Around the League 2024-25 season

[Herby]

Brock Faber's Fatigue Is Becoming An Issue For the Wild

Brock Faber is one of the Minnesota Wild's most consequential players. He leads the team in time on ice at 5-on-5 and the penalty kill, and is tops among Wild defensemen in power play ice time. They task him with shutting down the opposing team's top players nightly. He does all that as a second-...

hockeywilderness.com

With very few exceptions, I've always hated playing defensemen this much. I feel the same way about Heiskanen. You're neutering a great player.

I think this is one of the big reasons why the second half of Drew Doughty's career didn't come close to matching the first half of his career. Doughty was the best player on the ice in the Kings/Hawks series in 2014 that featured many Hall of Fame players in the primes of their career. He was in his age 24 season, and he never again reached that level as a player.

He played way to many tough minutes for the Kings during his early prime.

 

[johnjm22]

I think this is one of the big reasons why the second half of Drew Doughty's career didn't come close to matching the first half of his career. Doughty was the best player on the ice in the Kings/Hawks series in 2014 that featured many Hall of Fame players in the primes of their career. He was in his age 24 season, and he never again reached that level as a player.

He played way to many tough minutes for the Kings during his early prime.

In the 2010 Olympics, when Doughty was 19, many observers thought he looked like the best player on the team.

59 points that season (3rd most of any NHL Dman) while playing a strict defensive game under Terry Murray.

 

[Herby]

Tonights Ottawa-Montreal game is going to be an interesting one. These are two teams who have done what a lot of people here wanted the Kings to do, they have given ownership to their young players, and despite some hiccups that come with traditional rebuilds, it seems that both are nearing the point where they might be ready to take that next step up to the playoffs with the young players leading the way, a similar spot to where the Kings were around 2009/2010.

Suzuki (25) centering Caufield (24) and Slafkovsky (20) has been one of the best lines in the NHL recently. Montreal is 7-1-2 over their last 10, in that time these guys are.

Suzuki 5-11-16 +9
Caufield 7-5-12 +9 (3 GWG)
Slafkovsky 6-5-11 +9

You can add Hutson as another young player really taking off, he is 1-10-11 +6 over his last 10, showing no signs that the increased NHL schedule or his diminutive size is slowing him down, he has actually improved beyond the number of games he played in college.

But even with the 7-1-2 run, and 16 out of a possible 20, they have only gained one point on the standings over Ottawa who is 7-2-1 in their last 10, and is now 6 points into a playoff spot, a regulation win tonight and Ottawa really puts a stranglehold onto a playoff spot. For Ottawa it's the usual suspects, you really can't understate just how awesome their drafting was between 2017 and 2020. Tkachuk, Stutzle, Sanderson, Batherson Pinto, Greig they flipped Norris into Cozens now. Ottawa's best players are almost all 26 or younger, and the only guys over 30 playing any type of significant roles are Giroux and the goalies

The Blue Jackets, Rangers and Red Wings have all kind of stalled recently, so it's very possible that these two get the WC spots (and Montreal possibly adds another weapon in Demidov), I wouldn't want to see these teams in the playoffs if I am a top contender, I'd much rather play someone like the Rangers or Wings.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Tonights Ottawa-Montreal game is going to be an interesting one. These are two teams who have done what a lot of people here wanted the Kings to do, they have given ownership to their young players, and despite some hiccups that come with traditional rebuilds, it seems that both are nearing the point where they might be ready to take that next step up to the playoffs with the young players leading the way, a similar spot to where the Kings were around 2009/2010.

Suzuki (25) centering Caufield (24) and Slafkovsky (20) has been one of the best lines in the NHL recently. Montreal is 7-1-2 over their last 10, in that time these guys are.

Suzuki 5-11-16 +9
Caufield 7-5-12 +9 (3 GWG)
Slafkovsky 6-5-11 +9

You can add Hutson as another young player really taking off, he is 1-10-11 +6 over his last 10, showing no signs that the increased NHL schedule or his diminutive size is slowing him down, he has actually improved beyond the number of games he played in college.

But even with the 7-1-2 run, and 16 out of a possible 20, they have only gained one point on the standings over Ottawa who is 7-2-1 in their last 10, and is now 6 points into a playoff spot, a regulation win tonight and Ottawa really puts a stranglehold onto a playoff spot. For Ottawa it's the usual suspects, you really can't understate just how awesome their drafting was between 2017 and 2020. Tkachuk, Stutzle, Sanderson, Batherson Pinto, Greig they flipped Norris into Cozens now. Ottawa's best players are almost all 26 or younger, and the only guys over 30 playing any type of significant roles are Giroux and the goalies

The Blue Jackets, Rangers and Red Wings have all kind of stalled recently, so it's very possible that these two get the WC spots (and Montreal possibly adds another weapon in Demidov), I wouldn't want to see these teams in the playoffs if I am a top contender, I'd much rather play someone like the Rangers or Wings.

