Is Vilardi the most expendable prospect?

[Fishhead]

Dude you're totally wrecking the winefest by bringing up facts. What we want are more conspiracy theories.

It was early 2017, and Dan Beckerman was having trouble sleeping. The Kings’ poor play was keeping him up at night, and it was beginning to affect AEG’s bottom line. It wasn’t a secret really; he shared his feelings with some of his friends who have been involved with the Kings for a long time. About a week later he started having these eerie nighttime occurrences. He heard, or thought he heard, this soft music playing as he was dozing off, which put him in a trance-like state. Then he would hear the words whispered that he never forgot after that day:

“Dan…. Burns it down”

He woke up after his first experience with this the next morning and thought it was just a dream. Yet it happened on many nights – the same quiet music, the same whisper: Dan.. Burns it down. It freaked him out so much he actually called the police, you can find the report if you search public records. They did a thorough search of his property and couldn’t find any speakers or anything like that. All they found were these curious impressions in the dirt outside his window, like someone was standing on two school rulers or two long, thin objects. They also found a jewel case of a CD called “Hush”, here is an image from their report.



After that, the dreams stopped, but he couldn’t forget the whispers.

He had almost forgotten about it all when by chance he was at a lunch in April with Kings alumni and management, and they were all talking about the team, sharing stories, and enjoying their meal. Then from right behind him, he heard it. “Burns it down”. The whisper. He looks directly at DL and says “Dean, you’re fired. Darryl, you as well. Pack your things.”

No one was really shocked, especially DL. Dean was coming to terms with what he had just heard when Luc steps out of the shadows and says “I’m so sorry Dean”, with a sympathetic smile. Yet when people were recounting the story months later, they couldn’t recall that Luc was invited to that lunch, and no one could figure out why he was there.

Ever since that day Beckerman’s fingerprints have been all over the Kings, he’s Luc’s puppet. He’s responsible for the bad trades, the weird prospect movements, and he even dictates who plays on the top line. So next time you think about bashing Blake or Todd, just remember that Beckerman, through Luc, is the one calling the shots. And if you don’t believe me, I’ll leave you with this:


B U R N S I T D O W N = D U S T I N B R O W N

 

[kilowatt]

It was early 2017, and Dan Beckerman was having trouble sleeping. The Kings’ poor play was keeping him up at night, and it was beginning to affect AEG’s bottom line. It wasn’t a secret really; he shared his feelings with some of his friends who have been involved with the Kings for a long time. About a week later he started having these eerie nighttime occurrences. He heard, or thought he heard, this soft music playing as he was dozing off, which put him in a trance-like state. Then he would hear the words whispered that he never forgot after that day:

“Dan…. Burns it down”

He woke up after his first experience with this the next morning and thought it was just a dream. Yet it happened on many nights – the same quiet music, the same whisper: Dan.. Burns it down. It freaked him out so much he actually called the police, you can find the report if you search public records. They did a thorough search of his property and couldn’t find any speakers or anything like that. All they found were these curious impressions in the dirt outside his window, like someone was standing on two school rulers or two long, thin objects. They also found a jewel case of a CD called “Hush”, here is an image from their report.



After that, the dreams stopped, but he couldn’t forget the whispers.

He had almost forgotten about it all when by chance he was at a lunch in April with Kings alumni and management, and they were all talking about the team, sharing stories, and enjoying their meal. Then from right behind him, he heard it. “Burns it down”. The whisper. He looks directly at DL and says “Dean, you’re fired. Darryl, you as well. Pack your things.”

No one was really shocked, especially DL. Dean was coming to terms with what he had just heard when Luc steps out of the shadows and says “I’m so sorry Dean”, with a sympathetic smile. Yet when people were recounting the story months later, they couldn’t recall that Luc was invited to that lunch, and no one could figure out why he was there.

Ever since that day Beckerman’s fingerprints have been all over the Kings, he’s Luc’s puppet. He’s responsible for the bad trades, the weird prospect movements, and he even dictates who plays on the top line. So next time you think about bashing Blake or Todd, just remember that Beckerman, through Luc, is the one calling the shots. And if you don’t believe me, I’ll leave you with this:


B U R N S I T D O W N = D U S T I N B R O W N

 

[Eagle Fang]

Vilardi's numbers look ok'ish, but he's not really passing the eye-test imo. It's a tad bit concerning based on expectations. Seems to be a little bit of a pattern this year though with players looking subpar in the AHL and doing better at the NHL level so there's that.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Vilardi's numbers look ok'ish, but he's not really passing the eye-test imo. It's a tad bit concerning based on expectations. Seems to be a little bit of a pattern this year though with players looking subpar in the AHL and doing better at the NHL level so there's that.

