Call for sweeping changes?

[Kingspiracy]

The hard but right thing to do is to move Brown.

I don't know man, We don't know how important he is to the room. I thought he looked quite strong this year, just didn't put up points. I think quite a few of us are gun shy after the richards saga.


If we could balance the books, I'd go after someone like Lucic in a trade, He'll be in a contract year.

so

-Trade Martinez + for Lucic
-Buyout or trade with incentives MR
-Let go Stoll, Williams and Regehr (if Voynovs not eligible re up Regehr)
-Possibly trade Greene and or Jones for a 3c upgrade.
-Resign Sekera and Mcbain

Lucic, Kopi, Gabby
Pearson, Carter, TT
King, Shore, Brown/lewis
Clifford, Nolan/ Lewis/ Andreoff

Sekera, Doughty
Mcnabb, Voynov
Muzzin, Mcbain /Greene/ Regehr

 

[Kurrilino]

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?

Oh yes really...... time for my blood pressure pills

Best Kings Coach ever is like most healthy fries on the fast food market

- You have a generation defender in Doughty and Goalie in Quick
- Elite talent in Kopitar, Voynov, Carter
- Outstanding players in Brown, Williams, Richards, Toffoli, Pearson,
Muzzin, Sekera.


With these guys, Sutter is struggling to make the playoff since he is here and you try to tell people he is an excellent coach ??????

Just ask yourself again when having in mind, They wouldn't call Tampa back from the locker room after the clock scandal.
Or the Sharks wouldn't hit the post twice before the Kings scored in game 4.

Really we are seeing mediocre hockey at best from a team who should dominate any aspect of the game.

And for him preaching for more goals is almost insulting to me.
His way of taking any creativity out of the game and super simplifying it for opponents defense to keep us from scoring takes any weapons away from them to score....

Again, if you are already coming from the flanks you limit your ways to go from the outside to the inside.
This is freaking hockey minor knowledge... does this sounds like a great coach to you ??????

Just watch Calgary and any other quick team..... they enter the O-zone in the middle forcing the defender in a lateral movement and drop pass to the following player who passes than on the outside while the other 2 players are already in position in the caught defenders back to tip it in......... really it isn't magic.

But no... we attack from the outside, are surprisingly kept on the outside, circling the boards for hours and when running our of options throwing the puck into the crowd in front of the goal where the puck gets deflected over the boards.

And you really call all that great coaching ??????
We just didn't lose scoring by some magic player abilities drop by all of our players at the same time.
We are simply and plain out scouted since Terry "what is Offence" Murray was here.

Every team knows exactly what to do. Leave the guys on the outside alone and tighten it up in front of the goal because they have the time to do it.
And now "Miracle" Sutter is coming and asks the players why they don't score. I actually don't even know what to say.

But i can tell you one thing.

The players look of not caring or the lack of emotions is an exact result of the Terry-Sutter-Formula.
After 2 cups i would show Sutter my favorite fingers playing this ****** hockey style.
I am actually convinced that they are constantly player manager present in Lombardis office asking fro trades.
At least this is what i would do.

 

[Kurrilino]

Lombardi definitely has his ****ing work cut out for him, because there are a ton of holes on this roster.

We have a generation goalie, a generation defender,
our top 9 is all 30+ goal scorer plus outstanding defenders
and some of the best utility players.

Would you mind explaining this a little bit more ???

 

[Fat Elvis]

I have no complaints with Sutter. None

 

[Kingspiracy]

I like Sutter, the guy coached the team to 2 cups (with a great team) I feel he played to our strengths. When the kings play heavy and control possession they wear the opponent out, thats why we were so successful in a series. Unfortunately we have slipped defensively (MR, Stoll, Mitchell and Voynov) we leak leads in the 3rd. That game against calgary where we shipped 3 goals to johnny hockey gave me the *****. that little fella shouldn't have found life so comfortable against us.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

jets fan coming in peace..

I just wanted to congratulate the Kings on their run of the past few seasons that is one of the more incredible in hockey history. You were an incredibly compelling Stanley Cup champion and fascinating to watch. Your year didn't end well but it looks like you ran out of gas more than anything...

Your core players are young, you'll be back, looks like all you need is some depth on defence and you will be fine. I cannot see Doughty and Kopitar, angry and rested next year, not making the playoffs...

 

[cyclones22]

I like Sutter, the guy coached the team to 2 cups (with a great team) I feel he played to our strengths. When the kings play heavy and control possession they wear the opponent out, thats why we were so successful in a series. Unfortunately we have slipped defensively (MR, Stoll, Mitchell and Voynov) we leak leads in the 3rd. That game against calgary where we shipped 3 goals to johnny hockey gave me the *****. that little fella shouldn't have found life so comfortable against us.

