Call for sweeping changes?

[Captain Mittens*]

I've learned that sarcasm doesn't travel well after a loss/when in dire straits

 

[KINGS17]

People are going to be surprised when they see Jonny Brodzinski play.

The guy is going to score 20 goals yearly in the NHL, his hands and Vision are too good.

His overall game (jam,moxy, what ever the hell you call it) is better than Toffoli's was at this point in their careers.

Diamond in the rough find from Lombardi/Futa.

And I trust the Kings' development staff implicitly.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

The evolution of the Kings top forward group has been interesting.

Starting when they got Richards, they also brought in Gagne. Penner was still there from the previous deadline. Brown was still a 25ish goal/50+ point guy. Williams was still 20+ goals, 55+ points. Gagne got hurt, Penner was trash. Richards wasn't quite enough to compensate for that, so they get Carter.

The following year, all those guys are still there, but Toffoli gets a chance in the playoffs.

Then Penner leaves. Brown's production falls off the map, Williams doesn't put up his usual numbers, and all Richards does by that point is pass to Carter all the time. Carter replaces Richards as the 2nd line center, Toffoli gets more ice time because of that, and they also trade for Gaborik in part because Brown just couldn't score. Then Pearson becomes a larger part of the picture in the playoffs like Toffoli the year before.

This season, Richards get booted off the team, Brown still can't score, Williams is no longer a 55+ point winger, Carter, Toffoli, and Gaborik are keeping the Kings above water, but now Kopitar shoots less than he ever has, and nobody has been able to pick up the slack.

Every addition the Kings have made, has coincided with a decrease from players that were already here. Which one came first is the eternal question. Kopitar has been the one constant in there through all the other changes. 1st line wingers, 2nd line wingers, 2nd line center, they've all changed in some form, and the Kings have been able to bring other guys in to help as that has changed. Except with Kopitar this year. But you're not just going to bring in another #1 center and push Kopitar down a slot like they've been able to do with everyone else.

Now another round of change will happen this summer with Williams most likely gone. How that gets figured out will go a long way in determining how next season goes. Will Kopitar shoot again, the way he has in the past when the Kings didn't have as many offensive options? Can they get a couple more goals out of Brown? Will they be able to get anyone? Will they give players in the pipeline a longer look? Huge questions, since the veterans will be another year older.

Great post. Really helps to see the story of the last few seasons.

 

[scramble91]

People are going to be surprised when they see Jonny Brodzinski play.

The guy is going to score 20 goals yearly in the NHL, his hands and Vision are too good.

His overall game (jam,moxy, what ever the hell you call it) is better than Toffoli's was at this point in their careers.

Diamond in the rough find from Lombardi/Futa.

Oh I don't doubt his upside possibly being higher, but unless he makes the Kings next year, his game isn't better than toffoli at the same age. He is one year younger than toffoli isn't he? Toffoli had his ups and downs in the NHL since he was 20. Until Jonnys game translates into the NHL I can't say he is better (considering he potted 20 in the NHL) at that point (age) in their careers.

Could start the argument of college vs juniors but looks like Kings will be strong on the right wing in the future. (Zykov, toffoli, brod).

 

[damacles1156]

Oh I don't doubt his upside possibly being higher, but unless he makes the Kings next year, his game isn't better than toffoli at the same age. He is one year younger than toffoli isn't he? Toffoli had his ups and downs in the NHL since he was 20. Until Jonnys game translates into the NHL I can't say he is better (considering he potted 20 in the NHL) at that point (age) in their careers.

Could start the argument of college vs juniors but looks like Kings will be strong on the right wing in the future. (Zykov, toffoli, brod).

Not talking about age.

Talking about when Toffoli entered the AHL(his overall game). Jonny's overall game is better heading into the AHL (in my opinion).

 

[SettlementRichie10]

My only gripe with a recent prospect trade is sending away Fasching. With Richards and Stoll no longer NHL players, having a stud center prospect in Fasching would have cushioned the future a bit.

 

[scramble91]

Not talking about age.

Talking about when Toffoli entered the AHL. Jonny's overall game is better heading into the AHL (in my opinion).

Fair opinion

Coming into Manchester, toffoli was vastly overshadowed by the supreme Prince!

 

[damacles1156]

My only gripe with a recent prospect trade is sending away Fasching. With Richards and Stoll no longer NHL players, having a stud center prospect in Fasching would have cushioned the future a bit.

Fasching is a Winger. I don't think the kid has ever played Center(competitively anyway).

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Fasching is a Winger. I don't think the kid has ever played Center(competitively anyway).

