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

[Axl Rhoadz]

I don't think LA wins tonight, and if that happens, Hiller has to be gone, he can't survive that big of a f***up in Game 3, that CLEARLY altered this series.

Not to say he's a bad coach, I think he did a really good job, but you can't make THAT mistake, in this time, after knowing the history of the past 4 years..... Someone said Sullivan, he's not the answer either, not sure who is.

After that, does Blake go? I don't know, should he go? again, I don't know, part of me is, yea, it's getting stale, the other is, feels like he JUST got a handle on things, (bringing in Edmonson, Jeannot, etc) but that's about a dozen years too late....possibly, question really is, if Blake goes, who replaces him, Bergergvin? If that's the case, he needs to stay......who else would replace Blake? Maybe Rittich or Keumper pull a Snow?

I'm not hanging my hat on whether Hiller should stay or go. Coming into the playoffs, I really liked what he's done and where the team was at....5 games later, I'm severely scratching my head on his decisions.

However, I just don't realistically see them firing the guy year 1 of a 3-year deal (especially with what he did in regular season)....UNLESS they completely clean house and Bluc is going with him.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I'm not hanging my hat on whether Hiller should stay or go. Coming into the playoffs, I really liked what he's done and where the team was at....5 games later, I'm severely scratching my head on his decisions.

However, I just don't realistically see them firing the guy year 1 of a 3-year deal (especially with what he did in regular season)....UNLESS they completely clean house and Bluc is going with him.

Maybe, I didn't know he got a 3 year deal, but regardless, that single decision in game 3, it's inexcusable, you just can not make that type of decision, in a playoff game, live to fight another day and he f***ed the dog on that one.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Maybe, I didn't know he got a 3 year deal, but regardless, that single decision in game 3, it's inexcusable, you just can not make that type of decision, in a playoff game, live to fight another day and he f***ed the dog on that one.

of course, ultimately he makes the decision...but I'd really like to know how much input the 'video coach(s)' had with that call.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

of course, ultimately he makes the decision...but I'd really like to know how much input the 'video coach(s)' had with that call.

A LOT.......but he still has to read the f***ing room and realize that wasn't the time....

 

[DryIslandBartender]

of course, ultimately he makes the decision...but I'd really like to know how much input the 'video coach(s)' had with that call.

It’s more than just the video, it’s also weighing the risk of McJesus and Crysaitl on a PP AFTER you lose a challenge.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Hiller is an assistant, he just doesn't have the Head coach genes. Bridesmaid syndrome
But he follows directions well.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

It’s more than just the video, it’s also weighing the risk of McJesus and Crysaitl on a PP AFTER you lose a challenge.

Thank you Cap'n Obvious, I am aware of that.

 

[Herby]

Well, I hate to say it, but I'm coming to the end of the line. I've been a fan since 2000 and had several years with season tickets and multiple visits to the Pond for Duck Roasts. With the games starting at 10:30 on the east coast it's harder to keep up, but I probably watched 70 games either live or recorded this season and every playoff game so far. I've been critical of the team but always maintained hope. It's redundant to say, but the fatal error was made after the 2021 season when the team exited the rebuild one season too early. The Kings are paying the price for that still today, and it looks like there is no way to unwind that mistake, particularly with the current regime.

Meanwhile, I look at what the genius Bill Zito has done in Florida. Forsling, Bennett, Verhaege, Rodrigues, Mikola, Schmidt all rescued off the scrap heap. Tkachuk fleeced away from Calgary (thank you, no state income tax) and Reinhart stolen from Buffalo. This added to a core led by Barkov, a younger and more physical version of Kopitar. Strategic acquisitions like Jones and Marchand. These guys have to be the favorite to repeat. Strong management makes a difference.

If the Kings stick with Bluc, I'm done. Moving to South Carolina has been a blessing in more ways than I can count. The Kings are my last link now to California. Perhaps it is time to finally say goodbye...

It's sad to continue seeing posts like this from fans like yourself, who have been following this team and talking about this team in this community for decades. You are not the first one to convey this sentiment here, and you certainly will not be the last. As someone who also deals with the struggles of staying up late to follow this team, I feel for you. I do not know if I would be watching every game if I were not financially incentivized by having betting action on the games. I think about my own fading fandom, in how I used to go to multiple games around the Midwest in years past, but this season I only went to one. It was truly depressing to look at the team during pre-game warmups and see where things stand in year eight under this management. They are so far from being a contender, so far from where the previous regime had the roster at the same point in time.