Suzuki got the clutch goal late in the third. But the older guys in Gallagher, Dvorak and Anderson led the way.

 

[Herby]

Suzuki got the clutch goal late in the third. But the older guys in Gallagher, Dvorak and Anderson led the way.

Suzuki is incredible, thank God that guy didn't stay in Vegas.

Great night for Montreal, they get 2 points and Ottawa, Detroit and NY Rangers all lose in regulation. Montreal is scorching right now. Points in 10 of 11 games.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Suzuki is incredible, thank God that guy didn't stay in Vegas.

Great night for Montreal, they get 2 points and Ottawa, Detroit and NY Rangers all lose in regulation. Montreal is scorching right now. Points in 10 of 11 games.

Gritty win by the Flames in MSG. Coming off a loss to the leafs. Good late season hockey, including the Kings overall.

 

[Telos]

Didn't even know that Rob Stauber's son was in the NHL playing for Utah. Currently in net against the Oilers >.<

 

[Herby]

Didn't even know that Rob Stauber's son was in the NHL playing for Utah. Currently in net against the Oilers >.<

He played some games for the Hawks when they were in Bedard tank-mode a couple of years ago.

 

[King'sPawn]

Suzuki is incredible, thank God that guy didn't stay in Vegas.

Great night for Montreal, they get 2 points and Ottawa, Detroit and NY Rangers all lose in regulation. Montreal is scorching right now. Points in 10 of 11 games.

I loved Suzuki. He's who I hoped the Kings were going to draft (as Vilardi was a consensus top-5 pick, and I didn't think he's fall to LA).

He's such a player.

 

[Lt Dan]

The Rangers are useless. Win a f***ing game against a western playoff team!!!

 

[chris kontos]

Man that's wild. What's next, Jonathan Towes comeback?

I read somewhere, maybe the athletic, that he says he feels great and still has hockey left to play. With as bad as chicago is they should give him a shot. They have nothing to lose and would sell alot of tix just from the nostalgia angle

 

[chris kontos]

The Rangers are useless. Win a f***ing game against a western playoff team!!!

Rangers are totally lost. They only had 13 shots tonite against the flames and to quote steve valiquette the rangers looked "toxic" and said it was the worst rangers effort he'd seen since 2004

 

[johnjm22]

Oilers win 7-1.

And just like that the Kings have been relegated to the P3 cuck chair once again.

 

[lumbergh]

Today's games could not have gone worse for the Kings. Oilers, Blues, Flames, and Canucks all won.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Suzuki is incredible, thank God that guy didn't stay in Vegas.

Great night for Montreal, they get 2 points and Ottawa, Detroit and NY Rangers all lose in regulation. Montreal is scorching right now. Points in 10 of 11 games.

holy smokes forgot about that

Pacioretty, the gift that keeps on giving

 

[Herby]

I loved Suzuki. He's who I hoped the Kings were going to draft (as Vilardi was a consensus top-5 pick, and I didn't think he's fall to LA).

He's such a player.

He reminds me alot of what Steve Yzerman was in the 2nd half of his career, where the offense wasn't quite as prolific (still very good though) but he just had a great command of the entire rink.

I love Montreal's roster construction with their first line, you have the do-it-all 1C, the highly skilled offensive dynamo and the large and skilled front of net presence. And they are going to dominate for a long time as all are signed through the prime years of their careers. (Suzuki 2030, Caufield 2031, Slafkovsky 2033). This is going to allow Demidov to face lesser checkers at ES but still get #1 PP time.

Montreal has done the difficult part, drafting and developing it's top players, now it needs to find the right pieces to fit around those guys to take the next steps, to find their own Justin Williams and Willie Mitchell type veterans.

I wonder if any of their fans would have traded the development of their young players into their best players for three straight first round exits, Axl insists every fanbase would, but I don't know, I'm guessing they wouldn't.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

He reminds me alot of what Steve Yzerman was in the 2nd half of his career, where the offense wasn't quite as prolific (still very good though) but he just had a great command of the entire rink.

I love Montreal's roster construction with their first line, you have the do-it-all 1C, the highly skilled offensive dynamo and the large and skilled front of net presence. And they are going to dominate for a long time as all are signed through the prime years of their careers. (Suzuki 2030, Caufield 2031, Slafkovsky 2033). This is going to allow Demidov to face lesser checkers at ES but still get #1 PP time.

Montreal has done the difficult part, drafting and developing it's top players, now it needs to find the right pieces to fit around those guys to take the next steps, to find their own Justin Williams and Willie Mitchell type veterans.

I wonder if any of their fans would have traded the development of their young players into their best players for three straight first round exits, Axl insists every fanbase would, but I don't know, I'm guessing they wouldn't.

100% they would...in the moment, keep in mind, these are Montreal fans as well......but you are asking would they trade where they are now, for 3 seasons of 100point seasons and performance......100% during the time of those,

If you are asking looking back would they, of course not.....but the only time you can say 100% of anything, is....when you are looking back,

Do you think, Buffalo, Detroit, NJ would be in the same boat?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I wonder if any of their fans would have traded the development of their young players into their best players for three straight first round exits, Axl insists every fanbase would, but I don't know, I'm guessing they wouldn't.

