GDT: Game 9: Los Angeles Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks 10/30/16 (4PST FS-W,NHL, 790KABC)

[Raccoon Jesus]

The Kings could waive King, Nolan, Clifford, Greene and Purcell and be a better team overall.

But again, Greene and Nolan are only in the lineup due to injuries, Purcell is injured. Clifford is a far-above-average 4th liner and King is a fine 3rd liner but both are miscast having to play over their heads due to the lineup mess.

Don't get me wrong, King shouldn't ever sniff anything over the third line, but who else would you move up?

I just don't get the "Sutter is playing favorites" line of thinking when we're down so many players...I know the PAST shows us one thing, but lets not forget these guys were literally scratches until necessity called them.

I don't think you could waive all those guys without dipping significantly into Ontario's depth--and then instead of using King as a whipping boy, we're using Mersch as one, and when he goes down, we're calling up Brodzinski/Lowry. I know they're shiny new toys, but they haven't proven anything other than to look completely out of their depth in the preseason.

 

[KingsFan7824]

You can't just get rid of guys if you waive them. All the guys we want waived would clear, and then what? There's some sort of veteran limit in the AHL, and the Reign already have a bunch of more veteran type players with AHL contracts, because the Kings have traded so many prospects and picks the last few years. I'm not sure the Kings could send anyone else down at this point.

Lombardi said something about a 5 year outlook back in Jan or Feb. He's talked about the issues he sees with the team. The signings he made in the summer were place holding moves. That Gaborik, Quick, and now McNabb have gotten hurt isn't helping a roster that had questions with those guys healthy.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

McNabb to IR. Gulp.

Come on up Gravel...hopefully. If DL brings up Scuderi just because he's played with Drew before, I'll join you guys on the flaming train to kaputsville.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

But again, Greene and Nolan are only in the lineup due to injuries, Purcell is injured. Clifford is a far-above-average 4th liner and King is a fine 3rd liner but both are miscast having to play over their heads due to the lineup mess.

Don't get me wrong, King shouldn't ever sniff anything over the third line, but who else would you move up?

I just don't get the "Sutter is playing favorites" line of thinking when we're down so many players...I know the PAST shows us one thing, but lets not forget these guys were literally scratches until necessity called them.

I don't think you could waive all those guys without dipping significantly into Ontario's depth--and then instead of using King as a whipping boy, we're using Mersch as one, and when he goes down, we're calling up Brodzinski/Lowry. I know they're shiny new toys, but they haven't proven anything other than to look completely out of their depth in the preseason.

Is King even a 3rd liner anymore? I'm not bashing the guy, I understand what he brings to the team, but he hasn't even looked like a 3rd liner the last 2 seasons. I understand that he was hurt last season and maybe that affected him but this year? Looks about as bad as a I can ever remember. One assist this season. Hasn't scored a goal since March 3, 2016. I don't expect 20 goals or 30 assists or anything but he's not even playing at the same level he was 2 seasons ago.

 

[lexlavender]

Is King even a 3rd liner anymore? I'm not bashing the guy, I understand what he brings to the team, but he hasn't even looked like a 3rd liner the last 2 seasons. I understand that he was hurt last season and maybe that affected him but this year? Looks about as bad as a I can ever remember. One assist this season. Hasn't scored a goal since March 3, 2016. I don't expect 20 goals or 30 assists or anything but he's not even playing at the same level he was 2 seasons ago.

I agree, it seems King's abilities have tanked as of late. I'll wait until he's back on the third line before I make a final decision, but for the past two seasons he has not looked good at all.

 

[lexlavender]

I'm just counting the seconds until Gaborik comes back and we have a sense on how this team is actually supposed to look.

 

[mattgkg]

if you are hoping for gravel call up you're going to have a bad time since scuderi is still in the organization.

 

[lexlavender]

Also as a positive, maybe with Andreoff out Kempe comes up??

 

[Little Psycho]

Because he's Sutter's favorite player, he sees him in a different light.

King is either blackmailing him or Sutter needs to schedule an appointment with Lenscrafters at his earliest convenience.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Frustrating as hell to see these grinders like King & Clifford on the 1st line, as well as Setoguchi taking a roster spot from a young player like Mersch or Kempe.

 

[deeshamrock]

Also as a positive, maybe with Andreoff out Kempe comes up??

or Mersch. Rosen said practice (11 am) is optional today but he should have an idea at practice who is being called up.

