Speculation: Fire Rob Blake Blow it Up Offseason Thread (update: Robitaille, Blake and Hiller stay)

[GameNight]

NIce. "We were right there" defined by Hiller is even worse once it gets drilled down into if only the PP could score like last year and if only we could get this group to execute our game plan.

Thank you Coach Hiller for the honest answer. Best of luck to you

I see or hear some Andy Murray being channeled by those in the front office. Like AM's ol' "Tough to Play Against", we now have "We were right there" as an organizational philosophy of sorts. The philosophy is simply "Let's All Try a Lil Harder"

It's the same thing over and over again. "Do Your Job" by Todd McLellan. If they want to make things uncomfortable, they can start with there needs to be NO CAPTAIN. Just three A's. Anderson. Kempe and Byfield.

 

[BigBrown]

The only thing the Kings are "right there" to do is getting swept or missing the playoffs.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Maybe Kopitar isn't a bad captain and the team just wasn't good enough - have some of you considered that?

There are SO many examples of Kopitar exemplifying passion and leadership on and off the ice. Myself (and some other posters on here) pointed a few of those examples throughout the season.... It just seems like some of you need a punching bag, which is understandable to an extent... I get it, you're frustrated. But to turn to Anze Kopitar as the focus of your frustrations (calling for him to have the C removed) is misdirected and unwarranted in my opinion.

Kopitar has helped Byfield immensely. I'm sure he's also helped Kempe immensely over the years.

It's like some of you think the only way to be a good captain is by screaming and shouting all the time....... Anyone with half a brain can tell Kopitar is incredibly passionate about winning. Just because he's not a 'RAAA RAAAAA' in your face kind of guy doesn't mean he's a bad leader.

ALSO - We're all dealing with half the picture with these kinds of things. We don't know what conversations happen during practice, after games, in the locker room, etc. For all we know Kopitar could be actively calling people out and holding them accountable on a nightly basis and yall are just assuming otherwise because of the team's lack of postseason success lately.

Anze Kopitar is not the problem with this team lol

 

[KINGS17]

Maybe Kopitar isn't a bad captain and the team just wasn't good enough - have some of you considered that?

There are SO many examples of Kopitar exemplifying passion and leadership on and off the ice. Myself (and some other posters on here) pointed a few of those examples throughout the season.... It just seems like some of you need a punching bag, which is understandable to an extent... I get it, you're frustrated. But to turn to Anze Kopitar as the focus of your frustrations (calling for him to have the C removed) is misdirected and unwarranted in my opinion.

Kopitar has helped Byfield immensely. I'm sure he's also helped Kempe immensely over the years.

It's like some of you think the only way to be a good captain is by screaming and shouting all the time....... Anyone with half a brain can tell Kopitar is incredibly passionate about winning. Just because he's not a 'RAAA RAAAAA' in your face kind of guy doesn't mean he's a bad leader.

ALSO - We're all dealing with half the picture with these kinds of things. We don't know what conversations happen during practice, after games, in the locker room, etc. For all we know Kopitar could be actively calling people out and holding them accountable on a nightly basis and yall are just assuming otherwise because of the team's lack of postseason success lately.

Anze Kopitar is not the problem with this team lol

You will first have to convince me that Kopitar holds himself accountable. No, Kopitar is not THE problem, he is A problem that is representative of THE problem, which is the shitty management of this organization, and it starts with Luc Robitaille.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

You will first have to convince me that Kopitar holds himself accountable. No, Kopitar is not THE problem, he is A problem that is representative of THE problem, which is the shitty management of this organization, and it starts with Luc Robitaille.

Wait.....what? Kopitar has to convince you he holds himself accountable.......a hall of fame career hasn't done that? Or I guess it's f***ing easy to have a hall of fame career......in your mind....

 

[Schrute farms]

Anyone who thinks the passive play, 1-3-1, etc. is not a hinderance to playmaking/skillful players is either being dishonest (FO appoligist) or not paying attention. Guys like Fiala, PLD & Kempe want to play up tempo and a fun style that utilizes their offensive skills. You can hear them say so (inferred or not).

Now whether that is the best strategy for this team is unknown. Maybe they'd ultimately lose more games....high scoring games but a worse record (7-4 instead of 2-1). IDK. But if you are playing that style because of limited talent, then you have a bigger problem. In the 2021-2022 season, that was ok because this team wasn't expected to do so well. But now with the forced contention and Fiala/PLD/Gav adds, they have their chips pushed in.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Anyone who thinks the passive play, 1-3-1, etc. is not a hinderance to playmaking/skillful players is either being dishonest (FO appoligist) or not paying attention. Guys like Fiala, PLD & Kempe want to play up tempo and a fun style that utilizes their offensive skills. You can hear them say so (inferred or not).

Now whether that is the best strategy for this team is unknown. Maybe they'd ultimately lose more games....high scoring games but a worse record (7-4 instead of 2-1). IDK. But if you are playing that style because of limited talent, then you have a bigger problem. In the 2021-2022 season, that was ok because this team wasn't expected to do so well. But now with the forced contention and Fiala/PLD/Gav adds, they have their chips pushed in.

