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

[SettlementRichie10]

Come on.

Bruins won in 2011--back to finals in 2013--have advanced to at least the 2nd round SIX times since.
Hawks went WCF-Cup-playoffs-playoffs-Cup-WCF-Cup before they finally petered out so maybe that applies to them but even THEY won a playoff round after that run
Pens won three Cups and still went ot the 2nd round after
Caps went deep for many years and finally fell apart
Blues won in 2019, have been to 2nd round since
TBL's story is still running, they went deep nearly every year
Colorado won in 2022, have been to 2nd round since

Being successful doesn't preclude completely falling apart for a full decade. There have been more successful teams of longer duration doing better in a shorter period of time. This is just mismanagement. Kings had three awesome seasons--we wouldn't change that for anything--but that's a short run compared to the above followed by a prolonged period of failure compared to the above.

The Kings would’ve had a longer run similar to the Hawks if it were not for the Voynov situation. I truly believe that. He was a critical player in Sutter’s system, and the whole debacle killed every good vibe in the locker room. It also set Lombardi down a bad road of short term trades, starting with Sekera.

I think they compete well into 2017 or 2018 if Voynov isn’t a piece of shit.

 

[SmytheKing]

The Kings would’ve had a longer run similar to the Hawks if it were not for the Voynov situation. I truly believe that. He was a critical player in Sutter’s system, and the whole debacle killed every good vibe in the locker room. It also set Lombardi down a bad road of short term trades, starting with Sekera.

I think they compete well into 2017 or 2018 if Voynov isn’t a piece of shit.

If that doesn't happen and Richards doesn't fall off an absolute cliff, the Kings are likely competitive for at least 6 cups from 2012-2018. Not saying they win more or even get to the Finals all year, but they're right in the mix and no one has a better shot than them. Losing your #3 defensemen and #2 center was just too much to overcome.

 

[King'sPawn]

If that doesn't happen and Richards doesn't fall off an absolute cliff, the Kings are likely competitive for at least 6 cups from 2012-2018. Not saying they win more or even get to the Finals all year, but they're right in the mix and no one has a better shot than them. Losing your #3 defensemen and #2 center was just too much to overcome.

Not to mention Stoll.

There was a lot of control lost in the locker room, and too many players were lost for virtually nothing.

 

[kingsboy11]

I do think the team would've remain competitive, but I do wonder about how long they would've tolerated Sutter. Its easy to say that if you're winning you can look past the coach, but it sounded like they were getting bombarded each and every night by Sutter even if they were playing well.

But I do agree that if Voynov's situation doesn't happen or if Richards game doesn't fall off a cliff or even gets bought out when Lombardi had his chance, things turn out so much differently. Guess that's the cost of a lot of us selling our soul for not 1, but 2 cups.

 

[SmytheKing]

Not to mention Stoll.

There was a lot of control lost in the locker room, and too many players were lost for virtually nothing.

No doubt that a lot of things contributed to the demise of that team, but recognition of the teams inability to no longer compete was the biggest.

 

[bland]

Not to mention Stoll.

There was a lot of control lost in the locker room, and too many players were lost for virtually nothing.

Stoll was a hero, not a problem. He was already leaving as a UFA so he took the rap for the younger guys in that incident.

Voynov was absolutely a problem, but I don't think that there is a 2nd pairing defenseman in the world that would be a big enough loss to justify the decline.

Richards may have likely had another 2 or 3 strong years had he not been addicted to pain killers, but he also may not have held up physically even if he didn't. Tough to tell, but something isn't beautiful because it lasts.

The Kings fell off a cliff because their success wasn't due to top players leading from the front - it was due to a frankly modest set of good to very good young players surrounded by a damn near legendary amount of leaders. And those veteran leaders - Richards, Mitchell, Scuderi, Regehr, Stoll, Greene and Williams all left without a single asset in return. The remaining players were very good, never great aside from Doughty, and the increases in their post-Cup contracts priced the Kings out of top free agents while they overspent their assets to try and remain relevant with players they overvalued.

