It's not going to end the season like that, especially if Quick comes back.
The lowest point total the Kings have finished with since 09-10 season is 95 points, minus the shortened season of course.
People really think this Kings team is a sub 75 point team ?
The Kings would have to pull off the worst second half to a season they have had in a decade. Even worse than last season's second half.
This season is also the first one since 09-10 where the Kings have fewer regulation wins than losses. Not that they've been regular season monsters, but they've been better than 11-17 in the W/L column.
The west as a whole being not as good as it has been helps, but the Kings are walking a fine line. If Carter falls back to normal, or Budaj's career year doesn't continue, what are they going to do? Figure Kopitar and all the rest get back to their normal, but we also hoped that when it came to Brown for a while. Maybe Kopitar's wrist doesn't get better this year.
You guys think Avs fans fondly look back at the '96 and '01 Cup wins and forget about how crappy their current team is?
I wonder how long Kings fans will live in the past versus the present. I hope the management group isn't as content. If we are to hang our hats on championships from previous years, then Lakers fans shouldn't feel too down on the current state of that franchise.
It's nice to fondly look back at winning two Cups in three seasons, but I also can't forget that this team has won one single playoff game over the last two seasons, missing the playoffs entirely in 2015, with the possibility to miss the playoffs again this season.
That doesn't sit well with me, especially when looking at a team that is pressed against the cap. That is simply unacceptable.
There's nothing wrong with having higher standards. I had lower standards back when the team failed to win a single playoff game (let alone reach the playoffs) from 1994 through 2000.
This team should qualify for the playoffs, but they have underachieved greatly. Very few have exceeded or met expectations.
The large majority have been a disappointment and a significant reason why the team is struggling to find any consistency.
I think 96 and 01 are a long time ago. The Kings aren't that far removed from the Cup, and a lot of the main guys that won it are still here. Asking this in 2030 would be the same as asking if Avs fans today think back to 2001. Which is, wow, frightening, because where is time going?
I think part of it is just accepting reality. The Kings have cap issues, some of it self imposed, and there's only so much they can do. They can keep trying for the Cup, but then people will complain about the deals for Sekera and Lucic. Sure, you can say instead of Lucic, they should've addressed the defense, but you can only work with what's out there. Sure, you can say well if nothing is out there, don't do anything until there is, but it's a hard cap world, and if you don't do something in June/July, you're basically stuck with what you have until the next trade deadline. Then it might be too late, and another year gets wasted without having tried anything.
I don't think anyone doesn't mind the last few seasons, but the shine of 2012-2014 hasn't completely worn off yet. Once more guys leave, or get traded, or retire, then the memory of the Cup won't stick around. The last couple years aren't helping though.
