Around the League Thread Part II: Final Stretch

[Raccoon Jesus]

We've talked a ton about Suzuki (maybe not enough though) and Caufield (that cross body one timer...drool) but Kotka really has been quietly great, I think the other youth being there has taken some of the pressure off him to be a 'savior' (like Galchenyuk imo) and allowed him to just play hockey...he's starting to look like the badass they thought he was on draft day. He's got that Koivu/Lundell anticipation where even though they're good skaters they're still always ahead of the play with their brain...and he's no longer overthinking.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

5 and a game with a fine to boot was the right the right call. Nothing else needed.

Hopefully he and NY bring it tomorrow night.

Kings are proof that they can get absolutely shell shocked (by SJ in 2014) but then regroup and the come from behind to edge out a 7 game series.

If anything it's super similar in that TBL was really running up the score and playing their best players/PP1 as if it were a tie game.

Would love to see NYI cram that down their throats like we did SJS

"CAN ANYONE BEAT THE SHARKS"

 

[SFKingshomer]

Suzuki is exhibit A why you don’t trade prospects before you know what you have. They probably had Glass higher on the depth chart but it appears they were wrong. Maybe MTL preferred Suzuki? Good on their scouts if they did. At least we had Lucic…

 

[King'sPawn]

Suzuki is exhibit A why you don’t trade prospects before you know what you have. They probably had Glass higher on the depth chart but it appears they were wrong. Maybe MTL preferred Suzuki? Good on their scouts if they did. At least we had Lucic…

If I heard Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst correctly in one of his podcasts, Montreal wanted Glass.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy with Vilardi, but Suzuki was who I hoped the Kings would pick (mostly because I didn't think Vilardi would fall to 11).

Suzuki reminds me exactly of Richards. Skilled player who punches above his weight class as far as effort. The biggest issue I had was if he will suffer some durability issues as a result.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Sedin brothers join Canucks as special advisers to the GM… aka whipping boys.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I can't figure out if the Habs are way better than I thought, or if Vegas/Colorado are way worse lol.

 

[BigKing]

I can't figure out if the Habs are way better than I thought, or if Vegas/Colorado are way worse lol.

That $3.5MM for Edmundson is looking like some Willie Mitchell type shit right now. Someone on here was kind of pounding the table for him and was mostly shut down but there is a left-shot defenseman logging 23 minutes a night in the playoffs. Logged 20 minutes a night in the regular season and finished +28 in the No Defense Division.

As for Montreal, they are a better team with Caufield than they were during the regular season. We've seen what can happen with late season additions all of a sudden making everything click.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I can't figure out if the Habs are way better than I thought, or if Vegas/Colorado are way worse lol.

I don't think the Habs are more talented, but I do think they're playing a much better team game. Price is outplaying MAF too.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I can't figure out if the Habs are way better than I thought, or if Vegas/Colorado are way worse lol.

They're the modern day version of the 2003 Mighty Ducks.

 

[bland]

I can't figure out if the Habs are way better than I thought, or if Vegas/Colorado are way worse lol.

Going in, and especially after Game 1 I was positive this would be a wipeout. The Habs couldn't handle Vegas high cycle and the way their defense shifted to get shots through, but they made a terrific adjustment that I didn't think they could manage with that roster. They are so resilient and dedicated to clogging up not only the passing lanes but using their wheels to get into those skating lanes first to throw Vegas off their cycle game.

That's the thing with Vegas, they can steam roll you if you let them have their way, but they don't have a plan B. Their lousy PP is costing them big time.

Montreal's dedication, effort and unity is allowing them to score opportunistic goals even though they rarely carry the run of play. I didn't think they had it in them. Their 4th line is putting up just as many points as their top line. Just shows how important belief and mental approach are in the playoffs.

 

[KINGS17]

The Vegas forwards are for s*** in this series.

 

[johnjm22]

I don't think Montreal will be able to replicate this success next year, but you can never underestimate a team when things start clicking and they've got momentum behind them.

Their defensive units are quite good. Weber has become very underrated in the late stages of his career.

It's always exciting seeing your young players start to produce. When are the Kings going to have a Suzuki or a Caufield?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

When are the Kings going to have a Suzuki or a Caufield?

Maybe if we ever see a playoff game again, we might find out.

 

[BigKing]

I don't think Montreal will be able to replicate this success next year, but you can never underestimate a team when things start clicking and they've got momentum behind them.

