He’s just too boring to stand out unfortunately and he does not do anything to change that
Calling a defenseman boring isn't exactly a negative. We could use some boring after enduring some of the guys we were rolling out last year.
He’s just too boring to stand out unfortunately and he does not do anything to change that
I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing either however I think that’s why he doesn’t get a chance. You know how Todd likes his men.Calling a defenseman boring isn't exactly a negative. We could use some boring after enduring some of the guys we were rolling out last year.
That’s my take. After he was injured, in his short stints, who were his partners because IIRC it was mostly either Durzi or Walker whilst still finding his own game. Neither is going to help him settle back in or help his confidence. I remember thinking on several plays where he was exposed whilst out of position that he was trying to cover for his partner (pretty sure it was Durzi each time but can’t be 100% sure). He needs to be alongside Roy IMO to start the season and we will start to see him play much better as he will only need to focus on his own game.You're not alone. I thought Bjornfot was pretty solid who just didn't put up big numbers. But he still did a good job activating offensively while minimizing defensive catastrophes.
You know how Todd likes his men.
his contract is more likely to be very reasonable as it ages IMO.Anytime you sign a player to a significant contract there's a risk.
People are complaining about the contract, but I think 8.5M is pretty damn reasonable and will probably age well considering he's 25.
The Kings are betting his best years are in front of him, not behind him. We'll see. He certainly has the upside.
Bjornfot can also be Spence’s sidekick. They’ve played together for a whole season already. Should be a solid 3rd pairing, albeit undersized.That’s my take. After he was injured, in his short stints, who were his partners because IIRC it was mostly either Durzi or Walker whilst still finding his own game. Neither is going to help him settle back in or help his confidence. I remember thinking on several plays where he was exposed whilst out of position that he was trying to cover for his partner (pretty sure it was Durzi each time but can’t be 100% sure). He needs to be alongside Roy IMO to start the season and we will start to see him play much better as he will only need to focus on his own game.
He also needs to be able to play without feeling he has to be flawless because otherwise he sits. For an example of this see Byfield, Quinton. As soon as he was told he was on LW1 he settled into his game far better (scoring not withstanding). Letting young players feel trusted is everything, more so this generation than any before it.
2021-22 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 70 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 | -12 |
Bjornfot stats in the NHL two seasons ago. Real impact player. Englund will take this spot - mark my words.
2021-22 Los Angeles Kings NHL 70 0 8 8 6 -12
NHL Totals | 80 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 59 | -13 |
The 59 penalty minutes indicates Englund has a pulse, unlike Bjornfot who is an inert object much like a pylon, bag or cardboard cutout figure.lol
Englund's stats in the NHL as a whole
NHL Totals 80 0 7 7 59 -13
I'm not convinced you're not confusing this guy for Deryk Engelland
Or like Rob Scuderi. Who needed a bum like him?The 59 penalty minutes indicates Englund has a pulse, unlike Bjornfot who is an inert object much like a pylon, bag or cardboard cutout figure.
There isnt a single atom of Rob Scuderi in Bjornfot's game. Scuderi was noticeable. Scuderi had impact.Or like Rob Scuderi. Who needed a bum like him?
The 59 penalty minutes indicates Englund has a pulse, unlike Bjornfot who is an inert object much like a pylon, bag or cardboard cutout figure.
There are several fighting majors in those minutes, and I have looked at some film on Englund. This is a truculent player who throws down, there isnt another D like him on the roster. I dont think he is just a plug. Bjornfot is the plug.I too love when my journeyman AHL defenseman puts my NHL team on the PK
Acting like this guy is some kind of gamechanger impact player is, kindly, a joke.
Again I'm all for team toughness but putting this plug in the lineup doesn't 'fix' that.
MacDermid is the superior player AND fighter and you saw how well that's worked out. But sure, bringing in the guy who concussed Turcotte to get his face punched by in by Kolesar once every 10 games will surely change the complexion of this roster.
There are several fighting majors in those minutes, and I have looked at some film on Englund. This is a truculent player who throws down, there isnt another D like him on the roster. I dont think he is just a plug. Bjornfot is the plug.
