Kings are still a very good team and will win lots of games soon

[The Tikkanen]

If you are the GM of another team, would you want to trade for someone getting paid handsomely while not producing on the ice?

This isn't a Smyth situation, where he's on the last year of his deal, and wants to go back to one specific team. A team that wasn't going to be good yet anyway, so who cares if you bring back a guy from the past for a bit.

Brown isn't asking to be dealt. Williams isn't either. Brown can't seem to score outside of southern California this season. His cap hit goes up next year, and he's signed for a while. Who's taking him without giving you their highly paid crap back in return?

Are you saying every NHL trade throughout history has made perfect sense for both sides? GM's covet guys, look at Frattin. Sather has been known to make some head scratching trades and he has guys like Callahan and Girardi supposedly on the block. Garth Snow, plenty of questionable deals. AND the Kings and Dean Lombardi have a nice track record of shipping guys out of town before their cap hit goes up or a NTC kicks in. Brown isn't untouchable, his contract looks like a noose around the neck of the GM right now with the way he is playing and he is now sulking on the ice. This team was kick started by Brown trade rumors and a major trade 2 years ago, maybe it's time to combine the 2?

 

[Whiskeypete]

There aren't many teams like Chicago or Pittsburgh. You can want to be them all you want, but there aren't too many Crosby's, Malkin's, and Kane's out there for the taking.



Which is it? Torn down or not a total overhaul?

If you want to be Pittsburgh or Chicago, it's going to take it being torn down completely, then win a lottery and get a couple top picks in the right years. If it's not a total overhaul, then the Kings will keep being what they've been, because you can't transform a team into something completely different overnight.

yes there are very few of those guys available, but LA right now has pieces of the puzzle. the likes of Kopitar, Carter, Doughty, Quick will bring a smile to any GMs face. as of now that is my untouchable core you build around.

i wish Voynov, Brown and Richards could remain on this list but based on this season they can't. if an upgrade is possible that improves the team, then they are expendable. personally i think Voynov will bounce back, he is having a delayed sophomore slump. he is also partially exposed due to them not having a 2012 Mitchell, Scuds or Greene alongside him.

let's call it a renovation, rather than a tear down or overhaul. a tear down especially carries the incorrect connotation. poor choice of words on my part. this team needs to "on the fly" change the type of game they play.

this won't happen overnight, the same way that when Sutter got here he changed some of the TMu style. the team struggled a bit as they adapted.

they can begin by beginning to try open up the ice and thinking offensively. they play defense first, defense second and then offense. they stifle themselves into being inactive, reactive and paranoid to press the attack.

Dean has to begin looking at getting a different type of player - whether it's the draft, trades or FA. he has to adapt his roster to this game.

we are seeing the likes of ANH and SJ also beginning to make this transformation. teams that press the attack and still have a very good back will prevail the majority of the time moving forward. the game changes, and as an example if it didn't then there wouldn't be the likes of PMD such as Karlsson, OEL, in the league.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Are you saying every NHL trade throughout history has made perfect sense for both sides?

I would not. I'm just asking if people wanting to trade Brown would trade for Brown. All the reasons someone wouldn't trade for him, could probably be applied to most GM's.

GM's covet guys, look at Frattin.

Lombardi may have wanted Frattin, but Frattin is in the last year of his contract, Toronto was picking up part of his salary, and if Frattin had been making more money, coveted by Lombardi or not, it would've been difficult to fit him in under the cap this year. The circumstances surrounding Frattin made him more available to the Kings than just a GM coveting the guy.

Sather has been known to make some head scratching trades and he has guys like Callahan and Girardi supposedly on the block. Garth Snow, plenty of questionable deals. AND the Kings and Dean Lombardi have a nice track record of shipping guys out of town before their cap hit goes up or a NTC kicks in.

Most of Sather's trades have been pretty good for him. It's signing free agents where he goes crazy.

I wouldn't say it's impossible to trade Brown or anyone else. It just wouldn't be easy.