And yes, the things that still link me to California, other than family, are my fandom of the Kings and Angels. But it is incredibly tough, because both teams have been so poorly managed that it is hard not to want to just give up entirely.

Another thing that makes me really sad is seeing the comments on this forum and others directed at Kopitar and Doughty. I must admit that I have been guilty of this myself, especially watching Doughty look like a shell of his former self in these playoffs. These two franchise icons deserved so much better from this management team. But since Blake completely failed in drafting and developing anything that even resembles replacements over eight years, we are stuck with these guys still trying to be the franchise players at 37 and 35, instead of sliding into secondary roles where they would still be positive contributors. It is incredibly unfortunate that our final memories of these players will likely be watching them struggle to keep up, while still being expected to carry top-line responsibilities.

I don't think LA wins tonight

Et tu, GBH?

You know its looking bleak, what next, are we going to have KOPITARGOAT predict a loss too?

 

[Herby]

Delete

 

[BringTheReign]

Revisiting the 2020 NHL Draft: Skating, goalie development and more lessons

Arguably, the best value pick of the 2020 draft was Brock Faber. He had some offense/puck-play questions in his draft year, which is why he went in the second round, but his skating was always among the best in his age group. Drafting skating is no guarantee of success, but it’s an interesting coincidence regardless.

Just posting my monthly/quarterly reminder that if Blake had made zero trades from the start of the 2021 season on we'd be in a much better position to build a sustainable contending roster. You could cherry pick that Gavrikov trade paid off, but I'd rather not to emphasize the point, frankly.

Vilardi - Byfield - Laferriere
Turcotte - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Danault - Iafallo
Ohgren - Helenius - Kupari*
*JAD, UFA signings, etc

Anderson - Doughty
Spence* - Faber
Edmundson - Clarke
*Moverare, UFA signings, etc

Quick
*UFA signings (Talbot, Rittich, Copley, whoever)
Petersen buried in the minors

Two additional 1st round picks: Liam Ohgren, LW (Wild), Oliver Bonk, RD (Flyers via Blue Jackets)

 

[AbsentMojo]

I dont think one poster here thinks they have a chance tonite. All the chatter already assumes an incoming loss... and that says a lot about what this org has produced. About the only chance would have to come from an act of the hockey gods - e.g. 29 and 97 slam into each other on a criss cross and both get carted off.

 

[Lt Dan]

I dont think one poster here thinks they have a chance tonite. All the chatter already assumes an incoming loss... and that says a lot about what this org has produced. About the only chance would have to come from an act of the hockey gods - e.g. 29 and 97 slam into each other on a criss cross and both get carted off.

My only string of hope was 2014. The Kings came back from an 0-3 and then from a 3-2 series deficit to Anaheim, but I don't think this team has the nads.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

It's sad to continue seeing posts like this from fans like yourself, who have been following this team and talking about this team in this community for decades. You are not the first one to convey this sentiment here, and you certainly will not be the last. As someone who also deals with the struggles of staying up late to follow this team, I feel for you. I do not know if I would be watching every game if I were not financially incentivized by having betting action on the games. I think about my own fading fandom, in how I used to go to multiple games around the Midwest in years past, but this season I only went to one. It was truly depressing to look at the team during pre-game warmups and see where things stand in year eight under this management. They are so far from being a contender, so far from where the previous regime had the roster at the same point in time.

And yes, the things that still link me to California, other than family, are my fandom of the Kings and Angels. But it is incredibly tough, because both teams have been so poorly managed that it is hard not to want to just give up entirely.

Another thing that makes me really sad is seeing the comments on this forum and others directed at Kopitar and Doughty. I must admit that I have been guilty of this myself, especially watching Doughty look like a shell of his former self in these playoffs. These two franchise icons deserved so much better from this management team. But since Blake completely failed in drafting and developing anything that even resembles replacements over eight years, we are stuck with these guys still trying to be the franchise players at 37 and 35, instead of sliding into secondary roles where they would still be positive contributors. It is incredibly unfortunate that our final memories of these players will likely be watching them struggle to keep up, while still being expected to carry top-line responsibilities.


