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

[kingsfan28]

Interesting interview with Blake on new KOTP episode. Haven’t finished all of it, but some good questions being thrown his way.

Did he ask him how Maverick could've survived punching out going Mach 10.5?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

How about the ball is in YOUR court. If you are putting Kaliyev in top 6, who are you playing him over?

This isn't difficult, don't act like it's a brainbuster.

Even last year at least @King'sPawn and I had advocated for a roster that paired vets with kids in mentorship relationship. You still clearly had top lines, you still clearly had depth. In fact, we though that's exactly why Danault came aboard.

This year, that could look as simple as

Kaliyev-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Vilardi
Fiala-Byfield-Arvidsson
Iafallo-Lizotte-Grundstrom
Lemieux

you're more likely to not kill Kopitar since you can reduce his minutes, you're more likely to get more support for and production from Vilardi and Byfield, and when the game is really on the line, if you absolutely HAVE to, you can increase Kopitar's minutes since he's still fresh instead of having played 18-20 minutes in 2 periods (yes, that happened a LOT). And it's easy enough to rotate players around as necessary.

Maybe you disagree on the above but it's a simple, fair response to your question.

All teams do, welcome to reality.

Yes, but not all teams have an over 10 minute disparity between their top lines and bottom lines and even when they do it's because their fourthline has bricks on it, not their leading PP scorer and their #2 OA pick. I mean, Byfield isn't even on PP2, for crying out loud.

Look I said earlier I'm willing to give the Kings the benefit of the doubt, but it's hard to ignore recent history, too. I imagine the team will look different by the end of October, very different by January, and even more different by the deadline--but previous patterns of shafting kids who are performing (Vilardi, Kaliyev in particular) are already emerging. You can't fault people for being cautious when it's been the MO for at least the last 2 years.

 

[kingsfan28]

Considering the disparity in the quality of work product, the likelihood of that is 0%. Rosen got let got right as the pandemic was underway and the economic future of the world was very much in doubt. AEG is a business. Rosen is much more qualified for the job than Dooley, and it's not crazy to think his salary at that point was greater than what they had to pay/are paying Dooley.

Yeah it was def a money thing. Minimum wage reporter vs an experienced guy who's contract is much more substantial.

 

[kings11]

This isn't difficult, don't act like it's a brainbuster.

Even last year at least @King'sPawn and I had advocated for a roster that paired vets with kids in mentorship relationship. You still clearly had top lines, you still clearly had depth. In fact, we though that's exactly why Danault came aboard.

This year, that could look as simple as

Kaliyev-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Vilardi
Fiala-Byfield-Arvidsson
Iafallo-Lizotte-Grundstrom
Lemieux

you're more likely to not kill Kopitar since you can reduce his minutes, you're more likely to get more support for and production from Vilardi and Byfield, and when the game is really on the line, if you absolutely HAVE to, you can increase Kopitar's minutes since he's still fresh instead of having played 18-20 minutes in 2 periods (yes, that happened a LOT). And it's easy enough to rotate players around as necessary.

Maybe you disagree on the above but it's a simple, fair response to your question.



Yes, but not all teams have an over 10 minute disparity between their top lines and bottom lines and even when they do it's because their fourthline has bricks on it, not their leading PP scorer and their #2 OA pick. I mean, Byfield isn't even on PP2, for crying out loud.

Look I said earlier I'm willing to give the Kings the benefit of the doubt, but it's hard to ignore recent history, too. I imagine the team will look different by the end of October, very different by January, and even more different by the deadline--but previous patterns of shafting kids who are performing (Vilardi, Kaliyev in particular) are already emerging. You can't fault people for being cautious when it's been the MO for at least the last 2 years.

Not a bad lineup you have there RJ, with the depth the Kings have they could legitimately roll 4 complete lines not seen since the Cup teams..

Fiala - Kopitar - Vilardi

Ardvisson- Danault - Kupari

Kempe - Byfield - Kaliyev

Iafallo - Lizotte - Moore

It will never happen but I like it lol…

 

[kingsfan28]

Clarke looks good with his new number on his hat.

 

[cyclones22]

The best teams in the league have third lines that can score and get near 15 minutes a game. The Kings weren't among the best teams last year and if they have the same minute distribution this season they won't be this year either. It all starts with managing first line minutes.

