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

[Herby]

I’ve said this a few times before I’m sure, but it’s something I’m comfortable reiterating:

Players like Mike Richards have been hurting a lot of feelings at 180ish pounds for a long damn time.

Fight in the dog, not dog in the fight.

Mike Richards also contributed significantly as an offensive player and was a Selke finalist, those comparisons are not going to age well, atleast not to prime Mike Richards. There are also similarities between Sean Durzi and Kris Letang, but no one thinks Durzi will be Letang.

It also should be noted that Richards career was basically over at 28, largely from playing that style as an undersized player.

 

[Trash Panda]

Mike Richards also contributed significantly as an offensive player and was a Selke finalist, those comparisons are not going to age well, atleast not to prime Mike Richards. There are also similarities between Sean Durzi and Kris Letang, but no one thinks Durzi will be Letang.

It also should be noted that Richards career was basically over at 28, largely from playing that style as an undersized player.

I didn’t make any sort of claims about offensive production, or even saying that they were the same player.

All I’m saying is, there are a lot of guys capable of playing heavy hockey who come in at under 200lbs.

Again, fight in the dog.

 

[Kingfan1967]

From Friedman: Blake likes Dustin Brown with Byfield “for security”

I have spent 15 minutes trying to parse what Blake means by “security.”
Not sure.

(no Brown “hate” here…seriously cannot figure it out)

Brown is security for Byfield in that Brown can take the blame for Byfield not producing

 

[Peter James Bond II]

There is no need to discuss Brown playing out this year. He is. I think he's the weakest link most games and missing plays or fails to execute anything more than a basic play...
but he's at least a little more useful than Carter was the last few years. He was utterly brutal. He seems to be skating better now and producing some, but for whatever reasons, he was the weakest link and a boat anchor the last few years here. So glad they got him out of here.

However, there should absolutely be no extension, 100%. Why? He's already the weakest link and there are numerous possible upgrades from within, or in a deal or signing.
Look at it this way. Every year, 1 to 3 players step up and become real players. This year, it's been Moore and Durzi. No one in the Summer predicted that. Sure, Moore was
a fixture and penciled in line 4, but he's emerged as a legit line 2 threat and nothing is slowing him down. Some of those goals are absolute snipes. Speaking of snipes, Brown has not sniped one like one of those in probably 2 years...and his physical game is now pedestrian.

But getting back to more reasons not to sign him. At the conclusion of last season, line 2 was perhaps the worst in the NHL. Vilardi - AA and whomever was filling in for the
departed Carter. Then before the draft and free agent day 1, there's Arvidsson and Danault on board. Line 2 is born. AI filled in well on there, dropping down and Kempe stepping up. So also consider Kempe stepping up, AI elevating his game some and Lizotte becoming a 5'7" beast. You can say Kaliyev has surprised and playing better than most thought he would at age 20. Is he a force? No, not yet. But that's another one right there, that can take Brown's place, RW3.

Look how much things changed, since the last game last season? It's huge. Do you think the Kings don't get another forward that is at the Arvidsson / Danault level? They certainly could. That leaves Brown wayyyyy off next year's team. Do you think there will not be 1-3 players from within that steps up as well? Every year, it happens. They are the ones that break through and say F you to the naysayers that penciled them on line 4 or in the AHL. Who might they be? Turcotte? JAD? Fagemo? Chromiak? (don't count him out) Madden? Thomas? Vilardi? You can say all of them need more seasoning, bleh bleh...yeah, the same ones that said Sean Durzi will never play in the NHL.

If the Kings think Brown should be in the mix NEXT year, they should be fired. How does that possibly improve the team? What does that tell the kids in the AHL busting their azz?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You mentioned stats. Don't pretend that's not what you were alluding to.

Whatever makes you feel better...points or no points, you are arguing that Turcotte would perform better than Brown in the NHL playoffs but have absolute nothing to back that argument up. So carry on with that, it's intriguing.

 

[lumbergh]

Not a single person ever claimed that Turcotte was going to “tear up” anything.

The (correct) claim was made that his game was well suited for playoff hockey, especially when compared to the player that Dustin Brown is today.

That’s it. Nobody said a word about points, production, place, or purpose. Just that his game was well suited for playoff hockey.

Nice alliteration.

 

[King'sPawn]

Whatever makes you feel better...points or no points, you are arguing that Turcotte would perform better than Brown in the NHL playoffs but have absolute nothing to back that argument up. So carry on with that, it's intriguing.