Brown isn't untouchable, his contract looks like a noose around the neck of the GM right now with the way he is playing and he is now sulking on the ice. This team was kick started by Brown trade rumors and a major trade 2 years ago, maybe it's time to combine the 2?

Maybe it is. I'm pretty sure Brown wasn't 29 and sitting on 10 goals and 16 points through 55 games and a cap hit of almost $6 million for 8 more years starting next season when all that stuff happened 2 years ago though.

 

[LAKings88]

At this point I think it's just one of those years and that the playoffs are looking less likely. I don't want to see too many reactionary moves in a year like this but if we are out of the playoffs by the deadline I would like to see LA try to trim some fat off the roster and go with an infusion of youth next year. Would hate to move assets for rentals that are not gonna right the ship.

 

[BallPointHammer]

Delayed Hangover

2012
Kings win cup, spend summer celebrating, roster virtually intact for next season

2012-2013
Another lockout, short season, Kings play well throughout and make it to conference finals

2013-14
Christmas day Kings are 25-9-4, since then 5-11-2

I think the pounding the Kings took from San Jose and St. Louis in last years playoffs really took its toll on the team physically. It showed against Chicago as the Kings were clearly over matched. The resulting physical and emotional toll of three hard series, plus the disappointment of not making cup finals again, along with an even shorter summer due to the extended lockout season, left the Kings ripe for a let down.

You wouldn't have believed that Christmas day. But since then the team looks worse than then did at their low point of their cup winning season. Could this be the inevitable hangover that affects the cup winner each following season?

 

[KingsFan7824]

yes there are very few of those guys available, but LA right now has pieces of the puzzle. the likes of Kopitar, Carter, Doughty, Quick will bring a smile to any GMs face. as of now that is my untouchable core you build around.

i wish Voynov, Brown and Richards could remain on this list but based on this season they can't. if an upgrade is possible that improves the team, then they are expendable. personally i think Voynov will bounce back, he is having a delayed sophomore slump. he is also partially exposed due to them not having a 2012 Mitchell, Scuds or Greene alongside him.

let's call it a renovation, rather than a tear down or overhaul. a tear down especially carries the incorrect connotation. poor choice of words on my part. this team needs to "on the fly" change the type of game they play.

this won't happen overnight, the same way that when Sutter got here he changed some of the TMu style. the team struggled a bit as they adapted.

they can begin by beginning to try open up the ice and thinking offensively. they play defense first, defense second and then offense. they stifle themselves into being inactive, reactive and paranoid to press the attack.

Dean has to begin looking at getting a different type of player - whether it's the draft, trades or FA. he has to adapt his roster to this game.

we are seeing the likes of ANH and SJ also beginning to make this transformation. teams that press the attack and still have a very good back will prevail the majority of the time moving forward. the game changes, and as an example if it didn't then there wouldn't be the likes of PMD such as Karlsson, OEL, in the league.

It's been a rough time lately, and yeah the Kings go in slumps, with this recent one seemingly worse than others, but I don't see that it needs that kind of fix.

Brown has 9 goals in 26 home games, which over 82 games would be 28 goals. He's just been a complete non-factor on the road. That's not a yearly thing either. That's specific to this season. Why? I have no idea. If it's an injury, why has he been fairly productive at home? Just a line match-up thing? Why only now? Why haven't teams been doing this to him for years? He's been a pretty productive player on the road over the years. His road stats this year make zero sense.

The PP is terrible. Do they have the players to be the best in the league? Probably not. They shouldn't be as bad as they are though.

Up until December 23rd, 19 games ago, did the Kings have to change the roster and how they play, or else they would get the hose again? Up until 19 games ago, the Kings were averaging somewhere around 2.6 real goals per game, no empty-net goals or shootout goals included.

Why were the Kings scoring before, but not now? The rest of the league didn't know what the Kings were going to do in the first half of the season? It took them that long to figure out what Sutter's stupidly easy and simple system is? I don't buy that. The players, at least most of them, were just executing what they were doing on the ice to a higher degree.

