Rumor: KINGS 2018-19 Season - The Luc and Rob ****show

[YP44]

I grew up in a non-hockey household but stumbled across the Kings due to the Gretzky trade. I watched every Lakers game so the buzz got me to check out something other than the Lakers on Prime Ticket. It wasn't until 96 though that it became an every game, obsessive deal.

As for expectations, there is only an expectation of entertainment. I did not expect wins last year but there they were; however, the real hope for last season was to be entertaining after the flaccid 2017 campaign and they came through. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem you can have entertaining NHL hockey now unless you are winning since they've legislated out all of the fun stuff that could make a bad team interesting. There are no tough teams anymore: just good or bad. We are the latter so it is borderline pointless to watch. If Vilardi survives his next sneeze and plays up here after the WJC, then there will be something to monitor. Right now though, it is the same old guys that used to produce wins just getting their asses handed to them every night.

I can respect the expectation for entertainment. I remember it used to be if a team was bad at least they would be entertaining by being overly physical. That has largely been removed from the game now.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Does anyone have hope for the playoffs? Like, in the back of your mind there's still a chance.

I'm a flat out homer by nature and have zero faith. Wondering if there's any fans here that haven’t thrown in the towel, yet.

As of now, even the most optimistic have come to terms, I feel. I’m sure if the Kings rattled off 4 or 5 straight here, it would ignite hope in some.

SJ is on pace for 91 points, and the closest playoff spot available. The Kings need 70 points in the next 55 games to match that, which is 104 points over 82 games. That's a better 82 game pace than any Kings team since 05-06, to keep it simple. Their highest point total was the 102 they got in 15-16. To even think about the playoffs, they need to get back to .500 first, preferably as quick as possible, which would require 6 consecutive wins. Not including last night's win.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

There is absolutely no way this team makes the playoffs. They’re simply not that good.

However, it’s very likely they string some wins together, miss out on Hughes, and remain firmly in the black hole.

 

[Kingsfan1]

If Prokhorkin finally comes over next year which I think Futa believes he will then we will be back in the playoffs next year .

Kakko-Kopitar-Brown
Prokhorkin-Carter-Toffoli
Kempe-Vilardi-Kovalchuk
Iaffalo-Kupari-Luff

Prokhorkin-Kopitar-Brown
Kovy-Hughes-Carter
Iaffalo-Vilardi-Toffoli
Kempe-Kupari-Luff

So do we want Hughes or Kakko ? And how does this lineup look

 

[head eyes]

There is absolutely no way this team makes the playoffs. They’re simply not that good.

However, it’s very likely they string some wins together, miss out on Hughes, and remain firmly in the black hole.

You just know it's gonna happen and it's actually really pissing me off, too.

Meanwhile the Blues just placed Pietrangelo, Fabbri and Gunnarson on IR and are 3-7 in their last 10.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

If Prokhorkin finally comes over next year which I think Futa believes he will then we will be back in the playoffs next year .

Kakko-Kopitar-Brown
Prokhorkin-Carter-Toffoli
Kempe-Vilardi-Kovalchuk
Iaffalo-Kupari-Luff

Prokhorkin-Kopitar-Brown
Kovy-Hughes-Carter
Iaffalo-Vilardi-Toffoli
Kempe-Kupari-Luff

So do we want Hughes or Kakko ? And how does this lineup look

Hughes>Dach>>Kakko

 

[KingsFan7824]

There is absolutely no way this team makes the playoffs. They’re simply not that good.

However, it’s very likely they string some wins together, miss out on Hughes, and remain firmly in the black hole.

They can finish last and not get a top 3 pick. They can lose every game left, and still the odds would be against them getting the 1st pick, as it is with every team that finishes last. They can finish 10th and get the 2nd pick. Tanking ain't what it used to be.

 

[Kingsfan1]

Hughes>Dach>>Kakko

So center over winger I agree cause I think Kupari is going to be better than expected and will drop Toffoli to 3rd line . But don’t know much about Dach is he really good ?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Not saying this applies to you, but do you think winning has increased the expectation for fans even die hard ones? I imagine the expectation and pressure from fans on Blake is a lot more than Taylor.

Funny 1995-96 was when I became a die hard kings fan as well.

