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

[King'sPawn]

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

I'd be okay with an 18-17-15-10 distribution of Kopitar - Danault - Byfield - Lizotte line distribution. Especially if Fiala played alongside Byfield, Fiala would still get 16-17 mins a game.

 

[bouncesonly]

Kempe's goal was so satisfying, after being denied on the pass from Fiala.

Also who has a gif of the Lizotte hit?

 

[shuchukfan]

Nice to see them beat the COVID Cup chumps.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

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.

I'm glad QB is getting 2nd PP time. If he's going to gain confidence and put points up, he needs time and space to utilize his skills. He moves well, has good vision, passes well, shoots well (but not taking enough shots) and his weakness at the moment, his mishandling pucks as well as not executing quick enough. (to a degree)

That one sequence in front of the goal on the PP, he had several touches, near misses and had decent control of the puck and made a few dishes, He moves so well, that I am not sure in front of the net on the PP is his best spot. I say continue to put him out on the PP and he will start putting up some points.

Vilardi has been insane. Everyone worries about who takes over Kopi's #1C spot and why not Gabe?
The reason why no one could consider that a mere 2 months ago, were: 1: he's too slow 2. he cannot play (consistent) top 6 NHL level 3. is he good enough defensively and all 3 of those reasons have been slayed.

1. he's no longer slow and moves well, 200 feet. 2. he's top 6 legit 3. he's sound defensively.
It will come down to, should he be wing or center? He's the best player on the ice most nights.
I don't see anything will stop him, from becoming a first line phenom. So why not C, if that
position will be too much for Kopi within 1,2 years? I don't see: QB, Kupari, *Pinelli, Hughes, Turcotte,
etc elevating higher than Gabe is as of this moment (and Gabe has not peaked!) 2 yrs from now, when Kopi will not be able to be 1C. AND, I don't see a high profile 8+ million free agent coming in as 1C. Gabe may well be heir to Kopi's spot.

*Although I am digging Pinelli's 8 goals in 8 games start and see him as 3C in 3 years...

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Vilardi and Kempe are carrying this team offensively. Can’t remember the last time the Kings has two stud wingers like this.

Durzi killing penalties is just hilarious, but Todd gonna Todd.

Big win overall, though. Lots of contributing young talent sprinkled throughout the lineup even if do-nothings like Byfield continue to flounder.

 

[ibleedkings]

I'm glad QB is getting 2nd PP time. If he's going to gain confidence and put points up, he needs time and space to utilize his skills. He moves well, has good vision, passes well, shoots well (but not taking enough shots) and his weakness at the moment, his mishandling pucks as well as not executing quick enough. (to a degree)

That one sequence in front of the goal on the PP, he had several touches, near misses and had decent control of the puck and made a few dishes, He moves so well, that I am not sure in front of the net on the PP is his best spot. I say continue to put him out on the PP and he will start putting up some points.

Vilardi has been insane. Everyone worries about who takes over Kopi's #1C spot and why not Gabe?
The reason why no one could consider that a mere 2 months ago, were: 1: he's too slow 2. he cannot play (consistent) top 6 NHL level 3. is he good enough defensively and all 3 of those reasons have been slayed.

1. he's no longer slow and moves well, 200 feet. 2. he's top 6 legit 3. he's sound defensively.
It will come down to, should he be wing or center? He's the best player on the ice most nights.
I don't see anything will stop him, from becoming a first line phenom. So why not C, if that
position will be too much for Kopi within 1,2 years? I don't see: QB, Kupari, *Pinelli, Hughes, Turcotte,
etc elevating higher than Gabe is as of this moment (and Gabe has not peaked!) 2 yrs from now, when Kopi will not be able to be 1C. AND, I don't see a high profile 8+ million free agent coming in as 1C. Gabe may well be heir to Kopi's spot.

*Although I am digging Pinelli's 8 goals in 8 games start and see him as 3C in 3 years...

Don't worry once RV is back Byfield will see no pp time unfortunately.

Also remember a few games back when we had a 5 on 3 and they pulled Gabe for RV? Good stuff.

 

[Omni Owl]

With Gabe's emergence, there may be a little buyers remorse with Fiala.. what we really need now (aside from LD) is a 1C or 2C not a wing... I dont know when QB is going to breakout.. could be like Vilardi and be 2 years away.. but there is hole at center

Was just thinking this. Kadri would have been a much better pick up. Imagine him with Danault and Kopi down the middle.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Vilardi and Kempe are carrying this team offensively. Can’t remember the last time the Kings has two stud wingers like this.

And both of them drafted and developed by the Kings org...who woulda thunk?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

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.

I dunno, I only saw the 1st two periods, I thought Byfield looked fine......think he had a mental freeze when he had an open look to shoot.....but could be my memory is off.....but on the whole of it, he looked good to me.

 

[Mats26]

Still remember our good friend Golden Bear thinking I was crazy for asking for Vilardi to play on the PP1 in game 1 instead of Arvy. Vilardi's "mental block" is over, the kid is feeling it, roll with him, give him his ice time and put him in a position to succeed, it's not rocket science TMac.

 

[Trash Panda]

And both of them drafted and developed by the Kings org...who woulda thunk?

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Fact of the matter is, they are the first offensive players the kings have turned out since Tyler f***ing Toffoli, so let’s not start sucking each other’s dicks quite yet.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I have been talking about Vilardi since his days with Kingston. Had multiple negative conversations about the matter.

