GDT: 2024-25 season game 62 LA Kings vs Vegas Golden Knights @5:00pm 3/9/25

[chris kontos]

Blake called for the 1-3-1 because he lacked confidence in the goaltenders. For good reason because they sucked.
They seem happy with the present guy

 

[Schmooley]

Blake called for the 1-3-1 because he lacked confidence in the goaltenders. For good reason because they sucked.
They seem happy with the present guy

A gm should not dictate those decisions to a coach. Talbot was fine enough last year that you dont need to be running 1-3-1 when you are losing a game.

 

[chris kontos]

A gm should not dictate those decisions to a coach. Talbot was fine enough last year that you dont need to be running 1-3-1 when you are losing a game.

I agree completely. Just another sign of how messed up the management is. Except the talbot part. Nethier one of those guys were any good. But running 1-3-1 was frustrating to watch especially when the team was behind. I truly felt like i couldnt believe what i was watching

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

The final adjustment Hiller & co need to make is on the powerplay. According to daily faceoff, the Kings went with the following powerplay units yesterday:

PP1: Kuzmenko, Kopitar, Fiala, Kempe, Doughty
PP2: Byfield, Danault, Moore, Foegele, Clarke

Would love to see a few changes to that 2nd unit. Danault and Foegele both have 0 powerplay points all season. Love those guys 5 on 5, but they really don't bring a ton of threat/offense to a powerplay. If you replace those two with Laferriere and Spence, I think you'd see a much more dangerous PP2.

I also personally like the idea of swapping Byfield and Kopitar - But I'm not holding my breath for that one and Kopitar has proven he can still be effective on the powerplay so it's not a huge deal leaving him there. Then Byfield can essentially run the 2nd unit. Still solid.

You need Danault out there for the faceoffs......gotta get possession but I would swap Laffy and him if that wasn't an issue, Foegle put him in front of the net and let them go.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Edmundson has been fantastic this season, there is no reason to criticize him for anything.

A 22 year old that you want to learn basic defense? Yeah, that's the guy that needs to be held accountable.

Sorry such a simple thing is getting lost on some of you.

Oh, we're going to do this again?

You didn't even respond to the mountains of evidence to the contrary otherwise last time so I'm not going to give you the cliff notes again. All I'll say is grab a notepad and every time you're getting ready to blame clarke, write down where his partner is on the ice. Hint--you often won't even be able to see him on screen.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

Didn't Blake say Portillo is out for several weeks/month with an injury at the TDL presser?

Yes. He also said that there will probably be an emergency vet 3rd goalie for playoffs because Copley needs to stay in the AHL with Portillo out so long. I wonder who that could be.

Not a question for you but anyone on here...do the Kings have 24 players on the roster right now? I thought they couldn't go past 23 until the last game of the regular season for all teams.

 

[All The Kings Men]

I remember talking to Rob Blake about the 1-3-1 and getting confirmation from both him and McLellan that not only was the 1-3-1 organizationally "suggested" but also that they acquired personnel to fit the system confirming that the RHD were all in the mold of a puck moving skaters and the LHD were all in the Edler/Anderson mold.

HOWEVER I have never heard so much as a hint of a sniff of a rumor that Drew Doughty is dictating lineup decisions.

That doesn't mean it's not being said but I simpy haven't heard it even as a rumor and I've heard plenty of rumors that I don't believe and some that I do about the relative influence of players on the organization.

Incidentally there's an interview out there with McLellan after he left the Kings (I think with Cam & Strick) where Todd McLellan was asked about Dubois. (in summer post trade and firing)

He said "The LA Kings play the game a little different than a lot of teams do. Checking comes first."

He didn't say "WE" played the game a little bit differently. He refers to the organization as having a distinct style and he did it in an attempt to somewhat explain the Dubois season.

When I heard it it struck me immediately as curious.



It's long but it's in there.

EDIT: the point about the 1-3-1 is that it wasn't a last season thing... it was around for a long time nobody talked about it til the team started making the playoffs three seasons in a row and whats his name in vancouver piped up about it

 

[AbsentMojo]

I remember talking to Rob Blake about the 1-3-1 and getting confirmation from both him and McLellan that not only was the 1-3-1 organizationally "suggested" but also that they acquired personnel to fit the system confirming that the RHD were all in the mold of a puck moving skaters and the LHD were all in the Edler/Anderson mold.

