Recalled/Assigned: Kings Recall Justin Auger

[KingCanadain1976]

I would love to see Iafallo switch spots with Kempe. Iafallo goes to his natural position of center and i think he could make dowd/brodzinski/auger /cammy a better line with his speed and skill. Kempe on the other hand would go to a position hes better equipped to play have skilled players to play with.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm rooting for Auger but I think a lot of people are blinded by him making a couple of good moves in the preseason. If people think Kempe is inconsistent, they're really gonna love Auger...

But if he can keep it together he could be a hell of an asset. I just never know which dude is going to be on the ice. ON the plus side he does play a more straightforward game than Kempe and he's much better on the boards than the others that have been rotating on that line (Dowd is good but uneven) so it could work. And MacDermid looked a lot better than I thought he would when the games featured more speed but more flow so maybe the smoothness of the game will work in his favor. It's just hard to know...which I guess is why he's there! Good on him at least earning a shot with his preseason play though, an eminently likeable guy and you definitely can't miss him out there!

Brodz needs to get his confidence back. Looked like he was worried to much about D instead of just playing the game. He is a much better player than Auger, but he sure didn't prove it in his 3 game stint. Auger was demoted to the third line for ONT this year after starting on the 2nd. He has 0 goals, 0 assists and 4 PIM's in 3 games, all losses.

Yeah he just looks like he's overthinking. Never seen the puck explode off his stick in the A. He'll get it back.

 

[kilowatt]

I’m assuming the decision to call up Auger isn’t about who is best of the young players but who is the right player. Having someone who naturally drives the net and it able to stay there will hopefully give better balance to the third line.

It really felt like Kempe, Brodz, and Cammalleri were the same type of player. I liked what I saw from Dowd on that third line, so I hope that Auger can join Dowd and Kempe and create a more dynamic third line.

 

[Kings4thecup]

I would love to see Iafallo switch spots with Kempe. Iafallo goes to his natural position of center and i think he could make dowd/brodzinski/auger /cammy a better line with his speed and skill. Kempe on the other hand would go to a position hes better equipped to play have skilled players to play with.

I wouldn't mind giving this a try for a game to see if it clicks. It's just hard to break up the chemistry the first line has had early in the season. Seems like it could be counter-productive at this time. If/when the line struggles, that would be when you try it.

Iafallo looks like he could be a stud. He really sees the ice well, and always hustles. Makes plays happen.

I've only seen Auger play 7-10 times, but he seems like he could be a solid bottom line player. Hopefully we get a chance to see tomorrow.

 

[kingsboy11]

I remember when we first drafted Auger in the 4th round and I'm reading scouting reports and wondering why we drafted a 6'7 forward, who can't skate, can't shoot and doesn't use his size to his advantage. And I think later in rookie camp they played a prospects game in Anaheim against the ducks that I went to with my dad and we saw him just towering over the other players it was hilarious. I'll say this he is probably the prospect that surprised me the most. I had no hopes for him, but he's put in the work and showed he has some skill to his game to be put in the conversation. And after seeing him play for Ontario for a couple years, i'm not sure he'll ever be a consistent NHL player, but you never know. He's a fighter and is willing to put in the work.

 

[King'sPawn]

Transactions are exactly as I wanted. Keeping Kempe up, sending Brodzinski down. Auger comes up.

Kempe - As I have said numerous times, he is making mistakes, but he is making rookie mistakes that will improve with experience. It's part of the issue everyone had with Muzzin at first; mistakes come from trying and playing your game. Taking your game to the next level more often than not does require adjustments. Kempe's recklessness and bad penalties REALLY suck, but...

Brodzinski - has done nothing. He's not playing his game. He's playing too afraid to make a mistake. Granted, he hasn't made any glaring mistakes, but that's just from making himself a non-factor. When your biggest skillset is your wrist shot and you aren't putting yourself in a position to even take the shot, you aren't setting yourself up to succeed.

Auger - Its' because of this that, while Auger may be less skilled, I really think he will provide a better, more consistent role in the bottom 6. Moreover, with his penalty killing acumen, he can reduce the PK minutes from the top players to let them play at times when they can be more dangerous. I am not saying Auger will get a point, but I think the Kempe line will be a lot more dangerous.

I only wish Amadio would get a call up, and see the following forward lines:
Iafallo - Kopitar - Brown
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli
Kempe - Shore - Lewis
Andreoff - Amadio - Auger (the AAA line, wah wah...)

