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

[johnjm22]

The Kings have a lonnnnnnnng history of godawful marketing slogans. It's kind of their thing. In fact we should arrange some sort of power ranking of all the shitty slogans through the years.

I actually think the current slogan is the worst ever.

"Legacy Moves Us Forward"

I'd much rather have "Serious Hockey".

 

[DyslexicTom]

I actually think the current slogan is the worst ever.

"Legacy Moves Us Forward"

I'd much rather have "Serious Hockey".

They should just go with "We're Right There" every season and not bother changing it because it's obvious that's been management's assessment of this franchise since Blake waltzed into the GM role.

Bunch of losers.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

It’s so hard to take this org seriously.

One of the things I miss about Lombardi the most is the culture shift. No wonder he made so many enemies.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I actually think the current slogan is the worst ever.

"Legacy Moves Us Forward"

I'd much rather have "Serious Hockey".

Agree. Legacy moves us forward is as confused as the org itself. Legacy is a tribute to accomplishments in the past. its good to remember things that are universally good like hard work, but this legacy concept is the very thing that holds them back... probably more accurate to say "we are stuck giving glory to past accomplishments and players"

 

[DoktorJeep]

During the summer I asked AEG what the direction of the team is. This was Dan's response.

We're now a day away from the home opener. I don't recall any specific plan being "communicated to the fans and media".

Maybe I missed it? Can someone tell me?

Thank you for sharing this. I’m not surprised that ownership is asking for patience. Last year, the media mouth pieces said the team couldn’t be judged until the post season.

As soon as the season was done, all short comings and disappointments were quickly swept under the rug by those same outlets. If Beckerman is now spouting this tired trope out there, at least we as fans can hope for a smidgen of accountability.

It’s obvious that AEG has kept spending money on the franchise. It’s not a question of money. It’s about putting proven winners in charge off the ice and potential champions in charge on the ice.

 

[AbsentMojo]

During the summer I asked AEG what the direction of the team is. This was Dan's response.

We're now a day away from the home opener. I don't recall any specific plan being "communicated to the fans and media".

Maybe I missed it? Can someone tell me?

My gut feeling is Beckerman does not have the acumen to evaluate the bluc regime properly. He probably thinks making the playoffs 3 years in a row is a modicum of success and doesnt look at it like we do which is: where is the team talent, pipeline and cap at - after a lengthy phase of rebuild? It fell far short of being a contender and is already on the down swing.

 

[DoktorJeep]

My gut feeling is Beckerman does not have the acumen to evaluate the bluc regime properly. He probably thinks making the playoffs 3 years in a row is a modicum of success and doesnt look at it like we do which is: where is the team talent, pipeline and capwise after a lengthy phase of rebuild? It fell far short of being a contender and is already on the down swing.

Beckerman is plenty sharp. The issue for Kings fans is the team’s bottom line is excellent and there is no burning need to produce a championship anytime soon. Basically zero pressure and zero incentives to go all in on the hockey team, even if that means other parts of the empire suffer.

 

[BaileyFan]

Agree. Legacy moves us forward is as confused as the org itself. Legacy is a tribute to accomplishments in the past. its good to remember things that are universally good like hard work, but this legacy concept is the very thing that holds them back... probably more accurate to say "we are stuck giving glory to past accomplishments and players"

Integrity=Passion=Family

 

[AbsentMojo]

..

Beckerman is plenty sharp. The issue for Kings fans is the team’s bottom line is excellent and there is no burning need to produce a championship anytime soon. Basically zero pressure and zero incentives to go all in on the hockey team, even if that means other parts of the empire suffer.

Well I like that he spent the time to respond to John.. but his focus was on communication of the roster moves.. that seems to me he thinks those moves make sense... where what I see is they are firmly in the midst of the worst place you can be 16th OA with not much chance of getting better without a miracle or another rebuild

 

[FSL KINGS]

Capped, mid, & coach that doesn't emphasize playing physical.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Capped, mid, & coach that doesn't emphasize playing physical.

reminded me of this

 

[kingsholygrail]

We play for LA was my favorite because it became "We Play for LAst Place"

 

[johnjm22]

Well I like that he spent the time to respond to John.. but his focus was on communication of the roster moves.. that seems to me he thinks those moves make sense... where what I see is they are firmly in the midst of the worst place you can be 16th OA with not much chance of getting better without a miracle or another rebuild

Beckerman says:

"Many of the moves we are making are made with understanding of what it takes to be successful in the post season."

I'm pretty sure he's referring to Foegle/Jeannot/Edumndson. Two of which were healthy scratches in the post season.

It comes off as so incompetent.

Thank you for sharing this. I’m not surprised that ownership is asking for patience. Last year, the media mouth pieces said the team couldn’t be judged until the post season.

As soon as the season was done, all short comings and disappointments were quickly swept under the rug by those same outlets. If Beckerman is now spouting this tired trope out there, at least we as fans can hope for a smidgen of accountability.

It’s obvious that AEG has kept spending money on the franchise. It’s not a question of money. It’s about putting proven winners in charge off the ice and potential champions in charge on the ice.

I shared it because I plan on doing a follow up. Was just wondering if I had missed something before I send the email. Apparently not.

My impression is that AEG cares about the team, but the people running it are just mediocre nepo hires.

 

[Sol]

I still think it’s crazy beckerman not only responded to your email but he did so at 4th of July 7pm.