 

[Basilisk]

The subject matter here should be, "how do we start scoring goals"?


Call up Brodzinski (8 points in 6 games) or Mersch (6 points in 6 games)....?

 

[Basilisk]

Frustrating as hell to see these grinders like King & Clifford on the 1st line, as well as Setoguchi taking a roster spot from a young player like Mersch or Kempe.

Remember, this is akin to how 2011/2012 started, with Moreau and Trent Hunter mysteriously getting all sorts of ice time. I wouldn't worry....

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Frustrating as hell to see these grinders like King & Clifford on the 1st line, as well as Setoguchi taking a roster spot from a young player like Mersch or Kempe.

But I don't see it as 'taking' a roster spot when neither of those guys could get one themselves. Mersch underperformed, Kempe is inconsistent--though we'll likely see them both at some point this year. Seto is good NHL experience at league minimum. Better than throwing a WHOLE BUNCH of rookies to the wolves on a struggling team to face top-six checkers immediately.

Remember, this is akin to how 2011/2012 started, with Moreau and Trent Hunter mysteriously getting all sorts of ice time. I wouldn't worry....

That's my thought, with Purcell and Seto playing the roles of Moreau and Hunter (Seto can at least be useful checker depth)

Is King even a 3rd liner anymore? I'm not bashing the guy, I understand what he brings to the team, but he hasn't even looked like a 3rd liner the last 2 seasons. I understand that he was hurt last season and maybe that affected him but this year? Looks about as bad as a I can ever remember. One assist this season. Hasn't scored a goal since March 3, 2016. I don't expect 20 goals or 30 assists or anything but he's not even playing at the same level he was 2 seasons ago.

Honestly I'm not sure. Not trying to defend him but I'd love to see what he could do with Dowd. Dowd can carry the play and create, King certainly can't--but right now he's clearly out of his depth vs. 1st line competition. But he's still a versatile forward, we just have to find out soon if he's redundant or not with the rest of our depth--and I agree he hasn't looked the same since his injury. He came back gangbusters then has been awful ever since.

 

[Tadite]

Why are people even mentioning Kempe? The 19 year old kid that has yet to have a truly good AHL season? Sure he got hot on the playoffs in his rookie season two years ago but he is by no means ready for the NHL. He's not physically at the point that he'd be able to use his speed and still developing skill.

Having watched Mersch for a couple of years now (Monarchs AHL RIP) he's a guy with decent hands and willing to take damage in front of the net. He's also slow. Really slow. Like King and certainly Nolan are both noticeably faster player then Mersch. The guy doesn't have the speed to be the PK/hitting 3rd/4th liner and I don't think he's straight good enough for the top-6. NHL defensemen are going to take him out of his game. At least on a decent team. Maybe somewhere he'd be in the NHL (Yotes or whatever) but not the LA Kings.

 

[BigKing]

Why is everyone complaining about the lack of skill up front like it is a new thing? It's like you moved to Seattle and then complain that it rains all the time: you knew that when you moved there.

We knew this team took a massive downgrade going from Lucic to nothing. Could not afford any major injuries. Scoring was pretty much ****ed when Gaborik went down because there is no margin of error for this team when it comes to losing speed and skill.

There is no magic bullet. There is no savior down in Ontario. The system is going to keep the Kings in a lot of games but they are going to have a very tough time on the road when they don't get to match up like they want. This is why I said I want to see what they look like on this road trip before I join the back slappin' party after four straight OT/SO wins.

This team is worse than last year. The division has gotten better and at the Kings expense via the horrible Lucic trade as it led to Jones in SJ and Lucic in Edmonton, plus the loss of 1st round picks. I'll give high marks to Budaj for stepping in and playing as well as he can, but he is not a goalie that is going to win you a lot of 2-1 or 3-2 games.

It's November tomorrow and they do not have a regular season win yet. That's ridiculous. Can they go on some magic run? Sure they can and that's why they play the games. You'd need to give me at least 20-1 odds if I was going to lay money on them to even make the playoffs and that is being generous.

Might be 50-1 after the next three games.

 

[kingsholygrail]

So we've come full circle and people wish we signed Lucic to a long term expensive deal? Because that's the only way he would have stayed.

