Around the League Thread Part IV

[KingsFan7824]

Every league likes stability. Bettman is a lawyer. Unless the Coyotes are physically moving that day to Houston or Quebec or wherever, is the expectation that Bettman should publicly lambaste the Coyotes franchise?

One NHL franchise has moved in the last quarter century, because they were being kicked out of their home arena by the people that owned the team. The Coyotes aren't about Bettman's ego. That area wasn't even the first choice for the Jets to move to.

 

[Gjwrams]

Is there some edict in Western Canada that their broadcasters have to be enormous homers? Listening to the Oilers games against the Wild and Bruins and they complain about every damn call. Every call is a travesty. And the screaming, guys I’m trying to relax here, don’t yell at me. Screaming is only acceptable in hard rock music and in the bedroom. Chill out!

or at your kids. Sometimes that is warranted as well.

 

[LAKings88]

Habs' Toffoli out eight weeks following hand surgery - TSN.ca

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Every league likes stability. Bettman is a lawyer. Unless the Coyotes are physically moving that day to Houston or Quebec or wherever, is the expectation that Bettman should publicly lambaste the Coyotes franchise?

One NHL franchise has moved in the last quarter century, because they were being kicked out of their home arena by the people that owned the team. The Coyotes aren't about Bettman's ego. That area wasn't even the first choice for the Jets to move to.

The last thing anyone thinks of when they think of the Coyotes franchise is 'stability.'

I don't want them to move and I think hockey in AZ is important but at some point when you realize you've been looking at a circus tent for 30 years, it might actually be the circus.

I don't expect Bettman to publicly flagellate them but at some point the non-answers and non-acknowledgment of any problems are akin to the stuff going on with other franchises, it just makes him look stubborn and dishonest. He's been a great growth commissioner, but he's completely out of touch with today's society, as well. It's about time for him to hit the dusty trail.

 

[KingsFan7824]

The last thing anyone thinks of when they think of the Coyotes franchise is 'stability.'

I don't want them to move and I think hockey in AZ is important but at some point when you realize you've been looking at a circus tent for 30 years, it might actually be the circus.

I don't expect Bettman to publicly flagellate them but at some point the non-answers and non-acknowledgment of any problems are akin to the stuff going on with other franchises, it just makes him look stubborn and dishonest. He's been a great growth commissioner, but he's completely out of touch with today's society, as well. It's about time for him to hit the dusty trail.

Stability as in franchises not moving willy nilly. I'm sure in the office they talk about how much of a joke the Coyotes have been.

Today's society? Bettman can't make the league even softer can he? How much more corporate and family friendly can it get? Do we need more cute little puppy dogs? What today's society?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Stability as in franchises not moving willy nilly. I'm sure in the office they talk about how much of a joke the Coyotes have been.

Today's society? Bettman can't make the league even softer can he? How much more corporate and family friendly can it get? Do we need more cute little puppy dogs? What today's society?

I mean sure, you don't want 4 franchises moving in 5 years like in the 90s (? IIRC), but there's only been one in the last 25. Stability is great but solvency is better. That's why it looks like ego over operational efficiency.

Re: today's society I'm pointing out that he's got a major communication issue; where corporations could basically run and hide and just no-comment their way out of things for the vast majority of corporate history, the league's incompetence with the Hawks, for instance, shows he can't just hide out anymore. Going back to the original comment, no, I don't expect him to come out and mock AZ, but he also can't just sit there and pretend everything is sunshine and rainbows.

 

[Bandit]

The last thing anyone thinks of when they think of the Coyotes franchise is 'stability.'

I don't want them to move and I think hockey in AZ is important but at some point when you realize you've been looking at a circus tent for 30 years, it might actually be the circus.

I don't expect Bettman to publicly flagellate them but at some point the non-answers and non-acknowledgment of any problems are akin to the stuff going on with other franchises, it just makes him look stubborn and dishonest. He's been a great growth commissioner, but he's completely out of touch with today's society, as well. It's about time for him to hit the dusty trail.

A stubborn and dishonest lawyer? You don’t say?

 

[KingsFan7824]

I mean sure, you don't want 4 franchises moving in 5 years like in the 90s (? IIRC), but there's only been one in the last 25. Stability is great but solvency is better. That's why it looks like ego over operational efficiency.

Re: today's society I'm pointing out that he's got a major communication issue; where corporations could basically run and hide and just no-comment their way out of things for the vast majority of corporate history, the league's incompetence with the Hawks, for instance, shows he can't just hide out anymore. Going back to the original comment, no, I don't expect him to come out and mock AZ, but he also can't just sit there and pretend everything is sunshine and rainbows.