 

[Herby]

I mean this is par for the course for this team, picked up right where we left off last year. So far they’ve beaten the teams they’re supposed to beat and lost to the teams they’re supposed to lose to with the exception of the Ottawa game which was a shitshow from both sides and they still ended up with a point. Doughty being out hasn’t made a huge difference in the standings but will likely be the excuse Luc uses to get him and Blakey fat extensions next year. As terrible as they look against real contenders, this is really just your run of the mill black hole team. Always has been.

I posted the up to date numbers sometime last season, but the Kings record against the worst teams in the NHL over the last three seasons was something insane like 39-1-4. It was the best winning percentage by any team vs. the bottom teams in the entire NHL over that time frame.

This is why I don't place any value into the people who say "Well they are a 100 point team"

For one, with OTL and shootouts, the 100 point threshold that many of us grew up with that signified a very good team, means very little now. Also, there are many teams (like the mentioned Ducks and Sharks) who are doing it the right way, trying to accumulate as many top 5 picks as possible to better their chances of landing franchise players for the future. If you aren't a true contender, you are better off being bad, most teams operate this way. The Kings are much more in line quality wise as the Kings teams in the late 90's and early 00's.

Going a combined 13-0-2 vs. the Ducks and Sharks (or whatever it was) means very little to the ultimate goal, because you aren't going to see the Ducks and Sharks in the playoffs.

 

[ViD]

Would the Kings have any interest in Jiricek + for Byfield trade?

 

[Reaper45]

Would the Kings have any interest in Jiricek + for Byfield trade?

No.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

If Danault and Moore decide they want to play hockey again, that would be huge for the Kongs

Those two struggling to look like 3rd liners is one of the worst things that could've happened to the Kings this year. Fiala also needs to figure it out and start producing 5 on 5 again.

There's others you can call out for sure.. But those 3 have been pretty brutal.

 

[johnjm22]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1849506525364289787

How dare they take Englund out of the lineup!

 

[FSL KINGS]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1849506525364289787

How dare they take Englund out of the lineup!

Why is Spence still in the lineup? Crazy.

 

[BaileyFan]

I posted the up to date numbers sometime last season, but the Kings record against the worst teams in the NHL over the last three seasons was something insane like 39-1-4. It was the best winning percentage by any team vs. the bottom teams in the entire NHL over that time frame.

This is why I don't place any value into the people who say "Well they are a 100 point team"

For one, with OTL and shootouts, the 100 point threshold that many of us grew up with that signified a very good team, means very little now. Also, there are many teams (like the mentioned Ducks and Sharks) who are doing it the right way, trying to accumulate as many top 5 picks as possible to better their chances of landing franchise players for the future. If you aren't a true contender, you are better off being bad, most teams operate this way. The Kings are much more in line quality wise as the Kings teams in the late 90's and early 00's.

Going a combined 13-0-2 vs. the Ducks and Sharks (or whatever it was) means very little to the ultimate goal, because you aren't going to see the Ducks and Sharks in the playoffs.

The ultimate goal for these guys isn’t to win the Cup though. It’s to avoid missing the playoffs in whatever current year it is at any and all cost. That’s why Blake wanted to model the organization after Nashville, which he has largely succeeded at.

We have to understand that internally they probably believe they are doing a great job since they’ve made the playoffs 3 years in a row. I still think Blake is going to be quietly extended at some point during the season.

 

[Piston]

Why is Spence still in the lineup? Crazy.

The ESPN announcers were talking about how much the Kings miss Doughty. I think the loss of Matt Roy is really being felt. It was a mistake to let him walk, Spence will never be as solid defensively.

 

[lumbergh]

Why is Spence still in the lineup? Crazy.

Considering that he's one of the Kings' better defensemen and young, why wouldn't he still be in the lineup?

 

[Herby]

If Danault and Moore decide they want to play hockey again, that would be huge for the Kongs

Those two struggling to look like 3rd liners is one of the worst things that could've happened to the Kings this year. Fiala also needs to figure it out and start producing 5 on 5 again.

There's others you can call out for sure.. But those 3 have been pretty brutal.

Danault is nearing 32 years old, he's played a lot of tough defensive grind it out minutes for the Kings the last three seasons, with the same for the Habs, including a deep playoff run the year before coming to LA.

He started falling off offensively and defensively last season, and it's unfortunately continued so far this season.

This wouldn't be a huge issue if he were a 3rd liner, but he's still expected to be more for the Kings, and he just doesn't have it anymore to play the role the Kings need.

 

[FSL KINGS]

The ultimate goal for these guys isn’t to win the Cup though. It’s to avoid missing the playoffs in whatever current year it is at any and all cost. That’s why Blake wanted to model the organization after Nashville, which he has largely succeeded at.

We have to understand that internally they probably believe they are doing a great job since they’ve made the playoffs 3 years in a row. I still think Blake is going to be quietly extended at some point during the season.

Todd was extended before being canned. Blake extension wouldn't be shocking.

The ESPN announcers were talking about how much the Kings miss Doughty. I think the loss of Matt Roy is really being felt. It was a mistake to let him walk, Spence will never be as solid defensively.

Roy would be nice about now. Doughty being out isn't the big issue. The 11,000,000 cap space that can't be used is the problem. 2 guys brought in on Gavrikov's level would really help.

Considering that he's one of the Kings' better defensemen and young, why wouldn't he still be in the lineup?

Spence is good at passing & PP. He's getting pushed around quite a bit in the Dzone. This year, Clarke & Spence should probably both be sheltered That's not how it's working out right now. Is boosting PP2 enough of a reason to keep Spence in the lineup?