GDT: Kings vs Oilers: 4.4.17: All Over But The Shouting Edition

[deeshamrock]

Carter's scoring has been dreadful the last 8 weeks or so, yet he still leads the team in points. Maybe he has a sore back.

Same thing happened last year; very physically demanding system and he's over 30 now.



Dennis Bernstein‏ @DennisTFP Apr 3 (on Carter's drop off)

Dennis Bernstein Retweeted HuskerKats

Believe he wears down and why:
This season: Games 56-78 3G (2 empty net)
Last: Games 53-74 4G.
Kopitar needs help, lack 2nd unit PP C

 

[BigKing]

Was my first chance to see Brodz live.

My take from watching him on TV as a smart player was confirmed last night.

His play so far reminds me of the quote DL had about him after he watched him live and he scored...something along the lines of "he could of had 4 more tonight".

He gets opportunities. That's more then you can say about a lot of the players on this team and he has the shot to hopefully convert these chances.

Nice to see Dowd play with a guy that can keep up with him offensively. Dowd's defense is atrocious but he's crafty. Craftiness is wasted if you are skating with the bottom liners on this team.

 

[Little Psycho]

There's a lot of salt in the Oilers GDT.

Can't wait for them to experience playoff hockey. So much big talk.

 

[KINGS17]

Same thing happened last year; very physically demanding system and he's over 30 now.



Dennis Bernstein‏ @DennisTFP Apr 3 (on Carter's drop off)

Dennis Bernstein Retweeted HuskerKats

Believe he wears down and why:
This season: Games 56-78 3G (2 empty net)
Last: Games 53-74 4G.
Kopitar needs help, lack 2nd unit PP C

Kopitar needs to help himself, or help Carter the first 4 months of the season.

It's what $14M players should do.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

There's a lot of salt in the Oilers GDT.

Can't wait for them to experience playoff hockey. So much big talk.

The funniest posts are those who recently registered who write things like "enjoy the golf course, Kings."

I think the Oilers know a thing or two about golf courses.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Same thing happened last year; very physically demanding system and he's over 30 now.



Dennis Bernstein‏ @DennisTFP Apr 3 (on Carter's drop off)

Dennis Bernstein Retweeted HuskerKats

Believe he wears down and why:
This season: Games 56-78 3G (2 empty net)
Last: Games 53-74 4G.
Kopitar needs help, lack 2nd unit PP C

I thought Carter was the most in shape guy on the Kings? Why's he wearing down 2 seasons in a row? Is he too thin playing in this system? He's really quite the slim guy. A guy as fit as him shouldn't be wearing down.

 

[KINGS17]

The funniest posts are those who recently registered who write things like "enjoy the golf course, Kings."

I think the Oilers know a thing or two about golf courses.

Yeah, those putts with the different colored balls through the oil derricks are especially tough.

 

[KINGS17]

I thought Carter was the most in shape guy on the Kings? Why's he wearing down 2 seasons in a row? Is he too thin playing in this system? He's really quite the slim guy. A guy as fit as him shouldn't be wearing down.

Jeff Carter: 32 years of age

 

[Reaper45]

Jeff Carter: 32 years of age

Reason enough to sell high.

 

[King'sPawn]

Jeff Carter: 32 years of age

I know this fits your narrative of players over 30 experience a decline, but aside from one season in which Carter scored 81 points, he is very consistent as a 60+ point scorer for the past 7 seasons.

Not everything is about age.

 

[KINGS17]

I know this fits your narrative of players over 30 experience a decline, but aside from one season in which Carter scored 81 points, he is very consistent as a 60+ point scorer for the past 7 seasons.

Not everything is about age.

When an organization is in the position which the Kings find themselves, it is about a player's age.

Carter is still very useful as a great supporting player on a contending team. The Kings are not a contending team and will not be a contending team for several years if not more. It's time to move Carter while he still has value.

I know some of you don't like to look at the reality of the situation, but this team isn't getting past the likes of Edmonton in the Pacific Division, or Chicago in the Western Conference anytime soon.

If you want to see the Kings win the Stanley Cup again, it's better to start preparing now for five - six years down the road than to hold onto irrational hopes of contending with this group. Of course, AEG might not see it this way and may milk the fond memories of the fans for a few more seasons with a quasi-competitive team.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

When an organization is in the position which the Kings find themselves, it is about a player's age.

