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

[chris kontos]

Hey bland
"Rob Blake nhl executive of the year"
Thats the most intriguing statement ive ever read on this board. Ple expand upon this and how you came to this submission.

 

[tigermask48]

An antiquated, boring, laughing stock of a system was abandoned in favor of an aggressive attack despite years of drafting and coaching and planning for the 1-3-1.

Which team is playing an aggressive attack? Because it isn't the Kings who are routinely called boring to watch, and are getting called out on national broadcasts for being far too relient on passing during their PPs.

 

[BigKing]

Hey bland
"Rob Blake nhl executive of the year"
Thats the most intriguing statement ive ever read on this board. Ple expand upon this and how you came to this submission.

Well, all his moves for this season have been winners. Can't stand the guy but we judge on results and the results are good.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The Kings have their fourth best winning percentage in their history, but they also did this in 2022-23, and were knocked out in 6 games by blowing a 2-1 series lead, lost Game 4 in OT, and lost three games in a row to Edmonton. They gave up 16 goals in those three losses.

 

[All The Kings Men]

When did Rob Blake say that Byfield accelerated the rebuild? All I can find on a quick search is blake saying prior to the draft that yes drafting number 2 overall could theoretically "Accelerate the plan"

"“Accelerate ‘The Plan’, maybe at the level of player, yes,” he said. “In the fact that when you are talking picks one and two in the draft you are talking very high-profile players. Now, the situation we were in, I think we knew would be in this type of situation where we would be in that lottery, so that has been factored into ‘The Plan’. Hopefully this does speed it up because of the caliber and the adjustment to that player in the NHL.”

From an interview in JUNE leading into a draft that took place in October.

I'm seeing some "Maybe" and "hopefully" in there... I know I'm just a company man and a shill but is there any other example of the GM saying that their rebuild has been "accelerated" or is this the molehill?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

In a 5-year period, the Kings selected...

• 2017, 11th overall - Vilardi (traded)
• 2018, 20th overall - Kupari (traded)
• 2019, 5th overall - Turcotte
• 2019, 22nd overall - Bjornfot (waived)
• 2020, 2nd overall - Byfield
• 2021, 8th overall - Clarke

Plenty of first round picks to build the team to a strong contender through the draft, which is what the Dallas Stars did in the same timeframe, who drafted the likes of Heiskanen, Oettinger, Harley, Johnston, not to mention their second round selections resulting in the likes of Robertson and Stankoven.

Of course the Stars would use one of their young, developed players to acquire a player like Mikko Rantanen, versus a malcontent like Pierre-Luc Dubois. It's a trade that won't be lived down until they demonstrate some success, and winning in the regular season is not enough.

 

[Herby]

In a 5-year period, the Kings selected...

• 2017, 11th overall - Vilardi (traded)
• 2018, 20th overall - Kupari (traded)
• 2019, 5th overall - Turcotte
• 2019, 22nd overall - Bjornfot (waived)
• 2020, 2nd overall - Byfield
• 2021, 8th overall - Clarke

Plenty of first round picks to build the team to a strong contender through the draft, which is what the Dallas Stars did in the same timeframe, who drafted the likes of Heiskanen, Oettinger, Harley, Johnston, not to mention their second round selections resulting in the likes of Robertson and Stankoven.

Of course the Stars would use one of their young, developed players to acquire a player like Mikko Rantanen, versus a malcontent like Pierre-Luc Dubois. It's a trade that won't be lived down until they demonstrate some success, and winning in the regular season is not enough.

One team knows how to develop youth and one doesn't.
One team turned the team over to young players while keeping their vets in secondary roles, the other made young players into complimentary pieces to players drafted during the GW Bush administration. Keeping players in the AHL longer than any other team in the league, and neutering any ceiling the players had.

You can add in all the 2nd round whiffs as well

Faber traded
JAD bust
Hughes bust
Kaliyev bust
Grans bust
Fagemo bust
Thomas (barely an NHL'er)
Pinelli (huge disappointment so far)

When you factor in not only the quality of picks, but the quantity of picks and you see what the results are right now, it's amazing that both Glen Murray and Mark Yannetti are both still employed by this team, whether you want to blame one or the other that is up for debate, but the Kings either have severe evaluation or development issues when it comes to young players, the results between 2017 and 2021 are horrible.