 

[BallPointHammer]

Auger is said to be a good penalty killer and if he can bring consistent net front presence on the power play, he could be a bottom 6 forward who is a valuable specialist. Could he be "the Mersch" the Kings could really use.

 

[Fishhead]

I like how the Kings are being more proactive. They seem really satisfied with 3 of the lines, and are going to try different things with that 4th one to see if it will work. If Gaborik comes back, I think a lot of it will be taken care of by itself with Iafallo moving down with Kempe and Dowd. That line was impressive in the preseason.

It's nice to see them wanting to get as many points as they can early in the season and constantly trying to improve things.

 

[regulate]

If Gaborik comes back, I think a lot of it will be taken care of by itself with Iafallo moving down with Kempe and Dowd. That line was impressive in the preseason.

It's nice to see them wanting to get as many points as they can early in the season and constantly trying to improve things.

Futa told me this evening that Kopi REALLY likes playing with Iafallo. Not sure I see any change happening as long as Iafallo keep his tenacity on the puck going.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Futa told me this evening that Kopi REALLY likes playing with Iafallo. Not sure I see any change happening as long as Iafallo keep his tenacity on the puck going.

I can understand why. Even though he hasn't produced yet he's relentless like Lewis but has better puck skills and vision. tHe only reason he hasn't scored yet is because his linemates are hogging the goals. I want to see that 'third' line more productive, but not at the cost of removing a Pearson clone from Kopi and Brown, especially with how hard it is to find guys with chemistry with Kopitar over the years. Hopefully Auger's presence buys some ice for the other guys a bit more.

 

[Fishhead]

Futa told me this evening that Kopi REALLY likes playing with Iafallo. Not sure I see any change happening as long as Iafallo keep his tenacity on the puck going.

Interesting to hear, thanks. It might be one of the reasons Kopi is so energized this year thus far.

 

[kingsfan28]

Mersch is a likable guy and goes hard to the net and gets pucks on the net but my god he is to slow . He is slower than King and that is not going to fly in the new NHL. He will not make it

Another legacy draft pick that under Lombardi/Sutter might have worked, but never did.

 

[Bandit]

I can understand why. Even though he hasn't produced yet he's relentless like Lewis but has better puck skills and vision. tHe only reason he hasn't scored yet is because his linemates are hogging the goals. I want to see that 'third' line more productive, but not at the cost of removing a Pearson clone from Kopi and Brown, especially with how hard it is to find guys with chemistry with Kopitar over the years. Hopefully Auger's presence buys some ice for the other guys a bit more.

Williams.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Williams.

This is like the third time you've had to correct me re: Williams he was one of my favorite Kings ever and I'm clearly trying to black him out of my mind

 

[Bandit]

This is like the third time you've had to correct me re: Williams he was one of my favorite Kings ever and I'm clearly trying to black him out of my mind

Ha yeah, 2012-2014 Williams was pretty much perfect. Iafallo has that same tenacity on the puck. We can only hope he evolves into something similar to Williams as he gets more experience, but the raw desire is there.

 

[kingsfan28]

Ha yeah, 2012-2014 Williams was pretty much perfect. Iafallo has that same tenacity on the puck. We can only hope he evolves into something similar to Williams as he gets more experience, but the raw desire is there.

That's who he reminds me of. Especially the way he goes after the puck behind the net.

 

[Statto]

I like how the Kings are being more proactive. They seem really satisfied with 3 of the lines, and are going to try different things with that 4th one to see if it will work. If Gaborik comes back, I think a lot of it will be taken care of by itself with Iafallo moving down with Kempe and Dowd. That line was impressive in the preseason.

It's nice to see them wanting to get as many points as they can early in the season and constantly trying to improve things.

I like your point. Proactive. They are looking to make things happen rather than just stubbornly sticking to the plan when it's not working. It's a balancing act as staying the course and sticking to the plan is hugely important at the right times and was a huge factor in DL building two cup winning teams. However the flip side is that if the plan isn't quite right you have to be prepared to change things up.

I do feel that with DL/DS they would have picked the opening night roster and apart from injury stuck with it for several months regardless of results. With the start we've had they would never have made changes to the roster. Instead the shuffling of lines would have begun until they got a balance of 4 solid consistent lines, at the risk of sacrificing chemistry elsewhere. That worked when we had depth and experience in the roster but I think for where we are right now Blake and Stevens are handling it the correct way.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

'memba when Dwight King was used in a top six role? I 'memba.

 

[Fishhead]

'memba when Dwight King was used in a top six role? I 'memba.

