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

[Axl Rhoadz]

My issue with the danault signing was the backlog it creates at center for byfield. But if I said it was horrible please link it because I don’t recall ever saying anything other than that.

 

[Schrute farms]

I am very confident with my analysis of players since I am usually right.

This is awesome. My 16 year old son literally said this same quote (about his opinions in life) to me last weekend lol.

 

[Sol]

View attachment 581321

Thank you. Glad to see I didn’t say he was a bad player like you mislead me to believe. I thought it was a bad signing because I didn’t expect the prospects to all be bad and take away their ice. Valid comment at the time.

This is awesome. My 16 year old son literally said this same quote (about his opinions in life) to me last weekend lol.

I don’t think I asked lol.

I like how the people including yourself who made the comment and others who liked it tend to have some hilariously bad takes on players. If we listened to you guys we’d pretty much have Gretzky at every position. And every prospect is a generational player waiting to bloom lol

 

[King'sPawn]

I like how the people including yourself who made the comment and others who liked it tend to have some hilariously bad takes on players. If we listened to you guys we’d pretty much have Gretzky at every position. And every prospect is a generational player waiting to bloom lol

Hard-hitting insight such as "Petersen sucks and is overpaid lol." If only the entire board could follow in your footsteps and wisdom.

 

[Johnny Utah]

In hindsight, still adamant Kings should have take Stutzle. Especially since the Kings signed Danault. That’s the teams top two centers (Kopi and Danault) for two more years. Turcotte, Kupari and Vilardi could have battled it out for the 3rd line center and Kings would have Stutzle and Fiala on the wing.

But, on the flip side, if Kupari and Vilardi prove they are better off at wings or bust and Turcotte takes longer than expected or busts, then the Kings did need Byfield - if he proves he can be a 1 or 2 center.

None of these kids have stepped up. Durzi, a second round pick, passed all the Kings forward prospects last year as the best rookie, sadly. Torontos second round drafting of a D proved better than the Kings forward drafting for 4 seasons straight.

I have a feeling Hughes will make more of an impact sooner that some of these center prospects.

Let’s not forget about Huselius, he will likely be the 4th center of the future…

In two years after Kopitar’a deal expires could it be….

Byfield
Danault
Turcotte
Huselius

 

[Trash Panda]

I’d really like to get to know more about this Huselius fella, and all the things that make him the 4th line pivot of the future.

Just another nail in the coffin of our boy Helenius, who I think is going to need a hell of a step forward here soon to be a legitimate NHL prospect going forward.

 

[KingsFan7824]

In hindsight, still adamant Kings should have take Stutzle. Especially since the Kings signed Danault. That’s the teams top two centers (Kopi and Danault) for two more years. Turcotte, Kupari and Vilardi could have battled it out for the 3rd line center and Kings would have Stutzle and Fiala on the wing.

But, on the flip side, if Kupari and Vilardi prove they are better off at wings or bust and Turcotte takes longer than expected or busts, then the Kings did need Byfield - if he proves he can be a 1 or 2 center.

None of these kids have stepped up. Durzi, a second round pick, passed all the Kings forward prospects last year as the best rookie, sadly. Torontos second round drafting of a D proved better than the Kings forward drafting for 4 seasons straight.

I have a feeling Hughes will make more of an impact sooner that some of these center prospects.

Let’s not forget about Huselius, he will likely be the 4th center of the future…

In two years after Kopitar’a deal expires could it be….

Byfield
Danault
Turcotte
Huselius

They drafted Byfield 10 months before signing Danault. The only thing you can say is they shouldn't have signed Danault after the 2019 and 2020 drafts, since you couldn't know that you'd get Danault until you got Danault.

But that gets to the crux of literally every word we've all been religiously typing for at least this entire offseason; they have too many options. Not all great options, but options nonetheless. And they just keep adding more. Did they have to re-sign Tynan for Ontario? No, but they did.

Assuming the philosophy of the path they've taken is that internal competition will ultimately separate the wheat from the chaff, they've been following that. The young guys will not get time, they will have to force their way into time. Right or wrong, good or bad, that seems to be the way it's going to be. Then it becomes a day to day coach's choice matter.

 

[Statto]

In hindsight, still adamant Kings should have take Stutzle. Especially since the Kings signed Danault. That’s the teams top two centers (Kopi and Danault) for two more years. Turcotte, Kupari and Vilardi could have battled it out for the 3rd line center and Kings would have Stutzle and Fiala on the wing.