If anyone thinks the team plays 1-3-1 more than 10-15% of the game, sure as hell isn't paying attention...

 

[BigBrown]

I don't give a shit what system the players want to play. Fiala probably would like to play a 5-0-0 system so he can put up as many points as humanly possible.

I don't like the 1-3-1 but if that's the system that translates into the most post season wins then that's the one they should play. If it's not, play something else. Let someone smart decide and don't leave it up to the players, they should shut their mouths and play what they're told to play to the best of their ability. This team is already all kinds of messed up from listening too much to what the players want. I'd rather them be miserable winners than comfortable losers.

 

[KINGS17]

I don't give a shit what system the players want to play. Fiala probably would like to play a 5-0-0 system so he can put up as many points as humanly possible.

I don't like the 1-3-1 but if that's the system that translates into the most post season wins then that's the one they should play. If it's not, play something else. Let someone smart decide and don't leave it up to the players, they should shut their mouths and play what they're told to play to the best of their ability. This team is already all kinds of messed up from listening too much to what the players want. I'd rather them be miserable winners than comfortable losers.

Good teams, really good teams can beat another team at any style of game they want to play.

Good teams can also impose their will regarding the pace and style of the game once they have a lead or the when the game is tied.

The Kings are not a good team.

 

[YP44]

Frank Sereveli (no way I spelt that right) was on the fan 960 yesterday afternoon. He said he was baffled about the lack of the Kings doing a coaching search. He said even if Hiller was their guy why not take interviews to get views from other coaches about what is wrong with the team, what system tweaks would work with current roster, and just to get different viewpoints. He said LA did none of that. he said he was not sure why they were sold on Hiller as well.
Very disappointing to hear, but fair for him to be so blatant.

 

[KINGS17]

Wait.....what? Kopitar has to convince you he holds himself accountable.......a hall of fame career hasn't done that? Or I guess it's f***ing easy to have a hall of fame career......in your mind....

This is you GBH.

 

[King'sPawn]

You will first have to convince me that Kopitar holds himself accountable. No, Kopitar is not THE problem, he is A problem that is representative of THE problem, which is the shitty management of this organization, and it starts with Luc Robitaille.

People who actually play against him find him difficult to play against even as recently as this year: NHLPA Player Poll 2023-24

Ranked 3rd among all players as "most complete" (higher than McDavid) and fourth most difficult to face in their own end. Generally players who don't hold themselves accountable are missing from the lists.

You're the one claiming he doesn't hold himself accountable. Where's your proof he doesn't? Since when is the expectation to disprove someone's claims, instead of defending your own?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Frank Sereveli (no way I spelt that right) was on the fan 960 yesterday afternoon. He said he was baffled about the lack of the Kings doing a coaching search. He said even if Hiller was their guy why not take interviews to get views from other coaches about what is wrong with the team, what system tweaks would work with current roster, and just to get different viewpoints. He said LA did none of that. he said he was not sure why they were sold on Hiller as well.
Very disappointing to hear, but fair for him to be so blatant.

Yea, that's a huge mistake if they didn't even do a cursory search, talk to other minds etc.

This is you GBH.

Maybe, but you are still spouting off bullshit like it's fact...then runs away when called on it....

Sorry, I don't have an idiotic GIF to make it look funny......it just is what it is.

 

[BigKing]

Well, Blake calling the team a bunch of wimps was vindicating for those of us that have consistently said that systems and lines mean nothing until this team plays like it cares about winning and, more importantly, the other guys in the room at the expense of themselves.

Problem is that this is the team Blake built. Now he is Costner in Untouchables and we are a dying Connery: "What are you prepared to do?!"

 

[tny760]

personally i think there's room for thinking that kopitar is a great player, has had a great career, etc etc but maybe he's not the right captain for this group right now

maybe he gives awesome advice in the locker room, maybe he plays the game the right way, maybe he doesn't have an ounce of "f*** you" in his body and this team could use about a 55gallon drum of it right about now

 

[Schmooley]

If anyone thinks the team plays 1-3-1 more than 10-15% of the game, sure as hell isn't paying attention...

That 10-15% of the time is pretty much the percentage of when the other team is on attack and breaking out of their zone. The rest of the game there is possession in either zone, tit for tat neutral zone turnovers and battles being fought along the walls.
When the Kings go for a line change or dump the puck with no chance for a good forecheck they go into the 1-3-1. It works on a lot of teams.
The issue they have with it is good players dismantle it and an even bigger issue is how it makes breaking out of their own zone a problem against good teams. A good forecheck makes it impossible to break out quickly and they end up chipping it out and changing. So it rarely allows an opportunity to create an oddman rush when wingers are flat footed waiting on a bad pass from a dman that just got clobbered.
So you are limiting attacks against while also limiting your own chances and momentum.
Another thing is they start using it as a crutch. Its too easy to fall back into instead of bearing down and going to work in the offensive zone. Byfield Dubois Danault Kempe Turcotte and Moore are good forecheckers and can cause more turnovers if you push them to get in there not get out of there.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

We are officially in purgatory!

