Was just looking at the possible playoff schedule -- Rogers Place is already scheduled for games 1/2 on May 2nd and 4th (Mon/Wed). Then I looked at Crypto schedule, and they are booked for Fri Sat, May 6th and 7th. That tells me (if the Kings make it), that we are playing back to back for games 2/3 or we'd have a three day break between games 2/3. Thoughts?
How on Earth does a building with 3 teams book the arena on both weekend nights in early May during the 1st (NHL) and 2nd (NBA) rounds of the playoffs? What is funny is the one team that is actually in was probably the one everyone least expected. Well atleast thanks to the LOLakers and Clippers being awful we won't be to screwed with the arena times.
This is weird, but I'm looking past the likely quick exit and looking toward the off-season, how do they address the forward group knowing that Kempe, Danault & Moore aren't scoring 75+ goals next year?
Fascinating.
They have to keep things as they are and hope for better numbers from some younger players.
They have to re-sign AA, preferably one year, but two if necessary. Just can't trust any of Vilardi, Turcotte, Fagemo, Kupari to force this guy out. When he has played this year he has been one of the Kings best offensive players.
Kempe may be able to reach similar production next season, he should be locked into the #1 PP unit and I think it's understated just how bad Iafallo was for like 60 games on that line. If its AA-Kopitar-Kempe it will be a more productive first line.
The second line if they play a full 82 or close to it won't match what they did this year, but I'm not sure it will be so far off.
The third line will be someone with Byfield and Kaliyev. Could be Iafallo, could be someone they sign, could be Grundstrom. But the two young players will be counted on to do more.
The Kings will likely score between 235-240 this season, next year the expectation should be 250+ because that is the bare minimum for most playoff teams (Kings are an anomaly)
AA (20) - Kopitar (15) - Kempe (32)
Moore (15) - Danault (14) - Arvidsson (28)
???? - Byfield (15) - Kaliyev (25)
Iafallo (12) - Lizotte (10) - ????
That is 187 between 10 forwards. Figure you can get 15-25 combined between the other 2 spots. that puts you at 205-210. Add in some more from call-up type guys that maybe gets you to 220-225. The defense will have to score more goals next season, and that should be the case with Doughty back and likely Spence for the full season.
The Kings have just not been able to address the lack of skill with a lot of these picks the last few years, and yes it is going to hurt the team next year (it's hurting now) but I think with a group effort and a solid top 9 and some better defensive goal-scoring they can at barely get to the playoff GF floor that is usually there.
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