You need somewhere to move the Coyotes if you're moving them. Someone has to want to buy them and move them. After the Thrashers went to Winnipeg, which is now a decade ago, that changed the geography of the league. Before 2011, there were always calls to go back to Quebec, but Quebec also lost a team themselves.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You need somewhere to move the Coyotes if you're moving them. Someone has to want to buy them and move them. After the Thrashers went to Winnipeg, which is now a decade ago, that changed the geography of the league. Before 2011, there were always calls to go back to Quebec, but Quebec also lost a team themselves.

Like I said, I don't want them to move, I'm just sick of Bettman playing Iraqi Disinformation Minister, and I want AZ to get their shit together.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Here's a question; how does a terrible coach like Dallas Eakins have the Ducks as a top 10 team?

 

[Bandit]

Here's a question; how does a terrible coach like Dallas Eakins have the Ducks as a top 10 team?

Probably Stothers. Because you know… kings.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Here's a question; how does a terrible coach like Dallas Eakins have the Ducks as a top 10 team?

They have defense. It's getting old, but still there. They have Goaltending at least at an NHL average. (Not sayings anything nicer than that about the Ducks). Offense, Zebras gave them just enough extra scoring to tilt games a bit in their favor.

Kings: Defense was looking ok b4 Doughty, Walker injuries. Started looking ok again, then Edler's down. Now back to Maatta as a regular, or Woolly.

Goaltending is actually looking good with Quicks rebirth.

Offense: Still waiting on Byfield/ Turcotte/ Vilardi to make an impact at the NHL level.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Here's a question; how does a terrible coach like Dallas Eakins have the Ducks as a top 10 team?

We ask ourselves the same question

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Pretty easy formula, they're the anti Kings--Top 5 PP, top 3 PK in the league, Top 5 all-situations goaltending.

They're middle of the pack or worse in possession and 5v5 all around.

I expect them to grow with the youth but Eakins himself is just smart enough to actually play players in spots in which they'll be successful--imagine that--and then the special teams and goaltending are flattering him.

I know that's supposed to be a 'coaching doesn't matter' post but, well, whoops. Maybe look closer.

Edit: 4 games in hand helps too.

 

[Steve Zissou]

This Colorado and Florida game has been a bloodbath. Hate Lomberg but clean hit when I saw it live.

Shades of Toronto and Winnipeg from last week... Love everything about it (except the dirty knee hits by Poink and Spezza)



Keep your head up, kid!

Edit: It's now gotten nasty after the buzzer. Wow. Can't wait for the re-match!

 

[Kingspiracy]

This Colorado and Florida game has been a bloodbath. Hate Lomberg but clean hit when I saw it live.

Shades of Toronto and Winnipeg from last week... Love everything about it (except the dirty knee hits by Poink and Spezza)



Keep your head up, kid!

Edit: It's now gotten nasty after the buzzer. Wow. Can't wait for the re-match!

Love the camera angle too

 

[kingsfan28]

Here's a question; how does a terrible coach like Dallas Eakins have the Ducks as a top 10 team?

They are playing well under him, but still, can it be maintained? The same team, plus or minus a few players couldn't score last year. A lot of guys are on real hot streaks. And they're getting lots of points from the defense, with 20 goals from them. That 5 times what the Kings have. Gibson is what he is, and will always be an injured goalie in my eyes. He gets hurt at least 3-5 times a year. how can you count on that?

 

[kingsfan28]

Pretty easy formula, they're the anti Kings--Top 5 PP, top 3 PK in the league, Top 5 all-situations goaltending.

They're middle of the pack or worse in possession and 5v5 all around.

I expect them to grow with the youth but Eakins himself is just smart enough to actually play players in spots in which they'll be successful--imagine that--and then the special teams and goaltending are flattering him.

I know that's supposed to be a 'coaching doesn't matter' post but, well, whoops. Maybe look closer.

Edit: 4 games in hand helps too.

I was just going to bring up the 4 games in hand thing too. Once everyone catches up, they'll be middle of the pack again.

 

[kilowatt]

I think for the Ducks, a guy like Zegras brings an electricity and perhaps an identity to the team. He's just got it. He's willing to try crazy moves and knows he's not going to get benched for it -- imagine that.

Now, all of a sudden, the team is a little more exciting. And that little bit of excitement is infectious.