But, on the flip side, if Kupari and Vilardi prove they are better off at wings or bust and Turcotte takes longer than expected or busts, then the Kings did need Byfield - if he proves he can be a 1 or 2 center.

None of these kids have stepped up. Durzi, a second round pick, passed all the Kings forward prospects last year as the best rookie, sadly. Torontos second round drafting of a D proved better than the Kings forward drafting for 4 seasons straight.

I have a feeling Hughes will make more of an impact sooner that some of these center prospects.

Let’s not forget about Huselius, he will likely be the 4th center of the future…

In two years after Kopitar’a deal expires could it be….

Byfield
Danault
Turcotte
Huselius

Problem there is that Stuzle is now apparently playing C, his best position by all accounts (pods, fans).

 

[Statto]

They drafted Byfield 10 months before signing Danault. The only thing you can say is they shouldn't have signed Danault after the 2019 and 2020 drafts, since you couldn't know that you'd get Danault until you got Danault.

But that gets to the crux of literally every word we've all been religiously typing for at least this entire offseason; they have too many options. Not all great options, but options nonetheless. And they just keep adding more. Did they have to re-sign Tynan for Ontario? No, but they did.

Assuming the philosophy of the path they've taken is that internal competition will ultimately separate the wheat from the chaff, they've been following that. The young guys will not get time, they will have to force their way into time. Right or wrong, good or bad, that seems to be the way it's going to be. Then it becomes a day to day coach's choice matter.

I think the Tynan signing is good. He’s a top AHL player that provides good leadership on ice and more importantly off the ice. He’s apparently an excellent mentor. The issue last year was too many non-prospect guys getting pp time ahead of the like of Turcotte. Which I don’t think anyone can defend.

Having one guy like Tynan in the top 6 is fine and probably sensible because we need to have that leadership for the next intake as well as the guys already there. Gaunce is obviously a great mentor also, so even if he ends up bottom pairing I want him out there following the KOTP episode. Before that I was ambivalent, but now I want him coaching in the organization ASAP.

I digress… this season they need the other top 6 roles filled by prospects, end of story. Certainly on the PP. No issue with 3 vets across the top 9, if 5/5 ice-time is even. Obviously there are lots of scenarios where there would be exceptions but I’d like to see it as the basis of the philosophy.

 

[Sol]

Hard-hitting insight such as "Petersen sucks and is overpaid lol." If only the entire board could follow in your footsteps and wisdom.

Edit: I will be nicer in my response.

You can make fun of my harsh opinions but I don’t think it’d kill you to have one either. The nonstop fluff and non commitment to having a negative opinion on prospects makes it easy to avoid your thoughts on them since it’s always one note.

 

[johnjm22]

Not every poster intends for their posts to be taken completely literal and serious.

Being a cynical asshole on the internet is fun.

Every forum needs a couples criminals. Sol is like our Sean Avery.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

It's finally September and I am pumped about camp...and I think those who say that Kempe and /or Fiala 'may regress...that they were both playing for contracts" are in for a surprise. I say they BOTH continue to be on the rise and that better days for both are ahead of them. Soon, by January, will be the first time in more than a decade, that people will not identify the Kings with "Kopitar, Doughty and Quick"....but by Fiala, Kempe and dare I say Byfield? I wish, but more of say, 'Fiala, Kempe and Danault' Not that Kopitar is fading off that quickly; he's not. But it's passing of the torch time. I even think that Fiala and Kempe may have a good competition, to see who scores more goals and just amp it up.

Also, all are about to take notice of Arthur Kaliyev, who I feel will have a breakout year. Not even Todd will
be able to hold him back. (minute-wise) May Hiller create 2 dynamic power play units, that also compete to be unit 1 !

Let's get back to Kings present-future for this thread.

 

[Sol]

Not every poster intends for their posts to be taken completely literal and serious.

Being a cynical asshole on the internet is fun.

Every forum needs a couples criminals. Sol is like our Sean Avery.

My cynicism is rooted in my undying love for the team I grew up watching as a kid so I will shit on them as much as I want if they seem to be heading to a direction I don’t like.

The last two times I felt comfortable was when the Kings won the cup the first time and when the Kings got Gaborik. Unfortunately Voynov cut it short by going Rock Em Sock Em Boppers on his wife.

 

[johnjm22]

It's finally September and I am pumped about camp...and I think those who say that Kempe and /or Fiala 'may regress...that they were both playing for contracts" are in for a surprise. I say they BOTH continue to be on the rise and that better days for both are ahead of them.

