KingsHockey24
Registered User
- Aug 1, 2013
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- 13,496
Is Sean Walker our 3rd best defensemen?
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lumbergh
It was an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea.
I'd probably give the edge to LaDue, but you could make a good case for Walker. The fact that we could have a conversation about whether Sean Walker could be the third best defenseman on the Kings tells you a lot about this team. I mean, we're not talking about Dan Boyle here.
Master Yoda
LA Legends
My vote is for Roy. Nothing spectacular, but solid all around. Could be a good bottom pair D going forward.
Walker is turning into a very solid defenseman, won't know if he can anchor a pairing yet, but his positioning defensively has improved, his read n react skills have improved, he will still get outmuscled in front, but not much you can do with that, due to size....
Hearing about LaDue, Walker and Roy, it seems like they have talked up LaDue's offensive game way more than Roy's and even Walker's.
All 3 were college RHD and LaDue actually had the lowest "high" point total.
LaDue-North Dakota had 5g 17a in 41 gms for 22 points in 2014-15------A high of 18 points in Ontario
Walker-Bowling Green had 10g 14a in 41 gms for 24 points in 2016-17-----A high of 28 points in Ontario
Roy-Michigan Tech had 5g 21a in 42 gms for 26 points in 2016-17----A high of 29 points in Ontario
I know it's not much of a difference, but I find it interesting Roy is thought of as the more stay-at-home guy.
Defensively I like LaDue the least of the 3 and really think he's the odd man out. He's also older than both Roy and Walker.
I like Roy then closely Walker, both are NHL players. Still not sold on LaDue.
All 3 were college RHD and LaDue actually had the lowest "high" point total.
LaDue-North Dakota had 5g 17a in 41 gms for 22 points in 2014-15------A high of 18 points in Ontario
Walker-Bowling Green had 10g 14a in 41 gms for 24 points in 2016-17-----A high of 28 points in Ontario
Roy-Michigan Tech had 5g 21a in 42 gms for 26 points in 2016-17----A high of 29 points in Ontario
I know it's not much of a difference, but I find it interesting Roy is thought of as the more stay-at-home guy.
Defensively I like LaDue the least of the 3 and really think he's the odd man out. He's also older than both Roy and Walker.
I like Roy then closely Walker, both are NHL players. Still not sold on LaDue.
I like Walker and Roy. Anderson seems very good too. Not even sure what Clague is yet.
LaDue can’t seem to gain the confidence from what, three coaches now?
If these guys continue to improve, LAs turn around will be that much quicker. As of now tho, I wouldn’t say any are top end but solid fours to maybe threes in a lineup as far as potential at this point.
Please jettison Phaneuf tho.
LaDue can’t seem to gain the confidence from what, three coaches now?
If these guys continue to improve, LAs turn around will be that much quicker. As of now tho, I wouldn’t say any are top end but solid fours to maybe threes in a lineup as far as potential at this point.
Please jettison Phaneuf tho.
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lumbergh
It was an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea.
What makes you say this? Here are three players, LaDue, Walker, and Roy, who have played pretty much the same type of sheltered minutes this season.
At 5vs5, here are their goals against per 60 minutes played (lower is better):
3.26, 3.12, and 2.26
At 5vs5, here are their goals for % (higher is better):
48%, 44%, 52%
So player 3 has the best performance from a defensive point of view, right? He's hard to score on, and the team scores more when he's on the ice.
I'll give you three guesses on who player 1 is, and your last guess will be the right one.
Lumbergh, I use my eyeball test. Though I wear glasses, I prefer Roy and Walker over LaDue and every game solidifies my preference. I'd also say LaDue plays much more sheltered minutes than the other 2.
WHOneedsSOX
Registered User
- Mar 1, 2015
- 5,470
- 3,085
I agree. LaDue gets pushed around way too much. The others are small but at least they battle.
lumbergh
It was an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea.
So what does you eyeball test tell you? Like when these three go after a puck in the corner, LaDue doesn't pin his man or come out with the puck? Is he not tying up his man in front? I'm just trying to understand what makes a player more likable from a defensive point of view.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Yeah, I've never understood this either, and it feels like I'm watching a different game sometimes. I watch LaDue crosscheck and dig frequently, whereas I often see Roy nowhere near the play to do so. I think he's the longest shot honestly. MAYBE the best offensively, but his D is absolute trash. Needs more seasoning for sure. Walker feels like he's going to be better than LaDue as he's just improving at a much more rapid rate, but I'd hesitate to take one over the other right this moment. Yes, LaDue gets muscled, but he's often at least in the right spot to have to battle.
LaDue's defense has always been a shade of 'fine' and he's rarely been caught just staring at the play doing nothing as much as I've seen Roy do and even Walker at times.
Yet I have a hard time evaluating any of these guys until they spend some extended time away from Phaneuf.
Reaper45
Registered User
From when he was first called up until now he's a totally different player. Way more confident and I really like his skill set.
I see LaDue scrambling most of the time. Yeah he battles, but it's mostly trying to regain position or regain the puck that he lost. As 2 years older and more seasons as a professional, I expect him to play with better poise, better positioning and moving the puck better than either Roy or Walker. It's just not the case. Being their 1st taste of the NHL, I expect Walker and Roy to have their flubs but I'm seeing LaDue with as many if not more mistakes game in game out.
