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

[KopitarGOAT420]

I agree I was just discussing it because of all the chatter on this board about trading him. Though if a team wanted him bad enough and made a good offer its not the worst idea in the world. I suppose Moore is a good candidate as they look about the same without him. Im surprised no one mentions Danault in this conversation really. Maybe because a center is harder to replace for the Kings right now.

Yeah I imagine Danault could be another option but it seems a lot riskier to part ways with Danault IMO - in large part because he's a center as you mentioned.

Center depth and defensive structure are two huge strengths for the Kings right now. Danault helps a lot with that, even if he has struggled a bit at times this year. Having Kopitar, Byfield, and Danault down the middle (with Helenius playing some very respectable hockey on the 4th line too) is veryyyy advantageous for the Kings. Probably only makes sense to move Danault if you're somehow making an upgrade down the middle but that doesn't seem too realistic.

Seems a lot easier to move a winger like Moore for an upgraded scoring winger and keep things the same down the middle.

 

[Surf Nutz]

The King's feel like they're close to being competitive in the playoffs. Contender? Not ready to make that jump. Blake trading Vilardi, Iafallo, Kupari, Durzi for Kuemper (cap dump at the time) was a huge setback. Burning assets when you have limited time with Kopi, Doughty is painful.

Blake is going to need to find a top 6 C in the next couple of years to keep the team out of a rebuild. Limited disposable assets complicates this. Not impossible, but Blake is going to need a win soon.

Edit: It seems like half the teams in the league are looking for top 6 centers.

Breaking it down.

Vilardi has really put it together with elite players who do most of the skating for their lines and trading him for PLD was mistake.

Iafallo at 4 million? good riddance.

Kupari, hasn't put it together with any consistency.

Durzi'd was like a Fiala on defense but not as elite.

Now we have , Spence and Clarke who have used the open space to develop nicely. Great move to dump Durzi.

Kuemper has been the team MVP as far as I am concerned. Dumping PLD was a big win.

Byfield is the future #1 C, has great chemistry with Kempe, improving on D.

He will get more consistent.

Turcotte can be a 1/2 C if he doesn't get his eggs splattered on his platter.

Danault bumps down to 3c the way he is playing.

Akil could be a 3c.

Helenius a 4c.

Looking at puckpedia, Moore is listed as a C too.

Pinelli seems like he could be a future King c.

Studnicka could b called up if needed due to injuries.

You seemed very negative lately compared to the past.

Hope you are doing ok.

Maybe it's just Lewiie stuck at 999.

 

[bland]

What a coincidence, the same thing Axl says every regular season. Then ofcourse you "two" disappear every spring after telling people to "Go root for the Ducks"

But who disappears from this forum on the other side, can you give some examples, I seem to see everyone still here.



The same logic could be applied to Drew Doughty, I don't think it means anything.

Do you believe this team can win 4 out of 7 games vs. Edmonton trying to grind out 3-2 wins? I don't, and I think the previous three years of data proves that point beyond any doubt. And just to clarify, I am not saying Fiala is some huge difference maker, but he is a better offensive player than whatever AHL/healthy scratch would replace him.

The clearest way to beat Edmonton is to try and exploit their 25th ranked PP. Not to again try the futile exercise of trying to take the air out of the ball to stop McDavid defensively.

Yes, I absolutely think the best way to defeat Edmonton is to keep it as tight and low event as possible.

No, I don't think this team can do it. But I KNOW that they can't try to score with Edmonton because they lose regularly when trying to so.

I think you are getting caught up in the hypothetical argument that offensive players make that difference, which is unlikely but possible in my opinion. But the very real argument is that Kevin Fiala is in no way, shape or form the player that makes that difference. We know that he isn't based on ALL available evidence.

And if you keep this exact same roster, but scratch Fiala in favor of Lewis, you have a team that is undoubtedly in a better position to beat Edmonton than any formation that includes Fiala. He is that big of a liability.

 

[Surf Nutz]

who cares about all this trade talk when we are going to end up against the Oilers AGAIN. Is this what Groundhog Day feels like?

I care to enjoy the now , and there is a lot to enjoy right now.

I will worry about the Edmonton Groundhogs when the season is done.

There is always a negative straw to grasp somewhere if that's where your head is at.