Their defensive units are quite good. Weber has become very underrated in the late stages of his career.

It's always exciting seeing your young players start to produce. When are the Kings going to have a Suzuki or a Caufield?

There is no tangible reason for this, but I feel better about Kaliyev every time Caufield scores. Kaliyev was actually ranked one spot ahead of Caufield by CSB at #7. Best shots in the draft. Caufield dropped because of size concerns while Kaliyev dropped due to being an aloof dork. Both continue to score wherever they play.

He's still my favorite prospect in the pipeline. I know it seems like Byfield is a non-starter but I really hope Kaliyev is near untouchable as well in any trade talks.

So to answer your question, I think the Kings could have a Caufield as soon as next season.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

LOL, good gif ,I didn't watch this one, just saw the highlights. I was driving to my lake house so had the radio feed it was actually Ahlers and Fox believe it or not, and they were both really good, amazing what not being blatant homers can do for two broadcasters. Fox was pretty glowing in his praise too.

I don't hype a ton of prospects, probably him and Hughes were the two I've hyped the most of non top-5 guys and were most confident would be difference makers in the NHL from watching them in college. I just have no idea how either fell to where they did in the draft possessing the skillsets they do.

Suzuki is an absolute beast as well, and insanely young too. Yes I'm jealous that Montreal has that duo for the next decade. It will be one of the best in the league. Pacioretty is a nice winger but Suzuki is already a better player and he is 21 years old.

Montreal gets 3 points from 21 year old Suzuki, Caufield is 20 and gets his 3rd of the series, and Kotkaniemi also 20 gets his 5th of the post season, matching his season total. You just rarely see young kids doing this in the playoffs, it's incredible to watch and it has them knocking on the door to the final. The posts saying they were drawing dead before the series aren't aging well.

Montreal is one win away from doing to Vegas what the Kings couldn't quite do vs. Colorado back in the day, trade one of their best players to a team and then KO them from the playoffs shortly after.

Everytime Caufield scores, you come to mind. I say that in a good way, it’s fine to have your favorite players or guys you were high on before a draft and see them flourish. That’s why the juniors are so fun to watch.

As far as the commentary by Fox and Ahlers, the current broadcasting duo just doesn’t have good on air chemistry. Seems forced or someone trying too hard to make it work.

Montreal has a tough assignment to put away Vegas, they have a lot of pressure to finish it off at home and Vegas will come out swinging. I don’t think Montreal is a shoo in for the Finals.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Everytime Caufield scores, you come to mind. I say that in a good way, it’s fine to have your favorite players or guys you were high on before a draft and see them flourish. That’s why the juniors are so fun to watch.

As far as the commentary by Fox and Ahlers, the current broadcasting duo just doesn’t have good on air chemistry. Seems forced or someone trying too hard to make it work.

Montreal has a tough assignment to put away Vegas, they have a lot of pressure to finish it off at home and Vegas will come out swinging. I don’t think Montreal is a shoo in for the Finals.

Yup, there's zero things wrong with being totally excited about a guy and watching him succeed, that's the individual version of your favorite team going deep.

THAT being said--let's not forget Toffoli/Pearson emerged in the playoffs and largely just stagnated over their Kings careers. I'm not saying that to be a wet blanket, and I think Caufield and Suzuki are just getting started, but starting your career on a team riding a high (Vilardi comes to mind, too) has a way of showing only the positive. There will be some warts/growing pains as the responsibility builds--for now, they're all playing loose and confident.

 

[johnjm22]

There is no tangible reason for this, but I feel better about Kaliyev every time Caufield scores. Kaliyev was actually ranked one spot ahead of Caufield by CSB at #7. Best shots in the draft. Caufield dropped because of size concerns while Kaliyev dropped due to being an aloof dork. Both continue to score wherever they play.

He's still my favorite prospect in the pipeline. I know it seems like Byfield is a non-starter but I really hope Kaliyev is near untouchable as well in any trade talks.

So to answer your question, I think the Kings could have a Caufield as soon as next season.

I don't think Kaliyev had the best shot in the draft. Caulfield is clearly a superior shooter. But I do agree Kaliyev could potentially start producing this coming season.

On top of having social anxiety, AK also had concerns about his skating which caused him to drop. He's also not particularly handsome.

The best comp for Kaliyev is Toffoli, but I think AK has better playmaking ability, and hopefully work ethic too. His passing and vision in the offensive zone are underrated.