Et tu, GBH?

You know its looking bleak, what next, are we going to have KOPITARGOAT predict a loss too?

LOL I think that 3rd game challenge/loss of the game just blew the f*** out of this team....they had the swagger, they were playing winning hockey, sure, a few warts, but EDM is a good team as well, gonna be battles, gonna be bruises, but that was like a knife to the back......then game 4.....winning hockey....ok....passive.....I don't think Hiller survives that.....not if they lose, and even if they end up pulling a skunk out of their ass, I don't think they can trust Hiller anymore....

Having said that, I'm not in the room, in the rink, in the day to day obviously, but if I'm playing on that team and my coach did that, I'd f***ing lose it......probably get over it eventually....in the next 3 years...but I'd lose it, it's the stupidest thing they have done since the Blake started........its like staring victory in the eyes and turning your team around and stabbing them in the back...that's how f***ing stupid that was.

 

[AbsentMojo]

My only string of hope was 2014. The Kings came back from an 0-3 and then from a 3-2 series deficit to Anaheim, but I don't think this team has the nads.

Even if they all went for a pregame testosterone IV, with Hiller controlling the deployment its hopeless... curious to see what tweak he tries... will it be 11/7 (would be wise on the road), will it be 61 instead of Kuzmenko on line1... or some new thing like Kempe is now the official 2LD.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Even if they all went for a pregame testosterone IV, with Hiller controlling the deployment its hopeless... curious to see what tweak he tries... will it be 11/7 (would be wise on the road), will it be 61 instead of Kuzmenko on line1... or some new thing like Kempe is now the official 2LD.

I don't mind trying new shit if the old shit ain't working...when I coached, I was one of the first to with 5 man units.....instead of your traditional 3-2.....(keep in mind this was early 90s) 5 man units, small game practices, full intensity etc....all the shit you see now....

So trying something new, great...but it's gotta work in a do or die situation

 

[AbsentMojo]

I don't mind trying new shit if the old shit ain't working...when I coached, I was one of the first to with 5 man units.....instead of your traditional 3-2.....(keep in mind this was early 90s) 5 man units, small game practices, full intensity etc....all the shit you see now....

So trying something new, great...but it's gotta work in a do or die situation

Running 11x7 on the road would make sense to me since you can put guys like QB and Kempe with the 4th line and spread the TOI around vs running the 9 x 4. 29 and 97 do present unique challenges for matchups - and I dont think Hiller has come up with a good plan. Shortening your bench you can see still leads to a loss due to fatigue in the 3rd.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Well, I hate to say it, but I'm coming to the end of the line. I've been a fan since 2000 and had several years with season tickets and multiple visits to the Pond for Duck Roasts. With the games starting at 10:30 on the east coast it's harder to keep up, but I probably watched 70 games either live or recorded this season and every playoff game so far. I've been critical of the team but always maintained hope. It's redundant to say, but the fatal error was made after the 2021 season when the team exited the rebuild one season too early. The Kings are paying the price for that still today, and it looks like there is no way to unwind that mistake, particularly with the current regime.

Meanwhile, I look at what the genius Bill Zito has done in Florida. Forsling, Bennett, Verhaege, Rodrigues, Mikola, Schmidt all rescued off the scrap heap. Tkachuk fleeced away from Calgary (thank you, no state income tax) and Reinhart stolen from Buffalo. This added to a core led by Barkov, a younger and more physical version of Kopitar. Strategic acquisitions like Jones and Marchand. These guys have to be the favorite to repeat. Strong management makes a difference.

If the Kings stick with Bluc, I'm done. Moving to South Carolina has been a blessing in more ways than I can count. The Kings are my last link now to California. Perhaps it is time to finally say goodbye...

Drew Doughty is public enemy number one in this regard.

He cried to the media about wanting to win, which spooked all the dickless corporate suits, and the whole plan was abandoned. And now he’s barely a top four defenseman.

 

[Piston]

I dont think one poster here thinks they have a chance tonite. All the chatter already assumes an incoming loss... and that says a lot about what this org has produced. About the only chance would have to come from an act of the hockey gods - e.g. 29 and 97 slam into each other on a criss cross and both get carted off.