 

[Lt Dan]

Yes, I absolutely think the best way to defeat Edmonton is to keep it as tight and low event as possible.

I agree with most of what you said, especially this line, but... it also got me thinking
Not that the roster is anywhere near perfect, but I think our biggest problem in the playoffs was the Koala's refusal to make any adjustments. In 2022, the Kings coughed up two separate leads
Same as 2023
I think in 2024 that the Oilers coaches knew what was coming and that it would be rigidly adhered to and had their team ready for it.

2022

2023

 

[Surf Nutz]

I agree with most of what you said, especially this line, but... it also got me thinking
Not that the roster is anywhere near perfect, but I think our biggest problem in the playoffs was the Koala's refusal to make any adjustments. In 2022, the Kings coughed up two separate leads
Same as 2023
I think in 2024 that the Oilers coaches knew what was coming and that it would be rigidly adhered to and had their team ready for it.

2022


View attachment 954928


2023
View attachment 954930
View attachment 954931

Great reminder of how close we were to the eventual West Champs and their historical power play.

 

[Lt Dan]

Great reminder of how close we were to the eventual West Champs and their historical power play.

“We were right there” - Luc Robitaille

"No, we f***ing weren't" - Everyone sane fan

 

[DoktorJeep]

Feels like Konecny is the best target.

 

[Surf Nutz]

“We were right there” - Luc Robitaille

"No, we f***ing weren't" - Everyone sane fan

You should stick to serious posts, you are quite good in that realm.

22: Took to 7 game and we had 2 chances to clinch with the frozen koala at the helm.

23 Multiple one goal losses.

24 Talbot caved and Rittich lost by one goal twice.

Talbot's hot start to season kind of head faked everyone but Blake should have gotten a goalie at the deadline.

Maybe that is the move this season , despite having Kuemper hot,

Have 2 higher caliber goalies.

 

[Lt Dan]

You should stick to serious posts, you are quite good in that realm.

22: Took to 7 game and we had 2 chances to clinch with the frozen koala at the helm.

23 Multiple one goal losses.

24 Talbot caved and Rittich lost by one goal twice.

Talbot's hot start to season kind of head faked everyone but Blake should have gotten a goalie at the deadline.

Maybe that is the move this season , despite having Kuemper hot,

Have 2 higher caliber goalies.

Two very important points

1) Playoff games are generally closer in scoring. There are far less blowouts than in the regular season,. look at Florida's results from last season's run about half of the games were decided by one goal.

2) The Kings were nowhere close to being "right there" against the Oilers last playoffs. They couldn't even win a game in regulation and gave up a 2 goal lead and squandered the lead a second time. It's must closer to the fact that it's really hard to sweep a team than the Kings having a chance in the series.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Two very important points

1) Playoff games are generally closer in scoring. There are far less blowouts than in the regular season,. look at Florida's results from last season's run about half of the games were decided by one goal.

2) The Kings were nowhere close to being "right there" against the Oilers last playoffs. They couldn't even win a game in regulation and gave up a 2 goal lead and squandered the lead a second time. It's must closer to the fact that it's really hard to sweep a team than the Kings having a chance in the series.

1. Legit

2. I am not Luc Robitaille and mentioned your post showed how close we were and not a syllable more.

3. No more frozen Koala however, if we playoff Hiller's first go round, so that could be a factor.

 

[Lt Dan]

3. No more frozen Koala however, if we playoff Hiller's first go round, so that could be a factor.

He has far exceeded expectations this year. I think it's very safe to assume that his marching orders last season were to change as little as possible and make the playoffs.

Hopefully the coaching change and the addition of grit and stability between the pipes is enough to finally win a round

 

[EXTRAS]

Moore @ 4.2m is an absolute steal. 57 points without pp1 time + plays the penalty kill. People wanting to trade him are silly. Hopefully he returns soon.

 

[Trash Panda]

Trading Fiala doesn't make sense.

The Kings haven't had enough offense to beat Edmonton in the past three years. Trading away a proven NHL scorer, even one with some flaws in his game, is not the solution. The Kings won't beat Edmonton in a best-of-seven series by relying on 3-2 or 2-1 games, we've seen this over the last three years. To have a realistic chance, they need to score four goals in at least two or three of those games. It has to be an all-hands-on-deck effort, including Fiala.

