LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[lexlavender]

Maybe we'll get past this at least

PLD at 3am, going through Social media:

"You mother freaking trolls....it should be PL Duballs"

 

[Johnny Utah]

It's already been 2x by Elliott Friedman the Kings are looking for a depth forward with grit.

 

[Statto]

The only rationale for trading Kaliyev without seeing what Hiller can do with him IMO is IF he has a serious attitude problem. I think that’s highly unlikely from everything I’ve seen. If they want grit then a combination Grundström, JAD and a late pick I’d be happy to give up but no more (depending on who). I thought I heard Lizotte was possibly going LTIR so he won’t be in play, realistically.

I‘d also give it 10 games before any moves to see if Hiller gets any traction.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

82 games give teams, coaches and GMs enough time to evaluate their roster, mess around with the lines, establish an identity, realize where the holes are, make some moves/trades if necessary and get things ready for a playoff run if they are in contention. None of this has happened yet 5/8 into the season. Could anyone explain the philosophy behind bring a lazy malcontent onto the roster - how does that fit into the hard working defense oriented locker room? It doesnt... its a patch quilt roster without an identity. On top of that can you identify what each line's role is on the team? Do you have a shutdown line, a rush line, a possession line? The 4th line was the only line that had anything going and its dissolved into nothing even before Lizotte got hurt. Then you look at the leadership group Kopi, DD, Danault.. I blame them mostly for the come from ahead 2 goal losses, and not coming out of the tailspin because they are not strong leaders.. again that is on the GM and coach in the end.

Huh?? We've seen line changes, we've seen players from Ontario inserted into the lineup, different pairing, different powerplay units, different goalies (due to the Copley injury but still), they've also fired the coach... It seem pretty clear the roster is actively being evaluated and the team is trying to determine what needs exist?

Teams usually take until a bit before the trade deadline to fully evaluate their roster and target needs. Sure, some teams make moves earlier than that - But often times those are the teams that are easier to evaluate. Take the Canucks this year for example... They've been consistently great since the start of the year so could clearly evaluate their need for a strong scoring center/winger. Given the Kings drastically different play in the first 1/4 of the season and second 1/4 of the season - Things are less clear. Hence why I mentioned this next month is going to be crucial - Because hopefully it will provide some clarity into how good/bad this team actually is.

I assume in the middle there you're talking about the PLD acquisition - I agree that one looks puzzling/terrible right now. In terms of line roles, I believe that's part of the problem - Those roles haven't been super clear. Hopefully that changes with coaching changes. Ideally Kopitar's line is your possession line, Danault's line is your shutdown line (which is why Fiala on that line maybe isn't the best fit IMO), and then the Dubois line is your rush/scoring line (again, ideally). Due to the season Moore is having, the fact that Fiala has looked best with Danault, and the fact that PLD has been super disappointing, it's been more like the Danault line is your rush line and the Dubois line is the 'shutdown' line - Which clearly just doesn't work. The Danault line isn't terrible as a rush line but the Dubois line clearly can't be what we lean on to shut down opposition. Maybe something like this makes more sense for our top 9 to establish clearer line roles?
Byfield - Kopitar - Kempe (possession line that can score)
Turcotte - Dubois - Fiala (rush/scoring line)
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson (shutdown line that can also score - I'm bored of this line but we know it works)

The Kings are the 4th best team in the Pacific division. I just don't see how anyone can justify adding anything at the expense of any young assets. The team closest to us in the standings and on paper just traded one of their best players for future assets, that is what the Kings should be looking at doing, not the opposite.

You can justify adding if you believe the team is more in line with what we saw in the first 1/4th of the season. That's a Kings team you can get behind adding some players to in order to gear up for a playoff run. The Kings we've seen for the last 20 games or so??? Yeah, I'd agree that's a team no one should want to add to. The team you mentioned as a comparable has been mediocre all season. The Kings have been ELITE for half the year and trash for the other half - So its less clear. Did they just have a terrible month?? Or are they actually a fridge playoff team that should think about selling?? We have about 30 days to hopefully get some answers.

 

[kilowatt]

The Kings are the 4th best team in the Pacific division. I just don't see how anyone can justify adding anything at the expense of any young assets. The team closest to us in the standings and on paper just traded one of their best players for future assets, that is what the Kings should be looking at doing, not the opposite.

We're currently tied for 15th in the league with 56 points in 48 games. Through 48 games last year, we were tied for 11th in the league (with the Oilers) and had... 56 points. The year before that, we were tied for 15th in the league (...with the Oilers) with 55 points in 48 games.

We are quite literally no better than we were in February 2022, and this was our lineup:

Iafallo - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Athanasiou - Byfield - Brown
Lemieux - Lizotte - Kaliyev

Anderson - Doughty
Maatta - Roy
Bjornfot - Durzi

Petersen
Quick

We added Fiala and Dubois, traded away Faber, Vilardi, Kupari, Durzi, Grans, two first round picks, and unceremoniously jettisoned the greatest goaltender in franchise history, and yet we haven't seen any improvement whatsoever.

