Speculation: LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread 2022-23 Season

[LAKings88]

I’m still waiting for:

Todd is fired
Blake is fired
Robitaille is fired
Rest is gravy

Those are my line combos anyway.

I still think this team is good. I like each line. Crazy things happen in the playoffs.

Defense still needs to be settled but I’ve seen worse Kings teams.

The Quick hate is a bit ridiculous. Goalie/defense is always symbiotic. Quick was a big reason for the playoffs last year. Dude deserves more respect even if he is struggling. He has always been a bit of a gambler.

All that to say. I don’t hate on Blake as much as some but I don’t mind the criticism of him either.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Look if TMc keeps QB on the first line for a handful of games and he actually gets 15 or 16 minutes of TOI then I won't complain about it. It'll actually show some growth and trust from the coach. Jon Rosen had some really good analysis and breakdown of QB's performance last night. It was a positive.

Eh.. kid is still developing as a center and was having success in Ontario.. and now you are asking him to play wing on a top line - tougher matchups, and having to play a defensive role as wing which he is not used to. He has only a handful of games playing wing in the A. I do like that he gets more time, but this is not a good place to develop him as a wing.

 

[cyclones22]

Eh.. kid is still developing as a center and was having success in Ontario.. and now you are asking him to play wing on a top line - tougher matchups, and having to play a defensive role as wing which he is not used to. He has only a handful of games playing wing in the A. I do like that he gets more time, but this is not a good place to develop him as a wing.

Well yeah, I agree. But that option is better than 8 minutes centering Kupari and Lemieux/Grundstrom. At least he has talented vet training wheels and gets a confidence boost. I imagine that once Moore comes back the experiment will be over anyway.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Well yeah, I agree. But that option is better than 8 minutes centering Kupari and Lemieux/Grundstrom. At least he has talented vet training wheels and gets a confidence boost. I imagine that once Moore comes back the experiment will be over anyway.

Ya I agree its better than playing w some cretins.. not that i have anything against acient Crete.. its just another potentially frustrating chapter for him since we'll be reading endless bust posts worse than fire TM if he doesnt have instant success.

 

[Surf Nutz]

What did Vilardi ever do to you to park him with Kopitar and Moore?

Iaf Dan and Arv are just hot lately, dont wanna break them up.

I mean, the Byfield argument is the same one as the Bjornfot argument, it's just projecting hope at this point. There have been 15 forwards to play at least 100 minutes for the Kings this season, Byfield is 15th in CF% Rel, 14th in GF% Rel, 15th in xGF% Rel and 15th in P/60. TMac/BLuc are committed to competing, so how do you argue for him to be the second line center when he has been our worst forward this season?

It's one thing if we were committed to be being a developing team, but it is clear that we are not.

Not yet, but he has looked much more involved in his 3 games and limited minutes this year, last year, he wouldn't have engaged in the corners, like he has been.....step up....in the right direction.

Byfield playing center with Fiala and Kempe is based on him heating up the last couple games, especially last night. BYf sent sick passes to Kopi, at least one should have been in the net. Byf serving it up on a platter like that for Kempe, especially Fiala would net goals. Gotta strike when the Iron is hot.
I think Moore and VIlardi will work well with Kopi. Good on the boards definsively responsible, get open to be fed for snipes.

 

[AmadiosAmigos]

It's almost like playing him 7 ES minutes with Ivanans and Giuliano is bad

And viola, put him with Kopitar and suddenly 62% CF%, xGF%, weird

Also Kopitar is over 10% lower in metrics without him too so it's not a carry, it's a symbiotic relationship

Same thing when QB is with Gabe, 58% xGF%

It's not even chicken-and-egg in this case, it's actively stupid usage becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Byfield can't earn more minutes because he's 'bad', but he can't not be bad when he's playing with a rotating cast of Athanasious and roster spare parts.

It's actually very, very easy to suggest he needs more time and opportunity whether we are a competing team or not. It's the same thing with Clarke; not playing these guys is bad for the present team AND the future team, it's why it's so mind boggling.

^^ This.