 

[Johnny Utah]

This team is such a mess.

 

[YP44]

Yea, that's a huge mistake if they didn't even do a cursory search, talk to other minds etc.



Maybe, but you are still spouting off bullshit like it's fact...then runs away when called on it....

Sorry, I don't have an idiotic GIF to make it look funny......it just is what it is.

i do take Frank with a large grain of sault. he says it like it is but i don't think he is the most connected. He was on the fan again this morning saying he would be surprised if Waddell left Carolina and then a half hour later Waddell left Carolina haha

 

[YP44]

personally i think there's room for thinking that kopitar is a great player, has had a great career, etc etc but maybe he's not the right captain for this group right now

maybe he gives awesome advice in the locker room, maybe he plays the game the right way, maybe he doesn't have an ounce of "f*** you" in his body and this team could use about a 55gallon drum of it right about now

from the outside i fail to see a better option for captain on the team right now. Brown was such a good captain and hard act to follow, but the teams then were full of leaders weather they have a C on their chest or not. I think having a letter is more important for ref discussions than locker room. if a person is waiting to have a letter to have a voice they should not have a letter.

 

[King'sPawn]

personally i think there's room for thinking that kopitar is a great player, has had a great career, etc etc but maybe he's not the right captain for this group right now

maybe he gives awesome advice in the locker room, maybe he plays the game the right way, maybe he doesn't have an ounce of "f*** you" in his body and this team could use about a 55gallon drum of it right about now

That's fair. I just think more than anything there needs to be a variety of voices to reach a varying audience.

Brown wasn't the screamer either. But the Kings won the cup with him. Lombardi knew he needed players like Mitchell, Williams, Richards, Greene, and Stoll though. Varing levels of intensity, focus, and communication.

When was the last time Blake brought in some sort of leader type into the org? Lewis?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

That's fair. I just think more than anything there needs to be a variety of voices to reach a varying audience.

Brown wasn't the screamer either. But the Kings won the cup with him. Lombardi knew he needed players like Mitchell, Williams, Richards, Greene, and Stoll though. Varing levels of intensity, focus, and communication.

When was the last time Blake brought in some sort of leader type into the org? Lewis?

Danault, Lewis.....Gavrikov maybe? PLD anyone.....too soon?

i do take Frank with a large grain of sault. he says it like it is but i don't think he is the most connected. He was on the fan again this morning saying he would be surprised if Waddell left Carolina and then a half hour later Waddell left Carolina haha

Yep, and just want to clarify, that whole, spouting off BS etc, was at K17 not you lol the way you quoted it, just wanted to make sure

 

[GameNight]

The implication of removing the C from Kopitar isn't really so much to say that he sucks. It's about shaking up an obviously stale locker room environment by making other players in there more accountable and doing that by giving them more responsibility.

At the same time, they would probably get more out of Kopitar by trying to do less with him.

We've seen this movie before. The redistribution of leadership needs to go to the younger players. Kempe and Anderson are 2 obvious candidates. It needs to be people to make sure Byfield doesn't hit the snooze button for 20 games in a row again. That's not ok and I wish he hadn't scored #20 for that bonus, he needed to learn a lesson there. Maybe giving him an A for a few games, rotating the 3rd A all season long, will challenge him and them.

Kopitar is great but, y'know. Both things can be trrrruuuuuueeee!!!

 

[King'sPawn]

Danault, Lewis.....Gavrikov maybe? PLD anyone.....too soon?

I forgot Danault. You're right.

Gavrikov is a fun, personable dude, not sure I'd say he's a leader the same way others generally get described or behaved as.

We've seen this movie before. The redistribution of leadership needs to go to the younger players. Kempe and Anderson are 2 obvious candidates. It needs to be people to make sure Byfield doesn't hit the snooze button for 20 games in a row again. That's not ok and I wish he hadn't scored #20 for that bonus, he needed to learn a lesson there. Maybe giving him an A for a few games, rotating the 3rd A all season long, will challenge him and them.

I've yet to see someone refute the flaw in saying Byfield coasted until the last game of the season to hit his bonuses. If he was just coasting, wouldn't he have hit his bonuses then stopped playing?

And while nobody was great, Byfield was one of the better players in the playoffs. You know, when they don't get extra money.

 

[FrozenKing18]

I've always thought loud mouth Drew would've been Brown's successor as Captain once he retired. I wasn't around at the time but when I found out Brown was stripped of the captaincy, I thought it was weird Kopi got the nod instead of Drew. He is the only one I can really see mouthing off the team and calling them out for their poor play. We've seen it this season. If there was some sort of captaincy shake up i'd like to see:

C - Doughty
A- Mikey
A- Most likely Kopi keeps a letter, if not Kempe or Danault