I bet you Futa never said "Kopi REALLY likes playing with King"

 

[lumbergh]

That's who he reminds me of. Especially the way he goes after the puck behind the net.

Even Iafallo's skating style reminds me of Williams.

 

[lumbergh]

I wonder if Auger is one of those odd players whose game works better at the NHL level than the AHL level. A more structured, tighter-checking game might suit Auger's skills and physical talents.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Best case scenario he turns into a physical Jimmy Hayes.

 

[regulate]

I wonder if Auger is one of those odd players whose game works better at the NHL level than the AHL level. A more structured, tighter-checking game might suit Auger's skills and physical talents.

Well, I've been wrong before, but I just going to come out and say it. I doubt it. The pros: Underrated wrist shot, some ability to move laterally with the puck despite his size, his reach can (depending on where he is on the ice) can be used to his advantage, above average tipping pucks in front of the net, decent hands in close to the net, decent straight ahead speed (once he gets going), he's a good teammate, defensively responsible but can be beat by players with quickness and agility. The cons: Most things take too long to do, such as getting his shots off (blocked), his game lacks quickness that I think will be exposed at the NHL level, he takes "reaching" and slashing penalties more often than one would like, not a physical player but can use size however smaller players along the boards use leverage on him and come away with the puck more often than not, not the highest hockey IQ (frequent icing plays when you are wondering what he was thinking), average passer at best (an occasional excellent pass though on the rush), sometimes has difficulty controlling passes that he receives, especially if they are towards his skates or a don't lead him. Do not ask him to fight. It won't end well.

He had one excellent preseason game and a good camp. Got cut right at the end, the longest he has ever stayed in camp. Futa told a good story last night about how he called Auger on the phone and asked him if he was ready to come up to the Kings. Auger was at Target. There were several moments of dead silence. Auger was pretty choked up. I hope he does well. He's been frustrating to watch the last two years, especially last season as his play regressed quite a bit, as did his point totals. There is something to work with there, I'm not overly hopeful that it translates to the NHL. I've never thought of him as an NHL player. Time will tell. Since he already cleared waivers, he can stay on the roster for 30 cumulative days or 10 NHL games without having to clear waivers again.

 

[lumbergh]

Well, I've been wrong before, but I just going to come out and say it. I doubt it. The pros: Underrated wrist shot, some ability to move laterally with the puck despite his size, his reach can (depending on where he is on the ice) can be used to his advantage, above average tipping pucks in front of the net, decent hands in close to the net, decent straight ahead speed (once he gets going), he's a good teammate, defensively responsible but can be beat by players with quickness and agility. The cons: Most things take too long to do, such as getting his shots off (blocked), his game lacks quickness that I think will be exposed at the NHL level, he takes "reaching" and slashing penalties more often than one would like, not a physical player but can use size however smaller players along the boards use leverage on him and come away with the puck more often than not, not the highest hockey IQ (frequent icing plays when you are wondering what he was thinking), average passer at best (an occasional excellent pass though on the rush), sometimes has difficulty controlling passes that he receives, especially if they are towards his skates or a don't lead him. Do not ask him to fight. It won't end well.

He had one excellent preseason game and a good camp. Got cut right at the end, the longest he has ever stayed in camp. Futa told a good story last night about how he called Auger on the phone and asked him if he was ready to come up to the Kings. Auger was at Target. There were several moments of dead silence. Auger was pretty choked up. I hope he does well. He's been frustrating to watch the last two years, especially last season as his play regressed quite a bit, as did his point totals. There is something to work with there, I'm not overly hopeful that it translates to the NHL. I've never thought of him as an NHL player. Time will tell. Since he already cleared waivers, he can stay on the roster for 30 cumulative days or 10 NHL games without having to clear waivers agin.

Thanks for the insight, there. That's a great story from Futa. I'm not ever the moon excited about him, but wishing for the best nonetheless. I always like to cheer for the guy that pays his dues and makes it to the big leagues at a late age. Even if he doesn't succeed, he'll be able to tell the guys in Ontario that he made it to the NHL.

 

[regulate]

Thanks for the insight, there. That's a great story from Futa. I'm not ever the moon excited about him, but wishing for the best nonetheless. I always like to cheer for the guy that pays his dues and makes it to the big leagues at a late age. Even if he doesn't succeed, he'll be able to tell the guys in Ontario that he made it to the NHL.

You're welcome. I think he is only 23 though. Younger than a lot of guys that have been up and down. He has about 200 AHL games to his credit.