GDT: GM#54 LA Kings vs Philadelphia Flyers @4:00pm 2/7/19

[kingsboy11]

Los Angeles Kings (22-27-4, 48pts, Last in Pacific) @ Philadelphia Flyers(24-23-6, 54pts, 6th in Metro) Wells Fargo Center| Philadelphia, PA
TIME: 4:00pm PT | TV: FSW | RADIO: I Heart Radio App

QUICK STATS
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
PHI 5-2 LAK November 1, 2018

PP/PK	28th/29th	23rd/25th
Faceoffs	10th	1st
Leading Scorers	Anze Kopitar: 16 goals, 24 assists, 40 points.	Claude Giroux: 16 goals, 40 assists, 56 points

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

*Lines subject to change*

Extras: Dion Phaneuf, Matt Luff
Injuries: Johnny Brodzinski, Trevor Lewis, Jeff Carter

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Michal Neuvirth​

Click to read more...

 

[YP44]

I think Stolarz gets the start tongiht.
Will be interested to see Amadio with Toffoli.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Gonna be a bloodbath.

Flyers 5-1.

 

[Little Psycho]

I have a bad feeling that the team wants to make the playoffs. If the Blues lose tonight and Kings win than they are 4 points out. I'm done with being embarrassed in the first round and we really need Hughes so no thanks.

 

[YP44]

Gonna be a bloodbath.

Flyers 5-1.

Flyers are due for a loss. I think LA wins this 3-1.

 

[Bandit]

We're only 6 points out... We leave Philly with Simmonds, all we have to give them is Vilardi and Kupari.

Sincerely,

Luc Robitaille

 

[AlphaBravo]

Making the playoffs this year would be one of the worst things to happen to this franchise in the modern era. We desperately need a top 5 pick, considering we lost one of our best forward prospects (Vilardi), and don't have high-end elite talent coming into our lineup any time soon other than maybe Kupari. Getting someone like Hughes would be an instant boost, considering we already have a 1C, 1D, and very strong goaltending depth. If we end up keeping Carter as well because he is not tradeable for good value, he could be an awesome 3C or winger on the 2nd line, giving us good depth.

If we make the playoffs, we are back to square one again, and have to pray to tank next season.

 

[AlphaBravo]

To add, Blake needs to pull the trigger now on trading vets before its too late. Unloading Martinez, Thompson, Haglin, and other vets now will help us tank faster. If we pick up points in the next two weeks, Ottawa will end up really pulling from the pack with respect to the tank. Also, vets are taking up spots for players like Luff and maybe Gundstrom to get some playing time.

 

[Master Yoda]

I have a bad feeling that the team wants to make the playoffs. If the Blues lose tonight and Kings win than they are 4 points out. I'm done with being embarrassed in the first round and we really need Hughes so no thanks.

What if we finish with the worst record and still only get the 4th pick? I get people want to have the best odds to get Hughes or Kakko, but it's less than 50/50 to get a top 2 pick even if you finish dead last. I wouldn't want to put all my hopes and dreams in getting one of those guys because the odds are against it.

 

[King'sPawn]

What if we finish with the worst record and still only get the 4th pick? I get people want to have the best odds to get Hughes or Kakko, but it's less than 50/50 to get a top 2 pick even if you finish dead last. I wouldn't want to put all my hopes and dreams in getting one of those guys because the odds are against it.

To me, it's not that the Kings NEED Hughes.

They just NEED to get younger and add cost-controlled talent, which can more commonly be found with higher picks.

 

[AlphaBravo]

What if we finish with the worst record and still only get the 4th pick? I get people want to have the best odds to get Hughes or Kakko, but it's less than 50/50 to get a top 2 pick even if you finish dead last. I wouldn't want to put all my hopes and dreams in getting one of those guys because the odds are against it.

That wouldn't be so bad. The 4th pick should still get us a high end talent. What would be horrible would be to make the playoffs and get bounced in the first rounder and end up with a low draft pick.

 

[KingsFan7824]

To add, Blake needs to pull the trigger now on trading vets before its too late. Unloading Martinez, Thompson, Haglin, and other vets now will help us tank faster. If we pick up points in the next two weeks, Ottawa will end up really pulling from the pack with respect to the tank. Also, vets are taking up spots for players like Luff and maybe Gundstrom to get some playing time.

What happens if Luff and Grundstrom come in and score some game winning goals? What if they trade Quick, and Campbell/Petersen keep winning some games?

