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

[GoldenBearHockey]

Hopefully he also got a good parfait recipe while he was here

It's LA, isn't that a given?

 

[Telos]

Great interview with Jon Quick here. Starts around 47 minutes in.

That was a good interview, nice to hear Quickie outside of the rink enjoying himself. Everyone sees his gameday interviews and thinks that's him all of the time. It was also really interesting that Futa was there as well. Futa mentioned that both he and Quick thought they were Kings for life but Quick once said to Futa that if he ever traded him to trade him to the Rangers. It's nice that he gets to play his out his remaining years with his childhood team, but it is also a little interesting to hear Futa kind of pile on there that he thought he was going to stay in LA.

 

[Sol]

That was a good interview, nice to hear Quickie outside of the rink enjoying himself. Everyone sees his gameday interviews and thinks that's him all of the time. It was also really interesting that Futa was there as well. Futa mentioned that both he and Quick thought they were Kings for life but Quick once said to Futa that if he ever traded him to trade him to the Rangers. It's nice that he gets to play his out his remaining years with his childhood team, but it is also a little interesting to hear Futa kind of pile on there that he thought he was going to stay in LA.

Funny note, the Kings traded him to CBJ. Not the rangers.

 

[AbsentMojo]

That was a good interview, nice to hear Quickie outside of the rink enjoying himself. Everyone sees his gameday interviews and thinks that's him all of the time. It was also really interesting that Futa was there as well. Futa mentioned that both he and Quick thought they were Kings for life but Quick once said to Futa that if he ever traded him to trade him to the Rangers. It's nice that he gets to play his out his remaining years with his childhood team, but it is also a little interesting to hear Futa kind of pile on there that he thought he was going to stay in LA.

Futa wasnt in the 90s LAK pledge class.. didnt know the secret handshake, and was summarily discharged of his duties

 

[King'sPawn]

How to train with the pro's how Kopitar, Danault, and others handle themselves, off-ice things he can do to work on etc, there's a shit ton of things he could learn in the two weeks at an NHL camp.

He has been in the AHL training camp since September 30, not in NHL camp. So, he hasn't been training with Kopitar, Danault, etc in the past week. And he played just one game.

I would have been fine with keeping him up to train with the NHLers more. But the only benefit he got was one preseason game in Ontario? Meanwhile, Prince George has played 7 games already.

So, he doesn't get the full train with the best experience the whole time, nor does he get a lot of playing time. Just seems like more hedging.

 

[chris kontos]

Futa wasnt in the 90s LAK pledge class.. didnt know the secret handshake, and was summarily discharged of his duties

Mike futa has more hockey smarts in his little fingernail than the entire front office has over thier entire careers

 

[AbsentMojo]

Mike futa has more hockey smarts in his little fingernail than the entire front office has over thier entire careers

I think he deserved a shot as Kings GM, but obviously they groomed Blake for that. Here's a paragraph from the athletic re his departure (pasted here since there's a paywall)

"With the Kings, his role was nearly not as prominent this past season. One source outside the organization noted that his influence started to wane following the respective hockey-operations promotions of Nelson Emerson and Glen Murray in June 2018. Those fluctuations of power are not uncommon in many organizations."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1808026/2020/05/11/prominent-former-kings-react-to-michael-futas-departure/

 

[BaileyFan]

I think he deserved a shot as Kings GM, but obviously they groomed Blake for that. Here's a paragraph from the athletic re his departure (pasted here since there's a paywall)

"With the Kings, his role was nearly not as prominent this past season. One source outside the organization noted that his influence started to wane following the respective hockey-operations promotions of Nelson Emerson and Glen Murray in June 2018. Those fluctuations of power are not uncommon in many organizations."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1808026/2020/05/11/prominent-former-kings-react-to-michael-futas-departure/

Reading that paragraph is like watching a slow-motion replay of a train wreck.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Reading that paragraph is like watching a slow-motion replay of a train wreck.