So glad he is doing well and is proving the doubters wrong so far.

I could understand it for a bit but they were not patienced enough and couldnt analyse skill.

Than Jason Robertson started to break out too, a player worse than Gabe in juniors and than things got worse even more.

 

[kinghock]

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.

Byfield could not finish, but beside this I actually liked the way he played yesterday.

 

[Master Yoda]

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.

I couldn't believe Vilardi only played 13:50 I had to check the box score. He was so noticable every time he was on the ice I thought for sure he played 17-18 minutes.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Byfield could not finish, but beside this I actually liked the way he played yesterday.

So it wasn't just me lol...I was wondering if I was misremembering something

 

[KingsFan7824]

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.

I don't see where any of those issues are tied to Vilardi having a good 21-22 season. Especially the goaltending. Getting Fiala didn't prevent them from getting more physical players, or figuring out how to not have 5 RHD. If you get two $4m guys instead of Fiala at $8m, that certainly wouldn't address the too many bodies problem either.

Was just thinking this. Kadri would have been a much better pick up. Imagine him with Danault and Kopi down the middle.

I'm trying to imagine how well signing a 32 year old to a 7 year/$7m hit contract would've gone over. I guess if Blake didn't do it, it would've been the right thing to do, since if you're building around Kopitar, you might as well get older.

Now I'm trying to think of what the reaction would be if the Kings couldn't hold onto their equivalent of Gaudreau and Tkachuk. Is it scorched earth time, or bring in a couple 30+ year olds on big contracts instead, to keep the 2nd rd train moving?

 

[KingsHockey24]

Kopitar

 

[BringTheReign]

I'm travelling, but it sounds like I need to watch the replay of this one when I get home. I do love me some Vilardi continuing to crush it.

 

[cyclones22]

I couldn't believe Vilardi only played 13:50 I had to check the box score. He was so noticable every time he was on the ice I thought for sure he played 17-18 minutes.

Same, that's how you make the most of your ice time. Toffoli and Pearson only got about 14 minutes of TOI for a good amount of time. There are factors that go into ice time. How you're deployed and who you're deployed with. The quality of training wheels matter for young players. Toffoli broke in with Richards and Carter. That shit matters. A 29-year-old Carter, who still would be very good for 3 seasons afterward (until injuries really hit him), centered TT and Pearson. Carter still played upwards of 4 minutes more TOI than his linemates. Removing responsibility from a young player and playing them with talented vets to gain confidence is how most organizations do it.

Young players normally shouldn't be expected to carry a line, especially when the line comprises of 2 other young players or two washed up vets. Every line needs that veteran buzzsaw player. The "second" line has 3 of them. It's why they dominate possession. Last night they were in the 70% of Corsi. In comparison, the first line was in the low 40%, so your eyes did not deceive you. It's why I was happy to see AI (too many folks swayed by his mysterious second half drop-off) start on QB's line and he had the intended effect until he got injured. I say keep Gabe w/Phil and Moore and move Arvy to be that line carrier for QB and Arty until AI comes back. But that's not likely to happen. The pieces of the first line don't seem to fit either, but I doubt that line gets tinkered with as well. Veteran line carrier on each line = profit, TMc.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Fact of the matter is, they are the first offensive players the kings have turned out since Tyler f***ing Toffoli, so let’s not start sucking each other’s dicks quite yet.

Ok, so which 1st rounders have we determined did NOT turn out since Tyler Toffoli? (And yes, I know TT wasn’t picked in the first round)

The only thing I’m pointing out is a whole bunch of experts around here just don’t have patience. Would love to see some admit it.

 

[Fishhead]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Fact of the matter is, they are the first offensive players the kings have turned out since Tyler f***ing Toffoli, so let’s not start sucking each other’s dicks quite yet.

You make that sound like a big gap, but TT is only 4 years older than Kempe. So not a terribly long time. We would like one every couple years but not many teams do that without repeated top 3 picks.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

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.

Maybe he needs another stick so that he can actually shoot the puck?

Ok, so which 1st rounders have we determined did NOT turn out since Tyler Toffoli? (And yes, I know TT wasn’t picked in the first round)

The only thing I’m pointing out is a whole bunch of experts around here just don’t have patience. Would love to see some admit it.

Why do you have a hairy vagina as your avatar?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Why do you have a hairy vagina as your avatar?

It's a tribute to my buddy.

 

[bmr]

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.

Well said - QB needs to control his own destiny by being active and hound the puck. That's when his best hockey comes out.

 

[King'sPawn]

You make that sound like a big gap, but TT is only 4 years older than Kempe. So not a terribly long time. We would like one every couple years but not many teams do that without repeated top 3 picks.

No organization can expect to succeed with a player taking 7+ years to become a top-six forward on a regular basis.

5 years should be the threshold, which is when they typically become waiver eligible.

That's why Vilardi's level of performance is vital but good. Unfortunately, although Arvidsson is out, the Kings aren't calling up prospects who are going to be waiver eligible to get NHL opportunity. They're instead banking cap space to try to make a trade later. And JAD got less than 8 minutes in his lone opportunity where Arvidsson was out sick.

The Kings are once again seemingly focused on this year alone and deferring vital growth opportunities for prospects.

I'm happy for Vilardi's success. I always cheered him on and never once thought his career was over. But his success doesn't diminish what I'm afraid is still a problematic approach with the organization.

Not all prospects make it, I know. But not all vets are able to continuously carry the load, either. LA would be wise to be cognizant of that.