GDT: 2024-25 season game 18 LA Kings vs Colorado Avalanche @7:00pm 11/13/24

[Surf Nutz]

QB, Akil, Spence and Clarke going all in and missing when the net is empty have been disappointments.

You can't trade Fiala when other players outside of Kopi line are not producing.

I mean I get it you guys want people fired and a rebuild but no point in talking about that UNTIL firings happen.

I do like the Foegle , QB pair even though QB has been butterfingering it a lot.

Is Kuemper out?

He has been better than Talbot in my book, but the team has not defended as well as they did early last season.

Is he is out injured?

I thought Moore looked good with KoKe.

This team can not afford to lose to lower rung teams if they want to go to the playoffs.

Lee has been serviceable.

Whoever expected a win against the Lunch in Denver was spanking the monkey.

Some of the follies and players mentioned are valid.

No way do you trade Byfield or Fiala.

Over reactors!

We were one goal out until Clarke once again but of more than he could chew with an empty net.

The coach needs to have some caveats when they tell him to activate.

Gotta wait it out with Byfield , he will be back.

Kuemper was nuts!

The defense hung him out to dry way too much and he pulled a hammy.

 

[tigermask48]

But with PLD and Fiala it doesn't feel like that was done. These are guys who look good on paper. Feels like the analysis ended there.

It isn't even just those two guys. They are getting the exact same Edmondson that he was last year, but significantly overpaid him. They took one look at Jeannot's 24 goal outlier season and thought he'd score 15 in LA.

It feels like an echo chamber where everyone is scared to say anything against the grain or give a differing opinion. Then the team has the balls to claim their stats are years ahead of what we have... But then their projections continue to be horribly wrong.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Leadership group needs to go to the team and say look. Everyone is shaving their head right here, right now, no facial hair either we all look the same. Anyone who doesn’t buy in …. f*** em tell management to trade them.

 

[Herby]

If you're a professional sports GM, it goes without saying that before you acquire players you're doing deep-dive research on them; watching film, consulting staff, doing cap calculations, projecting lines and future rosters, talking to your sources around the league about said player. And much more I'm sure.

But with PLD and Fiala it doesn't feel like that was done. These are guys who look good on paper. Feels like the analysis ended there.

They needed scoring and needed a 2C, and they needed them immediately because of the foolish quest to win in a small window with ancient players. They weren't in a position to vet either player, they were the best available at the time and they acted on it. Moves like this are forced to be made when you are a faux contender.

And in response to Surfin Muzz. Why was it impossible to win in Denver last night? The Avs were 8-8-0 and 5-5-0 in Denver this season. Right now they are a one line team.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It isn't even just those two guys. They are getting the exact same Edmondson that he was last year, but significantly overpaid him. They took one look at Jeannot's 24 goal outlier season and thought he'd score 15 in LA.

It feels like an echo chamber where everyone is scared to say anything against the grain or give a differing opinion. Then the team has the balls to claim their stats are years ahead of what we have... But then their projections continue to be horribly wrong.

I don't know what has them feeling this way but they seem to believe they can rehab/get the most out of any player

like they've looked at Jeannot's and PLD's and Edmondson's peaks and said 'why wouldn't they do that here' and the smugness it takes to do that REPEATEDLY should be disqualifying all on its own

 

[King'sPawn]

It isn't even just those two guys. They are getting the exact same Edmondson that he was last year, but significantly overpaid him. They took one look at Jeannot's 24 goal outlier season and thought he'd score 15 in LA.

It feels like an echo chamber where everyone is scared to say anything against the grain or give a differing opinion. Then the team has the balls to claim their stats are years ahead of what we have... But then their projections continue to be horribly wrong.

I honestly think it's more simple than that. They probably see skills the players bring, and hear they're good guys in the locker room.

But this is surface-level. Fiala, with his skillset, is talented. But I don't know if they pay attention or they think they can "coach it out of him" when it comes down to blind passes. Much like PLD. They saw a big center who just needed motivation.

I understand they look at analytics a lot, so I think they expect to be able to coach these players to having more focus or motivation.

They saw players like Quick and Toffoli apply themselves when they were younger after having some lapses in maturity, and think it can be corrected in all.

It's like thinking you'll have the perfect spouse if you can just get them to stop cheating. Sometimes you can't. But you hope marrying into it will "fix" it.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Regression to the mean!!!!
Keep that regression rolling & we might be able to dump Bluc!

Vilardi: He'd be one of the slowest King's players today. Edmundson might be slower. Vilardi just isn't cut out for the King's high octane north, south game.

Edit: Lewis started on 4th line, get what you deserve Hiller.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Acquisitions are tough when you look at FA lists for off season, as I did recently.

It was a revelation.

There ain't jack out there really.

You gotta roll the dice somewhere.

I like that Blake attempted to get value but leaves himself an out in case the acquisition does not work out.

If Villardi can make it through the playoffs healthy it will be the only piece I am unhappy about losing.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I mean for the kids at least these are expected growing pains.

Guys like Danault and Fiala don't have that excuse. Byfield and Spence do. Spence is being miscast/overused at this stage unfortunately, Byfield is struggling mightily, but you have to let him work through it. Development isn't linear and you're often going to get one step back before two steps forward...even Stutzle has followed that pattern.

My worry with him still stems more from the fact that they're still making Kopitar the main character.

Kopitar was money last night.

If the other guys played with his effort it would have been an important win.


You guys make it seem like there is more out there than there is.

Dream on dreamers!

Wasn't Fial's night and he does do some dumb thing but I really don't want to watch a team that is worse than Colombus.

Fiala has a full NMC until 2026.

Not in these guys dream, dream dream land.

They can make any move for peanuts.