Im all for advanced stats, but those who just rely on the box scores without context get super stupid with these things. Amazing how when player X in this case QB plays with other skilled players, his numbers relying on shots for and against go skyrocketing... versus playing with the ham and Eggers.

Same type of guys were saying how washed and overrated Josh Morrissey was last year because his Projected War was 2% and voila, out of the Paul Maurice death system he's at a 90% Projected WAR. G/60 from 37% to 68%, A1/60 from 26% to 98% ..... just completely ignore that other non quantitative factors actually go into these things and make it sound like that each individually tweaked model based on someones own ideas are accurate.

 

[Statto]

Eh.. kid is still developing as a center and was having success in Ontario.. and now you are asking him to play wing on a top line - tougher matchups, and having to play a defensive role as wing which he is not used to. He has only a handful of games playing wing in the A. I do like that he gets more time, but this is not a good place to develop him as a wing.

I actually don’t mind it and in general I don’t like how they’ve handled him.

He can get good minutes with less defensive responsibility and he’s smarter than he gets credit for, so will handle it. I seriously doubt there is any intent to develop him as a wing but to instead get him some good minutes and build his confidence. If I have any criticism it’s that they didn’t do it last year. I see it as a means to the end.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Look if TMc keeps QB on the first line for a handful of games and he actually gets 15 or 16 minutes of TOI then I won't complain about it. It'll actually show some growth and trust from the coach. Jon Rosen had some really good analysis and breakdown of QB's performance last night. It was a positive.

For reference:

— Quinton Byfield did lots of things really well – but I’d also like to see him do it with a touch more firmness. He was very visible in many fundamental aspects of the game – puck protection, support on the forecheck, getting pucks on the sticks of line mates – with several subtleties that stuck out:

• Second shift. Recorded a TTO off a Drew Doughty outlet when a perfectly fine pass hopped over his stick blade. Rainy Day Staples strikes again. Jim Fox picked up early on that the Kings were struggling with the first pass out of their zone.
• Two good team forechecking plays, second period. Early in a shift and in his defensive zone, he facilitated a quick exit by getting to a puck first and lobbing it out of the zone for to cause the play to reset. Play eventually set up deep in the attacking end, where he drew attention just to the left of the slot and put himself in position well to receive an Adrian Kempe pass – a hard-earned puck off Kempe hustle and structural health, but one of several off-target or in skates from Kempe. (The entire team’s passing numbers were poor, particularly early.) Byfield corralled the puck on his backhand and protected it as you might see Kopitar use his size to do on the attack, perhaps even drawing an uncalled hook, before dishing it into space, where Kempe caught it in the high slot. Kempe fed Doughty for a high-grade look, though he waited a beat too long and shot into shinpads, one of many frustrating endings to scoring chances. That lob by Byfield, and his ability to prolong a play near the net, set up 15OUTs for his five-man group, followed by a Kempe SP2S, a Byfield SP2S, a Kempe SP2S + SCOP2S, and a Doughty TTO when play turned around after his blocked shot. Great forechecking shift by the five-man unit.
• Second period. With the same personnel, he won a battle under heavy pressure that led to 15OUTs for the group. It was the play that led to the four-on-two, SP2S from Doughty, Kempe and Kopitar, a Kopitar SCOP2S and a Kempe RDC.
• Second period. More general north-south proficiency. Good support of Doughty and Kempe on the forecheck.
• Third period. Slick, cross-ice no no no no no yes zone entry in which he drew attention on the left side but passed across the width to an open Kempe, who entered unimpeded. Too much of an east-west play, but he took what was given, so CE+1s for both.

You could argue he was the best player on that line, but that line didn’t score. First lines need to score, so if he’s going to stay there, his points will need to catch up to his sturdy fundamental play. Good game, still looking for that next gear.

And for reference on the acronyms he uses:

CE+1: Impact on controlled entries. Make a nice pass that leads into a clean entrance, get a point. Carry the puck unimpeded into the offensive zone, get a point. Put yourself in a position to receive a pass in a successful transition, get a point. Important to note multiple players often receive points on the same play.