Like BigKing said it's about intensity and entertainment more than raw results. With even the Derek Armstrong top sixer teams, you'd at least have fire, and the promise of prospects, instead of a bunch of Old Yellers skating around fat and happy. I think if anything, that's more insulting to the die hard fans who supported the team for 40 years--give me a shitty product but one who cares and I have something to cheer for; give me a shitty product who has all the talent to be in the playoffs and the salary of a winner but the heart of a last place beer league team and I'm not paying your inflated ticket prices to watch some of my favorite players ever turn into shells while they get run over by 170 lb 20 year olds.

 

[KINGS17]

Like BigKing said it's about intensity and entertainment more than raw results. With even the Derek Armstrong top sixer teams, you'd at least have fire, and the promise of prospects, instead of a bunch of Old Yellers skating around fat and happy. I think if anything, that's more insulting to the die hard fans who supported the team for 40 years--give me a ****ty product but one who cares and I have something to cheer for; give me a ****ty product who has all the talent to be in the playoffs and the salary of a winner but the heart of a last place beer league team and I'm not paying your inflated ticket prices to watch some of my favorite players ever turn into shells while they get run over by 170 lb 20 year olds.

That's a very good post and aptly describes my feelings on the matter. I find it insulting to my intelligence as a long time fan when Robitaille and Blake try to sell us on the idea that this team is a contender.

After watching what Lombardi did with the Kings franchise it proves a drastic rebuild can get the job done. I don't know if the Kings will ever win another Stanley Cup in my lifetime, but I at least want to see them do the things necessary to give themselves a chance. Right now AEG is all about ringing the cash register. Only when the casual fans disappear and they have to please fans like those who post on boards like this will they do the work necessary to contend again.

I think Phil Anschutz has been great for the Kings, but if he is no longer interested in contending, I wish he would sell the team.

 

[KINGS17]

They can finish last and not get a top 3 pick. They can lose every game left, and still the odds would be against them getting the 1st pick, as it is with every team that finishes last. They can finish 10th and get the 2nd pick. Tanking ain't what it used to be.

All true, but a team finishing last in the NHL probably only has about a 20% chance of picking below #3 over all, and they can't drop below #4 overall.

 

[tomd]

That's a very good post and aptly describes my feelings on the matter. I find it insulting to my intelligence as a long time fan when Robitaille and Blake try to sell us on the idea that this team is a contender.

After watching what Lombardi did with the Kings franchise it proves a drastic rebuild can get the job done. I don't know if the Kings will ever win another Stanley Cup in my lifetime, but I at least want to see them do the things necessary to give themselves a chance. Right now AEG is all about ringing the cash register. Only when the casual fans disappear and they have to please fans like those who post on boards like this will they do the work necessary to contend again.

I think Phil Anschutz has been great for the Kings, but if he is no longer interested in contending, I wish he would sell the team.

The difference between 2006 and 2018 is the staggering number of long-term high $$$ contracts the Kings are now committed to. I don't know how you do a full rebuild and waste the best remaining years of Kopitar, Doughty, Quick, Brown, and Carter. And there is no serious suggestion that the Kings will trade any of those guys.

 

[King'sPawn]

Hughes>Dach>>Kakko

I have a feeling Blake's identity is starting to show. I think he wants a "fast" team, whether they skate fast or play fast.

I think Dach may not be as high on the Kings radar since his skating is a knock and he's not exactly a fast player.

 

[King'sPawn]

All true, but a team finishing last in the NHL probably only has about a 20% chance of picking below #3 over all, and they can't drop below #4 overall.

Just a correction, the team finishing last has about a 50/50 chance of either falling to #4 or staying in the top 3. More specifically, a 49.4% chance of getting top 3 and a 50.6% chance of getting 4th.

Tankathon | 2019 NHL Draft Order & Lottery Simulator

 

[KINGS17]

Just a correction, the team finishing last has about a 50/50 chance of either falling to #4 or staying in the top 3. More specifically, a 49.4% chance of getting top 3 and a 50.6% chance of getting 4th.

Tankathon | 2019 NHL Draft Order & Lottery Simulator

Thanks KP, I didn't do any research. It was just a guess on my part.

 

[King'sPawn]

Thanks KP, I didn't do any research. It was just a guess on my part.

It's cool, no problem. I have looked at this site a lot

 

[KINGS17]

The difference between 2006 and 2018 is the staggering number of long-term high $$$ contracts the Kings are now committed to. I don't know how you do a full rebuild and waste the best remaining years of Kopitar, Doughty, Quick, Brown, and Carter. And there is no serious suggestion that the Kings will trade any of those guys.

