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

[Herby]

Andreoff is not good as a center, problem is Lewis may be even worse at center.

I have liked what I've seen from Andy as a winger, but been horrible as a C.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It really is time to try Dowd for the 4th center spot. Shore is doing fine as the 3rd center (though I wish he would pick it up in terms of putting up points).

 

[Ron*]

It really is time to try Dowd for the 4th center spot. Shore is doing fine as the 3rd center (though I wish he would pick it up in terms of putting up points).

Um, no. It's not.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Mersch looked ok, and this is the right move.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Um, no. It's not.

Why not? Can you provide anything constructive?

Andreoff has 2 points, both goals, in 31 games, with a 43.6 faceoff winning percentage. Is that ideal to you?

Lewis amazingly has far worse success at faceoffs, winning a measily 37.3% of his draws. Both of those players are out of place if they aren't playing wing.

The only centers on the roster above 50% at faceoffs are Kopitar and Shore.

The Kings are practically playing with three centers on the roster.

 

[regulate]

it really is time to try dowd for the 4th center spot. Shore is doing fine as the 3rd center (though i wish he would pick it up in terms of putting up points).

+1000

Andreoff, Nolan and Lewis are all terrible centers. Terrible. You either play Weal or give Dowd a shot. This sputtering with what does not work is annoying and obvious.

 

[yankeeking]

It really is time to try Dowd for the 4th center spot. Shore is doing fine as the 3rd center (though I wish he would pick it up in terms of putting up points).

I am in on this too , I believe he has good FO numbers and it would be nice to win one once in a while for the fourth line esp. on the road

 

[Ron*]

Why not? Can you provide anything constructive?

Andreoff has 2 points, both goals, in 31 games, with a 43.6 faceoff winning percentage. Is that ideal to you?

Lewis amazingly has far worse success at faceoffs, winning a measily 37.3% of his draws. Both of those players are out of place if they aren't playing wing.

The only centers on the roster above 50% at faceoffs are Kopitar and Shore.

The Kings are practically playing with three centers on the roster.

The Kings are 20-11-2, atop the Pacific Division, and you [mod] want to call yet another inexperienced minor leaguer to experiment with our roster, when the other inexperienced minor leaguers have done absolutely ****ing NOTHING this season.

[mod] Let the minor leaguers develop their skills in the minor league, where they belong.

It really is amazing. All these posters in the GDT want Sutter to stop ****ing with the lines and the very same posters want to **** with the lines themselves with not-ready-for-prime-time players that they seem fit.

We are getting King back soon enough. No reason to call up yet another minor leaguer when he is just going to go back down again.

 

[scryan]

The Kings are 20-11-2, atop the Pacific Division, and you [mod] want to call yet another inexperienced minor leaguer to experiment with our roster, when the other inexperienced minor leaguers have done absolutely ****ing NOTHING this season.

[mod] Let the minor leaguers develop their skills in the minor league, where they belong.

It really is amazing. All these posters in the GDT want Sutter to stop ****ing with the lines and the very same posters want to **** with the lines themselves with not-ready-for-prime-time players that they seem fit.

We are getting King back soon enough. No reason to call up yet another minor leaguer when he is just going to go back down again.

I want to like Mersch, and I do... I want to like Weal... But I am ****ing glad to get King back into the lineup.
We have made due with the rookies by overplaying our big names, and it shows. Time to get back to some veteran presence. Very much looking forward to getting King back in the lineup. I have never considered myself a fan of his, and I didn't dislike the kids... but its time to get some of the vets who can take significant minutes back. I think especially King. Hoping for a quick return for Cliff too.
Very much agreed on not bringing up more inexperienced.
And for the hate Shore gets, he is at worst a neutral presence. I think while he hasn't put up definable statistics he has been worthwhile, particularly lately. And as noted, holding it down on faceoffs. I think he has earned his place, but as we get vets back, lets move back to an experienced roster.... Not away from it.

 

[Reclamation Project]

 

[lumbergh]

It really is time to try Dowd for the 4th center spot. Shore is doing fine as the 3rd center (though I wish he would pick it up in terms of putting up points).

Why does everyone think Shore is fine as a 3C? He's on pace to put up like 13 points this season. We're talking Stoll 2014-15 territory here. Sutter is looking for production there and simply not getting it.

At this point Shore is a great 4C. The Kings just don't have a legit 3C, so that's where Shore has to play.

 

[damacles1156]

People wanted to get younger and cheaper, this is what happens, when that happens

You lose a lot of experience,grit,savvy,jam,production ETC.(games sometimes), when veterans move on.

 

[damacles1156]

Why does everyone think Shore is fine as a 3C? He's on pace to put up like 13 points this season. We're talking Stoll 2014-15 territory here. Sutter is looking for production there and simply not getting it.

