was also a barely 20 year old skating with a 21 year old and a barely 23 year old vs. one of the most experienced, in-your-face teams in the league. Learning experience and he clearly had the yips but that line was not good support for each other.

It's no surprise how much more confident he looked with a breakout kid like Gabe and a puck-digging leadership vet in Iafallo. That's a steep change.

And I know some will harp on he should be impactful regardless of linemates and minutes but I'll just have to disagree, especially at his age and experience. Offensive players need reps and minutes to make an impact. "good little checkers" don't. That line is not a checking line.

You should really look at the WOWY numbers of Byfield and Vilardi, it's pretty insightful. Byfield without Vilardi in 24 minutes of ES TOI has a 17.80 xGF%, Vilardi without Byfield in 26 minutes in ES TOI has a 66.03 xGF%. You can blame that on JAD/Kaliyev, but you really can't say that Byfield was one of the best all around forwards night after night through most of the season. Small sample sizes of course, but the numbers are pretty drastic.

 

[HookKing]

i just have one thing to add: pretty nice assist from the one trick pony again

Not really. Todd ruined him remember?

 

[AbsentMojo]

This Vilardi and no Fiala, we'd still complain they don't have enough offense. There's really no reason to think they didn't get Fiala while also hoping Vilardi would start scoring.

100% - i was going with a hypothetical.. because really the roster is in disarray.. the D pipeline is chock full of talent but none of the pairings are actually very good as it stands now. Blake didnt address physicality - no one hits and no one clears the crease. Goaltending is probably the most tenuous in the league... 7 mil, a 1st and Faber.. thats a lot of capital and there are tons of holes. He still has a lot of capital to work with.. my point is simply had Vilardi blossomed last year, we may have a much better roster this year.

 

[johnjm22]

I've seen enough of QB to be convinced that he's going to be a very good NHL player.

The question of course, is whether or not he'll be an elite dynamic center you hoped you were getting when you drafted him 2OA.

Usually if a player is going to be elite, they're already showing you a lot at 20 years old. QB might be unique.

Player development can be frustrating because it's not always linear.

 

[KINGS17]

Good game.

Arguably a sign of things to come for Kempe. That goal is vintage him.

Vilardi with a great game again... and still only got 13:50.

Clarke floundered a bit defensively on the first goal, but overall played well. That assist is one of many reasons I thought he could contend for first overall in 2021. Oh, and he had 10:51 in ice time. Least among defensemen.

Kaliyev showing the ignorant, again, he's not just a one-trick pony. Oh, and he had second least ice time among all players with 10:02.

Probably Byfield's worst game of the season. That said, I think he'd benefit more from playing with a veteran player or two, as Iafallo really boosted his confidence.

I'll also say that, once again, each of the "kids" should be playing with vets. Notice how even more in control of himself Vilardi was? That's what playing with two skilled vets gives you. Fiala would do wonders with Byfield.

Vilardi and Byfield need to be getting 18 minutes a game.