GDT: Buffalo Sabers @ LA Kings 3/16/17 - 7:30PM PST - FSW

[WHOneedsSOX]

Maybe DL is thinking along those lines


http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20170314/more-la-kings-losses-could-hasten-youth-movement

On bringing up more prospects from the Reign


In addition to Brodz, the article mentions Amadio LoVerde and Auger.

Didn't Sutter completely deny that thought though? Said something about reporters making things up.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

he was dynamite for team Canada when he skating it down low and creating chances for his teammates. I wish he'd do it more but I also love how responsible he is

I know Drew has a green light allegedly but if we were more of a rush team I think he'd take advantage of that skillset more.

Both of Kempe's goals have been ***** makers as well as the second assist on Toffoli's goal in Colorado.

Nice to see a speed/skill combo out there instead of one or the other.

He was clutch in the AHL playoffs too. Wondering if that ice blood in his veins is gonna be a factor!

Kempe is one of the most exciting young players we've had come thru the lineup in quite awhile, probably since Toffoli/Pearson. Next up is (hopefully) Brodzinski, would love to see what he can do. Kempe has injected some much needed electricity into the group.

To be fair if you're looking for raw excitement Brodz isn't your guy. He's more of a boring "always be in the right spot" guy. Not to downplay his skillset at all.

 

[King'sPawn]

It might shock people on this board to know that Kopitar has been scoring at his career point-per-game average for the year 2017.

27 points in 32 games. Interesting. That's .84 ppg.

 

[123slam]

27 points in 32 games. Interesting. That's .84 ppg.

No, it wouldn't... the goals is what we're missing from him.

 

[King'sPawn]

No, it wouldn't... the goals is what we're missing from him.

I didn't know you can get assists without a goal being scored somehow. Can you link me to this phenomenon?

 

[123slam]

I didn't know you can get assists without a goal being scored somehow. Can you link me to this phenomenon?

I'm just saying, Kopi gets his points, but we'd all like him to have more goals than than he currently does.

 

[justonetime]

I'm just saying, Kopi gets his points, but we'd all like him to have more goals than than he currently does.

I'm sure he'd like that too. He hit like 10 posts in the beginning of the year, got hurt, blah blah blah, but has played decent in 2017. I expect him to bounce back and have a solid year next year, like he always has.

 

[King'sPawn]

I'm just saying, Kopi gets his points, but we'd all like him to have more goals than than he currently does.

Sure. More goals from everyone would be nice.

But points are points. Kopitar maintaining his scoring pace since the start of the calendar year (not sure how long the injury's been lingering) is a good sign.

The amusing thing is it won't stop the negative narrative. Carter will continue to be annointed as the "real" captain even though he has just two more points in the same time span.

And in the fight for the playoffs, Kopitar's production has increased.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm just saying, Kopi gets his points, but we'd all like him to have more goals than than he currently does.

Everyone would. But my thing is that if Kopitar is getting points, then his line is scoring goals.

 

[kingsholygrail]

While his scoring has been improving lately, Kopitar's stats are well below expectation, especially defensively.

 

[Bandit]

Sure. More goals from everyone would be nice.

But points are points. Kopitar maintaining his scoring pace since the start of the calendar year (not sure how long the injury's been lingering) is a good sign.

The amusing thing is it won't stop the negative narrative. Carter will continue to be annointed as the "real" captain even though he has just two more points in the same time span.

And in the fight for the playoffs, Kopitar's production has increased.

Everyone would. But my thing is that if Kopitar is getting points, then his line is scoring goals.

I agree with both of you, but I also think that saying "Kopitar should have more goals" is another way of saying "Kopitar should do more". If Kopitar had 0 goals and 90 assists, that would be wonderful because yes that means that 90 goals were scored however (continuing with they hyperbole), consider two types of assists:

Type A:

Kopitar has the puck on his stick in the neutral zone, passes the puck back to Doughty in the defensive zone as he goes to the bench for a change, Doughty goes end to end and scores.

Type B:

Kopitar picks up the puck in the D zone, rushes up the ice, dekes out a defender and flips a beautiful saucer pass over the last D's stick to a winger for a sweet goal.

