Michael Mersch...come on down!!!!

[Frolov 6'3]

The hype train is insane on this board regarding MM's first appearance. Remember he is just a rookie and is likely going to be invisible the first game and playing 5 to 7 minutes.

This thread isn't even 2 full pages...

Lets start with that.


Hup Mersch.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

I cannot believe the hype in here over Dwight King. His forecheck skills are ridiculously overrated, the guy is slow as molasses. He doesn't hit anyone because he can't catch them. He loses the puck along the boards almost the instant he gets control of it. On the plus side he is a smart player and positions himself well on the ice -- always a feather in your helmet with coaches.

Don't kid yourself, one major reason for this year's success is a noticeable increase in footspeed with King and Greene out.

Post of the thread however the king love will continue. I will just say give anyone the same opportunity to play and there a good chance they would put up the same numbers. Clifford plays less then 10 mins king over 14 give them equal mins and i would bet the production would be close. We are winning mostly because we have top 6 forward playing top 6 mins King is not a top six player and has no business playing top 6 mins. Mersch from what i can tell shown me he can /will be more productive in nhl mins then King He will replace his spot on the roster.

Also giving them the same type of linemates with the mins Having played with kopitar carter toffoli makes it a ton easier then playing with Nolan lewis etc

 

[theMajor]

The hype train is insane on this board regarding MM's first appearance. Remember he is just a rookie and is likely going to be invisible the first game and playing 5 to 7 minutes. That said, the one thing that will really impress me is if he is able to gain territory in front of the net in a NHL regular season game against a good team. Goal or no goal, that is what I will be watching out for.

he was far from invisible during the preseason, he played better than some of the roster players did. he does everything well and there doesnt seem to be any glaring shortcomings in his game (from what Ive seen at least). normally I dont get too excited about prospects but I think he will have a pretty smooth transition to the big league

 

[regulate]

he was far from invisible during the preseason, he played better than some of the roster players did. he does everything well and there doesnt seem to be any glaring shortcomings in his game (from what Ive seen at least). normally I dont get too excited about prospects but I think he will have a pretty smooth transition to the big league

While I was out of the country and did not see any preseason games, I have seen almost every Reign home game and I agree with your synopsis. His passing needs a little work as he tries to do too much sometimes, but he does not give up around the net. I think if given the chance to adjust and play regular minutes, he will be fine. Quite frankly, this team will be much more skilled with King and Mersch in the bottom 2 LW roles, if that's how it pans out.

 

[damacles1156]

Like I said before, if Mersch does anything, having someone around the net at all times is a welcome addition to the bottom six.

It's lacking greatly.

 

[jimmy1100]

I really hope Mersch can play well enough he forces himself to stay up this year. I think it could be hugely beneficial to the Kings long term to have Mersch watch Lucic and absorb as much as he possibly can from him before we lose him to FA next season.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Like I said before, if Mersch does anything, having someone around the net at all times is a welcome addition to the bottom six.

It's lacking greatly.

Agreed, and being with Shore and Brown should get him there to the offensive zone at least.

But agreed on the hype train, I know we've been excited for him to come up, but need to temper expectations...or at least check what your expectations are. Personally so long as he's crashing the net and isn't a liability getting out of our zone I'm happy because I think everything else will follow for someone who is playing with those two...may even start getting them on the board as well. I think the 3rd line is sorely missing King's offensive instincts (i know, I know) so Mersch should be a nice fit there.

 

[Choralone]

I cannot believe the hype in here over Dwight King. His forecheck skills are ridiculously overrated, the guy is slow as molasses. He doesn't hit anyone because he can't catch them. He loses the puck along the boards almost the instant he gets control of it. On the plus side he is a smart player and positions himself well on the ice -- always a feather in your helmet with coaches.

Don't kid yourself, one major reason for this year's success is a noticeable increase in footspeed with King and Greene out.

This is the terror Dwight King wreaks as molasses: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Molasses_Flood
In fact, I think he broke the rules of physics, went back in time, altered the timeline, and ****ed Boston up after reading your comment.

edit: Oh God, he wasn't done. He went on to **** up 26,000 fish: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honolulu_molasses_spill You sent him on a rampage, man.