I just don't see how anyone can think positively about where the Kings are or where they are going to be. Between all the moves the Kings basically traded their 1st round picks in 2017, 2018, 2019 (one of them), 2022, 2023, how does one overcome that? That is what teams like Detroit and Colorado did back in the day, when they were winning multiple championships, yeah you gut your future but at least you look up and see banners, the Kings can't even win a playoff round. Eventually the traded 1st round picks, the miss on a top 5 pick, the trading of Faber are going to come home to roost. And even if we get a gift from God and Bluc are fired this summer and a rebuild begins, guess what, right as those younger players are going to be getting ready to knock on the door to the NHL, you have Byfield as an UFA because Blake inexplicably gave him a five year deal instead of an eight year deal that everyone else in the league has given their good young players, giving up team control of Byfield as early as possible. But yeah, executive of the year!

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I just don't see how anyone can think positively about where the Kings are or where they are going to be.

93 points in 74 games ... it's really not that difficult, dude. It's more odd that someone would think negatively about this team at this point.

 

[King'sPawn]

Yes, but this is NOT a negative, its a positive.

The elder statesmen are on their way out regardless of whether the kids are ready, and the thing the Eeyores around here aren't noticing is that the transition IS happening. It was always going to hurt, but while the expenditures to prolong the vets cost the Kings a couple of quality players and higher picks, there has been a noticeable change in philosophy since the end of last summer.

Open your eyes, guys. This nonsense about the 11/7, Lewis, Clarke sitting out, it just means nothing. It's had no negative impact at all. It's like complaining about the parsley at a restaurant. Totally insignificant issues.

You cannot guarantee success, there is no ready-made route to the Cup. But, there are choices that can guarantee failure. Blake and Co have spent 7 years making the wrong choices that have stripped any chance for success for the franchise... until this past July.

There has been a 180° philosophy change here, and what may have been logical to us all along may very well be ironical to them - but sound, reasonable decisions have been steadily made and progress has FINALLY started.

I beg you guys, stop concentrating on 4th liners playing 9 minutes a night and start paying closer attention to WHY decisions are made. Successful organizations start with sound, consistent, logical decisions that are true to their intentions.

There hasn't been a short cut taken since they acquired Dubois. Yes, that was an utter failure, but instead of doubling and tripling down on that mistake, Blake shrewdly got out from under it without the lengthy cost of a buyout (that a lot of us, myself included, were willing to endure just to get him the hell out).

It was imperative that Byfield was moved back to center ASAP, and they did so. It was vital that they integrated kids into higher roles even with an expected drop in the standings. They did so, but with far better results than we could have expected.

The bandaids to smooth over that transition were finally changed from overpaying up top to solidifying actual areas of weakness.

That kept all their top picks and prospects at the deadline and made a shrewd choice to compliment their team instead of change it in Kuzmenko.

An antiquated, boring, laughing stock of a system was abandoned in favor of an aggressive attack despite years of drafting and coaching and planning for the 1-3-1.

Every decision made this year was the right one at the right time. It is a dramatic change from the hard-wired failures that sucked the life out of the franchise and us fans.

Look at it, it's there. Widen your view of the franchise, understand where it is in the inevitable transition so long delayed, and the difference is unavoidable. There is a path to success being built right in front of you. This is a team on a major upswing now, and the on-ice results WILL follow.

For sure, Blake has made much better moves. And I think it goes back to before this season - while acquiring PLD was another terrible move that set the franchise back, putting Alex Laferriere in the roster immediately, and NOT sending him down to the AHL the first sign of a struggle.

I also really like they are keeping their picks. They've made just 9 in the past two years combined. One of those picks they are already planning to part ways (Matthew Mania).

All teams need to have a steady intake of young players. Whether it's to rebuild around a different core, or giving a younger core more responsibility over others. Teams need youth as much as they need vets.

 

[Herby]

93 points in 74 games ... it's really not that difficult, dude. It's more odd that someone would think negatively about this team at this point.

You're stupid little Jedi mind tricks with the points don't fool anybody, it's 2025 not 1995. Put down the SNES, take the Smashing Pumpkins CD out of the discman and come join us in the 21st century.

The Kings are 9th in the NHL, for a team that has largely gutted it's youth and handed out 1st round picks like candy for older players that is not some of accomplishment, congrats on being above average with a depleted system.

When a team makes trades like that, shouldn't it result in playoff series wins and division championships?

 

[BaileyFan]

You're stupid little Jedi mind tricks with the points don't fool anybody, it's 2025 not 1995. Put down the SNES, take the Smashing Pumpkins CD out of the discman and come join us in the 21st century.

The Kings are 9th in the NHL, for a team that has largely gutted it's youth and handed out 1st round picks like candy for older players that is not some of accomplishment, congrats on being above average with a depleted system.

