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Speculation: 2025 TDL Discussion

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What exactly is a “PP Specialist” when it comes to the Kings Powerplay? Doesn’t matter if you have an Ovechkin-like shot, you’re going to be doing tic-tac-toe passing until it’s intercepted and cleared.
 
bland said:
He doesn't have to be Faber. But he cannot be Tyson Barrie. This team needs Clarke to be a top pairing defender and not a 3rd pairing PP specialist. If that involves some tough love at the start, fine.

We have no idea how he is reacting away from the cameras, maybe he is banged up, maybe he is sulking, who knows. I have suspected for a long time that the elder statesmen on this team do not appreciate brash players, especially youngsters, so there could be any number of things going on here.

One thing is for absolute certain - the drama queens are out in full force right now.
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Doughty was as brash as they come. If they don’t like it in Clarke but liked it in Doughty the whole front office needs to go.
 
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I told you they had no vested interest in developing a new generation of players. There is a looming catastrophy as Kopitar and Doughty age-out and sacrificing Clarke will be the least of their problems. They need a star or more Fialas and Danaults that are going to prevent the downfall back to the bottom 10 finishes. From 2017 to 2021 they had 6 first round picks (3 in top 10) and 8 second round picks. If they deal Clarke, the only player of note on the Kings from those picks will be Quinton Byfield. That's one toolsy center who has yet to find his game. Out of 6 first round picks and 8 second round picks.
 
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NikF said:
I told you they had no vested interest in developing a new generation of players. There is a looming catastrophy as Kopitar and Doughty age-out and sacrificing Clarke will be the least of their problems. They need a star or more Fialas and Danaults that are going to prevent the downfall back to the bottom 10 finishes. From 2017 to 2021 they had 6 first round picks (3 in top 10) and 8 second round picks. If they deal Clarke, the only player of note on the Kings from those picks will be Quinton Byfield. That's one toolsy center who has yet to find his game. Out of 6 first round picks and 8 second round picks.
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Agree. I think I posted on here a month ago, the Kings drafted a #1C, #1W, #D and #1G from 2003, through 2008: Brown 2003, Kopitar 2005, Quick 2005 and Doughty 2008. Since They've had 16 years of drafting to replace all of them, via the draft. Only 2014 Kempe and I suppose 2020 Byfield, have they really hit. (talking legit top 6 forwards)
Of course there have been some pretty good draftees, but not like those 4. I would say Kempe RW matches Brown, RW. I find it hard to believe that they've hit on so few. Drafting in rd 1,2 and even 3, you'd better find more than a few middle 6 forwards and a few top 4 D.

Which brings me to another point. One could say the Kings top 3 most skilled forwards are: Kempe, Fiala and Kopitar (meaning prior to age 35) all Europeans. And yet, pouring over their drafts, (mainly talking about forwards) you've got 2014 Kempe 29th OA...2018 Kupari 20 OA, 2019 Fagemo 50th, 2020 Simontaival 66th. They've then avoided Europe and Russia for top round forwards. (Dvorak LHD rd 2023)

When you consider the Kings prime forward skill / talent is European and you look at other teams drafts,
other teams have some big hits in rds 2-4 on European and Russian forwards...even Russians that were bubble 1st rd last yr, Chernyshov, Artamonov, are killing it...and look at Demidov? 5 teams pass on him?
Demidov almost a ppg in KHL at 19?? When was the last time that happened? Montreal fans are DAILY celebrating his arrival...CHI should have taken him!
I think the Russia thing is overhyped, that the war and politics are certainly not this huge risk as it's made out to be...outside of Kaprizov having issues a yr or 2 ago, getting back in, there's been nothing...and this war seems to be coming to an end and more stability USA-RUS. But don't want to get into all that, but you see all Russians going back and forth to their home and NA no big deal.

Do you know Kings scouting? Do they only have Ruutu as fulltime covering europe and Russia?
They need more scouts there. I like *Yannetti and his passion...but I think there's something wrong,
in that the Kings are missing out on highly skilled european and Russian forwards...and yes, defensemen too. I think the 2018 'miss' on Kupari makes them shy away??

*one weird Yannetti thing that may actually be an issue...heard him at least 20 times on pods and he brags that he would never ever leave his house, if he didn't have to. Like, for real. Strange vocation, you have; director scouting that doesn't want to travel. Not questioning his passion, knowledge and doing his job. He was almost furious he / team missed out on Wyatt Johnston and that should never happen...something about Dallas knowing something about him, during covid and the post covid yr...what that was? IDK....but it showed me that he will do anything, to have the right info and get it.

I wonder if he even goes to Europe or Russia...ever. Live streams and videos are just that. video.

Would love your thoughts!

Kings drafts for reference.


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