We already got our gift from the Hockey Gods in Game 1. Think about it, after their comeback, the Oilers had us on the ropes until Danault's ugly shot bounced off Skinner's shoulder. The thing about a 7 game series is that it is long enough for breaks to even out, and generally the better team prevails. What hurts is that we have won more periods than Edmonton, but their superior third periods have wiped out all the hard work. That goes to age, conditioning and coaching. Needless to say, we lack in all three areas.

I remember Dean Lombardi talking about his boxes that needed to be filled by players in a similar age group. Our critical boxes are filled all over the place with youngsters (Byfield, Laferriere, Clarke), players in their prime (Kempe, Gavrikov, Anderson, Fialla) and veterans (Kopitar, Doughty). There is no plan, just a scramble to fill holes. Take away superior play by Kuemper, and this series may have been a rout.

Worst of all, I don't even think they realize there is an issue. Hoven (Blake's mouthpiece) was bragging about the Kings winning in 5. Management will point to the regular season record and two playoff wins as signs of progress- just need to tinker around the edges to 'fix' some things. Yet, our #1 center will be 38 and is clearly out of gas, our #1 D-man will be 36 and there is no reason to contemplate wholesale changes. Like I said, if that attitude prevails, I'm going with Carolina or Florida next season. These are well run organizations, in my time zone. I'll miss Nick Nickson and Jim Foz, miss all my fellow posters on this board and miss 'Hollywood Nights'. But, life is about change, making improvements, learning from mistakes and moving on when necessary. I love watching Hockey and will continue to be a fan. It's the only sport I follow anymore, the purest with the least amount of grandstanding and the non-stop action. Maybe AEG will rescue this fan in a week or two, otherwise it's sayonara.

 

[AbsentMojo]

We already got our gift from the Hockey Gods in Game 1. Think about it, after their comeback, the Oilers had us on the ropes until Danault's ugly shot bounced off Skinner's shoulder. The thing about a 7 game series is that it is long enough for breaks to even out, and generally the better team prevails. What hurts is that we have won more periods than Edmonton, but their superior third periods have wiped out all the hard work. That goes to age, conditioning and coaching. Needless to say, we lack in all three areas.

I remember Dean Lombardi talking about his boxes that needed to be filled by players in a similar age group. Our critical boxes are filled all over the place with youngsters (Byfield, Laferriere, Clarke), players in their prime (Kempe, Gavrikov, Anderson, Fialla) and veterans (Kopitar, Doughty). There is no plan, just a scramble to fill holes. Take away superior play by Kuemper, and this series may have been a rout.

Worst of all, I don't even think they realize there is an issue. Hoven (Blake's mouthpiece) was bragging about the Kings winning in 5. Management will point to the regular season record and two playoff wins as signs of progress- just need to tinker around the edges to 'fix' some things. Yet, our #1 center will be 38 and is clearly out of gas, our #1 D-man will be 36 and there is no reason to contemplate wholesale changes. Like I said, if that attitude prevails, I'm going with Carolina or Florida next season. These are well run organizations, in my time zone. I'll miss Nick Nickson and Jim Foz, miss all my fellow posters on this board and miss 'Hollywood Nights'. But, life is about change, making improvements, learning from mistakes and moving on when necessary. I love watching Hockey and will continue to be a fan. It's the only sport I follow anymore, the purest with the least amount of grandstanding and the non-stop action. Maybe AEG will rescue this fan in a week or two, otherwise it's sayonara.

Hard to be associated with something that insults your intelligence... What youre doing is logical.. for me its pretty hard to just adopt another team after investing so much into one - but everyone has their tolerance level. I dumped the Chi Bears - so I do have a threshold (have re-adopted them since C Williams). I have always liked MacKinnon (my fav player in the league) and when Makar took off the Avs were my backup team that I watched a lot - since every shift something exciting could happen. I started watching WPG a lot more since they got Vilardi and co. I cant root for them like for the Kings, but at least I have a bit of investment in something that doesnt suck.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Worst of all, I don't even think they realize there is an issue. Hoven (Blake's mouthpiece) was bragging about the Kings winning in 5. Management will point to the regular season record and two playoff wins as signs of progress- just need to tinker around the edges to 'fix' some things. Yet, our #1 center will be 38 and is clearly out of gas, our #1 D-man will be 36 and there is no reason to contemplate wholesale changes. Like I said, if that attitude prevails, I'm going with Carolina or Florida next season. These are well run organizations, in my time zone. I'll miss Nick Nickson and Jim Foz, miss all my fellow posters on this board and miss 'Hollywood Nights'. But, life is about change, making improvements, learning from mistakes and moving on when necessary. I love watching Hockey and will continue to be a fan. It's the only sport I follow anymore, the purest with the least amount of grandstanding and the non-stop action. Maybe AEG will rescue this fan in a week or two, otherwise it's sayonara.

