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Game 13. Kings win by TD over Leafs. 7-0. Does this mean we're a finesse team?

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HookKing said:
But we won't jump until DL sends Gravel back down, DS makes DF the healthy scratch and puts Gilbert and McNabb back in.
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It's also tough to evaluate from the murderer's row of top teams we just faced before jumping to Calgary and Toronto, heh.

But I'm excited to see what the range and mobility of Forbort and Gravel can do vs. other top teams, starting with Montreal.

Suddenly, our depth is starting to look like a strength.

But like you said, when Gilbert and McNabb inevitably make their way back in, it will be interesting.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
It's also tough to evaluate from the murderer's row of top teams we just faced before jumping to Calgary and Toronto, heh.

But I'm excited to see what the range and mobility of Forbort and Gravel can do vs. other top teams, starting with Montreal.

Suddenly, our depth is starting to look like a strength.

But like you said, when Gilbert and McNabb inevitably make their way back in, it will be interesting.
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I'm fine with Greene, McNabb and Gilbert fighting for Greene's spot.
 
When Gilbert is back and McNabb is healthy, I think they should not mess around with the lineup if it continues to have success. I have been happy with Gilbert's play and think McNabb has taken some steps forward, but it could really disrupt the team chemistry if they are suddenly inserted in the lineup if the Kings are winning.

Although I hate doing this early on with such a small sample size, I think adding Gravel in the lineup over McNabb has helped the team. McNabb is very prone to getting pinned in the defensive zone and freezing when he has the puck. I like the other aspects of his game like his epic hip checks and playing the angles, but his trouble with getting out of the D-zone and skating is a concern.

Gravel, on the other hand, is fast and dynamic. I am not sure if this is because Sutter gives him easier minutes, and that is the reason why he looks so good (sort of like McBain in the limited minutes he played), but if not, I would like to keep seeing him in the roster. I trust Sutter to make the right call there.

With respect to Gilbert, I have been very impressed with his play as well. I think he is better than McNabb and Greene at this point.

Ultimately, it would be good to see the following pairings:

Forbert-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez
Gravel-Gilbert
 
Telos said:
This sucks, we are running out of things to criticize, the next loss is around the corner I guess.
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King'sPawn said:
I just can't wait to see how the Kings will be when they get a coach who knows a thing about offense.
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I'm juts going to say it. Running up the score on a bottom feeder is just embarrassing for everyone.

:laugh:

Scoring looks pretty good against 2 of the worst teams in the league, but then they were never the issue. The Kings offense completely disappearing against a team that can play with any sort of structure IS the problem. It's great to celebrate wins against bottom feeders, but the Kings will need to find a way to create something when teams don't give them defensive breakdowns on every other shift.

Edit: So that "recreational" thing in CA passed and there's a ton of peace and love in here the next day. I'm surrounded by Hippies!!!! This is unbearable.
 
In the games I've watched so far this season the Kings either have looked like they will get the top pick or the team that will win the Stanley Cup. This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy.
 
The Tikkanen said:
In the games I've watched so far this season the Kings either have looked like they will get the top pick or the team that will win the Stanley Cup. This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy.
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The resurgence is all about mobility on the D with ND tossed in upfront. Forbert and Gravel are the prototype D for the coming decade. Tall, smart hockey players with a huge reach and that can really skate.

Phase II is getting Gaborik in over King.

Phase III is the return of Quick with PB as wingman.

The cup will be ours once again.
 
AlphaBravo said:
When Gilbert is back and McNabb is healthy, I think they should not mess around with the lineup if it continues to have success. I have been happy with Gilbert's play and think McNabb has taken some steps forward, but it could really disrupt the team chemistry if they are suddenly inserted in the lineup if the Kings are winning.

Although I hate doing this early on with such a small sample size, I think adding Gravel in the lineup over McNabb has helped the team. McNabb is very prone to getting pinned in the defensive zone and freezing when he has the puck. I like the other aspects of his game like his epic hip checks and playing the angles, but his trouble with getting out of the D-zone and skating is a concern.

Gravel, on the other hand, is fast and dynamic. I am not sure if this is because Sutter gives him easier minutes, and that is the reason why he looks so good (sort of like McBain in the limited minutes he played), but if not, I would like to keep seeing him in the roster. I trust Sutter to make the right call there.
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That spin move behind the Kings net and then the long bank pass off the boards that just about sent Toffoli in on a breakaway was sweet. Gravel deserves to be in the lineup. I really don't see how you can take him out. He adds speed and smarts to the bankend and has a quick outlet pass. These things have been missing from a d-man other than Doughty, Muzzin, & Martinez, since the departure of Voynov.
 
