LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Schmooley]

Nope

You wanted them to to build around Doughty instead of a new core? We sat through that Willie D. season for nothing.

 

[tigermask48]

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

Yep, it was the word "afraid". Someone on the Kings or Reign staff asked him how he felt playing in the AHL. Seemed like Cernak meant afraid as in nervous, but management took it as scared and demoted him to juniors. This was in AHL training camp in 2016 so it wasn't under Sutter unless he was coaching AHL pre-season games though.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Imagine a forward core of Marner, Byfield, and Vilardi, and a defensive core of Faber, Clarke, and Spence.

Thankfully when Blake is finally canned, he will likely never get a job in this league again.

 

[lumbergh]

You wanted them to to build around Doughty instead of a new core? We sat through that Willie D. season for nothing.

No. I’m just saying your statement that “Everyone wanted that” is not correct.

 

[Jungle Boy]

I’m really hoping to Blake and Todd being moved but there are some issues that some people are too harsh on him, Faber being one of them. The guy just did not want to play here, simple as that. Another issue is the PLD trade, Moving Iafallo opened space for Moore, Kupari is not what we need and Villardi’s health history will always be a concern.

IMO Blake and Todd have the same kind of problem that someone mentioned in one of the last two GDT. They are good to construct 80% of the team, but cant finish the job. This year is starting to look much like the last two, a lot of talent, good numbers but Blake can not finish the job moving the right parts to get what this teams needs (toughness). I really cant understand why we don’t have another LHD that can fight to put some pressure in Englund, we all know Moverare wont help us when we are being bules by Edmonton and Vegas. I like Kalyev and Grundy but the way our top fowards play this is not the type of players we need in the fourth lines.

And for me this is the most frustrating part, Kings are not losing games because they lack top 6 talent or have a eram top 4 defensemen, we are losing games for three years because RB can not build a balanced team with the right types of players in the bottom 6. If not for Laffy we would start the season with only 1 righty (a 4th liner). Remember all those RD in 2022 playoffs and how McD took advantage of them?

Just sad to see the Kings throw away another season with this talented lineup.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Couldn’t have said it any better.

 

[King'sPawn]

I’m really hoping to Blake and Todd being moved but there are some issues that some people are too harsh on him, Faber being one of them. The guy just did not want to play here, simple as that. Another issue is the PLD trade, Moving Iafallo opened space for Moore, Kupari is not what we need and Villardi’s health history will always be a concern.

Completely false.

 

[kingsfan28]

ROR is definitely a Lombardi type player. I think he would’ve been a great signing had we not acquired PLD.

You sign ROR to a 4 year deal, you all but eliminate QB from ever playing center for the next 4 years. ROR isn't going to be playing 4C on this team, or even 3c. For all we know Blake did talk to him, and he passed. ROR said he signed in Nash because he wanted to play a bigger role than in TO and because his brother works for them. He got his wish and is 1C on an average team.

 

[Johnny Utah]

What about Nick Bjugstad? Matt Duchene?

 

[kingsfan28]

Imagine a forward core of Marner, Byfield, and Vilardi, and a defensive core of Faber, Clarke, and Spence.

Thankfully when Blake is finally canned, he will likely never get a job in this league again.

How do you get Marner? And damn that right side is soft.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

How do you get Marner? And damn that right side is soft.

The rumored return for Doughty a few years ago was Marner+.

We could fill the entire left side of the D with Tom Wilson clones if you want. Surely we would have the cap space, because we’re not paying PLD $8m a year to drift listlessly into the great beyond.

 

[kingsfan28]

The rumored return for Doughty a few years ago was Marner+.

We could fill the entire left side of the D with Tom Wilson clones if you want. Surely we would have the cap space, because we’re not paying PLD $8m a year to drift listlessly into the great beyond.

I had a mental image of that and just laughed.

 

[Herby]

The "Faber didn't want to be a King" thing is this boards illusory truth effect.

It's truly amazing how many people still believe this to be true when there is zero to back it up.

Faber didn't not sign with the Kings because he didn't want to play in LA, he didn't sign with the Kings because he wanted to play for the University of Minnesota and try and win a National Championship instead of playing in the AHL, it's the same reason why he didn't sign with the Wild when he was traded there.

 

[Nasti]

The "Faber didn't want to be a King" thing is this boards illusory truth effect.

It's truly amazing how many people still believe this to be true when there is zero to back it up.

Faber didn't not sign with the Kings because he didn't want to play in LA, he didn't sign with the Kings because he wanted to play for the University of Minnesota and try and win a National Championship instead of playing in the AHL, it's the same reason why he didn't sign with the Wild when he was traded there.

If it makes you feel better, I saw someone say the same thing on Facebook the other day.

 

[Herby]

If it makes you feel better, I saw someone say the same thing on Facebook the other day.

You are right, I've heard other fans say it on various social media posts, so it's more of a fanbase thing than a specific board thing.

I feel like it will be used even more now as some kind of excuse/defense of Blake, as Faber is looking like the Calder favorite with the Bedard injury.

 

[Johnny Utah]

It's getting annoying watching the amount of Kings succeed elsewhere....

Toffoli tearing it up in Vancouver, Montreal, and NJ while he struggled in LA toward the end.

Pearson going goal less in LA, struggling a bit in Pittsburgh then ressurecting his career in Vancouver.

Martinez showing he is a top 4 D man and getting better with age.

McNabb emerging as a top 4 D, while Forbort bounces around as a journeyman 5-6 D man.

Amadio going to Ottawa, Toronto and then finding a home in Vegas.

Walker playing great in Philly.

