Here and Now: The Preseason

[Bandit]

Porkins, though, has an edge. Either he makes the Kings are he goes back to Russia. I seriously doubt he'd accept an AHL assignment. If I were him, I'd ask for a trade before being demoted to the AHL.

If he can't make this squad, where exactly would he be going to?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Like the positive comments of Bjornfot. Confirms what I saw. You can tell he processes the game naturally. High IQ. Very quick to read and react. Kings definitely got something good here with this kid.

 

[TruKingFan]

Anderson, Bjornfot, Durzi maybe a good nucleus for the future D. As some have already said, I'm a bit concerned about the lack of size. I would like to see Blake address that via a prospect trade maybe.

I like Lizotte but AHL is better for him at this point. M Kempe can take his spot for now.

Need to find a LW for Kopi. I'm freaking tired of this - love AI but he should be playing somewhere else. I'd like to see Grundstrom try out for this position. Maybe JAD?

 

[verbalkint47]

Don't forget JAD. I think Porkins will make the team, Lizotte, JAD, Luff will battle for final the forward spot (barring injuries), and MKempe, Frk will be in Ontario.
Kempe, Carter, Porkins can all play wing so I suspect at least one of them will.

Yeah I think 1 or 2 will move to wing.

M. Kempe will probably be the 13th forward tho. No point in having a young player sit in press box.

 

[verbalkint47]

I'm not sure what to make of Lizotte.
I don't want him to become the next Iafallo. I'd prefer to see him start in the AHL. Let him show that he can score there.

Interesting. I'd be stoked if Lizotte turned into a 30-40ish point energy forward. That would be a great free pickup.

 

[KingsFan7824]

In terms of Anderson being the next Mitchell, we shouldn't forget Mitchell didn't become a full time NHLer until he was 24. If he starts in Ontario, it's ok.

Lots of love for Lizotte and Amadio also had good reviews.

Will be interesting to see how we look down the middle on opening night. Kempe, Carter, Porkins, Amadio and Lizotte competing for 3 spots.

What do y'all think? Maybe 2 of them move to the wing? How do you see it playing out?

Iafallo, Brown, Toffoli, Kovalchuk, Clifford, Lewis, Wagner, Grundstrom is already 8 wingers, which fills up the team. If Carter or Prokhorkin play wing, that's then 9, and then either Wagner or Grundstrom won't be here. Then there's the filler material like M.Kempe or Frk, who are perfect healthy scratches. Lizotte is the youngest of the bunch, and he doesn't have to clear waivers. Also no threat of him going back to the KHL. Maybe he beats out Amadio.

It's not always about who deserves to be on the team.

 

[verbalkint47]

Yeah it'll be interesting to see how the rest of preseason goes and what the final roster looks like. Seems there are lots of options. Not nearly as straight forward as I thought a month ago.

I'm usually working, so haven't been able to watch or listen to any of the games. Thanks to everyone who provides insights and analysis!

 

[Fishhead]

Yeah it'll be interesting to see how the rest of preseason goes and what the final roster looks like. Seems there are lots of options. Not nearly as straight forward as I thought a month ago.

I'm usually working, so haven't been able to watch or listen to any of the games. Thanks to everyone who provides insights and analysis!

Yes it will. I don't get the "pay your dues" vibe from the current regime at all. That was a staple when DL was in charge, there were clear steps that players went through no matter how well they played. McClellan has always played guys who merit it. I don't expect him to throw a bunch of rookies into the fire, but it wouldn't surprise me to see more young guys make it than in the past. He's certainly not against putting a rookie with a couple vets on a top line, he's done that before in SJ.

 

[onlyalad]

You mean old Kempe. He's 31.

Ha. I didn’t look but I think of AHL guys as young

 

[tbrown33]

I just never saw much of a drive from him to be better. I think he was content with what he was, an adequate goaltender who can play in net for 30 or so games. The concussion didn't help in that moment in time, but I don't recall hearing anything about the concussion having any lingering issues throughout his career, like say a Paul Kariya or Eric Lindros.

