LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Frolov 6'3]

People forget that players can get points while not playing well.

Kempe, especially to start the season, was floating and not digging in board battles. Byfield and Kopitar were digging in the trenches. His passes were off. His reception of passes were off.

Fox mentioned in one of the telecasts that while Kempe doesn't pay attention to metrics specifically, he looks up where he's been scoring.

He spent a chunk of the beginning relying heavily on just shooting from where he scored before. He put up points, but he wasn't physically engaged at times when it mattered, and he wasn't scoring in ways where he just expected goals to go in for him.

It's the mindset of Ovechkin without having his talent. And it was that refusal to work on elements of his game that sunk a first overall pick like Yakupov. I'm not comparing Kempe to Yakupov, but the quality of his on-ice play was betrayed by the points he put up.

Fiala... is there legit questioning that he's not been playing well? It's why he was separated from PLD. Neither were. He takes undisciplined penalties. On almost a daily basis he makes no-look backhand passes that get picked off from the opposition (or it just plain misses his target).

I'll never understand the aversion to bringing up shortcomings that could be an issue. Nobody's saying they have to be perfect, but they're the ones people are expecting to score, and these issues could inhibit their ability to keep scoring if the behaviors continue.

However people never forget to come up with points and assists (which i have always said are overrated) when it fits their narrative.

No matter what, there are 82 games in a season and you can’t play mistake free hockey for 82 games. I get a little bit tired to see people point out some shortcomings. Yes I understand this aversion when you are 4th in the league in points. Its terribly annoying. Neither I am a fan to think we are contenders. I think we can surprise.

Some think LA is playing in a beer league. This is the NHL.

 

[King'sPawn]

However people never forget to come up with points and assists (which i have always said are overrated) when it fits their narrative.

No matter what, there are 82 games in a season and you can’t play mistake free hockey for 82 games. I get a little bit tired to see people point out some shortcomings. Yes I understand this aversion when you are 4th in the league in points. Its terribly annoying. Neither I am a fan to think we are contenders. I think we can surprise.

Some think LA is playing in a beer league. This is the NHL.

Okay. So aside from rah-rahing the Kings, what else do you want to talk about? Plenty of people (including myself) also point out good things, call out things we think are nonsense, and defend players we think are playing well.

I already said nobody expects perfection. But these aren't 'mistakes' we are pointing out. These are behaviors and issues that either go on for stretches to the undoing of a team or have continued.

There are plenty of Edmonton fans who were pretty smug while McDavid and Draisaitl went on a tear last year. They were the sixth best team. Look where that team is now?

Two teams were tied for fourth overall in the league last year. One won the cup (Vegas) and another was bounced after thinking they were superior to their second-round matchup (Toronto). The President's Cup (Boston) was eliminated in the first round.

Some people prefer to stay grounded in the possibility of disappointment, while all of us want the Kings to win the cup. Sorry we didn't ask your permission ahead of time.

 

[Lt Dan]

A team's weakness always need to be addressed because the other team is going to focus on them

The above is also why the Kings have struggled in the playoffs and lost the last two series despite having a lead in both of them.

Sincerely
Sun Tzu

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What Fiala is doing right now is the same stuff I said Athanasiou would lose us a series doing and that came unfortunately true

We can enjoy the regular season ride while keeping our eyes on the prize. This is an amazing team that will need some tweaks at the deadline to be a real terror. Would anyone really disagree?

Frankly this constant suggestion that you’re either 100% in or 100% out is insulting and getting annoying and I’m starting to get a little trigger happy with my ignore list because I THOUGHT I eliminated all the posters who do nothing but bash posters but a few more have popped up lately

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Okay. So aside from rah-rahing the Kings, what else do you want to talk about? Plenty of people (including myself) also point out good things, call out things we think are nonsense, and defend players we think are playing well.

I already said nobody expects perfection. But these aren't 'mistakes' we are pointing out. These are behaviors and issues that either go on for stretches to the undoing of a team or have continued.

There are plenty of Edmonton fans who were pretty smug while McDavid and Draisaitl went on a tear last year. They were the sixth best team. Look where that team is now?

Two teams were tied for fourth overall in the league last year. One won the cup (Vegas) and another was bounced after thinking they were superior to their second-round matchup (Toronto). The President's Cup (Boston) was eliminated in the first round.

Some people prefer to stay grounded in the possibility of disappointment, while all of us want the Kings to win the cup. Sorry we didn't ask your permission ahead of time.

You said the same thing about Kempe last season while it was very clear he was playing very well and he was quite unlucky.

Eventually you were wrong and once the goals were getting in, he was the first player to reach 40 goals since Robitaille while still being the same exact player.