Yep. The formula for Kings success is pretty simple. When they dominate possession and have a top 3 quality defense, they are going to go far, even with a middling offense. Guys, the Kings blew a ton of 3rd period leads this season. There were so many brain farts and blown assignments which lead to game tying/winning goals against. Types of breakdowns we haven't seen in years were happening with regularity. Sure, Sutter would juggle the lines, but when the Kings are rolling defensively, the pairings rarely changed. This season, the pairings were all over the place as there just wasn't any chemistry because of the injuries and Voynov situation. It was similar in 2013 when losing Mitchell and Greene in terms of defensive efficiency, except they got in the playoffs that year and Quick stood on his head for 2 rounds. That was a poor season defensively comparatively. As is this season. The Kings were not prepared in 2013 to lose 2 top 6 defenders for the season. Same as this year. They prepared for Mitchell, but not for Voynov.

 

[YP44]

I hope everyone at staples on saturday cheers this team loud for their past accomplishments.
Seeing your favorite team win a stanley cup happens once in a life time if you're lucky. We have seen it twice in three years.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You don't think needing a winger for Gaborik and Kopitar and a 3c along with the uncertainty of Sekera and Voynov is a lot of holes to fill? I do. If the Kings enter next season with no Voynov and no Sekera who could they move to fill either of the forward needs you mentioned? Also if there was room in the salary cap maybe these problems would not seem so bad. But with no money and no one to trade how do you take care of your needs?

I don't. That's three holes all of which are eminently fixable. It's not like we are looking for a 1c or 1d or an entire 3rd line like some teams. DL only needs to make tweaks. Look how many freaking moves the ducks made just prior to the deadline! THAT is a lot of holes and no confidence in your roster.

 

[moosehead81]

Kings need more speed...speed....and speed. Just looked awful out there the last few games and really slow. Stoll used to have great wheels but he's slowed down some. Same with Williams.

Need to retool the roster Deano and have a sitdown with Sutter over his questionable decisions over the course of the season.

That being said, I'd be very surprised to see Dean blow it up.

I did expect the Kings to squeak in over Winnipeg but it's the old adage, speed kills. And it's physically harder on the players to be continually asked to play a hard grinding type of hockey on the boards, score one or two goals and salt it away with an elite goaltender. My sense is the players finally gave it up; they played Sutter hockey but not with the same intensity and commitment that we'd seen before.

And some players lost a step or two; I have my own thoughts on how Sutter handled Richards all year but won't get into it; better for him and the Kings (since Sutter's not going anywhere soon) to move on; get bought out and sign somewhere else. But Stoll, Williams and Greene should not be back although Stoll may sign a one year contract at a home town discount. Barring a miracle recovery, Brown is going to turn into the next Mike Richards and he's just about un-moveable with his contract. I like Carter and Toffoli a whole lot; Carter's a bit streaky but he and Toffoli are held back in a Sutter system. I still think Kopitar is relied on too much; he over-extends his shift times and, besides wearing himself out, that generally screws up your line combinations.

What can one say about Doughty- sure he had some bad moments but who wouldn't, carrying the load he carried all year. Should be a shoo in for the Norris but won't be due to the eastern bias. Same with Quick- struggled at the beginning but found his groove in the last half. The Kings' failure this season cannot be put on their shoulders.

Sutter will be back next year barring retirement but, depending how the play-offs work out, his "brand" of hockey may end up being part of the past. If teams like Winnipeg and Calgary do well in the west (as opposed to St Louis), then maybe we'll see a more exciting, fast, higher scoring game in future.

 

[YP44]

We have a generation goalie, a generation defender,
our top 9 is all 30+ goal scorer plus outstanding defenders
and some of the best utility players.

Would you mind explaining this a little bit more ???

Can you explain the bolded?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Just a casual observer, but to me the Kings suffered from poor timing more than anything else. Kind of a "day late and a dollar short." The pieces were there, just couldn't execute at the right time against the right teams at the right moments late in the season in a Western Conference that was even more competitive than usual. I don't think there's enough to justify a re-tool, although the team could definately use some more scoring punch up front.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

jets fan coming in peace..

I just wanted to congratulate the Kings on their run of the past few seasons that is one of the more incredible in hockey history. You were an incredibly compelling Stanley Cup champion and fascinating to watch. Your year didn't end well but it looks like you ran out of gas more than anything...

Your core players are young, you'll be back, looks like all you need is some depth on defence and you will be fine. I cannot see Doughty and Kopitar, angry and rested next year, not making the playoffs...

 

[Jason Lewis]

We have a generation goalie, a generation defender,
our top 9 is all 30+ goal scorer plus outstanding defenders
and some of the best utility players.

Would you mind explaining this a little bit more ???

You can't really believe that right?