Others are saying that Turcotte's intense style of play is more fitting for the playoffs than Brown, who at this time is hitting a lot less and is less productive than he used to be.

I know it's hard to keep up with you putting words in everyone else's mouth and acting innocent amongst your instigating, but that's literally all that bland said. People who have watched have provided observations and recently relevant details of Turcotte performing in do-or-die scenarios where he could at your request. I would say it's intriguing that you call it nothing, but it's simply... expected at this point?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Others are saying that Turcotte's intense style of play is more fitting for the playoffs than Brown, who at this time is hitting a lot less and is less productive than he used to be.

I know it's hard to keep up with you putting words in everyone else's mouth and acting innocent amongst your instigating, but that's literally all that bland said. People who have watched have provided observations and recently relevant details of Turcotte performing in do-or-die scenarios where he could at your request. I would say it's intriguing that you call it nothing, but it's simply... expected at this point?

Turcotte has shown very little at the NHL level. I'm not a Turcotte hater, I actually have been very excited for his debut this season. BUT, again, he didn't show much and that's the reason he was sent back down. Now, I am still confident he will be a player for us...I do think he prob needs to put on some weight...but I really hope he emerges into a force for the Kings at some point. With all that said, to insinuate he could be that player now and be more of an asset in the playoffs than Brown is ludicrous based on what he's shown thus far.

I will end my participation in this argument at that.

 

[HookKing]

Turcotte has shown very little at the NHL level. I'm not a Turcotte hater, I actually have been very excited for his debut this season. BUT, again, he didn't show much and that's the reason he was sent back down. Now, I am still confident he will be a player for us...I do think he prob needs to put on some weight...but I really hope he emerges into a force for the Kings at some point. With all that said, to insinuate he could be that player now and be more of an asset in the playoffs than Brown is ludicrous based on what he's shown thus far.

I will end my participation in this argument at that.

You are of course correct here. Turcotte hasn't done squat in the regular season yet he's magically going to turn into a playoff monster? Too many posters have fallen in love with the prospect of the month.

 

[apocalypse]

I’ve said this a few times before I’m sure, but it’s something I’m comfortable reiterating:

Players like Mike Richards have been hurting a lot of feelings at 180ish pounds for a long damn time.

Fight in the dog, not dog in the fight.

Yeah Richards was a beast. I remember him fighting Hanzal in the 36 hour promo. Richards is my favorite NHL player.

 

[kilowatt]

Not sure if this was mentioned:

Blake also likes how Kaliyev’s blended in with Blake Lizotte. “It’s probably not where we thought he’d start, but this is working very well and he’s getting better every day. He’s on the second power-play unit. But for us to be successful, we’re going to need him in our top six next year. We need his scoring to keep moving forward.”

32 Thoughts: Unafraid Auston Matthews takes big off-ice step

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

How come Byfield isn't listed on the Kings website? Did he get sent down recently?

 

[apocalypse]

Not sure if this was mentioned:

Blake also likes how Kaliyev’s blended in with Blake Lizotte. “It’s probably not where we thought he’d start, but this is working very well and he’s getting better every day. He’s on the second power-play unit. But for us to be successful, we’re going to need him in our top six next year. We need his scoring to keep moving forward.”

32 Thoughts: Unafraid Auston Matthews takes big off-ice step

haha. So I guess that article in Sports Net clears up whether or not Blake is going after Chychrun.

 

[kilowatt]

How come Byfield isn't listed on the Kings website? Did he get sent down recently?

He played an hour ago...?

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

He played an hour ago...?

Yeah....weird.

 

[kingsholygrail]

The website sucks really.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

So how's Doughty doing this year?

 

[kingsholygrail]

So how's Doughty doing this year?

Good for the most part. Bad games for him pop up once in a while like a bad case of herpes.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

Good for the most part. Bad games for him pop up once in a while like a bad case of herpes.

Is he back to top pairing (at least) level or just serviceable.

 

[Lt Dan]

Is he back to top pairing (at least) level or just serviceable.

Top pairing. He's been really really good since returning from injury

 

[Fishhead]

Is he back to top pairing (at least) level or just serviceable.

He's got 24 points in 28 games and is a +8. His CF% is a whopping 60.5. This is against absolute top competition. I could go on, but he's pretty much owning the ice outside of the penalty kill. Some still bitch about his powerplay effectiveness, but he's got the highest GF/60 with the man advantage out of the powerplay regulars.

