It's finally time that BLUC needs to make the necessary inevitible moves to move on NOW from
the 12-14 Cup teams.
20-21 - saw that Carter was done as a King. He was totally uninspired and was of no help to Gabe
as a linemate. At all. Blake moved him and got what he could.
This season also showed that Gabe was not ready to be #2 center. Quick was begiining to lose his game
and Cal begin to take over.
It showed that Matt Roy and Trevor Moore coud play in the NHL.
21-22 - saw the beginning of the end of Dustin Brown. He was fading quickly from just a few months
after a decent 20-21 season. He could no longer make rudimentary plays or be effictive at the NHL level.
So he announced his retirement. This season, the Kings made strides with Danualt, Arvidsson, Edler...Moore becoming a very good player. Scoring about 1 ppg the second half and being solid all around. Kempe takes it to another level and eclipses 30 goals, with 35 and becomes a good player for all situations.
This season showed Kaliyev has made the team and will only get better. Kupari, Byfield and Durzi emerge,
to varying degrees. It was probably hoped that Byfield would be somewhat ahead, but broken ankle was set back.
22-23 - Adding Fiala was a great move, period. It matters not now, who he gels with or what line he's on. He has the most raw talent on the team and he has not disappointed. The team has disappointed. He's entering his prime and has so much ability and signed to a good contract. Not worried. At all. Vilardi has emerged to a degree that no one could expect, from how he has last played, April 2022, to his start October 2022. I do not know if I have ever seen a player take 2 to 4 steps in a few months...especially from his last game 21-22 to first game 22-23. It's beyond exciting and amazing. From just hanging in there, getting scratched in the Edm series, to dominating on the boards, impeccable puck play, taking pucks and making great plays, nearly 100% of the time. And his shot and accuracy are amazing...and near the goal. His skating improved! A lot...and endurance and strength as well. Stunning. All of it,. Honestly, if the Kings keep playing this miserably for most of the season, I know that just addig Fiala and Vilardi emeging to be a top NHL player, I am feeling fine. It's like they gained 2 top players, since the game 7 loss to the Oil.
I didn't think the Kings could acquire one of the most talented forwards at the age of 26 (without giving up Byfeild + + ) and I thought Gabe would never emerge like he has. He can honestly be the heir to Kopi to take over #1 center. At some point, the Kings will play better, but that may take a coaching change and a few trades. There are too many good young players (Fiala, Kempe, Vilardi, Clarke, Byfield) to not have a better future....and enough assets to make moves to improve any slot needed. The 27-29 year olds, Danault, Avidsson, Moore, Roy are all good players...although Roy needs to be taken aside told he can no longer shoot a puck from 50 feet out. Ever again. Only if the net is empty.
The ugliness has emerged and has shown to be their identity, that they were trying to identify. Their play has defined it. If anything, besides structure, mental lapses, inconsistency, bad speical teams...what can now be stated, NOW and for the FIRST TIME EVER, all can see that : DREW DOUGHTY is no longer an elite defenseman. PERIOD. He is lackluster, lost his fire, has more turnovers and gaffes than I've ever seen. He cannot dictate play. He's slowed down. He actually uses, 'slow the game down' technique and it's not working. He's no longer warrior Drew. I am not going to have an answer for how this plays out now, or through the remainder of n his contract. I'm not saying he's 'done'. He's not. Do I expect him to arise from his funk? I would not be surprised if his game and play get somewhat better...I am just saying you can NOW SEE his elite days are in the past. I could not say that, the last game he played last year. What to do? What can be done?
Nothing. He cannot be dealt...unless traded to Toronto with 50% retained and a decent player coming back that helped Leafs with the money working for both...just don't see anything there, really...unless Drew asked for that...and would be a little surprised. It's like the Kings will NOW need a future #1 AND #2 D...and only Clarke looking as a possibility for the RHD spot. (feel he's 2 years from being able to do that..but can play next year for certain) No answer, other than improving the REST OF THE D. (not easily done)
ANZE KOPITAR - Love him forever and was at his first camp in which he had bright, yellow hair. But his elite days are over. He will continue to play smart, make plays, score some goals, but his days leading this team are over. He should not be captain now and no disrepect to him. I'm not saying to take the C from him...I would not be agianst talking with him after the season, about letting another take the C. That is not disrespect. It should be MUTUAL respect that he considers letting the next leader take over. He no longer is a top, 2 way center...and is probably the slowest, #1 center of all 32, #1 centers. I'm not stating he is not effective and good, overall. I'm not saying your #1 C must have top speed, but a #1 C must have adequate speed, to keep up with a Fiala and Kempe and he cannot. This is 1 reason, why this line does not work and will not...as far as being a dominate line. What is the answer? They need to restyructure lines, speical teams units and icetime.
