LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Little Psycho]

Hawks immediately announce their players are out with a fracture jaw and broken finger meanwhile kings act like their players are cia agents

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I was doing ok with things for the most part. I do think many of us saw the mass exodus and airing out that was imminent this past offseason.

I still don't get the love for Dubois and blowing their wad on him. I don't even hate the player but and I do think the move was a partial cap dump in Iaffalo. I also think in my own opinion that Vilardi and the org didn't see eye to eye and that they were worried about his injuries long term.

Dubois can be a physical force but I don't understand the contract. I guess with the cap going up and the next round of contracts it won't be that horrific value wise but I just don't get the love affaire for him. As many have said, Bjugstad seems as capable of filling his role at much less the cost.

I'm hoping he can maybe find something transformative playing in LA. I diverge into beaten horse territory tho.

I think they've gotten a little cocky on their own supply

They did great with Danault, Moore, Durzi, et. al. as far as pro scouting, bringing outside guys in, playing them well.

It's like they thought well we can TOTALLY do it with PLD even though no one else can

All while the guys right under their noses go elsewhere and relatively overperform

If Vilardi and the org didn't see eye to eye they need to start f***ing figuring out why they don't see eye to eye with guys like him and Cernak and even to whatever degree they didn't like their discussions with Faber and Parik. Blake doesn't seem like a big ego in that regard but the front office as a whole seems to feel pretty high and mighty for one that's been spinning their wheels in the mud for a decade. Time for some self reflection and evaluation on that.

 

[SherVaughn30]

Sucks for Copely, likely won't play another game for LA, and may even have trouble finding another job in the NHL.

Depends on his rehab and recovery process. His cost to any team is cheap. Other teams who need goalie depth will look at Copley and see he won games both with the Caps and Kings. It's not solely just looking at the numbers sometimes. Copper can be a good backup, fill-in for the starter if they are injured, and he's a good locker room type of guy.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

For Bjornfot, Walker, Durzi--that's exactly the complaint, though. Recognize that you're depreciating an asset because you don't have a development/deployment spot in mind and get what you can for it instead of just giving it away while you sit on your hands doing nothing with them. Bjornfot has been dicked around by this org royally. At least Durzi got a fair cut. What's going to happen this year with Turcotte, Fagemo, Kaliyev, Thomas, Madden, etc?

To your last point--my point is no, no there's not, and I did the homework earlier this year. No offense but I'm not going to do it again. Outgoing Kings playing significant roles on other playoff teams and not this one over the last half-decade is an immense outnumbering. Hell, friggin Brodzinski was just on the NYR top line against us. Again, ti's not just about Bjornfot. He's one example of a long parade.

And to be clear--that's not even to say they could/SHOULD play a major role on this team, only that you don't just set your assets on fire simply because you have them, especially when it helps your competition.

This is why no one takes you f***ing seriously, Brodzinki on the NYR top line? He played 10 f***ing minutes against us....He is averaging 11 minutes a game this year.....significant role? JFC, calm the f*** down and make FACTUAL comments....not f***ed up hyperbole comments that are easily disproved with a 3 minute search.

Ok, you've done the homework, what FORMER Kings.....are playing SIGNIFICANT roles on other playoff teams....I will wait.....wait...Brodizinski, Amadio....and...?

 

[SherVaughn30]

I don’t think it’s any coincidence Copley started training post to post and blew out his ACL. Lol.

Years ago I sustained a Grade 2 MCL Sprain switching my goaltending style to more of the modern butterfly technique, using older goalie leg pads(Sherwood MB30's). I went with more flat/blockish pads in Warrior. Not saying Coppers injury was due to equipment, but he was making subtle adjustments in his post2post movements, which translates to he was probably being coached to use more of the VH/Reverse VH technique. Even a small detail like strapping your led pad too tight to leg(some goalies keep it loose and other goalie like it tight) can contribute to a knee injury.

 

[BaileyFan]

Looks like an ACL injury that required surgery for Copley. He's out for the season:

So it’s pretty much a given that Dell will get the majority of starts in Ontario and pull playing time away from Portillo right?