I also dont think you always hear about how a concussion affects an athlete. A lot of the time the athlete probably isn't even keenly aware.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Anderson, Bjornfot, Durzi maybe a good nucleus for the future D. As some have already said, I'm a bit concerned about the lack of size. I would like to see Blake address that via a prospect trade maybe.

I like Lizotte but AHL is better for him at this point. M Kempe can take his spot for now.

Need to find a LW for Kopi. I'm freaking tired of this - love AI but he should be playing somewhere else. I'd like to see Grundstrom try out for this position. Maybe JAD?

2021/22 starting defense

Anderson Doughty
Bjornfot Durzi
Clague Walker

 

[KingsHockey24]

Jack Hughes should've been ours.

 

[TheSentinel]

You mean old Kempe. He's 31.

"Mario Kempe is 31 years old" felt like the new "Matt Nieto is from Long Beach" during the broadcast, I don't know how many times they mentioned his age.

 

[redcard]

If he can't make this squad, where exactly would he be going to?

My rec league probably has an opening in one of the lower divisions

 

[bland]

Yes it will. I don't get the "pay your dues" vibe from the current regime at all. That was a staple when DL was in charge, there were clear steps that players went through no matter how well they played. McClellan has always played guys who merit it. I don't expect him to throw a bunch of rookies into the fire, but it wouldn't surprise me to see more young guys make it than in the past. He's certainly not against putting a rookie with a couple vets on a top line, he's done that before in SJ.

Doughty, Clifford, Simmonds and Moller all made Lombardi's Kings without or before ever setting a skate on AHL ice.

Its not uncommon for players to go directly into the league if ready. I am firmly of the belief that it does more harm than good to have a young player earn his role through hardwork but still be sent down so an underperforming veteran can keep a spot, especially on a team without real contention aspirations.

The focus here can't be on platitudes. There has been far too little accountability in management and on the ice over the last half decade, and the sooner the stagnation is pushed out, the better. If a kid is legitimately ready, you let him continue to prove himself without any artificial speed bumps just to "pay" any dues.

 

[kilowatt]

2021/22 starting defense

Anderson Doughty
Bjornfot Durzi
Clague Walker

Bjornfot - Doughty
Anderson - Drysdale
Clague - Durzi

Fixed it for you

 

[SherVaughn30]

So here's an honest question and assessment...
Our Kids slobberknocked the Arizona Coyotes starters a few days ago then we come back and dominate the VGK for 50min.. Mind you we also did that with a bunch of kids, I see nothing but positives even with the loss.
1) Our rebuild might be shorter than expected;
Mikey Anderson without a doubt will finish the season in LA, Tobias Bjornfot will likley join next season and the season after one of Clague, Durzi and Phillips might be ready.. Speaking of Kale Clague, he started the game off really well but then the physicality ofthe game took its toll.. The kid is slight of frame and really needs to work on his body.
Offensively, Lizzote has impressed to say the least. Fagemo really does look like a better version of Tanner Pearson, Rasmus Kupari needs time to adjust to the NA game, Akil Thomas is a player and is gritty, Grundstrom and Wagner missed a few chances a piece but brought physicality.

2) all this blaming Quick for the 3 goals BS needs to stop! you're either stupid or blind to not realize he was a big reason why we were minutes away from a shutout.
Not much he coulod have done on goal #1, goals 2 & 3 were all on the defense... which were a bunch of kids that got valuable time and learned a valuable lesson. **** theres positives everywhere for our club.
Some on here have the gall to suggest that Soupy or Cal would have made those save? BS, no they wouldn't so cut that **** out.

3) The Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown line looks like they will bounce back this season and I really loved Brownie turning the physical play up a notch and Kopi going down the middle and being assertive..

All in All, it was a great game with a really good look at our future and its is bright to say the least gentlemen! Obviously we need more size on te backend but we were physical, fast, creative and we competed.

