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

[80shockeywasbuns]

I feel like I was way higher on Clarke than most here, and way lower on Byfield.

It's so frustrating with Clarke because you can see the type of talent that very few blue-liners possess. I feel bad for the kid because not only did he get drafted by a team with an on-ice philosophy that clashes with how he plays, which has limited his ceiling, but that team also has a very bizarre development system that has been unable to get players to hit their ceiling. He was truly hit with the double-whammy by being drafted by the Kings

If you looked at where Clarke, L. Hughes and Faber were after their age 18 seasons (D+1), these guys while different style players, were all comparable and should have been well on their way to being top-pairing defenders sooner than later.

And that is where the development diverges. Faber and Hughes become even more dominant players in their age 19 seasons, while Clarke plays for 3 different teams, and is healthy scratched for many games before being sent to junior where he faces no resistance at all. Why? Because Rob Blake didn't want to burn a year off his ELC.

Hughes jumps straight to the NHL at the end of his D+2, never stepping foot in the AHL. Faber returns to school at Minnesota for his D+3 because Blake's an idiot, assumes a leadership role as team captain and is the best defenseman in the country before jumping straight into Minnesota's playoff roster following the season. Both are able to continue developing at the NHL level, and by 22 they are both first pairing defenders in the NHL on playoff teams.

Instead of developing at the NHL level like those guys did. Clarke gets the typical Kings treatment of learning the system, paying his dues in Ontario and working with Muzz (the prospects kiss of death). And falls significantly behind the development timelines that both those guys had, despite being equals at the end of their age 18 season.

An even better comparison for Clarke might be Zayne Parekh of Calgary, who I actually was able to see play in person this season. Top 10 pick from the OHL, elite A+ skills from the blueline, dominant D+1 season.

Just watch what Calgary does with Parekh during his age 19 season next year, and then compare it to what the Kings did with Clarke, and then see where Parekh is in a couple of years, when he's the same age Clarke is now. I promise you he won't be a third pairing defender.

And getting back to Faber/Hughes, you should feel bad for Clarke, because just due to garbage luck of being drafted by Rob Blake and developed by Glen Murray, he is going to be millions of dollars behind these guys in career earnings. Faber is already signed to an $8.5m contract for next year, and I'm guessing Hughes is signed to something close to that as well. Clarke will make $925k and it's very unlikely his second contract is anywhere close to those guys.

Development is important!

I’m a NYR fan and I really think Clarke is great. I wish we could trade Schneider for him

 

[BigKing]

They’d be locker room signings which the Kings I think are in need of. Surround your youth with leaders, lead by example kind of players. Eventually, those leadership qualities bleeds into the youth. The team needs leaders, and it needs heart.

But then again, i’m just a fan. I have no business thinking I know what the team really needs. Maybe more dancing in the locker room.

They would never come to this loserville of a franchise at this stage of their careers. If so, Blake would have to way overpay on top of the standard CA tax.

 

[SmytheKing]

Until proven otherwise, Byfield is a career 50 point center/LW hybrid who can’t win a faceoff and disappears for long stretches.

Yeah, he has a ton of potential. But that has been the story of the Rob Blake Kings for 8 years now.

I have no attachment to Byfield or faith he can lead this team anywhere. He is who he is. Maybe he takes another step under better management. But until then, what the f*** are we talking about?

Four years ago:

Prospect Info: Post in thread 'LAK Draft (2nd, 2020) C Quinton Byfield - Sudbury Wolves, OHL'

Jan 17, 2021

I want him to be the best guy that comes out of this draft, but I feel like it's not gonna happen. Yup. It's way too early to make that projection but it's just my gut.

Byfield is going to be a guy that you see flashes of greatness in and then wonder where it is the rest of the year. He's going to be Petr Nedved but somewhat more frustrating.

Stutzle is the guy Lombardi would have picked for better or for worse. He has that "it" factor that can't be measured or calculated. Save this post if you would like to. I hope I'm wrong. I don't think I will be though. The Kings will have a...

• SmytheKing

Just scroll a bit back in that thread and forward and you'll see the same things we're talking about today with him were being talked about then. Just frustrating to watch the guy at times.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I was watching videos the other day - you know who the Kings miss is a player like Brendan Lemieux. He mixed it up. Remember Kane getting so mad at Pepe, he glove punched him and Brendan totally played it up like it was worse than it was and flopped over and drew a penalty. LOL.

During the one playoff series Lemieux played - there was a game within the game battle between him and Kassian the entire series - they were chatting after every face off. Pepe stayed on the ice during a warm up and was shooting pucks while Kane did the same thing. Mind games.