Vilardi and Iaffalo having great years in Winnipeg.

Durzi showing he is basically an All Star D man in Arizona.

Cernak being a top 4 D-man and the type of D the Kings don't have and haven't had in years - a phyiscal young RHD who can still put up 15-20 points. I guess you can say Roy is comparable, but Cernak is younger, bigger and a little nastier.

 

[Little Psycho]

Looks like I’ll be missing this early start game. Oh no…

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Times are tough right now but hopefully they can get back on track tonight. Would be a big win against a good team, something that can start some momentum (hopefully).

Seems like some of the recent lineup changes haven't exactly been working - I'd love to see them go with the following:

Byfield - Kopitar - Kaliyev
Kempe - PLD - Laferriere
Fiala - Danault - Moore
Grundstrom - Lizotte - Lewis

Anderson - Doughty
Gavrikov - Clarke
Roy - Spence

Some notes:

- Obviously Kaliyev is no Kempe at this point in his career, but maybe giving him a chance with Byfield and Kopitar (two playmakers with strong defensive games) will help get him going​

- Reunite the Danault line.... This was one of the best lines in hockey and Danault / Moore have insane chemistry. Put them back together.​

- Defensively..... reduce Doughty's minutes and give Clarke/Spence a little more ice time (this should be a no-brainer IMO)​

- Play Roy on his off side... Roy is very strong defensively and is much more experienced.. If we're going to have to play a RHD on the left side, I'd rather it be a guy like Roy than a young offensive defenseman like Clarke or Spence​

​

As I'm sure many would agree - I'd also love to see Fagemo get a chance and get some powerplay time - But I'm just going off of the current active roster with the above.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

It's getting annoying watching the amount of Kings succeed elsewhere....

Toffoli tearing it up in Vancouver, Montreal, and NJ while he struggled in LA toward the end.

Pearson going goal less in LA, struggling a bit in Pittsburgh then ressurecting his career in Vancouver.

Martinez showing he is a top 4 D man and getting better with age.

McNabb emerging as a top 4 D, while Forbort bounces around as a journeyman 5-6 D man.

Amadio going to Ottawa, Toronto and then finding a home in Vegas.

Walker playing great in Philly.

Vilardi and Iaffalo having great years in Winnipeg.

Durzi showing he is basically an All Star D man in Arizona.

Cernak being a top 4 D-man and the type of D the Kings don't have and haven't had in years - a phyiscal young RHD who can still put up 15-20 points. I guess you can say Roy is comparable, but Cernak is younger, bigger and a little nastier.

JFC, the rewriting of history is amazing,

Toffoli, Pearson, Martinez were ALL dumps in the midst of trying to rebuild etc....

McNabb, Amadio, Walker, Durzi, Iafallo - the board wanted shot......

Vilardi is the only valid criticism.... but holy crap

 

[KingsHockey24]

It's getting annoying watching the amount of Kings succeed elsewhere....

Toffoli tearing it up in Vancouver, Montreal, and NJ while he struggled in LA toward the end.

Pearson going goal less in LA, struggling a bit in Pittsburgh then ressurecting his career in Vancouver.

Martinez showing he is a top 4 D man and getting better with age.

McNabb emerging as a top 4 D, while Forbort bounces around as a journeyman 5-6 D man.

Amadio going to Ottawa, Toronto and then finding a home in Vegas.

Walker playing great in Philly.

Vilardi and Iaffalo having great years in Winnipeg.

Durzi showing he is basically an All Star D man in Arizona.

Cernak being a top 4 D-man and the type of D the Kings don't have and haven't had in years - a phyiscal young RHD who can still put up 15-20 points. I guess you can say Roy is comparable, but Cernak is younger, bigger and a little nastier.

A little nastier? Sir - when have you seen Roy do this.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

 

[tny760]

yep there's the plan, hold him out a game, dangle the carrot, rip it away

he could have scored a hat trick in that game and it wouldn't have mattered a bit

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

yep there's the plan, hold him out a game, dangle the carrot, rip it away

he could have scored a hat trick in that game and it wouldn't have mattered a bit

Yep, he Youngblooded the coach......

I mean shit if we are gonna make shit up, why do it halfway?

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Was just going to post this.... You've gotta be f***ing kidding me......

Reuniting the Danault line is fine & makes sense but Kempe has been on fire lately and is finally helping PLD start to produce.

But the bigger issue is the change on defense.... What the F*CK are they doing????? You call up the best defenseman outside of the NHL (and lose a previous 1st round pick via waivers to a division rival in order to do so) just so you can healthy scratch him 2 out of the first 3 games he's on the roster?????

Why even call him up in the first place if that's your 'plan'?????

That's just egregiously horrendous asset management. Clarke was playing big minutes and absolutely on fire in the AHL.... Now they're going to jerk him in and out of the lineup for a couple weeks before (probably) sending him back down??? What a joke.

 

[johnjm22]

there are some issues that some people are too harsh on him, Faber being one of them. The guy just did not want to play here, simple as that. Another issue is the PLD trade, Moving Iafallo opened space for Moore, Kupari is not what we need and Villardi’s health history will always be a concern.

The Kings absolutely needed another center if they're trying to compete THIS YEAR. It makes the rest of the lineup fall into place. But whether or not PLD is that guy was always debatable.

As of now, Blake's two big trades; Faber for Fiala, and Vilardi/Iafallo for PLD, don't look great. We also lost a 2nd and a 1st in those deals.

I'm still going to give it some time. Vilardi could get injured again. PLD could be good in the playoffs, but I really don't like Dubois so far. He makes watching the Kings less enjoyable.