LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Axl Rhoadz]

He already f***ed it up with poor development, the wrong picks, the wrong extensions, and the wrong coaching staff.

We are not winning it all with this groups.

While it will never happen.

Sell off mid aged guys and start over. Keep vets for mentorship. Keep the youth to try and build off of.

Fire Blake, Luc, and the entire coaching staff. Keep half the scouting staff and find a real builder in the mold of Lombardi!

Not the answer we all want to here but that’s my honest opinion.

Here you go @kilowatt -- I guess this is quality of posting we are arguing about. Good stuff!

 

[bland]

Because it's rage-baiting other people I want to have discussions with, and frankly an entire forum shouldn't have to ignore a troll.

So accepting a dumber, angrier discourse is the way to go?

They have nothing but remedial takes anyway. Its the equivalent of a crying, whining little baby on a flight. You can personally ignore it, but everybody else in the cabin won't stop talking about how annoying it is when the easiest decision is to just throw it out the window and let everybody get back to their normal flight.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

He already f***ed it up with poor development, the wrong picks, the wrong extensions, and the wrong coaching staff.

We are not winning it all with this groups.

While it will never happen.

Sell off mid aged guys and start over. Keep vets for mentorship. Keep the youth to try and build off of.

Fire Blake, Luc, and the entire coaching staff. Keep half the scouting staff and find a real builder in the mold of Lombardi!

Not the answer we all want to hear but that’s my honest opinion.

How long do you rebuild though, in perpetuity? Do we wanna be the Oilers and engage in a 12 year rebuild, or Ottawa and 15 years, or Buffalo and 25 years?

Where do you stop the recycling of players?

 

[tny760]

when the easiest decision is to just throw it out the window and let everybody get back to their normal flight.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

To be clear, personally, when I take the 'wait and see' stance - It's because I think we'll have a better idea how bad the issues really are after a month or two and will also be able to better assess which players we can target to address those issues. I also take that approach with some prospects/young players because I believe some of these guys could end up being sick players and if that happens the whole outlook for the future completely changes. But my patience is also getting a little thin.

I wish Blake had addressed the goaltending situation in the offseason. I also wish they had drafted/developed better goalies and hadn't placed a massive (losing) bet on Cal Petersen when he was unproven. PLD is sick, but right now I kind of which they had avoided making that move and focused on addressing goaltending/toughness instead as I believe Byfield would've be fine (or even really good) as a 3C this year.

There's certainly past (and current) mistakes that can be criticized. And there's certainly concerns for the future. And I don't really have a problem talking about those - Especially when it comes to talking about ways they might be able to fix those issues/concerns.

I think for me (and I'm sure some others on these boards) - there are two things that just get a little tiring.
1. The seemingly constant state of misery when in reality the Kings are a pretty damn good team and the future actually could be pretty damn bright given the young talent in the organization
2. When people make claims like the one below

We are not winning it all with this group.

Now I'm not trying to pick on my mans right here but brother...... You just flat out don't know that.

Sure, you might believe that and ultimately you might be right. But making a claim like that is completely ridiculous because you also might be totally and completely wrong. Sports are unpredictable AF and things can (and do) change.

Edit: I get that your post was just your opinion, but you make a statement like that saying they should just pack it all up and phone it in / tear it down when the Kings are JUST coming out of a rebuild. We don't know whether or not this group can get it done. That's why you play the games, make the trades, assemble the team.... To try to win. What you're basically saying is that they should just give up because what they have might not be good enough. With that approach, every single team would be in a constant rebuild lol.

Just like how some people get annoyed with the 'overly' optimistic fans who think the Kings are a great team (and call them stupid, high, etc for saying that).... Some others get pretty annoyed with the overly pessimistic fans who think everything's a total disaster and we have no chance at all to win anything.

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

How long do you rebuild though, in perpetuity? Do we wanna be the Oilers and engage in a 12 year rebuild, or Ottawa and 15 years, or Buffalo and 25 years?

Where do you stop the recycling of players?

Until you draft a stud defenseman and stud center.

First thing is first getting rid of guys like Luc and Blake.

Then again I think AEG is fine with making the playoffs and money. So nothing is gonna change. It starts at the tip top and I honestly think the Kings winning is not even on AEG radar.

Blake and Luc get to relive their playing days and hire their old teammates to contracts and hang out. I think these two may be trying to win; they just aren’t smart and savvy enough to pull it off.

Like I said in a previous thread neither of these guys won cups on teams they led. They joined super teams in Detroit and Colorado. To be honest they both left teams that they personally couldn’t get over the hill as Captains.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Until you draft a stud defenseman and stud center.