Patrice Bergeron has been better than Kopitar for a few seasons now, he is also older, and plays less minutes. That should be the model on how to manage Kopi's TOI and maximizing his efficiency. If Kopi is over 20 minutes for the season again it'll show me that TMc didn't learn a thing watching a gassed Kopi in the playoffs. Kopi running out of steam has been a problem the last few seasons.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You took all day to come back with a response that puts your new, 8-mil player on the 3rd line and essentially breaks up every line that has been a constant (for the most part) in the preseason?

You got Cal starting in net and DD on your 3rd pairing as well?

f***ing bonkers….and for what, cause you feel the Kings will win less games if AK isn’t in the top 6? Insanity.

Buddy I walked in from work and pulled that lineup out of my ass in five minutes, give me a break all day, lol.

If the 3rd line was getting roughly equal playing time, is it really an issue? and if it's really an issue, just rotate 3LWs, and you're done. Again, you're trying to mindf*** everyone into thinking it's brain surgery but it's incredibly, elementary simple to make lines that make sense that don't mean 35 year old vets are playing #1 dman minutes and allow for developing kids to get proper support AND bigger minutes.

But it's pretty clear you asked that in bad faith as always and I fell for it as always but there, you have a reasonable answer as to how to move things around to accommodate disparate elements very, very easily. I tried to indulge you in good faith but feel free to go back into yelling into the void.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Buddy I walked in from work and pulled that lineup out of my ass in five minutes, give me a break all day, lol.

If the 3rd line was getting roughly equal playing time, is it really an issue? and if it's really an issue, just rotate 3LWs, and you're done. Again, you're trying to mindf*** everyone into thinking it's brain surgery but it's incredibly, elementary simple to make lines that make sense that don't mean 35 year old vets are playing #1 dman minutes and allow for developing kids to get proper support AND bigger minutes.

But it's pretty clear you asked that in bad faith as always and I fell for it as always but there, you have a reasonable answer as to how to move things around to accommodate disparate elements very, very easily. I tried to indulge you in good faith but feel free to go back into yelling into the void.

Sure, you can take the 12 names, throw them in a blender and come up with hundreds of different combinations, spit them out and say ‘see, I answered your question in good faith and you can’t have. reasonable discussion about it!’

Fantasy land, I can’t relate.

 

[Docgonzo]

I always thought Rosen got let go because they were trimming budget on non essential needs during Covid.

 

[King'sPawn]

I always thought Rosen got let go because they were trimming budget on non essential needs during Covid.

That was my assumption.

 

[Choralone]

I always thought Rosen got let go because they were trimming budget on non essential needs during Covid.

This is Kings HF Boards. That's what they want you to think. You have to read between the lines.

 

[crassbonanza]

While I definitely agree that Kopitar's minutes need to be reduced as he ages to keep him fresh through the season, the issue the Kings have is that there was no one who could pick up those minutes last season. Danault played the second most minutes that he has ever played in his career and he is not exactly a young forward, so there was not much room for him. Byfield was possibly our worst forward last year, which was somewhat to be expected since he was a rookie, but there was no way that TMac was going to give him increased minutes. Lizotte could have picked up some more minutes, but how much heavy lifting can you expect from your 4th line? The issue is the same as it has been, the Kings are trying to compete while at the same time develop prospects.

 

[All The Kings Men]

This is Kings HF Boards. That's what they want you to think. You have to read between the lines.

It's not like he's unavailable.

Just ask him if you need to know so badly.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Sure, if Kaliyev gets significant PP time it lessens the blow of playing him with less talented players at ES. But what makes anyone think he will get that PP time? Kaliyev was significantly better on the PP last year than Danault and Iafallo, but who saw more PP time?

@SettlementRichie10 , despite enormous issues on the wing for over a decade the team has focused heavily on drafting centers. They passed on talented wingers, specifically Caufield and Kaliyev in the 1st round of 2019 to draft another center and d-man with much lower ceilings. Sure they gambled that Kaliyev would be there in the 2nd. But why not just address that need in that spot and risk him not falling 10 more picks to add another d-man?

Kaliyev at age 21 should be entering a stage where he is playing with players who can get him the puck at ES and being deployed on the PP where again he is given a chance to use his lethal shot, which is probably in the 90th percentile for any player in the league. I just question his effectiveness and ability to impact the game playing with 2 grinders.

Hey look I get it, every team has types of players they value and undervalue. I just think the deployment of Kaliyev is another example that with the Kings that natural finishers with elite shots who aren’t that well rounded are not valued at all.

Trust me; I lost it when Blake passed on Kaliyev for Bjornfot. I agree he should be deployed in more situations where he can succeed.