Kings would need a good bit less offense without Fiala turning the puck over at both blue lines like it was his full time occupation, floating on coverage, and back checking on the outside of the ice for some unknown reason.

Having a few less PP’s for Edmonton’s lethal power play to feast on couldn’t hurt either.

The Labrador has to go.

 

[Surf Nutz]

He has far exceeded expectations this year. I think it's very safe to assume that his marching orders last season were to change as little as possible and make the playoffs.

Hopefully the coaching change and the addition of grit and stability between the pipes is enough to finally win a round

I don't know if we can catch Vegas or stay in front of the Groundhogs and their elite offense.

Maybe Blake should consider a long term #1 GT and give up what it takes to get it.

Sell high on Portillo, Slukynsky or George , whichever they like.



I like Karel and Charlie L. or you try to get a non expiring GT.

2025 NHL Free Agents

 

[FSL KINGS]

Breaking it down.

Vilardi has really put it together with elite players who do most of the skating for their lines and trading him for PLD was mistake.

Iafallo at 4 million? good riddance.

Kupari, hasn't put it together with any consistency.

Durzi'd was like a Fiala on defense but not as elite.

Now we have , Spence and Clarke who have used the open space to develop nicely. Great move to dump Durzi.

Kuemper has been the team MVP as far as I am concerned. Dumping PLD was a big win.

Byfield is the future #1 C, has great chemistry with Kempe, improving on D.

He will get more consistent.

Turcotte can be a 1/2 C if he doesn't get his eggs splattered on his platter.

Danault bumps down to 3c the way he is playing.

Akil could be a 3c.

Helenius a 4c.

Looking at puckpedia, Moore is listed as a C too.

Pinelli seems like he could be a future King c.

Studnicka could b called up if needed due to injuries.

You seemed very negative lately compared to the past.

Hope you are doing ok.

Maybe it's just Lewiie stuck at 999.

Vilardi: he's close to PPG in a contract year. He's going to get paid. Given injury history, this could be a scary contract.

Kuemper is doing well this year. He'd lost the starting job in Washington @ 5.25 for a couple years. Should have been cheap to acquire.

Looking forward 1-2C, 1-2 puck moving D & goal are the hard ones to fill. Rest is easy to fill out or trade for. Byfield hopefully fills one of the centers. Clarke should be able to fill a D spot. Goalies, King's have plenty of prospects. Spence may fill 2nd pair D. Only big issue is the C position.

On a personal note, I'm good. Been real sick the last few days. Probably grouchier than usual. Have a ton of yardwork & storm damage to clean up. It's piling up while sick.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Moore @ 4.2m is an absolute steal. 57 points without pp1 time + plays the penalty kill. People wanting to trade him are silly. Hopefully he returns soon.

His goals scored in playoffs last year AND this second have been a big disappointment.

Your comment is solid, so maybe he is worth something or part of something.

I think our PK has rolled on without him

Blake really ha some decisions to make and the pressure is on after the PLD acquisition.

But his moves since then have been good.

 

[Trash Panda]

Yes, I absolutely think the best way to defeat Edmonton is to keep it as tight and low event as possible.

No, I don't think this team can do it. But I KNOW that they can't try to score with Edmonton because they lose regularly when trying to so.

I think you are getting caught up in the hypothetical argument that offensive players make that difference, which is unlikely but possible in my opinion. But the very real argument is that Kevin Fiala is in no way, shape or form the player that makes that difference. We know that he isn't based on ALL available evidence.

And if you keep this exact same roster, but scratch Fiala in favor of Lewis, you have a team that is undoubtedly in a better position to beat Edmonton than any formation that includes Fiala. He is that big of a liability.

I am entirely past lewis being a valuable part of this team, but replacing Fiala with him absolutely helps the Kings chances against a team like Edmonton.

Kevin is poison to winning hockey.

 

[Lt Dan]

I don't know if we can catch Vegas or stay in front of the Groundhogs and their elite offense.

Maybe Blake should consider a long term #1 GT and give up what it takes to get it.

Sell high on Portillo, Slukynsky or George , whichever they like.



I like Karel and Charlie L. or you try to get a non expiring GT.