 

[funky]

So it’s pretty much a given that Dell will get the majority of starts in Ontario and pull playing time away from Portillo right?

I really hope not. Portillo needs to play half time in my eyes. He has proven to be capable. I also am an Ingham fan and want to see if there is upside in him.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Ingham played great since the rookie camp, in the ECHL, won his first game and winning again tonight. He might be reborn.

 

[King'sPawn]

Ingham played great since the rookie camp, in the ECHL, won his first game and winning again tonight. He might be reborn.

Been rooting for him even before the injury. I love the story of his jersey number: Ingham stressing importance of donating blood one save at a time - Kitchener Rangers %

 

[kingsfan28]

I think they've gotten a little cocky on their own supply

They did great with Danault, Moore, Durzi, et. al. as far as pro scouting, bringing outside guys in, playing them well.

It's like they thought well we can TOTALLY do it with PLD even though no one else can

All while the guys right under their noses go elsewhere and relatively overperform

If Vilardi and the org didn't see eye to eye they need to start f***ing figuring out why they don't see eye to eye with guys like him and Cernak and even to whatever degree they didn't like their discussions with Faber and Parik. Blake doesn't seem like a big ego in that regard but the front office as a whole seems to feel pretty high and mighty for one that's been spinning their wheels in the mud for a decade. Time for some self reflection and evaluation on that.

Cernak was a totally different case. The old boys DL and Sutter saw him as soft and timid after only a few games . He admitted he was scared. Sutter had no confidence in him after that. Just a stupid old boys mentality there. I think with Gabe, he was asking for more $$ and longer deal, like a guy without injury concern and multiple good seasons. I would've gone with a shorter deal too, like what he signed.. He needed to prove he could stay healthy more than a season. Go figure, he ended up with a 2 year bridge deal.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Fagemo with a hat trick.

Unreal how he can’t get called up…

 

[AbsentMojo]

Fagemo with a hat trick.

Unreal how he can’t get called up…

cant even get a cup of coffee vs JAD

 

[Nasti]

Fagemo is also a right shot which the team is lacking.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Fagemo has 16 goals in 21 games.

The Reign have played 32 games but because of his start in Nashville he’s only played 21.

Another intriguing player in Ontario is Tyler Ward - Dixon Ward’s son. He can do it all, hit, score, pass and fight.

Same with Andre Lee, he started the season hot but since he came back from injury he’s been a little cold.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Cernak was a totally different case. The old boys DL and Sutter saw him as soft and timid after only a few games . He admitted he was scared. Sutter had no confidence in him after that. Just a stupid old boys mentality there. I think with Gabe, he was asking for more $$ and longer deal, like a guy without injury concern and multiple good seasons. I would've gone with a shorter deal too, like what he signed.. He needed to prove he could stay healthy more than a season. Go figure, he ended up with a 2 year bridge deal.

What?

He didn't play a single game in the Kings org.

The story I got was vastly different and had to do with their attitude vs. his.

 

[King'sPawn]

What?

He didn't play a single game in the Kings org.

The story I got was vastly different and had to do with their attitude vs. his.

This happened while he was in juniors. Yannetti discussed it during (I think) one of Jesse's interviews on ATKM.

Not sure if it was Sutter, but management soured on Cernak when he admitted he was afraid.

 

[bland]

Fagemo is also a right shot which the team is lacking.

You can't just give somebody a shot when they are ready and you badly need their particular skillset. The plan here is to be reactive after years of excessive evidence leaves you no choice, not proactive with common sense decisions.

This happened while he was in juniors. Yannetti discussed it during (I think) one of Hoven's interviews.

Not sure if it was Sutter, but management soured on Cernak when he admitted he was afraid.

Not disagreeing, but I kind of doubt that Sutter would concern himself with something that was years down the road. I would bet that it was voiced at the scouting level.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

This happened while he was in juniors. Yannetti discussed it during (I think) one of Hoven's interviews.