HOWEVER I have never heard so much as a hint of a sniff of a rumor that Drew Doughty is dictating lineup decisions.

That doesn't mean it's not being said but I simpy haven't heard it even as a rumor and I've heard plenty of rumors that I don't believe and some that I do about the relative influence of players on the organization.

Incidentally there's an interview out there with McLellan after he left the Kings (I think with Cam & Strick) where Todd McLellan was asked about Dubois. (in summer post trade and firing)

He said "The LA Kings play the game a little different than a lot of teams do. Checking comes first."

He didn't say "WE" played the game a little bit differently. He refers to the organization as having a distinct style and he did it in an attempt to somewhat explain the Dubois season.

When I heard it it struck me immediately as curious.



It's long but it's in there.

EDIT: the point about the 1-3-1 is that it wasn't a last season thing... it was around for a long time nobody talked about it til the team started making the playoffs three seasons in a row and whats his name in vancouver piped up about it

Thx for the context. Re Doughty influencing personnel, its hardly a stretch to buy that since he actually changed the direction of the org with a few public comments. My guess the power dynamics on that team are pretty dysfunctional with dictums come from above (1-3-1) and below the head coach. Given that Hiller is a 1st time HC its quite understandable that he cant do things that say Torts could try like move Kopi off of PP1 and/or to 3C.

 

[Schmooley]

EDIT: the point about the 1-3-1 is that it wasn't a last season thing... it was around for a long time nobody talked about it til the team started making the playoffs three seasons in a row and whats his name in vancouver piped up about it

Kings fans talked about the 1-3-1 before vancouver. We had to sit through it a long time

 

[Lt Dan]

 

[chris kontos]

David REBOUND rittich

 

[FSL KINGS]

David REBOUND rittich

Rittick closed his legs after the 5th one. Everything worked out.

 

[Lt Dan]

 

[Trash Panda]

The dumpster fire effect.

 

[Lt Dan]

 

[FSL KINGS]

I remember talking to Rob Blake about the 1-3-1 and getting confirmation from both him and McLellan that not only was the 1-3-1 organizationally "suggested" but also that they acquired personnel to fit the system confirming that the RHD were all in the mold of a puck moving skaters and the LHD were all in the Edler/Anderson mold.

HOWEVER I have never heard so much as a hint of a sniff of a rumor that Drew Doughty is dictating lineup decisions.

That doesn't mean it's not being said but I simpy haven't heard it even as a rumor and I've heard plenty of rumors that I don't believe and some that I do about the relative influence of players on the organization.

Incidentally there's an interview out there with McLellan after he left the Kings (I think with Cam & Strick) where Todd McLellan was asked about Dubois. (in summer post trade and firing)

He said "The LA Kings play the game a little different than a lot of teams do. Checking comes first."

He didn't say "WE" played the game a little bit differently. He refers to the organization as having a distinct style and he did it in an attempt to somewhat explain the Dubois season.

When I heard it it struck me immediately as curious.



It's long but it's in there.

EDIT: the point about the 1-3-1 is that it wasn't a last season thing... it was around for a long time nobody talked about it til the team started making the playoffs three seasons in a row and whats his name in vancouver piped up about it

Blake didn't force Todd into icing PL & Fiala in the bottom 6 & not together. King's are going to need a more defensive plan due to lack of talent, but Todd isn't getting off the hook here for his part in this calamity.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Blake didn't force Todd into icing PL & Fiala in the bottom 6 & not together. King's are going to need a more defensive plan due to lack of talent, but Todd isn't getting off the hook here for his part in this calamity.

I'm not trying to absolve anyone for anything I'm just trying to provide more public context to the conversation.

Kings fans talked about the 1-3-1 before vancouver. We had to sit through it a long time

It definitely didn't just show up in 2023-24.

Thx for the context. Re Doughty influencing personnel, its hardly a stretch to buy that since he actually changed the direction of the org with a few public comments.

I don't believe that's how it went down at all and I've heard the arguments and I'm well aware of the timelines.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I don't believe that's how it went down at all and I've heard the arguments and I'm well aware of the timelines.

