Kings sign Ben Hutton

[regulate]

I'd bet some e cash against that. Roy is in running for bottom pair but I see Martinez playing 2nd pairing right side now till he gets traded

The entire camp plus first preseason game it's been Amart back on the left side (due to necessity) and Roy (aka Partner) on his right. Seems unless Roy plays himself out of that position, they will start the season as the 2nd pairing. Nothing to indicate otherwise.

 

[regulate]

Anderson is the huge wildcard in this season's King defense. He played well in the rookie tourney, and his first NHL game last night he had 1 goal, 1 assist, was +4 and named first star of the game, all on the road. He's only 20, he's never played professionally until last night, but if this kid keeps it up (especially with the lack of talent on the left side), I wouldn't bet against him. Brickley laid an egg last night, as did Ryan. Who would like to see Anderson get an exhibition game as Doughty's partner? I sure would.

 

[tny760]

Anderson is the huge wildcard in this season's King defense. He played well in the rookie tourney, and his first NHL game last night he had 1 goal, 1 assist, was +4 and named first star of the game, all on the road. He's only 20, he's never played professionally until last night, but if this kid keeps it up (especially with the lack of talent on the left side), I wouldn't bet against him. Brickley laid an egg last night, as did Ryan. Who would like to see Anderson get an exhibition game as Doughty's partner? I sure would.

it's just like, this team doesn't push young defensemen up to the NHL.. i haven't seen much of anderson but i hear people singing his praises left and right, i just don't see management doing it

i basically agree with your "asset protection" lineup but i could honestly see them turning the page on ladue.. would be disappointing but they did it with gravel

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[DoktorJeep]

One of LaDue or MacD is looking like they’re bound for waivers.

 

[BringTheReign]

I'd rather see Bjornfot in Sweden playing top minutes and play in the jr tournament at x mass

My understanding is that the Kings signed Bjornfot to his ELC this summer because they were concerned he wouldn't get enough playing time in important situations for the men's team in Sweden.

 

[BigKing]

it's just like, this team doesn't push young defensemen up to the NHL.. i haven't seen much of anderson but i hear people singing his praises left and right, i just don't see management doing it

i basically agree with your "asset protection" lineup but i could honestly see them turning the page on ladue.. would be disappointing but they did it with gravel

I just don't believe they have had any good young defensemen to push to the NHL in a long time. Clague would have received minutes last year at the end of the season if not for getting hurt but, really, they haven't had a 20 or 21 year old that should be playing. They've barely had 25 - 28 year olds that should be playing.

That being said, I will stick by my belief that this season is a toss away and they will be incubating the best and brightest of the prospects down in Ontario where they will play together, form a bond and then put it all out there for each other once they are up in the NHL.

The only vets that will be part of any future success on the Kings at this point are, in my opinion, Kopitar and Doughty. At least in Top 6/Top 4 roles. I don't need Kupari or Anderson up in the NHL all year on a team that is going to be bad. Let them all try to win in Ontario and play big minutes together. They can then get a taste after trades/injuries late in the season and then hopefully return to Ontario for some playoff experience.

So, even if Anderson has a great camp, I don't think he makes the opening roster. I know there is an issue with not rewarding a camp performance but I feel they actually have a plan now and that plan involves sucking this year and getting another high draft pick. Kupari etc...playing in Ontario this year is not going to hurt their development.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Wait until we find out what breed of dog Hutton owns. Then we can truly assess this signing.

Mrs. Bathe is writing her hard hitting questions now!

 

[kings11]

I just don't believe they have had any good young defensemen to push to the NHL in a long time. Clague would have received minutes last year at the end of the season if not for getting hurt but, really, they haven't had a 20 or 21 year old that should be playing. They've barely had 25 - 28 year olds that should be playing.

That being said, I will stick by my belief that this season is a toss away and they will be incubating the best and brightest of the prospects down in Ontario where they will play together, form a bond and then put it all out there for each other once they are up in the NHL.

The only vets that will be part of any future success on the Kings at this point are, in my opinion, Kopitar and Doughty. At least in Top 6/Top 4 roles. I don't need Kupari or Anderson up in the NHL all year on a team that is going to be bad. Let them all try to win in Ontario and play big minutes together. They can then get a taste after trades/injuries late in the season and then hopefully return to Ontario for some playoff experience.

So, even if Anderson has a great camp, I don't think he makes the opening roster. I know there is an issue with not rewarding a camp performance but I feel they actually have a plan now and that plan involves sucking this year and getting another high draft pick. Kupari etc...playing in Ontario this year is not going to hurt their development.

This is my thing,
We are likely going to suck ass this season so let the vets play and hopefully regain some value then boot them outta here.

Let thge kids play in Ontario and develope not only chemistry but a winning culture that will carry over to the Kings.. This is why i say Grundy, JAD, Kupari, Anderson, Clague .. etc.. should all start the season in Onatrio. Most of those guys will probably get a cup of coffee sometime this season unless we somehow turn it around. The Reign have players coming in that should compete for a Championship regardless of experience, they're that good!

