Around the League Thread part V

[KINGS17]

There's a reasonable and actually very good argument to be made that Kopitar deserves two Conn Smythes, which would be absolutely remarkable considering only two players have won two Conn Smythes in 30 years. Actually you just made the argument in your post! I thought he should have won both years, but I understand why he didn't. Yes Brown, Williams, and Gaborik all scored big goals, but Kopitar ultimately played a much more important position than them, dominating all over the ice in the two runs.

And by the way, there's no one player that can put a team on his shoulders and win the Cup without a quality supporting cast. That's certainly not a standard that anyone should hold any player to.

Kopitar has been an absolutely amazing player when you factor in every square inch of ice. I get your argument about moving him, but there was every reason to keep him at the time. I for one have enjoyed watching Kopitar for the entirety of his career as a King. I for one am glad the Kings kept him.

Kopitar had one great series in 2014, and that was against San Jose. I would rank Williams and Gaborik ahead of him for the Conn Smythe in 2014. Being the leader in points doesn't make him the most valuable player in the playoffs.

 

[KINGS17]

What no Ranch or Thousand Island dressing!?! I switched to balsamic vinaigrette long ago, but I think I might have celebrated with a little TI on my three pieces of mixed greens and slice of tomato.

 

[lumbergh]

Kopitar had one great series in 2014, and that was against San Jose. I would rank Williams and Gaborik ahead of him for the Conn Smythe in 2014. Being the leader in points doesn't make him the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Again, it's about the totality of his performance. In the Kings' system, defensively there's no forward more important than the center. Kopitar dominated all over the ice. It's not just about the points.

 

[King'sPawn]

Again, it's about the totality of his performance. In the Kings' system, defensively there's no forward more important than the center. Kopitar dominated all over the ice. It's not just about the points.

Let's also not forget that the Conn Smythe gets voted by the Professional Hockey Writer's Association. I love reading the content of the writers, but I also think they tend to gravitate their voting to stories which drew the most attention during the playoffs. In 2012, Quick had unreal numbers in the playoffs; this isn't to diminish Quick's accomplishments, as he saved the team many times, but he also benefited from a strong, cohesive team.

In 2014, the prevailing story was "Mr. Game 7." Now, in Williams' credit, he absolutely delivered when the series was on the line. But, it was also the forefront of headlines, which makes it easier as a frame of reference for voting.

But ask a member of the PHWA to provide a deep insight as to why they picked who they did, or why they DIDN'T pick certain candidates, and I think there is a good majority who would give a very superficial response. Especially east coast writers who were asleep at the time the Kings were playing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

There's a reasonable and actually very good argument to be made that Kopitar deserves two Conn Smythes, which would be absolutely remarkable considering only two players have won two Conn Smythes in 30 years. Actually you just made the argument in your post! I thought he should have won both years, but I understand why he didn't. Yes Brown, Williams, and Gaborik all scored big goals, but Kopitar ultimately played a much more important position than them, dominating all over the ice in the two runs.

And by the way, there's no one player that can put a team on his shoulders and win the Cup without a quality supporting cast. That's certainly not a standard that anyone should hold any player to.

Kopitar has been an absolutely amazing player when you factor in every square inch of ice. I get your argument about moving him, but there was every reason to keep him at the time. I for one have enjoyed watching Kopitar for the entirety of his career as a King. I for one am glad the Kings kept him.

I thought Kopitar deserved it in 2012 but they sure weren't going to see past Quick's #s for better or for worse.

I thought Doughty deserved it in 2014 but the writers were absolutely f***ing lazy and based it on narrative and got too cute.

Kopitar had one great series in 2014, and that was against San Jose. I would rank Williams and Gaborik ahead of him for the Conn Smythe in 2014. Being the leader in points doesn't make him the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Disagree. Kopitar was scoring at the Malkin Conn Smythe pace through the end of the Ducks series, enough so that they couldn't hide Getzlaf far enough away from him and went out and got Kesler in response.

It wasn't until he got brickwalled by the Toews/Hossa combination that he slowed down at all. And he was obviously mortal in the finals after that gauntlet.