Yes I remember that very well.

Indeed, next time ask my permission to do so.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Frankly this constant suggestion that you’re either 100% in or 100% out is insulting and getting annoying and I’m starting to get a little trigger happy with my ignore list because I THOUGHT I eliminated all the posters who do nothing but bash posters but a few more have popped up lately

Its not insulting or annoying at all. Now you just make things up with your you are either 100% in or 100% out.

its annoying how some of you constantly think we are playing vs.
a bunch of amateurs. You dont always control a full game for 3 periods, neither does a player play at his best for 82 straight games.

If you want to whine, whine about PLD and not PPG players like Fiala, Kempe and the fact we havent played a good game since Vegas. WTF ?


Heck, why don’t you start your own subforum here like once on LGK. Hipcheck something ? You guys are liking each other posts like a kid who needs a candy bar. Actually that is getting annoying. You guys need your own subforum, me thinks, because your ignore list is getting full, RJ.

 

[Trash Panda]

Fiala’s production comes at the expense of multiple high-danger scoring chances against, not to mention some of the most boneheaded penalties ever seen on NHL ice.

It simply isn’t playoff hockey, and it will cost the Kings over the course of a 7 game series. Fiala when he is 100% is a high event, high danger player, in both directions.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You said the same thing about Kempe last season while it was very clear he was playing very well and he was quite unlucky.

Eventually you were wrong and once the goals were getting in, he was the first player to reach 40 goals since Robitaille while still being the same exact player.

Yes I remember that very well.

Indeed, next time ask my permission to do so.

Its not insulting or annoying at all. Now you just make things up with your you are either 100% in or 100% out.

its annoying how some of you constantly think we are playing vs.
a bunch of amateurs. You dont always control a full game for 3 periods, neither does a player play at his best for 82 straight games.

If you want to whine, whine about PLD and not PPG players like Fiala, Kempe and the fact we havent played a good game since Vegas. WTF ?


Heck, why don’t you start your own subforum here like once on LGK. Hipcheck something ? You guys are liking each other posts like a kid who needs a candy bar. Actually that is getting annoying. You guys need your own subforum, me thinks, because your ignore list is getting full, RJ.

So you're saying it's not okay to talk about a guy who isn't scoring but playing well (Kempe), and it's not okay to talk about a guy who is getting assists while not playing well/causing on-ice problems (Fiala) and how to get him going again. It's almost like that's an opinion and we can all have one! We aren't just going to circlejerk sunshine and rainbows because the team has won a few games. You can still have problems/things to improve even when you're running the table.

As usual--whether the team is playing good or bad we have good and bad to say. It's nuance. Some people are incapable of it. It seems like you are, but you're fighting it.

My ignore list has exactly three dudes on it because they've shown an incapability to act in good faith. You usually do, but for some reason you're showing up in a diaper today.

And if no one is liking your posts...think about it

 

[King'sPawn]

You said the same thing about Kempe last season while it was very clear he was playing very well and he was quite unlucky.

Eventually you were wrong and once the goals were getting in, he was the first player to reach 40 goals since Robitaille while still being the same exact player.

Yes I remember that very well.

Indeed, next time ask my permission to do so.

Last year, you mean when the Kings were eliminated in the first round? How much did his 40 goals in the regular season help in the postseason when he was still not doing the same digging that I was commenting on?

Just because he scored 40 goals doesn't mean I was wrong about his flaws. By the way, funny you bring up his 40 goals last season because I remember...

However people never forget to come up with points and assists (which i have always said are overrated) when it fits their narrative.

Somehow goals aren't overrated or fit a narrative? Odd "edit" you have there.

I'll completely own times I've been wrong. I'll do you the favor since apparently you struggle with pointing out flaws or errors without contradicting yourself or getting personal, like in the Faber thread - I was advocating trading Kempe years ago, and he's since surprised me and elevated his game in ways where I changed my mind.

I was wrong there. I'm honest about my own errors. I'll talk about them. Heck, start a thread of times I've been wrong and I'll contribute plenty many have forgotten while also defending and owning up to what I said.

I would be perfectly happy with sacrificing points/goals for better overall play - notice there are quite a few players who I emphatically defend? Kopitar, Byfield, Moore, Danault, etc... you know, people who don't always put up those points you find so overrated.

And many (including myself) criticized Dubois, too. Very recently. Odd you don't remember that. And again, you bring up overrated points he's not scoring. What was that about bringing up points to fit a narrative?

You guys are liking each other posts like a kid who needs a candy bar. Actually that is getting annoying.

