Here and Now: The Preseason

[Steve Zissou]

I think most of Toffoli's problems are in his head. The thing is, he's paid to be a top six forward and to create scoring chances, and I think he had one good chance last night. I barely noticed him at all, and didn't really even acknowledge him because he was unnoticeable.

While I would assert that it would benefit him to get on the scoreboard early in pre-season here, he did have 3 shots on goals and I noticed him numerous times out that with some great passes that led to high quality shots. Also it wasn't like his skates were stuck in cement as they usually are - he was hustling and creating plays.

Amadio, who had an absolutely killer game the night before since discovering he can actually shoot the puck, had 0 shots on net. While not nearly critical of him as we all are with Toffoli, I'm hoping he can assert his newly found shot mentality on a night-by-night basis rather than assuming he needs to dish it off every chance he can get.

Hopefully there will be quite a few players not on the roster next year if they don't bring their consistency and grit every game this year.

 

[tny760]

follow it up with that article about nate schmidt STILL whining about his PED test.. lmao

"tainted meat" get the f*** outta here. you just didn't finish metabolizing your steroids and you got popped get over it

 

[bouncesonly]

just like Doughty deserves far more criticism than Forbort for last years showing. The two can't be held to the same expectations.

Regardless of Doughty's performance, or the lack of criticism for his performance, Forbort is not good. And whether or not they should be held to the same expectations does not mean criticism of Forbort's play should be held back and dole'd over to Doughty. That's literally childish....stupid shit the parents do to make things "fair."

 

[Lt Dan]

Kopitar has the most to give, is paid the most, and therefore has a higher expected responsibility. When he lets his team down, the impact is far worse than that of a complimentary winger. Its not the same value - just like Doughty deserves far more criticism than Forbort for last years showing. The two can't be held to the same expectations.

Sure they can. They are both NHL defensemen and were both 1st round picks. Besides hockey is a team sport and a team is only as good as it's worst player. Depth wins championships

If you want to compare the two?
Doughty has excelled where Forbort still hasn't justified his draft position
We've all been waiting. Forbort is already 27. At this point we can only hope that he is a late bloomer.
I personally see Doughty's comments and shock about TB reflective of how he feels about Forbort. I know it is a small sample size, but TB looks better last night than Forbort has in any NHL game.
TB definitely looked better in the rookie tourney than Forbort did when he was in it

 

[HookKing]

Sure that trusty Ford F-150 has been reliable for you and gotten you to places on time. But if someone drops a Volvo S90 in your lap, you don't give those keys back willingly.

Drew has never been that enthusiastic over a defensive partner, ever. And he's obviously been on the ice with TB in practice etc. You know the goods when you see it. There's a difference between "I can work with him" and "I want to work with him". This is definitely a want vs can situation it seems.

Drew has been enthusiastic about every D partner he's had. TB clearly has more potential especially at that age but it doesn't really matter what Drew wants, it's what the coaches see as best. Have you looked at the Kings' D? It's a bunch of midgets and 1 part time giant. DD has always played with a shutdown D and for good reason. He plays tons of minutes and last time I checked the West is still full of big boys (Getzlaf, Hertl, Thornton etc.)

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Drew has been enthusiastic about every D partner he's had. TB clearly has more potential especially at that age but it doesn't really matter what Drew wants, it's what the coaches see as best. Have you looked at the Kings' D? It's a bunch of midgets and 1 part time giant. DD has always played with a shutdown D and for good reason. He plays tons of minutes and last time I checked the West is still full of big boys (Getzlaf, Hertl, Thornton etc.)

I'd love to see Doughty quotes as full of effusive praise as that about his other defensive partners.

 

[Lt Dan]

I'd love to see Doughty quotes as full of effusive praise as that about his other defensive partners.

I second this

 

[HookKing]

I'd love to see Doughty quotes as full of effusive praise as that about his other defensive partners.

Which isn't what I said.

 

[Lt Dan]

Which isn't what I said.

lol but the two phrases are synonyms

less semantics and more drew quotes please

 

[HookKing]

lol but the two phrases are synonyms

less semantics and more drew quotes please

Only in your mind. I said he was enthusiastic about all his partners. Not as effusive as with TB. Reading comprehension seems to be a problem for you.

 

[Lt Dan]

Only in your mind. I said he was enthusiastic about all his partners. Not as effusive as with TB. Reading comprehension seems to be a problem for you.

the fact that you are avoiding citing any proof and are attempting to debate semantics, means that you don't have any proof to back up your claim. My reading is more than fine. I studied under Master Splinter

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Which isn't what I said.