First thing is first getting rid of guys like Kuc and Blake.

Then again I think AEG is fine with making the playoffs and money. So nothing is gonna change. It starts at the tip top and I honestly think the Kings winning is not even on AEG radar.

Blake and Luc get to relive their playing days and hire their old teammates to contracts and hang out. I think these two may be trying to win they just aren’t smart and savy enough to put it to together outside of their own playing. Like I said in a previous thread neither of theee guys won cups on teams they led. They joined super teams in Detroit and Colorado.

Got it, so a stud C and a stud D......so tell me when is Ottawa winning the cup, this year or next?

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

Got it, so a stud C and a stud D......so tell me when is Ottawa winning the cup, this year or next?

Let’s see how they manage it. Those are building blocks not the entire house. You’re not doing it without those foundational pieces though.

I’m more interested in what Anaheim is doing to be honest. Will also be interesting to see where Chicago goes with it.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Until you draft a stud defenseman and stud center.

First thing is first getting rid of guys like Luc and Blake.

Then again I think AEG is fine with making the playoffs and money. So nothing is gonna change. It starts at the tip top and I honestly think the Kings winning is not even on AEG radar.

Blake and Luc get to relive their playing days and hire their old teammates to contracts and hang out. I think these two may be trying to win; they just aren’t smart and savvy enough to pull it off.

Like I said in a previous thread neither of these guys won cups on teams they led. They joined super teams in Detroit and Colorado. To be honest they both left teams that they personally couldn’t get over the hill as Captains.

Hell they even tried to do the same thing as front office men by hijacking the franchise DL built, inheriting assets, infrastructure, and deep pockets

But the hockey gods were like no no noooooo, y'all are f***ed, watch me injure all your draft picks while your incompetence covers the rest

 

[Schrute farms]

So which goaltender did you think Blake should of added to his shopping list?

Why are you bringing up the past? It's all hindsight bias, 20/20, etc. This is the team we have. Not some xbox made up fantasy poster revision of the past. When you get your own NHL team, then you can talk about what ideas and success you have with it.

See what i did there

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Let’s see how they manage it. Those are building blocks not the entire house. You’re not doing it without those foundational pieces though.

It takes a helluva lot more than a C and a D to win.....but theoretically, OTT should not have stopped the rebuild right? I mean unless you count Chabot as a franchise Dman...

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Until you draft a stud defenseman and stud center.

First thing is first getting rid of guys like Luc and Blake.

Then again I think AEG is fine with making the playoffs and money. So nothing is gonna change. It starts at the tip top and I honestly think the Kings winning is not even on AEG radar.

Blake and Luc get to relive their playing days and hire their old teammates to contracts and hang out. I think these two may be trying to win; they just aren’t smart and savvy enough to pull it off.

Like I said in a previous thread neither of these guys won cups on teams they led. They joined super teams in Detroit and Colorado. To be honest they both left teams that they personally couldn’t get over the hill as Captains.

Did VGK draft a ‘stud’ D and C? I mean certainly they did as they just won the cup I just can’t remember who they are.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Let’s see how they manage it. Those are building blocks not the entire house. You’re not doing it without those foundational pieces though.

I’m more interested in what Anaheim is doing to be honest. Will also be interesting to see where Chicago goes with it.

Well, ANA should stop the rebuild....they have Zegras, and the Drysdale....so they should be stopping the rebuild and adding in assets...right?

 

[SaltyElkHunter]

It takes a helluva lot more than a C and a D to win.....but theoretically, OTT should not have stopped the rebuild right? I mean unless you count Chabot as a franchise Dman.

Those aren’t the players I would single out as to how I would build a franchise around. Better than building around Byfield who doesn’t look to be a center Turcotte who Blake didn’t listen to his scouts about.

In those two drafts I had Stutzel and Zegras as the picks so if that had happened I guess I would still be losing looking for the next Hughes or Makar

Well, ANA should stop the rebuild....they have Zegras, and the Drysdale....so they should be stopping the rebuild and adding in assets...right?

Drysdale is a number 2. Anaheim needs to just let their kids play and bring in guys with amazing work habits to mentor them. Then when the kids start getting their feet under them then add players. I bet they add another stud damn in this draft.

Did VGK draft a ‘stud’ D and C? I mean certainly they did as they just won the cup I just can’t remember who they are.

Vegas got the best expansion head start in the history of sports and they backed into a cup.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Those aren’t the players I would single out as to how I would build a franchise around. Better than building around Byfield who doesn’t look to be a center Turcotte who Blake didn’t listen to his scouts about.

