GDT: GM 2: Kings vs Sharks 7:30 @ SAP Center 10/7/17

[Sol]

He wasn't good last season, who gives a flying **** about the preseason, and he was much, much better in game 1 than people will give him credit for because it doesn't fit the narrative. I'm not basing it at all on one game; I'm saying the folks who were excited to talk **** about him all game one despite him being fine suddenly either disappear or find ways to play down game 2. Just try to enjoy the player is all I'm saying.



You can talk to me directly, it's ok.

And come on, I've been in these conversations since the beginning, you don't need to strawman me. I know the criticism as a whole isn't based on one game; I'm saying using game 1 as some sort of lens for confirmation bias while completely disregarding or playing down game 2 is utter bull**** but the kind I'm sadly starting to expect around here. He was good in game 1, but visibly dominant in game 2 in a way he never was after injury last year.

Guilty on the many bottles, though.

I use preseason as well. I know people don't take it too seriously, but Kopitar looked just as bad this pre season like he did last season. If there was someone who should try to be making an impression it should be Kopitar. Granted he had a solid game last game. Let's see if he can build it up. One game wasn't my confirmation bias, I've had months and recent weeks to confirm my own biases.

No one wants to see him too bad, I'm not gonna sugar coat it either and avoid that topic.

I'm tough on Quick but hes looked great. I tend to give credit where it's due

 

[KINGS17]

Not necessarily, but there were a whole lot of folks using Game 1 as an indicator of "here we go again," so it's more than fair to use Game 2 to completely dispel that, not sure anyone could ask for a much better performance from Kopitar than that, and I hope he plays like that going forward so the critics have to either get on board or disappear, because it's getting really ****ing old watching people find reasons to not enjoy wins and specific players.

Get on board with what exactly? Why should anyone who is critical of what looks to be a bad contract disappear, because we don't think like others who don't agree?

It's getting ****ing old watching people find reasons to not call a bad contract a bad contract. We ALL enjoy the wins. We ALL want Kopitar to be worth the money, because if he is the Kings will be back in the cup final. $10M cap hit players are supposed to produce those results.

 

[lumbergh]

crazy thing to me is that he didn't even look that great last night, he fumbled a few pucks trying to collect rebounds, gave up a few juicy ones and his movement didn't seem quite as crisp as the flyers game where he was basically a puck vacuum. i mean it got the job done no question but i feel like i've seen him better as far as collecting pucks

Quick's puck handling, on the other hand, is in mid season form. The Kings should hire Brodeur for some lessons.

 

[lumbergh]

I use preseason as well. I know people don't take it too seriously, but Kopitar looked just as bad this pre season like he did last season. If there was someone who should try to be making an impression it should be Kopitar. Granted he had a solid game last game. Let's see if he can build it up. One game wasn't my confirmation bias, I've had months and recent weeks to confirm my own biases.

Let's not forget that Kopitar got robbed in the first game. Had Neuvirth not guessed right, this would be a different conversation, right?

Let's also not forget Kopitar's 200 foot game. He absolutely ran a clinic on the ice in the defensive zone.

Let's give it 5-10 games and see where he is.

 

[Quattro]

Wait, people here were ripping Kopi after game one? A 2-0 shutout win? A game where he played his usual solid 200 ft game and got absolutely robbed on one of the saves of the year? And game 2 where he scores 2 goals and his line totally dominated the game was a "solid game"? This place never changes...

 

[Butch 19]

Wait, people here were ripping Kopi after game one? A 2-0 shutout win? A game where he played his usual solid 200 ft game and got absolutely robbed on one of the saves of the year? And game 2 where he scores 2 goals and his line totally dominated the game was a "solid game"? This place never changes...

Imagine what would be said if he really did play 2 stinkers...

 

[KINGS17]

Wait, people here were ripping Kopi after game one? A 2-0 shutout win? A game where he played his usual solid 200 ft game and got absolutely robbed on one of the saves of the year? And game 2 where he scores 2 goals and his line totally dominated the game was a "solid game"? This place never changes...

Kopitar had a good game. What else needs to be said? It's one game. I hope it continues, because if it doesn't the Kings will not make the playoffs this season. Frankly, the Sharks played like crap, so let's see what the team does against teams like Edmonton, Chicago, etc. before going crazy.