2025 NHL Free Agents

I highly doubt they acquire any goaltending. I think they see this year as a transition year. Kuemper is a placeholder until Portillo is ready. I think Portillo is penciled in to be the backup next season and then in the 26-27 he'll truly have the chance to take the net from Kuemper.
and then he will be challenged by Hampton Inn and George

I think the trade they will make this season is shipping off an excess D man and using the cap space for a forward,

 

[EXTRAS]

His goals scored in playoffs last year AND this second have been a big disappointment.

Your comment is solid, so maybe he is worth something or part of something.

I think our PK has rolled on without him

Blake really ha some decisions to make and the pressure is on after the PLD acquisition.

But his moves since then have been good.

He's on pace for 53 points this year so not sure what the big disappointment there is.

As for the playoffs it was a 5 game sample size (extremely small). He had 15 shots so he didn't just stop getting chances. Players not on pp1 are more liable to go periods without consistent scoring. He had 8 points in the 13 games over the 2 previous playoffs.

I think you're finding issues where there are none.

 

[Surf Nutz]

He's on pace for 53 points this year so not sure what the big disappointment there is.

As for the playoffs it was a 5 game sample size (extremely small). He had 15 shots so he didn't just stop getting chances. Players not on pp1 are more liable to go periods without consistent scoring. He had 8 points in the 13 games over the 2 previous playoffs.

I think you're finding issues where there are none.

Good facts but going from 30 goal season to 0 in the playoffs when we needed them and being supplanted for other younger less expensive players this year and scoring a few and a few empty netters, plus the team absolutely rolling without him and his main pair Danault falling down this year are all issues for m.

I like your facts they make an argument for his value in a trade.

I don't recognize you as a regular game in game out Kings fan but facts and debate are welcome.

Maybe you don't have your eye on the team to notice trends hidden behind the stats and that's fine.

Who is your team and what would you give up to get him>?

 

[bland]

I am entirely past lewis being a valuable part of this team, but replacing Fiala with him absolutely helps the Kings chances against a team like Edmonton.

Kevin is poison to winning hockey.

Since acquiring Fiala, the Kings are 2-1 without him in the playoff lineup, 1-7 with him.

The opposition is never out of the game when he plays, momentum can shift on a dime when one guy tries to beat three at the end of a shift at the blueline instead of dumping it in.

Fiala is like one of those 1980s designated hitters who hit 30 400ft homeruns but strikes out 200 times. What are you really getting there? The highlights are awesome.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Gentle reminder that while Fiala is a regular season 77 pt player over the last few years and that helps cover his deficiencies, and a +9 for his career and +15 since his emergence...

He's a 40 point player in the playoffs, and a -12.

I don't like relying on those basic stats to paint the picture a lot but those are pretty good descriptors for the type of player he is and issues he has. Production cut in half, deficiencies laid bare. The type of player that won't win you a series, but will lose you one. For all intents and purposes, he's Andreas Athanasiou when it matters. And this isn't one year, this is across a decade on various teams.

 

[Maynard]

Gentle reminder that while Fiala is a regular season 77 pt player over the last few years and that helps cover his deficiencies, and a +9 for his career and +15 since his emergence...

He's a 40 point player in the playoffs, and a -12.

I don't like relying on those basic stats to paint the picture a lot but those are pretty good descriptors for the type of player he is and issues he has. Production cut in half, deficiencies laid bare. The type of player that won't win you a series, but will lose you one. For all intents and purposes, he's Andreas Athanasiou when it matters. And this isn't one year, this is across a decade on various teams.

I wonder if they knew what Fiala was and didn’t care, or was it more like “we’re defensive geniuses, we’ll fix him. Give him his 50 sheets + NMC.”

Although I suppose he was young enough at the time to hope for some improvement with game sense/systems etc. but it seems like he’s getting worse.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Since acquiring Fiala, the Kings are 2-1 without him in the playoff lineup, 1-7 with him.

The opposition is never out of the game when he plays, momentum can shift on a dime when one guy tries to beat three at the end of a shift at the blueline instead of dumping it in.

Fiala is like one of those 1980s designated hitters who hit 30 400ft homeruns but strikes out 200 times. What are you really getting there? The highlights are awesome.

That's ugly

I don't remember attributing any goals against to one of his lapses.

I do remember wishing he produced more.

I read here he has 8 pt in 8 p/ games.