Speculation: LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread part VII

[Peter James Bond III]

Kopitar is partially to blame for his high ice time. You watch the next game and pay attention. He will be carrying the puck and the rest of his line will go for the change. Instead of dumping it in so he can also change, he will carry it into the zone and take it in deep. If he loses the puck and a rush goes the other way, he can't change at that point he has to try and help the defense and chase the puck carrier down. Next thing you know he's out there for like a minute and a half or more and he's gassing. This happens a couple of times at least a game.

This is so true. I was at the Colorado game and took my GF to her first game...at least once, she noticed '11' (she called him 11, she knew no names) "why is 11 all alone? why did his teammates leave him all alone?" (serious) and I told her most players stay out 45 seconds or so and he was the one staying out too long and his teammates went off for the next unit. lol

 

[Mats26]

OK - the other three teams.
Defense wins championships.
there's a reason why you paid Danault so much for 5 goals in 53 games and then 1 goal in 22 playoff games.

No...that was only part of it.
If Danault scored 5 goals instead of 24 we would not even be close to a playoff spot and the vultures would be out hunting. He is helping as much offensively as defensively. Clearly our MVP and core leader this year. It was pretty clear at the time of the signing that the brass thought he can bring some offense to the table and so far it is paying off. We'll see if it lasts for the next 5 years.

 

[KingsFan7824]

When Sutter coaches a team with 2 x 100+pts players and 30 and 40 goal scorers you know the trend is going towards offense. Doesn't mean you forget how to play defense, they can win 3-2 like they showed against us but to have those offensive weapons makes you a threat and a much easier ticket to make the playoffs.

The league is going towards younger, faster more skilled forwards. Anthony Duclair for example is a 30 goal scorer, some kids just need to be put in a position to succeed. There is no reason why we force prospects to play 4th line minutes and then complain about their production or simply bench them in big games.

If they can't develop a decent few players out of our prospect pool it will be a league wide embarrassment. I expect them to show and possibly hit their potential in the next few years, so well see how they turn out.

There was also a reason that Duclair is 26 years old and currently on his 6th team.

It was just a couple years ago that Gaudreau had 99pts with another coach. That 18-19 Flames team had 5 guys at basically a pt/game. His offense isn't coming from nowhere. And of course he's a UFA. Tkachuk, also looking for a new deal.

Most of the players on the Kings have increased their pts/game, if not remained fairly even with their career averages. So offense hasn't really come here to die, but we don't like that it's all veterans.

 

[Mats26]

There was also a reason that Duclair is 26 years old and currently on his 6th team.

It was just a couple years ago that Gaudreau had 99pts with another coach. That 18-19 Flames team had 5 guys at basically a pt/game. His offense isn't coming from nowhere. And of course he's a UFA. Tkachuk, also looking for a new deal.

Most of the players on the Kings have increased their pts/game, if not remained fairly even with their career averages. So offense hasn't really come here to die, but we don't like that it's all veterans.

Doughty played half a season and will end up being the teams leading scorer for defensemen. I see that as a major issue. Our #1C has only 62 pts.....62! Our boy Tim from the Sens has 52pts and counting as a 20year old.
Back to my original point.. we don't have the high end skill players to break the PPG mark and it will cost this team down the road if we don't develop one. We are getting by with a couple of 40-50 pts players with shoddy goaltending right now. If we want to contend in 2-3 years we got plenty of moves and development to do.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Chychrun done for the rest of the season..
Averages 56 games a year.
They need to avoid this player. Can't stay healthy, will still cost too much in terms of assets and isn't good at defense. Pass

 

[KingsHockey24]

Chychrun done for the rest of the season..
Averages 56 games a year.
They need to avoid this player. Can't stay healthy, will still cost too much in terms of assets and isn't good at defense. Pass

Go for Crouse instead.

 

[MBH]

No...that was only part of it.
If Danault scored 5 goals instead of 24 we would not even be close to a playoff spot and the vultures would be out hunting. He is helping as much offensively as defensively. Clearly our MVP and core leader this year. It was pretty clear at the time of the signing that the brass thought he can bring some offense to the table and so far it is paying off. We'll see if it lasts for the next 5 years.

Regardless.
Everyone was fine with the Danault signing for a reason.
Because of his defensive game.
That's why I wanted him in Detroit. That's why LA fans were happy with him.
And anyone who knew Danault also he could center a good offensive line, too.

I laugh my ass off at the "advanced stats guys" who try to tell me that zone starts don't matter.
Look at Danault's deployment and how it impacts his career.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Regardless.
Everyone was fine with the Danault signing for a reason.
Because of his defensive game.
That's why I wanted him in Detroit. That's why LA fans were happy with him.
And anyone who knew Danault also he could center a good offensive line, too.