Also, let's not forgot Kassian and Kane both cross checking Durzi. Lemieux then took a run at Tyson Barrie at the end of one game and punched him as if to say - you go after our star D, we will go after yours.

Of course, that was the one series we took Edmonton to 7. We had Brown and Lemieux.

I really wish Jeannot played in this series, it would have made some difference in terms of physicality.

Also, let's not forget Clifford fighting Desjardins during the Sharks series in 2014 when Desjardins went after Willie Mitchell.

What happens when McDavid cross checks Anderson and he misses games. NOTHING.

What happens when Nurse cross checks Byfield in the back of the neck. NOTHING.

What happens when Kane knees Kempe. NOTHING.

 

[funky]

Yep, sort of like HExtall for DL. Or on ice, trading Visnovsky for Stoll and Greene.

HExy ended up being a pretty awful GM but boy was he good at whipping people into shape around here, even Quick.

The culture change at this point is more important than the talent.

If it’s a culture change than being in Torts. Last a couple years but teach what is needed.

Lombardi is the best GM this team ever had but at the end he was brutal including the US team he built.

I want someone with no ties to this organization. Someone not stuck in the past yet not reliant on analytics to a fault.

Kopi is welcome back with a reduced role and without the C. It’s time to see what Byfield can do with the role and the C has to go to someone like Kempe or Danault.

If Gav is re-signed then Anderson has to go. To many 1 trick no offence blueliners.

Foegele - Danault - Laf is your third line. Moore has to be traded to use his 4.2 in better ways.

Jeannot has to be re-signed - no raise.
Jeannot - Helenius - Tiurcotte rides again.

Fiala- Byfield- Kempe.
Kuzmenko - Kopitar - Bennett
Foegele- Danault- Laf
Jeannot- Helenius - Turcotte

1 free agency signing up front - Moore gone

Back end is hard. On paper Drew is still number 1 but balance the minutes.

Gav - Drew. - Gav has a bit more offense than Anderson which should help Drew a the forwards. 21 to 22 mins a night. Drew PP 2

Edmundson and Clarke - 18 to 19 mins a night. Edmundson has warts as does Brandt but both offer things no other defenseman does. Clarke PP1 . In a perfect world we would find an improvement over Edmundson and have him pay with Spence on the bottom pairing.

Gone Anderson.

Darcy is a great 1A but we need a 1B instead of a 2. Rittich is not the answer. They overplayed Darcy at times because they did not trust Rittich and he was exhausted. Hmm seems like a theme with the 35 plus group.

I have no interest in hearing about trade Byfield. We’re not drafting low enough to get a franchise center in the next few years, we barely have a center replace Kopitar who’s on his last legs, we have no one to replace Byfield. I can see the kings going after Connor when Kopitar retires. It just seems that’s the way things are lining up for better for worse. And just like with Gretzky, it would help the kings in the first couple of years, but age poorly.

Anyways, off-season is early. Some of my beliefs and ideas will probably change in the next few weeks.

At this point, I’m just frustrated and would probably be happy if Yanetti took over as GM and replaced the whole development side.

I have never liked the Hiller hire for coach, but think he is a great assistant coach. There just has to be a bigger voice in the room over his. Saying that, there’s no way he should survive after these playoffs.

Luke and Blake should’ve been gone before last summer but in my eyes, Blake did right the ship with his last off-season. I would be willing to get him one more, but Luc has to be gone.
He comes off as senile and a total ass clown in all the interviews he’s done in the last year. I still think PLD has Luc’s stink all over it. Sounds like his buddy Bergevin may be gone.

At this point, Blake has two strikes, no balls and is facing a prime Nolan Ryan. It’s time to get that huge hit or head to the dugout forever

 

[The Butcher]

I was watching videos the other day - you know who the Kings miss is a player like Brendan Lemieux. He mixed it up. Remember Kane getting so mad at Pepe, he glove punched him and Brendan totally played it up like it was worse than it was and flopped over and drew a penalty. LOL.

During the one playoff series Lemieux played - there was a game within the game battle between him and Kassian the entire series - they were chatting after every face off. Pepe stayed on the ice during a warm up and was shooting pucks while Kane did the same thing. Mind games.

Also, let's not forgot Kassian and Kane both cross checking Durzi. Lemieux then took a run at Tyson Barrie at the end of one game and punched him as if to say - you go after our star D, we will go after yours.

Of course, that was the one series we took Edmonton to 7. We had Brown and Lemieux.

I really wish Jeannot played in this series, it would have made some difference in terms of physicality.

