LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kings goaltending is looking surprisingly solid lately. Talbot seems like an amazing signing and is putting up Vezina-like numbers with this strong Kings team/structure in front of him and Copley looks like he may be returning to solid form with two great starts in a row.

Erik Portillo could end up being a really smart/underrated move by the Kings. He's playing some phenomenal hockey to start his professional career in the AHL. 5-1 record with a 2.17 GAA and a .927 save %. Definitely a small sample size, but if he continues to have a solid year, I'd think he'd be penciled in for an NHL spot next season. He's 6'6 and will be 24 years old next year - Basically exactly what you'd want in a young promising goalie. Especially with a strong team in front of him (and this Kings should still have a strong team next year), he could be pretty damn good.

Still early of course and the Kings may still need to trade for a goalie this year / will need to sign a goalie to tandem with Portillo next year - But gotta be happy with what we're seeing right now. I was panicking early on thinking they needed to bet the farm on a guy like Saros... Now I'm not so sure.

No "may" about it, there's a huge gap in the org between Portillo (24) and Copley (31), never mind Talbot (999)

 

[Schmooley]

Kings goaltending is looking surprisingly solid lately. Talbot seems like an amazing signing and is putting up Vezina-like numbers with this strong Kings team/structure in front of him and Copley looks like he may be returning to solid form with two great starts in a row.

Erik Portillo could end up being a really smart/underrated move by the Kings. He's playing some phenomenal hockey to start his professional career in the AHL. 5-1 record with a 2.17 GAA and a .927 save %. Definitely a small sample size, but if he continues to have a solid year, I'd think he'd be penciled in for an NHL spot next season. He's 6'6 and will be 24 years old next year - Basically exactly what you'd want in a young promising goalie. Especially with a strong team in front of him (and this Kings should still have a strong team next year), he could be pretty damn good.

Still early of course and the Kings may still need to trade for a goalie this year / will need to sign a goalie to tandem with Portillo next year - But gotta be happy with what we're seeing right now. I was panicking early on thinking they needed to bet the farm on a guy like Saros... Now I'm not so sure.

I dont get a chance to watch the AHL. Portillo is looking good? Maybe he just needed some good coaching. He was ending up on his back and swimming way too much before. If he can clean it up this year and make the Kings next year that would be a huge get for Blake using just a mid round pick.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

No "may" about it, there's a huge gap in the org between Portillo (24) and Copley (31), never mind Talbot (999)

You're probably right. Well, they will definitely need to sign a goalie for next year of course. In terms of trading for a goalie this year..... I guess we'll see but it'll probably be necessary. I was sort of thinking if Portillo continues to look great in the AHL he could surprise later in the year at the NHL level and potentially be an option in the playoffs. But I recognize that's a bit far-fetched (a 23 year old goalie starting in playoff games isn't unheard of but it would be fairly surprising) and the more likely option will be to add a goalie at/before the deadline.

In any case, a huge relief (at the moment) that the goaltending seems surprisingly solid.

 

[rajuabju]

Kings goaltending is looking surprisingly solid lately. Talbot seems like an amazing signing and is putting up Vezina-like numbers with this strong Kings team/structure in front of him and Copley looks like he may be returning to solid form with two great starts in a row.

Erik Portillo could end up being a really smart/underrated move by the Kings. He's playing some phenomenal hockey to start his professional career in the AHL. 5-1 record with a 2.17 GAA and a .927 save %. Definitely a small sample size, but if he continues to have a solid year, I'd think he'd be penciled in for an NHL spot next season. He's 6'6 and will be 24 years old next year - Basically exactly what you'd want in a young promising goalie. Especially with a strong team in front of him (and this Kings should still have a strong team next year), he could be pretty damn good.

Still early of course and the Kings may still need to trade for a goalie this year / will need to sign a goalie to tandem with Portillo next year - But gotta be happy with what we're seeing right now. I was panicking early on thinking they needed to bet the farm on a guy like Saros... Now I'm not so sure.

Copley is 31, will be 32 soon. Why couldnt he be back next year? Talbot I get, he will be 37 next year, so probably not bringing him back unless he agrees to a min. vet salary + incentives to be the backup. I hope Portillo pans out, but I am certainly not ready to hand him the reigns with zero NHL experience and a team expecting to contend deep into the playoffs for the next few years. So most likely assuming one/both of Copley and Talbot are not here next year, we're still likely looking to bring in help from the outside.