NOW. TOMORROW. These lines have not worked on a nightly basis. I think Gabe can takover #1 C now, but don't think they will do that. I would not be against Kempe 1C, Fiala 1LW and Vilardi 1RW. now.
You may say Kempe was not good at center....but that was 2+ years ago and he was not good, on wing either!
His game emerged last year and he would be okay at center now...even if he was a little better at wing?
The POINT is, he would be a better #1 center than Kopi is now...but Gabe would as well. Please remember, Kempe played center WELL, at age 21, with Peason and Toffoli...maybe Kempe was not a good ctr the following year, with CRAP wingers. We can all agree, many things are not working and ALL OPTIONS should be on the table. Is Kempe or Vilardi the answer to #1 center now? My answer is, yes to BOTH, over Kopitar. I think TODAY is the time to make some of the tough decisions, that BLUC have REFUSED TO ADDRESS. They have take a passove approach, towards the BIG 4: Brown, Quick, Doughty and Kopitar. Their answer has been to ride them....and wait until they are competely done...like Carter (would be one of the BIG FIVE cogs of Cup years)
and Toffoli, as well, had lost his top level game here and was dealt...Marty for #2 , #2's. So it's not like they have been afraid to deal at all...it's just that BLUC has built their plan around the BIG FOUR and try to improve the team around the 4.
JONATHAN QUICK - BLUC and ALL witnessed that Quick lost his game 2 years ago. Not compleetly, but he was no longer going to be one to make it back to the Cup...so they used Campbell and then decided his heir apparent would be Cal. Last year, Cal's game was going South...BLUC failed to acquire a capable #3, that could possibly fill in as an NHL goalie. They were banking on Cal regaining form....well, today, we saw a move, in which Cal being waived, BLUC NOW KNOWS, Cal is not the one.
DECEMBER 1, 2022. I hope a REAL plan for REAL change, begins this day. That a plan emerges, that is not to just find a decent, placeholder goalie...maybe another minor move...or just be happy Iafallo comes back and see where we are....but CHANGES. Kopi to line 2 kind of changes. Acquire a real, top 4 LHD change. Waive one or 2 more.
With Cal being waived, BLUC has shown they have accepted the heir apparent to Quick, is not Cal.
We do not know what their answer will be. if it is Quick and Copley, that is not their answer...as they
will have to have a better answer and this answer, is only interim. Their answer may only be to get a capable goalie, that may only be slightly better than Cal or Quick are / were playing. They may not be able to
have their best replacement now. Due to goalies available / cost. My point is, they now know of Cal's continued poor play, they had to do this. What they do next? ?
I am HOPEFUL, that they also take into account NOW that: It's time to make other changes and that Kopi is no longer 1C and work with TM to change all of the lines. Even Danault / Arvidsson / Moore....that has motly been fine....but not as good as last year and WHOLESALE line changes are needed and that line cannot be line 2, the 3 of them. Leaving Kopi at 1C and getting 20:00 TOI should end now. Anze is not done, only as 1C and 23:00 icetime center. What are the best line combos? I only say try Kempe or Vilardi ac 1C. The sooner, the better Anze is made 2C, the better. Please do not wait until Anze finds 2 wingers that can play with him....that is not the answer...I somehow seeing Todd, try to 'get Azne going, by putting Iafallo back at 1LW with him"
That is bandaid and will end up being one of the 5 worst, line 1 NHL lines. So no patchwork to help Kopi still try to be a 1C.
Blake really needs to find some size, toughness, that is ideally a top 4 LHD in the age range of Fiala / Kempe. And must move on now from Walker. Spence is a better player now and there's no reason to keep him in Ontario. The D has been playing erratic and ill at moving pucks and they are not getting better at it, but failing....Spence is very gifted to be quick and decisive, at making the right play and with very good execution.
He may be the best in the org right now, at doing this. So having him in Ontario is just wrong. Matters not if Walker / Edler need to be waived.
BLUC was not proactive, but reactive. Carter can no longer play (at least here) they delal him.
Brown can barely make or receive a pass. Reactive: Let him go out gracefully...keep playing him.
Quick is losing his game, 2 years ago...reactive: elevate Cal.
Doughty has BEGUN losing his game....reactive: do nothing...they will wait until he fails or hope that Clarke
can take the #1 RHD when DD's contract ends...
KOPITAR - most can see he's no longer a #1C. and cannot make hsi linemates - Fiala, Kempe better.
Bluc will do nothing...maybe talk to Todd about trying Iafallo there again. This is a reactive disgrace.
BURN IT DOWN. AT LEAST A ROOM OR TWO. MAYBE SAVE THE HOUSE.