Settle down....A LOT of people in more respected positions than internet message boards had the Kings taking this series.

 

[fivehole32]

One thing that I have found interesting as I have gotten older. The appreciation for other players around the league. When I was younger I loved the Kings and everyone else was the enemy. Now I find myself following a player, mainly goalies, and rooting for that team because of them in the playoffs. I doubt I'll ever drop the Kings as a fan, but I can understand people, like @Piston living in other time zones dropping them. I mean if there is nothing to get excited about because of piss poor management, its not worth staying up into the early morning hours to watch and follow.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Drew Doughty is public enemy number one in this regard.

He cried to the media about wanting to win, which spooked all the dickless corporate suits, and the whole plan was abandoned. And now he’s barely a top four defenseman.

Doughty should have requested a trade instead of calling out the plan.

Doughty wants to compete but also doesn’t want to leave the friendly confines of Manhattan Beach. He loves Toronto but doesn’t want to be under a microscope there either.

Ironically we just have a bunch of Rob Blakes on this team that love the beach life and love to do just enough to be above mediocre.

 

[kinghock]

If y'all lose to the Oilers again, would you entertain a Drake Batherson + deal for Adrian Kempe?

no

 

[Herby]

One thing that I have found interesting as I have gotten older. The appreciation for other players around the league. When I was younger I loved the Kings and everyone else was the enemy. Now I find myself following a player, mainly goalies, and rooting for that team because of them in the playoffs. I doubt I'll ever drop the Kings as a fan, but I can understand people, like @Piston living in other time zones dropping them. I mean if there is nothing to get excited about because of piss poor management, its not worth staying up into the early morning hours to watch and follow.

100% this, and I was just thinking about this when Ovi broke the record and trying to convey to my 11 y/o daughter 12 y/o nephew how special this moment we were watching.

I went through a similar change somewhere along the way. Looking back I wish I had appreciated being able to watch guys like Forsberg, Kariya, Selanne, Modano, Fedorov, Hull etc instead of hating them because they were the Kings opponents. I think for me it was when I started going to college games and becoming a huge fan of that and seeing guys before they reached the NHL.

It just doesn't make sense to me to hate on an awesome young center from one of the non-traditional hockey powers who is one of the most exciting players to watch and has produced at levels in his first five seasons that indicate he has a one-way ticket to the HHOF. I'm supposed to dislike this player because SeNsFaN6969 is an idiot on a messageboard? That is ludicrous.

To magnify and point out the flaws of the two best d-man of their era because one is on my team and the other is on a diff team? Doughty in 2014 and Karlsson in 2017 put together the two most dominant post-seasons by defenseman I had ever seen in all my years watching the sport. I wish the opposite fanbases appreciated that more, and I assume 10-15 years from now they hopefully will.

The same thing happening kind of now with Hughes and Makar fanbases. Q Hughes is my favorite player in the league, I hype him up all the time and how IMO he changes the game like no other defenseman in the league, but I don't really get what trying to downplay Makar would accomplish, he's going to end up being an all-time great defenseman in his own right. But I realize if I were 19 I'd probably be posting video clips of Makar mistakes too.

I guess it's just a perspective of these players that changes with age.

The only players I don't like are the ones that are either scumbags and liars (Rob Blake, Ryan Smyth, Alexei Yashin types) or if they are headhunting cheapshot artists risking injury to other players (Evander Kane, Matt Cooke, Bryan Marchment types).

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Florida is probably the closest thing in the league to the Sutter Kings, I can get on board with that

Otherwise like others rooting for MacKinnon and Makar