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

[Sol]

I'm not exactly high on Portillo but the guy has 0 NHL games and barely 40 pro games at all

Are you sure you're thinking of the right guy

Yes didn’t he do like preseason and get his shit pushed in. I know my Petersen archetypes. And oh boy this fits the bill.

 

[johnjm22]

I like that Hiller has proven he's not afraid to get creative with his lineup decisions...... But I reallllllly think he overdoes/overthinks it sometimes.

I think some young players need a stable, consistent, clearly defined roles to help them develop. I think that's the case for both Byfield and Kaliyev. I don't think Hiller's constant tinkering helps.

Just conjecture on my part.

 

[Bandit]

The fact that the top story on the NHL Kings website is a goalie they drafted scoring a goal in the OHL tells you all you need to know about this clown show.

 

[Schmooley]

Yes didn’t he do like preseason and get his shit pushed in. I know my Petersen archetypes. And oh boy this fits the bill.

I dont remember last year but did he have a poor showing this preseason?
Im worried about him also but its time for him to get a couple games to see where hes really at.
At his best he reminds me of the young version of Stolarz when he was on the Ducks. Far from a star starting goalie.

 

[johnjm22]

Kings next 4 games:

Detroit
Buffalo
Seattle
SJ

If you want to give your goalie prospect an NHL start or two, these would seem to be ideal opponents.

Buffalo drafted him...

 

[Bandit]

Kings next 4 games:

Detroit
Buffalo
Seattle
SJ

If you want to give your goalie prospect an NHL start or two, these would seem to be ideal opponents.

Buffalo drafted him...

An up and coming goalie that was drafted by Buffalo? Give him 5 million. Where have I seen that before?

 

[shuchukfan]

Kings next 4 games:

Detroit
Buffalo
Seattle
SJ

If you want to give your goalie prospect an NHL start or two, these would seem to be ideal opponents.

Buffalo drafted him...

You're right, but I would totally be unsurprised if they didn't start him. The Kings probably figure they need these "easy" points, so they will start the better goaltender to have a better chance. Of course, that kicks the can down the road into territory that is oh so familiar with prospects. Can't play them because they don't have experience, but they can't get experience because every point is crucial to make the playoffs.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I think some young players need a stable, consistent, clearly defined roles to help them develop. I think that's the case for both Byfield and Kaliyev. I don't think Hiller's constant tinkering helps.

Just conjecture on my part.

Hiller for sure needs to not just have the blender always going.

He is not letting the blends settle enough.

The fact that the top story on the NHL Kings website is a goalie they drafted scoring a goal in the OHL tells you all you need to know about this clown show.

His name is George.

Carter George.

Get used to it.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I dont remember last year but did he have a poor showing this preseason?
Im worried about him also but its time for him to get a couple games to see where hes really at.
At his best he reminds me of the young version of Stolarz when he was on the Ducks. Far from a star starting goalie.

Stolarz seems to be doing all right on the Leafs.

They aren't playing Portillo for the next three games, if Rittich is healthy and no shellacking, then we'll see about Camper coming back or we get a debut.

What 44 AHL, first trip up.?

They won't want to play him but he gets the experience .

 

[Schmooley]

Stolarz seems to be doing all right on the Leafs.

They aren't playing Portillo for the next three games, if Rittich is healthy and no shellacking, then we'll see about Camper coming back or we get a debut.

What 44 AHL, first trip up.?

They won't want to play him but he gets the experience .

Yea hes solid but is now breaking out as a starter at 30 years old and is still even a tier below the top goalies. You can still win with this type of goalie.
Was mosty saying Portillo is as raw as Stolarz was on the Ducks where hes still a question mark at the NHL level. Similar size and a bit chaotic.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Yea hes solid but is now breaking out as a starter at 30 years old and is still even a tier below the top goalies. You can still win with this type of goalie.
Was mosty saying Portillo is as raw as Stolarz was on the Ducks where hes still a question mark at the NHL level. Similar size and a bit chaotic.

Maybe but Larz had more experience but I get it.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Kuemper Buyout:

Season	Savings	Cap Hit
2025-26	$1,791,667	$3,458,333
2026-27	$1,041,667	$4,208,333
2027-28	($708,333)	$708,333
2028-29	($708,333)	$708,333

Makes sense to do it this offseason.