I just dispute the inference that there’s some kind of institutional prejudice against skilled wingers. I think it’s just Blake/TM not doing a good enough job at development. Unless you’re claiming Blake is still following Lombardi’s old draft and development strategies?

In other words, I don’t think you can draw a clear line from Lombardi failing to develop high skill wingers to Blake failing to develop high skill wingers. I think they’re both just separately bad at it for different reasons. Lombardi just unapologetically did not value the position. Whereas Blake has a glut of young players competing with productive veterans and doesn’t seem quite sure what to do with everyone (happening on D, too).

Again, I agree with your assessment of Kaliyev’s deployment. That’s not what I’m disputing.

 

[FSL KINGS]

If you don't know why they let him go, how can you say he blew it?

Kings decided that their media was better off bringing in the Mayor & replacing Rosen with Zach. Could have been cost cutting, could be Rosen kicked Luc's dog. Whatever the reason for Rosen to be replaced by a self promoting SoCal fan that wondered if Thompson was going to make the team, Rosen blew it.

 

[FrozenKing18]

Kings decided that their media was better off bringing in the Mayor & replacing Rosen with Zach. Could have been cost cutting, could be Rosen kicked Luc's dog. Whatever the reason for Rosen to be replaced by a self promoting SoCal fan that wondered if Thompson was going to make the team, Rosen blew it.

Rosen was a fan of the Black and Purple jerseys. He had to go.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

 

[lumbergh]

What happens with Tobias Bjornfot ?

He was probably the worst or tied for the worst defenseman on the Kings last season. Also showed next to no offensive game. He needs development in all facets, which can be best done in the AHL. A half or full season will be good for him going forward. Injuries will happen, and Edler won’t be back next season, so Bjornfot will get his chance. He is still young.

 

[Piedmont]

Mediocrity isn't a step on the way to success, its a plateau that must be overcome. You don't succeed by fattening up the middle of the lineup to try and overcome the short falls at the top of the lineup and the lack of production from cost-controlled assets.

Doesn't matter how many Danaults, Arvidssons or Fialas you bring in if your top players are in the bottom half of their positions and your kids aren't producing yet. Its a false dawn, and the results last year and likely this year will reflect that. Sure, the simplest (tru) fans will think "better" means improvement, but if that is your teams goal you are going to be disappointed. The Kings bought a playoff spot last year, they didn't earn it organically, and that is how you really improve to contender status.

Cheer up. Moore and Arvy are probably Kyle Calder, Tom Preissing, Dan Cloutier - current day bridge players, employed while “organic“ talent incubates and then comes of age - and then hopefully become our top players. Only difference is these bridge players were brought in to help revitalize a winning culture and provide a positive example - not to tank to get a high draft pick. It’s been a long time since we‘ve had a decent product on the ice. Being the ”simple” fan that I am - I am enjoying it.

 

[Docgonzo]

This is Kings HF Boards. That's what they want you to think. You have to read between the lines.

View attachment 592362

It’s all BLuc’s grand scheme to take over the world Pinky and the Brain style.

 

[lumbergh]

"WE nEeD KalIYeV 2 b a Top siCKs ferwErd"

I put up this exact lineup three months ago (July 13) In the previous news/rumors thread. Coulda saved you all a few thousand posts.

My guess:

Fiala-Kopitar-Kempe
Moore-Danault-Arvidsson
Iafallo-Byfield-Vilardi
Grundstrom/Lemieux-Lizotte-Kaliyev
Spares: Grundstrom/Lemieux, Kupari

Andersson or Anderson-Dolan might make the team if they have a great camp AND Kupari or Vilardi show up in bad shape. Kupari, of course, is waiver exempt, so that might play into the decision on him.

 

[King'sPawn]

I put up this exact lineup three months ago (July 13) In the previous news/rumors thread. Coulda saved you all a few thousand posts.

Great prediction! Though considering we're not too happy with the lineup, I don't think you would have prevented the arguments

 

[Steve Zissou]

Giddy.

 

[kilowatt]

In somewhat unrelated news, I’ve heard a lot of smoke that Ryan Johnson is going to pull a Cal Petersen and sign with the Kings next year. Would be a decent left-handed piece coming our way for free.

 

[Sol]

In somewhat unrelated news, I’ve heard a lot of smoke that Ryan Johnson is going to pull a Cal Petersen and sign with the Kings next year. Would be a decent left-handed piece coming our way for free.

If the Kings can put a hit on Petersens contract then I’m down