Are those two types of assists equal? I think we would all agree the answer is no, and him having 90 type A's would be vastly different than having 90 type B's. Both would be great because someone is scoring, but Kopitar's not doing a whole hell of a lot to make it happen in the type A scenario. A lot of us are frustrated watching him not assert himself in the middle of the ice, only take what he's given, float around the perimeter etc. If he went to the middle more (i.e. "do more" (harder) things), it would result in more assists and goals surely.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I don't like that Kopitar and his line in general doesn't really apply much pressure. I can't think of many instances where we saw him or his line with a dominating shift where they made the opponents scramble around the zone, forcing them to take a penalty, or creating numerous chances, or resulting in a goal.

Kopitar and his linemates used to do that, he was doing that last season. This season, not so much. His linemates have gotten worse too over the last few years. Lost Williams, lost Lucic, Gaborik has played his way down the lineup, Brown used to be capable but his numbers will never be as good as they used to be.

So you have to ask yourself, is he a byproduct of his linemates or is he good enough on his own to carry a line? Certain players seem to be less productive when paired with Kopitar, like Toffoli. His below average season is a significant reason why this team is on the outside looking in.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Ok--but Kopitar has 19 1st assists. 2nd to Carter. 28 primary points, behind Pearson and Carter. He's not as much a passenger as is being suggested is all I'm saying. But he certainly had a better year last year, no one is arguing otherwise. But as shown above, he's producing along his career rate lately--and now people are criticizing his play based on the 'other' stats that get poo-pood when they are used to support why his game is good in every other time in his career. Again, no one is arguing we don't need more from Kopitar, but right now it's oddly more from his all-around game than it is from his raw production.

That being said, WOW, is Pearson ever having a year--36 of his 40 points are primary points. Dude is as much of a producer as it seems. He's gonna get paid.

 

[Winger23]

Ok--but Kopitar has 19 1st assists. 2nd to Carter. 28 primary points, behind Pearson and Carter. He's not as much a passenger as is being suggested is all I'm saying. But he certainly had a better year last year, no one is arguing otherwise. But as shown above, he's producing along his career rate lately--and now people are criticizing his play based on the 'other' stats that get poo-pood when they are used to support why his game is good in every other time in his career. Again, no one is arguing we don't need more from Kopitar, but right now it's oddly more from his all-around game than it is from his raw production.

That being said, WOW, is Pearson ever having a year--36 of his 40 points are primary points. Dude is as much of a producer as it seems. He's gonna get paid.

Stats aside, he just isn't the same player. He's constantly losing the pucks along the boards, and I would venture a guess that half his points have come via the power play. His 5 on 5 play has been dismal.

I don't know if he's playing hurt, but just watching him he's a shell of his former self.

And I agree about Pearson. He's been solid all year.

 

[Kingspiracy]

Who's gonna get more coin, TT or pearson? They might be a lot closer $ wise after this year.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Given the year he's had, Pearson. Toffoli was great last season but has been a big disappointment this year, so not sure what player we're going to see every year.

 

[King'sPawn]

I agree with both of you, but I also think that saying "Kopitar should have more goals" is another way of saying "Kopitar should do more". If Kopitar had 0 goals and 90 assists, that would be wonderful because yes that means that 90 goals were scored however (continuing with they hyperbole), consider two types of assists:

Type A:

Kopitar has the puck on his stick in the neutral zone, passes the puck back to Doughty in the defensive zone as he goes to the bench for a change, Doughty goes end to end and scores.

Type B:

Kopitar picks up the puck in the D zone, rushes up the ice, dekes out a defender and flips a beautiful saucer pass over the last D's stick to a winger for a sweet goal.

Are those two types of assists equal? I think we would all agree the answer is no, and him having 90 type A's would be vastly different than having 90 type B's. Both would be great because someone is scoring, but Kopitar's not doing a whole hell of a lot to make it happen in the type A scenario. A lot of us are frustrated watching him not assert himself in the middle of the ice, only take what he's given, float around the perimeter etc. If he went to the middle more (i.e. "do more" (harder) things), it would result in more assists and goals surely.

I agree, not all points indicate the same level of effort. But just as he may get "easy" points, he has missed out on "hard" points when he played it well.

As for wanting him to do more, I think we can have a reasonable expectation of more. Others aren't reasonable.

What it comes across to me is you're expecting a golden retriever to be a doberman. Kopitar has had a successful career being a responsible, cerebral player. Intensity and aggression just haven't been part of his make-up.