Like the bolshevik revolution, they killed off the old regime and brought in an entire new one.. cant have one of Dean's hires get in the way of "progress" which for them was recreating the LAMBCC. "I like the beach" -- Joel Edmonson

 

[Statto]

He has been in the AHL training camp since September 30, not in NHL camp. So, he hasn't been training with Kopitar, Danault, etc in the past week. And he played just one game.

I would have been fine with keeping him up to train with the NHLers more. But the only benefit he got was one preseason game in Ontario? Meanwhile, Prince George has played 7 games already.

So, he doesn't get the full train with the best experience the whole time, nor does he get a lot of playing time. Just seems like more hedging.

They (prospects) nearly all talk about how much they learn from being around pro players and a pro environment , so I’m ok with it. From what is said in many pods I’ve listened to the gap from the most ‘professional’ junior teams is big and for many of them it is huge.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

Great posts. No McLellan, 1-3-1, PLD are truly positives and those 3 alone, make for a better season.

Not wanting to repeat all of the good and bad points above...but just want to add that it's finally going to be the year we can all see the top picks ALL PLAY for the Kings and they are all at their personal bests now and have total health:

2019 5 OA Turcotte
2020 2 OA Byfield
2021 8 OA Clarke

Turcotte says he's in his best condition and is healthy. Playing his game. Should only get better, with experience, I'm not expecting big offensive numbers, but something like 10 G 15 A would be fine and be good to build on. Hope his minutes increase during the yr and he gets some PK time.
I think it would be ideal that Turcotte is 3C when Phil's 2 yrs are up. (not sure if signing Danault in 2 yrs is right or wrong atm)

Byfield is clearly ready to take center and no doubt can and will be #1 center. Whether he's #2 or #3 it matters not, there's no stopping him. Just think he should be on #1 PP and Laf on #2 PP. Will work itself out. QB has arrived. Think 30 / 45 / 75 is easily reached, with Fiala and Foegele and decent PP mins. Think that QB is #1C when Kopi's 2 yrs are up.

Clarke is now 6'2" 200 I think and looks more mature and stronger. I think man strength was his only weakness and he's ready to handle NHL rigors. Let him play. Make a few errors. He is fine defensively and just needs experience, Glad he's paired with Edmundson to begin. Sky is the limit.
Thinking 10 G 30 A is not out of the question. He'll have #1 pp mins until Drew comes back. Who knows? Maybe they both can be on #1 PP.

And love that the Kings are playing tough and can back it up! I'd so love to see the POS dwerps like Nurse and others that have pushed the Kings around and cheap shotted them over the last few years, get beatdowns.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843683278760661402

 

[kingsboy11]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843683278760661402

Nooooo

 

[BigBrown]

NO!

I refuse to allow it. Keep working Nick, with you and Bob both gone I don't know what I will do.

 

[bland]

Electric Faustaloo?

 

[King'sPawn]

They (prospects) nearly all talk about how much they learn from being around pro players and a pro environment , so I’m ok with it. From what is said in many pods I’ve listened to the gap from the most ‘professional’ junior teams is big and for many of them it is huge.

I understand that, but my general premise is it's a middle of the road approach where he misses a handful of games to learn to "train like a pro", but he doesn't train with the best pros because, well... he gets a game to play?

It's not catastrophic or anything. And ultimately it's up to him to take the advice and train properly. It just feels like the Clarke situation to a lesser degree where he got the benefit of "training with the pros" while also missing out on playing time, even though the org had already decided in their mind where they wanted him to go.

 

[BringTheReign]

You all should listen to Yannetti talk about Ziemmer on either Jesse or John/Dennis’ podcast. He was a toss-up to make the AHL team in Yank’s mind, and he mentioned multiple times that he’s like Toffoli or Doughty in that the training staff really needed him to work on his body composition and off-ice training and nutrition. This is all on top of injury rehab. It makes 100% sense that they kept him up longer to hit on all this, and I think that is all way more valuable than a few WHL games.

 

[King'sPawn]

You all should listen to Yannetti talk about Ziemmer on either Jesse or John/Dennis’ podcast. He was a toss-up to make the AHL team in Yank’s mind, and he mentioned multiple times that he’s like Toffoli or Doughty in that the training staff really needed him to work on his body composition and off-ice training and nutrition. This is all on top of injury rehab. It makes 100% sense that they kept him up longer to hit on all this, and I think that is all way more valuable than a few WHL games.