I don't know how anyone can watch those highlights and argue Gaborik did it himself without Kopitar.

 

[Herby]

I thought Kopitar deserved it in 2012 but they sure weren't going to see past Quick's #s for better or for worse.

I thought Doughty deserved it in 2014 but the writers were absolutely f***ing lazy and based it on narrative and got too cute.



Disagree. Kopitar was scoring at the Malkin Conn Smythe pace through the end of the Ducks series, enough so that they couldn't hide Getzlaf far enough away from him and went out and got Kesler in response.

It wasn't until he got brickwalled by the Toews/Hossa combination that he slowed down at all. And he was obviously mortal in the finals after that gauntlet.

I don't know how anyone can watch those highlights and argue Gaborik did it himself without Kopitar.

And Kopitar cancelling out Toews and Hossa was a win for the Kings, because the Kings had a better roster than Chicago in that series. Better forward depth, better D and a better goalie.

The only reason that series went 7 games was because of Sutter's refusal to stop sending out Clifford/Richards/Lewis against Kane (especially) and Sharp's lines. I'll never forget being in the building for Game 5 and Sutter sending out the Richards line and Coach Q going back to Kane after only a 1 shift break to get that matchup.

I thought Sutter did a masterful job in 2012, but 2014 they kind of won in spite of him. The decision to demote TT and roll with Pearson-Richards-Carter the first 2 games in SJ was also horrific.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Poor guy. What's the point of living if you don't enjoy life?

I'm sure he's doing just fine.

 

[Steve Zissou]

 

[Herby]

Czech govt. to NHL: Don't bring Russian players

This might be the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Like those two players have anything to do with the invasion.

The NHL should threaten to move the games elsewhere, whether to Finland or back across the pond if Finland also tries to pull the same nonsense.

I love Hasek, one of my all-time favorites. But what a ridiculous quote implying that these two guys playing in this game is a danger to the safety of the people of Prague. Good Lord.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Czech govt. to NHL: Don't bring Russian players

This might be the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Like those two players have anything to do with the invasion.

The NHL should threaten to move the games elsewhere, whether to Finland or back across the pond if Finland also tries to pull the same nonsense.

I love Hasek, one of my all-time favorites. But what a ridiculous quote implying that these two guys playing in this game is a danger to the safety of the people of Prague. Good Lord.

PC at it's best......one of the few things we agree upon, this is just stupid....

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Czech govt. to NHL: Don't bring Russian players

This might be the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Like those two players have anything to do with the invasion.

The NHL should threaten to move the games elsewhere, whether to Finland or back across the pond if Finland also tries to pull the same nonsense.

I love Hasek, one of my all-time favorites. But what a ridiculous quote implying that these two guys playing in this game is a danger to the safety of the people of Prague. Good Lord.

We all know those Russian players are going to lead to an invasion of the Czech Republic.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Eh, the Czechs have a thing with Russian invasions. If Russia didn't go into Ukraine, and they were against Russian players playing there, for something that happened a while ago, then, it's, come on guys, what are we doing? With an active war situation though? The players aren't a threat to national security, but I can get it. They're eastern European countries. Prague to Kiev is like LA to Denver. It's practically right next door. Hasek was born in and grew up under Soviet rule.

PC can run amok, but I wouldn't put this under PC.

 

[Bandit]

I'm sure he's doing just fine.

When you compare how much time he got with the cup vs. a lifetime of eating twigs and berries, you'd never be able to convince me it's worth it.

 

[Reaper45]

What no Ranch or Thousand Island dressing!?! I switched to balsamic vinaigrette long ago, but I think I might have celebrated with a little TI on my three pieces of mixed greens and slice of tomato.

For that contract you have to go champagne vinaigrette.

 

[Choralone]

Eh, the Czechs have a thing with Russian invasions. If Russia didn't go into Ukraine, and they were against Russian players playing there, for something that happened a while ago, then, it's, come on guys, what are we doing? With an active war situation though? The players aren't a threat to national security, but I can get it. They're eastern European countries. Prague to Kiev is like LA to Denver. It's practically right next door. Hasek was born in and grew up under Soviet rule.