What impact? A career high of 16 points when he was 30 years old? A career high PIM of 28 when he was 28 years old? He was a defensive defenseman. Not physical, not offensively gifted. Not even a gifted skater. Just smart defensively. And he didn't even start playing in the NHL until he was 25 years old. Bjornfot is 22.There isnt a single atom of Rob Scuderi in Bjornfot's game. Scuderi was noticeable. Scuderi had impact.
Yeah I'm curious how noticeable Scuderi was after his first 80 games in the NHL.What impact? A career high of 16 points when he was 30 years old? A career high PIM of 28 when he was 28 years old? He was a defensive defenseman. Not physical, not offensively gifted. Not even a gifted skater. Just smart defensively. And he didn't even start playing in the NHL until he was 25 years old. Bjornfot is 22.
There isnt a single atom of Rob Scuderi in Bjornfot's game. Scuderi was noticeable. Scuderi had impact.
Welcome to the big leagues, kid
thanks for saving us
ragdolled by a power forward
but once he gets sent to the hospital by reaves, the la kings will be tougher
What kind of moron fights on the PK when up a goal with 7 minutes left?
I stand by my comment! I was probably wrong about black hole but first round exit is just as bad!This smells like 2 French Canadians in the front office. We are about to be in a black f***ing hole!
lol, this is hyperbole
The Lucic trade.
He'll be a whipping boy before the end of the 2023-24 season.
Here's hoping PLD at least outscores Vilardi again next season. I have a feeling he's going to get a lot more offense with more ice time and more growth.
I love how everybody has such passionate opinions about a guy who played in C-bus and Winnipeg, so therefore most of us have barely seen him play. This place never changes.
I think he's going to play very well for us initially.
We'll see where it goes from there.
If Vilardi can stay healthy and not be a ~60 game max player while also being able to be effective with more minutes and more games then this could look bad. It's a lot of "ifs" for him. I don't think he has the stamina to eat big minutes over 82+ games. The 68 combined regular season/playoff games he put in last year are the most in his career so that is positive. He vanished after the hot start ("The Kopitar") but was looking real solid before the injury and then into the playoffs when he came back so maybe I'm wrong. Hope I am.
Cal Petersen. Trevor Moore. Big extensions based on one good "season" or ~80 games across two seasons. Vilardi couldn't stay up on the NHL team two seasons ago and then had his one good season last year, missing ~20 games along the way.
What was Vilardi's ask on this contract? Will be interesting to see what he takes in Winnipeg. If I'm him, I'm trying to get term based on injury history.
All of this is to say that PLD has proven he is worth Vilardi, hence additional pieces being needed to complete the deal. What PLD has to prove is that he is an 8 x $8.5MM guy. PLD has never played less than 70 games and is a legit NHL center. He has more value than Vilardi: I don't think that can be argued in good faith. Was it a good trade? That's a different debate.
There’s a few ifs about Vilardi but it’s not about skill or ability. If Vilardi remains healthy he will absolutely be a force to be reckoned with. I don’t think that’s up for debate. Which king pick have you seen in recent history that has his hip key iq, shot, hand eye coordination, size, mixed in with ridiculous hands. He has all the makings of a superstar. I’m not exaggerating. He has A LOT of good tools in his game to top it off really good hockey IQ.
I know this is “one good year” debate but there’s very little reason to think he won’t break out. Only thing hindering him is health but if that is a small issue then there’s no reason to think that Vilardi will regress.
There’s a better chance that Kempe will fizzle out than Vilardi stagnating.
I said it elsewhere but if you remove Vilardi’s hot streak to start the year, he had 15 goals in 52 games played.
Respectable top nine numbers but nothing earth shattering.
Shout out to those of us who nailed it when the trade happens and shout out to those of you who drove me crazy about “it’s just a hot streak bro”.I can't blame Blake for not wanting to pay a guy that has missed so much time and still missed a hefty amount last season.
Especially after Petersen and Moore.
I stand by my first comment, and every one after.Another guy with no heart and no drive. He’ll fit right the f*** in. Surf’s up Pierre.