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Kings Article: Adrian Kempe Needs "A Bit More Purpose Or Dig In His Game" Despite Good Debut

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I tend to agree. I like that they already went over video with him with instructions, though. Hope he doesn't OVERthink out there, but the complaint was never his skating or the things he did well in game 1, it was defensive awareness and consistency. I thought he was mostly a mess in physical play, though, but I know that will come, based on what we've seen of him at every other level. I was shocked to see him shy away from getting hit, and he was throwing 'token' hits but not the kind of punishment he usually doles out. Again I attribute it to the shock of the NHL game, I think he'll be fine, and he'll realize how effective that part of his game is when he starts pissing people off again :laugh: Don't get me wrong, he's not a pest, but he can bang.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
I was shocked to see him shy away from getting hit, and he was throwing 'token' hits but not the kind of punishment he usually doles out. Again I attribute it to the shock of the NHL game, I think he'll be fine, and he'll realize how effective that part of his game is when he starts pissing people off again :laugh: Don't get me wrong, he's not a pest, but he can bang.
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He looked pretty small out there against NHLers. I don't know how physical of a player he can be at this level.
 
His speed is his best quality, He also plays fast.

Other than that, he doesn't have the best scoring touch. He is around or even below Pearson in that department (skill wise).

I think he looked and played fast, Kopitar/Toffoli had trouble keeping up.
When Kempe doesn't use his speed or fast IQ, he floats. That's been the problem with him since day one.
 
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The Kings made a mistake not sending Kempe to the juniors when he first came over. He could have played the first line, and the top power play. Rather the 4th and third line in the minor leagues.
 
sinister6000 said:
The Kings made a mistake not sending Kempe to the juniors when he first came over. He could have played the first line, and the top power play. Rather the 4th and third line in the minor leagues.
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Kempe has spent very little time, as a bottom six guy.

He was more of a third/second line player in the SWE league. He has played the vast majority of his time in the AHL as a top six forward option, and PP player.

Kempe simply doesn't have a scoring touch like Toffoli, probably never will.

There is a reason Kempe went at the back-end of the first round. Plenty of raw untapped talent/speed/IQ/Size. But the guy is not going to light scoreboards on fire.

Still, Kempe can develop into a tweener role person, that's still very good.
 
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Folks, the vast majority of prospects turn out to be washouts, and not even make the NHL, let alone career AHL players.

Keep that in mind.
 
Since I heard Bobby Mac say when Adrian Kempe was drafted that Kempe didn't have a lot of offensive potential but was a team guy, two-way player, guaranteed to play, I didn't expect a primary goal-scorer. I just would like to see him be dependable, consistent, and give it the very best he's got. Also, help keep the Kings from being embarrassed by speedy teams like they were by Tampa last week.
 
damacles1156 said:
Folks, the vast majority of prospects turn out to be washouts, and not even make the NHL, let alone career AHL players.

Keep that in mind.
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Yeah, I genuinely believe a lot of people forget how low the chances are to make the NHL.

Even bad teams who desperately need help can't keep forcing unfit players.

The Kings are an exceptional organization in this regard. They may not draft the best players every draft, but they develop regular NHLers at a higher clip than most.
 
johnjm22 said:
He looked pretty small out there against NHLers. I don't know how physical of a player he can be at this level.
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was thinking the same thing. he looked relatively small and kinda lost against the Yotes, not like he was out of position necessarily but just ineffective? idk, but Id rather see him than Setoguchi's ghost. hopefully he plays well tonight
 
King'sPawn said:
Yeah, I genuinely believe a lot of people forget how low the chances are to make the NHL.

Even bad teams who desperately need help can't keep forcing unfit players.

The Kings are an exceptional organization in this regard. They may not draft the best players every draft, but they develop regular NHLers at a higher clip than most.
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Yeah but you win championships with Kopitar's, Doughty's, Quick's, Brown's etc.

I don't know if drafting a ton Shore's, Clifford's etc. is anything to be excited about.
 
Can't be any worse than the paycheck vs production like Kopi this season. Give the kid a chance.
 
Herby said:
Yeah but you win championships with Kopitar's, Doughty's, Quick's, Brown's etc.

I don't know if drafting a ton Shore's, Clifford's etc. is anything to be excited about.
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You actually win with both. Don't forget some of the contributions from King, Martinez, etc.
 
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