Speculation: Another year of this Bluc **** (The 2024-25 season thread)

[Axl Rhoadz]

Jokinen made the Kings out of camp at 18, was sent back to Europe.
Played 9 games in the AHL at 19 and was an NHL regular from that point forward.

He was not "slow-burned" in the way Yanetti and Emerson talk about Kings players now and the excessive AHL marination unique to the Kings. He was a combination of just being overrated as a prospect and ending up in far from ideal development situations with terrible franchises in the Kings and Islanders.

If it takes 6 years for a Top 3 pick to become a scoring line player in the NHL it's not something to be proud of.

I said ‘anti-slow burn’.

 

[Magicman]

Think it was due to cash being involved, as Bettman also didn’t allow the original trade of Palffy to the Rangers to go through.

The original trade, if I remember correctly, with the Rangers was approved by the NHL with 2.5 mil in cash, however the Islanders owners asked the Rangers for more money when Taylor upped his offer.

That's when Bettman nixed the Rangers deal and put the onus on any team that deals for Palffy needed to include a "Bona-Fide" NHL player and cash could no longer be moved.

The whole thing is that Olli really wasn't a bona-fide NHL player, just a young player with promise and a low contract that the Islanders owners would rather pay than Palffy's new deal.

 

[King'sPawn]

Think it was due to cash being involved, as Bettman also didn’t allow the original trade of Palffy to the Rangers to go through.

Might be my old age, but I thought cash transactions were allowed until the cap was implemented.

The only difference with the original trade was replacing Scott Barney with Olli Jokinen.

 

[Lt Dan]

Might be my old age, but I thought cash transactions were allowed until the cap was implemented.

The only difference with the original trade was replacing Scott Barney with Olli Jokinen.

They were, but the league was HIGHLY discouraging it to the point of denying trades

There was a huge fear that the Pens were going to sell Jagr to stay financially viable

 

[GameNight]

Here it is, nearly a year on. Since Feb 2 2024 to today, the Jim Hiller effect. More wins in the standings sure, but I observe no one individual player looking better under Hiller. Big regression looking at Fiala, Moore, Danault vs previous seasons yet these guys are still at the top of team scoring? Woof.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Palffy is one of 10 most unlucky NHL players ever.

Played almost his whole career with tweeners and was still a PPG player at the end of it.
This is a player who would be in the HHOF with better teammates and less injuries.

 

[tigermask48]

That Fiala -3 sticking out like crazy among those other players.

 

[Herby]

Palffy is one of 10 most unlucky NHL players ever.

Played almost his whole career with tweeners and was still a PPG player at the end of it.
This is a player who would be in the HHOF with better teammates and less injuries.

He also spent his entire career playing in the most pathetic and embarrassing era in league history, being clutched and grabbed by bums who wouldn't sniff NHL ice in the modern game. Had he played a decade earlier or a decade later he would have been viewed much differently. If he were playing today he would have been somewhere between a Stutzle on the low-end and Kucherov on the high-end.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

View attachment 968015

Here it is, nearly a year on. Since Feb 2 2024 to today, the Jim Hiller effect. More wins in the standings sure, but I observe no one individual player looking better under Hiller. Big regression looking at Fiala, Moore, Danault vs previous seasons yet these guys are still at the top of team scoring? Woof.

So you are saying we should bring back the 1-3-1?

 

[Herby]

So you are saying we should bring back the 1-3-1?

No, it just shows that no matter who the coach is or what system they play the team has a woeful talent level that shows through on un-important metrics like goals-for and PP percentage. Many people here thought the Kings offensive numbers were a result of Todd or the 1-3-1, and now it's become more and more clear that wasn't the reason for the inept offensive production. It's the Jimmy's and Joe's, not the x's and o's.

Hiller deserves a lot of credit for turning the chicken shit roster he has been given into a black hole playoff team. The margin for error every night is razor thin, yet he has been able produce results that most guys wouldn't be able to do. I'm sure the new GM will want to go in a new direction behind the bench, but I'd personally like to see what Hiller could do with a roster that has more than two capable top six forwards. I suspect he will land on his feet, and if he can get a better roster to buy-in he may have great success.

 

[Statto]

View attachment 968015

Here it is, nearly a year on. Since Feb 2 2024 to today, the Jim Hiller effect. More wins in the standings sure, but I observe no one individual player looking better under Hiller. Big regression looking at Fiala, Moore, Danault vs previous seasons yet these guys are still at the top of team scoring? Woof.

If you define better as simply goals and assists. Broadly speaking they are playing a better all around game, consistently with more compete.

Not saying they are cup contenders but they are a better ‘team’.