 

[Schrute farms]

Call me crazy, but if one of Copley or Talbot goes down/bad and we need someone for more than just a few games (Rittich), I prefer rolling with the youngster Portillo rather than trading valuable assets (e.g., 1st or 2nd round pick) for goalie.

 

[Kudelski37]

Lizotte still not on the ice.

I think we can assume he had a concussion.

He has been skating separately per LA Kings Insider...I think I saw that he wasn't shooting pucks so maybe something other than a concussion... if my memory is right

 

[tkb81]

Cool story bro

I was hoping you guys would figure it out.....apparently you didn't lol, try again

 

[bland]

He has been skating separately per LA Kings Insider...I think I saw that he wasn't shooting pucks so maybe something other than a concussion... if my memory is right

Most likely a shoulder separation. Takes a liitle time to determine the severity then its just a question of playing with pain.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Copley is 31, will be 32 soon. Why couldnt he be back next year? Talbot I get, he will be 37 next year, so probably not bringing him back unless he agrees to a min. vet salary + incentives to be the backup. I hope Portillo pans out, but I am certainly not ready to hand him the reigns with zero NHL experience and a team expecting to contend deep into the playoffs for the next few years. So most likely assuming one/both of Copley and Talbot are not here next year, we're still likely looking to bring in help from the outside.

He (Copley) certainly could be back next year, I wasn't saying he couldn't. I'm just saying they'll need to sign / trade for another goalie for next year to play with Portillo (if Portillo really is ready for the NHL next year) because they don't currently have any NHL goalies signed past this year. Could that be Copley? Sure. Could also be Talbot or some other goalie they trade for or sign in free agency in the off season.

I'm also not necessarily saying they should hand over the reigns to Portillo next year I'm just saying he could be a legitimate option (most likely as a back up but hey if he plays well who knows).

 

[FSL KINGS]

No "may" about it, there's a huge gap in the org between Portillo (24) and Copley (31), never mind Talbot (999)

Could see Markstrom being available.


The list of available goalie upgrades isn't very long.

 

[AbsentMojo]

QB on 1st line and PP1 - so I dont think its necessary to increase his minutes by plugging into PK.. but it prob wouldnt hurt. His reach could stop a lot of passes

 

[Trash Panda]

QB on 1st line and PP1 - so I dont think its necessary to increase his minutes by plugging into PK.. but it prob wouldnt hurt. His reach could stop a lot of passes

The Kids got speed to burn, and is playing responsible hockey on his path to production.

I’d say more minutes is a no brainer at this point, provided it doesn’t shake up the rolling of 4 lines we have seen so far this season.

 

[King'sPawn]

QB on 1st line and PP1 - so I dont think its necessary to increase his minutes by plugging into PK.. but it prob wouldnt hurt. His reach could stop a lot of passes

Should at least be one of the first considerations for OT.

 

[FSL KINGS]

QB on 1st line and PP1 - so I dont think its necessary to increase his minutes by plugging into PK.. but it prob wouldnt hurt. His reach could stop a lot of passes

Will he ever score on a shot again?

 

[AbsentMojo]

Should at least be one of the first considerations for OT.

That really is a hard one to explain...esp since he is probably the fastest skater on the team

Will he ever score on a shot again?

It reminds me of Kopi - always willing to defer.. remember when Kopi came up he wouldnt shoot and he still prefers to make a nice pass over shooting - his shot is really good too. QB shot doesnt seem that accurate - and maybe he just needs develop confidence in that part of his game - starting with extra shooting at practice


EDIT: does anyone know how to prevent posts from being combined automatically. I think it sucks.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

We are getting closer:

 

[AbsentMojo]

VGK lost again.. suddenly they cant score: last 4 games 0, 2, 0 and 1 tonite.

 

[The Butcher]

I was unsure where exactly to post this but here it goes.

After years of back and forth with residents, town council, and the Los Angeles Kings we finally skated our first beer league hockey night at the brand new Kings Ice rink here in Mammoth Lakes. Not sure how many of you come up and visit but we've been playing on an outdoor rink for the last 30 years, which had its charm as well, but actually being able to see the puck and change into your gear in an actual locker room, not on a park bench in 20 degrees with 50 mph winds, was a thrill.

There's a big ole Kings crest at center ice and right now it's set at an Olympic size but next fall it will be converted to NHL. I think the plan is to eventually have some pre season training up here at 8,000 altitude.

Anyway, it was an exciting day for all hockey lovers in Mammoth. There's some guys in my league that can really fly!