It sounds like you need a break, if people just liking each other's posts when we agree annoys you. Or maybe discussion boards/forums aren't a good fit for you.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

And if no one is liking your posts...think about it

Because you guys constantly *** kissing each other posts and ridicule people like you own this forum.

Thats why and not hard to understand.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

It sounds like you need a break, if people just liking each other's posts when we agree annoys you. Or maybe discussion boards/forums aren't a good fit for you.

No I do not need a break.

Thats the same nonsense you always do. I do not care about it one bit. You guys constantly pull down each other pants and stick your nose in each others ***. Thats what I point out.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Because you guys constantly *** kissing each other posts and ridicule people like you own this forum.

Thats why and not hard to understand.

Well, I'm sorry you have the emotional processing of a 13 year old girl discovering social media for the first time, but I'm pretty open to 'liking' posts even of people I'm not getting along with when they make a good point even in contrast to mine.

Again, if that's not happening to you, you may want to ask yourself why instead of pissing all over the forum for attention.

There, tossed you a like, now shut the f*** up and have a wonderful day.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Last year, you mean when the Kings were eliminated in the first round? How much did his 40 goals in the regular season help in the postseason when he was still not doing the same digging that I was commenting on?

Just because he scored 40 goals doesn't mean I was wrong about his flaws. By the way, funny you bring up his 40 goals last season because I remember...

Are you ******* serious? Kempe was the most dangerous player on the team in the playoffs and you act like you were right all along. Even Oilers fans admitted that. If Kempe had the puck something happened. Now I have seen it all..haha.

 

[King'sPawn]

No I do not need a break.

Thats the same nonsense you always do. I do not care about it one bit. You guys constantly pull down each other pants and stick your nose in each others ***. Thats what I point out.

Well, what we talk about annoys you. The mere act of liking each other's posts annoys you. It seems like the mere act of us existing annoys you.

And everyone has gotten into arguments with each other by sheer virtue of this being a discussion board and people with opinions will disagree. But this board has tons of people who are capable of having a discussion, and we find varying forms of agreement. And right now, it appears that RJ and I agree that you're childishly trying to police the message boards because you dislike the content.

Well, I'm sorry you have the emotional processing of a 13 year old girl discovering social media for the first time, but I'm pretty open to 'liking' posts even of people I'm not getting along with when they make a good point even in contrast to mine.

Again, if that's not happening to you, you may want to ask yourself why instead of pissing all over the forum for attention.

There, tossed you a like, now shut the f*** up and have a wonderful day.

I like this post, but I'm not going to like it so we don't offend people's sensibilities.

Are you ******* serious? Kempe was the most dangerous player on the team in the playoffs and you act like you were right all along. Even Oilers fans admitted that. If Kempe had the puck something happened. Now I have seen it all..haha.

No, I'm acting like his "overrated" 40 goals in the regular season didn't mean jack in the playoffs, and that Kopitar and Byfield were doing most of the dirty work on the line. Which is my biggest criticism of Kempe now. And it's consistent and honest. Maybe if you bothered paying attention instead of focusing where we're sticking our noses, you'd have the capability of having these discussions, too.

But I'll never know now. I'm going to spend Thanksgiving with family. And since you're set on acting like this, I'll go ahead and ignore so I can look forward to talking with those on this forum who can sit at the adult's table.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Well, what we talk about annoys you. The mere act of liking each other's posts annoys you. It seems like the mere act of us existing annoys you.

And everyone has gotten into arguments with each other by sheer virtue of this being a discussion board and people with opinions will disagree. But this board has tons of people who are capable of having a discussion, and we find varying forms of agreement. And right now, it appears that RJ and I agree that you're childishly trying to police the message boards because you dislike the content.


I like this post, but I'm not going to like it so we don't offend people's sensibilities.

No, I'm acting like his "overrated" 40 goals in the regular season didn't mean jack in the playoffs, and that Kopitar and Byfield were doing most of the dirty work on the line. Which is my biggest criticism of Kempe now. And it's consistent and honest. Maybe if you bothered paying attention instead of focusing where we're sticking our noses, you'd have the capability of having these discussions, too.

But I'll never know now. I'm going to spend Thanksgiving with family. And since you're set on acting like this, I'll go ahead and ignore so I can look forward to talking with those on this forum who can sit at the adult's table.

Happy thanksgiving.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Last year, you mean when the Kings were eliminated in the first round? How much did his 40 goals in the regular season help in the postseason when he was still not doing the same digging that I was commenting on?

Just because he scored 40 goals doesn't mean I was wrong about his flaws. By the way, funny you bring up his 40 goals last season because I remember...


Somehow goals aren't overrated or fit a narrative? Odd "edit" you have there.

