LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Schmooley]

I'm still bitter about trading Martinez to a DIVISION RIVAL, the guy who scored the GWG in OT to win us a cup. I know he's had injury trouble, but he would've been a great guy to keep around for the youth. I was the one bitching about Bjornfot not playing, and now he ended up on that same rival. At least VGK are on a shitty losing skid, which makes our terrible streak easier to swallow. I'm getting analysis fatigue.

It made sense to trade Martinez at the time though never to Vegas. It ended up even dumber because just 2 years later they started trying to find players to plug the hole he left and compete again right away.
Also trade Toffoli and immediately trade for Fiala. Trade Muzzin and immediately bring in Maatta and Edler.
May as well have just kept all those depth pieces instead of sucking for no reason. We must not gloss over the fact that they keep bringing in and out depth players and they are taking the blame yet the same core of players that play half a game are immune.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

So as per the mayor

the Clarke callup was literally just to keep him as a 7th dman just in case--as moverare is close to waivers and they were going cross country. However--they're keeping him out of games because they don't want him to cut into the bonus overages the Kings are already racking up for next season with Talbot, Byfield, et. al.

Lmao it just gets worse. Why waive Bjornfot then? Absolute self-inflicted stupidity over and over and over

and before the inevitable bootlicking 'well what was he supposed to do' remember that these are all self-created problems. If you're THAT cap inflexible that you're already worried about next year due to 250k bonuses, it's just bad management upon bad management.

That article reeks of desperate ass covering by the organizational mouthpiece. His explanation completely undercuts the cover he’s trying to run for the organization.

The argument that they “can’t afford” to play him A) isn’t true (any earned bonuses he or others earn, which is mostly speculative at this point, don’t prevent him from playing, they just roll over to next year); and B) makes literally no sense when you consider the fact they already had a seventh defenseman on the roster who could have gone on the trip in Bjornfot.

 

[bland]

Maybe they wouldn't have to worry about less than a million in bonuses from a ready top pick if an ancient "captain" on his last legs didn't take $7 million for two more years after earning well over $100 million in his career.

 

[Herby]

All these posts and complaints here are all rooted in Rob Blake and Luc Robitaille's ridiculous decision to prematurely end the Kings rebuild to appease the whining of Drew Doughty. Just look at where this team could be had they just continued the course, they'd be just about ready to come out of this with a lot of really good young assets (although developing them properly may have still been an issue)

So as per the mayor

the Clarke callup was literally just to keep him as a 7th dman just in case--as moverare is close to waivers and they were going cross country. However--they're keeping him out of games because they don't want him to cut into the bonus overages the Kings are already racking up for next season with Talbot, Byfield, et. al.

Lmao it just gets worse. Why waive Bjornfot then? Absolute self-inflicted stupidity over and over and over

and before the inevitable bootlicking 'well what was he supposed to do' remember that these are all self-created problems. If you're THAT cap inflexible that you're already worried about next year due to 250k bonuses, it's just bad management upon bad management.

I've used this one before, but this is why McDonald's doesn't hire the Hall of Fame fry-cook and burger-flipper to be C-Level executives.

These two guys should be ambassadors that are schmoozing people on the suite level before games and at tip-a-King (does this still exist ?).

Luc was my fav player growing up, and he couldn't have been nicer the two times I was able to meet him (once as a kid in Pittsburgh and once as an adult), but lets be honest here, he is never going to be mistaken for a Rhodes Scholar, he has absolutely zero qualifications to be President of an NHL club, and all the cronyism starts with him.

 

[Nasti]

Remember when Luc was the head of business operations right after retirement? Totally qualified.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Re the inanity of the Mayor thing on Clarke this post sums it up well. And just to review: they drop 70 mil on a slug and worry about 850K next season is prototypical penny wise and dollar foolish. Why call him up at all is the question if its even true. Sound like a dying regime covering up some total disconnect between GM and coach.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Maybe they wouldn't have to worry about less than a million in bonuses from a ready top pick if an ancient "captain" on his last legs didn't take $7 million for two more years after earning well over $100 million in his career.

Stfu (respectfully)

 

[Herby]

Re the inanity of the Mayor thing on Clarke this post sums it up well. And just to review: they drop 70 mil on a slug and worry about 850K next season is prototypical penny wise and dollar foolish. Why call him up at all is the question if its even true. Sound like a dying regime covering up some total disconnect between GM and coach.

I love when people call-out Pravda for the complete and total BS he spews both in print and on his podcast. The guy clearly thinks he is an adult and we are kindergartners, the only useful thing about Pravda is the "inside" information that the organization wants to be let out.