They had no capital to improve a mediocre roster, the Cup core never transitioned into a top leadership group, and they had a management team more intent on monetizing the good will built by the previous regime than in building another team capable of a run.

 

[shuchukfan]

Man, I thought today was Saturday and was looking forward to watching the game. Christmas in the middle of the week really messes with my schedule.

 

[EXTRAS]

Any update on when moore will return?

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Any update on when moore will return?

Soon but probably not tomorrow.

In terms of alignment today, the two biggest names to watch for were Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore.

Danault missed the trip finale in Washington while Moore missed the final five games of the trip with an upper-body injury. Neither situations were ever thought to be longer term. Danault was on the ice with the group today, while Moore was joined by forward Trevor Lewis skating on their own before practice today in non-contact jerseys. Good signs of progression for both players, as the Kings slowly but surely approach a full roster.

For today’s skate, here’s how we saw the Kings align –

Turcotte – Kopitar – Kempe
Foegele – Byfield – Jeannot
Fiala – Danault – Laferriere
Lee – Helenius – Thomas

Anderson – Gavrikov
Edmundson – Clarke
Moverare – Spence
Englund – Burroughs

Kuemper / Rittich

Updates from El Segundo as Kings return to practice - LA Kings Insider

Happy Friday, Insiders! The LA Kings returned to the ice for practice today, following four days off for the NHL’s holiday break. Following the 3-1 loss in Washington on December 22, the Kings went their separate ways for an extended break, with one extra day on the front end and the opportunity...

lakingsinsider.com

 

[BigKing]

There were less teams back in those days. It's not a comparable situation.

In 10 seasons since the 2014 cup win, LA has made the playoffs 5 times. LA hasn't been terrible, just mid.

But it is rough to miss the playoffs the year following a Cup win and then only make the playoffs twice over the next six seasons, winning one game. LA was terrible in 2019, 20 and 21.

They've definitely been mid the last three seasons, however. That stretch from 2019-21 was brutal and the least enjoyment I've had watching this franchise. 2002-03 up to the lockout was rough as well, but the game was a lot more fun back then even when losing. Avery is an asshole, but he was a fun player to have on the team as a STH'er. The entertainment value for that 2019-21 season was pathetic. One of the best things about COVID was not being allowed to go to the games during that stretch.

I realize I referenced 2002-11 as a ten year period with no playoff series wins, but that is only a nine season stretch due to the lockout. While they most likely would have sucked that year too, I've got a playoff series win if I start at 2001 and I've got a Cup if I push it to 2012. What does that mean? Nothing, but I wanted to note it.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Spotted this over on the Philly board. Looks like they need some goaltending. Remember there were rumors of Blake talking to Philly a few weeks back.

 

[King'sPawn]

Spotted this over on the Philly board. Looks like they need some goaltending. Remember there were rumors of Blake talking to Philly a few weeks back.

If the Kings trade a goalie prospect right after having some options in net

 

[johnjm22]

Spotted this over on the Philly board. Looks like they need some goaltending. Remember there were rumors of Blake talking to Philly a few weeks back.

You mean Cal Petersen isn't working out?

 

[johnjm22]

With Kuemper's numbers looking pretty good, I wouldn't mind trading him if he's willing to move and we get a nice return.

 

[BaileyFan]

With Kuemper's numbers looking pretty good, I wouldn't mind trading him if he's willing to move and we get a nice return.

Nah it’ll be Carter George + a 2nd for Scott Laughton or some shit like that.

 

[AbsentMojo]

 

[FSL KINGS]

Kaliyev or Burroughs? Tough choice.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Can’t wait to hear all the crying about how Hiller ‘doesn’t play the kids’ when Kaliyev is scratched today.

 

[EXTRAS]

I wish they would give us a timeline for moore.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Can’t wait to hear all the crying about how Hiller ‘doesn’t play the kids’ when Kaliyev is scratched today.