I'll completely own times I've been wrong. I'll do you the favor since apparently you struggle with pointing out flaws or errors without contradicting yourself or getting personal, like in the Faber thread - I was advocating trading Kempe years ago, and he's since surprised me and elevated his game in ways where I changed my mind.

I was wrong there. I'm honest about my own errors. I'll talk about them. Heck, start a thread of times I've been wrong and I'll contribute plenty many have forgotten while also defending and owning up to what I said.

I would be perfectly happy with sacrificing points/goals for better overall play - notice there are quite a few players who I emphatically defend? Kopitar, Byfield, Moore, Danault, etc... you know, people who don't always put up those points you find so overrated.

And many (including myself) criticized Dubois, too. Very recently. Odd you don't remember that. And again, you bring up overrated points he's not scoring. What was that about bringing up points to fit a narrative?


It sounds like you need a break, if people just liking each other's posts when we agree annoys you. Or maybe discussion boards/forums aren't a good fit for you.

Only addressing the bolded, because plenty of people, I believe you included, feel free to correct me, are absolutely pitching fits about how LA can't develop offensive players, let the Zegras's be the Zegras's instead, they tell Kaliyev and Vilardi, and Turcotte, and Byfield to check check check.....

And now....you WANT players like those? Again, you in the general sense.....but I find it hypocritical to complain about how LA can't develop offensive talent, then go bitch about the offensive talent we have (Fiala, Kempe) making mistakes etc....and wishing they were more like Danault.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Its not insulting or annoying at all. Now you just make things up with your you are either 100% in or 100% out.

its annoying how some of you constantly think we are playing vs.
a bunch of amateurs. You dont always control a full game for 3 periods, neither does a player play at his best for 82 straight games.

If you want to whine, whine about PLD and not PPG players like Fiala, Kempe and the fact we havent played a good game since Vegas. WTF ?


Heck, why don’t you start your own subforum here like once on LGK. Hipcheck something ? You guys are liking each other posts like a kid who needs a candy bar. Actually that is getting annoying. You guys need your own subforum, me thinks, because your ignore list is getting full, RJ.

<three thumbs up>

 

[Lt Dan]

Are you ******* serious?

What's this word?
nipples? Or jacuzzi?

 

[kingsboy11]

wtf guys its Thanksgiving. Take a day off and chill

 

[johnjm22]

I think Kempe has been great this season.

Last couple years he's scored a lot of goals on the PP. But opposing teams have scouted for that. He's been especially hurt by LA not having a right shot forward on the PP with him, so it's easy for PKer's to takeaway Kempe's one-timer.

Adrian used to be a difficult linemate. He'd often make bad decisions with the puck. But he's really turned that around and refined his game. He also doesn't take bad penalties anymore.

I think lately Kopitar is benefitting from Byfield/Kempe more than they're benefitting from him.

 

[Statto]

Because you guys constantly *** kissing each other posts and ridicule people like you own this forum.

Thats why and not hard to understand.

I’m not sure if you see me as part of the RJ & KP ‘kiss their arse club’… not to be confused with the Vince McMahon one but…

When people broadly see things in similar fashion we will tend to like each others posts. We agree on many things but we’re quite happy to criticise each other when we disagree. Perhaps the difference is that it doesn’t become an argument as we are all open to being wrong… which is just as well in my case because I often am.

I’ll also sometimes like posts I disagree with if they are well thought out and reasoned… i.e. a good post. That’s not kissing butt, it’s appreciating and encouraging good debate.

 

[Rod Auger]

What's this word?
nipples? Or jacuzzi?

Speaking of nipples…

 

[Maynard]

wtf guys its Thanksgiving. Take a day off and chill

Now you’re trying to moderate our holiday time? Typical!

 

[tkb81]

What Fiala is doing right now is the same stuff I said Athanasiou would lose us a series doing and that came unfortunately true

We can enjoy the regular season ride while keeping our eyes on the prize. This is an amazing team that will need some tweaks at the deadline to be a real terror. Would anyone really disagree?

Frankly this constant suggestion that you’re either 100% in or 100% out is insulting and getting annoying and I’m starting to get a little trigger happy with my ignore list because I THOUGHT I eliminated all the posters who do nothing but bash posters but a few more have popped up lately

eliminated .. okay john wick ... hahaha sorry its ment as a laugh ... I agree though we can be h appy and mad at the same time its a long season .. not everything is going to go perfect ... but overall I am more than pleasantly suprised .. although not as much as some folks .. i always have high optimism at the beginning of every season .. even the shitty years haha

 

[FSL KINGS]

Hope Blake is out there running up prices on whatever panic trade the Oilers are coming up with.