King's are at the cap. The first two years of the cap penalty means the King's are unable to afford a goalie better than Kuemper. The only option is a cheap young goalie to come up.

Ex, Kuemper buyout+ 5 mill new goalie = 8.4 million on goalies It's just too much money. Keeping Kuemper & burning contract while waiting on a goalie to develop is the best option.

The fact that the top story on the NHL Kings website is a goalie they drafted scoring a goal in the OHL tells you all you need to know about this clown show.

Link!!!



If Gavrikov asks 7.5-8 million does Blake go shopping elsewhere?

Edmundson 3.875 X 4 years to be a 4,5th defenseman with some "stick skills".

Risto 5.1 X 3 years is probably a better fit for the team cap structure than paying Gavrikov big money.

Risto fits Blake's M.O.

 

[Johnny Utah]

For the first time in a long time the Kings don’t have a whipping boy or bad contract.

Englund makes 1 million and is a UFA.

Edmundson only makes around 3 million and after this season only has 3 years left. That’s not terrible.

I wouldn’t buy out Kuemper he has looked good. Portillo is not ready and even if he is the Kings need a vet behind him.

 

[chris kontos]

why not give portillo a shot? the fossils they have in goal now are proven nhl non performers. and building from goaltending out down the middle used to be a successful plan. but this is probably asking alot as appearently the mgmt feels we are on the cusp of a dynasty

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

why not give portillo a shot? the fossils they have in goal now are proven nhl non performers. and building from goaltending out down the middle used to be a successful plan. but this is probably asking alot as appearently the mgmt feels we are on the cusp of a dynasty

I’m def in favor of getting him a cup of coffee

Not at all in favor of making him “the guy” at this point with so few pro games, up and down performance, and some clear holes in his physical game as well as (my) concerns about his mental game. Sounds like a recipe to crater him. Sort of like what’s unfortunately happening to Spence right now, going from a sheltered role to expected to replace drew doughty with nothing in between and no fallback insulation

 

[chris kontos]

I’m def in favor of getting him a cup of coffee

Not at all in favor of making him “the guy” at this point with so few pro games, up and down performance, and some clear holes in his physical game as well as (my) concerns about his mental game. Sounds like a recipe to crater him. Sort of like what’s unfortunately happening to Spence right now, going from a sheltered role to expected to replace drew doughty with nothing in between and no fallback insulation

Yep
"Too inexperienced to play"
"Oh! We rushed this guy and now we ruined him"
"Yeah but he didnt hit any bonuses"

 

[King'sPawn]

why not give portillo a shot? the fossils they have in goal now are proven nhl non performers. and building from goaltending out down the middle used to be a successful plan. but this is probably asking alot as appearently the mgmt feels we are on the cusp of a dynasty

As goaltending is largely mental, I'm all for having him be backup for a few games to see how he tracks the game at the NHL level first.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Maybe he shouldve been there to start? And instead of saying you're doing it to give him confidence - which is pity... say you're doing it to get a different look on the 25th overall PP or whatever it is.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1857525447015412016

 

[FSL KINGS]

Feels like there should be enough cap space for another forward.

2.0 Provorov (ends this season)
0.700 Richards
2.850 Edmundson 3.850 vs Englund 1
1.89 Jeannot 2.665 vs Lee 0.775
1 Kuemper maybe a mill or two over paid

That's 8.44 million for a top line forward. Edmundson to Englund & Jeannot to Lee are both drops, but probably not significant enough to justify the. Extra cap.

Fiala 2.0 vs Lewis on the top line would be much bigger than any hit losing the other two.

 

[johnjm22]

Byfield doesn't look focused to me. Like his head isn't in the game. I don't know what's wrong with him, but something just feels "off" about him right now.

 

[bland]

Byfield doesn't look focused to me. Like his head isn't in the game. I don't know what's wrong with him, but something just feels "off" about him right now.

He has no touch on the puck. He keeps pushing it into spaces instead of using any kind of finesse.

 

[kings11]

With the cap projected to rise to $95-$97 million, what are the betting odds BLuc blow through that cap space before the start of next season.. I’m assuming he’ll try to extend Gabby, Laffy and Clarke depending on his pt total at year end