 

[BigKing]

This is my thing,
We are likely going to suck ass this season so let the vets play and hopefully regain some value then boot them outta here.

Let thge kids play in Ontario and develope not only chemistry but a winning culture that will carry over to the Kings.. This is why i say Grundy, JAD, Kupari, Anderson, Clague .. etc.. should all start the season in Onatrio. Most of those guys will probably get a cup of coffee sometime this season unless we somehow turn it around. The Reign have players coming in that should compete for a Championship regardless of experience, they're that good!

I feel like I've been watching a team that doesn't necessarily like each other too much. A lack of hunger from the vets and playing for all the other guys on the team.

That shit isn't fixed by bringing in Todd and cute quotes in the media about how things have been shit. The core is rotten and needs to be tossed but it can't be done right away due to contracts.

I'd much prefer the important pieces to the Kings future play and room together in Ontario. Form bonds on and off the ice to the point where they are going to lay it all out for their fellow teammates because they care about them and want to win together.

This whole "rebuild the culture" thing doesn't happen by tossing prospects into the lineup ASAP to be part of what is shaping up to be another shit show.

 

[tny760]

That being said, I will stick by my belief that this season is a toss away and they will be incubating the best and brightest of the prospects down in Ontario where they will play together, form a bond and then put it all out there for each other once they are up in the NHL.

probably the smart route honestly, it's just a matter of whether management will bite the bullet honestly

if they're gonna commit to a tank, why commit the money to tmac instead of another season of willie? just a continuation of the mixed messages i feel are always coming from the FO

 

[4Twenty]

Canucks fan coming in peace.

I've always liked Ben Hutton. The plus minus looks bad for sure, but for the last year and a half he partnered Erik Gudbranson and those two guys just didn't mesh. One of the worst tandems I've ever seen....when you look at Hutton's minutes without Gudbranson they're solid.

I think he could be a #4, but Vancouver has used him as a #3 in the past and he's not that. I think he's a bonafide #5 in the NHL. I think he'll do well in your top 4.


Thought I'd link the stats so you can see for yourselves too: Ben Hutton - Teammates - On Ice - Natural Stat Trick

 

[Statto]

oh yeah i forgot forbort was out

really stinks they're ************ macdermid again if forbort's anywhere near coming back

Whilst most of us like the bite MacDermid provides, he’s in no way being sold short. He’s not a clear cut NHL defence-man and the only reason to have him on the NHL roster at all is because we are a bit soft. If we had a Matt Greene or Robin Regher on the blue-line he’d be nowhere near the team.

 

[kings11]

I feel like I've been watching a team that doesn't necessarily like each other too much. A lack of hunger from the vets and playing for all the other guys on the team.

That **** isn't fixed by bringing in Todd and cute quotes in the media about how things have been ****. The core is rotten and needs to be tossed but it can't be done right away due to contracts.

I'd much prefer the important pieces to the Kings future play and room together in Ontario. Form bonds on and off the ice to the point where they are going to lay it all out for their fellow teammates because they care about them and want to win together.

This whole "rebuild the culture" thing doesn't happen by tossing prospects into the lineup ASAP to be part of what is shaping up to be another **** show.

The bolded is what IMHO is the real reason this team has kicked the bucket!
I said this when it happened yewars ago, when Toffoli was negotiating his bridge deal there was talk he wanted $6mill and reports came out that some teammate where bothered by this. I think rifts were created when Richards and Stoll were booted, when Tyler asked for top money, when Voynov beat his wife and Williams wasnt offered a contract... And the biggest thing is that the team seemed to become divided when CDSutter was barred from the infamous lockerroom and some guys were still allowed to continue doing what did... and it continued with WD40

I think when a guy isnt producing like Tyler Toffoli has and he takes it upon himself to talk shit about the org and a lack of effort then players need to be moved regardless of cost for the sake of whatever youngsters you want ot bring up...

 

[Statto]

It's pretty terrifying that the Kings had to sign another defenseman to replace the worst defenseman on the Kings. Must have no faith in the kids.

He’s just misused. If he was given bottom pairing minutes he’d be fine. Which of course is our problem, we don’t have a no 2 or no 3 d-man with A-Mart an average no 4 at best.

 

[regulate]

He’s just misused. If he was given bottom pairing minutes he’d be fine. Which of course is our problem, we don’t have a no 2 or no 3 d-man with A-Mart an average no 4 at best.

This, plus it's being reported he played the entire season last year with a bad back.

 

[Statto]

Exa

More like they don't want to destroy someone with 20+ minutes next to Doughty off the bat.

Exactly. If someone has to be exposed with minutes they aren’t up to or not yet ready for, you make sure it’s not one of the prospects.

 

[regulate]

One of LaDue or MacD is looking like they’re bound for waivers.

Certainly possible, but not necessarily. Walker is wavier-exempt. If one of the newbies doesn't push LaDue or MacDermid out of a job, Walker could go down.

