LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Buddy The Elf]

I just like to add that I'm not looking forward to the Kings losing to Edmonton in the first round again this year. It's looking more and more like that is the case. Although, the Kings still have plenty of time to lose ground and VGK has plenty of time to make up ground.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

just saw russell had a pretty aggressive take on that one

Like I said at the deadline

No matter which reporting is true, it's a Blake failure

either he stoodpat and didn't grab CHEAP toughness that can play like Kostin, Trenin, etc. and goaltending Ullmark

Or he tried and failed

And if he was directed by the org to do nothing that just reflects on his past failures

no matter how you paint it, coming into the year with 'contender' expectations then sitting on your thumb at the deadline is an absolute dereliction of duty by the entire org.

 

[Telos]

Playing Edmonton again in the first round would be brutal. While the deadline was a failure of Blake's own making, I am still glad he wasn't able to make a move because I am more confident every day that anything he sent out would have been in vain and you have to stop the bleeding somewhere. Of course, I will always root for the team, especially against Edmonton, but if they pull off the upset and get to the second round, I hope that Blake is still fired

I would hate hate hate facing them in the first round and getting bounced again, but the only good thing from that is Blake is surely gone. If, somehow, all the stars align, Kopi and Drew turn it on, Fiala and PLD become playoff monsters, the offense returns and the defense stands up, and Tablot or Rittich are able to stand on their heads and get us to the second round and beyond and put together a good playoff run; then we may find ourselves in a terrible limbo situation that could be detrimental to the future of the team because Blake not only is failing, but he also evidently doesn't know what to do.

If the team assembled kinda works in any way shape or form and this administration is allowed to continue on its path, we could be in for a special hell for a long time to come.

 

[Kurrilino]

Like I said at the deadline

No matter which reporting is true, it's a Blake failure

either he stoodpat and didn't grab CHEAP toughness that can play like Kostin, Trenin, etc. and goaltending Ullmark

Or he tried and failed

And if he was directed by the org to do nothing that just reflects on his past failures

no matter how you paint it, coming into the year with 'contender' expectations then sitting on your thumb at the deadline is an absolute dereliction of duty by the entire org.

Has this actually ever been stablished by someone in the organization that we are a contender?

I know some weird media wanted uptalk the Kings for the case the Oilers are losing
but i have never seen the organization stating somewhere anything even remotely to being a contender

 

[tny760]

Has this actually ever been stablished by someone in the organization that we are a contender?

I know some weird media wanted uptalk the Kings for the case the Oilers are losing
but i have never seen the organization stating somewhere anything even remotely to being a contender

well i guess that depends on your definition of "contender"

blake said in pressers as recently as february that the team was "built to make the playoffs". that could just be clever doublespeak or it could actually be direct honesty

 

[Telos]

Has this actually ever been stablished by someone in the organization that we are a contender?

I know some weird media wanted uptalk the Kings for the case the Oilers are losing
but i have never seen the organization stating somewhere anything even remotely to being a contender

Has there been any communication with the organization where the Kings have indicated at all that they aren't expecting to contend in the posteason over these past 2 years or so? I think they did during the rebuild/retool, but definitely not after the Fiala trade. I think every communication with the organization over the past couple of seasons have indicated that not only do they expect to contend in the postseason, but also that it is requirement of the coaching staff and management to do so.

They've pretty bluntly said that jobs are on the line over the team's performance. TMac admitted it before he was fired, Hiller has admitted it when taking over, and Blake has admitted it during the pressers after TMac that his fate lies with the team's postseason performance this year.

 

[Telos]

Dunno if it was mentioned or talked about on this board, as I don't remember seeing it, but Kypreos mentioned about a week ago that at the deadline the Kings not only tapped Ullmark but also Markstrom and both rejected a trade to LA. He also says that Markstrom rejected because they don't want to go to the West Coast, but Ullmark rejected LA because he believes Boston has a better chance to win the cup than the Kings. Which he isn't wrong, but that is different than the travel time and distance from family explanation that came out of the rumor mill at the deadline.

Nick Kypreos: Why Nick Robertson’s ill-advised comments come at the wrong time for the Maple Leafs

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m happy. I want to play,” Robertson said.

www.thestar.com

Interesting to see that both Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark wouldn’t waive no-trade clauses to join the Los Angeles Kings for their playoff drive. With Markstrom having no interest in being on the West Coast and Ullmark believing Boston has a better chance to win a Cup than the Kings, I ask, where has L.A.‘s Tinseltown magic to draw players gone?

 

[DoktorJeep]

Dunno if it was mentioned or talked about on this board, as I don't remember seeing it, but Kypreos mentioned about a week ago that at the deadline the Kings not only tapped Ullmark but also Markstrom and both rejected a trade to LA. He also says that Markstrom rejected because they don't want to go to the West Coast, but Ullmark rejected LA because he believes Boston has a better chance to win the cup than the Kings. Which he isn't wrong, but that is different than the travel time and distance from family explanation that came out of the rumor mill at the deadline.