Maybe this sounds like being an apologist, and I apologize. I like to be as neutral and keeping a perspective as possible.

But I just think the criticisms are born from unrealistic expectations. His season has been disappointing, but considering the circumstances, I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt and patience.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Stats aside, he just isn't the same player. He's constantly losing the pucks along the boards, and I would venture a guess that half his points have come via the power play. His 5 on 5 play has been dismal.

I don't know if he's playing hurt, but just watching him he's a shell of his former self.

And I agree about Pearson. He's been solid all year.

I totally agree. Usually we're talking about Kopitar smashing it all over the ice and giving a "I hope he can produce more" even if he's producing just fine; now he's actually producing just fine but it doesn't feel like it because he's struggling (relatively) all over the ice (which shows up in the advanced stats that often get made fun of with respect to his game). Just pointing out how it's flipped a bit. It's a bummer.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Carter will continue to be annointed as the "real" captain even though he has just two more points in the same time span.

0 ES points since the punch from Kesler 9 games ago. He hasn't scored a goal with a goalie in the net since the game in Florida before the bye week, which was Feb 9th, 15 games ago. Kopitar hasn't scored a goal 5v5 since Jan 31st, 20 games ago.

 

[Bandit]

Ok--but Kopitar has 19 1st assists. 2nd to Carter. 28 primary points, behind Pearson and Carter. He's not as much a passenger as is being suggested is all I'm saying. But he certainly had a better year last year, no one is arguing otherwise. But as shown above, he's producing along his career rate lately--and now people are criticizing his play based on the 'other' stats that get poo-pood when they are used to support why his game is good in every other time in his career. Again, no one is arguing we don't need more from Kopitar, but right now it's oddly more from his all-around game than it is from his raw production.

That being said, WOW, is Pearson ever having a year--36 of his 40 points are primary points. Dude is as much of a producer as it seems. He's gonna get paid.

It's splitting hairs maybe, but he would get a first assist the the Type A scenario. I can say also that I focus on the goals because that's where the drop off is. If he had 20 goals right now his production would be pretty close to on pace with what he did last year.

Stats aside, he just isn't the same player. He's constantly losing the pucks along the boards, and I would venture a guess that half his points have come via the power play. His 5 on 5 play has been dismal.

I don't know if he's playing hurt, but just watching him he's a shell of his former self.

And I agree about Pearson. He's been solid all year.

Yeah this is the biggest bummer really. Until this year, it used to be that couldn't have Kopitar's puck. If he had it, you weren't getting it unless 2-3 guys ganged up on him. Now he loses board battles, bobbles passes, is making hope plays, and is generally not the force he has been all over the ice. Hopefully it's the lingering affects of his injury and it will heal in the offseason.

I agree, not all points indicate the same level of effort. But just as he may get "easy" points, he has missed out on "hard" points when he played it well.

As for wanting him to do more, I think we can have a reasonable expectation of more. Others aren't reasonable.

What it comes across to me is you're expecting a golden retriever to be a doberman. Kopitar has had a successful career being a responsible, cerebral player. Intensity and aggression just haven't been part of his make-up.

Maybe this sounds like being an apologist, and I apologize. I like to be as neutral and keeping a perspective as possible.

But I just think the criticisms are born from unrealistic expectations. His season has been disappointing, but considering the circumstances, I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt and patience.

True, and I agree completely. People that are suggesting a trade (or expansion draft!) are bat**** crazy.

 

[Butch 19]

Sure. More goals from everyone would be nice.

But points are points. Kopitar maintaining his scoring pace since the start of the calendar year (not sure how long the injury's been lingering) is a good sign.

The amusing thing is it won't stop the negative narrative. Carter will continue to be annointed as the "real" captain even though he has just two more points in the same time span.

And in the fight for the playoffs, Kopitar's production has increased.

come on, how can you defend 10 goals? (with 1 or 2 being EN??)

He's in Jeremy Roenick goal scoring territory - that's just embarrassing.

This season, Kopitar has earned his negative narrative. I don't watch the Kings to see him skate across the blue line and then curl out in the corner looking to pass when a defender get close to him. Clifford or Andrioff can do that - in fact, they DRIVE to the net. Kopitar doesn't.