 

[BigKing]

probably the smart route honestly, it's just a matter of whether management will bite the bullet honestly

if they're gonna commit to a tank, why commit the money to tmac instead of another season of willie? just a continuation of the mixed messages i feel are always coming from the FO

This is Blake's 3rd head coaching hire. He went with what he knew, kind of like how Dean went with Sutter in his last chance at keeping his GM job.

T-Mac got a five year contract. The tank will take place due to Blake's roster but he wants T-Mac to set up his system and get acclimated to those vets that will stick around while also being around the organization so he can be familiar with the prospects etc.

T-Mac is a long play. His $5MM a season is more important to Blake for two seasons from now than spending that $5MM on a player to make the team better for the next couple of seasons.

They came out and said rebuild, basically. This means AEG has signed off on it. Then they signed a new coach to a five year contract. Blake has job security and so does T-Mac. A modest improvement in the standings with encouraging seasons from 11/8 and the prospects--wherever they may be playing--will be looked at as a success. They will integrate more youth next season and will expect a playoff berth by Year 3 of T-Mac. By then, Blake should have a better grasp of what he has with a lot of the current prospects and cap space to go outside and add via free agency or trade.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Kings don’t need to waive anyone.

Doughty-Ryan
Martinez-Roy
Hutton-Walker/MacD

When LaDue comes back Kings can send one of Roy or Walker down.

When Forbort comes back the other goes down.

Doughty -Forbort
Martinez-Hutton
Ryan-LaDue/MacD

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm really eager to see the Roy/Walker/LaDue battle. Roy and Walker have been improving by leaps and bounds; LaDue really needs to make his case immediately or he's done.

Anderson is the huge wildcard in this season's King defense. He played well in the rookie tourney, and his first NHL game last night he had 1 goal, 1 assist, was +4 and named first star of the game, all on the road. He's only 20, he's never played professionally until last night, but if this kid keeps it up (especially with the lack of talent on the left side), I wouldn't bet against him. Brickley laid an egg last night, as did Ryan. Who would like to see Anderson get an exhibition game as Doughty's partner? I sure would.

The crazy thing with Anderson is how quickly he's adapted to every level he's been thrown into.

I would LOVE to see him get a few games next to Drew, not just one. Bjornfot too, for that matter, though.

 

[tny760]

Whilst most of us like the bite MacDermid provides, he’s in no way being sold short. He’s not a clear cut NHL defence-man and the only reason to have him on the NHL roster at all is because we are a bit soft. If we had a Matt Greene or Robin Regher on the blue-line he’d be nowhere near the team.

see i disagree with not calling him an NHL defenseman, that's not to say i think he's a top pairing guy i just think he's been given VERY limited use in some really awful deployments under some of the worst coaches we've had so its not fair to be like oh man, this guy's a plug send him down. and we don't have a greene or regehr, that's part of the problem imo

give him a legitimate shot at holding a 3rd pairing slot and go from there.. he's paid his dues

 

[tny760]

They came out and said rebuild, basically. This means AEG has signed off on it. Then they signed a new coach to a five year contract. Blake has job security and so does T-Mac. A modest improvement in the standings with encouraging seasons from 11/8 and the prospects--wherever they may be playing--will be looked at as a success. They will integrate more youth next season and will expect a playoff berth by Year 3 of T-Mac. By then, Blake should have a better grasp of what he has with a lot of the current prospects and cap space to go outside and add via free agency or trade.

i guess i'm coming off defensive but man, i'd honestly love to believe it when they say we're rebuilding.. i just got fed "cOnTeNdErS" not too long ago so once bitten twice shy i guess

 

[kings11]

Kings don’t need to waive anyone.

Doughty-Ryan
Martinez-Roy
Hutton-Walker/MacD

When LaDue comes back Kings can send one of Roy or Walker down.

When Forbort comes back the other goes down.

Doughty -Forbort
Martinez-Hutton
Ryan-LaDue/MacD

The funny thing with what you posted is that it would probably be one of teh best Defenses we've fielded in years... It actually looks really good

 

[Fishhead]

Given where this team is at right now I wouldn't send Anderson down if he earns it. He's not as old as most college guys, but a lot of guys who go the USHL/School route are more mature as players than those who go through juniors. There's a lack of scrutiny and lower profile than Major Junior where there are a lot of distractions. Going to the AHL wouldn't be terrible for him, but if he earns it I say put him on the roster. I think it's more motivating to the other young players to see someone their own age make it rather than have everyone blocked by veterans who aren't much better, if at all.

I also don't think these players are that fragile where being around a player that's not a great citizen will negatively impact them. Being around the dick that was Sean Avery certainly didn't mess up Brown. As a rookie he was also exposed to a complete slacking "leader" in Roenick and crazy ass Corvo. It's not like there were a lot of other leaders to keep those guys in line either, a lot of that team was just in it for the paycheck. Granted Lombardi cleaned that up in short order, but I expect the same should happen over the next year or so with any malcontents being moved.