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Call for sweeping changes?

LAKings88

LAKings88

Formerly KOTR
Dec 4, 2006
14,075
6,392
Blackhole
Just some thoughts:

Many fans have been calling for change, drastic or otherwise.

There will be some change next year desired or not. I don't care for the bashing that I have read the last couple of days. What have you done for me lately eh?

As a fan of 27 years (less than some more than others) I can say that the last few years have been a blast.

These guys are people and it's just a game. As fans we have been privileged and blessed to see two cup runs. I never thought I would see one.

The core still has a nice window. A few tweaks and they may contend next year again.

I wanted to address three specific targets around here lately:

Kopitar-Great player and should retire as a King. He is not Malkin but he is a huge reason for LA's success the last few years. They need him going forward.

Williams-Better than many give him credit for. Came up clutch numerous times. It will be sad to see him go if he prices himself out.

Sutter-Best Kings coach since I started watching them. Kings are a great team largely due to him. He can't score wide open nets for the players. He has preached it most of the year. Top players need to produce, all he can do is put them in a situation to do so. Guy has forgotten more about hockey than I will ever know. LA still had a good year point wise and some are calling for him to go. Really?

With two games left and the possibility of playoffs still alive I just want to say cheer for these guys and even if they lose, it may be a couple of their last games in Kings jerseys. Celebrate their past contributions and the joy they have brought to their fan base. Hope for the best.
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Knight of the Realm said:
These guys are people and it's just a game. As fans we have been privileged and blessed to see two cup runs. I never thought I would see one.
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This is the bottom line. I saw somebody write in the GDT or PGT that they were embarrassed to be a Kings fan because of the play of the team the last few games. My response to that is I'm embarrassed to say I'm a Kings fan after reading the horse **** that was written by a large number of people in there. A bunch of whiny babies. The Kings may have not executed last night but don't confuse that for effort. They were running around trying to force a win and that's why I think they ended up losing. A lot has happened this season for anyone to focus on one player or one thing. DL has his hands full this summer with the Voynov situation, Richards and the UFA's.

And as you said, it ain't over til it's over! :yo:
 
Buddy The Elf said:
This is the bottom line. I saw somebody write in the GDT or PGT that they were embarrassed to be a Kings fan because of the play of the team the last few games. My response to that is I'm embarrassed to say I'm a Kings fan after reading the horse **** that was written by a large number of people in there. A bunch of whiny babies. The Kings may have not executed last night but don't confuse that for effort. They were running around trying to force a win and that's why I think they ended up losing. A lot has happened this season for anyone to focus on one player or one thing.

And as you said, it ain't over til it's over! :yo:
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I agree entirely with your thread AND KOTR's. We will make a few required changes and then this team will get right back to fighting for the cup next season IF we don't get in this time around. We just won the cup two out of 3 years so anyone saying anything other than our finding a way to get back to winning it all again is missing the point to my way of thinking. This is the best Kings team we have ever had or have had since the mid 70's when I started watching the team. May or may not have the most talent but as far as team play goes this team has it above any other that I have seen in my time as a fan. We will get it back on the tracks and make another run next season. I said it before the playoffs 3 years ago and I mean it just as much today. This team is going to win the cup at least 3 times over the next five years. I don't see myself being proven wrong by them.
 
417th said:
I agree entirely with your thread AND KOTR's. We will make a few required changes and then this team will get right back to fighting for the cup next season IF we don't get in this time around. We just won the cup two out of 3 years so anyone saying anything other than our finding a way to get back to winning it all again is missing the point to my way of thinking. This is the best Kings team we have ever had or have had since the mid 70's when I started watching the team. May or may not have the most talent but as far as team play goes this team has it above any other that I have seen in my time as a fan. We will get it back on the tracks and make another run next season. I said it before the playoffs 3 years ago and I mean it just as much today. This team is going to win the cup at least 3 times over the next five years. I don't see myself being proven wrong by them.
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Three MORE times? I like the way you think... :)
 
In this off-season, I can see a lot of moving parts around the core guys.

Kopitar (probably with a new a 8 year deal)
Doughty
Quick
Carter
Gaborik
Brown
Toffoli
Pearson
Muzzin
Greene (not saying I want him back, but he will be)
McNabb (not really a core guy, but cheap)

The rest of it is wide-open, whether Richards is bought out or moved eating salary, gotta think Stoll, Williams and Regehr walk, and wouldn't be shocked to see Martinez moved, not mention the Voynov situation.
 