Carter and Toffoli, yea there are two.

Kopitar hasn't touched 30 goals since 2009-2010. Brown is not going to get 30 goals again. Gaborik is more than likely a 20-25 guy from here on out, maybe cracks 30 in a good year. Likewise with Williams. Pearson you could probably pencil in for 20 goals.

That's 6. So King, Stoll, Richards/Lewis are 30+ goal scorers?

Kings have two and a half 30 goal scorers.

 

[cyclones22]

You can't really believe that right?

Carter and Toffoli, yea there are two.

Kopitar hasn't touched 30 goals since 2009-2010. Brown is not going to get 30 goals again. Gaborik is more than likely a 20-25 guy from here on out, maybe cracks 30 in a good year. Likewise with Williams. Pearson you could probably pencil in for 20 goals.

That's 6. So King, Stoll, Richards/Lewis are 30+ goal scorers?

Kings have two and a half 30 goal scorers.

I thought he was being sarcastic, but it's hard to tell with his posting style.

 

[Reaper45]

The hard but right thing to do is to move Brown.

I can't get behind this. At the moment his contract looks bad for his production sure but the effort is there. Everyone is in an uproar over where the cap is. But it's going to go up , the Kings are freeing up a bunch of money this off-season and the Kings have more pressing issues like getting rid of Richards and figuring out wtf is going on with Voynov. And how could the Kings possibly get rid of him and Richards if he's as bad as people say he is? Brown is here to stay.

 

[Telos]

Can't get rid of Brown yet. Can't really afford to lose all 3 of Stoll, Williams, and Regehr. At minimum one needs to be kept, likely two, Regehr being the most important of the three. Should also re-sign Sekera with the Stoll/Williams money, defense should've the first priority. Richards needs to come off the books by any means and youth needs to be brought up in great moderation.

 

[YP44]

Just a casual observer, but to me the Kings suffered from poor timing more than anything else. Kind of a "day late and a dollar short." The pieces were there, just couldn't execute at the right time against the right teams at the right moments late in the season in a Western Conference that was even more competitive than usual. I don't think there's enough to justify a re-tool, although the team could definately use some more scoring punch up front.

I think a small re-tool is always needed.
LA has lost Mitchell & Voynov from their D this year. both hurt.
With Richards and Stoll's regressions LA has lost their centre depth.

for me I would like to see LA get a legitimate top pairing guy to play with Drew. Look how good drew was with Vlasic at the Olympics. I want to see that.

 

[YP44]

Can't get rid of Brown yet. Can't really afford to lose all 3 of Stoll, Williams, and Regehr. At minimum one needs to be kept, likely two, Regehr being the most important of the three. Should also re-sign Sekera with the Stoll/Williams money, defense should've the first priority. Richards needs to come off the books by any means and youth needs to be brought up in great moderation.

Can easily afford to lose Stoll. Would almost be addition by subtraction at this point. I am very grateful for what he has done as a king, but he is done.
Williams I would only take back for a much less than market value, so he is likely gone.
Sekera IMO is the most important re-singing.

 

[cyclones22]

Can easily afford to lose Stoll. Would almost be addition by subtraction at this point. I am very grateful for what he has done as a king, but he is done.
Williams I would only take back for a much less than market value, so he is likely gone.
Sekera IMO is the most important re-singing.

Agree on all these. Shore is the perfect replacement going forward. Already good at face-offs. Higher offensive upside. Sekera is the biggie. Voynov's court date is really going to play into this.

 

[Fat Elvis]

I'd like to see Nolan in an expanded 3rd line roll. There's more upside to him than a 4th line plug imo.

I think that Williams and Stoll will move on, possibly RR too. Though, I could also see RR brought back if a dman is moved for a 3C.

I think that there will be more moves this offseason than the past couple. But not huge team changing moves. A few little tweeks here and there.

 

[KopitarFAN]

I read it wrong.

 

[LAKings88]

It was a craptastic year thanks to a multitude of little things that added up.

Rarely sheeting a complete squad due to various injuries. Streaky scorers that have always been streaky scorers. Lackadaisical start.

These things add up. Should they have been able to overcome them. Maybe so. They are a good team but thems the breaks sometimes.

Every team got better while LA actually regressed. (Mitchell/Voynov)

I think that 8 game winning streak actually gave some false hope and in a round about way might have done more damage in the sense that players we probably would have traded were kept for a run. I think it was the right decision at the time tho. This squad earned the chance to try again, it just fell short from the start.

 

[Whiskeypete]

sat back and let the hate subside a bit after last night. still feel this is an embarassing situation for a SC champ. don't believe me then go look at DD's comments where he says the same thing.

the obvious
*stoll, williams are gone. i don't think they can and will carry their weight and contracts for another (let alone extended contract) of an 82-game season. if they can let it be elsewhere

*Regehr is back dependent on the Voynov and Greene situation. if Greene gets bought out, then re-sing Robyn without question. nothing more than 2 years though.

