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

[lumbergh]

So, giveaways….

Last season the team was running at 6.79 giveaways per 60 minute, 4.84 in the DZ.

Selected players 21/22
GP64 Durzi 2.54 (2.1 DZ)
GP67 Roy at 2.09 (1.88)
GP40 Byfield 1.73 (0.49)
GP81 Kopitar 1.07 (0.61)
GP80 Kaliyev 1.18 (0.89)
GP39 Doughty 1.44 (1.14)
GP57 Anderson 1.36 (1.2)
GP41 Edler 1.27 (1.11)
GP70 Bjornfot 1.53 (1.43)
GP24 Spence 1.4 (1.27)
GP6 Walker 0.55 (0.55)

Note: Because they didn’t all play at the same amount of time you can’t add up the individual numbers to get the team totals… it’s slightly confusing. You’d have to factor in ice time shares etc… I don’t have time for that.

So this season.

Team 8.19 (5.36)

Selected Players 22/23
GP26 Durzi 2.99 (2.3)
GP29 Roy 2.61 (2.61)
GP8 Byfield 1.28 (1.28)
GP29 Kopitar 2.69 (1.66)
GP28 Kaliyev 1.83 (0.73)
GP29 Doughty 1.26 (1.1)
GP29 Anderson 0.96 (0.87)
GP25 Edler 2.23(2.07)
GP2 Bjornfot 0 (0)
GP24 Walker 1.86 (1.52)
GP9 Clarke 1.48 (0.98)

There’s also quite a big Corsi/Fenwick drop off throughout.

Discuss… symptom or cause (it’s both in reality). It’s a big increase with Kopitar and Edler both red flags (outliers in terms of increase), Durzi and Roy’s numbers are just ugly. Roy is worse because he’s supposed to be a defense first guy. Sample size plays a big part for guys like Clarke due to low total minutes, so 1 bad game can make a big difference.

There appears to be a conscious decision by the coaches to play a more loose and risky style. I think this is one of the results of that decision. The turnovers, the jumping up ice by forwards and defensemen early, all of it is way more prevalent this season than years past. I'm sure the Kings have been working on quickly moving the puck particularly using one-touch passes.

Beyond the loose play with the puck, there's also the aggressive pinches in the neutral zone and offensive zone by the defensemen. You see it with the Durzi/Roy pairing, obviously, but even Mikey Anderson was guilty of it last night.

The Kings' opponents are creating an increased number of odd-man rushes. On the penalty kill the opponents keep finding open men in scoring areas. All of this is contributing to the high quality chances the Kings are seeing every night.

Lastly, you can't rely on the goaltending to bail you out anymore. Every NHL level forward has a quality shot. Most of the D as well. Opponents have solved Quick. He got beat twice up high glove side last night, once on the blocker side. I think you're seeing the end of a HOF career with Quick.

These are all big problems that won't get solved overnight. Kings look good against crap teams, but quality teams like the Leafs and the Canes are exploiting the Kings' weaknesses.

 

[Statto]

Durzi is a PP specialist. He should be played like one. Minimal 5x5 play, zero PK. Folks like to talk about his point total, but his 5x5 point total is basically the same as Mikey's minus the defense. I say play him on the 4th line with PP time. Get him as far away from any defensive responsibility or decision making as possible.
That, or trade his flow and turnover asap.

Or just play Clarke.

Given we aren’t winning the cup we should play Clarke instead. Granted he had some sheltered minutes but his underlying numbers are all good. His Corsi/Fenwick is the best on the back end, his block shots per game leads the team, his giveaway rate is 3rd best on the team etc. This is not a kid that is struggling and once he gets settled he will be better than Durzi at both ends. Spence in for Roy makes sense also but I fully understand the need to make room, as it’s not ‘that‘ easy although there will be options.

In Durzi we have a defenseman we can’t trust in key moments or in his own end. Clarke is already better than him defensively and given the same pp time would likely do a similar job offensively once he settled. I don’t hate Durzi and he’s definitely exceeded my expectations but he does not fit long term for me, so why drag it out any longer? He’s probably got decent enough value to help get a LHD, so pull the trigger. Roy has just been bad.

I’m not focused on the play-offs, I’m focused on what the roster will be at game 82. I want Byfield, Clarke, Spence, Björnfot, Turcotte (if fit) and Vilardi playing key roles because the future hangs on them; not Walker, Durzi, Roy, etc. If that’s the case it’ll have been a great season, scraping into the play-offs with the current group will not get us closer to a cup. If they lead us to the post season, even better.

 

[Statto]

There appears to be a conscious decision by the coaches to play a more loose and risky style. I think this is one of the results of that decision. The turnovers, the jumping up ice by forwards and defensemen early, all of it is way more prevalent this season than years past. I'm sure the Kings have been working on quickly moving the puck particularly using one-touch passes.