SP2S: Successful passes to the slot. “Slot” is generous and includes the inside periphery of the circles and the high slot. Does not include deflections, but does include slap-passes and intended passes off the boards or goalie’s pads.

UP2S: Unsuccessful passes to the slot. Can be good (positioned well in attacking end) or bad (missed pass results in opponent’ transition). But, hey, you had the puck on your stick in a playmaking area against very good NHL defensemen.

SCOP2S: Scoring chances off passes to the slot. The most important +1 you can get. Generally results from SP2S, but will include the occasional UP2S if it included an otherwise nice play by the passer.

RDC: Rebound chances created. Includes clean end boards bounces and deflected shots that become scoring chances.

TTO: Transitional turnovers. Losing the puck in the vicinity of the attacking blue line and yielding a rush chance against. Not good!

DE+1: Impact in denying entry. This isn’t just a defense or backchecking statistic. It can take place up-ice on a forecheck and can force an icing. Generally, it’s awarded to any player(s) whose positioning, checking or general intuition sully up an opponent’s attempt to gain the attacking zone.

15OUT: Number of times a player is on the ice in which the Kings spend fewer than 15 seconds in the defensive zone without allowing a scoring chance, a pass to the slot, a clean low-to-high look, or a shot on goal from any semi-threatening area. Does not count leaving the zone within 15 seconds of a defensive zone faceoff.

TOI: 5×5 time on ice. For context.

 

[Statto]

For reference:




And for reference on the acronyms he uses:

Thanks Chazz that’s good stuff.

 

[cyclones22]

If you likes statistics with actual analysis and in game examples, Rosen's articles are well worth the subscription. Certainly better than any free articles and analysis out there and better than The Athletic stuff as well. Rosen also calls it like he sees it. If a player is playing like trash, he will say it, which is refreshing. No excuses or company line spin.

 

[kilowatt]

I'd like to apologize to Olli Maatta. I was too hard on him. This team would be a lot better if he was still here.

Anderson - Doughty
Maatta - Durzi
Bjornfot - Roy

 

[AbsentMojo]

Pinelli having strong season Ontario Hockey League – Official Site of the Ontario Hockey League

 

[Trash Panda]

I'd like to apologize to Olli Maatta. I was too hard on him. This team would be a lot better if he was still here.

Anderson - Doughty
Maatta - Durzi
Bjornfot - Roy

That lineup is 0% better than the one this organization is fully capable of dressing with the players/prospects they have.

 

[kings11]

I'd like to apologize to Olli Maatta. I was too hard on him. This team would be a lot better if he was still here.

Anderson - Doughty
Maatta - Durzi
Bjornfot - Roy

Drop Durzi and you’ll have something

 

[BringTheReign]

If you likes statistics with actual analysis and in game examples, Rosen's articles are well worth the subscription. Certainly better than any free articles and analysis out there and better than The Athletic stuff as well. Rosen also calls it like he sees it. If a player is playing like trash, he will say it, which is refreshing. No excuses or company line spin.

I've kept my subscription to The Athletic for the national coverage plus baseball, fantasy football, and EPL. Stephens has probably done a better job covering the Kings than Dillman did to be honest, but yeah, the deeper coverage and insight is farther between because he's on a double beat.

 

[cyclones22]

I've kept my subscription to The Athletic for the national coverage plus baseball, fantasy football, and EPL. Stephens has probably done a better job covering the Kings than Dillman did to be honest, but yeah, the deeper coverage and insight is farther between because he's on a double beat.

Oh I kept mine too for other reasons besides hockey. But I threatened to cancel and got a big discount for the next year.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Pinelli having strong season Ontario Hockey League – Official Site of the Ontario Hockey League

He already has 21 goals in 27 games on only 113 shots.
Compare that to 22 goals in 55 games on 190 shots!
1 more goal in 28 more games and 77 more shots.
He's becoming a goal scorer.

7th in the league on goals....but his 1.59 ppg and goals per game
are near or at the top.

Surprised he's not on Team Canada. Glad he's already signed and I expect him to be with the Reign at end of season. Possible deadline trade chip, however. ?