As Lieutenant Dan said, "effusive praise" and "enthusiastic" are in the same ballpark. I can recall Drew talking about liking playing with Forbort and Muzzin, but I cannot recall him being that glowing about any of his defensive partners. If you can, I think your original point would carry more weight.

 

[HookKing]

As Lieutenant Dan said, "effusive praise" and "enthusiastic" are in the same ballpark. I can recall Drew talking about liking playing with Forbort and Muzzin, but I cannot recall him being that glowing about any of his defensive partners. If you can, I think your original point would carry more weight.

Well this took all of 2 minutes to find --

Doughty, on Derek Forbort joining the cycle in the offensive zone last night:
Yeah, he was dancing a little bit, and I’m trying to encourage him to do that. He’s very capable of it, I think he’s just kind of settled into, ‘I’m kind of the defensive defenseman.’ But he has the capabilities to do things offensively, so you know we’ve just got to keep telling him, go ahead I can cover for you,’ just like he covers for me all the time. So, I want him to get up in the rush, and obviously it’s probably my job to be up there more, but I love that how well he’s playing and I love playing with him.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Well this took all of 2 minutes to find --

Doughty, on Derek Forbort joining the cycle in the offensive zone last night:
Yeah, he was dancing a little bit, and I’m trying to encourage him to do that. He’s very capable of it, I think he’s just kind of settled into, ‘I’m kind of the defensive defenseman.’ But he has the capabilities to do things offensively, so you know we’ve just got to keep telling him, go ahead I can cover for you,’ just like he covers for me all the time. So, I want him to get up in the rush, and obviously it’s probably my job to be up there more, but I love that how well he’s playing and I love playing with him.

Sorry, he "loves" playing with Forbort, not "likes" playing with Forbort.

There's "I love playing with him," and then there's this:

Should he (Bjornfot) stay or should he go?

Doughty, of course, is one vote but an important one.

The two-time Stanley Cup champion and 2016 Norris Trophy winner went on to use the word “amazing” to describe Bjornfot about three times in less than 30 seconds.

“He’s amazing,” Doughty said. “I don’t know how they send him back (to Sweden). Honestly, I don’t know. He’s amazing, honestly. His poise out there. Him making plays to me on the blue line. It’s nuts.

“He’s amazing. I love playing with him.”

Doughty rolled out one of his lines he used in the TV interview.

“I made a joke on Fox, I said, ‘I’ve got eight years left on this deal. If we still have him, I’ll easily get another contract if I can keep playing with him,’” Doughty said.

“He’s amazing. I was really really impressed with him.”

Those seem a little different to me.

In the end, this is a stupid argument. Doughty clearly feels much more highly about Bjornfot. I would think that his word (the word of $88 million dollars over the next 8 years) would at least have some measure of weight with management when they make their decision about whether Bjornfot starts the season with the Kings, but what do I know.

 

[Lt Dan]

Well this took all of 2 minutes to find --

Doughty, on Derek Forbort joining the cycle in the offensive zone last night:
Yeah, he was dancing a little bit, and I’m trying to encourage him to do that. He’s very capable of it, I think he’s just kind of settled into, ‘I’m kind of the defensive defenseman.’ But he has the capabilities to do things offensively, so you know we’ve just got to keep telling him, go ahead I can cover for you,’ just like he covers for me all the time. So, I want him to get up in the rush, and obviously it’s probably my job to be up there more, but I love that how well he’s playing and I love playing with him.

see, I knew you could do it


That being said, that is nowhere in the ballpark of what Drew said about Bjornfot

Stjärnbackens jättehyllning till Tobias Björnfot

 

[HookKing]

Sorry, he "loves" playing with Forbort, not "likes" playing with Forbort.

There's "I love playing with him," and then there's this:



Those seem a little different to me.

Again, you have a reading comprehension problem. I never said he was as effusive with the other partners. Just enthusiastic. I think "love" however, goes even beyond that -- pretty much in effusive praise territory.

 

[Herby]

Good on Drew, he should be saying that and hopefully influencing the coaches and management.

Just horrific that Doughty spent a good chunk of his prime years playing with a guy like Forbort. Derek Forbort is a #6 d-man in the NHL, period. It's a shame he has stuck around so long in LA because of where he was drafted, guys like this are a dime a dozen around the league, playing 12-15 minutes a night with other bottom pairing defenders.