So they are worried about an 800k bonus they would have to pay Clarke if he were to literally have a Norris Trophy caliber second half of the season, for a team that management claims is a cup contender? You can't even make this stuff up.

He correctly pointed out how one of the bonuses is unattainable (blocked shots), but it's funny the all-rookie one is going to be tough to achieve too, because Blake traded away someone already cemented into one of those spots.

 

[Bandit]

Well what was he supposed to do?

Fall dick first into a cactus.

 

[King'sPawn]

So as per the mayor

the Clarke callup was literally just to keep him as a 7th dman just in case--as moverare is close to waivers and they were going cross country. However--they're keeping him out of games because they don't want him to cut into the bonus overages the Kings are already racking up for next season with Talbot, Byfield, et. al.

Lmao it just gets worse. Why waive Bjornfot then? Absolute self-inflicted stupidity over and over and over

and before the inevitable bootlicking 'well what was he supposed to do' remember that these are all self-created problems. If you're THAT cap inflexible that you're already worried about next year due to 250k bonuses, it's just bad management upon bad management.

It's no longer robbing Peter to pay Paul. It's robbing Peter to pay Judas.

Maybe they wouldn't have to worry about less than a million in bonuses from a ready top pick if an ancient "captain" on his last legs didn't take $7 million for two more years after earning well over $100 million in his career.

Or paying PLD $8.5 for the next 8 years. You know, people who aren't actually pulling their weight.

He's already taken a $3 million drop in his cap space which would have been enough to pay all those bonuses. Calling out Kopitar at this point just sounds like you're back to grinding your axe after spending years saying that he doesn't care or push himself.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Stfu (respectfully)

Butthurt much lol

 

[AbsentMojo]

I love when people call-out Pravda for the complete and total BS he spews both in print and on his podcast. The guy clearly thinks he is an adult and we are kindergartners, the only useful thing about Pravda is the "inside" information that the organization wants to be let out.

So they are worried about an 800k bonus they would have to pay Clarke if he were to literally have a Norris Trophy caliber second half of the season, for a team that management claims is a cup contender? You can't even make this stuff up.

He correctly pointed out how one of the bonuses is unattainable (blocked shots), but it's funny the all-rookie one is going to be tough to achieve too, because Der Leader traded away someone already cemented into one of those spots.

The only useful tihng about the Blake regime is it will be used to teach future GMs how a rebuild can be totally f***ed up in the shortest amount of time.

It's no longer robbing Peter to pay Paul. It's robbing Peter to pay Judas.

Thats a great line

 

[Herby]

Don't blame any of the players, not even PLD. They are in the cap spot because of the poor decisions made by the general manager of this team. There is nobody else to blame for being in this cap situation.

What a situation to be in for Rob Blake

0 playoff series wins
Multiple poor trades
Multiple poor draft picks
Multiple poor development decisions
Up against the cap
Best Buddy #1 as your boss
Best Buddy #2 as your assistant GM
Best Buddy #3 as your director of player development
3 Different HC hires
Current HC your former coach as a player, who you pay more than any coach in the league

Contract extension!

 

[AbsentMojo]

Remember when Luc was the head of business operations right after retirement? Totally qualified.

You have to blame the AEG team for enabling this stupidity. The right thing to do is what the Blackhawks did in 2010s when they invited back all their legends who were alienated by the cheapskate $ Bill Wirtz.. as ambasadors, not upper management. AEG deserves the blame here.. Luc is doing blow and laughing all the way to the bank inviting all his friends to coming swimming with him - water is fine.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Butthurt much lol

Nahhhhh lol it's just annoying when you have fans disrespecting a guy who has been nothing short of consistently excellent for 16+ years.

The guy is 36 years old and is still the team's top point producer (granted, tied with Kempe). He's led the team in scoring 15 out of the last 16 seasons while being a dominant 200ft player and a Selke caliber 1st line center throughout the entirety of his nearly 18 year career.

2 Stanley Cups, 2 Selke Trophies, 2 Lady Byngs, 1 Mark Messier Leadership Award, 5 time NHL all star, most games played as an LA King with over 1300 games (a testament to his durability).

He eats minutes, wins faceoffs, stays out of the box, blocks shots, kills penalties, and puts up points at an elite level. He's also a great leader and an excellent role model to young players. An all around world class player and person.

And some of y'all are still out here wanting to blame him for the team/organization's shortcomings???? Give me a break.

Saying "an ancient "captain" on his last legs" and insinuating that he's the reason we have cap problems is so utterly patronizing and idiotic it's actually astonishing.

This is the best Los Angeles King of all time we're talking about. Yes he's getting up there in age but he's still playing at an incredibly high level and is still absolutely worth $10 million this year and will likely easily be worth $7 million the next two years (even if he does slow down).