It's tough to evaluate the guys at different levels sometimes. Some of them do much much better with the higher skill level and flow of the NHL. I never for a minute thought Durzi could hang but even facing better checkers, he's receiving better puck support, for example, allowing him to do his thing.

 

[apocalypse]

Vilardi's numbers look ok'ish, but he's not really passing the eye-test imo. It's a tad bit concerning based on expectations. Seems to be a little bit of a pattern this year though with players looking subpar in the AHL and doing better at the NHL level so there's that.

well they did switch him to wing. I'm sure that has a lot to do with his shortcomings.

 

[yankeeking]

Looks like he is thinking instead of reacting sometimes , might take awhile until he is comfortable

 

[Schmooley]

If he wants to be a center a deal could be had with the Rangers. They need a center. Kravtsov is a scoring right winger the Kings could use and he wants out of New York.
Should also inquire about Robertson. Hes a big left dman which also fills a need.

 

[Jason Squirties]

It's tough to evaluate the guys at different levels sometimes. Some of them do much much better with the higher skill level and flow of the NHL. I never for a minute thought Durzi could hang but even facing better checkers, he's receiving better puck support, for example, allowing him to do his thing.

Came here to post this. I know whatthefox does watch a bit of reign and I seem to remember him thinking(rightly so) that Durzi wouldn't have much hope in the big leagues. I know it's too early to make that conclusion at this stage but I think he's surprised most. Might be wishful thinking for Vilardi though.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Came here to post this. I know whatthefox does watch a bit of reign and I seem to remember him thinking(rightly so) that Durzi wouldn't have much hope in the big leagues. I know it's too early to make that conclusion at this stage but I think he's surprised most. Might be wishful thinking for Vilardi though.

I was actually a fan of Durzi (still am ofc). My only commentary was hes a wizard in the offense and neutral zones but a tire fire in his own end. But what I liked abt his game that kind of helped overlook his dzone blunders was his physical play and willingness to get in scrums for his teammates.

It's actually pretty remarkable that hes brought his offensive game while still playing some pretty decent defense. Did not expect that at all.

I think in time his grit will show more and hopefully hell be a regular for a long time!

With regards to Vilardi, not gonna lie, with his NHL experience I thought he'd look better than he has. Definitely could still be trying to adjust to wing.

Not trying to be neg on him and wouldn't surprise me if he got called up and did well.

 

[apocalypse]

The more and more I think about it, Vilardi should be playing C in Ontario. Guy is a natural center and is able to make unreal plays at that position. I really hope that he is moved back to C. I believe that he will flourish there.

 

[Fishhead]

Fun fact about Vilardi: Despite his recent struggles, he has a higher ppg than 6 of the 10 players taken above him. Hischier, Makar, Heiskanen, and Pettersson are the only ones that have him beat. I may have missed someone, but he's definitely in the top 15 right now in ppg out of his entire draft.

I don't expect much of him in the AHL, same with Byfield and Turcotte. Guys with higher-end vision like that tend to do much better in the NHL where players are almost always where they should be. This same reason is why I don't harbor much hope for Andersson, his game is more chase and skill which is why he tears it up in the A but struggles in the big leagues. He really reminds me of Frk in this regard.

 

[Statto]

It's tough to evaluate the guys at different levels sometimes. Some of them do much much better with the higher skill level and flow of the NHL. I never for a minute thought Durzi could hang but even facing better checkers, he's receiving better puck support, for example, allowing him to do his thing.

I agree but my concern with Vilardi is the body language and intensity. He’s not replicating the attitude and body language he has in his first AHL stint, let alone the NHL. I’m not really too worried about output because his skill set is undeniable, I want to see him working his ass off and committing to the wing experiment. He might not like the idea of wing but until he gives it his all he’s not really to know if it’s going to work for him.

I still believe Gabe can be a significant piece for the Kings but he’s got to really go for it and grasp a spot. He’s got all the tools to get his chance, grab a spot and never let it go.

 

[bmr]

I agree but my concern with Vilardi is the body language and intensity. He’s not replicating the attitude and body language he has in his first AHL stint, let alone the NHL. I’m not really too worried about output because his skill set is undeniable, I want to see him working his ass off and committing to the wing experiment. He might not like the idea of wing but until he gives it his all he’s not really to know if it’s going to work for him.

I still believe Gabe can be a significant piece for the Kings but he’s got to really go for it and grasp a spot. He’s got all the tools to get his chance, grab a spot and never let it go.