It's just dumb to play guys like Burroughs, Lee & Thomas while having one of the worst power plays in the league. It's fine. King's have a good cushion of points built up in the standings. They can afford to flush a few points.

 

[Herby]

It's just dumb to play guys like Burroughs, Lee & Thomas while having one of the worst power plays in the league. It's fine. King's have a good cushion of points built up in the standings. They can afford to flush a few points.

For the PP, it would be better of Kaliyev were a right shot, but the Kings are overflowing with left-hand shots and have never been able to find the right shot guy to fire one-timers from the left dot (for basically Kopitar's entire time playing the right half-wall on the PP).

 

[johnjm22]

But it is rough to miss the playoffs the year following a Cup win and then only make the playoffs twice over the next six seasons, winning one game. LA was terrible in 2019, 20 and 21.

They've definitely been mid the last three seasons, however. That stretch from 2019-21 was brutal and the least enjoyment I've had watching this franchise. 2002-03 up to the lockout was rough as well, but the game was a lot more fun back then even when losing. Avery is an asshole, but he was a fun player to have on the team as a STH'er. The entertainment value for that 2019-21 season was pathetic. One of the best things about COVID was not being allowed to go to the games during that stretch.

I realize I referenced 2002-11 as a ten year period with no playoff series wins, but that is only a nine season stretch due to the lockout. While they most likely would have sucked that year too, I've got a playoff series win if I start at 2001 and I've got a Cup if I push it to 2012. What does that mean? Nothing, but I wanted to note it.

My first year as a fan was the 93-94 season.

In my first 16 years as a fan, the Kings went to the playoffs 4 times.

In my first 18 years as a fan they won 1 playoff series.

I was a fan for 8 years before I saw them win a single playoff game.

I was 10 years old during the 93-94 season. I was 28 when I saw them have real playoff success for the first time. For all my formative years the Kings sucked. And that's stuck with me. So 5 playoff appearances in 10 years is actually pretty good to me.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

My first year as a fan was the 93-94 season.

In my first 16 years as a fan, the Kings went to the playoffs 4 times.

In my first 18 years as a fan they won 1 playoff series.

I was a fan for 8 years before I saw them win a single playoff game.

I was 10 years old during the 93-94 season. I was 28 when I saw them have real playoff success for the first time. For all my formative years the Kings sucked. And that's stuck with me. So 5 playoff appearances in 10 years is actually pretty good to me.

Same exact story, but I’m 10 years older.

Sol started his journey in 2012.

 

[All The Kings Men]

I wish they would give us a timeline for moore.

day to day was said today

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Stoll was a hero, not a problem. He was already leaving as a UFA so he took the rap for the younger guys in that incident.

Voynov was absolutely a problem, but I don't think that there is a 2nd pairing defenseman in the world that would be a big enough loss to justify the decline.

Richards may have likely had another 2 or 3 strong years had he not been addicted to pain killers, but he also may not have held up physically even if he didn't. Tough to tell, but something isn't beautiful because it lasts.

The Kings fell off a cliff because their success wasn't due to top players leading from the front - it was due to a frankly modest set of good to very good young players surrounded by a damn near legendary amount of leaders. And those veteran leaders - Richards, Mitchell, Scuderi, Regehr, Stoll, Greene and Williams all left without a single asset in return. The remaining players were very good, never great aside from Doughty, and the increases in their post-Cup contracts priced the Kings out of top free agents while they overspent their assets to try and remain relevant with players they overvalued.

They had no capital to improve a mediocre roster, the Cup core never transitioned into a top leadership group, and they had a management team more intent on monetizing the good will built by the previous regime than in building another team capable of a run.

From 2014 to 2015 they lost their entire second pairing in Mitchell-Voynov without recouping a single asset.

I used to tell Hawks fans to imagine losing Hammer-Seabrook in a single offseason for NOTHING. Now tell me how competitive that team is.