In those two drafts I had Stutzel and Zegras as the picks so if that had happened I guess I would still be losing looking for the next Hughes or Makar


Drysdale is a number 2.

So if you have to draft a Stutzle and then a Hughes or Makar.....holy shit there is no end to the rebuilding? Players like Hughes and Makar don't come around every often....go down the list from 2010 -2020 and see how many Makar/Hughes were drafted, besides, Makar/Hughes ....Dahlin maybe?

 

[Schmooley]

Well, ANA should stop the rebuild....they have Zegras, and the Drysdale....so they should be stopping the rebuild and adding in assets...right?

It seems like they are transitioning out of rebuild because they did bring in assets. Guys like Strome, Gudas, Killorn to kind of round out and insulate their youth not plug the spots of the youth.
Though it isnt to compete as a contender. When their draft picks reach their prime they will go out and bring in some high end ringers to fill out needs like LA did with Richards Carter Mitchell Williams.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

So if you have to draft a Stutzle and then a Hughes or Makar.....holy shit there is no end to the rebuilding? Players like Hughes and Makar don't come around every often....go down the list from 2010 -2020 and see how many Makar/Hughes were drafted, besides, Makar/Hughes ....Dahlin maybe?

I can do it on XBox, what’s the problem?

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Until you draft a stud defenseman and stud center.

Just hypothetically.... What if Byfield actually is a late bloomer and does in fact turn out to be a stud and moves back to center as soon as next year??

What if Clarke ends up being a stud #1 D who can carry a defense and put up a ton of points??

This is where the "we have too wait and see what we actually have" argument becomes pretty relevant IMO.

What you're basically saying is the Kings should completely start over because we might not have those two building pieces. Seems like jumping the gun a little bit to me, no???

Like I said in my other post, you might end up being right. But what's the rush to tear everything down and rebuild? Why not give it a little bit more time to see what we actually have with some of these players?

Genuine question ^ not trying to be combative. Do you just really not believe in any of our prospects/young players? (That's relatively understandable even if I personally disagree)

 

[Schrute farms]

What if the Kings draft the two greatest players in NHL history with their 6th & 7th round 2024 picks -- guys who end up completely transforming the league & dominate for 15+ years.

 

[tbrown33]

https://x.com/JWPatarino/status/1714706104792264858?s=20

key takeaway here is that Lewis drags down literally everyone

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

https://x.com/JWPatarino/status/1714706104792264858?s=20

key takeaway here is that Lewis drags down literally everyone

Sure but he keeps Drew happy and he'll be 37 this year so he's practically cemented his ticket to eventual long-term play on the 2nd line while a kid toils in the minors dodging head-high elbows for minimum contract

 

[bland]

https://x.com/JWPatarino/status/1714706104792264858?s=20

key takeaway here is that Lewis drags down literally everyone

Funny, all I get out of it is that whoever wrote that garbage has no idea what they are talking about.

 

[AbsentMojo]

This is funny

Sure but he keeps Drew happy and he'll be 37 this year so he's practically cemented his ticket to eventual long-term play on the 2nd line while a kid toils in the minors dodging head-high elbows for minimum contract

My kid asked me why he's on the team and thats exactly what I told him. LAK CC (country club) where winning takes a back seat to lifestyle and the star players from last decade chip in on personnel decisions.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Goaltending is easily the most enigmatic position in the league. It is ironic that Jets fans are complaining about their start and their goaltending behind Hellebuyck as well right after signing him for an eternity at $8.5M and the Kings are sitting at a better GA albeit only 3 games in.

Ultimately, it is a mixed bag and you just need someone back there you can rely on to at least be sharp enough to make the best attempts at every shot against. If Talbot can maintain his play then it would buy us more time to find a solution, but I am hoping that he is not it regardless. Seems like a good dude and there are things I like about his game that are noticeably better than most goalies we've had recently, but he just isn't the guy you want to rely on in a playoff series against Edmonton or Vegas, and that really is the question Kings brass needs to be asking themselves every single day.

He looked terrible game 1.. good in game 3. Lets say he continues playing well.. at 36 how many games can he start before he fades? He did well 2 years ago in minne with 49 games under his belt. If he can do the same, that is another rabbit out of the hat for Blake.. I just dont think its likely. Contenders dont have this weak of a goalie pipeline.

 

[Cianide]

Then again I think AEG is fine with making the playoffs and money. So nothing is gonna change. It starts at the tip top and I honestly think the Kings winning is not even on AEG radar.

This. AEG just wants that first round money and that's it.