 

[Herby]

You can justify adding if you believe the team is more in line with what we saw in the first 1/4th of the season. That's a Kings team you can get behind adding some players to in order to gear up for a playoff run. The Kings we've seen for the last 20 games or so??? Yeah, I'd agree that's a team no one should want to add to. The team you mentioned as a comparable has been mediocre all season. The Kings have been ELITE for half the year and trash for the other half - So its less clear. Did they just have a terrible month?? Or are they actually a fridge playoff team that should think about selling?? We have about 30 days to hopefully get some answers.

A team who's two best players and starting goaltender are all ancient by hockey standards has fallen off after a fast start, I mean isn't there is a logical reason when you look at that? You think old players who fell off significantly from games 25-50 are going to pick it up again in games 82-110? That doesn't make sense.

You also can't justify adding to a team that doesn't have a championship caliber 1C or 1D and who's starting goaltender would be a backup for the majority of teams in the league. There are certain pre-reqs that should be there for a team to truly be called a contender, and the Kings are missing many of of those things. Can you tell me another team that was constructed this way that has had playoff success? Why are we supposed to believe the Kings are different, because we are Kings fans? If Calgary, Anaheim, San Jose or anyone else had a roster like this and were claiming to be contenders we'd all be laughing at them.

If the Kings truly do make another Bishop trade or another Sopel/Parrish trade, I hope people won't be on here calling people "MMQB" or saying "How was Blake supposed to know" if Kaliyev ends up being a 30+ goal guy somewhere else.

 

[kilowatt]

If the Kings truly do make another Bishop trade or another Sopel/Parrish trade, I hope people won't be on here calling people "MMQB" or saying "How was Blake supposed to know" if Kaliyev ends up being a 30+ goal guy somewhere else.

But @Herby how could we have re-signed Kaliyev? It would have been impossible. Blake's hands were tied. It wasn't his fault! What else could he have done? Who could have seen this coming?

 

[AbsentMojo]

So DJ Smith is essentially head coach?

 

[Schmooley]

It's already been 2x by Elliott Friedman the Kings are looking for a depth forward with grit.

Who is available?
Kings can use some size and grit up front. I like Duhaime, Torpchenko, Mccarron, Soderblom, maybe Beecher can be had cheap and given a chance. Could also bring up Helenius…

 

[AbsentMojo]

I assume in the middle there you're talking about the PLD acquisition - I agree that one looks puzzling/terrible right now. In terms of line roles, I believe that's part of the problem - Those roles haven't been super clear. Hopefully that changes with coaching changes. Ideally Kopitar's line is your possession line, Danault's line is your shutdown line (which is why Fiala on that line maybe isn't the best fit IMO), and then the Dubois line is your rush/scoring line (again, ideally). Due to the season Moore is having, the fact that Fiala has looked best with Danault, and the fact that PLD has been super disappointing, it's been more like the Danault line is your rush line and the Dubois line is the 'shutdown' line - Which clearly just doesn't work. The Danault line isn't terrible as a rush line but the Dubois line clearly can't be what we lean on to shut down opposition. Maybe something like this makes more sense for our top 9 to establish clearer line roles?
Byfield - Kopitar - Kempe (possession line that can score)
Turcotte - Dubois - Fiala (rush/scoring line)
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson (shutdown line that can also score - I'm bored of this line but we know it works)

See there really isnt a solution is there? The 2nd line will get caved in - collective -6 every night... the fun thing is, you could name it the cookie line.

 

[Kudelski37]

The Kings have been terrible when playing every other day. Teams usually play every other day in the playoffs. I think I see an issue.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

So DJ Smith is essentially head coach?

How does that make him essentially head coach?

 

[AbsentMojo]

How does that make him essentially head coach?

He's the guy deciding line changes for most of the game.. over time the players will look to him as the leader.. I get that he wants to minimize disruption, but its not like the PP was that fantastic.. i was hopingn for someone who would be willing to change personnel on the PP.

 

[Johnny Utah]

See there really isnt a solution is there? The 2nd line will get caved in - collective -6 every night... the fun thing is, you could name it the cookie line.

Duhaine, Greenway, Maroon, Olivier, Hathaway, Carrick.

 

[Telos]

Just have to see what the results are, it is tough to say as we don't know what behind-the-scenes factors there have been. For those that have forgotten, TMac was essentially catapulted to head coach material around the league based on being the powerplay and offense specialist of the Red Wings when they won the cup with the #1 overall powerplay. Of course, given their roster, that may not sound like much of a feat But given his "expertise" I wonder how much involvement he had behind the scenes. Either way, I was encouraged that he acknowledged that Kaliyev's right shot on the powerplay is something he is looking at. I don't even care if it is done by committee, but I am sure he is taking control of all head coach responsibilities and DJ is responsible for 5 on 5 tactics and drills.

 

[Sol]

How does that make him essentially head coach?

