GDT: 2023-24 season game 36 LA Kings vs Washington Capitals @12:00pm 1/7/24

[GoldenBearHockey]

I have a different take here. The good Cup winner version of Kuemper made some huge saves early. Cam is definitely showing some fatigue(1st and 3rd goals, as I have seen him sharper on both type of shots). For a $1 million salary cap hit, he's been a big steal. Problem is he's age 36 and can't be a 50 - 60 starts #1 goalie any more. Copley was perceived to play his fair share, but he's out the rest of the season. Rittich has looked solid but really hasn't faced some serious competition as of yet. They might have to play Rittich more and also look to acquire a goalie. Cam is gonna get burned out, as it's only a matter of time before he wares down at the rate they are playing him. When your combined salary cap hit of 3 goalies(Talbot, Copley and Rittich) is only $3.375 million, that should tell you the team doesn't invest enough on goaltending. Your #1 alone should be making somewhere in the $3 - 5 million per year range.

This makes zero sense in the aspect of the game today, Kuemper made some spectacular saves, both with the timing, and the actual saves...

1st goal, I can agree, it's a 2-1, he's moving across Dowd makes a good play shoots it the way he just came, it's tough, but stoppable,
3rd goal, Like I said, it's one that you want back every time, but that shot....was perfectly placed, and expertly deceiving, it was a nice nice play by Kubel,

Not sure if you can argue that's showing signs of fatigue though....

 

[Johnny Utah]

Blake made all the right moves this offseason leading up to the PL trade.

-Peterson and his contract had to go.
-Walker and his contract had to go.
-Durzi, sadly, had to go because of Spence and Clarke and also he is due for a big pay raise next summer.
-re-signed Gavrikov.

-The next move should have been trade AI and his 4 million to open up spots for younger players and cap space.

-Signed one of ROR, Duchense, or Bjugstad.

-Re-signed Vilardi to the same deal the Jets did.

Kupari could have rotated with Lewis and been the JAD.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Agree with everything but: Clarke didn't start the PP after the penalty because he spent his shift drawing it. Pretty normal to go with the rested unit first, and he got an extended PP look soon after

And the first unit had just scored

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Miss d the game and caught the last 5 min in radio. Seems like the same game we have seen for the last 10 or so. With the way things are going I expect things to get worse not better. What happens when Kopitar gets hurt? What happens when Drew gets hurt because he is playing way too many minutes!

 

[kingsfan28]

Blake made all the right moves this offseason leading up to the PL trade.

-Peterson and his contract had to go.
-Walker and his contract had to go.
-Durzi, sadly, had to go because of Spence and Clarke and also he is due for a big pay raise next summer.
-re-signed Gavrikov.

-The next move should have been trade AI and his 4 million to open up spots for younger players and cap space.

-Signed one of ROR, Duchense, or Bjugstad.

-Re-signed Vilardi to the same deal the Jets did.

Kupari could have rotated with Lewis and been the JAD.

You're assuming they could move AI.

ROR signed in nashville because they were gonna give a soon to be 33 yr old 3C a 4 year, 18 mil deal. His brother also works there. "
O’Reilly said, the Predators offered him more opportunity than the Maple Leafs could. He is expected to start the season as the first-line center. "

We had cap problems just trying to sign Valardi, then you'd bring in that guy @ 4.5 until he's 37? What's left for Gabe? Valardi wasn't taking a bridge deal here, like he signed in WPG. He was looking to get paid like a healthy player on a much longer deal.

 

[Johnny Utah]

If Blake could Peterson, he could move AI.

 

[kingsfan28]

If Blake could Peterson, he could move AI.

It took Cal, Walker and salary retention and another team to move him.
For all we know he tried to move him and no takers . The 4 mil cap hit for a pretty streaky winger is a lot for teams to do. It would cost us a lot more than just him in any deal, which always means money coming back.
Would you really want ROR making 4.5 for the next 4 years til he was 37?

 

[Johnny Utah]

How about Bjugstad?

Matt Duchene? 35 points in 37 games.

 

[Seattle King]

FIRE TODD NOW

 

[ru4reals]

Not going to push the panic button just yet. Every team goes through this a few times a season. We're getting the first one out of the way. 20-10-6 is still a good record. They'll figure it out some way or another. (Hopefully). Still a lot of work to do but I'm confident they'll get back on track in no time . Now, better start soon cuz the Leaking Oilers are fixing their leaks and getting closer real fast. Even the Krakeheads are only a few points behind. if they lose every road game in this road trip okay time to clean house. Lol.

Edit: Looking at the rest of this road trip and who we're playing, kings have the potential of losing every game. Ouch.

 

[BaileyFan]

Valardi wasn't taking a bridge deal here, like he signed in WPG. He was looking to get paid like a healthy player on a much longer deal.

Is this the new “Faber was only willing to sign in Minnesota” trope that proves Blake is actually a secret genius?