Remember it isn't 2014 anymore. This team has won one playoff game in the last three seasons. They definitely have something to prove.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I use preseason as well. I know people don't take it too seriously, but Kopitar looked just as bad this pre season like he did last season. If there was someone who should try to be making an impression it should be Kopitar. Granted he had a solid game last game. Let's see if he can build it up. One game wasn't my confirmation bias, I've had months and recent weeks to confirm my own biases.

No one wants to see him too bad, I'm not gonna sugar coat it either and avoid that topic.

I'm tough on Quick but hes looked great. I tend to give credit where it's due

You've been civil about this but no, you're an example of not giving Kopi credit where it's due which is exactly my issue. "Solid game?" Yep, 3 points (2 goals) and 66% CF% is a bit more than solid. If that's not 'dominant,' your expectations are out of whack.

Get on board with what exactly? Why should anyone who is critical of what looks to be a bad contract disappear, because we don't think like others who don't agree?

It's getting ****ing old watching people find reasons to not call a bad contract a bad contract. We ALL enjoy the wins. We ALL want Kopitar to be worth the money, because if he is the Kings will be back in the cup final. $10M cap hit players are supposed to produce those results.

No one but you said a damn thing about a contract. We were talking raw performance vs. criticism. And even if you hold it up vs. Game 2, I'd say that performance more than passes a smell test of "10m $ player."

You guys can drop platitudes like "I hope it continues" all you want but until the praise matches the criticism it's hard to believe. Over 2 games, he's now got 3 points and is +3. Stop bitching for at least one game. Thanks. Let him at least get a minus or go scoreless again before we get back to the regularly scheduled Kopi smearing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kopitar had a good game. What else needs to be said? It's one game. I hope it continues, because if it doesn't the Kings will not make the playoffs this season. Frankly, the Sharks played like crap, so let's see what the team does against teams like Edmonton, Chicago, etc. before going crazy.

Remember it isn't 2014 anymore. This team has won one playoff game in the last three seasons. They definitely have something to prove.

Criticism, good.

Self-imposed public lack of enjoyment, bad.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Kopitar had a good game. What else needs to be said? It's one game. I hope it continues, because if it doesn't the Kings will not make the playoffs this season. Frankly, the Sharks played like crap, so let's see what the team does against teams like Edmonton, Chicago, etc. before going crazy.

Remember it isn't 2014 anymore. This team has won one playoff game in the last three seasons. They definitely have something to prove.

I agree with you on so many things, K17. But when you "remind" the board of shit like this, it comes off as very condescending and petty.

I think we're all aware of the lack of success recently. We're also aware that Kopitar needs more than two games to indicate where his season is going.

We're ALSO aware you spent the entire summer arguing about how far Kopitar has fallen. So don't deny you have a serious dog in this race.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Checked our schedule this morning, our next game is against Calgary. Are we finally going to go after Tkachuk or has that shipped sailed?

Andreoff will be playing with Cammalleri/Kempe according to Jon.

 

[HowDareYou]

Andy only fought twice last season , I don't see him doing much if anything

 

[KingsFan7824]

Checked our schedule this morning, our next game is against Calgary. Are we finally going to go after Tkachuk or has that shipped sailed?

Andreoff will be playing with Cammalleri/Kempe according to Jon.

#1 on the list is to win a division game at home. No reason you can't remind Tkachuk that he's not forgotten though. If the Kings want some of their swagger back, they have to take it back.

 

[KINGS17]

You've been civil about this but no, you're an example of not giving Kopi credit where it's due which is exactly my issue. "Solid game?" Yep, 3 points (2 goals) and 66% CF% is a bit more than solid. If that's not 'dominant,' your expectations are out of whack.



No one but you said a damn thing about a contract. We were talking raw performance vs. criticism. And even if you hold it up vs. Game 2, I'd say that performance more than passes a smell test of "10m $ player."

You guys can drop platitudes like "I hope it continues" all you want but until the praise matches the criticism it's hard to believe. Over 2 games, he's now got 3 points and is +3. Stop bitching for at least one game. Thanks. Let him at least get a minus or go scoreless again before we get back to the regularly scheduled Kopi smearing.

The criticism to a large extent comes from the contract. You think people would be as critical is he was on a five year deal making $40M?