Agree with this. Whether it's a sports team or any other business, the creme of the crop always rise to the top. You want to see how they handle hardship and if they rise above or wither and die. I am really surprised with how this season has gone for Vilardi. He was one of our best forwards in pre-season and it just hasn't translated into the regular season. I'm hopeful that he figures it out.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I agree but my concern with Vilardi is the body language and intensity. He’s not replicating the attitude and body language he has in his first AHL stint, let alone the NHL. I’m not really too worried about output because his skill set is undeniable, I want to see him working his ass off and committing to the wing experiment. He might not like the idea of wing but until he gives it his all he’s not really to know if it’s going to work for him.

I still believe Gabe can be a significant piece for the Kings but he’s got to really go for it and grasp a spot. He’s got all the tools to get his chance, grab a spot and never let it go.

I mean, 3 goals and 7 points in 9 games for a guy who isn't performing to our liking is pretty f***ing good.

He's very clearly frustrated and one of the things I like about him is his outspokenness/heart on his sleeve...he just has to manage it. I remember an interview---don't recall if it was Yanetti or Futa--talking about the chip on the shoulder of Kozun and how it became a bad thing rather than a good thing, Gabe needs to do the latter for sure, but I'm still not convinced the org is handling it well based on everything else going on around him.

 

[Fishhead]

Gabe needs to translate that same attitude he had towards his back injury into getting back to the NHL. If he does that, he's golden.

 

[DoktorJeep]

If managements plan is to turn Vilardi into a winger, it’s a sign his stock has decreased. From what I’ve seen, his best attribute is scoring goals using his shot. He’s the only prospect I’ve seen be a threat to score from the middle of the ice.

It’s frustrating that instead of getting the best out of an obviously NHL level talent, he’s treated as just one decision among many and having to play down in the lineup because management tries to do everything at once.

 

[bland]

If managements plan is to turn Vilardi into a winger, it’s a sign his stock has decreased. From what I’ve seen, his best attribute is scoring goals using his shot. He’s the only prospect I’ve seen be a threat to score from the middle of the ice.

It’s frustrating that instead of getting the best out of an obviously NHL level talent, he’s treated as just one decision among many and having to play down in the lineup because management tries to do everything at once.

I think Vilardi would be at his best as an offense-only 2nd line center on most teams, but given the circumstances here, his best shot to help the LA Kings would be on the wing - or in trade to a team that will play him up the middle and return a player better suited for the wing.

This isn't an instance of a player being sent down and pouting about it, its a player who seems confused as to why he has to change the position he thrived in that got him drafted so high.

Can't blame the Kings for drafting Turcotte and Byfield, they were the right choices in their spots. But we can blame them for having two top veteran centers locked in sandbagging upward movement.

You want to keep Anze as your #1, cool. But putting offensive wingers with Danault instead of Vilardi or Byfield says one thing - playoffs mean more than prospect development.

I have a love/doubt thing going on with Danault. I love his game, glad he will be here in a checking role for years, and really want to be happy he is here, but there is just no need for him AND Kopitar if you plan on developing more than one high-end center. And the Kings drafted 3 in 4 years, with the missing year there being Kupari who seems more effective as a center than a winger too.

What in hell is this team thinking?

 

[Gjwrams]

I think Vilardi would be at his best as an offense-only 2nd line center on most teams, but given the circumstances here, his best shot to help the LA Kings would be on the wing - or in trade to a team that will play him up the middle and return a player better suited for the wing.

This isn't an instance of a player being sent down and pouting about it, its a player who seems confused as to why he has to change the position he thrived in that got him drafted so high.

Can't blame the Kings for drafting Turcotte and Byfield, they were the right choices in their spots. But we can blame them for having two top veteran centers locked in sandbagging upward movement.

You want to keep Anze as your #1, cool. But putting offensive wingers with Danault instead of Vilardi or Byfield says one thing - playoffs mean more than prospect development.

I have a love/doubt thing going on with Danault. I love his game, glad he will be here in a checking role for years, and really want to be happy he is here, but there is just no need for him AND Kopitar if you plan on developing more than one high-end center. And the Kings drafted 3 in 4 years, with the missing year there being Kupari who seems more effective as a center than a winger too.

What in hell is this team thinking?

You can always trade assets for your deficiencies in other area. The problem with our current purgatory is Blake seems to not have a concise plan on bringing players aboard. Are we rebuilding? Then the kids should play? Are we competing for the playoffs? Then sit the kids in the AHL or trade them for "now" talent. But it is VERY hard to do both and that seems like the purgatory we are in now.

When Blake says the "rebuild is over" and all these prospects haven't even made the team yet, that sends a very confusing message?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You can always trade assets for your deficiencies in other area. The problem with our current purgatory is Blake seems to not have a concise plan on bringing players aboard. Are we rebuilding? Then the kids should play? Are we competing for the playoffs? Then sit the kids in the AHL or trade them for "now" talent. But it is VERY hard to do both and that seems like the purgatory we are in now.

