LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[LeftKinger]

Dean said in an interview a while back that he has been pursued but he’s not interested. He hated all the non-hockey stuff he had to deal with as GM. Prefers scouting.

We need a “we want Lombardi back” movement at Crypto.

Makes sense though, as a scout you can just focus on hockey.

 

[chris kontos]

I also did say before the season started that this is going to be a defining moment of who he is going to be. Hes doing a lot better than before but you also have to be realistic with his ceiling. If Byfield had that potential to be like one of those players then we wouldn’t have ever had those discussions to begin with since those types of players are impact players the second they join the league. Byfields ceiling is Jeff Carter lite. That’s good but when Kopitar is gone the Kings just need to sell out everything until they find that undisputed 1C then. Rebuilding around players that don’t have that kind of caliber is just bad business. Making standard players your rebuilding pieces is just ensuring mediocrity.

if byfield's ceiling is jeff carter that would be outstanding. carter doesnt get the acknowledgement he deserves as a generational great hockey talent. that guy, when he wanted to, could do it all. again, jeff's wild youth held him back a bit as it did most of us i think.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Just because Blake sucks doesn't mean Lombardi didn't deserve to be fired. I'll always appreciate what Lombardi did to bring those cups to L.A., but I'm also not just going to ignore all those bad and questionable decisions he made in those final years either.

 

[Nasti]

I also did say before the season started that this is going to be a defining moment of who he is going to be. Hes doing a lot better than before but you also have to be realistic with his ceiling. If Byfield had that potential to be like one of those players then we wouldn’t have ever had those discussions to begin with since those types of players are impact players the second they join the league. Byfields ceiling is Jeff Carter lite. That’s good but when Kopitar is gone the Kings just need to sell out everything until they find that undisputed 1C then. Rebuilding around players that don’t have that kind of caliber is just bad business. Making standard players your rebuilding pieces is just ensuring mediocrity.

Well we’re gonna have to disagree once again. Carter was never the impact player Byfield is showing he can be even when he’s not scoring. And I’m a Carter fan. But even still, in 6 months you went from “he does nothing well” to “Carter lite”. That’s a huge improvement in that time.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I still think Lombardi should’ve been given more time to right the ship.

He could not have possibly done worse than Blake over the past six years.

 

[Nasti]

I still think Lombardi should’ve been given more time to right the ship.

He could not have possibly done worse than Blake over the past six years.

He should have been told to start the rebuild. I suspect neither ownership nor Sutter were willing to go there at that time.

 

[BigKing]

Jeff Carter - Elite shot

Byfield - Golf bag full of putters only

I really like Byfield and Carter, but I don't love the comparison. I think Byfield is much more of a facilitator while Carter was always a threat to put up a Cy Young season.

 

[Nasti]

Jeff Carter - Elite shot

Byfield - Golf bag full of putters only

I really like Byfield and Carter, but I don't love the comparison. I think Byfield is much more of a facilitator while Carter was always a threat to put up a Cy Young season.

Byfield makes his linemates better. More so than Carter. That’s why his ceiling is higher.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I like how "he only scores on the rush" has turned into "he only scores repeatedly right in front of the net"

 

[kingsholygrail]

I like how "he only scores on the rush" has turned into "he only scores repeatedly right in front of the net"

Comes from the Ovechkin "he only scores from the left circle" school.

 

[AbsentMojo]

On pace for 16 pts - How does Lewis keep employed in the NHL.. answer: friends. He must be a hell of a guy.

 

[Telos]

How does Lewis keep employed in the NHL.. answer: friends. He must be a hell of a guy.

I mean, he wasn't bad in the beginning and played as everyone expected. He has been pretty good defensively and reliable at what he is. The problem is that he is always the boat anchor to players like Turcotte, Kaliyev, and Lizotte. It is definitely time to move on from him this offseason. I don't mind him on the roster, but he should be one of the ones in the pressbox more nights than not. His history with the team is ironically the biggest drawback with him because without it sitting him would be more likely by the coaching staff though he is a defensive darling and he and Lizzo have been solid on the PK.

 

[chris kontos]

Trevor lewis is unique in that he was born with concrete blocks for hands

 

[AbsentMojo]

I mean, he wasn't bad in the beginning and played as everyone expected. He has been pretty good defensively and reliable at what he is. The problem is that he is always the boat anchor to players like Turcotte, Kaliyev, and Lizotte. It is definitely time to move on from him this offseason. I don't mind him on the roster, but he should be one of the ones in the pressbox more nights than not. His history with the team is ironically the biggest drawback with him because without it sitting him would be more likely by the coaching staff though he is a defensive darling and he and Lizzo have been solid on the PK.

I think he only had job because of Sutter. And this season its due to DD. Its OK - he is a solid character and doesnt take shifts off. But you have assets like Turcotte and Kaliyev rotting that could at least be showcased for a trade and you play him and JAD always. Just makes no sense unless youre Todd - then it makes perfect sense.