We have already seen Kopitar, Quick, Brown, and Carter's best years. The Kings may not have the stomach for trading any of these players, but it should be done.

 

[KINGS17]

Just a correction, the team finishing last has about a 50/50 chance of either falling to #4 or staying in the top 3. More specifically, a 49.4% chance of getting top 3 and a 50.6% chance of getting 4th.

Tankathon | 2019 NHL Draft Order & Lottery Simulator

Just played this little game, and 5 times in a row the Kings landed Hughes, which means of course that it will never happen. Kings fans can't have nice things.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

That's a very good post and aptly describes my feelings on the matter. I find it insulting to my intelligence as a long time fan when Robitaille and Blake try to sell us on the idea that this team is a contender.

After watching what Lombardi did with the Kings franchise it proves a drastic rebuild can get the job done. I don't know if the Kings will ever win another Stanley Cup in my lifetime, but I at least want to see them do the things necessary to give themselves a chance. Right now AEG is all about ringing the cash register. Only when the casual fans disappear and they have to please fans like those who post on boards like this will they do the work necessary to contend again.

I think Phil Anschutz has been great for the Kings, but if he is no longer interested in contending, I wish he would sell the team.

I don't understand this way of thinking..... to me I could care less what Robitaille or Blake say....because I know that it's VERY VERY VERY RARE, that a team in Pro Sports, will come out and say, we suck, we want to lose, we want the #1 OA, we aren't going anywhere, etc, the only thing they have to say is that they belive in the team, believe they can win, etc etc etc....

So while yea, it's lip service, you have to recognize that it would be that way with any team, in any sport, regardless.....

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

New numbers for the new guys.

Leipsic will wear #14, while Scherbak gets #21.

 

[tomd]

We have already seen Kopitar, Quick, Brown, and Carter's best years. The Kings may not have the stomach for trading any of these players, but it should be done.

Note that I said best "remaining" years. Yes, I realize that those players are all on the wrong side of 30 but to tear down the team around them is just not going to happen and you know that (however much you disagree with it).

The Kings aren't trading the faces of the franchise to do a rebuild. They'll continue to work around the edges and hope that they can make improvements that way. Very similar to what Chicago and Pittsburgh are doing...

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings are doing the right thing recently. Last game, the bottom 6 was all young guys except Thompson.

It will get even younger with the two waiver pick ups. But, like some else mentioned, we need to dump one of the core to clear salary. Kings won’t trade Kopitar or Doughty so one of Brown, Quick, Carter, Martinez or Muzzin has to go.

 

[KINGS17]

I don't understand this way of thinking..... to me I could care less what Robitaille or Blake say....because I know that it's VERY VERY VERY RARE, that a team in Pro Sports, will come out and say, we suck, we want to lose, we want the #1 OA, we aren't going anywhere, etc, the only thing they have to say is that they belive in the team, believe they can win, etc etc etc....

So while yea, it's lip service, you have to recognize that it would be that way with any team, in any sport, regardless.....

The Rangers came out and said they are rebuilding just last year. If they could trade Lundqvist and his contract, they would.

 

[Oof]

Does anyone have hope for the playoffs? Like, in the back of your mind there's still a chance.

I'm a flat out homer by nature and have zero faith. Wondering if there's any fans here that haven’t thrown in the towel, yet.

As of now, even the most optimistic have come to terms, I feel. I’m sure if the Kings rattled off 4 or 5 straight here, it would ignite hope in some.

The thing is I feel like they could if they played in full gear, really trying to win games but honestly at this point I'd rather if they didn't, I'd rather the high pick to stock the cupboards

 

[KINGS17]

If Prokhorkin finally comes over next year which I think Futa believes he will then we will be back in the playoffs next year .

Kakko-Kopitar-Brown
Prokhorkin-Carter-Toffoli
Kempe-Vilardi-Kovalchuk
Iaffalo-Kupari-Luff

Prokhorkin-Kopitar-Brown
Kovy-Hughes-Carter
Iaffalo-Vilardi-Toffoli
Kempe-Kupari-Luff

So do we want Hughes or Kakko ? And how does this lineup look

Why are the Kings keeping Carter and Toffoli?