 

[AlphaBravo]

he was far from invisible during the preseason, he played better than some of the roster players did. he does everything well and there doesnt seem to be any glaring shortcomings in his game (from what Ive seen at least). normally I dont get too excited about prospects but I think he will have a pretty smooth transition to the big league

I was impressed by his preseason play as well. But you can't judge how a player will do in a NHL regular season game based on preseason performance. The way Weal played in preseason and the regular seasons games has been night and day. That said, I agree that Mersch will have a better transition because of his style of play.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I cannot believe the hype in here over Dwight King. His forecheck skills are ridiculously overrated, the guy is slow as molasses. He doesn't hit anyone because he can't catch them. He loses the puck along the boards almost the instant he gets control of it. On the plus side he is a smart player and positions himself well on the ice -- always a feather in your helmet with coaches.

Don't kid yourself, one major reason for this year's success is a noticeable increase in footspeed with King and Greene out.

Disagree on the boards, but agreed with everything before. However, he is a massive presence; he's physical like Kopitar is physical and he has some semblance of skill as well. He fits the system whether people like it or not...the footspeed thing, imo, sure comes with Greene, but I'd argue it's more the presence of Shore and the other speedier youth, the departures of Stoll and Richards, than the absence of King.

As i mentioned elsewhere, I'd prefer him on the 4th line, though.

Post of the thread however the king love will continue. I will just say give anyone the same opportunity to play and there a good chance they would put up the same numbers. Clifford plays less then 10 mins king over 14 give them equal mins and i would bet the production would be close. We are winning mostly because we have top 6 forward playing top 6 mins King is not a top six player and has no business playing top 6 mins. Mersch from what i can tell shown me he can /will be more productive in nhl mins then King He will replace his spot on the roster.

Also giving them the same type of linemates with the mins Having played with kopitar carter toffoli makes it a ton easier then playing with Nolan lewis etc

We are not going down this path again. you were shown a LOT of stuff before in a several-hundred-post thread that showed why King is on this team and why that 'put clifford in that spot and he'll do the same' is a fallacy. This is not an opportunity to go on one of your King rants. Do not proceed.

But I do think Mersch is Dwight King with better net presence and hands in general.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

We are not going down this path again. you were shown a LOT of stuff before in a several-hundred-post thread that showed why King is on this team and why that 'put clifford in that spot and he'll do the same' is a fallacy. This is not an opportunity to go on one of your King rants. Do not proceed.

But I do think Mersch is Dwight King with better net presence and hands in general.

Going down what path again ? You have your opinions i have mine which i'm entitled to have. I am not the only one that has ranted on king in this thread yet you pick me out give hell I was not shown anything that change my opinion of the situation. Play fair if ur going to limit me limit all. I also would like to point out I see the same type rants about clifford coming from herby yet nothing gets said to him. If you wish to continue this please email me so i won't get a infraction

Show me the stuff i was shown to the best of my recollection its still a matter of opinion to think clifford playing with carter and toffoli for 14 +mins would get more points and im sure most people would agree with me

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Going down what path again ? You have your opinions i have mine which i'm entitled to have. I am not the only one that has ranted on king in this thread yet you pick me out give hell I was not shown anything that change my opinion of the situation. Play fair if ur going to limit me limit all. I also would like to point out I see the same type rants about clifford coming from herby yet nothing gets said to him. If you wish to continue this please email me so i won't get a infraction

Show me the stuff i was shown to the best of my recollection its still a matter of opinion to think clifford playing with carter and toffoli for 14 +mins would get more points and im sure most people would agree with me

oof.

And there's no point because this thread will turn into that thread. Because ultimately its a matter of opinion, even in the face of fact.

We'll have this exchange again in 3 weeks.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

oof.

And there's no point because this thread will turn into that thread. Because ultimately its a matter of opinion, even in the face of fact.

We'll have this exchange again in 3 weeks.