Who was bitching? Kopitar had a good game. That's encouraging, but hardly justifies people trying to serve up a plate of crow when his performance in two of the last three seasons has been extermely sub-par. Considering the facts, you calling the criticism of his performance "smearing" is pretty much a joke, and a bad one at that.

If you or others don't like the posts where people are critical of Kopitar, don't read them.

 

[KINGS17]

I agree with you on so many things, K17. But when you "remind" the board of **** like this, it comes off as very condescending and petty.

I think we're all aware of the lack of success recently. We're also aware that Kopitar needs more than two games to indicate where his season is going.

We're ALSO aware you spent the entire summer arguing about how far Kopitar has fallen. So don't deny you have a serious dog in this race.

I was in on this issue before Kopitar received his new deal. I often received ridicule from "drive by" posters who are no longer here or rarely post here anymore. I received unwarranted attention from some with a little power because they couldn't respect an opposing opinion.

I presented a lot of facts and data on the performance of most players approaching their 30's and on the salary cap and where it was going and why. All of those factors make the Kopitar contract a concern. I HOPE Kopitar will perform like a $80M player. Do I think he will? No.

I'm really looking forward to the Drew Doughty discussions this board is going to have in the upcoming months.

 

[Choralone]

If people are expecting Kopitar to play better hockey than he ever has before going forward because he's being paid more in nominal dollars than he ever has before going forward, they're going to be severely disappointed.

 

[KINGS17]

If people are expecting Kopitar to play better hockey than he ever has before going forward because he's being paid more in nominal dollars than he ever has before going forward, they're going to be severely disappointed.

I would gladly accept past levels of performance exhibited in 2011-12 through 2013-14, then again in his contract year of 2015-16. It is however, given Kopitar's age, not likely to be the case. People expecting the Kings to regain prominence in the NHL with a 1C with decreasing production and a contract of the type he has are going to be severely disappointed IMO.

I do have to put a plug in for Quick here. The guy is an amazing athlete and as tough mentally as they come. If he can stay healthy, I am beginning to think anything is possible, but I want to see how Quick and the Kings play against some tougher competition before getting too excited about this roster.

 

[HookKing]

You've been civil about this but no, you're an example of not giving Kopi credit where it's due which is exactly my issue. "Solid game?" Yep, 3 points (2 goals) and 66% CF% is a bit more than solid. If that's not 'dominant,' your expectations are out of whack.



No one but you said a damn thing about a contract. We were talking raw performance vs. criticism. And even if you hold it up vs. Game 2, I'd say that performance more than passes a smell test of "10m $ player."

You guys can drop platitudes like "I hope it continues" all you want but until the praise matches the criticism it's hard to believe. Over 2 games, he's now got 3 points and is +3. Stop bitching for at least one game. Thanks. Let him at least get a minus or go scoreless again before we get back to the regularly scheduled Kopi smearing.

How about putting a sticky up there for all the posts about "horrible" contracts or guys near 30 or above (like Kopitar, Crosby, Ovechkin, Getzlaf, Malkin etc ) that are obviously washed up? Getting this constant rehash in every thread is pathetic.

 

[KINGS17]

Being told to start eating crow every time Kopitar scores a couple of points in a single game is pathetic.

Based on past performance, putting Kopitar in the same class as Crosby, Malkin, etc. is truly pathetic.

 

[HookKing]

Being told to start eating crow every time Kopitar scores a couple of points in a single game is pathetic.

Based on past performance, putting Kopitar in the same class as Crosby, Malkin, etc. is truly pathetic.

You put them in the same class dude. They're all over 30.

 

[Sol]

You've been civil about this but no, you're an example of not giving Kopi credit where it's due which is exactly my issue. "Solid game?" Yep, 3 points (2 goals) and 66% CF% is a bit more than solid. If that's not 'dominant,' your expectations are out of whack.



No one but you said a damn thing about a contract. We were talking raw performance vs. criticism. And even if you hold it up vs. Game 2, I'd say that performance more than passes a smell test of "10m $ player."

You guys can drop platitudes like "I hope it continues" all you want but until the praise matches the criticism it's hard to believe. Over 2 games, he's now got 3 points and is +3. Stop bitching for at least one game. Thanks. Let him at least get a minus or go scoreless again before we get back to the regularly scheduled Kopi smearing.