It's weird that you bring my name up in every one of your posts...I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

But yes, I stand by that. However, we both know you are being dishonest about the premise...that's ok, I wouldn't expect any different.

 

[johnjm22]

Is this evidence that "culture" and "vibes" are a real tangible thing in sports?

If nearly every player that leaves your organization instantly gets magnitudes better, it has to be more than just coaching, fit, deployment etcetera that's the problem.

 

[BaileyFan]

It's weird that you bring my name up in every one of your posts...I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

But yes, I stand by that. However, we both know you are being dishonest about the premise...that's ok, I wouldn't expext any different.

What a bizarre take.

 

[Sol]

I really don’t know if PLD was a coaching issue. He just didn’t try at all. I think the biggest mismanagement with PLD has to be that they didn’t have a real role for him to grow into. That’s my only criticism. I think they got a super expensive asset and didn’t know what to do with it. That being said, most of this falls on PLD who has to be the laziest player I’ve seen.

1. I think if we want to talk about the Kings issues then it’s just as simple as that the Kings have been deathly afraid to move away from Kopitar and Doughty. In a perfect world, Kopitar would be a low minute third liner who played less but had a bigger impact due to freshness. Doughty is just way too old to be on the team. Kind of like the Ducks when they had Lindholm/Vatanen, but traded them to keep Fowler. I’m not sold on Spence though but with how the Kings have been, Spence might just not have enough direction.

2. I do think Hiller is better than Todd because Todd despite having his back against the wall, was extremely stubborn and that got the Kings killed. I think Hiller to an extent seems to try things in desperate moments that should have been done a long time ago. Like benching Lewis after being abysmal. And then desperately putting Byfield in 3 on 3 after being 0-5.

The Kings probably do have a locker room problem but I would say it’s not gonna be a problem much longer. Once the Kings get swept in 3 vs Edmonton then Blake is gone.

 

[johnjm22]

FWIW my comment had nothing to do with the Kings.

Forgot where I heard it, but PLD said recently he wasn't used to the reduced amount of shifts we has getting in LA. Felt like it was hard to get anything going because of it. That I can kind of understand, but that doesn't excuse his shit effort.

Currently he's averaging 18.2 shifts per game at 5on5. Last year with LA we was getting 16.3.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

FWIW my comment had nothing to do with the Kings.

Forgot where I heard it, but PLD said recently he wasn't used to the reduced amount of shifts we has getting in LA. Felt like it was hard to get anything going because of it. That I can kind of understand, but that doesn't excuse his shit effort.

Currently he's averaging 18.2 shifts per game at 5on5. Last year with LA we was getting 16.3.

he started off the season with the Kings averaging like 18-min a game - as the season progressed and he proceeded to suck every game, ice time was reduced.

 

[Sol]

I don’t think it’s up for discussion that the Kings have no idea what they’re doing with deployments.

Kings had to have the league worst OT record to put the fastest forward on the Kings in 3 on 3.

So smart. Excellent staff. How many hours of video review did it take you to be like “hmmm maybe less of our slowest oldest forward in 3 on 3, and maybe our youngest fastest forward instead”

Absolute idiots lol

 

[Herby]

100% they would...in the moment, keep in mind, these are Montreal fans as well......but you are asking would they trade where they are now, for 3 seasons of 100point seasons and performance......100% during the time of those,

If you are asking looking back would they, of course not.....but the only time you can say 100% of anything, is....when you are looking back,

Do you think, Buffalo, Detroit, NJ would be in the same boat?

It's the 2020's, not the 1990's, 100 points is basically the cut-off for a top 10 team, it's not elite top 5 contender level like it was when we were growing up, . The Kings league finishes since ending the rebuild have been 14, 10, 12 and this season currently 11, and you are acting like this is something other teams and fans would be envious of. The last time the Kings went down this similar roster construction was the late 90's/early 2000's.

97-98 (11th in league, 87 points)
99-00 (11th in league, 94 points)*
00-01 (13tth in league, 92 points)*
01-02 (12th in league, 94 points)*

loser point added, no shootout

Do you think people around the league were envious of those Kings teams. Do you think teams that were rebuilding at that time would have traded places with the Kings? It's the same type of roster and the same type of team, except one of those Kings teams was able to beat a team that was missing 2 Hall of Fame players.

To put it in perspective the teams that finished 10-14 in the NFL this year were Tampa, LA Rams, Houston, Pittsburgh and Denver, all of those teams finished 10-7, and that perfectly sums it up, that is what the Kings are a 10-7 team for four straight seasons.

There dozens of teams across all of major sports who are rebuilding, because it's the most proven way to build a winner. I don't know how you two continue to say that rebuilding is something that nobody does and that everyone is looking to jump into the blackhole as quickly as they can, at the expense of building a true winner.