 

[Little Psycho]

Great comments from Hitchcock about DD:

“He’s the most complete defenseman in the league,†said Hitchcock, who with Doughty won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics. “He’s the guy that you talk five tools, he’s got five tools. He’s got all five, and they’re all at a high level. He has ice in his veins when the game means the most, his competitive level is through the roof, but his disposition is calm, which has a major impact inside the locker room. Your feeling when you’re in the locker room with Drew is that you’re never in trouble. You’re never nervous, you’re never in trouble, you’re always in control of the situation. He reminds me of these elite golfers, to be honest with you, that the higher the stage, the more calm they are, and he has the ability to do that. It’s a very, very unique talent.â€

http://lakingsinsider.com/2016/10/2...n-quotes-when-kings-blues-meet/#disqus_thread

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

DId anyone see last night when Toews got his hooking penalty that Kopi nearly two-handed him? I was in shock

 

[BigKing]

So we've come full circle and people wish we signed Lucic to a long term expensive deal? Because that's the only way he would have stayed.

If that is in reference to me, the answer is "no".

I'm merely stating that last year's team had Lucic and this year's team does not, replacing him with nothing of consequence and losing key players to injury on top of it. In the meantime, Lucic is now helping a division rival be a better team and has already indirectly helped another division rival that wound up throttling the Kings in last year's playoffs.

I think I'm moving the entire Lucic fiasco to the top of DL blunders since 2014, surpassing the decision to keep Richards.

-Let Williams walk
-Give up a 1st rounder after already blowing one with Sekera
-Jones winds up in San Jose
-Kings win one playoff game with Lucic against Jones
-Can't keep Lucic and probably never could.
-Lucic stays in the division. Kings have no replacement and can't afford one.
-Profit?

I mean, we all knew it was going to be bad but sometimes you don't realize how bad it is until it starts, like your first root canal or something. So you're told you need a root canal? Man...I've heard these suck and this is probably going to hurt. Then you go and get one and realize just how awful it is.

That's this season, except we tripped walking into the dentist's office and broke some of our teeth before even getting into the office for the root canal. It's a complete disaster but DL's moves since '14 are the candy and lack of brushing that has us in the dentist's chair.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Why is everyone complaining about the lack of skill up front like it is a new thing? It's like you moved to Seattle and then complain that it rains all the time: you knew that when you moved there.

We knew this team took a massive downgrade going from Lucic to nothing. Could not afford any major injuries. Scoring was pretty much ****ed when Gaborik went down because there is no margin of error for this team when it comes to losing speed and skill.

There is no magic bullet. There is no savior down in Ontario. The system is going to keep the Kings in a lot of games but they are going to have a very tough time on the road when they don't get to match up like they want. This is why I said I want to see what they look like on this road trip before I join the back slappin' party after four straight OT/SO wins.

This team is worse than last year. The division has gotten better and at the Kings expense via the horrible Lucic trade as it led to Jones in SJ and Lucic in Edmonton, plus the loss of 1st round picks. I'll give high marks to Budaj for stepping in and playing as well as he can, but he is not a goalie that is going to win you a lot of 2-1 or 3-2 games.

It's November tomorrow and they do not have a regular season win yet. That's ridiculous. Can they go on some magic run? Sure they can and that's why they play the games. You'd need to give me at least 20-1 odds if I was going to lay money on them to even make the playoffs and that is being generous.

Might be 50-1 after the next three games.

Agreed on all points.

The back slapping after a few gimmick 3v3 wins was highly misplaced.

And that's exactly what's frustrating. We have the raw top end talent to skate circles around teams (literally) when it's 3v3, and all systems are out the door. But beyond that is a black hole of offensive depth.

This year is a transitional year and should be treated as such by the fanbase. Maybe by some miracle we make the playoffs as a low seed, but we're not challenging for any Cup.

Dean is waiting out the expansion draft to really assess what to do with this team.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Agreed on all points.

The back slapping after a few gimmick 3v3 wins was highly misplaced.

And that's exactly what's frustrating. We have the raw top end talent to skate circles around teams (literally) when it's 3v3, and all systems are out the door. But beyond that is a black hole of offensive depth.

This year is a transitional year and should be treated as such by the fanbase. Maybe by some miracle we make the playoffs as a low seed, but we're not challenging for any Cup.

Dean is waiting out the expansion draft to really assess what to do with this team.