Pretty sure he's listed as a center? Thought he played C at Minnesota? Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[ADifferentTim]

I much rather go a transition/protege system that ensures continuity instead of sweeping changes (read: panic mode).

 

[Kings man 4 life]

Other than some retooling needed I'm not worried, one thing that I think escapes people is that they are people and its hard to keep up that drive and energy for so long. Guys our Kings have basically played 4 seasons worth of hockey in 3 years with all the playoffs they have been in. Emotionally these guys have to be spent. Add to the fact this Voynov fiasco has to be messing with there minds amongst other things. Hell Kopi just recently married and now has a newborn, its one thing to work a nine to five and raise a kid but to have to constantly train, practice, travel and compete against the best players in the world and show results has to be weighing on the dude, all the money and awards in the world doesn't compare to spending time with family and kids.
I would prefer they make the playoffs but if they don't I can't be mad, do I give them a pass, hell no, but if they are just gassed and have no passion in the tank, then a off season of golf is maybe what these guys need. Thank you for the two cups so far and cya next season guys.

 

[Pekkas Purse]

Kings fans, I see some interesting analysis here. I am a Calgary boy who cheers for the Kings as a secondary team. Sutter is the problem and has been the solution. He is a love hate relationship at any team. He is responsible for 3 cup, (remember the Flames actually won game 6 in 2004).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFO2y0b5DxE

The Kings are potentially the best team in the league any night but not with Sutter at the helm any more. Who is to lead the team is anyones guess but he is the current firewall to success. His strategy is simple and has not changed in 15 years. Score 1 goal more than your opponent. The Kings are built (Kopi, Gabby, Carter, Toffoli to rip it up like Tampa Bay yet these horses are reigned in.

In my opinion having seen this in Calgary during his reign in the mid 2000's nothing will change until Lombardi makes a leadership change. Go Flames and Go Kings.

The fact that this team is not top 4 in the standings is a joke. The fans deserve better. Send him back to Viking !

 

[Kings man 4 life]

Kings fans, I see some interesting analysis here. I am a Calgary boy who cheers for the Kings as a secondary team. Sutter is the problem and has been the solution. He is a love hate relationship at any team. He is responsible for 3 cup, (remember the Flames actually won game 6 in 2004).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFO2y0b5DxE

The Kings are potentially the best team in the league any night but not with Sutter at the helm any more. Who is to lead the team is anyones guess but he is the current firewall to success. His strategy is simple and has not changed in 15 years. Score 1 goal more than your opponent. The Kings are built (Kopi, Gabby, Carter, Toffoli to rip it up like Tampa Bay yet these horses are reigned in.

In my opinion having seen this in Calgary during his reign in the mid 2000's nothing will change until Lombardi makes a leadership change. Go Flames and Go Kings.

The fact that this team is not top 4 in the standings is a joke. The fans deserve better. Send him back to Viking !

... Two cups says otherwise...

 

[Whiskeypete]

My only gripe with a recent prospect trade is sending away Fasching. With Richards and Stoll no longer NHL players, having a stud center prospect in Fasching would have cushioned the future a bit.

Fasching is a Winger. I don't think the kid has ever played Center(competitively anyway).

Pretty sure he's listed as a center? Thought he played C at Minnesota? Maybe I'm wrong.

i've watched as many U of M games as i can. i've never seen Hudson line up at C. he may be listed as one someplace, but he plays the wing.

i still think that trade will come back and haunt us. i see the kid as a player that is going to be special, don't know why but i do. his game, skill set, hustle and size are going to be fantastic in the not to distant future.

 

[damacles1156]

Kings fans, I see some interesting analysis here. I am a Calgary boy who cheers for the Kings as a secondary team. Sutter is the problem and has been the solution. He is a love hate relationship at any team. He is responsible for 3 cup, (remember the Flames actually won game 6 in 2004).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFO2y0b5DxE

The Kings are potentially the best team in the league any night but not with Sutter at the helm any more. Who is to lead the team is anyones guess but he is the current firewall to success. His strategy is simple and has not changed in 15 years. Score 1 goal more than your opponent. The Kings are built (Kopi, Gabby, Carter, Toffoli to rip it up like Tampa Bay yet these horses are reigned in.

In my opinion having seen this in Calgary during his reign in the mid 2000's nothing will change until Lombardi makes a leadership change. Go Flames and Go Kings.

The fact that this team is not top 4 in the standings is a joke. The fans deserve better. Send him back to Viking !

Oh boy.

Yeah Sutter is not a problem.