 

[BigKing]

Nahhhhh lol it's just annoying when you have fans disrespecting a guy who has been nothing short of consistently excellent for 16+ years.

The guy is 36 years old and is still the team's top point producer (granted, tied with Kempe). He's led the team in scoring 15 out of the last 16 seasons while being a dominant 200ft player and a Selke caliber 1st line center throughout the entirety of his nearly 18 year career.

2 Stanley Cups, 2 Selke Trophies, 2 Lady Byngs, 1 Mark Messier Leadership Award, 5 time NHL all star, most games played as an LA King with over 1300 games (a testament to his durability).

He eats minutes, wins faceoffs, stays out of the box, blocks shots, kills penalties, and puts up points at an elite level. He's also a great leader and an excellent role model to young players. An all around world class player and person.

And some of y'all are still out here wanting to blame him for the team/organization's shortcomings???? Give me a break.

Saying "an ancient "captain" on his last legs" and insinuating that he's the reason we have cap problems is so utterly patronizing and idiotic it's actually astonishing.

This is the best Los Angeles King of all time we're talking about. Yes he's getting up there in age but he's still playing at an incredibly high level and is still absolutely worth $10 million this year and will likely easily be worth $7 million the next two years (even if he does slow down).

Should have been one year at a time on the contract.

 

[King'sPawn]

Should have been one year at a time on the contract.

I agree. I was concerned of the two year addition, because he could slow down further than he already has.

 

[Kurrilino]

Stfu (respectfully)

I always knew it's you, Anze

Nobody is disrespecting his career or what he brings to the table.
The issue is that his achievements are top of the team.
If your top scorer is a 60+ point guy, you don't win anything.

For $10mill per year you have to be able to go toe to toe with the best of the best of the league.
The real playoff teams mop the floor with your Idol.

 

[Bandit]

Nahhhhh lol it's just annoying when you have fans disrespecting a guy who has been nothing short of consistently excellent for 16+ years.

The guy is 36 years old and is still the team's top point producer (granted, tied with Kempe). He's led the team in scoring 15 out of the last 16 seasons while being a dominant 200ft player and a Selke caliber 1st line center throughout the entirety of his nearly 18 year career.

2 Stanley Cups, 2 Selke Trophies, 2 Lady Byngs, 1 Mark Messier Leadership Award, 5 time NHL all star, most games played as an LA King with over 1300 games (a testament to his durability).

He eats minutes, wins faceoffs, stays out of the box, blocks shots, kills penalties, and puts up points at an elite level. He's also a great leader and an excellent role model to young players. An all around world class player and person.

And some of y'all are still out here wanting to blame him for the team/organization's shortcomings???? Give me a break.

Saying "an ancient "captain" on his last legs" and insinuating that he's the reason we have cap problems is so utterly patronizing and idiotic it's actually astonishing.

This is the best Los Angeles King of all time we're talking about. Yes he's getting up there in age but he's still playing at an incredibly high level and is still absolutely worth $10 million this year and will likely easily be worth $7 million the next two years (even if he does slow down).

You’re confusing disrespect with reality.

Yes, Kopitar did all those things and yes he probably is the greatest King in franchise history. He is also slowing down and should no longer be deployed like he’s still 25 years old.

Both things are true.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I love when people call-out Pravda for the complete and total BS he spews both in print and on his podcast. The guy clearly thinks he is an adult and we are kindergartners, the only useful thing about Pravda is the "inside" information that the organization wants to be let out.

So they are worried about an 800k bonus they would have to pay Clarke if he were to literally have a Norris Trophy caliber second half of the season, for a team that management claims is a cup contender? You can't even make this stuff up.

He correctly pointed out how one of the bonuses is unattainable (blocked shots), but it's funny the all-rookie one is going to be tough to achieve too, because Blake traded away someone already cemented into one of those spots.

it's true, they're contorting themselves and missing easy facts, like that Bjornfot was waived upon Clarke callup.



huffing and puffing and looking for excuses

it's tough job being a mouthpiece though

 

[bland]

It's no longer robbing Peter to pay Paul. It's robbing Peter to pay Judas.

Or paying PLD $8.5 for the next 8 years. You know, people who aren't actually pulling their weight.

He's already taken a $3 million drop in his cap space which would have been enough to pay all those bonuses. Calling out Kopitar at this point just sounds like you're back to grinding your axe after spending years saying that he doesn't care or push himself.

No, its paying an ancient player WAY too much who doesn't need the money AND the team needs to move on from because his presence is EXACTLY why Blake and Co have made one stupid decision after another.