Ok fine lets make this simple so we don't get this thread off track email me. I ll gladly get into it there If not either ignore me or get used to it because if clifford gets hate I will return the same to king

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Going down what path again ? You have your opinions i have mine which i'm entitled to have. I am not the only one that has ranted on king in this thread yet you pick me out give hell I was not shown anything that change my opinion of the situation. Play fair if ur going to limit me limit all. I also would like to point out I see the same type rants about clifford coming from herby yet nothing gets said to him. If you wish to continue this please email me so i won't get a infraction

Show me the stuff i was shown to the best of my recollection its still a matter of opinion to think clifford playing with carter and toffoli for 14 +mins would get more points and im sure most people would agree with me

I mean we're not going down an anti-King path like other threads have in the past, as Mersch is his own person and thus it will be OT. That's not censorship of opinions, that's simply forum rules.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?p=107432799&highlight=dwight+king#post107432799

There's about oh, 400 posts in that thread that have to do with King vs. Clifford, and you were very involved. If you want to review, go there. Either way, we're not going to derail this thread the same way, end of story.

 

[Ron*]

 

[King'sPawn]

A slow albeit strong presence on the boards is nothing to scoff at, especially on the bottom 6. Mersch just has to play his role confidently and play his game. The points will be hard to come by, especially at first. But as long as he keeps pushing the puck towards the net, he will be a welcome addition to the team.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

A slow albeit strong presence on the boards is nothing to scoff at, especially on the bottom 6. Mersch just has to play his role confidently and play his game. The points will be hard to come by, especially at first. But as long as he keeps pushing the puck towards the net, he will be a welcome addition to the team.

Which makes a lot of sense too since just the other day we were talking about converting possession into scoring. Lewis/Brown/Shore is the best shot attempt line in the league; taking Lewis off presumably will be bad for possession, but there's practically no way in hell it's bad for shooting percentage It does change the identity of the line in a large way because instead of fast, tenacious wingers on both sides you have a bigger, slower battleship. Not a bad thing, not trying to suggest that at all, just a different dynamic.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Nice article/interview with Michael Mersch from letsplayhockey.com. (Thanks to http://lakingsnews.com/ for the link.)

Another first for Michael Mersch

I asked Mersch if there were any special inspirations of motivation he has carried through the development of his career.

“Probably, that would be my dad,†he said. “He passed away when I was younger, in second grade. He taught me everything from the beginning in hockey. I appreciate him getting me into the game and making it fun. Dad was my coach, and he coached a lot of my friends, who I’m still friends with now. A lot of his friends have reached out to me now, and shared a past memory of him.

Last Friday night, Mersch played in his first NHL game for the Los Angeles Kings against the Pittsburgh Penguins....“I’d never been to Pittsburgh before,†Mersh said. “My dad had played for Pittsburgh’s minor league team. The people that were there to share it with me – my mom, grandparents, cousin, uncle, friends and my girlfriend. And to be a part of a great organization like the Los Angeles Kings – that’s more than I could ask for.

 

[Little Psycho]

And he's back in Ontario.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

And he's back in Ontario.

As he should be. I like his style but he still needs a lot of work to keep up with the NHL level of pace. He really needs to work on his skating.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

And he's back in Ontario.

The Mayor John Hoven ‏@mayorNHL 46m46 minutes ago
#LAKings have reassigned @mikemersch25 to AHL @ontarioreign ...However, it's for cap savings thing. Plan is to call him back up Saturday.

 

[Sacha Baron Corbin]

I would still rather have a developing Mersch in the lineup over Nolan, hopefully the Mayor is right for once and he's back up this weekend

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Can you change the thread title to "walk on home, boy!" until he is called back up?

 

[kingsfan28]

I would still rather have a developing Mersch in the lineup over Nolan, hopefully the Mayor is right for once and he's back up this weekend

Once King and Clifford return, two guys are going to out of luck.Mersch and Nolan may be the odd guys out.

 

[Sacha Baron Corbin]

Once King and Clifford return, two guys are going to out of luck.Mersch and Nolan may be the odd guys out.

Yeah, my only other idea would be moving Lewis back to center and taking Andy out of the lineup, but how long has it been since Lewis centered a line?