By…making him call the shots for the majority of the game? Lol

It’s so crazy how much of a mess this team is in.. lol Blake is so crazy.

He went from prematurely extending his booty call with zero success to firing him and now having dj smith running the team 5on5 while the player he sold the boat for has objectively killed the team financially, asset loss, and duration. All in the span of one year.

Talk about being a dumb ass with zero foresight lol

 

[kilowatt]

Hiller's no dummy. He doesn't want to captain this sinking ship.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Just have to see what the results are, it is tough to say as we don't know what behind-the-scenes factors there have been. For those that have forgotten, TMac was essentially catapulted to head coach material around the league based on being the powerplay and offense specialist of the Red Wings when they won the cup with the #1 overall powerplay. Of course, given their roster, that may not sound like much of a feat But given his "expertise" I wonder how much involvement he had behind the scenes. Either way, I was encouraged that he acknowledged that Kaliyev's right shot on the powerplay is something he is looking at. I don't even care if it is done by committee, but I am sure he is taking control of all head coach responsibilities and DJ is responsible for 5 on 5 tactics and drills.

I wonder if they'll decide whether to call timeout based on rock paper scissors

 

[BigKing]

Duhaine, Greenway, Maroon, Olivier, Hathaway, Carrick.

Maroon is out long term.

I love toughness and grit but trading Kaliyev for any of these guys is useless and stupid.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Duhaine, Greenway, Maroon, Olivier, Hathaway, Carrick.

Is that a list of the player posters you have in your bedroom? Jk Utah - you've been 100% right about the baby poop roster.

 

[chris kontos]

i fail to see what the big mystery is about- the kings need a goaltender. everything else is just fooling around the edges and wont change much if anything.
but keep doing work.

 

[AbsentMojo]

By…making him call the shots for the majority of the game? Lol

It’s so crazy how much of a mess this team is in.. lol Blake is so crazy.

He went from prematurely extending his booty call with zero success to firing him and now having dj smith running the team 5on5 while the playing he sold the boat for has objectively killed the team financially, asset loss, and duration. All in the span of one year.

Talk about being a dumb ass with zero foresight lol

Its one of biggest off season self-owns in league history

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

A team who's two best players and starting goaltender are all ancient by hockey standards has fallen off after a fast start, I mean isn't there is a logical reason when you look at that? You think old players who fell off significantly from games 25-50 are going to pick it up again in games 82-110? That doesn't make sense.

You also can't justify adding to a team that doesn't have a championship caliber 1C or 1D and who's starting goaltender would be a backup for the majority of teams in the league. There are certain pre-reqs that should be there for a team to truly be called a contender, and the Kings are missing many of of those things. Can you tell me another team that was constructed this way that has had playoff success? Why are we supposed to believe the Kings are different, because we are Kings fans? If Calgary, Anaheim, San Jose or anyone else had a roster like this and were claiming to be contenders we'd all be laughing at them.

If the Kings truly do make another Bishop trade or another Sopel/Parrish trade, I hope people won't be on here calling people "MMQB" or saying "How was Blake supposed to know" if Kaliyev ends up being a 30+ goal guy somewhere else.

Well I consider 25+ games as more than just a fast start - When you look at the recent slump.... It's honestly primarily just a bad January.

The Kings were 7-4-2 in December and were 9th in the NHL with a .682 points % on January 1 (5th best points percentage in the NHL). So essentially we have a team who was REALLY good for the first 2 and a half months of the season, and then really bad for the last month.

You're choosing to view the month of January as a fall from grace and the new reality for the group. I'm choosing to view it as (hopefully) a bad slump where the team just wasn't clicking at all, players were being deployed incorrectly, and we had a coach who had clearly lost control of the room. Ultimately you might be right, and it might make sense to sell off some assets and look to next year (potentially with a new GM). But ultimately, you also might be wrong - And this team could come out of the break firing on all cylinders.

What I'm saying is.... Aging 1C and 1D and goaltending aside... If this team plays remotely to their potential (like we saw from them for the first ~30 games of the season), it's a really good roster that would at least have a chance in a 7 game series against any opponent.

It seems you disagree. Which like, fair enough I guess. It seems you're ready to completely write off Kopitar and Doughty as done, which again, fair enough. But I'd like to believe these guys might have some gas left in the tank. And personally, I'm more surprised with how bad the Kings have been throughout January than I was surprised by how good they looked from October-end of December. I personally, think this team is closer to what they showed us for the first 30 games than they are to what they showed in the last 18.

If I'm right, it's not crazy to think you should add a piece or two to this team and go for it - Not necessarily "go all in / trade all your first round picks because it's now or never" - But add a decent piece or two to increase your chances so you can have a shot to go on a run. If you're right, then definitely yes they shouldn't add. Again, hopefully in the next month we get an indication as to who's right and who's wrong.

 

[kingsfan28]

Who else just felt that earthquake? 4.7 off malibu

 

[Johnny Utah]

Wow that was crazy. I am in Malibu now.