Danault, Arvidsson, Fiala, Gavrikov, Dubois - all to chase something that they aren't capable of catching because they have completely misunderstood why they won the Cups in the first place.

And believe you me - I have a goddam magnum opus ready to drop at the end of this 8 year deal this summer, chock full of I told you so's galore. Told you 8 years ago that his extension guaranteed mediocrity with zero - ZERO - chance at success and yet here we are, buying two more years to make it a full decade.

But I am glad you got to watch your favorite player for 10 more years despite the damage it did to the franchise.

 

[BigKing]

Don't blame any of the players, not even PLD. They are in the cap spot because of the poor decisions made by the general manager of this team. There is nobody else to blame for being in this cap situation.

What a situation to be in for Rob Blake

0 playoff series wins
Multiple poor trades
Multiple poor draft picks
Multiple poor development decisions
Up against the cap
Best Buddy #1 as your boss
Best Buddy #2 as your assistant GM
Best Buddy #3 as your director of player development
3 Different HC hires
Current HC your former coach as a player, who you pay more than any coach in the league

Contract extension!

4-D Chess.

Dave Taylor got nine seasons and at least won a playoff series. Blake will be at seven seasons after this one and probably still searching for that first series win. If he finishes next season as GM, I think that ties him with Rogie for 3rd longest GM tenure in Kings history.

The current #s 2, 3 and 4 in longest GM tenure also have their jerseys up in the rafters. You can't make this shit up.

Dustin Brown, step on up.

 

[bland]

Nahhhhh lol it's just annoying when you have fans disrespecting a guy who has been nothing short of consistently excellent for 16+ years.

The guy is 36 years old and is still the team's top point producer (granted, tied with Kempe). He's led the team in scoring 15 out of the last 16 seasons while being a dominant 200ft player and a Selke caliber 1st line center throughout the entirety of his nearly 18 year career.

2 Stanley Cups, 2 Selke Trophies, 2 Lady Byngs, 1 Mark Messier Leadership Award, 5 time NHL all star, most games played as an LA King with over 1300 games (a testament to his durability).

He eats minutes, wins faceoffs, stays out of the box, blocks shots, kills penalties, and puts up points at an elite level. He's also a great leader and an excellent role model to young players. An all around world class player and person.

And some of y'all are still out here wanting to blame him for the team/organization's shortcomings???? Give me a break.

Saying "an ancient "captain" on his last legs" and insinuating that he's the reason we have cap problems is so utterly patronizing and idiotic it's actually astonishing.

This is the best Los Angeles King of all time we're talking about. Yes he's getting up there in age but he's still playing at an incredibly high level and is still absolutely worth $10 million this year and will likely easily be worth $7 million the next two years (even if he does slow down).

Maybe if you write him a letter he will send you an autographed picture.

 

[King'sPawn]

And believe you me - I have a goddam magnum opus ready to drop at the end of this 8 year deal this summer, chock full of I told you so's galore. Told you 8 years ago that his extension guaranteed mediocrity with zero - ZERO - chance at success and yet here we are, buying two more years to make it a full decade.

But I am glad you got to watch your favorite player for 10 more years despite the damage it did to the franchise.

I'm sure you'll roll it out after saying how much you claim you respect Kopitar's body of work, even though you continue to ignore my underlying point to this day: Kopitar was not the problem. How the team was developed, organized, and structured was.

If the Kings had accumulated other picks, focused on development, and properly rebuilt the team, more success was attainable within 7 years of tbe extension. Because success was attainable within 7 years of drafting him.

But I am glad you will be able to finally celebrate your own delusion that Kopitar's existence on the team was the problem. You've spent the last 17 years being wrong about him, starting with "The Myth of Anze Kopitar" on LGK.

Kopitar's removal from the team won't do shit when management continues to run the team under delusion and inability to execute or adhere to a plan. Once you figure that out, I have an "I told you so" too... because apparently you still haven't.

 

[tigermask48]

Re the inanity of the Mayor thing on Clarke this post sums it up well. And just to review: they drop 70 mil on a slug and worry about 850K next season is prototypical penny wise and dollar foolish. Why call him up at all is the question if its even true. Sound like a dying regime covering up some total disconnect between GM and coach.

It continues to amaze me that Rob Blake does his job about as well as I play OOTP Baseball or EHM/FHM.

The other day i took 5 hours to get my MLB and minor league rosters perfect in the off-season, only to forget to add my top prospects to my 40-man roster and proceed to lose them all in the Rule 5 draft.

The difference being I'm a complete amateur that half understands the rules and am bumbling my way through the game with Commissioner Mode on to fix my mistakes, not a paid professional fumbling through an actual sports season.