Not sure if it was Sutter, but management soured on Cernak when he admitted he was afraid.

That might be even f***ing dumber

like you drafted the guy and presumably interviewed him

Oh I remember the story now too, they had mentioned there may have been a cultural/language barrier contributing to misunderstanding

So sure trade him for Bishop, lol this org

 

[King'sPawn]

Not disagreeing, but I kind of doubt that Sutter would concern himself with something that was years down the road. I would bet that it was voiced at the scouting level.

I understand. I just know that Sutter gave input on King and Nolan coming up. I get that it's completely different circumstances, but it's unclear to me if Sutter gave any input for the org (considering he helped lead the Kings to two cups, not sure if anything was said to contribute to it).

 

[BringTheReign]

FWIW, the Kings are still dominating most 5v5 advanced stat categories without being way above expected (i.e. doing so in a way that suggests it’s sustainable). Vancouver and Edmonton have been hot, but Vegas has been on a worse skid than we have. There’s still plenty of time for this team to get back to stronger results.

JFresh - January 7th Stats Update

 

[chris kontos]

Brian engblom said that cernak related he was really happy to be away from the kings and thier system.
He went on in detail that basically said cernak was miserable while he was here

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

FWIW, the Kings are still dominating most 5v5 advanced stat categories without being way above expected (i.e. doing so in a way that suggests it’s sustainable). Vancouver and Edmonton have been hot, but Vegas has been on a worse skid than we have. There’s still plenty of time for this team to get back to stronger results.

JFresh - January 7th Stats Update

I’ve been over moral victories since 2015.

Advanced stats capture trends not moments and the Kings keep shooting themselves in the foot

 

[DyslexicTom]

The management and coaching of this team for the past half decade (or more) can be best described as "inexplicable".

At this point in their careers, the Kings will never compete unless Kopitar and Doughty are either gone or playing 2nd/3rd line minutes. But management and coaching still see them as #1 stars.

Look at a team like the Dallas Stars: do you think Benn, Seguin, and Pavelski are leading their forwards with time on ice?

And then you look at their decisions around development and trades. It really does baffle the mind!

 

[Herby]

I think it is highly unlikely that Faber ever would have played in Ontario. His ability and intelligence was on display immediately - he is a special player, and while so many of us have been furious with the way this team has handled its developmental program, they have not had a "special" player on their hands who has come in ready to go right away after having played multiple years in another league.

The fact that that from the moment they drafted Byfield they said he was going be in the OHL when basically every other top pick was in the NHL and the comments from Murray and others make me think they just don’t think that way.

The management and coaching of this team for the past half decade (or more) can be best described as "inexplicable".

At this point in their careers, the Kings will never compete unless Kopitar and Doughty are either gone or playing 2nd/3rd line minutes. But management and coaching still see them as #1 stars.

Look at a team like the Dallas Stars: do you think Benn, Seguin, and Pavelski are leading their forwards with time on ice?

And then you look at their decisions around development and trades. It really does baffle the mind!

The decision to not trade Drew Doughty was a very poor one that was rooted more in sentimentality than what was best for the hockey team.

Nothing against Drew, but his age made him both young enough that he still had value to a contender but not young enough where the team could rebuild and he’d still be effective when it was over.

As a result they did this faux rebuild/reload that has never been successfully attempted in the post lockout/cap NHL.

 

[King'sPawn]

The decision to not trade Drew Doughty was a very poor one that was rooted more in sentimentality than what was best for the hockey team.

Nothing against Drew, but his age made him both young enough that he still had value to a contender but not young enough where the team could rebuild and he’d still be effective when it was over.

As a result they did this faux rebuild/reload that has never been successfully attempted in the post lockout/cap NHL.

I disagree. There's value in keeping players like Kopitar and Doughty as a mentorship role. The problem is they let the players choose the direction of the team and keeps golden cow-ing them.

Byfield, Clarke, etc should be owning the team now. Much like Kopitar, Brown and (at the time) Johnson when those stupid commercials starring them was shot.