You need read what was said about Quick correctly! Nobody on here blamed Quick for not stopping his own player scoring on him. What I stated was Quick in his prime before the injuries would have stopped that goal because I saw him do it before. The other two goals were stoppable by Quick standards. He still has it in him to make the big saves, but what I'm noticing is that at his age, the injuries, D-group playing in front of him and the game being faster, Quick doesn't look as sharp physically or mentally. If he wants to stay more healthy, he has to be a bit less athletic and be more controlled in his movements. He still springs around in his movements too much, which result in the injuries and forcing himself to make a more spectacular save then needed. The other thing is he doesn't have those Cup winning premier d-men playing in front of him anymore, except for Doughty. Quick has to adjust his game a bit if he wants to be the #1 job.

 

[lumbergh]

Just wanted to throw some praise out for Mikey Eyssimont last night. All three youngsters on that line were buzzing. I was pleasantly surprised by Eyssimont.

 

[ru4reals]

Jack Hughes should've been ours.

Yeah kids definitely not gonna bust another 2 point night. I know its pre-season but man he's gonna be freakin good. Screw you Edmonton for messin up the draft for all of us.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Bjornfot - Doughty
Anderson - Drysdale
Clague - Durzi

Fixed it for you

This guy?

 

[verbalkint47]

Doughty, Clifford, Simmonds and Moller all made Lombardi's Kings without or before ever setting a skate on AHL ice.

Moller and Simmonds making the team shocked me. Boyle and Purcell put up big numbers in Manchester the previous year and were expected to make LA.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Bjornfot - Doughty
Anderson - Drysdale
Clague - Durzi

Fixed it for you

Drysdale is 5'11" 165 . Sure, he's just 17 and could end up being 6'1" 185. Like many, I am still concerned about some size on the backend. Forbort is not the answer...not sure if Brickley or Strand are the answers either. And that's all the size in the prospects group. Spence and Nousiainen are small. I think Cole Hults is a sleeper and the way his coach at Penn State talks about him (and Kings staff) he's a potential late round home run. He's now 6'2" and 200 lbs. So decent size. is LHD. They say they want to sign him after this season.

 

[bland]

Moller and Simmonds making the team shocked me. Boyle and Purcell put up big numbers in Manchester the previous year and were expected to make LA.

Exactly. There is a lot more involved than just skill or draft pedigree. Some guys get it faster than others and would benefit from on the NHL job training, and it would be a shame to postpone that next level of development just because they can be sent down without issue.

Part of the process of building an asset list is cleaning out those in the way of real progress, and while it may seem like its not wise management to lose a player to waivers, its not actually a pure loss if the benefit is unimpeded natural maturation.

 

[bob77]

Yeah kids definitely not gonna bust another 2 point night. I know its pre-season but man he's gonna be freakin good. Screw you Edmonton for messin up the draft for all of us.

Hughes had at least 7 or 8 cross ice passes to a surprised Hall, Simmonds, and a few others. All fanned. Get your sticks ready guys, the kid can play. Also blew by a few D who didn’t realize how quick he was. An edge of your seat player.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Doughty, Clifford, Simmonds and Moller all made Lombardi's Kings without or before ever setting a skate on AHL ice.

Its not uncommon for players to go directly into the league if ready. I am firmly of the belief that it does more harm than good to have a young player earn his role through hardwork but still be sent down so an underperforming veteran can keep a spot, especially on a team without real contention aspirations.

The focus here can't be on platitudes. There has been far too little accountability in management and on the ice over the last half decade, and the sooner the stagnation is pushed out, the better. If a kid is legitimately ready, you let him continue to prove himself without any artificial speed bumps just to "pay" any dues.

Who were the veterans that Doughty, Clifford, Simmonds, and Moller pushed out? You can say Visnovsky was traded after they found out they were picking #2 and knew they were getting Doughty, but they still did get Greene, so you could say he took Visnovsky's spot if you wanted. Cammalleri was traded, but that was at the 08 draft, not the 08 training camp. The only move DL made around training camp that year was getting ODonnell. Calder was still on that team. Armstrong was still on that team. Clifford didn't push any veteran out in the 2010 training camp. No old guys ended up in Manchester. No trades in Sept/Oct.

It's not about paying dues. It's contract realities.