Beyond the loose play with the puck, there's also the aggressive pinches in the neutral zone and offensive zone by the defensemen. You see it with the Durzi/Roy pairing, obviously, but even Mikey Anderson was guilty of it last night.

The Kings' opponents are creating an increased number of odd-man rushes. On the penalty kill the opponents keep finding open men in scoring areas. All of this is contributing to the high quality chances the Kings are seeing every night.

Lastly, you can't rely on the goaltending to bail you out anymore. Every NHL level forward has a quality shot. Most of the D as well. Opponents have solved Quick. He got beat twice up high glove side last night, once on the blocker side. I think you're seeing the end of a HOF career with Quick.

These are all big problems that won't get solved overnight. Kings look good against crap teams, but quality teams like the Leafs and the Canes are exploiting the Kings' weaknesses.

I largely agree but some of the turnovers have been awful, no matter the style. Roy and Durzi have been coughing up the puck for 2 seasons now, even when things were tighter. Seeing the team give up the puck more often lines up with the style shift, but drilling down it is specific players that are the culprits, Kopitar and Edler in particular seem to be affected. Anderson as an example has improved his giveaway rate whilst also activating more often.

Its one of the reasons I’d be playing Clarke, because his game IQ absolutely fits a more open aggressive game. He’s made for it.

 

[YP44]

Would a Nurse for Doughty deal be that crazy?
Edmonton gets better next few years, LA saves some cap next few season (however has more term on his deal).
This would allow Durzi/Spence/Clarke to really be the top PP D, and balance the backend. Also would give LA a physical presence they just do not have. Would hate to see Drew as an Oiler but how drunk am I to think of this?

Nurse-Spence
Anderson-Roy
Bjornfot-Durzi/clarke

Edler and Walker are gone somewhere

 

[DAkings20]

Can we leave Todd in Canada?

 

[Reaper45]

People gotta stop complaining about Edler. He’s going to get his 1k games and retire next season. He’d still be able to play longer if that ankle break didn’t happen last season.

 

[The Butcher]

Would a Nurse for Doughty deal be that crazy?
Edmonton gets better next few years, LA saves some cap next few season (however has more term on his deal).
This would allow Durzi/Spence/Clarke to really be the top PP D, and balance the backend. Also would give LA a physical presence they just do not have. Would hate to see Drew as an Oiler but how drunk am I to think of this?

Nurse-Spence
Anderson-Roy
Bjornfot-Durzi/clarke

Edler and Walker are gone somewhere

Pretty drunk. I don't think I'd watch another game under the Blake regime were this to happen.

Nurse is a big reason why the Kings took the Oilers to 7 last season.

 

[YP44]

Pretty drunk. I don't think I'd watch another game under the Blake regime were this to happen.

Nurse is a big reason why the Kings took the Oilers to 7 last season.

I mean he was playing with broke ribs and injured, but no doubt is a step down

 

[kingsholygrail]

Would a Nurse for Doughty deal be that crazy?
Edmonton gets better next few years, LA saves some cap next few season (however has more term on his deal).
This would allow Durzi/Spence/Clarke to really be the top PP D, and balance the backend. Also would give LA a physical presence they just do not have. Would hate to see Drew as an Oiler but how drunk am I to think of this?

Nurse-Spence
Anderson-Roy
Bjornfot-Durzi/clarke

Edler and Walker are gone somewhere

Not with Nurse's contract. lmao At least Doughty's is over in a few years.

 

[Schrute farms]

Is it really all that bad if the Kings do not make the playoffs this year? Granted, it would be a BIG disappointment considering DD is back, added Fiala, etc. But the current problems are more roster setup that can be fixed with proper hockey trades and player utilization (minutes, lines, etc.). The D especially can be fixed very easily.

So let's say GV continues playing well; young guys get more time the rest of the season and showing they belong (AK34, Bjorn, Spence, Clarke); QB eventually comes back and shows he can be a true #3 (and eventually more); etc. But we just miss out on the playoffs -- due to bad goaltending and some shoddy LHD, PK.

We get a very good draft pick in a loaded draft -- not to mention being in the lottery with the potential to move higher up. We have loads of assets to trade this offseason to fix holes -- Durzi, Arvi, Rasmus, Kempe, prospects, draft picks, etc.

Maybe we get a new coach due to missing out on the playoffs too. Someone who won't continue to ride DD/Kopi to death among other issues.

 

[King'sPawn]

Is it really all that bad if the Kings do not make the playoffs this year? Granted, it would be a BIG disappointment considering DD is back, added Fiala, etc. But the current problems are more roster setup that can be fixed with proper hockey trades and player utilization (minutes, lines, etc.). The D especially can be fixed very easily.

So let's say GV continues playing well; young guys get more time the rest of the season and showing they belong (AK34, Bjorn, Spence, Clarke); QB eventually comes back and shows he can be a true #3 (and eventually more); etc. But we just miss out on the playoffs -- due to bad goaltending and some shoddy LHD, PK.