I'm not saying LaDue is by far way worse, I'm just saying I prefer Walker and Roy going forward.
Agree, La Due has been fine I think Walker has a spot next year, I think Roy and LaDue will fight it out, Roy has to improve his compete level in the defensive zone, other than that he's fine, La Due, has to make better decisions.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
But that's the thing, there's no regularity with LaDue, not sure what the expectations are for him when he would never play more than 2 games in a row. Have to let these guys get into a rhythm, I don't at all like the 'rotation' thing. Remember the running joke about LaDue scoring goals and going back to the bench?
With Ladue in particular, he's now only played 63 NHL games across three seasons, mostly split apart. Walker's already got 33 in just 6 months.
I respect that people's--and the organization's--assessments may be different than mine, but I don't see a gap between them big enough that LaDue has earned such a jerkaround and Walker has earned 2nd pairing Martinez minutes for double-digit games in a row.
Like I said earlier this season, if you're going to dick him around and not want to see what you truly have in LaDue, just let him walk/release him. They're giving Walker the treatment I've wanted for Ladue for at least two seasons, and now Roy is getting just as much love. If you don't like him or prefer others at this point, just move on as an organization.
This argument could support the theory that the Kings will use one of their first rounders on a Dman depending on where the pick is.
Completely understand where you're coming from. Very true that LaDue has been handled differently and no doubt poorly. That's not on him and could be why I see panic in his game.
The more this season plays out the more I hate it. It's been mismanaged since the preseason and has really only gotten worse. LaDue-Walker-Roy should have been playing regularly since January, if not sooner. All 3 need to be in the line-up the remainder of the season and play in all circumstances. Because who the hell needs more Dion and Forbort, they are what they are.
Should be a couple good ones around the Toronto pick. Here’s hoping they get bounced by Boston.
lumbergh
It was an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea.
LaDue actually reminds me a lot of Voynov in the way he’s able to pick his spots for jumping into the play and how often he goes into the corner and comes out with the puck. He does need to make better coverage decisions sometimes. Roy looks to me like a bottom pairing guy, nothing spectacular. Walker is a bit of a wild card in that he has a lot of room to grow on the defensive side. He could end up better than LaDue if he does.
DoktorJeep
Luc and Rob are a waste of time and money.
I think Sean Walker is the second best defenseman on the Kings right now, and could arguably be the best the past two games.
So I think our sad depth chart looks like:
NHL level
Doughty R
Walker R
Martinez L
Roy R
Forbort L
AHL level
LaDue R
MacD L
Brickley L
Phaneuf L
I was pulling for LaDue, but he’s looked pretty bad in his recent games and hasn’t shown any reason to expect much out of him. Naturally, I blame the Kings coaches and management for doing nothing with the guy who scored the only playoff goal by a defenseman last year, and 33% of the total 3 sad azz playoff goals.
So I think our sad depth chart looks like:
NHL level
Doughty R
Walker R
Martinez L
Roy R
Forbort L
AHL level
LaDue R
MacD L
Brickley L
Phaneuf L
I was pulling for LaDue, but he’s looked pretty bad in his recent games and hasn’t shown any reason to expect much out of him. Naturally, I blame the Kings coaches and management for doing nothing with the guy who scored the only playoff goal by a defenseman last year, and 33% of the total 3 sad azz playoff goals.
Durzi and Phillips should be in the AHL next year.
Mikey Anderson seems to have impressed at the WJC and in College. Hoping the Kings found a gem. Could be a wildcard at camp.
DoktorJeep
Luc and Rob are a waste of time and money.
Yup, you can add Clague to that group as solid prospects. You don’t have to convince me that playing 19-23 year olds will produce more points than the nostalgia tour our current roster is featuring.
With guaranteed contracts and the cap, I’m expecting most youth to be off the roster. If BLuc were serious about getting younger, they wouldn’t have punted at the TDL.
KingsOfCali25
Start up the Tank!
I don't get all of this LaDue bantering. LaDue has done everything asked of him since joining the Kings system (which was completely different then what Walker and Roy walked in to now). He has made huge strides in his defensive game from where he came into the organization. He's definitely gotten stronger on the board battles. He has had to tough time making the lineup because the defense was so stacked (not like how Walker and Roy have it). So LaDue's playing time was killed and it hurt confidence/development which set him back. When he was paired with Muzzin for that short time the pairing was actually really working. Being paired with Phanuef has killed his game. He gets into trouble with Phanuef because Phanuef is always too slow to get back into position or loses his man, so LaDue has to cover and gets caught doing too much (ala like Doughty). LaDue was just unlucky to come to the Kings at the wrong time. LaDue is definitely the Kings #3 right now, but Walker and Roy are definitely catching up too him.
Why has LaDue gone through 3 coaches who don’t want to give him consistent minutes? Legit question.
I like the guy and have always supported the idea of him being a regular but I can’t believe it’s some personal vendetta.
I think he has made strides. I hope he gets a shot next year but I’m not holding my breath.
I like the guy and have always supported the idea of him being a regular but I can’t believe it’s some personal vendetta.
I think he has made strides. I hope he gets a shot next year but I’m not holding my breath.
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