LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[King'sPawn]

I know you bring up SOL because of recency, but man, come up with someone better who at least understands the game, his takes are so goddamn awful, that's literally painful to read most of them....he hasn't been right ONCE.....but you bring up a good point, most people will have different tolerances, expectations etc, my comment to that is, absolutely, but they have to be based in reality. I haven't seen him post in a while, but Kings17 was always advocating trading Doughty, trading Kopitar instead of re-signing them, that's a vision that is not even remotely based in reality, so yea that's gonna get a lot of push back at least from me....your view of expecting more from vets vs rookies, based in reality, we might disagree slightly on it, but at least it's a reasonable view.

I know Sol has rubbed you the wrong way, as he has for me (as I know I have to plenty), and as much as I vehemently disagree with him at times, he's at least consistent in his viewpoints and I know what it's grounded on. But I've disagreed with Herby on Turcotte, bland on Kopitar, Kings17 on Carter, lumbergh on the expected goals metric, etc. Heck, I'd be shocked if I haven't disagreed with everyone in some capacity.

My opinion is that everyone bitching about TM, is just bitching to bitch, they have to be pissed at something, so they take generic look and jump on someone's back saying see...he's the reason etc.....TM is a good coach, he absolutely MUST have some success in playoffs though this year, for him to remain as the Kings coach....but overall, he's done a bangup job with the group that he has had, and I know that's gonna piss more than a few off here, because they don't want to admit that

I like McLellan but I have issues with him. I understand the constraints he works under, but I still think there's room for improvement.

I agree the team has gradually improved under his watch. As much as I criticize Blake and McLellan, they deserve recognition for general improvements in the team, even if I feel there's more work to do, which I also bring up.

Ultimately though, we're at a point that to me, regular season success isn't enough. I mean this sincerely - good for (general) you if that brings you enough satisfaction.

Why do you guys keep letting a handful of malcontents with nothing interesting to say derail every thread?

Block them and move on. Your responses only validate their need for attention.

Rule of thumb: those who talk about hockey, regardless of knowledge or experience, should always be welcome. Those who choose to post about those who do talk about hockey should be ignored.

Sometimes I see moments of opportunity with some people whose behaviors I have issues with, where genuine dialog can happen. I like to encourage good discussion, even if I disagree with it, while also calling out behaviors and actions that lead to me blocking others.

 

[Statto]

I just love talking about hockey.

This is the main point… most of us do apart from the odd poster that lives for ‘I told you so’ snipes.

We all see it slightly differently and given none of us is in the room, for 90% of what we discuss it’s subjective opinion and none of us is 100% correct. It’s why I never get upset with someones opinion even if I’ll happily tell them why they are wrong and more importantly why I’m right

What's crazy to me is today is going to only be the third game vs. the division for the Kings. They've played 4 vs. each Eastern division, and 7 vs. the central, but only 2 vs. the pacific and both were vegas

In exceptional artistic format, highlighted are the teams the Kings have played

View attachment 772708View attachment 772709


And consider how some of those teams were playing when we played them, too. Sens were the only 'bad' team. Wild were streaking when we played them.

Only three teams in the BOTTOM HALF of the league and only one in the bottom 10, zero tankers, and many on the road/b2b.

Your PowerPoint skills are top drawer!

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I know Sol has rubbed you the wrong way, as he has for me (as I know I have to plenty), and as much as I vehemently disagree with him at times, he's at least consistent in his viewpoints and I know what it's grounded on. But I've disagreed with Herby on Turcotte, bland on Kopitar, Kings17 on Carter, lumbergh on the expected goals metric, etc. Heck, I'd be shocked if I haven't disagreed with everyone in some capacity.

I like McLellan but I have issues with him. I understand the constraints he works under, but I still think there's room for improvement.

I agree the team has gradually improved under his watch. As much as I criticize Blake and McLellan, they deserve recognition for general improvements in the team, even if I feel there's more work to do, which I also bring up.

Ultimately though, we're at a point that to me, regular season success isn't enough. I mean this sincerely - good for (general) you if that brings you enough satisfaction.


Sometimes I see moments of opportunity with some people whose behaviors I have issues with, where genuine dialog can happen. I like to encourage good discussion, even if I disagree with it, while also calling out behaviors and actions that lead to me blocking others.

Yea, same with TM, if he doesn't have success this playoffs, then something has to give.....

As far as having issues with people, nothing new, different shit, same day, people that take it personally can go jump in a lake...