Also, let's not forget Clifford fighting Desjardins during the Sharks series in 2014 when Desjardins went after Willie Mitchell.

What happens when McDavid cross checks Anderson and he misses games. NOTHING.

What happens when Nurse cross checks Byfield in the back of the neck. NOTHING.

What happens when Kane knees Kempe. NOTHING.

Don't forget that twerp Arvidsson. I about lost it when I saw him crosscheck whoever he did in the 3rd last night. That play called for about straight up brawl. And the crazy thing is I can't remember RV doing anything close to that dirty or violent when he was a King.

 

[DAkings20]

Teams that have won a playoff series more recently than the LA Kings:

• Anaheim Ducks
• San Jose Sharks
• Arizona Coyotes

 

[Herby]

Teams that have won a playoff series more recently than the LA Kings:

• Anaheim Ducks
• San Jose Sharks
• Arizona Coyotes

View attachment 1028333

And the Ducks and Sharks will also win their next playoff series before the Kings do.

 

[chris kontos]

Don't forget that twerp Arvidsson. I about lost it when I saw him crosscheck whoever he did in the 3rd last night. That play called for about straight up brawl. And the crazy thing is I can't remember RV doing anything close to that dirty or violent when he was a King.

The lack of physical support or protection for gavrikov after that incident is more telling of what i think is the greatest problem (besides the front office)with the kings- that they dont retaliate when one of thierbrother teamates is abused. I saw laferreriere retaliate against an opposing players cheap shot in a regular season game this year and it earned him a public ass chewing by hiller and being benched for the rest of the period. Obviously the team has been ordered not to stick up for thier teamates. This will ensure the team being abused and treated like raw bitches.
There's an old saying in hockey that if the refs wont police the game the players have to. Otherwise your team will be taken advantage of consistently. This also exists in other sports. But i have never seen or heard of management in ANY sport prohibiting thierteam from sticking up for each other- its bizarre. This is destructive of team morale and cohesiveness and competitive spirit. It indicates a loser mentality throughout.
How can you punish physicality in a contact sport?

 

[FSL KINGS]

Needs for next season.
Gone: Doughty, Burroughs, Moore, front office

Needs:
Top 6 Center,
Game Changer,
Top 4D to actually defend instead of whatever it is Doughty is doing on the ice.

What I expect, sign Gavrikov to a ridiculous contact, Doughty back running his mouth game 1. Take a shot at Bennett then "win" the off-season by signing Marner to way too much money.

 

[DAkings20]

What a loser organization

 

[unicornpig]

What a loser organization

View attachment 1028494

Organization doesn’t mind being a bitch on the ice and in social media

 

[BaileyFan]

What a loser organization

View attachment 1028494

Beating the Oilers is their Cup. So I guess getting respect in the handshake line is like making the Finals before valiantly falling short.

 

[FrozenKing18]

AEG took over the Kings in 1995. Under their tenure, 3 GM's have been fired.

Sam McMaster, 1997, after missing the playoffs.
Dave Taylor, 2007, after missing the playoffs.
Dean Lombardi, 2017, after missing the playoffs.

So they've never fired a GM after making the post season.

Awesome. I can get excited for 2027 when the King miss the playoffs and Rob Blake is ultimately fired. I’m assuming Kopitar and Doughty retires that same year also.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Last note:

Edmonton has knocked you out four years in a row. Their team, in that entire time has:

Intentionally tried to injure your players
Intentionally skirted the rules of the game to their benefit
Draisaitl is literally slashing people after plays and purposefully cheating at face-offs
McDavid was holding sticks every game to cause either holding penalties or just f***ing score

This team does not respect the Kings.

The fact this team loses a 4th time IN A ROW and just walks off to go golf is f***ing pathetic.

I feel like I am more heartbroken than any player on this gutless team.

You had hoped after that last game of the season against them and Danault's comments something would've been different. But we all knew it wouldn't be.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I was watching videos the other day - you know who the Kings miss is a player like Brendan Lemieux. He mixed it up. Remember Kane getting so mad at Pepe, he glove punched him and Brendan totally played it up like it was worse than it was and flopped over and drew a penalty. LOL.

During the one playoff series Lemieux played - there was a game within the game battle between him and Kassian the entire series - they were chatting after every face off. Pepe stayed on the ice during a warm up and was shooting pucks while Kane did the same thing. Mind games.

Also, let's not forgot Kassian and Kane both cross checking Durzi. Lemieux then took a run at Tyson Barrie at the end of one game and punched him as if to say - you go after our star D, we will go after yours.