We get a very good draft pick in a loaded draft -- not to mention being in the lottery with the potential to move higher up. We have loads of assets to trade this offseason to fix holes -- Durzi, Arvi, Rasmus, Kempe, prospects, draft picks, etc.

Maybe we get a new coach due to missing out on the playoffs too. Someone who won't continue to ride DD/Kopi to death among other issues.

My only concern is that no major organizational changes get made if the Kings miss the playoffs.

And it wouldn't be catastrophic to miss the playoffs on that alone. However, if the Kings miss the playoffs with a full season from Doughty, adding Fiala, and where the biggest injury so far is Iafallo, it exposes several concerns about the team and why people were understandably questioning some of Blake's moves and organizational direction.

 

[Schrute farms]

My only concern is that no major organizational changes get made if the Kings miss the playoffs.

And it wouldn't be catastrophic to miss the playoffs on that alone. However, if the Kings miss the playoffs with a full season from Doughty, adding Fiala, and where the biggest injury so far is Iafallo, it exposes several concerns about the team and why people were understandably questioning some of Blake's moves and organizational direction.

I'm trying to cling onto something positive today after yesterday's mess. Desperation. Like a sky diver whose parachute doesn't open and reaches for branches of the tree when he is about to land.

 

[King'sPawn]

I'm trying to cling onto something positive today after yesterday's mess. Desperation. Like a sky diver whose parachute doesn't open and reaches for branches of the tree when he is about to land.

Didn't mean to cut a hole in your parachute

Missing the playoffs to me, is only good if organizational changes are made. If both Blake and McLellan are still here, I am sure I'll be more insufferable than I already am.

 

[head eyes]

On pace for 90.8 and nothing they've shown so far this season has led us to believe they can consistently hang with the best. TM has clearly lost the room and should've been fired this morning. How you can watch his pressers after these embarassing losses and not fire him is beyond me.

 

[Schrute farms]

Missing the playoffs to me, is only good if organizational changes are made.

Totally agree

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

On pace for 90.8 and nothing they've shown so far this season has led us to believe they can consistently hang with the best. TM has clearly lost the room and should've been fired this morning. How you can watch his pressers after these embarassing losses and not fire him is beyond me.

Because most people involved in Professional sports, UNDERSTAND....professional sports and are not one to give or take anything on a goddamn emotional whim.......

Love, Hate, don't care about TM, whatever you FEEL......doesn't matter, there is a reason he is the 7th most winningest active coach in NHL history......and 24th in league history....and the 6 that are above him, all have hundreds of games coached on him, with the exception of Boudreau

 

[head eyes]

Because most people involved in Professional sports, UNDERSTAND....professional sports and are not one to give or take anything on a goddamn emotional whim.......

Love, Hate, don't care about TM, whatever you FEEL......doesn't matter, there is a reason he is the 7th most winningest active coach in NHL history......and 24th in league history....and the 6 that are above him, all have hundreds of games coached on him, with the exception of Boudreau

Cool story. It was 0-3.

Too bad he doesn't have one more win on his record.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Because most people involved in Professional sports, UNDERSTAND....professional sports

Strongly disagree.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Cool story. It was 0-3.

Too bad he doesn't have one more win on his record.

Yes, because the whole point flew over your head, which is pretty common I guess

Strongly disagree.

Meh, I don't mean media types to be honest.......and I'm not saying they are all on the same level, and there is sure as hell nuance......

But you can't tell me a coach in the league for 30 plus years, doesn't know what he's doing.....

 

[head eyes]

Yes, because the whole point flew over your head, which is pretty common I guess



Meh, I don't mean media types to be honest.......and I'm not saying they are all on the same level, and there is sure as hell nuance......

But you can't tell me a coach in the league for 30 plus years, doesn't know what he's doing.....

You're implying I care enough about your opinion to read your point, but nice try at the dig. It was still 0-3.

 

[All The Kings Men]

But you can't tell me a coach in the league for 30 plus years, doesn't know what he's doing.....

I'm not addressing that particular coach... but clearly you're not familiar with my oeuvre.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I'm not addressing that particular coach... but clearly you're not familiar with my oeuvre.

Any coach in the league, that has had time in the league, is there for a reason more than OMG "good old boys club"

And clearly I am not......

 

[Fishhead]

The only reason this team misses the playoffs this year is not addressing the defense. It is very obvious by now that its at the core of most issues.

It takes two to tango and its not like trades have been common this year, I get that. But with the prospect pool we have improvements should have been made by now. The most frustrating thing is that most realize if this team had only a modest improvement on defense they would be a tough matchup for anyone.

Stagnation is never good and that’s what is happening.

 

[Little Psycho]

 

[AbsentMojo]

In the Roy Robertson thing yesterday .. they were both going for a 50/50 puck - and normally refs allow plenty of contact in those scenarios...is there a rule that addresses it, or is it just reffing convention.. e.g. if Roy dont give him that extra shove, all good right?