 

[Master Yoda]

To me, it's not that the Kings NEED Hughes.

They just NEED to get younger and add cost-controlled talent, which can more commonly be found with higher picks.

Right. Just trying to temper people's expectations a little because not getting Hughes/Kakko isn't going to all of a sudden make this "tank" a failure. And the odds are against any one team getting either one unless Colorado and Ottawa finish 30th and 31st.

 

[AlphaBravo]

What happens if Luff and Grundstrom come in and score some game winning goals? What if they trade Quick, and Campbell/Petersen keep winning some games?

That may happen, but what can you do? At least our young players would be scoring and winning, instead of the vets having a momentary streak that wont carry over next season.

 

[KINGS17]

I have a bad feeling that the team wants to make the playoffs. If the Blues lose tonight and Kings win than they are 4 points out. I'm done with being embarrassed in the first round and we really need Hughes so no thanks.

Yep, the Kings are going to get a real ass whupin' from Calgary if they make the playoffs. Get busy Blake and make it harder.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Ok...so we need a top 5 pick?

Here's a few....take your pick....

Erik Gudbranson, Ryan Strome, Adam Larsson, Griffin Reinhart, Jonathan Drouin, Michael Del Colle, Griffin Reinhart, Dylan Strome,

I can keep going, hopefully you get the point

 

[Master Yoda]

Ok...so we need a top 5 pick?

Here's a few....take your pick....

Erik Gudbranson, Ryan Strome, Adam Larsson, Griffin Reinhart, Jonathan Drouin, Michael Del Colle, Griffin Reinhart, Dylan Strome,

I can keep going, hopefully you get the point

Griffin Reinhart is that bad

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Griffin Reinhart is that bad

For a top 5 pick, whos played 37 total NHL games and isn't in the league, yea, we definitely NEED a top 5 pick

 

[kovacro]

If it's not going to work out where we have a chance to nab Hughes or Kakko, then it's not worth it. Suck till you drop, boys.

 

[johnjm22]

VAN, COL & STL have tough games tonight:
Colorado at Washington
Blues at Tampa Bay
Vancouver at Chicago (Hawks have won 5 in a row)

Flyers are the hottest team in the league. They've won 8 in a row. So pretty good chance Kings lose tonight, but if they do manage a win there's a good chance they'll only be 4 points out.

This has been one of the weirdest King's seasons I can remember.

 

[AlphaBravo]

For a top 5 pick, whos played 37 total NHL games and isn't in the league, yea, we definitely NEED a top 5 pick

There is never a guarantee that a top 5 pick will be an elite player. Heck, Nolan Patrick isn't that great either, and he was the number 2 pick last year. However, I think there is a far, far stronger chance that this team does not make it past the first round (let alone wins a game in the playoffs) with this team, then the Kings lucking out of a top talent if they get a top 5 pick. There is literally zero benefit to the Kings (other than ticket sales) to make the playoffs.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Hot take: I believe we need Carter in the lineup if we’re tanking. Team seems more lethargic with him out there, and the young centres play worse when buried down the lineup.

 

[King'sPawn]

For a top 5 pick, whos played 37 total NHL games and isn't in the league, yea, we definitely NEED a top 5 pick

Shall we compare top 5 picks who had successful careers versus top 5 picks who were busts?

 

[kingsholygrail]

Kings win 3-1

 

[kovacro]

Ok...so we need a top 5 pick?

Here's a few....take your pick....

Erik Gudbranson, Ryan Strome, Adam Larsson, Griffin Reinhart, Jonathan Drouin, Michael Del Colle, Griffin Reinhart, Dylan Strome,

I can keep going, hopefully you get the point

Too early on Strome, only 21 and he's looked better in the Windy City playing with his buddy DeBrincat.

Larsson is in a bad situation in Edmonton, would like to see how he would look somewhere else. Still a 2nd pairing guy IMO.

I know Reinhart sucks, but no need to include him twice.

Drouin has been pretty darn good this year with the Habs.

It goes both ways for every 'bust' there are going to be top 5 picks that carve out strong careers.

I'd prefer to get as close to that top pick as they can to ensure the odds of busting are minimal. Say, last 15 years, you are looking at one 1st overall bust in Yakupov.

I'd have to look a 2nd overall in that same time frame to see what it's turned out as thus far. Bobby Ryan comes to mind, his career started off promising but injuries derailed it, although he's been alright this year.