With Kempe, we're all looking at him and wondering "how much is he going to regress?" No one is even considering the possibility of the opposite; what if he gets better? What if he becomes a superstar? It's not like he doesn't have the skill set for it.

It's kind of like investing. People worry more about the downside risk of the stock market, without giving equal consideration to the possibility of the opposite happening: the stock market going up.

It's human nature to focus on negatives.

I'm not saying I expect him to be a 40 goal scorer or something, but we shouldn't dismiss the possibility of it happening either.

 

[Docgonzo]

Sol’s ego is heading toward CBGB/Mayor levels. Smartest person in the room.

 

[Cianide]

I think the Tynan signing is good. He’s a top AHL player that provides good leadership on ice and more importantly off the ice. He’s apparently an excellent mentor. The issue last year was too many non-prospect guys getting pp time ahead of the like of Turcotte. Which I don’t think anyone can defend.

Having one guy like Tynan in the top 6 is fine and probably sensible because we need to have that leadership for the next intake as well as the guys already there. Gaunce is obviously a great mentor also, so even if he ends up bottom pairing I want him out there following the KOTP episode. Before that I was ambivalent, but now I want him coaching in the organization ASAP.

I digress… this season they need the other top 6 roles filled by prospects, end of story. Certainly on the PP. No issue with 3 vets across the top 9, if 5/5 ice-time is even. Obviously there are lots of scenarios where there would be exceptions but I’d like to see it as the basis of the philosophy.

Tynan and the other AHL regulars need to be released. They are taking up spots for guys like Turcotte, Madden and even Byfield when he was on the team. You let these players develop in the AHL in the top 6. Not behind Tynan et al.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

i just don't know that I'll ever let go of the idea of Byfield Vilardi et. al. on the bench while both the NHL AND AHL teams played their last playoff games.

At this point it's not even a question of muffed deployment, they have to do a lot to change my mind this year.

I've given the benefit of the doubt for YEARS and was pretty much a relentless optimist until about halfway thru last year, but we're past that. Cynical until proven otherwise.

Excited for this year? Absolutely. Can't wait to see how Fiala and others perform and how the team improves from last year. Cynical about the future? You betcha.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

i just don't know that I'll ever let go of the idea of Byfield Vilardi et. al. on the bench while both the NHL AND AHL teams played their last playoff games.

At this point it's not even a question of muffed deployment, they have to do a lot to change my mind this year.

I've given the benefit of the doubt for YEARS and was pretty much a relentless optimist until about halfway thru last year, but we're past that. Cynical until proven otherwise.

Excited for this year? Absolutely. Can't wait to see how Fiala and others perform and how the team improves from last year. Cynical about the future? You betcha.

Honest question, weren't Byfield and Vilardi up on the NHL team for the deadline to be eligible for AHL playoffs? Both teams were out in the 1st round right? So they were up with the big team while the AHL team was playing, but would they have been eligible to play for them? I don't know the rules for that, hence the questions.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Sol’s ego is heading toward CBGB/Mayor levels. Smartest person in the room.

Yah, when you have to keep reminding people that you are cool, it means you aren't.

 

[kingsfan28]

Problem there is that Stuzle is now apparently playing C, his best position by all accounts (pods, fans).

Unless his defense improve [ something every center has to play] he'll be back at wing. His -29 was pretty bad for a top center. Byfield was nowhere close to that.

 

[King'sPawn]

Edit: I will be nicer in my response.

You can make fun of my harsh opinions but I don’t think it’d kill you to have one either. The nonstop fluff and non commitment to having a negative opinion on prospects makes it easy to avoid your thoughts on them since it’s always one note.

Cool. Here's the thing. I don't care if you avoid my thoughts or not. In fact, if your idea of analysis is "lol bust," I find it much more enjoyable that you avoid me altogether.

My passion is following prospects and watching them grow. I like identifying qualities that make them NHL players, as well as growth opportunities so they can have an NHL career. From reading hot takes from Dancing Boy saying nonsense like "Brian Boyle will NEVER make it," I avoid absolutes. I also think it's ridiculous to write off players without giving them ample time and opportunity. So, I'll point out where a player may have pain points, but I have yet to see a drawback in a player that someone hasn't been able to overcome.

I will try to catch a Kings prospect in juniors instead of watching NHL games during free time. If the Kings play at the same time, I'll juggle both the best I can.