 

[tny760]

i think that's kinda the key there, we wouldn't have any problem with lewis if not for also carrying JAD and grundstrom. that's just an offensive black hole that doesn't even play an "energy 4th line" role, they just exist

that's doubly true when they're played up the lineup because todd has some axe to grind

 

[Nasti]

We all agree that someone like Kaliyev shouldn’t be square peg round holed into the 4th line but you have to remember that it affects the other guys on the line too. For whatever reason, Blake has never been able to put together a good 4th line when it’s the easiest part of his job.

 

[BigKing]

I like how "he only scores on the rush" has turned into "he only scores repeatedly right in front of the net"

I've said it twice in the last 24 hours but it is in relation to being better than Kopitar and a comparison to Jeff Carter. Even then, it is pretty tongue-in-cheek as I'd expect him to score more on wrist shots as his career progresses.

What I really don't like is that he's basically averaging the same TOI that he did in his initial six game stint in 2021 and only 1:30 more than last season when he's clearly better than last season.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Lombardi refused to fire Sutter. That was his undoing coupled with the Lucic, Sekera, and Bishop trades.

Though, wasn't there a report or article about Lombardi being excited about a rebuild prior to being fired and doing his box thigs

 

[Nasti]

Lombardi refused to fire Sutter. That was his undoing coupled with the Lucic, Sekera, and Bishop trades.

Though, wasn't there a report or article about Lombardi being excited about a rebuild prior to being fired and doing his box thigs

I don’t remember but if he indicated that he was willing to start a rebuild, then it points to ownership not wanting to go there or Luc convincing them they didn’t need to go that route.

 

[YP44]

We all agree that someone like Kaliyev shouldn’t be square peg round holed into the 4th line but you have to remember that it affects the other guys on the line too. For whatever reason, Blake has never been able to put together a good 4th line when it’s the easiest part of his job.

Not sure if it is the easiest part but really I think LA could have the makings of a good 4th line with Grundtrom and Lizotte. Issue is more signing vets (lewis) to play in a spot where someone in Ontario should be given a chance.

I would actually like to see Thomas and Turcotte both on the 4th line. If that means moving out Grundstrom so be it.

Lombardi refused to fire Sutter. That was his undoing coupled with the Lucic, Sekera, and Bishop trades.

Though, wasn't there a report or article about Lombardi being excited about a rebuild prior to being fired and doing his box thigs

I remember this too but have never been able to find it.

I think sutter was gone not matter what. The fact it was both DL and Sutter was a little surprsing. I wanted DL to get a chance to re-tool/re-build with a new coach. Not sure if we would be worse off or not, a lot of what Blake has done (after the failed Kovalchuk signing) was pretty good for a rebuild....up intil the decision to bring in vets and start winning that is.

 

[BigKing]

Lombardi refused to fire Sutter. That was his undoing coupled with the Lucic, Sekera, and Bishop trades.

Though, wasn't there a report or article about Lombardi being excited about a rebuild prior to being fired and doing his box thigs

Believe DL intimated that he wasn't going to trade the upcoming 1st round pick in a segment with Bob Miller during DL's final season.

DL made mistakes, no doubt. People wanted his job(s), conspired against him and here we are. I'm sure that horrendous WC roster he put together was used to show how he was out-of-touch.

So out-of-touch that the new regime kept the same roster and promoted the assistant coach to head coach.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Lombardi refused to fire Sutter. That was his undoing coupled with the Lucic, Sekera, and Bishop trades.

Though, wasn't there a report or article about Lombardi being excited about a rebuild prior to being fired and doing his box thigs

That’s been the rumor for a long time. Lombardi felt betrayed by Richards and that really changed the way he looked at his players.

I still believe the Bishop trade was intended to be a long term acquisition made in anticipation of moving on from Quick.

 

[bmr]

Haven’t watched the Reign this year. How is his skating. I know he is huge but is he fleet enough to. Be an effective forechecket?

Most of the scouting reports on him say that he is a good skater for his size. Not the most agile, but with that long stride he can definitely make up for that. Also says he has decent edge-work and can make some tight/crisp turns, stop/start quickly. Might look a bit awkward at his size but seems to be effective enough for 4th line duty.

 

[johnjm22]

The Athletic Player's Poll came out today.

Fiala made the list for "Player's Whose Face You'd Most Like To Punch"

Dubois made the list for "Most Overrated Player"

 

[LeftKinger]

I don’t remember but if he indicated that he was willing to start a rebuild, then it points to ownership not wanting to go there or Luc convincing them they didn’t need to go that route.

I can actually see this happening. BLuc snaking Dean to take over. Probably didn’t help that Dean was a straight shooter and opposed anything corporate or business related. Luc getting buddy buddy with ownership and wanting more control, Blake playing both sides, Dean with some mistakes…his refusal to fire Sutter being the final domino. I can see it.

Dean was the best thing to ever happen to this org and he got fired three years removed from his second cup. That’s not enough rope if you ask me.