Gm #70 - 3/20/14, KINGS defeat CAPITALS, 2-1 in ShootOut !

[moosehead81]

Wait, what?????

So according to you we can't talk about a highly paid player (the Kings highest paid for 2014 btw) who is having a crappy season and has just been demoted to 4th line. You think people are "keying" on the guy for no reason? Is coach Sutter in that group now?

It's a team game, so according to you we can't talk about individual players anymore? Ok, time to stop the praises for Kopitar, Quick and Gaborik because "it's a team game", correct? I'd personally be ok with removing names and numbers from jerseys and Brad Richardson deserves as much credit for the 2012 win as Quick, hell why even have the Conn Smythe, team game right?

He has won everything, yes, he has. But that has zero relevance to how he is playing in 2010, a WJC in 2005, an Olympics in 2010 and even a Stanley Cup in 2012 mean nothing when you can't keep up in 2014.

You want a guy on your team who has played like he has? For the next 6-7 years at that cap hit? If you are ok with it, which is fine, do you atleast understand why others are a bit worried that Mike Richard's has 7 years left on his deal?

A slump? It's not a slump anymore Tony, it's a season man, come on, a slump is 3 points in 10 games, no goals in six, this is far more than a slump.

And it's ridiculous and looks bad on the site when a moderator calls an on-topic hockey discussion embarrassing and says we should stop talking about it. Is it embarrassing to be talking about a player having a poor season? You know it's amazing, you guys move our posts for being off-topic and tell us to use the ignore feature. But here we are having a hockey discussion a moderator comes on here and says "Enough about Richards" and calls the thread and people talking about it "Embarrassing". Nothing talked about in this thread is out of line or embarrassing, it's a GDT where a player making almost $8 million this season and has 3 goals in 46 games had a horrible costly turnover that could have cost us key points in the standings. Is there even one example of anything said in this GDT that is embarrassing (would love to see an example), to me it looks like a bunch of people using facts and stats to back up their arguments, shamefully facts and stats are apparently frowned upon by some on this board.

Sorry but I can't resist- you forgot a 2003 Memorial Cup and a 2005 Calder Cup. Just wish you guys would cut Richards some slack here- it's not the first in-game turn-over any player has made (including Kopitar) and it won't be the last. End of year we'll probably all find out that MR was playing with some sort of nagging injury that impeded his play.

 

[Herby]

Sorry but I can't resist- you forgot a 2003 Memorial Cup and a 2005 Calder Cup. Just wish you guys would cut Richards some slack here- it's not the first in-game turn-over any player has made (including Kopitar) and it won't be the last. End of year we'll probably all find out that MR was playing with some sort of nagging injury that impeded his play.

It's the same thing, who cares about what someone accomplished as an 18 year old or a 20 year old when they suck as a 29 year old?

As for the nagging injury thing, why did he come alive for a few games and actually look decent after the Olympics and now is back to crap?

You know guys do break down in their late 20's, it has happened to countless NHL players. Is it so out of line to be talking about it as some people seem to think? Especially when that player is signed long term for big money?

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I wonder how it is possible that some of these former 30 goal scorers are all slumping. Kopitar has never been a PPG player. Jeff Carter is one pace for just above 30 goals (82 GP).

All around the league you see elite teams scoring goals but we have to watch 3-1, 1-0, 2-1 games every night.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

My god.. ENOUGH about Mike Richards already. Keying on an individual this much is ridiculous. It's a team sport. He's a clutch player that has won at every level - every level. You want that guy on your team. He's having a slump. It's not the end of the world.

This crap is as embarrassing as when people around here wanted Kopitar traded. Come on.

So basically... The classic Richards defense. Reputation, reputation, past accomplishments...

It's not like people are disappointed in him for no reason.

 

[johnjm22]

The one drop off in Richards game that I can't figure out is his passing. He used to be a great passer and even his shots could be pretty lethal when he was with the Flyers. But suddenly he seems to have no oomph in his shots and no zip in his passing.

When you're dead tired, even doing simple things like making a pass becomes difficult.

That's why I think it's a conditioning issue. He's always behind the play like he can't keep up.

 

[Bandit]

It's the same thing, who cares about what someone accomplished as an 18 year old or a 20 year old when they suck as a 29 year old?

As for the nagging injury thing, why did he come alive for a few games and actually look decent after the Olympics and now is back to crap?

You know guys do break down in their late 20's, it has happened to countless NHL players. Is it so out of line to be talking about it as some people seem to think? Especially when that player is signed long term for big money?

Oh well, maybe we should move on and talk about less embarrassing things.

So basically... The classic Richards defense. Reputation, reputation, past accomplishments...

It's not like people are disappointed in him for no reason.

I'd like ask both of you a serious question: What's the point of continually harping on Richards? I mean really, what are you hoping to get out of it? You want everyone on this board to join you in a singalong of "For He's a lousy ass hockey player" sung to the tune of "For he's a jolly good fellow"?