You've been civil about this but no, you're an example of not giving Kopi credit where it's due which is exactly my issue. "Solid game?" Yep, 3 points (2 goals) and 66% CF% is a bit more than solid. If that's not 'dominant,' your expectations are out of whack.



No one but you said a damn thing about a contract. We were talking raw performance vs. criticism. And even if you hold it up vs. Game 2, I'd say that performance more than passes a smell test of "10m $ player."

You guys can drop platitudes like "I hope it continues" all you want but until the praise matches the criticism it's hard to believe. Over 2 games, he's now got 3 points and is +3. Stop bitching for at least one game. Thanks. Let him at least get a minus or go scoreless again before we get back to the regularly scheduled Kopi smearing.

Mate, Kopitar doesn't get paid 10 million for an eternity to be playing defense and not really produce. I want to see him do really good and justify that huge contract. He sucked last season and during the pre season too.

I want to see him continue from the last game and hit 60 points at least this season. He's a ten million dollar man, time he plays like one. I'm happy hes playing good all over the ice, but it doesn't mean shit when he's not producing. This team will live and die on his production alone. And he hasn't been producing. I hope the last game is a sign of things to come for Kopitar. He plays like he did last game for the majority of the season he should hit 70+ easily and we're play off locked.

People have every right to be worried about him, and for me, this season is going to be indicative of where his career will go.

Ps, when I use the word solid in that context, for me it's meant to sound profound, and not minimalistic. I don't want you to think I thought he did decent, he did great. You can ask me what I meant by solid, rather than imply that I thought he was okay.

 

[Statto]

* one season plus one pre-season plus one game.

And BTW you're doing the same thing after ONE GAME.

I know. I was being deliberately ironic. Sorry, I realise it wasn't obvious. I chuckled to myself even if no one else got it.

You're right of course. It's just as daft to say Kopi is back to his best as it is to start complaining. It's going to take time for the various changes to bed in and I couldn't say when the right time to start assessing things is but it's not after 1 or 2 games.

 

[Statto]

Not necessarily, but there were a whole lot of folks using Game 1 as an indicator of "here we go again," so it's more than fair to use Game 2 to completely dispel that, not sure anyone could ask for a much better performance from Kopitar than that, and I hope he plays like that going forward so the critics have to either get on board or disappear, because it's getting really ****ing old watching people find reasons to not enjoy wins and specific players.

Thank you. Exactly the point I was trying to make with my eating crow post. People need to realise I'm from the UK therefore sarcasm is a given.

 

[Statto]

Mate, Kopitar doesn't get paid 10 million for an eternity to be playing defense and not really produce. I want to see him do really good and justify that huge contract. He sucked last season and during the pre season too.

I want to see him continue from the last game and hit 60 points at least this season. He's a ten million dollar man, time he plays like one. I'm happy hes playing good all over the ice, but it doesn't mean **** when he's not producing. This team will live and die on his production alone. And he hasn't been producing. I hope the last game is a sign of things to come for Kopitar. He plays like he did last game for the majority of the season he should hit 70+ easily and we're play off locked.

People have every right to be worried about him, and for me, this season is going to be indicative of where his career will go.

Ps, when I use the word solid in that context, for me it's meant to sound profound, and not minimalistic. I don't want you to think I thought he did decent, he did great. You can ask me what I meant by solid, rather than imply that I thought he was okay.

I agree that people should concerned about Kopi's game, I am. Two games gives us no idea of what way his game is trending. If Sutter was stilll coach and we were playing the same way then it would be different, but it's not. As far as I'm concerned this is a completely new chapter and I'm going to evaluate it as such. Don't get me wrong if he goes on a tear and then hits his usual mis season slump I'll be moaning with the best of you. I've no issue calling things out and with people giving honest opinion, it's just far too early.

 

[Fishhead]

One really positive thing about Kopitar this year - Rosen's article with quotes from Kopi/Turgeon was enlightening. They both were going into detail about what has been working and they sound excited about it.

It's highly encouraging and better than the blah canned responses we got from him last year. I think the whole captaincy thing hung a dark cloud over Brown/Kopi last year. That has certainly lifted from Brown, and Kopitar seems way more positive and looser off the ice. If Kopi continues to crank it up on the ice, the team will follow.