Nick Kypreos: Why Nick Robertson’s ill-advised comments come at the wrong time for the Maple Leafs

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m happy. I want to play,” Robertson said.

www.thestar.com

Too bad for us neither goalie has Pat Brisson as their agent.

 

[BigKing]

This has been a common pattern for the Kings the last 3 seasons, they demolish the lesser teams and then really struggle vs. the good teams.

This year vs the 6 worst teams in the NHL

ANA: 2-0
SJS: 2-0-1
CHI: 2-0
CLB: 2-0
OTT: 2-0
ARI: 3-0

Last year there were 6 teams who had 70 or less points. The Kings record vs those teams

ARI: 2-0-1
CHI: 2-0-1
SJS: 3-0
ANA: 3-0
MTL: 2-0
CLB: 1-0-1

The year before in 2021-2022 it was similar. 6 teams with 70 or less points.

MON: 2-0
NJD: 2-0
PHI: 1-0-1
ARI: 2-0-1
CHI: 2-0-1
SEA: 3-1-0

So that means the Kings record vs. bottom 6 teams the last 3 seasons is a staggering

38-1-7

And the Kings division finishes are 3rd, 3rd and currently 3rd.

That tells you just how well they do vs. good teams.

As GBH implied, the bad teams lose a lot so it makes sense that good teams also have great records against the cellar dwellers but, man, 38-1-7 is wild. Like, the good Kings teams seemed to play down to the comp but get up for the good teams. Blake's roster just feasts on these teams.

My hypothesis: the Kings record is so good against these teams not just because these teams are bad but also because they generally are perfectly cool with a low intensity affair: exactly the environment where this roster shines.

 

[Schrute farms]

Does anyone seriously believe we can win the Cup this year? If so, then i understand fearing an Edm matchup in the playoffs. But for the rest of us living in reality, why fear Edm -- we know the inevitable. Why not run into the danger zone and try to take them out. At worst, we lose again -- and have a better chance that AEG is fed up with Bluc and makes changes this offseason.

 

[tbrown33]

I can get on board to some degree with the 'never root for your team to lose' thing but when it means the best thing for your franchise that's where the water gets murky

Like I said elsewhere at this point regardless of the damage blake has or hasn't done I am just f***ing through with his association with the franchise, he's always a harbinger of the bad times and the arrogance/smugness with which this org currently treats its fans absolutely deserves to get caught with it's pants down and Cersei'd thru the town square

This x1000. Even Hiller's answer about Englund at that presser was an incredibly condescending word salad. Lombardi regime was the exact opposite. The messaging from this org is absolutely atrocious.

 

[King'sPawn]

Does anyone seriously believe we can win the Cup this year? If so, then i understand fearing an Edm matchup in the playoffs. But for the rest of us living in reality, why fear Edm -- we know the inevitable. Why not run into the danger zone and try to take them out. At worst, we lose again -- and have a better chance that AEG is fed up with Bluc and makes changes this offseason.

I didn't expect the Kings to win from 2012-14, so in the realm of "anything is possible", this certainly fits. And it would be a pleasant surprise.

But I think it's much more likely that they lose out in the first round than the likelihood of winning the next three rounds combined.

 

[Schrute farms]

This has been a common pattern for the Kings the last 3 seasons, they demolish the lesser teams and then really struggle vs. the good teams.

So depending on your semantic preferences, you can call the Kings a REALLY good bad team or a REALLY bad good team. Either way, same thing -- black hole sun.

 

[Schmooley]

Dunno if it was mentioned or talked about on this board, as I don't remember seeing it, but Kypreos mentioned about a week ago that at the deadline the Kings not only tapped Ullmark but also Markstrom and both rejected a trade to LA. He also says that Markstrom rejected because they don't want to go to the West Coast, but Ullmark rejected LA because he believes Boston has a better chance to win the cup than the Kings. Which he isn't wrong, but that is different than the travel time and distance from family explanation that came out of the rumor mill at the deadline.

Nick Kypreos: Why Nick Robertson’s ill-advised comments come at the wrong time for the Maple Leafs

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m happy. I want to play,” Robertson said.

www.thestar.com

Funny that guy SurfNutz was going on yesterday about all the players watching LA because they signed Kopitar early. Looks like players are watching alright and dont think LA is all that good.

 

[johnjm22]

There's basically 3 scenarios for the season.

1) Play Oilers in round 1 (most likely)
2) Play winner of Central Division in round 1
3) Miss the playoffs

That's pretty much it.

 

[Kurrilino]

well i guess that depends on your definition of "contender"

blake said in pressers as recently as february that the team was "built to make the playoffs". that could just be clever doublespeak or it could actually be direct honesty

is there really a definition for contender needed?

Built to make the playoff means it's enough to get in somehow, which is easily to archieve when only 5 teams are not rebuilding.

Being contender means going for the cup.