 

[johnjm22]

No, it just shows that no matter who the coach is or what system they play the team has a woeful talent level that shows through on un-important metrics like goals-for and PP percentage. Many people here thought the Kings offensive numbers were a result of Todd or the 1-3-1, and now it's become more and more clear that wasn't the reason for the inept offensive production. It's the Jimmy's and Joe's, not the x's and o's.

Hiller deserves a lot of credit for turning the chicken shit roster he has been given into a black hole playoff team. The margin for error every night is razor thin, yet he has been able produce results that most guys wouldn't be able to do. I'm sure the new GM will want to go in a new direction behind the bench, but I'd personally like to see what Hiller could do with a roster that has more than two capable top six forwards. I suspect he will land on his feet, and if he can get a better roster to buy-in he may have great success.

I agree.

And I've been saying it for years. The Kings don't have the horses upfront to truly contend. Both Todd and Jim took the correct approach to win as many games as possible given their on-ice personnel.

I don't think the roster is "chicken shit" though. I think it has solid depth and a nice mix of vets and youth, but we only have one truly high end forward: Kempe.

 

[Schrute farms]

My desire for Kings playoff success is being driven more now just to shut some of you guys up rather than the joy of watching this team and the sport. It's pathetic.

Yes....yes you are. We're all well aware of it. I'm just glad you finally can admit it.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Winning a round in the playoffs would be awesome! We could DOUBLE! Our playoff games won in the last decade by making the second round!!!!! Blake would get a ten year extension!!!!

But, we'll just get a questionable move at the deadline. Most will be happy if 1st or Greentree not included, then a quick flameout in the playoffs barring some catastrophic collapse from the team we're matched up with.

My guess is a 3rd pair D that has size & can shoot & a gritty forward making under 2 million.

Pats on the back for yet another "successful" season of King's hockey as we question wether or not Doughty is the least impactful player making over 10 million a year going into the summer.

 

[Herby]

I agree.

And I've been saying it for years. The Kings don't have the horses upfront to truly contend. Both Todd and Jim took the correct approach to win as many games as possible given their on-ice personnel.

I don't think the roster is "chicken shit" though. I think it has solid depth and a nice mix of vets and youth, but we only have one truly high end forward: Kempe.

Maybe an unfair word in comparison to the rest of the league, but for a team that is in it's 4th season of "contending" the roster is chicken shit compared to actual playoff contenders.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I wonder if Canada will ask DD to come join 4 nations (due to Petrangelo dropping).. Im actually for the idea - it will get him back to game shape quicker while not effecting the LAK.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Some data to support the eye test. Edit to put in screen cap.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Some data to support the eye test

Fiala was the best forward on the ice last night.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Fiala was the best forward on the ice last night.

I agree he had a good game. This is over 3 seasons - so can see a bit of a downwards trend. You have to click the link to see the trend line... not visible in the preview.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I agree he had a good game. This is over 3 seasons - so can see a bit of a downwards trend. You have to click the link to see the trend line... not visible in the preview.

Yah, I'm not seeing much here except that his defense was off the charts good last year compared to previous years, and then this year it's back to what his average was. As far as offence, it's trending to be lower than average this year, but you still got 35 games to go.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Some data to support the eye test. Edit to put in screen cap.

View attachment 968509

Only 1 more year on Fiala's NMC. Then 10 team no trade list.

 

[tigermask48]

Some data to support the eye test. Edit to put in screen cap.

View attachment 968509

Looks like a big ol Mission Accomplished to me. Finally made him into Just Another Guy and broke him of that horribly nasty habit of"just putting up points."

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Game Score Card vs. Florida below as well.
Fiala does not get credit when he plays well but every mistake is pointed out. Some posters only pop up with a turnover from Fiala.

Yes i also see horrific gaffes from him but its not much different with a few others.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Game Score Card vs. Florida below as well.
Fiala does not get credit when he plays well but every mistake is pointed out. Some posters only pop up with a turnover from Fiala.

Yes i also see horrific gaffes from him but its not much different with a few others.

<thumbs up>

 

[Schmooley]

Game Score Card vs. Florida below as well.
Fiala does not get credit when he plays well but every mistake is pointed out. Some posters only pop up with a turnover from Fiala.

Yes i also see horrific gaffes from him but its not much different with a few others.

Come on you are being dishonest. He was making the exact same mistake 3+ times a game for months. No one was nitpicking Fiala for no reason and really it is much different than others because no one else on the roster makes those gaffes at that place on the ice time and time again. Even Jim Fox, the biggest Kings fan in the world, was calling out the mistakes.
No one had a problem saying he played great vs Detroit and he didnt make those mistakes and was much more direct. He was their best player.
This idea some of you have that we just want to hate Fiala is absurd. If you watched any game until the last 3 you wouldnt say such nonsense.