Best case scenario for the Kings next season is Vilardi and Andersson start producing. Kaliyev/Turcotte/Byfield all look good in the NHL. While Bjornfot and Anderson take a step forward.

All that happens and the team might be decent. I will be very disappointed if any of those guys I just mentioned get traded.

I'm concerned about trying to develop offensive forwards in the NHL while playing a 1-3-1.

 

[BigKing]

I don't think Kaliyev had the best shot in the draft. Caulfield is clearly a superior shooter. But I do agree Kaliyev could potentially start producing this coming season.

On top of having social anxiety, AK also had concerns about his skating which caused him to drop. He's also not particularly handsome.

The best comp for Kaliyev is Toffoli, but I think AK has better playmaking ability, and hopefully work ethic too. His passing and vision in the offensive zone are underrated.

Best case scenario for the Kings next season is Vilardi and Andersson start producing. Kaliyev/Turcotte/Byfield all look good in the NHL. While Bjornfot and Anderson take a step forward.

All that happens and the team might be decent. I will be very disappointed if any of those guys I just mentioned get traded.

I'm concerned about trying to develop offensive forwards in the NHL while playing a 1-3-1.

To be fair, I said they had the best shots in the draft so it is a 1-2 ranking. It's funny in Wheeler's last top prospect list from October 2020, he says of Caufield (Ranked 10th) "His ability to score from tough angles and pick his spots in the net is unmatched on this list, even by Holtz and Kaliyev". He then says about Kaliyev (Ranked 17th) "Maybe the best one-shot player outside of the NHL, Kaliyev can score from anywhere in the offensive zone with about three or four different shot types." So he says Caufield is better than Kaliyev at picking his spots in the net--which is saying someone has a great shot--but then says Kaliyev might have the best shot. I agree that Caufield was considered the best shooter in that draft but Kaliyev was pretty close behind him. Whatever Wheeler means by that "one-shot player", we saw it in the semi-final of the WJC against Finland.

I was, and still am, a big fan of Toffoli and it does seem like nobody talks about his shot anymore. He has a great shot which is why his ice cold streak halfway through 2018 all the way through 2019 was maddening. I think Kaliyev will wind up being the slightly larger player and I think his shot is deadlier but it is a good comp.

I'm concerned about everything T-Mac related so I agree with you on the 1-3-1. Didn't like watching it in Ontario this season either.

 

[johnjm22]

To be fair, I said they had the best shots in the draft so it is a 1-2 ranking. It's funny in Wheeler's last top prospect list from October 2020, he says of Caufield (Ranked 10th) "His ability to score from tough angles and pick his spots in the net is unmatched on this list, even by Holtz and Kaliyev". He then says about Kaliyev (Ranked 17th) "Maybe the best one-shot player outside of the NHL, Kaliyev can score from anywhere in the offensive zone with about three or four different shot types." So he says Caufield is better than Kaliyev at picking his spots in the net--which is saying someone has a great shot--but then says Kaliyev might have the best shot. I agree that Caufield was considered the best shooter in that draft but Kaliyev was pretty close behind him. Whatever Wheeler means by that "one-shot player", we saw it in the semi-final of the WJC against Finland.

I was, and still am, a big fan of Toffoli and it does seem like nobody talks about his shot anymore. He has a great shot which is why his ice cold streak halfway through 2018 all the way through 2019 was maddening. I think Kaliyev will wind up being the slightly larger player and I think his shot is deadlier but it is a good comp.

I'm concerned about everything T-Mac related so I agree with you on the 1-3-1. Didn't like watching it in Ontario this season either.

My bad, I see you said shotS now.

People around here might not like hearing the Toffoli comp because Tyler ended up being such a mediocre player for us. But Toffoli's effort was lacking IMO. He has all the ability in the world to be a regular 35+ goal scorer in the NHL. So if AK is similar to TT ability-wise, it's quite a compliment. The difference will be the effort by the individual player.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Fun interview with Kerry Fraser, some great stories in there

 

[Reclamation Project]

YAWN!!!

 

[Steve Zissou]

Brayden Point: The new Mr. Game 7...!?

Not so sure, yet... but he does have goals in 9 straight games now.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Hey RJ, did Kucherov leave to get his rub and tug for a strong third period???

 

[deeshamrock]

Fun interview with Kerry Fraser, some great stories in there

Thanks for sharing that. I always liked Fraser, he was one of the best, very reliable and had a good rapport with the players. He does tell great stories.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

People on Long Island at the barn got their money’s worth.