At this point Shore is a great 4C. The Kings just don't have a legit 3C, so that's where Shore has to play.

Shore is fine because the Kings don't have another option.

No one in the minors, No Veteran to play there (Lewis is not a good center) . No assets for a Trade, Centers and Defenders come at a premium.

So Shore will have to do.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I am actually quite surprised with Shore's play so far. The difference between him and Stoll should be obvious for everyone. I dont think some remember how bad Stoll actually had become. I cant even remember the last time when Stoll had the puck on his stick for more than 5 seconds.

Of course the points are an issue but its not that Shore hasnt been dangerous at all, than I would start to worry.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I am actually quite surprised with Shore's play so far. The difference between him and Stoll should be obvious for everyone. I dont think some remember how bad Stoll actually had become. I cant even remember the last time when Stoll had the puck on his stick for more than 5 seconds.

Of course the points are an issue but its not that Shore hasnt been dangerous at all, than I would start to worry.

I completely agree. Shore is such a welcome upgrade over Stoll. At absolute worst, he's managing the puck significantly better for less than half the cost. Either he grows into the production element of his role as a sophomore, or we have a terrific #4C for years to come.

 

[Sacha Baron Corbin]

Why does everyone think Shore is fine as a 3C? He's on pace to put up like 13 points this season. We're talking Stoll 2014-15 territory here. Sutter is looking for production there and simply not getting it.

At this point Shore is a great 4C. The Kings just don't have a legit 3C, so that's where Shore has to play.

If you can't see the difference between Shore and Stoll then I don't know what to tell you.

 

[lumbergh]

If you can't see the difference between Shore and Stoll then I don't know what to tell you.

Enlighten me, Captain Obvious.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Enlighten me, Captain Obvious.

The SIMPLEST difference is the difference between literally the best shot suppression and CF% player in the league (Shore) and one of the absolute worst. Even with team relative metrics. In other words, shots against practically disappear with Shore on the ice.

We aren't getting production out of him (yet), but for someone to play the "Stoll" role that actually did not exist for the last few years, he's playing it to a T.

 

[KINGS17]

People wanted to get younger and cheaper, this is what happens, when that happens

You lose a lot of experience,grit,savvy,jam,production ETC.(games sometimes), when veterans move on.

This is what happens when you pay guys that are approaching 30 years of age too much money.

 

[KINGS17]

The SIMPLEST difference is the difference between literally the best shot suppression and CF% player in the league (Shore) and one of the absolute worst. Even with team relative metrics. In other words, shots against practically disappear with Shore on the ice.

We aren't getting production out of him (yet), but for someone to play the "Stoll" role that actually did not exist for the last few years, he's playing it to a T.

The eye test works as well. Shore is easily better than Stoll or Richards were in their last season with the Kings. The Kings could use a 3C though for this season. Andreoff isn't the answer at center, and I think rushing Dowd would be a mistake.

It's a shame Weal can't find his game with the Kings.

 

[Ron*]

This is what happens when you pay guys that are approaching 30 years of age too much money.

Maybe you don't understand what we all already know.

We already know that the Kings are going to SUCK a few years down the road. We get that. We want titles now. Stanley Cups. Now. Legacy, now.

It's a natural state of affairs that teams go through cycles. Might as well grab the titles when we can. If we can.

 

[Jason Lewis]

Why does everyone think Shore is fine as a 3C? He's on pace to put up like 13 points this season. We're talking Stoll 2014-15 territory here. Sutter is looking for production there and simply not getting it.

At this point Shore is a great 4C. The Kings just don't have a legit 3C, so that's where Shore has to play.

Shore is superior defensively to 2014-15 Stoll by a lot. He is arguably superior defensively to the 2012-14 Stoll as well. He is just as good on the draw, and creates far more scoring chances. He is not a finisher, but then again he never has been, he is a pass first center who takes almost zero risk offensively. His line is snake bitten like crazy as well. I think everyone agrees by this point that Brown and Lewis are good at creating opportunities but are having trouble finishing. That being said, if they are creating chances and have the puck a lot, that means the other team does not.

Shore has been excellent, outside of production, as the 3C. He currently has the second lowest shot suppression numbers at even strength in the league at 21.06 per 60 minutes of even strength ice time. That's really really good.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Really hope he picks it up. Was very encouraged by his first game, but only in brief flashes after. Has mostly played like Dwight King but without the brains to get to where he needs to go since he doesn't have the speed to compensate.

 

[Ron*]

Really hope he picks it up. Was very encouraged by his first game, but only in brief flashes after. Has mostly played like Dwight King but without the brains to get to where he needs to go since he doesn't have the speed to compensate.

Yeah he had an encouraging first game but seemed like a basket case after that. I'm not sure he is ready for the prime time. He always looks like he is skating in sand to me. The NHL game is too fast for him at the moment.