If he hadn't missed time this year, he'd be in the Norris discussion. So absolute top pairing, he's on a 70 point pace this year.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

He's got 24 points in 28 games and is a +8. His CF% is a whopping 60.5. This is against absolute top competition. I could go on, but he's pretty much owning the ice outside of the penalty kill. Some still bitch about his powerplay effectiveness, but he's got the highest GF/60 with the man advantage out of the powerplay regulars.

If he hadn't missed time this year, he'd be in the Norris discussion. So absolute top pairing, he's on a 70 point pace this year.

Ok, this is good news.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Turcotte has shown very little at the NHL level. I'm not a Turcotte hater, I actually have been very excited for his debut this season. BUT, again, he didn't show much and that's the reason he was sent back down. Now, I am still confident he will be a player for us...I do think he prob needs to put on some weight...but I really hope he emerges into a force for the Kings at some point. With all that said, to insinuate he could be that player now and be more of an asset in the playoffs than Brown is ludicrous based on what he's shown thus far.

I will end my participation in this argument at that.

One of the problems is the 'line 3' (or 4, or whatever) has been a black hole for every player on this team. The highest production on that line linehas been the oft-hated Kupari, with 9 pts (although he has 3 pp points...2 more than Brown and Danault. Go figure)

No one has done anything on that line, except maybe have 1 line rush...2 if they're lucky and none of the combos have made plays. It's like they gain the zone and maybe get a puck deep and then 2 go to it and battle and if one of them wins it, rarely make a play to the third man. You now have AA and Brown - the 2 worst playmakers on the team - going with QB and NOT ONCE did either 23 or AA get him the puck, Granted, QB was not great the last 2 games.

Proof the line is a dead line and no one will find success on it, it seems. Consider Trevor Moore had 1 goal and 1 assist in 20 games there! Then goes to line 2 and is killing it and had the best production of an King not named Kopitar. I think we simply cannot judge anyone on that line. We won't know what Turcotte, Byfield, Fagemo, Kupari can do, until they get one line driver that can make plays. I think JAD can possibly add something to that line. I think Rasmus had several good games there. I wonder what he could do on line 1 or 2 for a 2 week persid. But I understand that cannot happen now and why. At least Kaliyev has some success, because Lizotte is an animal and
Lemieux is cognizant where Atry is and tries to make plays to him...but he's the third worst playmaker after AA and 23.

 

[Fishhead]

One of the problems is the 'line 3' (or 4, or whatever) has been a black hole for every player on this team. The highest production on that line linehas been the oft-hated Kupari, with 9 pts (although he has 3 pp points...2 more than Brown and Danault. Go figure)

No one has done anything on that line, except maybe have 1 line rush...2 if they're lucky and none of the combos have made plays. It's like they gain the zone and maybe get a puck deep and then 2 go to it and battle and if one of them wins it, rarely make a play to the third man. You now have AA and Brown - the 2 worst playmakers on the team - going with QB and NOT ONCE did either 23 or AA get him the puck, Granted, QB was not great the last 2 games.

Proof the line is a dead line and no one will find success on it, it seems. Consider Trevor Moore had 1 goal and 1 assist in 20 games there! Then goes to line 2 and is killing it and had the best production of an King not named Kopitar. I think we simply cannot judge anyone on that line. We won't know what Turcotte, Byfield, Fagemo, Kupari can do, until they get one line driver that can make plays. I think JAD can possibly add something to that line. I think Rasmus had several good games there. I wonder what he could do on line 1 or 2 for a 2 week persid. But I understand that cannot happen now and why. At least Kaliyev has some success, because Lizotte is an animal and
Lemieux is cognizant where Atry is and tries to make plays to him...but he's the third worst playmaker after AA and 23.

Absolutely. There hasn't been a complete lack of production, but that third line hasn't found chemistry. I'm all for rotating guys on and off of it, because if that line can get cohesiveness, look out. If it means moving Brown up with Kopitar and one of Kempe/Iafallo moving down, so be it.

 

[apocalypse]

Is he back to top pairing (at least) level or just serviceable.

I would argue that Doughty's still a franchise defensemen. He logs an average of 25 min a night. Tonight I believe he logged 25-27 minutes. Minutemuncher. Still one of the best. His scoring touch has gone down just a bit, but he's still an excellent defender. A fourth forward if you will.