 

[lexlavender]

I think we do need a change in our coaching, but we shouldn't dump sutter. I think a two headed coaching system would work, Sutter being a level-headed, by the books, defense first coach, and someone else pushing high flying, risk taking, offense. Hopefully with two minds we could find a middle ground.

In last night's game, I have to say that the star on the Kings was probably Toffoli. everytime he was on the ice he was creating chances, maintaining possession, while still being responsible defensively. He was being offensively creative also, looking for stretch passes, sitting behind the net to pass to the slot, etc. We definitely need more players like that. Not alot, not so much to change our team, but some.

I actually think part of Brown's regression this year is the change in his style of play. In past years he has served as a pure, pure power forward; doesn't handle the puck too much, always looks to shoot, sits in the slot, etc. This year, and he has said this before, he is looking for an all around game, like kopi, focused more on possession. But at the same time, he can't keep the puck to save his life. but my point is that, at one point, Brown was the offensive risk taker that the team needed for their system to flourish.

 

[Duc620]

2011 / 2012: Kings were really really bad for awhile. Got Carter and Sutter. Hit their stride and won SCF. Not a bad year, overall.

2012 / 2013: Shortened season. Kings lose in SCF finals. Not a bad year, all things considered.

2013 / 2014: Kings have a very strong start. Currently slumping. But, still in playoffs as a top tier defensive team and probably the best puck possession team. One elite goalie with a fair backup. Still have half a season before we actually get to play for the CUP!

Now we should blow everything up? While we are in a playoff position with players that 20 other teams would die for? The idea we need to trade away a bunch of players, fire the coach, and change systems because of a 15 game slump is, plainly put, silly.

We need a couple of players - a strong stay at home, hard hitting D. and a mid level LW. Did any of you hear Sutter interview the other day? They haven't practiced for weeks! They don't have time because there's not enough time for rest and recovery between games. Show me another pro sport where a schedule keeps players from practicing their systems and reads for a month. That is freaking crazy. Team just needs a rest and then some time to practice. A fresh start. And I'll bet they'll be back to the kind of team we saw at the start of the season.

GKG!!!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

2011 / 2012: Kings were really really bad for awhile. Got Carter and Sutter. Hit their stride and won SCF. Not a bad year, overall.

2012 / 2013: Shortened season. Kings lose in SCF finals. Not a bad year, all things considered.

2013 / 2014: Kings have a very strong start. Currently slumping. But, still in playoffs as a top tier defensive team and probably the best puck possession team. One elite goalie with a fair backup. Still have half a season before we actually get to play for the CUP!

Now we should blow everything up? While we are in a playoff position with players that 20 other teams would die for? The idea we need to trade away a bunch of players, fire the coach, and change systems because of a 15 game slump is, plainly put, silly.

We need a couple of players - a strong stay at home, hard hitting D. and a mid level LW. Did any of you hear Sutter interview the other day? They haven't practiced for weeks! They don't have time because there's not enough time for rest and recovery between games. Show me another pro sport where a schedule keeps players from practicing their systems and reads for a month. That is freaking crazy. Team just needs a rest and then some time to practice. A fresh start. And I'll bet they'll be back to the kind of team we saw at the start of the season.

GKG!!!

This is probably an understated and important aspect of what's currently going on, yeah. Not really time to adjust to what's going on--that would help explain the lack of response/adjustments and why it looks like we're just trying the same thing with no results.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Soon!

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I look at it like this....in 2012, this was a team that BARELY made the playoffs yet ended up winning the cup. This year, they are a team that is expected to contend but is on their way to missing the playoffs. Why should we be shocked? If we've learned anything about the Kings, it's expect the unexpected.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I look at it like this....in 2012, this was a team that BARELY made the playoffs yet ended up winning the cup. This year, they are a team that is expected to contend but is on their way to missing the playoffs. Why should we be shocked? If we've learned anything about the Kings, it's expect the unexpected.

I agree with the last part, but the first is a little misleading. Did we already forget the record post-Carter, the playoff run, and all last year, and the beginning of this year? THIS stretch is the aberration. No, they're probably not as good as the home stretch and the full 2012 playoffs, but they're not THIS bad, either.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

great read. tonight is a perfect game to start the turnaround!

oh he..he..yes..turnaround , hmmmmmm tonight? ..about that...