PC can run amok, but I wouldn't put this under PC.

Reminds me why Jagr wore 68.

 

[All The Kings Men]

The decision to demote TT and roll with Pearson-Richards-Carter the first 2 games in SJ was also horrific.

Pearson was scratched games 1 & 2

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Pearson was scratched games 1 & 2

It was actually Dwight King playing LW on that line.

Here's the full lineup of what the Kings started with in Games 1 & 2 against San Jose:

Game 1:
Gaborik-Kopitar-Williams
King-Richards-Carter
Brown-Stoll-Toffoli
Clifford-Lewis-Nolan

Muzzin-Doughty
Mitchell-Martinez
Regehr-Voynov

Game 2 (11F/7D):
Gaborik-Kopitar-Williams
Brown-Richards-Carter
King-Stoll-Lewis
Clifford-Kopitar-Toffoli

Regehr-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Muzzin-Greene
Martinez

In Game 4, Sutter used these lines:
Gaborik-Kopitar-Brown
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
King-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Richards-Lewis

Muzzin-Doughty
Regehr-Voynov
Mitchell-Martinez

 

[BigKing]

Brown isn't as good as the other legacy dudes on the 2012 team but his play is what I remember most 10 years later after that run. PPG and 93 hits in 20 games. The Sedin hit. Roszival. Just getting in everyone's head.

 

[Herby]

Pearson was scratched games 1 & 2

Even worse than. Pearson ended up being one of the better forwards, especially in the Chicago series.

Richards should not have been anywhere near a 2nd line role by that point.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Brown isn't as good as the other legacy dudes on the 2012 team but his play is what I remember most 10 years later after that run. PPG and 93 hits in 20 games. The Sedin hit. Roszival. Just getting in everyone's head.

The guy's play down the stretch and into the playoffs wrecked HF forum discourse here for a decade, i hate 'rent free' but my god did brown occupy space

 

[Herby]

The guy's play down the stretch and into the playoffs wrecked HF forum discourse here for a decade, i hate 'rent free' but my god did brown occupy space

Brown isn't as good as the other legacy dudes on the 2012 team but his play is what I remember most 10 years later after that run. PPG and 93 hits in 20 games. The Sedin hit. Roszival. Just getting in everyone's head.

Screen shot before the opening faceoff of Game 1 of the finals. That was in 14 games vs the 3 best teams in the Western Conference.

Over a full season that is 41 goals, 93 points, 18 GW goals and 392 hits. That is absolutely insane, only 2 players in the league had 300 hits this season.

Don't let anyone tell you that the secondary pieces were the reason they won, the core-four were the four best players in that run, and it wasn't really close.

 

[Steve Zissou]

 

[Lt Dan]

Brown isn't as good as the other legacy dudes on the 2012 team but his play is what I remember most 10 years later after that run. PPG and 93 hits in 20 games. The Sedin hit. Roszival. Just getting in everyone's head.

Don't forget about the shorties. He was definitely one of the reasons we beat Vancouver





Next series and Kopitar but Brown was a big part of this

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

View attachment 587478

Screen shot before the opening faceoff of Game 1 of the finals. That was in 14 games vs the 3 best teams in the Western Conference.

Over a full season that is 41 goals, 93 points, 18 GW goals and 392 hits. That is absolutely insane, only 2 players in the league had 300 hits this season.

Don't let anyone tell you that the secondary pieces were the reason they won, the core-four were the four best players in that run, and it wasn't really close.

Absolutely, dude was totally unstoppable until Smith hatcheted his knee. Still the dirtiest play that got looked over, even with all the other majors in that series.

They should make the statue of the above, that embodied Brown that entire run. f*** everyone attitude.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Don't forget about the shorties. He was definitely one of the reasons we beat Vancouver





Next series and Kopitar but Brown was a big part of this

I'm happy it was Brownie but man how close was Kopitar to an all-time highlight reel on that first clip?