 

[AbsentMojo]

He already has 21 goals in 27 games on only 113 shots.
Compare that to 22 goals in 55 games on 190 shots!
1 more goal in 28 more games and 77 more shots.
He's becoming a goal scorer.

7th in the league on goals....but his 1.59 ppg and goals per game
are near or at the top.

Surprised he's not on Team Canada. Glad he's already signed and I expect him to be with the Reign at end of season. Possible deadline trade chip, however. ?

Possible, but if I were Blake id rather see what he does in the A next year - since he seems to be on a major upswing. If someone is jonesing for him - assesses him like a top 10oa pick.. you have to do it... If I were Pinelli I may not mind being moved to a team that would make space for him in top 9 in short order. The Kings are logjammed where guys like Fagemo and Kupari cant even get more than a sniff unless there's injuries.

 

[Statto]

He already has 21 goals in 27 games on only 113 shots.
Compare that to 22 goals in 55 games on 190 shots!
1 more goal in 28 more games and 77 more shots.
He's becoming a goal scorer.

7th in the league on goals....but his 1.59 ppg and goals per game
are near or at the top.

Surprised he's not on Team Canada. Glad he's already signed and I expect him to be with the Reign at end of season. Possible deadline trade chip, however. ?

He’s definitely one of the pieces that teams will be asking about. As much as I like him, he’s one I’m prepared (as if I have a say) to lose in the right deal.

 

[Kurrilino]

I'd like to apologize to Olli Maatta. I was too hard on him. This team would be a lot better if he was still here.

Anderson - Doughty
Maatta - Durzi
Bjornfot - Roy

Not sure Maata is the keyword here.
Bjornfoot is really overlooked by many here.
He plays invisible, which is exactly what you want from a defensive minded defender.
As more invisible he is as better he shuts down plays and nothing happens.

Anderson - Doughty
Bjornfoot - Clarke
Moverare - Roy

This is the best lineup we can field these days and with a little bit forgiveness for rookie mistakes, this can be a great defense corps

 

[raswilliam]

Francesco Pinelli was the #13 overall pick in the 2019 OHL draft so he has the pedigree. Most nhl scouts had him ranked in the 1st round in 2021.​

 

[Fishhead]

He’s definitely one of the pieces that teams will be asking about. As much as I like him, he’s one I’m prepared (as if I have a say) to lose in the right deal.

I think Pinelli is going to be the next in the long line of Kings 2nd round picks who play like first rounders. Gotta give to get, but there are others drafted higher I would move before him.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I guess my Werenski idea was hated. I have been hoping Gavrikov could be a target, for the top 4 LHD
badly needed....but that's 1 reason why I thought why not go for Werenski, if he could play by playoffs?
That could Kekalainen a better return than Gavrikov and actually allow him to have the cap space to resign Gavrikov to a longtern deal. Werenski's NMC clause kicks in next yr. Must take back Walker, to help with cap next year. Quick is expiring and should not be rsigned. There could be a way to make the cap work, if CBUS does not retain any $

Werenski Doughty
Anderson Clarke
Bjornfot Spence

Roy and Durzi could be moved too.

 

[lumbergh]

I guess my Werenski idea was hated. I have been hoping Gavrikov could be a target, for the top 4 LHD
badly needed....but that's 1 reason why I thought why not go for Werenski, if he could play by playoffs?
That could Kekalainen a better return than Gavrikov and actually allow him to have the cap space to resign Gavrikov to a longtern deal. Werenski's NMC clause kicks in next yr. Must take back Walker, to help with cap next year. Quick is expiring and should not be rsigned. There could be a way to make the cap work, if CBUS does not retain any $

Werenski Doughty
Anderson Clarke
Bjornfot Spence

Roy and Durzi could be moved too.

Werenski's a good player, but there's no way the Kings take on a contract like that for a player that can't help them get to the playoffs.

 

[AbsentMojo]

He’s definitely one of the pieces that teams will be asking about. As much as I like him, he’s one I’m prepared (as if I have a say) to lose in the right deal.

Hypothetical: If a team asked you for one of Turcotte or Pinelli, which would you offer?