It doesn't make me smarter or better as a fan. It's just that I have content and interest in a facet of the game that's not for you. I'm not going to be "harsher" just to be more entertaining. Because I care about watching players grow and succeed. Not that many make it, which makes the success stories that much more meaningful. But I get a lot of joy in the journey.

The select few who enjoy discussing my material as well as their thoughts, whether they agree with me or not, hopefully will agree to continue discussing with me. I appreciate those who have provided substantive feedback and can look beneath the surface. Those who don't, well, good luck. Pursue the content that gives you joy. Sorry that mine isn't mean enough. But shitting on kids isn't my cup of tea.

 

[cyclones22]

Fiala is going to be interesting to watch. Not everyone fits with Kopitar and his possession slow down game. Arvidsson among others certainly didn't. Whereas basically everyone works with Danault. When Fiala misses a defensive assignment or losses the puck making a move in his own zone resulting in a chance against, let's see how long a leash TMc puts on him.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Fiala is going to be interesting to watch. Not everyone fits with Kopitar and his possession slow down game. Arvidsson among others certainly didn't. Whereas basically everyone works with Danault. When Fiala misses a defensive assignment or losses the puck making a move in his own zone resulting in a chance against, let's see how long a leash TMc puts on him.

I'm sure we'll be force-fed Kempe-Kopitar-Fiala but I think Kopitar is the worst possible center stylistically that Fiala could play with here. I could be wrong, but I don't think two rush-reliant wingers are a good fit with plodding Kopitar. One (Kempe) worked last year but I'm not sure two will. Fiala is essentially a better version of Moore, and I think Fiala-Danault-Arvidsson would be highly effective.

 

[kingsfan28]

Fiala is going to be interesting to watch. Not everyone fits with Kopitar and his possession slow down game. Arvidsson among others certainly didn't. Whereas basically everyone works with Danault. When Fiala misses a defensive assignment or losses the puck making a move in his own zone resulting in a chance against, let's see how long a leash TMc puts on him.

You make him sound like AA 2.0.

 

[Sol]

Cool. Here's the thing. I don't care if you avoid my thoughts or not. In fact, if your idea of analysis is "lol bust," I find it much more enjoyable that you avoid me altogether.

My passion is following prospects and watching them grow. I like identifying qualities that make them NHL players, as well as growth opportunities so they can have an NHL career. From reading hot takes from Dancing Boy saying nonsense like "Brian Boyle will NEVER make it," I avoid absolutes. I also think it's ridiculous to write off players without giving them ample time and opportunity. So, I'll point out where a player may have pain points, but I have yet to see a drawback in a player that someone hasn't been able to overcome.

I will try to catch a Kings prospect in juniors instead of watching NHL games during free time. If the Kings play at the same time, I'll juggle both the best I can.

It doesn't make me smarter or better as a fan. It's just that I have content and interest in a facet of the game that's not for you. I'm not going to be "harsher" just to be more entertaining. Because I care about watching players grow and succeed. Not that many make it, which makes the success stories that much more meaningful. But I get a lot of joy in the journey.

The select few who enjoy discussing my material as well as their thoughts, whether they agree with me or not, hopefully will agree to continue discussing with me. I appreciate those who have provided substantive feedback and can look beneath the surface. Those who don't, well, good luck. Pursue the content that gives you joy. Sorry that mine isn't mean enough. But shitting on kids isn't my cup of tea.

That’s cool and you can enjoy that path. But when you start straying into how a player is looking and how he’s projecting that’s when you start delving into what type of player they will be. And that’s where you get extremely one note. You don’t have to be negative, but you don’t have to see the world in pink because that’s not how it is.

also, my thoughts and opinions about how a player is going to be is different than where you find passion in regards to the sport. I don’t care about players, I care about the team first and foremost. I don’t care about a player after they are traded. So maybe you can stick to your lane about their process and journey that seems to have little to do with the player they will become, and I can stick to how I think about how a player is looking and why I think they will either be good or bad. I thought Kupari looked really solid even though people will disagree. I’m not negative I just say how I feel. I know you were colleagues with Hoven so that might have something to do with your extreme hesitation to say anything negative about prospects, believe me I don’t recall you saying anything critical. I do however speak critically maybe too much , but you can avoid my comments just like how I avoid reading your comments about the players. I’m sure I speak for both of us when I say I think your prospect analysis isn’t worth a dime, and I’m sure you feel the same way about my comments.