This last one is Chickenfoot Lake. Most of you probably don't know Mammoth is the pond hockey capital of California.

 

[Nasti]

VGK lost again.. suddenly they cant score: last 4 games 0, 2, 0 and 1 tonite.

Well they’re playing a team with Darnell Nurse as their top defenseman tomorrow so…

 

[lumbergh]

We are getting closer:

View attachment 774358

Kings have the fewest regulation losses in the league. Weird but true.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Kings have the fewest regulation losses in the league. Weird but true.

One of those came the first game of the season vs COL -- any guesses on what posters had the season being over after that game?

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I was unsure where exactly to post this but here it goes.

After years of back and forth with residents, town council, and the Los Angeles Kings we finally skated our first beer league hockey night at the brand new Kings Ice rink here in Mammoth Lakes. Not sure how many of you come up and visit but we've been playing on an outdoor rink for the last 30 years, which had its charm as well, but actually being able to see the puck and change into your gear in an actual locker room, not on a park bench in 20 degrees with 50 mph winds, was a thrill.

There's a big ole Kings crest at center ice and right now it's set at an Olympic size but next fall it will be converted to NHL. I think the plan is to eventually have some pre season training up here at 8,000 altitude.

Anyway, it was an exciting day for all hockey lovers in Mammoth. There's some guys in my league that can really fly!View attachment 774367View attachment 774369This last one is Chickenfoot Lake. Most of you probably don't know Mammoth is the pond hockey capital of California.

Love it, reminds me of the old Arrowhead rink......or the outdoor aspect of it,

 

[Bandit]

I was unsure where exactly to post this but here it goes.

After years of back and forth with residents, town council, and the Los Angeles Kings we finally skated our first beer league hockey night at the brand new Kings Ice rink here in Mammoth Lakes. Not sure how many of you come up and visit but we've been playing on an outdoor rink for the last 30 years, which had its charm as well, but actually being able to see the puck and change into your gear in an actual locker room, not on a park bench in 20 degrees with 50 mph winds, was a thrill.

There's a big ole Kings crest at center ice and right now it's set at an Olympic size but next fall it will be converted to NHL. I think the plan is to eventually have some pre season training up here at 8,000 altitude.

Anyway, it was an exciting day for all hockey lovers in Mammoth. There's some guys in my league that can really fly!View attachment 774367View attachment 774369This last one is Chickenfoot Lake. Most of you probably don't know Mammoth is the pond hockey capital of California.

Nice! Kinda weird that they built it Olympic and then are gonna downsize it but very cool. I played a few games up there as a kid some 30 years ago. Good times.

 

[Lt Dan]

One of those came the first game of the season vs COL -- any guesses on what posters had the season being over after that game?

I am going with the Heather Thomas poster that we all had one out walls or lockers growing up

And the poster we all had on our walls in college

 

[BringTheReign]

QB on 1st line and PP1 - so I dont think its necessary to increase his minutes by plugging into PK.. but it prob wouldnt hurt. His reach could stop a lot of passes

I think this is more a function of how deep the Kings are than a need to get QB more minutes. We effectively have two 1st lines, a 2nd line, and a 3rd line by conventional description. I think QB should just focus on staying this productive in his minutes, and in the coming years he can add 2-3 more minutes per night. I really hope eventually he and Kopitar will switch spots gradually.

I was unsure where exactly to post this but here it goes.

After years of back and forth with residents, town council, and the Los Angeles Kings we finally skated our first beer league hockey night at the brand new Kings Ice rink here in Mammoth Lakes. Not sure how many of you come up and visit but we've been playing on an outdoor rink for the last 30 years, which had its charm as well, but actually being able to see the puck and change into your gear in an actual locker room, not on a park bench in 20 degrees with 50 mph winds, was a thrill.

There's a big ole Kings crest at center ice and right now it's set at an Olympic size but next fall it will be converted to NHL. I think the plan is to eventually have some pre season training up here at 8,000 altitude.

Anyway, it was an exciting day for all hockey lovers in Mammoth. There's some guys in my league that can really fly!View attachment 774367View attachment 774369This last one is Chickenfoot Lake. Most of you probably don't know Mammoth is the pond hockey capital of California.

I have family that live behind Distant Brewing right next to this rink, and we've been excitedly watching them build it. It looks awesome now that it's done. I've skated on the old outdoor rink a few times, but I'm bummed to say I've never played a game of pickup there or on one of the many true outdoor alpine lakes. One day.