There's always gonna be room for improvement, management, coaches, scouts, players, janitors, and peanut vendors

 

[Johnny Utah]

As much as love my boy Englund right now Kings still need a gritty forward.

Wonder if Kings look at Hathaway or Josh Anderson.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

As much as love my boy Englund right now Kings still need a gritty forward.

Wonder if Kings look at Hathaway or Josh Anderson.

They'll get a good look at Anderson tomorrow

but they can't afford any more 'luxuries' of expensive forwards doing nothing

2 assists in 20 games isn't worth it

 

[deaderhead28]

NHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, points pace vs. expectation​

NHL Power Rankings: Where every team stands vs. preseason expectations

The Capitals and Jets make a jump in the rankings this week. Plus, which teams are most ahead of (or behind) their expected points pace?

www.google.com

 

[lumbergh]

Cam Talbot now top 4 in the league in GAA, save %, and wins. Raise your hands if you saw that coming into the season.

 

[Statto]

Cam Talbot now top 4 in the league in GAA, save %, and wins. Raise your hands if you saw that coming into the season.

I posted that he’d be better than most thought, IF he stayed fit. Did I expect this? No.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Cam Talbot now top 4 in the league in GAA, save %, and wins. Raise your hands if you saw that coming into the season.

I've found it much much much more easier, to come into each and every season, with ZERO expectations, and adjust from there

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Why do you guys keep letting a handful of malcontents with nothing interesting to say derail every thread?

Block them and move on. Your responses only validate their need for attention.

Rule of thumb: those who talk about hockey, regardless of knowledge or experience, should always be welcome. Those who choose to post about those who do talk about hockey should be ignored.

Have you added yourself to the ignore list?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I know you bring up SOL because of recency, but man, come up with someone better who at least understands the game, his takes are so goddamn awful, that's literally painful to read most of them....he hasn't been right ONCE.....

I think that's a bit unfair, man. He's had some really solid takes...the Byfield bust...the for certain Kempe regression..the Todd is a horrible coach narrative after every Kings loss..the zero faith he has in the org because they can't develop players...it's endless.

 

[Statto]

I think that's a bit unfair, man. He's had some really solid takes...the Byfield bust...the for certain Kempe regression..the Todd is a horrible coach narrative after every Kings loss..the zero faith he has in the org because they can't develop players...it's endless.

Do you ever post anything of meaning that isn’t having a go at someone or their opinion (I mean having a go rather than constructive debate)? Seriously mostly it’s just seeming snide trolling posts and digs. I have actually read some decent posts from you, so perhaps you’ll find a better response if you stuck to that. You do at least somewhat understand the game, to what degree I don’t know because that is rarely what you post about. Jeez dude, I know we don’t all agree but we are on the same side.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It’s been a week since lizotte was listed day to day

Remember when we didn’t call up Turcotte or anyone because he’d be right back and instead we messed up two lines to accommodate a guy who is almost certainly gone next year

Lizotte is either in today or suddenly IR with no in between

 

[King'sPawn]

It’s been a week since lizotte was listed day to day

Remember when we didn’t call up Turcotte or anyone because he’d be right back and instead we messed up two lines to accommodate a guy who is almost certainly gone next year

Lizotte is either in today or suddenly IR with no in between

Man, getting Turcotte some reps at the NHL level while he's on a roll would be a great opportunity and reward for him.

Maybe HE'S the key to get Dubois going. If not, there are 11 other forwards under contract in the AHL who can help the poor $8.5 million player.

Are we sure Vilardi on IR isn't more useful yet? PLD's scoring on a 41 POINT pace while the team is playing some of its best hockey in regular season history.

 

[Statto]

Man, getting Turcotte some reps at the NHL level while he's on a roll would be a great opportunity and reward for him.

Maybe HE'S the key to get Dubois going. If not, there are 11 other forwards under contract in the AHL who can help the poor $8.5 million player.

Are we sure Vilardi on IR isn't more useful yet? PLD's scoring on a 41 POINT pace while the team is playing some of its best hockey in regular season history.

Sometimes it takes a guy time to settle. I’m pretty sure PLD took time to get going in Winnipeg to settle also and it is about finding chemistry with the right player(s). I agree with you though Turcotte feels like a good fit. I’m taking about PLD but I think he’d actually fit on any line, he’s got that glue guy feel about him.

 

[King'sPawn]

Sometimes it takes a guy time to settle. I’m pretty sure PLD too, time to get going in Winnipeg also and it is about finding chemistry with the right player. I agree with you though Turcotte feels like a good fit.