HookKing said:
The resurgence is all about mobility on the D with ND tossed in upfront. Forbert and Gravel are the prototype D for the coming decade. Tall, smart hockey players with a huge reach and that can really skate.

Phase II is getting Gaborik in over King.

Phase III is the return of Quick with PB as wingman.

The cup will be ours once again.
Click to expand...

Ducks, Hawks, Blues = zero goals

Flames, Leafs = ton of goals

The resurgence is from playing crap teams. Ducks and Hawks may be struggling at times this season, but they don't completely lack structure. Go back and watch the Leafs game. Every other shift they had a massive defensive breakdown. Things that guys would be benched for on the Kings in a heartbeat.


Not to be all doom and gloomy, but the Kings need to sort out how to put up points against teams that can actually play defense. The Kings defensive system is going to struggle with Quick out against a team that bothers to put up more then 10 shots in a game. Especially if they're only scoring 1-2 (hopefully).

The only thing that really matters is being able to beat the teams they'll face in the playoffs. That's Ducks/Sharks, not Leafs/Flames.
 
Scottkmlps said:
That spin move behind the Kings net and then the long bank pass off the boards that just about sent Toffoli in on a breakaway was sweet. Gravel deserves to be in the lineup. I really don't see how you can take him out. He adds speed and smarts to the bankend and has a quick outlet pass. These things have been missing from a d-man other than Doughty, Muzzin, & Martinez, since the departure of Voynov.
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I like what Gravel is showing, but am concerned about the hits he takes. Seems to take at least 1 good sized hit every game. Those wear you down over a season. He'll need to work on his escapeability. Maybe it'll come as he adjusts to the speed.

Gravel may also need to be pulled for the expansion. You have to expose a defender under contract the next year that's played 40 games or 70 the past two seasons. So that means Greene will need to play 40 this season or Gilbert needs to be resigned. It sucks, but won't kill Gravel to go Ontario for a while.
 
Trolfoli said:
Ducks, Hawks, Blues = zero goals

Flames, Leafs = ton of goals

The resurgence is from playing crap teams. Ducks and Hawks may be struggling at times this season, but they don't completely lack structure. Go back and watch the Leafs game. Every other shift they had a massive defensive breakdown. Things that guys would be benched for on the Kings in a heartbeat.


Not to be all doom and gloomy, but the Kings need to sort out how to put up points against teams that can actually play defense. The Kings defensive system is going to struggle with Quick out against a team that bothers to put up more then 10 shots in a game. Especially if they're only scoring 1-2 (hopefully).

The only thing that really matters is being able to beat the teams they'll face in the playoffs. That's Ducks/Sharks, not Leafs/Flames.
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7 goals is a fluke, but so is 0. Though I generally agree, it comes down to burying chances when you get them. It's not like the Blues game was devoid of chances, for example. THAT would worry me. Just can't squander opportunities against those teams.
 
Trolfoli said:
Ducks, Hawks, Blues = zero goals

Flames, Leafs = ton of goals

The resurgence is from playing crap teams. Ducks and Hawks may be struggling at times this season, but they don't completely lack structure. Go back and watch the Leafs game. Every other shift they had a massive defensive breakdown. Things that guys would be benched for on the Kings in a heartbeat.


Not to be all doom and gloomy, but the Kings need to sort out how to put up points against teams that can actually play defense. The Kings defensive system is going to struggle with Quick out against a team that bothers to put up more then 10 shots in a game. Especially if they're only scoring 1-2 (hopefully).

The only thing that really matters is being able to beat the teams they'll face in the playoffs. That's Ducks/Sharks, not Leafs/Flames.
Click to expand...

Yeah the Pens are just total crap.

Teams that "play" defense are a vanishing breed.
 
Trolfoli said:
I like what Gravel is showing, but am concerned about the hits he takes. Seems to take at least 1 good sized hit every game. Those wear you down over a season. He'll need to work on his escapeability. Maybe it'll come as he adjusts to the speed.

Gravel may also need to be pulled for the expansion. You have to expose a defender under contract the next year that's played 40 games or 70 the past two seasons. So that means Greene will need to play 40 this season or Gilbert needs to be resigned. It sucks, but won't kill Gravel to go Ontario for a while.
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Martinez and McNabb will be exposed, Greene is irrelevant.
 
Gary Thorne is great & all, but who's this new player we've got called "Kopitah"...... ?!
 
So let me start by saying, yes the sample size is way too small but the eye test is telling me our top 4 defensemen consist of;
Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin
Derek Forbort
Kevin Gravel

Now I have a few questions to ask you guys' opinion on....

1)..The Borts/DD pairing is looking pretty good but how would a Gravel/Muzzin pairing look??