Carter is still very useful as a great supporting player on a contending team. The Kings are not a contending team and will not be a contending team for several years if not more. It's time to move Carter while he still has value.

I know some of you don't like to look at the reality of the situation, but this team isn't getting past the likes of Edmonton in the Pacific Division, or Chicago in the Western Conference anytime soon.

If you want to see the Kings win the Stanley Cup again, it's better to start preparing now for five - six years down the road than to hold onto irrational hopes of contending with this group. Of course, AEG might not see it this way and may milk the fond memories of the fans for a few more seasons with a quasi-competitive team.

Sorry, that's BS. Look what SJ did last year with the 'old guys' like Marleau and Thornton (who are MUCH older than Carter). Kings still have a core that can compete with any team...what they need is some better decision making in regards to supporting players and they need a new coaching approach. You do that before you start trading away the actual players who consistently bring it every year.

 

[KINGS17]

Sorry, that's BS. Look what SJ did last year with the 'old guys' like Marleau and Thornton (who are MUCH older than Carter). Kings still have a core that can compete with any team...what they need is some better decision making in regards to supporting players and they need a new coaching approach. You do that before you start trading away the actual players who consistently bring it every year.

It's not BS. San Jose is so much deeper than the Kings, it's not even close. Do the Kings have anything resembling Pavelski and Couture? Just look at the standings. Also, San Jose is much like the Kings in 1993, just not quite as bad. They are a one year and done team. They will be lucky to get out of the first round this season.

If San Jose miraculously does get out of the 2nd round, Chicago is looming. The Pacific Division and the Western Conference as a whole just isn't as good as it was in 2014.

All of you who think a change in the coach or a new system is going to solve everything are going to be very disappointed. The Kings may score more goals, but they aren't going to suddenly become contenders again overnight.

You going to wait until the inevitable happens and Carter has a 40-point season and then try to trade him?

Is the part about getting past Edmonton and Chicago in the playoffs over the next few years really BS?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

It's not BS. San Jose is so much deeper than the Kings, it's not even close. Do the Kings have anything resembling Pavelski and Couture? Just look at the standings. Also, San Jose is much like the Kings in 1993, just not quite as bad. They are a one year and done team. They will be lucky to get out of the first round this season.

If San Jose miraculously does get out of the 2nd round, Chicago is looming. The Pacific Division and the Western Conference as a whole just isn't as good as it was in 2014.

All of you who think a change in the coach or a new system is going to solve everything are going to be very disappointed. The Kings may score more goals, but they aren't going to suddenly become contenders again overnight.

You going to wait until the inevitable happens and Carter has a 40-point season and then try to trade him?

Is the part about getting past Edmonton and Chicago in the playoffs over the next few years really BS?

We could go back and forth on this, but it doesn't matter because whether it's Lombardi or someone else, they are NOT gonna go into 'blow it up' mode...it's not happening when you still got Kopitar, Quick, Doughty....and Carter. So, it's not even worth wasting your typing on it...change your focus to what we need to do to re-tool this team and get it back in the mix because that's whats going to happen.

 

[AlphaBravo]

It all depends on what offer we get in return for Carter. Even though his value is higher now because of the great season he had, the trend in this league is that teams do not trade their young stars for a player over 30. If we trade Carter and only get a 1st rounder out of it along with a B-level prospect, that trade is not worth it because it will make the Kings horrible for several years and further eat away the prime of Doughty, Kopitar and company.

The past three years have not been great, but I don't see this team as having completely fallen off the map. We are still good defensively and better now with the addition of Forbort, LaDue, and Gravel, have strong possession numbers, and when not injured, Quick is one of the best goalies. Also, even if everyone in the roster just played like their normal selves (e.g., Kopitar, Toffoli, Muzzin and Martinez) and Quick was not injured, we would comfortably be in the playoffs. So a simple bounce back season for these guys, without any roster changes alone will make us better.

To get to the next level, all we need is a catalyst, which could be in the form of a top 6 forward and/or a coaching change that keeps our possession style but adds a new voice in the room to reinvigorate the team. We can get both of these changes by trading one of Muzzin or Martinez for a top 6 and replacing Sutter.