*Sekera is re-signed at all costs. must have insurance, should the VV fiasco goes even further south.

*Richards is bought out, or traded and LA retains up to 50% of the cap. he's been a favorite of mine for years, but it is time

* Toffoli re-upped on a bridge, just like Tanner

* Jones re-upped on a bridge

* McBain re-upped

* Shore re-upped

the weird and the wtf
* Brown - seriously? what to do with this? for starters if he stays, the dude needs to work on his skating this summer. i don't get the constant falling and blow outs on the ice from him. does he need to change skates? does he need to change up the radius or hollow on the blades. WTF is going on with his skating?

i still like DB and think he is a valuable asset to the team. i hate to look at and compare him using the 'Richards eye test' because every player is different. i think he gets it back together next year. he needs stability in his linemates i think and the line shuffling doesn't help his cause. i still like him with 11 and 12, due to the board battle capabilities and more the net front presence. 11 and 12 want to play in space and not in the corners and crease that often.

i can't see DL moving Dustin, ever. i also don't see BUF taking him on based on where they are currently in the re-build. perhaps in 2 or 3 years, when they need some vets to come in to teach their kids how to be a pro.

* Kopitar. go sleep for 3 months. next season get greedy with the puck and shoot

the re-tool
* seeing talk of the LA - BOS trade scenarios. the AMart for Lucic proposal holds merit, although i'm worried if Voynov doesn't return and Amart is traded what it means to the 3rd pairing.

i would consider an AMart for Krejci trade also, so we shore up the 3C with some skill and speed. i like his game and he is used to playing in a defensive system.

the attitude and focus
the biggest issue i personally have with this season was the attitude, lack of focus and no sense of urgency. these guys know what it takes and know how to win, so why the CONSTANT willingness to avoid doing what is necessary?

i am tired of hearing them in interviews talking about "having our backs to the wall" etc. they make it harder on themselves physically and mentally, by slipping into zombie mode for extended stretches of games. this cost them this season and as a result they won't defend their title.

i think this will resonate with many of them more than the loss to CHI two seasons ago. Drew and Williams said it themselves last night,

Justin Williams, on how he feels about not making the playoffs:
"Depressing, embarrassing, unfulfilled, upset. A lot of emotions."

Drew Doughty, on how he would describe his emotions:
"I think, really, everything. Disappointed. I think even embarrassed a little bit. As the defending cup champions, I don’t think there’s any way that we shouldn’t make the playoffs the next year. It’s disappointing, especially because of the group we have."

they as a team in that room didn't rise to the occasion all season, now they are looking in from the outside. they are now 1 of 5 SC champs not to make the playoffs the following season - that is horrible.

other teams adjusted and stepped up their game, LA did not and it cost them.

this team as always and i've preached it for years - needs speed. speed kills, you can't hit what you can't catch. the Kings need speed to offset the normal Kings game. they need to present different match up problems to an opponent and by playing differently, with different skill capabilities does just that. we saw it last year with just what Pearson did to opponents as one player, now create that same scenario with a solid line combo.

read a lot of posts and almost everyone hear knows and can see what needs to happen. most everyone here also have valid points about the why and how what happened this year.

the one GOOD thing to come from this i believe is now the team is an open book. Dean, the coaches and players now know they have to rise to an even higher level. what worked, no longer is good enough. i think this will finally (i pray) wake them up and realize they need to perform in the regular season.

the past 3 seasons have been a tremendous run. i am grateful as hell for it, since i've been waiting since '88 for it. my expectations are the playoffs every year - period. that is what you play for, so you have the opportunity to play for the championship -its that simple.

rest, re-tool and come back ready to battle for 2015-16

 

[kings11]

In all reality our Defence let us down, not Dustin not Sutter not Doughty but guys like Regher and Greene who have slowed even further which i didn't think was possible and oh course the whole Voynov debacle which when all is said and done he needs to go.... but on a positive note guys like Lewis, Toffoli, Pearson and McNabb showed much improvement and really helped answer some questions about who would pick up the offense if JDub and Stoll were let go.Now more than ever Sekera is a priority but of course for the right price $5-5.25 max if he wants to win..
???--Kopitar--Gaborik
Pearson--Carter--Toffoli
King--Richards--Brown
Clifford--Shore--Lewis
not sure who gets the spot next to Kopi, but i sure would love to see Weal get a shot...
Doughty--Muzzin
Sekera--McNabb
Regher--Amart
at this point getting either Greene or Regher on the bench would be addition by subtraction, plus i get the feeling one of Forbort/Gravel might impress and make the big club...