Of course, that was the one series we took Edmonton to 7. We had Brown and Lemieux.

I really wish Jeannot played in this series, it would have made some difference in terms of physicality.

Also, let's not forget Clifford fighting Desjardins during the Sharks series in 2014 when Desjardins went after Willie Mitchell.

What happens when McDavid cross checks Anderson and he misses games. NOTHING.

What happens when Nurse cross checks Byfield in the back of the neck. NOTHING.

What happens when Kane knees Kempe. NOTHING.

Dean Lombardi Quote

Every good army needs a couple of criminals.

www.azquotes.com

 

[All The Kings Men]

AEG took over the Kings in 1995. Under their tenure, 3 GM's have been fired.

Sam McMaster, 1997, after missing the playoffs.
Dave Taylor, 2007, after missing the playoffs.
Dean Lombardi, 2017, after missing the playoffs.

So they've never fired a GM after making the post season.

I was telling someone about this post when I suddenly realized mid-sentence that it's wrong.

Dave Taylor was fired in 2006.

As you were.

 

[johnjm22]

I was telling someone about this post when I suddenly realized mid-sentence that it's wrong.

Dave Taylor was fired in 2006.

As you were.

You're right.

Which means both DL and DT were fired the day after the final game of the season. I have to update this post:

Kings fire Lombardi, Sutter; promote Robitaille

With the firing of GM Dean Lombardi and head coach Darryl Sutter, the Los Angeles Kings have parted with the duo that led the franchise to two Stanley Cups.

www.espn.com

The last game of the 2016-17 season was April 9th.

Lombardi was fired April 10th.

Kings fire GM Dave Taylor

The Kings fired general manager Dave Taylor today in what is expected to be the first of several moves to overhaul the front office.The move was expected, even by Taylor himself, after the team fai…

www.ocregister.com

Last game of the 05-06 season was April 17th.

Dave Taylor was fired around April 18th.

Last game of the 2005-06 season was April 17th. Dave Taylor was fired April 18th.

Last game of the 2016-17 season was April 9th. Lombardi was fired April 10th.

Last game of the 2024-25 season was May 1st. Rob Blake? May 2nd? Not fired.

 

[King'sPawn]

You're right.

Which means both DL and DT were fired the day after the final game of the season. I have to update this post:


Last game of the 2005-06 season was April 17th. Dave Taylor was fired April 18th.

Last game of the 2016-17 season was April 9th. Lombardi was fired April 10th.

Last game of the 2024-25 season was May 1st. Rob Blake? May 2nd? Not fired.

Both DT and DL were fired after missing the playoffs. And with DL, I think in general Luc and Blake stole some knives from the kitchen to stab Lombardi in the back.

Maybe it's my naivete, but I'm not reading too much into Blake still being employed. His 3 year contract extension ends this year. They don't have to announce he's stepping down. They just need to announce they aren't extending him further.

And there's no need to do that if they are considering/interviewing replacements.

The organization has a lot of egg on their faces. Especially with the general media teabagging the Kings' ineptitude.

 

[Piston]

Both DT and DL were fired after missing the playoffs. And with DL, I think in general Luc and Blake stole some knives from the kitchen to stab Lombardi in the back.

Maybe it's my naivete, but I'm not reading too much into Blake still being employed. His 3 year contract extension ends this year. They don't have to announce he's stepping down. They just need to announce they aren't extending him further.

And there's no need to do that if they are considering/interviewing replacements.

The organization has a lot of egg on their faces. Especially with the general media teabagging the Kings' ineptitude.

I think the rot starts at the top and Luc has to go as well. I'm going to defend Dan Beckerman. I got to know him in 2003 (wow, time flies) when I was doing my study and believe he is a passionate fan of the Kings. When we were working, his assistant would regularly interrupt us with game updates (away games on the East coast). Yes, he is a businessman first and rather shy by nature which means he is not suited to be the 'front guy'. He always appreciated Luc who was willing to take on that role. Perhaps, that is why he allowed Luc to stab DL in the back, but as a results-oriented businessman, I can't imagine he is happy with the on-ice performance.

Phil Anshutz is now 85 and his wife Nancy, the real driver behind ownership is likely the same age. The passion at the top is probably not there anymore so it's all in Beckerman's hands unless the team is sold (with the arena) which might happen given the deterioration of downtown Los Angeles. I'll give Dan the benefit of the doubt here if he fires Blake and kicks Luc upstairs in some sort of face-saving role. Beckerman is not a hockey guy but a bean counter so I hope he's consulting with others outside the organization. The name that comes to mind is Joel Quenneville, but then what do I know? It's obvious some changes need to be made to anyone with a brain, and Dan Beckerman is a very smart guy, IMO.