Agreed.

Love this team and every player on it, shame some will have to move on but it's a results-oriented business and we haven't gotten them this year. There's a million reasons/excuses but at the end of the day they get the summer of shame to rest/recuperate and we know our guys are do-ers, can't question their heart/effort, just their focus and what's left in the tank. Guess we just want to set more records :P

Window is absolutely not closed, though I thought it would be after this year coming into it.
 
Regardless of what happens, those end of season exit interviews should be interesting, given the number of underachievers who let this team down, starting with the overpaid captain who's disappeared for long stretches over the past couple of seasons.
 
Yes, it's time. If Lombardi will just fire Sutter, and keep the same roster the Kings will have five 30-goal scorers next season. I have been converted!!!

Re: Kopitar; no way Lombardi should give him an 8-year deal after this season. I'll be surprised if an extension is negotiated this off season, too many variables, including the play of Kopitar.
 
Ziggy Stardust said:
Regardless of what happens, those end of season exit interviews should be interesting, given the number of underachievers who let this team down, starting with the overpaid captain who's disappeared for long stretches over the past couple of seasons.
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Not going to happen. While Brown hadn't been great, he has been banished to the black hole line. Once they replace Stoll with anyone Brown will be better. Not first line better but better. Just last year Kopitar, Brown, Williams was the best line in the NHL (Corsi wise). If he can have someone other than Stoll and Lewis to pass the puck to, he might get an assist or even a gaol.
 
KINGS17 said:
Yes, it's time. If Lombardi will just fire Sutter, and keep the same roster the Kings will have 5 30-goal scorers next season. I have been converted!!!
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Haha.

Ironically I don't even think any team in the 80's had Five 30 goal scorers at one time.
 
damacles1156 said:
Haha.

Ironically I don't even think any team in the 80's had Five 30 goal scorers at one time.
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Well, obviously none of those teams had the right coach. That's why no one that coached in the '80s still has a job. :laugh:
 
KINGS17 said:
Yes, it's time. If Lombardi will just fire Sutter, and keep the same roster the Kings will have five 30-goal scorers next season. I have been converted!!!
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Darryl Sutter is one of the top coaches in this league, no doubt. But sometimes you have to wonder if he's been the anchor on this team's offense.
 
RoyalVoyager said:
Darryl Sutter is one of the top coaches in this league, no doubt. But sometimes you have to wonder if he's been the anchor on this team's offense.
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Coaches don't tell players not to drive the net or shoot the puck.

Around the net is where about 98% of NHL goals are scored. If your players don't go their consistently, your offense will suck regardless of who is coaching.

Players have to be willing to pay the price, the Kings do that in the playoffs , and not so much in the regular season.

That's not a Coaching issue.

Sutter can't make Kopitar shoot the puck. This season Kopitar registered his lowest shot total of his career. Sutter didn't tell Kopitar "Don't shoot the puck this season".

It's the same garbage people on this board spew about the PP when Kompon was around. The constant with the Kings PP is the core players running it, and they suck at it.

Kompon has the Hawks PP doing fine (I wonder why ? ) IT's the players.
 
damacles1156 said:
Coaches don't tell players not to drive the net or shoot the puck.

Around the net is where about 98% of NHL goals are scored. If your players don't go their consistently, your offense will suck regardless of who is coaching.

Players have to be willing to pay the price, the Kings do that in the playoffs , and not so much in the regular season.

That's not a Coaching issue.

Sutter can't make Kopitar shoot the puck. This season Kopitar registered his lowest shot total of his career. Sutter didn't tell Kopitar "Don't shoot the puck this season".
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But for a team to have:

Gaborik - Kopitar - Brown/Williams
Pearson/King - Carter - Toffoli

as their top 6 with Doughty on the blue line and consistently put up the numbers they do? Something isn't right here
 
I like how the franchise is positioned moving forward. We have some problems for sure, but every team has problems. I don't see a need for major changes.

Kopitar should be, and will be, signed to a lucrative long term contract.
 
RoyalVoyager said:
But for a team to have:

Gaborik - Kopitar - Brown/Williams
Pearson/King - Carter - Toffoli

as their top 6 with Doughty on the blue line and consistently put up the numbers they do? Something isn't right here
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So Sutter made Brown have his worst two seasons of his career ?

Pearson and Toffoli are just fine, They have both had breakout years.

Gabo is not a 40 goal scorer anymore he is 32 years old. He still scored at a good pace .