I have.

Why didn't they keep him up training and practicing with the NHL team if that was their biggest priority?

 

[Trash Panda]

So what makes a player a "Classic AAAA player"?

Maybe Fagemo is similar to Martin Frk, who in 24 games spread over three seasons with the NHL Kings scored 8 goals. That's a 25-30 goal pace. His one full (rookie) season with the Red Wings he put in 11 goals and 25 points in 68 games, which is on par with Alex Laferriere's numbers.

We've also seen the likes of TJ Tynan, who is a point plus-per-game player in the AHL. At 5'8" and not having extraordinary speed, I understand why Tynan never stuck.

I'm just curious what a AAAA player looks like. How does one spot a AAAA player?

Pretty simple, IMO,

A player who prodigiously scores at lower levels, who’s scoring does not translate to the show, and doesn’t have enough redeeming qualities that make him valuable enough to hold an NHL roster spot while he figures it out.

Let’s not pretend like Fagemo does anything at an NHL level besides shoot the puck.

 

[unicornpig]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843683278760661402

should have taken over when bob retired. shitty consolation prize.

 

[johnjm22]

I really don't enjoy Stoll or Armstrong. Is Bolden still a scout? She went from scout to broadcast analyst? I've criticized her hiring but I'm curious to see how she does.

I liked Jesse back when he showed some personality. I realize he has to be more "professional" now, but I liked it better when he felt like an actual fan. (Sorry Jesse)

Nick is obviously great. I'll always love Jim.

The rest of the crew is par for the course.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

He has been in the AHL training camp since September 30, not in NHL camp. So, he hasn't been training with Kopitar, Danault, etc in the past week. And he played just one game.

I would have been fine with keeping him up to train with the NHLers more. But the only benefit he got was one preseason game in Ontario? Meanwhile, Prince George has played 7 games already.

So, he doesn't get the full train with the best experience the whole time, nor does he get a lot of playing time. Just seems like more hedging.

NHL > AHL > College > Major Junior

In terms of speed and how fast you have to think the game, any time spent at a level higher than he is used to, is better.

 

[johnjm22]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843349629611729069

I'm surprised Vegas is so low.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Pretty simple, IMO,

A player who prodigiously scores at lower levels, who’s scoring does not translate to the show, and doesn’t have enough redeeming qualities that make him valuable enough to hold an NHL roster spot while he figures it out.

Let’s not pretend like Fagemo does anything at an NHL level besides shoot the puck.

You don't see a AAAA player, one emerges.

Frk was a 2nd rd pick, and at 22, was not only in the AHL, but had yet to play an NHL game. It wasn't until 24 that he played full time in the NHL, which ended up being for that one season. Laferriere, wasn't drafted, and at 22, forced his way onto an NHL roster full time.

That doesn't mean Laferriere is a long term NHL player. He may have peaked last year, and won't get a new contract. Who knows.

NHL teams are too desperate for talent, especially goal scoring talent. If anyone thought Frk was good enough to help a team, at some point, someone other than Car, Det, or LA would've also given him a full chance. Trade a 6th rd pick for him.

Fagemo probably isn't an NHL player. He's been through 2 organizations now. 24 years old. Can't stick. Someone could've picked up a potential 20g guy on waivers, and nobody did. Such is the world of prospects. Most aren't good enough.

 

[lumbergh]

Pretty simple, IMO,

A player who prodigiously scores at lower levels, who’s scoring does not translate to the show, and doesn’t have enough redeeming qualities that make him valuable enough to hold an NHL roster spot while he figures it out.

Let’s not pretend like Fagemo does anything at an NHL level besides shoot the puck.

OK. So high scoring in AHL/lower levels, low scoring in NHL. What if we shift this analysis to Alex Turcotte (32 NHL games so far, 4 points)? I guess Turcotte skates real hard? or Alex Laferriere (first 24 NHL games 4 points)? Laferriere just looks like a big leaguer? Is that a redeeming quality?

You make it sound so easy.