2)..Last season in Ontario, the Borts/Gravel pairing was just all around dominate. So my question is do you guys think later into the season we might see those two together as a shutdown pairing even if both are newbies???..they seem to have gained Sutter trust in a short period of time....

3)..What is the upside/player comparison for both Borts and Gravel???.. Remember some here still consider Borts a bust being the 15th overall pick and all, yet he's on the top pairing and while he truly lacks any SuperStar type tools he seems to be above average across the board....
 
kings11 said:
So let me start by saying, yes the sample size is way too small but the eye test is telling me our top 4 defensemen consist of;
Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin
Derek Forbort
Kevin Gravel

Now I have a few questions to ask you guys' opinion on....

1)..The Borts/DD pairing is looking pretty good but how would a Gravel/Muzzin pairing look??

2)..Last season in Ontario, the Borts/Gravel pairing was just all around dominate. So my question is do you guys think later into the season we might see those two together as a shutdown pairing even if both are newbies???..they seem to have gained Sutter trust in a short period of time....

3)..What is the upside/player comparison for both Borts and Gravel???.. Remember some here still consider Borts a bust being the 15th overall pick and all, yet he's on the top pairing and while he truly lacks any SuperStar type tools he seems to be above average across the board....
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We have people on this board that think Dowd is too old to have any value. Forbert has always been a project and now that the investment is paying off the naysayers are fine with giving him away because it wasn't soon enough! Lots of posters chasing the puck around the rink.

Barring more injuries I don't see DS moving Gravel to his off side anytime soon. Kings have too many D though, something has to give.
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
7 goals is a fluke, but so is 0. Though I generally agree, it comes down to burying chances when you get them. It's not like the Blues game was devoid of chances, for example. THAT would worry me. Just can't squander opportunities against those teams.
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Fair enough, but then we've seen extended periods of time where the Kings just aren't finishing for some reason. The "Lewis" effect, if you will. :)

HookKing said:
Yeah the Pens are just total crap.

Teams that "play" defense are a vanishing breed.
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Pens are not great on defense. MAF is not a great goalie. Was it 2 goals the Kings scored against them in regulation? That's is exactly the point. When teams start to be able to play any sort of defense the Kings struggle offensively.

Teams that play defense are a vanishing breed? Except in May & June. :laugh:

HookKing said:
Martinez and McNabb will be exposed, Greene is irrelevant.
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:laugh:

Dowd: He's playing great, but the Kings don't need to protect him. He is not the 3C Lombardi is looking for.

Forbort: Doughty carried Scuderi on the top pair recently. It's hard to tell how much he's being carried at this point.
 
Trolfoli said:
Fair enough, but then we've seen extended periods of time where the Kings just aren't finishing for some reason. The "Lewis" effect, if you will. :)



Pens are not great on defense. MAF is not a great goalie. Was it 2 goals the Kings scored against them in regulation? That's is exactly the point. When teams start to be able to play any sort of defense the Kings struggle offensively.

Teams that play defense are a vanishing breed? Except in May & June. :laugh:


:laugh:

Dowd: He's playing great, but the Kings don't need to protect him. He is not the 3C Lombardi is looking for.

Forbort: Doughty carried Scuderi on the top pair recently. It's hard to tell how much he's being carried at this point.
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Dowd is exactly what Dean has been looking for in a 3C, while the whole Doughty issue is pretty clear.. Last season when Borts was paired with DD, DD has a huge leap in productivity across the board and guess what ??? its happening again.. Now if you actually look at the games you would know theres now carrying Borts! the kid has been a huge boon for our D corps...
 
Trolfoli said:
Dowd: He's playing great, but the Kings don't need to protect him. He is not the 3C Lombardi is looking for.

Forbort: Doughty carried Scuderi on the top pair recently. It's hard to tell how much he's being carried at this point.
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Why do you say that? He's the perfect 3C. Solid defensively so far. A bit weak at faceoffs but not bad either. And most importantly, drives play and creates offense.
 
Basilisk said:
With an expansion draft looming, too many D is the PERFECT problem to have! Let's just hope that Dean protects the right ones.....


:handclap:
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Doughty- Protected
Muzzin- Protected
Gravel- Exempt
Forbort- Playing himself onto the protected list
Amart- biggest??? does he get outplayed by the kids? is he trade bait?? too early to tell
McNabb- Is he Wally Pipp??? does he get exposed in the expansion draft??
Greene- likley to return with 1 year left
Gilbert- is he resigned in order to be exposed in the draft??
LaDue- Exempt
Clague- Exempt

This is a problem we didn't think we'd have after last season, trading away C.Miller and R.McKeown hurt but the cream did rise to the top finally!!!
I for one think Dean will look to trade from the excess.
 
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