Kopitar 16 goals are due to him not shooting the puck. Kopitar can still register 50 assist and make right around his career average point total(which is incredible with his up and down season).

Muzzin career year, Lewis career year, Clifford scored more this year, Nolan as well.

Doughty had a very productive year despite none of it being PP related pretty much.

Where is Sutter holding back the offense ?
 
Need to put more emphasis on regular season success. I know, I know, it's all about the Cup but we can't be fighting for the last playoff spot all season. It's just not healthy. Kopitar also needs to finally be a PPG player. Also, unless he scores 4 in the next two games, there's really no excuse for him to be a sub-20 goal scorer. I don't know if Brown will ever score 20 goals again but 11 goals without missing a single game this season is just embarrassing. I would like to see Pearson and Toffoli on the first line next year. Maybe that woukd help Kopi become a PPG player.
 
What nuked the Kings offense was they were expecting 40+ goals 80+ points combined out of Brown/Richards, for 12 million dollars.

They got 16 goals and 26 assists out those two guys this season. That is where the Kings offense died.

No Cap team can handle two guys (both suppose to be top six tweener's) falling off a cliff offensively. Especially one's being paid 12 million combined.
 
Last edited:
Vamos Rafa said:
Need to put more emphasis on regular season success. I know, I know, it's all about the Cup but we can't be fighting for the last playoff spot all season. It's just not healthy. Kopitar also needs to finally be a PPG player. Also, unless he scores 4 in the next two games, there's really no excuse for him to be a sub-20 goal scorer. I don't know if Brown will ever score 20 goals again but 11 goals without missing a single game this season is just embarrassing. I would like to see Pearson and Toffoli on the first line next year. Maybe that woukd help Kopi become a PPG player.
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It's not going to happen now, Kopitar is exiting his prime production years due to being older.

Expecting career years out of guy entering his late 20's is rolling the dice with losing odds.
 
damacles1156 said:
So Sutter made Brown have his worst two seasons of his career ?

Pearson and Toffoli are just fine, They have both had breakout years.

Gabo is not a 40 goal scorer anymore he is 32 years old. He still scored at a good pace .

Kopitar 16 goals are due to him not shooting the puck. Kopitar can still register 50 assist and make right around his career average point total(which is incredible with his up and down season).

Muzzin career year, Lewis career year, Clifford scored more this year, Nolan as well.

Doughty had a very productive year despite none of it being PP related pretty much.

Where is Sutter holding back the offense ?
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I didn't say he's killing it, i'm only saying it's very possible he isn't the best catalyst for it. The players on this team are too talented for grinding hockey
 
RoyalVoyager said:
I didn't say he's killing it, i'm only saying it's very possible he isn't the best catalyst for it. The players on this team are too talented for grinding hockey
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Read post #19, that is your answer for where all the Kings offense dried up.
 
damacles1156 said:
Coaches don't tell players not to drive the net or shoot the puck.

Around the net is where about 98% of NHL goals are scored. If your players don't go their consistently, your offense will suck regardless of who is coaching.

Players have to be willing to pay the price, the Kings do that in the playoffs , and not so much in the regular season.

That's not a Coaching issue.

Sutter can't make Kopitar shoot the puck. This season Kopitar registered his lowest shot total of his career. Sutter didn't tell Kopitar "Don't shoot the puck this season".

It's the same garbage people on this board spew about the PP when Kompon was around. The constant with the Kings PP is the core players running it, and they suck at it.

Kompon has the Hawks PP doing fine (I wonder why ? ) IT's the players.
Click to expand...

damacles1156 said:
So Sutter made Brown have his worst two seasons of his career ?

Pearson and Toffoli are just fine, They have both had breakout years.

Gabo is not a 40 goal scorer anymore he is 32 years old. He still scored at a good pace .

Kopitar 16 goals are due to him not shooting the puck. Kopitar can still register 50 assist and make right around his career average point total(which is incredible with his up and down season).

Muzzin career year, Lewis career year, Clifford scored more this year, Nolan as well.

Doughty had a very productive year despite none of it being PP related pretty much.

Where is Sutter holding back the offense ?
Click to expand...

Agreed. LA has a defensive first mentality and possession mentality that has helped them win two freaking cups.

Unfortunately many of their scorers are streaky. I'm hoping that one or two rookies can step up next year and provide a boost or at least fill in for some likely departures.

LA had 93 points and a great home record. Just so happens they sucked at shoot outs and holding leads this year without ever really having a full complete team.

It's not like they are Edmonton.
 
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