 

[HookKing]

see, I knew you could do it


That being said, that is nowhere in the ballpark of what Drew said about Bjornfot

Stjärnbackens jättehyllning till Tobias Björnfot

I am pretty sure he said the same thing about both players -- "I love playing with him".

 

[Lt Dan]

Good on Drew, he should be saying that and hopefully influencing the coaches and management.

Just horrific that Doughty spent a good chunk of his prime years playing with a guy like Forbort. Derek Forbort is a #6 d-man in the NHL, period. It's a shame he has stuck around so long in LA because of where he was drafted, guys like this are a dime a dozen around the league, playing 12-15 minutes a night with other bottom pairing defenders.

If I were dictator, I would teleport Forbort to 1692 Salem and tell them that he is a witch

 

[Lt Dan]

I am pretty sure he said the same thing about both players -- "I love playing with him".

Ok Mr accusing others of having reading comprehension problems

Remember cyclones' post

Drew has never been that enthusiastic over a defensive partner, ever.

This

- He contributed a lot in this match, he is fantastic with that balance for an 18-year-old. I know he's only 18, but I don't understand ... they might want to send him back because he's so young - but it's not because of how he played, because he played fantastic and he should have got someone of the match's stars tonight, Drew Doughty tells Fox Sports.

Does not equal
this

Doughty, on Derek Forbort joining the cycle in the offensive zone last night:
Yeah, he was dancing a little bit, and I’m trying to encourage him to do that. He’s very capable of it, I think he’s just kind of settled into, ‘I’m kind of the defensive defenseman.’ But he has the capabilities to do things offensively, so you know we’ve just got to keep telling him, go ahead I can cover for you,’ just like he covers for me all the time. So, I want him to get up in the rush, and obviously it’s probably my job to be up there more, but I love that how well he’s playing and I love playing with him

Cyclones gets the square


Those who live in glass houses.....

 

[Herby]

If I were dictator, I would teleport Forbort to 1692 Salem and tell them that he is a witch

I don't hate Forbort, by all indications he is a pretty good dude. But I'm struggling to find a player who has been miscast in his role over such a long period of time more than Forbort.

It's right up there with Derek Armstrong with Palffy and Kyle Calder with Kopitar.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Again, you have a reading comprehension problem. I never said he was as effusive with the other partners. Just enthusiastic. I think "love" however, goes even beyond that -- pretty much in effusive praise territory.

ef·fu·sive
/əˈfyo͞osiv/
adjective

1. expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

SYNONYMS effusive compliments: gushing, gushy, unrestrained, extravagant, fulsome, demonstrative, lavish, enthusiastic, lyrical; expansive, wordy, verbose, over the top. ANTONYMS restrained.

en·thu·si·as·tic
/inˌTH(y)o͞ozēˈastik,enˌTH(y)o͞ozēˈastik/

adjective

1. having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

Well, I guess I have reading comprehensions then.

Those are exactly the same levels of praise for his defensive partners. You're right.

This is such a stupid argument. I can't believe I actually felt like I had to pull definitions and synonyms. I need to reevaluate my life.

 

[HookKing]

ef·fu·sive
/əˈfyo͞osiv/
adjective

1. expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

SYNONYMS effusive compliments: gushing, gushy, unrestrained, extravagant, fulsome, demonstrative, lavish, enthusiastic, lyrical; expansive, wordy, verbose, over the top. ANTONYMS restrained.

en·thu·si·as·tic
/inˌTH(y)o͞ozēˈastik,enˌTH(y)o͞ozēˈastik/

adjective

1. having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

Well, I guess I have reading comprehensions then.

Those are exactly the same levels of praise for his defensive partners. You're right.

This is such a stupid argument. I can't believe I actually felt like I had to pull definitions and synonyms. I need to reevaluate my life.

Yeah, it is stupid because there are different degrees of praise, enthusiasm etc. "Interest" and "intense" in your own example are not the same. Jeez.

 

[Lt Dan]

. I need to reevaluate my life.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Yeah, it is stupid because there are different degrees of praise, enthusiasm etc. "Interest" and "intense" in your own example are not the same. Jeez.

To keep this Kings-related, I love Tobias Bjornfot.

Now, last thing, I promise. Then my Lieutenant, Dan, can handle it from here.

syn·o·nym
/ˈsinəˌnim/
noun

1. a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language