You're right, and I admit I'm probably being too hard. But this is what a lot of us called out during the offseason: he's a 60ish-point player when given favorable deployments and ice time, and we probably would see lower numbers. Yet he has the highest amount of upcoming money out of anyone else on the roster.

And if he was playing well, the lousy production would be forgivable. But as I already disliked the trade, he has a shorter leash to me, fair or not.

 

[johnjm22]

I wonder about PLD's conditioning.

 

[FSL KINGS]

You're right, and I admit I'm probably being too hard. But this is what a lot of us called out during the offseason: he's a 60ish-point player when given favorable deployments and ice time, and we probably would see lower numbers. Yet he has the highest amount of upcoming money out of anyone else on the roster.

And if he was playing well, the lousy production would be forgivable. But as I already disliked the trade, he has a shorter leash to me, fair or not.

Trade was great! Dumped underperforming extra parts & got a good center for the next 8 years. Big win for Blake.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You're right, and I admit I'm probably being too hard. But this is what a lot of us called out during the offseason: he's a 60ish-point player when given favorable deployments and ice time, and we probably would see lower numbers. Yet he has the highest amount of upcoming money out of anyone else on the roster.

And if he was playing well, the lousy production would be forgivable. But as I already disliked the trade, he has a shorter leash to me, fair or not.

Trades aren’t always about the individual player. So far, the best thing about this trade was moving out players to bring others up. PLD may not be having a huge impact on the scoreboard to date, but the overall play of the team is f***ing fire….so why are we complaining? If there comes a point when it’s going the other way, then we start getting deeper.

 

[johnjm22]

A lot of times when a guy gets a change of scenery he comes out of the gate on fire.

I'm kind of shocked how lackadaisical PLD looks. There's always been questions about his motivation, but I thought he'd at least show some hunger after finally getting traded to a place he likes.

I still say Kings won't truly contend unless he plays much better. He's certainly capable of it. I've seen it.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Trade was great! Dumped underperforming extra parts & got a good center for the next 8 years. Big win for Blake.

lmao

irony

A lot of times when a guy gets a change of scenery he comes out of the gate on fire.

I'm kind of shocked how lackadaisical PLD looks. There's always been questions about his motivation, but I thought he'd at least show some hunger after finally getting traded to a place he likes.

I still say Kings won't truly contend unless he plays much better. He's certainly capable of it. I've seen it.

He seems to really need a kick in the ass farrrr too often.

I was a little pissed that instead of getting up and ripping Vatrano's head off he just kind of stood around in the scrum. Like what motivates this guy?

I was hopeful playing rivals would drag him into the fight.

 

[chris kontos]

A lot of times when a guy gets a change of scenery he comes out of the gate on fire.

I'm kind of shocked how lackadaisical PLD looks. There's always been questions about his motivation, but I thought he'd at least show some hunger after finally getting traded to a place he likes.

I still say Kings won't truly contend unless he plays much better. He's certainly capable of it. I've seen it.

He may be in a place he likes but he's playing a game he somewhat dislikes or at least is ambivalent about.
By long history

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

lmao

irony



He seems to really need a kick in the ass farrrr too often.

I was a little pissed that instead of getting up and ripping Vatrano's head off he just kind of stood around in the scrum. Like what motivates this guy?

I was hopeful playing rivals would drag him into the fight.

He threw two decent hits his first or second shift, which I thought was a promising sign of him being fully engaged in the game. Then he was fairly "blah" the rest of the game, including in that scrum.

 

[FSL KINGS]

lmao

irony

True, PLD off to a slow start, but he plays center at a high level. The points aren't important. PLD bumps Lizzie down to the 4th line. Everything snaps into place & it gives opponents a very hard time matching up. King's are killing it right now because of the depth.

What I like about PLD is his willingness to go right through the crease. Listed at 6'3", 218 pounds he's going to give the King's yet another large forward up front that will be difficult to deal with.

Not to worried about his linemates. Fiala has trouble meshing with other players due to his creative, unexpected play style. King's could also have some other forwards joining before the end of the year, Turcotte, Fagemo, Arvidsson.

When chasing first place in the West, it's hard to be overly concerned about a slow start on a new team. Off-season moves looking pretty good right now.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

And for the record….PL pretty much scored last night but was completely robbed by Gibson. So it’s not like he’s out there sleeping on the bench the whole game.