When a team makes trades like that, shouldn't it result in playoff series wins and division championships?

His end-goal is a playoff series win (singular) and being in the playoff race every year no matter what. By that measure, Blake has done a pretty decent job. Byfield and Clarke probably won’t be enough to get them to a Cup with the lack of young talent around them, and they’re probably too old to be the faces of any sort of revamped youth movement rebuild, but they’ll keep the Kings afloat and in the playoff bubble at least for a long time.

For the “just get in” crowd that thinks being the new Predators is a good thing, the Blake regime has been a huge success.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You're stupid little Jedi mind tricks with the points don't fool anybody, it's 2025 not 1995. Put down the SNES, take the Smashing Pumpkins CD out of the discman and come join us in the 21st century.

The Kings are 9th in the NHL, for a team that has largely gutted it's youth and handed out 1st round picks like candy for older players that is not some of accomplishment, congrats on being above average with a depleted system.

When a team makes trades like that, shouldn't it result in playoff series wins and division championships?

You are right, it has been a fun and exciting season….and it’s only going to get better in the next few weeks! Hiller and Blake’s moves this season have been money…now we gotta beat EDM.

We should plan a round 1 gamewatch party.

 

[Herby]

We should plan a round 1 gamewatch party.

You'd get us all 86'ed from the bar

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You'll get us all 86'ed from the bar

Only if you report me to the manager.

 

[KINGS17]

You're stupid little Jedi mind tricks with the points don't fool anybody, it's 2025 not 1995. Put down the SNES, take the Smashing Pumpkins CD out of the discman and come join us in the 21st century.

The Kings are 9th in the NHL, for a team that has largely gutted it's youth and handed out 1st round picks like candy for older players that is not some of accomplishment, congrats on being above average with a depleted system.

When a team makes trades like that, shouldn't it result in playoff series wins and division championships?

 

[Bandit]

You're stupid little Jedi mind tricks with the points don't fool anybody, it's 2025 not 1995. Put down the SNES, take the Smashing Pumpkins CD out of the discman and come join us in the 21st century.

The Kings are 9th in the NHL, for a team that has largely gutted it's youth and handed out 1st round picks like candy for older players that is not some of accomplishment, congrats on being above average with a depleted system.

When a team makes trades like that, shouldn't it result in playoff series wins and division championships?

Lay off the pumpkins.

 

[VILARGOD]

I appreciate bland's recent posts as its nice to get a little optimism around here from somebody who's not a complete ass, but what I really respect is that he's doubling the f*** down lol.

Reading "The Kings will beat the Oilers this year", not once, but multiple times, and on the main boards too. I admire the confidence though I can't replicate it myself

 

[Bandit]

I appreciate bland's recent posts as its nice to get a little optimism around here from somebody who's not a complete ass, but what I really respect is that he's doubling the f*** down lol.

Reading "The Kings will beat the Oilers this year", not once, but multiple times, and on the main boards too. I admire the confidence though I can't replicate it myself

Yeah the kings will beat the oilers… to the golf course.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Hilarious

 

[Omni Owl]

So happy to have Foegele instead of the perpetually injured Arvidsson. I really wonder if losing Foegele, Holloway, and Broberg will have an impact on the Oiler's playoff performance, or if it won't even matter as long as they have McDrai. Also hoping that shithead Evander Kane remains on LTIR for good.

 

[Lt Dan]

Russell the love muscle has spoken

 

[shuchukfan]

Not sure how I feel about those guys being out. I don't want the rest of the team to gain confidence now that they have to pick up the slack. I also don't want those two twerps getting rest for the playoffs. At least our guys should be safe from getting boarded from behind...

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Well, all his moves for this season have been winners. Can't stand the guy but we judge on results and the results are good.

Yup. This is my position, and I’ve been done with the Blake regime since like 2019.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Play Rittich honestly

Not sure how I feel about those guys being out. I don't want the rest of the team to gain confidence now that they have to pick up the slack. I also don't want those two twerps getting rest for the playoffs. At least our guys should be safe from getting boarded from behind...

They should send Malott to check them in the locker rooms

Whoops just a little off path

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Not sure how I feel about those guys being out. I don't want the rest of the team to gain confidence now that they have to pick up the slack. I also don't want those two twerps getting rest for the playoffs. At least our guys should be safe from getting boarded from behind...

who cares about that right now, most critical thing is to gain a bigger lead on EDM. The importance of HOME-ICE can not be overstated.