Zegras, of course, is going to be a world-class player. Can Byfield, Clarke, or Turcotte get there? I'm not sure. By my estimation, the Kings have three guys that impact the culture in any significantly positive way: Lemieux, Quick, and Kempe. Kempe's been our best skater this year by a significant margin. If we exclude Kopitar's first game, he's got 5 goals and 19 points in the past 25 games. Kempe's got 11 goals and 15 points in that same stretch.

That first Vegas game was pretty wild actually—Kopitar and Brown scored 20% of their season's points in that game and Doughty scored 33% of his. Since game one, Lemieux and Grundstrom (and Kempe, Iafallo, Kaliyev, and Arvidsson) have either outscored or kept pace with Kopitar's goal totals on the year. I'd say our game one was an outlier, yeah.

I don't think our $21 million men are earning their keep.

 

[kingsfan28]

Anyone remember that Calgary game years ago, when we had a 4-1 lead with a few minutes left in the 3rd period and then let them comeback and win it? A team that was totally lost and dead in the water? And that same team then went on some crazy win streak and made the playoffs?

Why do I get the same Deja vu feeling we did the same thing to the Canucks by losing to them earlier in the week. They were completely out of it with no direction this season, then fire everyone and the first game with their new coach, we literally gave them the game with our no show. They've now won 4 straight.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Pretty easy formula, they're the anti Kings--Top 5 PP, top 3 PK in the league, Top 5 all-situations goaltending.

They're middle of the pack or worse in possession and 5v5 all around.

I expect them to grow with the youth but Eakins himself is just smart enough to actually play players in spots in which they'll be successful--imagine that--and then the special teams and goaltending are flattering him.

I know that's supposed to be a 'coaching doesn't matter' post but, well, whoops. Maybe look closer.

Edit: 4 games in hand helps too.

I think the biggest thing personally is having a power play that can hurt you, I havnt looked recently but being up close to 20% on power play from the previous year is going to change how good the team is overall.

Also lindholm is a game changer on the backend, he missed a ton of games last 2 years, and our defense suffered , and penalty kill.

you add that to zegras giving the team a super charged personality, and the team overall having fun. Troy terry has had the skill to be this player and never had the confidence…. Well now he has the confidence and starting to look like a star. the crazy thing is comtois was our leading scorer last year, he has 1 point in 13 games. Gibson seems motivated with a good team around him(and potential Olympic bid) and getzlaf found his new perry in terry

we changed the way the team plays and thinks, and have a much more aggressive defense that will jump into the rush, where in years past they would usually just dump and get back to the blue line.

crazy we still have a lot of prospects coming to the nhl over the next 3 years too

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I think ducks and kings both have done really well in the last 4 drafts

the big difference is the ducks have really put their prospects into big positions and got something out of them, I feel like the kings made a few moves to bring in vets instead of letting their young talent get looks.


Obviously all the prospects are still young in both orgs and well get to see them all develop in nhl at some point, but as a fan of hockey I’m a little disappointed the kings gave those spots to vets…. I was excited to potentially see a lot of your young guys in key positions.

 

[lumbergh]

Pretty easy formula, they're the anti Kings--Top 5 PP, top 3 PK in the league, Top 5 all-situations goaltending.

They're middle of the pack or worse in possession and 5v5 all around.

I expect them to grow with the youth but Eakins himself is just smart enough to actually play players in spots in which they'll be successful--imagine that--and then the special teams and goaltending are flattering him.

I know that's supposed to be a 'coaching doesn't matter' post but, well, whoops. Maybe look closer.

Edit: 4 games in hand helps too.

It’s hard to overstate how big special teams can be during the regular season. As you said, pedestrian at even strength.

 

[LAKings88]

I think ducks and kings both have done really well in the last 4 drafts

the big difference is the ducks have really put their prospects into big positions and got something out of them, I feel like the kings made a few moves to bring in vets instead of letting their young talent get looks.


Obviously all the prospects are still young in both orgs and well get to see them all develop in nhl at some point, but as a fan of hockey I’m a little disappointed the kings gave those spots to vets…. I was excited to potentially see a lot of your young guys in key positions.

Danault and Arvidsson have been decent for LA. I see their value in games like Edmonton and Minny. Byfield would have been 3c had he not broke his leg. The Kings prospects should be up by the end of the year or next season. Kopi is going through his traditional slump but he should top off at 70 points. The biggest issue facing the kings is the parity in the conference and how crowded the pack is. A win streak or losing streak can take a team to the top or bottom of the pack.

 

[LAKings88]

It’s hard to overstate how big special teams can be during the regular season. As you said, pedestrian at even strength.

The PP has held them back for years.