When Blake says the "rebuild is over" and all these prospects haven't even made the team yet, that sends a very confusing message?

Plus, don't know what the deficiencies are when you refuse to play the guys in the NHL to find out.

The only 1st round forward selected since 2014 we currently have in the NHL is Kupari and he's been Trevor Lewis'ed into being 'responsible' rather than using his offensive talents.

Actually, the only forwards drafted by the Kings in any round since Kopitar that are currently on the Kings NHL roster are Kempe, Kupari, and Kaliyev.

Since 2016, we have 186 NHL games played total by drafted forwards. That's about 9 games per LW/RW/C pick. in 5 years. (if you go back a draft add Wagner at 171).

I'm all for moving assets to improve the roster (if they're young) but they can't even pretend they know what they have at F from the last 5 years yet. And if their forward evaluations/asset mgmt are anything like their D evaluations, we could be in trouble.

 

[Statto]

I mean, 3 goals and 7 points in 9 games for a guy who isn't performing to our liking is pretty f***ing good.

He's very clearly frustrated and one of the things I like about him is his outspokenness/heart on his sleeve...he just has to manage it. I remember an interview---don't recall if it was Yanetti or Futa--talking about the chip on the shoulder of Kozun and how it became a bad thing rather than a good thing, Gabe needs to do the latter for sure, but I'm still not convinced the org is handling it well based on everything else going on around him.

Hey, I agree the numbers are fine but from the eye test he’s not ‘at it’ like he has been in the past (it’s hard to articulate without sounding OTT). As I stated it’s the rest of it that bothers me, like the lack of any celebration on his last goal. He looked like completely disinterested and not celebrating like he normally would. He should be driving play, even from the wing and to me he’s not doing that. He just doesn’t seem himself, to me. Maybe I’m worried about nothing, I certainly hope so.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Hey, I agree the numbers are fine but from the eye test he’s not ‘at it’ like he has been in the past (it’s hard to articulate without sounding OTT). As I stated it’s the rest of it that bothers me, like the lack of any celebration on his last goal. He looked like completely disinterested and not celebrating like he normally would. He should be driving play, even from the wing and to me he’s not doing that. He just doesn’t seem himself, to me. Maybe I’m worried about nothing, I certainly hope so.

I'm agreeing--I'm just saying he's almost PPG despite whatever is going on internally or externally, so that's a good sign.

 

[KINGS17]

Rounding out depth roles with kids isn’t progress. Kids producing right behind vets is progress. The situation today is the Kings have moved on from diarrhea to solid stools. But it’s still a pile of crap at the end of the day.

And there is a Grand Canyon sized gap between a slack jawed mumbling idiot like Rob Blake and a GM with an actual success record.

I am just wondering, how do you really feel about Rob Blake?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I am just wondering, how do you really feel about Rob Blake?

/insert waste management jpg

 

[cyclones22]

What's pissing me off even more is that they hired Wroblewski as a development coach for Ontario and that's what he did last season. Team started out slow but really came on after the 10 game mark or so and that team was lead by youth across the board. So what does management do? Stack the lineup with AHL vet signings and then inserted all the fringe NHL players who were waived and weren't claimed. I have to think that Wrob is being told to play these vets because this goes against what he did while with the youth national team.

In regards to Vilardi, he should be playing top line and PP1 minutes on Turcotte's wing. But alas...

 

[Mats26]

What's pissing me off even more is that they hired Wroblewski as a development coach for Ontario and that's what he did last season. Team started out slow but really came on after the 10 game mark or so and that team was lead by youth across the board. So what does management do? Stack the lineup with AHL vet signings and then inserted all the fringe NHL players who were waived and weren't claimed. I have to think that Wrob is being told to play these vets because this goes against what he did while with the youth national team.

In regards to Vilardi, he should be playing top line and PP1 minutes on Turcotte's wing. But alas...

I've been watching Reign games.
The recent prospect lines are Madden -Turcotte- Vilardi and JAD - QB - Fagemo. They are trying to keep the kids together to build chemistry while the Tkachev-Tynan- Frk line do the most damage.

When Tynan got called up Turcotte was the #1 center . Alex has 1 point in the last 7 games. But let's blame the vets.
Between Turcotte and Byfield they combine for 4 pts in last 20 games. Let's blame the vets.


Wondering when fans are going to realize that player development is the issue.
Again.... it takes talent to extract the talent from these players. We need to add offensive minded development coaches. Wrobo should of came in with his own crew.