Well if it wasnt Drew's comments or influence, I think the fact remains the rebuild ended a bit too soon, we can agree on that, yes? The team is at the cap and has spent its draft capital from the tank... 55, 92 and 14 are rising but 24, 8 and 11 are in noticeable decline - which basically means the team will continue to be stuck in the black hole. Do u think internally there is an acknowledgement of that, or are they still selling "we were right there"?

 

[Lt Dan]

I'm not trying to absolve anyone for anything I'm just trying to provide more public context to the conversation.


It definitely didn't just show up in 2023-24.


I don't believe that's how it went down at all and I've heard the arguments and I'm well aware of the timelines.

Was the rest of the Kings organization aware that Todd is a koala....Or is this yet another case of the fans being smarter than the front office?

 

[All The Kings Men]

Well if it wasnt Drew's comments or influence, I think the fact remains the rebuild ended a bit too soon, we can agree on that, yes? The team is at the cap and has spent its draft capital from the tank... 55, 92 and 14 are rising but 24, 8 and 11 are in noticeable decline - which basically means the team will continue to be stuck in the black hole. Do u think internally there is an acknowledgement of that, or are they still selling "we were right there"?

I think the rebuild ended too soon depending on what kind of organization you want.

This is me being INCREDIBLY POLITICAL and for that I'm sorry that's what you get when you talk to a sell out.

I know plenty of fans (and "shills") that think making the playoffs three (four?) seasons in a row is a positive. I know way more fans that think the way you do. So yes... if you happen to agree with your view of how the franchise is run then the rebuild was ended too soon.

HOWEVER... even if I conceded that it was... I don't believe it was because Drew Doughty made a half hearted comment in a post season media availability about wanting to compete.

 

[AbsentMojo]

HOWEVER... even if I conceded that it was... I don't believe it was because Drew Doughty made a half hearted comment in a post season media availability about wanting to compete.

Yeah maybe not. I dont blame him for feeling like that after 3 tanking seasons when he in his 30s. I do think the comments still had to have some influence on the FO thinking but thats on them.

 

[Statto]

Ya I saw the rest of it.. It does sound better at the end. Still it seems like Hiller does try to minimize Clarke's accomplishments and highlight his flaws. I agree that this may not be the most cut and dried example like the one earlier in the season.

Or he’s saying that by jumping in he wasn’t being irresponsible by pointing out he’s doing what he’s told to do. It’d be easy to infer he’s stating that he’s learned when to go and when not to.

You also need to also listen to the interview. The full question asked specifically about him activating and no choosing the right time to jump (i’m paraphrasing). The tone of Hillers reply, his head movements etc were nothing but positive on Clarke. He was clearly saying Clarke was doing it when he’s supposed to, there’s nothing else to it.

The guy posting on twitter was just following his own agenda and seeking clicks. I’d be interested to know if he listened to the interview and the full question, or if he’s just taking other people’s content and commenting on that. Journalism in 2025….

 

[BaileyFan]

Well if it wasnt Drew's comments or influence, I think the fact remains the rebuild ended a bit too soon, we can agree on that, yes? The team is at the cap and has spent its draft capital from the tank... 55, 92 and 14 are rising but 24, 8 and 11 are in noticeable decline - which basically means the team will continue to be stuck in the black hole. Do u think internally there is an acknowledgement of that, or are they still selling "we were right there"?

You see “stuck in the black hole”; they see “at worst in the playoff hunt in March/April for the next couple years”. I don’t think their goal is to win a Cup as much as it is to avoid finishing in the bottom 10 by any means necessary.

 

[FSL KINGS]

I'm not overly concerned about the Black Hole. This team is going to need to shift some serious pieces around in the very near future, or the wheels are going to fly completely off.

 

[AbsentMojo]

You see “stuck in the black hole”; they see “at worst in the playoff hunt in March/April for the next couple years”. I don’t think their goal is to win a Cup as much as it is to avoid finishing in the bottom 10 by any means necessary.

Thats it in a nutshell. I dont know if they really believe it - that just making the playoffs anything can happen, like its march madness. If it were 1 game for each round, sure thats plausible, but not a 7 game series for each level. The odds of the Kings winning the cup in any of these seasons are astronomical w EDM, VGK, Dallas, and AVs at their peak. So this regime is unserious about winning a cup - the black hole is just fine to them.