 

[Sacha Baron Corbin]

Kings fans, I see some interesting analysis here. I am a Calgary boy who cheers for the Kings as a secondary team. Sutter is the problem and has been the solution. He is a love hate relationship at any team. He is responsible for 3 cup, (remember the Flames actually won game 6 in 2004).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFO2y0b5DxE

The Kings are potentially the best team in the league any night but not with Sutter at the helm any more. Who is to lead the team is anyones guess but he is the current firewall to success. His strategy is simple and has not changed in 15 years. Score 1 goal more than your opponent. The Kings are built (Kopi, Gabby, Carter, Toffoli to rip it up like Tampa Bay yet these horses are reigned in.

In my opinion having seen this in Calgary during his reign in the mid 2000's nothing will change until Lombardi makes a leadership change. Go Flames and Go Kings.

The fact that this team is not top 4 in the standings is a joke. The fans deserve better. Send him back to Viking !

Sutter did not cause Kopitar, Brown, Stoll, Williams, Greene etc. to play like trash this season. He is the least of the Kings problems right now.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

i've watched as many U of M games as i can. i've never seen Hudson line up at C. he may be listed as one someplace, but he plays the wing.

i still think that trade will come back and haunt us. i see the kid as a player that is going to be special, don't know why but i do. his game, skill set, hustle and size are going to be fantastic in the not to distant future.

The return was commensurate with what both organizations feel about him, though. A lot of teams would kill for a guy with McNabb's raw tools.

 

[Sacha Baron Corbin]

The return was commensurate with what both organizations feel about him, though. A lot of teams would kill for a guy with McNabb's raw tools.

I think the picks we got back in the trade were a big part of it as well.

 

[kingsfan28]

LOL, the Sharks.

 

[Jeff18]

Kinda dumb to make that poll when we haven't even been eliminated.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

well prospects are sort of important when it comes to success. ask the wings

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I get that. My point is if the Kings were in the same spot and didn't make a trade, people on here would've said "why didn't DL make a trade for a <insert position here>"? Some of us are now reduced to whining that the Kings made a move for Sekera. I think the Kings were trying to win the Stanley Cup this year and they needed a defenseman. They got the best one available at the time. You can question trading for defense versus offense (I don't remember what offensive players were available anymore) but the bottom line is the Kings were going to have to part with assets to get a good player and hopefully compete for a Cup.

It's the same old ****, different day. People second guessing the guy who brought the Kings two Stanly Cups. I got news for those people, the guy knows more than you.

Further to that, the Kings haven't drafted all that well in the first round. So we can squabble about the use of the asset in that trade but the bottom line is we aren't likely missing out on a player who would've contributed in the near future, if at all.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kinda dumb to make that poll when we haven't even been eliminated.

I'm hoping against hope that all this chest thumping, parading about, and making playoff avatars prematurely comes back to bite everyone in the ass as we make it by the skin of our teeth. People forget we're not that dead.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I get that. My point is if the Kings were in the same spot and didn't make a trade, people on here would've said "why didn't DL make a trade for a <insert position here>"? Some of us are now reduced to whining that the Kings made a move for Sekera. I think the Kings were trying to win the Stanley Cup this year and they needed a defenseman. They got the best one available at the time. You can question trading for defense versus offense (I don't remember what offensive players were available anymore) but the bottom line is the Kings were going to have to part with assets to get a good player and hopefully compete for a Cup.

It's the same old ****, different day. People second guessing the guy who brought the Kings two Stanly Cups. I got news for those people, the guy knows more than you.

Further to that, the Kings haven't drafted all that well in the first round. So we can squabble about the use of the asset in that trade but the bottom line is we aren't likely missing out on a player who would've contributed in the near future, if at all.

Seriously. DL landed a trade deadline big fish again. Can't predict that some dumbass is going to fall on his leg, **** happens. He's our second best defenseman behind Doughty and it's not close. The only way I see that trade as a failure is if we fail to re-sign Sekera, and even then, it was a worthwhile shot...why would you not go for a chance at history when it doesn't even cost that much?

 

[kingsfan28]

I'm hoping against hope that all this chest thumping, parading about, and making playoff avatars prematurely comes back to bite everyone in the ass as we make it by the skin of our teeth. People forget we're not that dead.

Everyones been throwing dirt on our grave all day and second guessing why Sutter started Jones over Quick, thinking that's the reason we lost yesterday.

NBC Sports PR ‏@NBCSportsPR

"I would have played Jonathan Quick (last night)...this was a must-win. They're in serious, serious trouble." - Mike Milbury on LA Kings

We lost because the Oilers probably played their best game in 3 years, and the Kings played the same listless game we've seen all season, in a game they needed and should've won.

 

[417th]

I recently went back to using an old straw broom that I had around and my sweeping has changed drastically ever since.