We're potentially selling off games down the road so we can win these ones. Five forwards over 18 minutes tonight in a 3-0 hockey game. That is a lot.
I think it was the lost on the Island that started the horrid downfall with Todd. Hopefully it goes the other way this time.
They wont be able to grind out a series vs teams like Vegas Edmonton Vancouver Dallas and Colorado.
My thoughts exactly. Invest now, collect the dividends later.
I think you let Talbot walk, re-sign Rittich and re-sign Copley(yes I said it), if his rehab goes accordingly. Rittich/Copley can battle for the backup job in training camp/preseason and they can acquire a #1 goalie in FA/Draft.
Said it before this team is built for the first two months of the season run. Huge glaring issue many have mentioned about is how soft this team is. I can't imagine the playoff starts and we play ANY team from the west. Most are bigger, tougher and wear their opponents down. Poor Lizzo the pounding he took from Edmonton the past two playoffs. Ouch. But still more games to play so hope they actually make it first.
Kings will make the playoffs, but it could be anywhere from 3rd in the Division to Wild Card 2.
I think the problem is also a lack of imagination and creativity at the GM and coaching level. Scratching Clarke, sitting Turcotte, Kaliyev, Fagemo.. there are things they could try but they are dead set on their central planning schemes based on their vet biases they cant get away from.
If I were Blake, I would keep very close eyes on Samsonov in the offseason. He becomes a FA, is age 27 and his cap hit right now is $3.5 million. Leafs have Woll on a cheap $775k contract for another season. Samsonov will not get much of a raise based on his GAA/SV% for this season. They could go Woll and Jones to backup or might go big on a #1. Kings could probably sign Samsonov on a 2 year deal somewhere between $3.5 - $4 million per year and I would trade a pick to the Leafs to get his rights! Rittich I would probably give him 2 years @ $1.2 per. Copley 1 year @ league min(I feel he won't be getting offers from other teams, but is good for the Kings/Reign for goaltending depth).
Kings have a lot of talent. The Knight got by just fine. Kings play a stale brand of hockey that is passed down from GM to the team. Kings have a philosophy issue not a talent issue.
At this point I could see the Kings targeting Jones. That takes away a few guaranteed losses next season, don't think any goalie has ever had our number like him.
It's quickly becoming a yealry self fulfilling prophecy at this point regarding the younger players.
Portillo will be 24. He should be in the NHL next year.
I'm on the Portillo boat also. Also hoping he doesn't follow the same path as Cal, as another former BUF draft pick.
You have a much better eye than me if you can fairly judge a player off 6 shifts over 2 periods of play and two of those are neutral zone starts at the beginning of periods...