There is an abundance of free agents that are so good.

I appreciate your realistic posts.

 

[crassbonanza]

I mean for the kids at least these are expected growing pains.

Guys like Danault and Fiala don't have that excuse. Byfield and Spence do. Spence is being miscast/overused at this stage unfortunately, Byfield is struggling mightily, but you have to let him work through it. Development isn't linear and you're often going to get one step back before two steps forward...even Stutzle has followed that pattern.

My worry with him still stems more from the fact that they're still making Kopitar the main character.

When did Stutzle follow this pattern? When he fell from 90 points to 70 points?

 

[crassbonanza]

I honestly think it's more simple than that. They probably see skills the players bring, and hear they're good guys in the locker room.

But this is surface-level. Fiala, with his skillset, is talented. But I don't know if they pay attention or they think they can "coach it out of him" when it comes down to blind passes. Much like PLD. They saw a big center who just needed motivation.

I understand they look at analytics a lot, so I think they expect to be able to coach these players to having more focus or motivation.

They saw players like Quick and Toffoli apply themselves when they were younger after having some lapses in maturity, and think it can be corrected in all.

It's like thinking you'll have the perfect spouse if you can just get them to stop cheating. Sometimes you can't. But you hope marrying into it will "fix" it.

What lapses in maturity did Quick and Tofolli have? I remember the question mark on Tofolli being his skating, which is why he fell. Leading to the scouting group slamming the table for Dean to trade up for him. I don't remember any stories of him having maturity issues. For Quick, are you talking about him cussing at the cup parade as a maturity lapse?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

When did Stutzle follow this pattern? When he fell from 90 points to 70 points?

he went from 39 to 18 goals and -3 to -17 by having to endure bigger tougher minutes yes

I see you're trying to mock the line of thought because they're bigger #s and I'm only using the example because it was directly referenced in this thread but its incredibly normal to have fits and starts, it was the exact same stuff, 'yeah this guy isn't going to be able to carry the team after all'. Development isn't linear. And id say especially so when you have the Kings motherf***ing your every move. Ottawa kept Stutzle at 1C and now he's owning it. LA moved Byfield from 3W to 1W to 3C to whatever the hell he even is now and sure you want the player to overcome it but when even the organization doesn't have a vision it's at best not helpful and this is probably the kid they're treating the best

What lapses in maturity did Quick and Tofolli have? I remember the question mark on Tofolli being his skating, which is why he fell. Leading to the scouting group slamming the table for Dean to trade up for him. I don't remember any stories of him having maturity issues. For Quick, are you talking about him cussing at the cup parade as a maturity lapse?

Quick slept in and missed a practice or team meeting and Hexy and DL read him the riot act

 

[crassbonanza]

he went from 39 to 18 goals and -3 to -17 by having to endure bigger tougher minutes yes

I see you're trying to mock the line of thought because they're bigger #s and I'm only using the example because it was directly referenced in this thread but its incredibly normal to have fits and starts, it was the exact same stuff, 'yeah this guy isn't going to be able to carry the team after all'. Development isn't linear. And id say especially so when you have the Kings motherf***ing your every move. Ottawa kept Stutzle at 1C and now he's owning it. LA moved Byfield from 3W to 1W to 3C to whatever the hell he even is now and sure you want the player to overcome it but when even the organization doesn't have a vision it's at best not helpful and this is probably the kid they're treating the best



Quick slept in and missed a practice or team meeting and Hexy and DL read him the riot act

I don't think using plus minus is a great example of development. Sutter was way ahead of his time funny as it was when he ripped that stat. I don't feel like looking it up this late, but did his gf% rel drop significantly as well? I do agree with you that the Kings did Byfield no favors though, his development plan has made no sense.

As for the Quick story, I apparently missed that one, which isn't all that surprising for that time period. I was probably still hoping that Frolov scored on that breakaway.

 

[CarlSneep]

From what I remember, Quick slept through a meeting with Hextall after Hextall had flown to Manchester to see him and Hextall came down upon him with a righteous fury ne’er before seen by mankind.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Can you imagine being late for a meeting with Hextall

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't think using plus minus is a great example of development. Sutter was way ahead of his time funny as it was when he ripped that stat. I don't feel like looking it up this late, but did his gf% rel drop significantly as well? I do agree with you that the Kings did Byfield no favors though, his development plan has made no sense.

As for the Quick story, I apparently missed that one, which isn't all that surprising for that time period. I was probably still hoping that Frolov scored on that breakaway.

Yes there are plenty more indicators, but his xgf dropped from 55 to 49 and from amongst the best on the sens to middle of the pack

QB has gone from 56 to 52 but amongst the worst on the kings from amongst the best

I didn't mean to oversimplify either, can dig more if we want to, but I don't think we need to--I don't feel like the point is that controversial but we have a hard time seeing guys take steps back on this forum. Which I get to some degree given the org's propensity to f*** around, but as for the individual players, they deserve more relative grace for developmental speedbumps, especially those that should have happened 2-3 years ago in most cases. It's not their fault the org 'needs' them now after c***b***ck their development before.

"well Jordan sorry we gave you dogwater minutes with the worst dman in the NHL but now we need you to be Drew Doughty" like the f***

 

[King'sPawn]

What lapses in maturity did Quick and Tofolli have? I remember the question mark on Tofolli being his skating, which is why he fell. Leading to the scouting group slamming the table for Dean to trade up for him. I don't remember any stories of him having maturity issues. For Quick, are you talking about him cussing at the cup parade as a maturity lapse?

Quick slept in on a team meeting. Toffolli didn't take physical fitness very seriously when he was first drafted and couldn't even do a pull-up.

Not major flaws, but not things you'd expect from professionals.