 

[tny760]

is there really a definition for contender needed?

Built to make the playoff means it's enough to get in somehow, which is easily to archieve when only 5 teams are not rebuilding.

Being contender means winning for the cup.

personally, i agree with you.. but to a GM trying to keep his job, he might sell you "just get in and anything can happen" and tell you it's "we're a contender"

that's what i mean by saying that "built to make the playoffs" might be intentional wordplay for blake to save his ass if it doesn't work out in the end

 

[Sol]

I refuse to believe Blake will survive after this season. That’d be sheer insanity

 

[tny760]

I refuse to believe Blake will survive after this season. That’d be sheer insanity

i think the only way it happens is if this team goes round 2 or further, then it's backpats all around with a side of "look i told you we were built for the playoffs and i delivered". probably the other 2 routes at the fork are 1) miss the playoffs and AEG cleans house or 2) 1st round exit and just blake/hiller get sacked

i don't quite feel like they'd have bluc sitting right now as lame ducks if the decision was already made and there was probably some amount of "promise" that they'd go further by splashing on PLD

 

[BaileyFan]

personally, i agree with you.. but to a GM trying to keep his job, he might sell you "just get in and anything can happen" and tell you it's "we're a contender"

that's what i mean by saying that "built to make the playoffs" might be intentional wordplay for blake to save his ass if it doesn't work out in the end

I’m sure there are enough people out there that still believe the Kings are ahead of schedule in their rebuild to make keeping Blake palatable. Blame it on the Oilers being a bad first round draw, key players not having enough time post-injury to acclimate, Byfield being too young, Clarke not playing, Kaliyev for existing, etc. Whatever the excuse is, it’s not hard to imagine the team and media pushing to run it back with this core as long as they put up any sort of fight whatsoever in the playoffs.

 

[BigKing]

I’m sure there are enough people out there that still believe the Kings are ahead of schedule in their rebuild to make keeping Blake palatable. Blame it on the Oilers being a bad first round draw, key players not having enough time post-injury to acclimate, Byfield being too young, Clarke not playing, Kaliyev for existing, etc. Whatever the excuse is, it’s not hard to imagine the team and media pushing to run it back with this core as long as they put up any sort of fight whatsoever in the playoffs.

That is a lot easier when there is still dry powder. That is an argument for last offseason.

Then last offseason happened. Fight or not, losing in the first round again and being capped out isn't a good spot.

It would have to be a hell of a fight and have PLD be a big reason why they almost won a round.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Are you guys f***ing kidding me

Yuu really need us to go back and literally ind the word 'contender' in the offseason to make you happy

No, you can go f*** yourselves, because the moment we do, the goalposts move again. This is just shades of Axl. Believe the actual messaging or the semantic argument if it makes you feel better.

I can guarantee you what you WONT find--blake or luc saying 'haha yeah we might be a wild card or playoff team, we'll just get in and see what happens'. YOu will definitely find wording closer to contender than you will "no we aren't going to be making moves at the deadline."

 

[Bandit]

Are you guys f***ing kidding me

Yuu really need us to go back and literally ind the word 'contender' in the offseason to make you happy

No, you can go f*** yourselves, because the moment we do, the goalposts move again. This is just shades of Axl. Believe the actual messaging or the semantic argument if it makes you feel better.

I can guarantee you what you WONT find--blake or luc saying 'haha yeah we might be a wild card or playoff team, we'll just get in and see what happens'. YOu will definitely find wording closer to contender than you will "no we aren't going to be making moves at the deadline."

And really the definition of “contender” could be translated as “just make the playoffs and anything can happen”. Michael Spinks was a “contender”. He lasted 91 seconds.

 

[Sol]

Dunno if it was mentioned or talked about on this board, as I don't remember seeing it, but Kypreos mentioned about a week ago that at the deadline the Kings not only tapped Ullmark but also Markstrom and both rejected a trade to LA. He also says that Markstrom rejected because they don't want to go to the West Coast, but Ullmark rejected LA because he believes Boston has a better chance to win the cup than the Kings. Which he isn't wrong, but that is different than the travel time and distance from family explanation that came out of the rumor mill at the deadline.

Nick Kypreos: Why Nick Robertson’s ill-advised comments come at the wrong time for the Maple Leafs

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m happy. I want to play,” Robertson said.

www.thestar.com

I mean the Kings headcoach got fired recently. I don't think its hard to believe that they'd believe the Kings aren't much better off than other teams which for that reason there's no reason to uproot they're families.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I didn't expect the Kings to win from 2012-14, so in the realm of "anything is possible", this certainly fits. And it would be a pleasant surprise.

But I think it's much more likely that they lose out in the first round than the likelihood of winning the next three rounds combined.

Those cup era teams were built for the post season at the expense of the regular season, where this regime has built quite the opposite type of team.. not strong down the middle, not heavy, and suspect in goal. Edit: didnt finish my thought.. thats the different between get in and anything can happen in that era vs this one.