Everyone knows he's having a down year. Even those blind fish at the bottom of the Atlantic that have never seen the sun... they know. Everyone also knows that Lombardi loves Richards (and Brown for that matter) and there's very little chance that either of these guys are going to be moved, like ever.

So if you're looking for bragging rights for the time in a few years when Richards and Brown are both still on the Kings, and the team is in the basement because they're both 10 point players being paid 12 million between them, well, you got it. I'll be the first guy in line to say "You were right."

In the meantime, we're all Kings fans here. Maybe, just MAYBE that doesn't happen and Lombardi has it under control? Why not hope for the best?

 

[KingKopitar11*]

No ^^^ that's not what's happening. It's more of people getting upset at others complaining about him. Im done talking about him, I only complain about him when he sucks. But now it's beating a dead horse.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

No ^^^ that's not what's happening. It's more of people getting upset at others complaining about him. Im done talking about him, I only complain about him when he sucks. But now it's beating a dead horse.

I think this is the bigger deal here.

Last page or so there were at least some defensive statistics promoting new discussion, which is good and at least semi-productive. When the discussion is basically copy-and-paste from thread to thread, it's not discussion, it's a circle jerk.

But you are absolutely right that the turnover last game was horrid and that obviously is what Sutter did not like. It's absolutely important to note that he's significantly worse in the GA/60 stat for a guy that's reputedly solid defensively. That all being said, it practically is what it is at this point.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I think this is the bigger deal here.

Last page or so there were at least some defensive statistics promoting new discussion, which is good and at least semi-productive. When the discussion is basically copy-and-paste from thread to thread, it's not discussion, it's a circle jerk.

But you are absolutely right that the turnover last game was horrid and that obviously is what Sutter did not like. It's absolutely important to note that he's significantly worse in the GA/60 stat for a guy that's reputedly solid defensively. That all being said, it practically is what it is at this point.

I agree. I was was surprised and interested in those statistics. They were the foundation of a discussion. They were more than the exponential hyperbole we see nearly week in week out, no matter the magnitude of his mistake.

 

[Little Psycho]

No ^^^ that's not what's happening. It's more of people getting upset at others complaining about him. Im done talking about him, I only complain about him when he sucks. But now it's beating a dead horse.

And that's true for all players. If a player makes a bad mistake or is in a slump, you bet I'm gonna complain about it. Don't care if it's Doughty, Quick, Kopitar, Carter etc., I'm gonna complain about it.

 

[KINGS17]

And that's true for all players. If a player makes a bad mistake or is in a slump, you bet I'm gonna complain about it. Don't care if it's Doughty, Quick, Kopitar, Carter etc., I'm gonna complain about it.

For example, there has been plenty of poor play to be critical of this guy lately.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Yeah, why isn't Doughty getting demoted to 3rd pairing D-man?

 

[KingKopitar11*]

Yeah, why isn't Doughty getting demoted to 3rd pairing D-man?

Because there are so many better options. :p

 

[Little Psycho]

I miss Randy Jones. We could have had a Jones/Muzzin pairing.

 

[Herby]

I agree. I was was surprised and interested in those statistics. They were the foundation of a discussion. They were more than the exponential hyperbole we see nearly week in week out, no matter the magnitude of his mistake.

I posted those same statistics from behindthenet.ca a couple of weeks ago (they have actually improved), because I got so sick of people saying "you just complain because he isn't scoring" or "he does stuff that doesn't show up on a stat sheet", but if you dig deeper into the advanced stats it makes his play seem even worse. Everything on that site points to a player who has been miserable in almost all facets of the game this season. There is really nothing else to say, unless people want to be like the old guys in moneyball who just refuse to accept they exist.

But it didn't matter, the reply was that "I was a Richards hater" and some peoples reaction would be to cover their ears and say that he is a DL kind of player and DL isn't trading him no matter what, over and over again.

I still want to see how anyone comes up with a cap situation that allows the Kings to re-sign Gaborik and sign a #2 or #3 caliber defenseman while having enough space in a couple of years to re-sign Kopitar that doesn't involve dumping one of Brown or Richards contracts. Because everyone seems to want to re-sign Gaborik and get that defenseman, yet some of those same people are adamant that Richards and Brown are not being traded under any circumstance. They want their cake and want to eat it to.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Brown's contract was laughable from the beginning.

People will counter with the fact his 1st big contract was a bargain and he deserved it now. Very weird argument. He's not a $6M player and certainly not for 8 years. I still dont understand what Lombardi was thinking. Too much and too long.

I'm glad he finally to took this team by de hand during the cup run but I get sad when I see that cap hit again. Luckily only until his late '30s...

Well he's no Clarkson.

As for Richards, I give him the benefit of the doubt. I have to see the playoffs first. Fact remains, we need to get rid of him within three years. He does have periods of great play, but way too little.