 

[KINGS17]

We could go back and forth on this, but it doesn't matter because whether it's Lombardi or someone else, they are NOT gonna go into 'blow it up' mode...it's not happening when you still got Kopitar, Quick, Doughty....and Carter. So, it's not even worth wasting your typing on it...change your focus to what we need to do to re-tool this team and get it back in the mix because that's whats going to happen.

There is no re-tool that is going to help this team go from 4th or 5th in the Pacific Division to Stanley Cup contender.

I don't need to change my focus simply because it doesn't agree with the Kings GM our his bosses.

 

[The Tikkanen]

If you trade Carter and still have Brown and Gaborik on the roster next season the black hole is officially back.

 

[KINGS17]

If you trade Carter and still have Brown and Gaborik on the roster next season the black hole is officially back.

Nah, it's just the start of a process which will take 4 or 5 years at least.

The sooner they get started, the better.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

There is no re-tool that is going to help this team go from 4th or 5th in the Pacific Division to Stanley Cup contender.

I don't need to change my focus simply because it doesn't agree with the Kings GM our his bosses.

Guess where we were when we were winning Cups?

I get your overall point, but let's not conflate regular season success with playoff success.

 

[KINGS17]

Guess where we were when we were winning Cups?

I get your overall point, but let's not conflate regular season success with playoff success.

Let's not compare a team of young up and comers needing a couple more pieces to the roster today.

 

[Fishhead]

Let's not compare a team of young up and comers needing a couple more pieces to the roster today.

The current team only needs a couple pieces, honestly. Crosby and Karlsson, for example.

 

[Reaper45]

The current team only needs a couple pieces, honestly. Crosby and Karlsson, for example.

Haha yep just 2 pieces away!

 

[King'sPawn]

When an organization is in the position which the Kings find themselves, it is about a player's age.

Carter is still very useful as a great supporting player on a contending team. The Kings are not a contending team and will not be a contending team for several years if not more. It's time to move Carter while he still has value.

I know some of you don't like to look at the reality of the situation, but this team isn't getting past the likes of Edmonton in the Pacific Division, or Chicago in the Western Conference anytime soon.

If you want to see the Kings win the Stanley Cup again, it's better to start preparing now for five - six years down the road than to hold onto irrational hopes of contending with this group. Of course, AEG might not see it this way and may milk the fond memories of the fans for a few more seasons with a quasi-competitive team.

That's not the point though. You answered "Why is Carter's production down?" with "Age."

But if he's doing at age 32 what he was doing at 26, then you're just injecting a red herring.

As for the team's direction, Lombardi won't be able to trade a key player like Carter to go through growing pains and keep his job. Trading him "while his value is high" won't fly.

He needed (and continues to need to) be smart with managing, acquiring, and developing the young players. That is what has separated the Blackhawks from the Kings.

 

[KINGS17]

That's not the point though. You answered "Why is Carter's production down?" with "Age."

But if he's doing at age 32 what he was doing at 26, then you're just injecting a red herring.

As for the team's direction, Lombardi won't be able to trade a key player like Carter to go through growing pains and keep his job. Trading him "while his value is high" won't fly.

He needed (and continues to need to) be smart with managing, acquiring, and developing the young players. That is what has separated the Blackhawks from the Kings.

I'm fine with Dean trading Carter and Futa taking over.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

We're damned if you do damned if you don't at this point. Even if Dean does go full rebuild, you're trading away Carter, Kopitar, Quick, etc. for a bunch of prospects/picks that may one day become Carter, Kopitar, Quick, etc.

That route will get us back into contention just as quickly as a coaching change will, i.e., not at all. Yes, our Cups originally traveled the road of #4, #2, and #5 overall picks, but tanking that hard is no guarantee. For every Doughty, there's an Aki Berg.

In my opinion, your core is set in Kopitar, Carter, Doughty, and Quick. They're as important to the LA Kings brand (and let's not forget that this league is a business, first and foremost) as they are on the ice. You're either going to find another run with those players, ala Pittsburgh or San Jose, or you're not. Don't have a Pavelski or Courture? Then draft and develop one. These players weren't top five picks.

Bad contracts and wasted assets are the bane of this team. Do whatever you can to rid yourself of contracts like Gaborik's, and go back to developing your own youth. Think out of the box like Chicago did with Panarin. That single signing is a huge reason why they're still competitive.

Dean just has to be better. As do Kopitar, Doughty, etc.