"Gimmick 3v3 wins" where we soundly outplayed the competition to the extent we are the best possession team in the league by several percent. Those teams were lucky to make it to 3v3 because of league-worst goaltending, it wasn't the other way around.

Also, a loss to a damn good Blues team where we played very well and it could have gone either way.

Frankly criticizing people for being happy about the state of the team in our wins while taking the Chicago game as the norm is hypocritical.

Should have known around here though 4 wins counts for nothing and the one loss--on a 3 in 4 nights to the one team that routinely makes us look like crap with both in-trip and in-game injuries and a depleted roster--is the representative game.

I do agree that it's a transitional year and I agree about the expansion draft, but I think this is a team that will be fighting with Anaheim for the last Pacific playoff spot--and I don't think the Central is taking 5 spots this year.

 

[Trolfoli]

Why is everyone complaining about the lack of skill up front like it is a new thing? It's like you moved to Seattle and then complain that it rains all the time: you knew that when you moved there.

We knew this team took a massive downgrade going from Lucic to nothing. Could not afford any major injuries. Scoring was pretty much ****ed when Gaborik went down because there is no margin of error for this team when it comes to losing speed and skill.

There is no magic bullet. There is no savior down in Ontario. The system is going to keep the Kings in a lot of games but they are going to have a very tough time on the road when they don't get to match up like they want. This is why I said I want to see what they look like on this road trip before I join the back slappin' party after four straight OT/SO wins.

This team is worse than last year. The division has gotten better and at the Kings expense via the horrible Lucic trade as it led to Jones in SJ and Lucic in Edmonton, plus the loss of 1st round picks. I'll give high marks to Budaj for stepping in and playing as well as he can, but he is not a goalie that is going to win you a lot of 2-1 or 3-2 games.

It's November tomorrow and they do not have a regular season win yet. That's ridiculous. Can they go on some magic run? Sure they can and that's why they play the games. You'd need to give me at least 20-1 odds if I was going to lay money on them to even make the playoffs and that is being generous.

Might be 50-1 after the next three games.

I was fully on board with celebrating the 4OT wins because I wasn't sure it was going to last much longer.

Agree that the team has issues and it shouldn't be shocking to people and I'm confused by this thread. Kings don't have a regulation win. They can stay in games against bad teams and win in OT. Against good teams with depth/structure, their offense just disappears. They don't have the defense/goaltending to make up for lack of offense.

Buckle up because this ride might get a little bumpy.

On a side note: This is the type of season when you have to earn your fan card.

 

[BigKing]

Agreed on all points.

The back slapping after a few gimmick 3v3 wins was highly misplaced.

And that's exactly what's frustrating. We have the raw top end talent to skate circles around teams (literally) when it's 3v3, and all systems are out the door. But beyond that is a black hole of offensive depth.

This year is a transitional year and should be treated as such by the fanbase. Maybe by some miracle we make the playoffs as a low seed, but we're not challenging for any Cup.

Dean is waiting out the expansion draft to really assess what to do with this team.

Yep. I think you look at it as hopefully seeing the young guys produce and make strides as professionals with maybe some more help from the cavalry next season. "Young guys" doesn't just mean the new faces but also the young "vets" on the team.

They are actually getting that up to this point but the losses of Quick and Gaborik severely dent the hopes of being a playoff team while also having the youth continue to develop.

That's what is really ****** about McNabb going down and, to a lesser extent, Andreoff. If they aren't going to do much this season, it would of been awesome to see McNabb play 20+ a night and take a big step forward.

 

[BigKing]

I was fully on board with celebrating the 4OT wins because I wasn't sure it was going to last much longer.

Agree that the team has issues and it shouldn't be shocking to people and I'm confused by this thread. Kings don't have a regulation win. They can stay in games against bad teams and win in OT. Against good teams with depth/structure, their offense just disappears. They don't have the defense/goaltending to make up for lack of offense.

Buckle up because this ride might get a little bumpy.

On a side note: This is the type of season when you have to earn your fan card.

I said I'd finally start skipping home games this year, stating a match-up like CBJ during the week would be a no go.

I was still there in my seat last week.

Many of us on this board earned the fan card a long time ago. It's going to be interesting though to see how the bandwagon at Staples reacts to all of this. Already saw the signs last week attendance wise and it is reflected in the amount of seats/pricing on the secondary market now.