 

[KINGS17]

Yeah, why isn't Doughty getting demoted to 3rd pairing D-man?

Can't do that, but should he be out there on the PP at all?

Not with the way he is playing right now. Voynov / Martinez is a much better option for the #1 PP unit right now.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I'd prefer Muzzin/Martinez on the power play.

 

[Winger23]

I posted those same statistics from behindthenet.ca a couple of weeks ago (they have actually improved), because I got so sick of people saying "you just complain because he isn't scoring" or "he does stuff that doesn't show up on a stat sheet", but if you dig deeper into the advanced stats it makes his play seem even worse. Everything on that site points to a player who has been miserable in almost all facets of the game this season. There is really nothing else to say, unless people want to be like the old guys in moneyball who just refuse to accept they exist.

But it didn't matter, the reply was that "I was a Richards hater" and some peoples reaction would be to cover their ears and say that he is a DL kind of player and DL isn't trading him no matter what, over and over again.

I still want to see how anyone comes up with a cap situation that allows the Kings to re-sign Gaborik and sign a #2 or #3 caliber defenseman while having enough space in a couple of years to re-sign Kopitar that doesn't involve dumping one of Brown or Richards contracts. Because everyone seems to want to re-sign Gaborik and get that defenseman, yet some of those same people are adamant that Richards and Brown are not being traded under any circumstance. They want their cake and want to eat it to.

I haven't read any of the posts after this one yet so sorry if its already mentioned, I really believe the cap is going to continue to go up over the next few years. I agree, Richards and brown are going to be overpaid, but there are other areas where the money can come from too.

When its time to re up kopi, guys like stoll can be replaced by vey. RR, Mitchell with gravel ect. The one thing DL is extremely good at is having a plan and working the salary cap. I wouldn't worry about kopi, he won't go anywhere.

 

[Winger23]

Can't do that, but should he be out there on the PP at all?

Not with the way he is playing right now. Voynov / Martinez is a much better option for the #1 PP unit right now.

Not that I disagree, but DD is still a far better option than Voynov this year. I'm really not sure what's going on with him.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I don't foresee an issue with the cap, even with Brown and Richards. The cap will rise enough to allow us to re-sign Gaborik, and between our minimal remaining space and the lack of real quality options in the FA market I'd be content with extending Mitchell on the cheap. We'll reasses the D more next year.

 

[Herby]

The cap is not going up as much as they thought this season and is very likely to stagnate thanks to the struggles of the Canadian dollar.

With the way the cap projects the Kings are not going to be able to afford all their top forwards (assuming Gaborik re-signs) and will certainly not be able to add that top 3-4 defenseman everyone knows we need without drastic cuts, and it's obvious where those cuts are going to have to come from. Hint, it's not going to be Kopitar, Quick, Doughty or Carter.

 

[King'sPawn]

I wonder how weird it was for DL to trade for Gaborik, he's not Canadian or American. Uncharted territory haha.

I wonder if he will finally draft any swedes this draft, highly doubt it but maybe there's a first time for it.

Lombardi has drafted 13 players whose hometown are in Europe. Of those 13, three have been Swedish (Schumacher, Moller, Andersen). He has also drafted three Czechs. Interestingly, zero Slovaks have been drafted by Lombardi since 2006.

 

[damacles1156]

I think Mike Richards is not in shape. He is not a stupid hockey player.

A lot of his mistakes reek of (lack of conditioning). He just looks slow to process everything out there.

Then he has a game or two where he is lights out GOOD.

That too me sounds like he is not in peak shape, like the rest of the Kings players.

When you have won every Trophy hockey has to offer, I could see myself getting lazy, with off-season stuff.

Richards might have assumed he could play his way into shape, Well when your close to 30 year's old.....Your body doesn't work that way anymore.

I don't see the Cap being that big of an issue, One of McNabb or Forbort are going to replace Mitchell/Greene.

Mitchell/Greene both make around 3 million. Gabo is not going to be overpaid, Lombardi can't afford too.

 

[Winger23]

The cap is not going up as much as they thought this season and is very likely to stagnate thanks to the struggles of the Canadian dollar.

With the way the cap projects the Kings are not going to be able to afford all their top forwards (assuming Gaborik re-signs) and will certainly not be able to add that top 3-4 defenseman everyone knows we need without drastic cuts, and it's obvious where those cuts are going to have to come from. Hint, it's not going to be Kopitar, Quick, Doughty or Carter.

We don't even know how much gabs is going to ask for. He could take a discount considering his injuries. For the defencemen, upgrading isn't as expensive as you think. Greene can be let go, and that's most of the salary to the upgrade right there.

Again you have guys like stoll and Williams making over 3M that can give way for Pearson TT and vey, giving more than enough in the salaries right there for Kopi. Imo car really isn't an issue unless gabs gets over paid