I laugh my ass off at the "advanced stats guys" who try to tell me that zone starts don't matter.
Look at Danault's deployment and how it impacts his career.

*why isn't this line scoring more*
*gives them literally 70% dzone starts*

 

[unicornpig]

Old players decline, why the shock lol

 

[MBH]

Doughty played half a season and will end up being the teams leading scorer for defensemen. I see that as a major issue. Our #1C has only 62 pts.....62! Our boy Tim from the Sens has 52pts and counting as a 20year old.
Back to my original point.. we don't have the high end skill players to break the PPG mark and it will cost this team down the road if we don't develop one. We are getting by with a couple of 40-50 pts players with shoddy goaltending right now. If we want to contend in 2-3 years we got plenty of moves and development to do.

And yet, the Kings are in the hunt for a playoff spot.
It can't be all bad, right?
Are you surprised Doughty leads the D in scoring despite missing 1/2 the season? Really?

Had you told me Doughty is going to miss 1/2 the season before the the season started, and then asked me to predict which D would lead the team in scoring, It was a 50-50 proposition that I'd say doughty
(Cut Doughty's points in half last years and Sean Walker beats him by one).
The surprise isn't Doughty. It's Durzy. 26 points? Who could have seen that coming?
Despite his defensive issues, Durzy has more than met expectations.

And again, man, that this team is in the hunt for the playoffs despite the injury to Doughty - given the lack of above average D-men on this team - is a testament to something.
The coaches? The character or the team? The replacements?

Imagine someone tells you before the season that Doughty misses 43 games.
What's your prediction for this season?

 

[David Lunch]

Chychrun done for the rest of the season..
Averages 56 games a year.
They need to avoid this player. Can't stay healthy, will still cost too much in terms of assets and isn't good at defense. Pass

Agreed - I’m hoping they go for Provorov instead. He’s played almost every game of his whole career.

 

[johnjm22]

Kings basic needs:

Center
Scoring Winger
LHD
Goaltender

The question is, how many of these spots do you leave open and hope they're filled by kids eventually? Verses making trades/signings to fulfil these needs.

Goaltender and LHD probably can't be filled internally.

If these needs aren't addressed, the Kings will probably regress next season.

 

[kilowatt]

And yet, the Kings are in the hunt for a playoff spot.
It can't be all bad, right?
Are you surprised Doughty leads the D in scoring despite missing 1/2 the season? Really?

Had you told me Doughty is going to miss 1/2 the season before the the season started, and then asked me to predict which D would lead the team in scoring, It was a 50-50 proposition that I'd say doughty
(Cut Doughty's points in half last years and Sean Walker beats him by one).
The surprise isn't Doughty. It's Durzy. 26 points? Who could have seen that coming?
Despite his defensive issues, Durzy has more than met expectations.

And again, man, that this team is in the hunt for the playoffs despite the injury to Doughty - given the lack of above average D-men on this team - is a testament to something.
The coaches? The character or the team? The replacements?

Imagine someone tells you before the season that Doughty misses 43 games.
What's your prediction for this season?

The bright spots for this season are, to me:

1. Our young defenders - Durzi and Spence in particular
2. Our “second” line - all three of Moore, Danault, and Arvidsson
3. Blake Lizotte proving he belongs in the league
4. Adrian Kempe unlocking his goal-scoring potential

 

[lumbergh]

And yet, the Kings are in the hunt for a playoff spot.
It can't be all bad, right?
Are you surprised Doughty leads the D in scoring despite missing 1/2 the season? Really?

Had you told me Doughty is going to miss 1/2 the season before the the season started, and then asked me to predict which D would lead the team in scoring, It was a 50-50 proposition that I'd say doughty
(Cut Doughty's points in half last years and Sean Walker beats him by one).
The surprise isn't Doughty. It's Durzy. 26 points? Who could have seen that coming?
Despite his defensive issues, Durzy has more than met expectations.

And again, man, that this team is in the hunt for the playoffs despite the injury to Doughty - given the lack of above average D-men on this team - is a testament to something.
The coaches? The character or the team? The replacements?

Imagine someone tells you before the season that Doughty misses 43 games.
What's your prediction for this season?

Had you told me Doughty would miss half the season I would have predicted that the Kings would be waiting for a high draft pick again and that fans would be calling for Blake and McLellan's heads on sticks. Here we are with five games left in good position to get into the playoffs. Some fans are still calling for McLellan's head on a stick. Would have been half right.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Agreed - I’m hoping they go for Provorov instead. He’s played almost every game of his whole career.

Holy crap, a Michael Handzus profile pic.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Imagine someone tells you before the season that Doughty misses 43 games.
What's your prediction for this season?

How about the predictions if Doughty played a whole season? Certainly most weren't saying 90+ points!