 

[BaileyFan]

They’re on pace for regression now so not gonna be able to hang that hat on that one after this roadie

-Top 5 regular season finish baby.
-Well the Canucks were an unlucky draw in Round 1. This felt like the real WCQ.
-We lost to the team that lost to the champs, Kings are close.
-Blake won the offseason again. Run. It. Back.

I think that about covers it.

 

[kingsholygrail]

And again, who said that? Might wanna reread what I said there so you can get it right



You really wanted to pair Clarke with Englund? Really??

It's up to the communicator to be more clear in their meaning. If you don't want to be misunderstood, use better language to convey your true meaning.

 

[Sol]

I think it’s legit crazy though that the Kings are one of the “best” defensive teams in the NHL. It’s almost unbelievable how many S++++ tier opportunities they give the other team. The 2 on 0 was crazy

 

[Sol]

Over 27 minutes in regulation time for Doughty.

What a frustrating season so far.

I wish I could blame feeling sick on this game, but I couldn't get out of bed even before the game start.

Why the f*** is Doughty playing so much I don’t get this f***ing coach

 

[Bandit]

What happens when Drew gets hurt because he is playing way too many minutes!

Clarke and Spence get to play and the powerplay gets better.

 

[Kudelski37]

Kings have lost 5 in a row for the first time since November 2021. The Kings have lost 6 in a row once under TMc in October of 2021.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Is this the new “Faber was only willing to sign in Minnesota” trope that proves Blake is actually a secret genius?

It's the 'what was he supposed to do' reskinned

*explains several ways it could be done instead*

'no, not like that'

It's up to the communicator to be more clear in their meaning. If you don't want to be misunderstood, use better language to convey your true meaning.

Oh yeah it's the foreign teenager's fault, not the...embedded enclave of good ol boys who haven't won a playoff series in a decade and keep turfing prospects that drafted him and interviewed him.

 

[Oilers in NS]

Not going to push the panic button just yet. Every team goes through this a few times a season. We're getting the first one out of the way. 20-10-6 is still a good record. They'll figure it out some way or another. (Hopefully). Still a lot of work to do but I'm confident they'll get back on track in no time . Now, better start soon cuz the Leaking Oilers are fixing their leaks and getting closer real fast. Even the Krakeheads are only a few points behind. if they lose every road game in this road trip okay time to clean house. Lol.

Edit: Looking at the rest of this road trip and who we're playing, kings have the potential of losing every game. Ouch.

Oilers fired Woody and the rest was history. Sometimes the coaching system strategy just ain’t working. Paul Coffey has done wonders with the defence. Is Todd the answer? He could never get a talented San Jose team to the next level

 

[mysterman2]

this is so on point for TMac....like having Durzi as the dman on 5 on 3 PKs- Tmacs coaching is seemingly put players in positions they werent meant to play in.

 

[SmytheKing]

Why the f*** is Doughty playing so much I don’t get this f***ing coach

The Kings aren’t blessed with having a young talented defenseman who can eat minutes and play on the first pairing like they do up in Minnesota. Not every team is that lucky.

 

[King'sPawn]

Is this the new “Faber was only willing to sign in Minnesota” trope that proves Blake is actually a secret genius?

It's the 'what was he supposed to do' reskinned

*explains several ways it could be done instead*

'no, not like that'

I'd be impressed with the apologist's efforts to defend this team at this point, except it's the same defense and arguments under the guise of different words and made-up defenses to specific critiques.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Blake made all the right moves this offseason leading up to the PL trade.

-Peterson and his contract had to go.
-Walker and his contract had to go.
-Durzi, sadly, had to go because of Spence and Clarke and also he is due for a big pay raise next summer.
-re-signed Gavrikov.

-The next move should have been trade AI and his 4 million to open up spots for younger players and cap space.

-Signed one of ROR, Duchense, or Bjugstad.

-Re-signed Vilardi to the same deal the Jets did.

Kupari could have rotated with Lewis and been the JAD.

Let's say I agree with.....what evidence do you have that ROR/Duchene, or Bjugstad would have signed in LA?

What evidence do you have that Vilardi would have RE-signed, in LA?

It's nice to lay these out, but A. it takes two to make a deal, and B. there's ZERO evidence that any of those 4 would have signed in LA

It's up to the communicator to be more clear in their meaning. If you don't want to be misunderstood, use better language to convey your true meaning.

Funny, you are the only one who misunderstood......sounds like you need a remedial English class, if you need help, just ask.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I'd be impressed with the apologist's efforts to defend this team at this point, except it's the same defense and arguments under the guise of different words and made-up defenses to specific critiques.

Naw, you wouldn't be impressed unless they turned into a negative drone like yourself...

 

[AbsentMojo]

this is so on point for TMac....like having Durzi as the dman on 5 on 3 PKs- Tmacs coaching is seemingly put players in positions they werent meant to play in.

So true - and related - not putting players in positions they would shine: e.g. No QB in OT