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Soon!

I feel like Dark Helmet in Spaceballs. "Quick! Somebody get me a copy of the 2013-14 kings season review DVD".

"Preparing to fast forward!"

That would be past the part of the season we're currently watching.

"When will then be now?"

"Soon!"

 

[Butch 19]

Oh stop your trolling. Stanley Cup winning teams lose "this much".

not really...

look at the last few winners: Chicago, Boston and Pittsburgh - all 3 of these teams still rack up wins and challenge for their conference lead.

I would venture to guess that all 3 of these teams were 1-2 in their division since their Cup wins.

The Kings aren't even challenging for their division lead. The main difference? the 3 teams above have consistent offense that can carry the team when needed. Quick has to play "perfect" for the Kings to even have a chance.

And I still can't count detroit out of the playoffs until they actually miss the playoffs - someday. Not unlike that I can't count on the Kings making the playoffs until they actually make the playoffs.

(and in before "built for the playoffs..." )

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Where's this supposed very good team that's going to win a lot of games soon? They're also going to be in a lot of low scoring games the way things are going. Is a magical fairy going to appear from the heavens and sprinkle some talent and skill onto this roster?

 

[Herby]

If you are the GM of another team, would you want to trade for someone getting paid handsomely while not producing on the ice?

You mean we're not getting Parise for Richards?

 

[TonySCV]

Well well well.

Robert_P was dead on right. If you're not already following him on Twitter, you should be. @RobertJFTC

More great insight from Robert_P:

http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/2014/3/11/5497744/la-kings-best-seasons-franchise-history

"Their underlying numbers are even better than the Kings’ team that won the cup two seasons ago. That Kings team posted a Corsi For % of 54.9. This year’s team sits at 56.3%-- good for best in the league. 56.3 is the best mark since the 09-10 Blackhawks posted a 56.5%.

As we’ve pointed out before, since '07-08 there have been 4 teams that had a Corsi percentage higher than 56%. 2 have won the Stanley Cup, 1 lost in the Final and the other made it to the Conference Finals."

 

[LAKings88]

I gave up. I didn't think the break would pay such dividends. Glad to be wrong. Keep it going boys.

Western conf. is going to be a grind.

 

[goosh]

"But ... but ... but I thought advanced stats were useless."

Regression to the mean baby!

 

[Eagle Fang]

"Their underlying numbers are even better than the Kings’ team that won the cup two seasons ago. That Kings team posted a Corsi For % of 54.9. This year’s team sits at 56.3%-- good for best in the league. 56.3 is the best mark since the 09-10 Blackhawks posted a 56.5%.

As we’ve pointed out before, since '07-08 there have been 4 teams that had a Corsi percentage higher than 56%. 2 have won the Stanley Cup, 1 lost in the Final and the other made it to the Conference Finals."

As long as the road to the Cup doesn't go through Chicago again, LA looks poised to do good things.

 

[Winger23]

As long as the road to the Cup doesn't go through Chicago again, LA looks poised to do good things.

Not to be a Debbie downer as I have been happy with how they have been playing, but I want to see how they play against better teams like the ducks on Saturday. I mean, its not like they have had to play any really good teams during this run....

 

[Ron*]

Indeed. All the club needs is a little more regression to the mean.

Of course, they could run out of sample size before they reach the mean.

I have a degree in Mathematics and I have no **** ing clue what the **** you just wrote.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Epic bump!

Tie this in too.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...kings-are-the-team-nobody-should-want-to-face

 

[Ron*]

Not to be a Debbie downer as I have been happy with how they have been playing, but I want to see how they play against better teams like the ducks on Saturday. I mean, its not like they have had to play any really good teams during this run....

You aren't going to get the answer you are craving.

The Kings are flying high and the Ducks are duck soup right at this moment. If the Kings blow the Ducks out of the water, it will just be a regression back to the mean if the sample size is large enough.