Doesn't matter, this team blows, the coaches blow -- the organization sucks ass. If you want to talk more about it, I'll be posting about 100 times tonight on the game thread!

 

[David Lunch]

Holy crap, a Michael Handzus profile pic.

Hehe, happy someone finally noticed bonus points if you can figure out the other half of of the pic (hint - think legendary American cult film director… or just my username).

 

[KingsHockey24]

Hehe, happy someone finally noticed bonus points if you can figure out the other half of of the pic (hint - think legendary American cult film director… or just my username).

What's my prize for noticing? Lunch?

Get it?.. Cuz.. David L U N C H . Ha-ha-ha

 

[RaymondReddington]

Nope, I am using your comment of "There is not a team in the NHL that would use this talent and production the way the Kings have this year."

To tell you, you are wrong. St. Louis did this with Thomas 4 years ago.....

Man are you condescending, even when you are way off target.

Robert Thomas was not on 2017-18 Blues roster, so we rule out that 4 years ago team.

Robert Thomas scored 3 PPG on the 2018-19 Blues.
He trailed Tarasenko (12 PPG), Perron (7 PPG), O'Reilly (6 PPG), Pereyko (4 PPG), Schenn (4 PPG)
He equaled Pietrangelo (3 PPG) and Dunn (3 PPG).

Kaliyev on the 2021 LA Kings has scored 6 PPG while almost exclusively on PP2..
He equals Kempe (6 PPG) and Kopitar (6 PPG) for the lead in the team both of whom are exclusively PP1.

I stand by my comment that no other team, now or in the past, would put a player who leads the team in PPG, esp a struggling PP, on PP2.

Your example of Thomas is completely irrelevant in this context, and honestly idiotic for you to even bring it up.
Of course Thomas is PP2--he is the 5th leading forward, and tied for 6th on the team in PPG, with half Kaliyev's number.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

The bright spots for this season are, to me:

1. Our young defenders - Durzi and Spence in particular
2. Our “second” line - all three of Moore, Danault, and Arvidsson
3. Blake Lizotte proving he belongs in the league
4. Adrian Kempe unlocking his goal-scoring potential

Wonder why you don't think Kaliyev developing into an NHL player is a not a bright spot.....

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Man are you condescending, even when you are way off target.

Robert Thomas was not on 2017-18 Blues roster, so we rule out that 4 years ago team.

Robert Thomas scored 3 PPG on the 2018-19 Blues.
He trailed Tarasenko (12 PPG), Perron (7 PPG), O'Reilly (6 PPG), Pereyko (4 PPG), Schenn (4 PPG)
He equaled Pietrangelo (3 PPG) and Dunn (3 PPG).

Kaliyev on the 2021 LA Kings has scored 6 PPG while almost exclusively on PP2..
He equals Kempe (6 PPG) and Kopitar (6 PPG) for the lead in the team both of whom are exclusively PP1.

I stand by my comment that no other team, now or in the past, would put a player who leads the team in PPG, esp a struggling PP, on PP2.

Your example of Thomas is completely irrelevant in this context, and honestly idiotic for you to even bring it up.
Of course Thomas is PP2--he is the 5th leading forward, and tied for 6th on the team in PPG, with half Kaliyev's number.

LOL how sad....you literally have to CHANGE your argument, to just mean PP......4 years ago is the 2018-2019 season, so figure it out.

You stand by your comment that had did not particularly pertain to JUST the PP.....I'm shocked.

 

[lumbergh]

Had you told me Doughty is going to miss 1/2 the season before the the season started, and then asked me to predict which D would lead the team in scoring, It was a 50-50 proposition that I'd say doughty
(Cut Doughty's points in half last years and Sean Walker beats him by one).
The surprise isn't Doughty. It's Durzy. 26 points? Who could have seen that coming?
Despite his defensive issues, Durzy has more than met expectations.

You can't overlook his defensive issues. He's the worst Kings defenseman in his own zone by a wide margin. If he didn't produce on special teams, the team couldn't keep him on the ice while trying to make the playoffs. He is way underwater at even strength.

 

[MBH]

You can't overlook his defensive issues. He's the worst Kings defenseman in his own zone by a wide margin. If he didn't produce on special teams, the team couldn't keep him on the ice while trying to make the playoffs. He is way underwater at even strength.

Yeah - but I didn't think anything of Durzi. So what he has shown beats my expectations.

 

[David Lunch]

What's my prize for noticing? Lunch?

Get it?.. Cuz.. David L U N C H . Ha-ha-ha

Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

But guess again

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Agreed - I’m hoping they go for Provorov instead. He’s played almost every game of his whole career.

I suggested Provorov before the deadline and some Philly fans said they would do anything to get rid of him...I then watched some Philly games on center ice, mainly to see him and Konecny...and was not impressed with either...stay clear. Sanheim looks good, though.