Having said that, maintaining my rooting interest in the Kings is difficult. The games don't start till 10:30 on the East coast. I have to keep a billing address in California so as to be eligible to receive FSW as my default sports network is in the Carolinas. I love the Stanley Cup playoffs and will be cheering for Florida the rest of the way. If the Kings stick with the current management, I'll be sorely disappointed, but we can all adapt. The Hurricanes are a great organization that are competitive every season. The Panthers have a great team and a passionate owner. I'll choose between them in the off season. I pray that Beckerman sees the light as I have so many fond memories. But, I've reached the end of the line. Hopefully, we will see the changes we are that are painful yet necessary.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You're right.

Which means both DL and DT were fired the day after the final game of the season. I have to update this post:


Last game of the 2005-06 season was April 17th. Dave Taylor was fired April 18th.

Last game of the 2016-17 season was April 9th. Lombardi was fired April 10th.

Last game of the 2024-25 season was May 1st. Rob Blake? May 2nd? Not fired.

He hasn't renewed his contract for next season (which means they might not need to fire him), so when would this season officially expire on the contract?

 

[Bandit]

Still hard to believe the Kings got owned 4 straight by a team with THAT defense. Edmonton is gonna get gangbanged by whoever they play in the second round.

 

[LemonSauceD]

2014 was 11 years ago. The Kings currently have the third longest streak in the NHL without winning a playoff series.

The Kings have won 18 total playoff series since 1985. 11 of those 18 wins occurred during a three year run from 2012-2014, when Obama was in office.

They have one of the worst postseason winning percentages in all of professional sports. They are also now the only team in all of professional sports to lose to the same team four years in a row.

What do you expect Kings fans to say to an idiotic post like yours?

Lmfao.

I’m pretty sure 99% of fans would take 2 cups in 3 years and a subsequent 10 year playoff drought let alone than whatever you just said here.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Lmfao.

Your fandom is coming to the end of the line? Good grief. I rarely comment on other boards but the fact that you really are quitting on the team is kind of hilarious considering LA over the last 20 years has had more success than 90% of the franchises in the NHL in that span.

There are fans who would kill to have been able to watch their team make the playoffs for 1 f***ing year, let alone consecutive years.

Cmon man. You don’t really mean it.

No, he does - He told me he's switching his allegiance to Buffalo.

 

[BigKing]

I think the rot starts at the top and Luc has to go as well. I'm going to defend Dan Beckerman. I got to know him in 2003 (wow, time flies) when I was doing my study and believe he is a passionate fan of the Kings. When we were working, his assistant would regularly interrupt us with game updates (away games on the East coast). Yes, he is a businessman first and rather shy by nature which means he is not suited to be the 'front guy'. He always appreciated Luc who was willing to take on that role. Perhaps, that is why he allowed Luc to stab DL in the back, but as a results-oriented businessman, I can't imagine he is happy with the on-ice performance.

Phil Anshutz is now 85 and his wife Nancy, the real driver behind ownership is likely the same age. The passion at the top is probably not there anymore so it's all in Beckerman's hands unless the team is sold (with the arena) which might happen given the deterioration of downtown Los Angeles. I'll give Dan the benefit of the doubt here if he fires Blake and kicks Luc upstairs in some sort of face-saving role. Beckerman is not a hockey guy but a bean counter so I hope he's consulting with others outside the organization. The name that comes to mind is Joel Quenneville, but then what do I know? It's obvious some changes need to be made to anyone with a brain, and Dan Beckerman is a very smart guy, IMO.

Having said that, maintaining my rooting interest in the Kings is difficult. The games don't start till 10:30 on the East coast. I have to keep a billing address in California so as to be eligible to receive FSW as my default sports network is in the Carolinas. I love the Stanley Cup playoffs and will be cheering for Florida the rest of the way. If the Kings stick with the current management, I'll be sorely disappointed, but we can all adapt. The Hurricanes are a great organization that are competitive every season. The Panthers have a great team and a passionate owner. I'll choose between them in the off season. I pray that Beckerman sees the light as I have so many fond memories. But, I've reached the end of the line. Hopefully, we will see the changes we are that are painful yet necessary.

You just need ESPN+ and you can get basically every game the Kings broadcast.

I've been waiting until my wife goes to bed to watch the games, so I'm a 10-10:30 start even though I'm in Long Beach. It is tough, even though I get to fast forward through stoppages, etc. Even then, I fall asleep often.