Obligatory Fire Todd MClellan, Rob Blake & Co.

[Johnny Utah]

The Blake era reminds me of the Leiweke years of promoting Erik Rasmussen and Steve Heinze as top 6 wingers. The Kings had Alison, Palffy, Deadmarsh and nothing else. Though, actually the D might have been better back then with Visnovsky, Schneider, Boucher, Miller, Modry, and Norstrom.

They couldn't afford a second line (besides Smolinksi) or a legit number one D (traded Blake).

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Nah, see, hiring a yeller doesn't help the kids grow. We don't need kids playing scared. Those guys are only good for shaking up complacent veterans. Angry fans like them because they want catharsis.

Setting a playoff mandate has backfired so far. It has motivated Todd and Blake to be conservative in line construction and ice time. It may be something that has come from the top down, and - if so - has not been helpful.

Totally agreed. My personal opinion was that, at the point McLellan was hired, this team needed (and still does need) a "teaching" coach - someone less concerned with record and short-term success and more with instilling disciplined systems and play into the youngsters (side-note: I fully realized Kopitar/Brown/Doughty/Carter probably wouldn'tve liked this at all; but, TS for them). Of course, this would have required a dedicated, ultra-patient posture from management; which, as you stated, unfortunately looks like it went out the window this past offseason.

I can't say for certain that McLellan and his staff have utterly failed in regards to teaching the kids - although it doesn't look to me like anything close to a discernable success - but given that the points aren't coming anyway, I'm not sure exactly what elements the Kings are supposed to be hanging their collective hats on at this point...

 

[Sol]

Totally agreed. My personal opinion was that, at the point McLellan was hired, this team needed (and still does need) a "teaching" coach - someone less concerned with record and short-term success and more with instilling disciplined systems and play into the youngsters (side-note: I fully realized Kopitar/Brown/Doughty/Carter probably wouldn'tve liked this at all; but, TS for them). Of course, this would have required a dedicated, ultra-patient posture from management; which, as you stated, unfortunately looks like it went out the window this past offseason.

I can't say for certain that McLellan and his staff have utterly failed in regards to teaching the kids - although it doesn't look to me like anything close to a discernable success - but given that the points aren't coming anyway, I'm not sure exactly what elements the Kings are supposed to be hanging their collective hats on at this point...

But you also can't deny the fact that vets are getting extreme preferential treatment over performing young players. They're not lighting it up because once they light it up, they get demoted or sent down. It makes no sense.

 

[tbrown33]

But you also can't deny the fact that vets are getting extreme preferential treatment over performing young players. They're not lighting it up because once they light it up, they get demoted or sent down. It makes no sense.

Grundstrom got benched after a winning streak and while playing the best hockey of his career. It's so f***ing backwards with this team.

The "media" response?

 

[Sol]

Grundstrom got benched after a winning streak and while playing the best hockey of his career. It's so f***ing backwards with this team.

Which is why I don't understand the argument that a few make where they say that prospects or the young guns arent performing. Ask the question, are they given a serious chance to perform?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I have about 5 phases with this team

1. Will not miss a game, will rearrange events to make sure I can watch it live. If unavoidable, will turn off all social media notifications I DVR and watch as soon as I get home.
2. Will miss games for events but will turn off notifications and DVR and watch when convenient.
3. Might miss games but will always watch DVR at some point. Notifications on.
4. Won't necessarily watch live unless completely bereft of things to do, will DVR and watch unless notifications suggest loss or shit show.
5. Rarely watch, will DVR but likely to delete unless notifications suggest this one is a must see.

The cup years were 1-2. Most of the years before were 2-3, even the bad years. It's only since 2018 that I've even touched 4-5, and each year it's gotten quicker.

This year I was 1 thru 10 games, 2 through another handful...but I'm already at #4, bordering #5.

Maybe SOME of that is cup winning release, but the vast majority of it is gutless, inconsistent hockey with the same suspects as the last 5 years and little change/hope to believe that anything will be different. Getting Byfield on the roster will bring me to #2 for a few games, but as I see them stomp him with #4C minutes, I'm unlikely to watch.

 

[tbrown33]

Which is why I don't understand the argument that a few make where they say that prospects or the young guns arent performing. Ask the question, are they given a serious chance to perform?

Would be nice if someone asked the coach that

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

But you also can't deny the fact that vets are getting extreme preferential treatment over performing young players. They're not lighting it up because once they light it up, they get demoted or sent down. It makes no sense.

No denial here; I agree (and in fact, that bolsters my belief that the hire in 2019 should have been made primarily, if not almost exclusively, with the development of the youngsters in mind).

My main problem with McLellan right now is that his results place him and the team in in a kind of "no man's land" - the vets aren't performing particularly well (in fairness: Brown IMHO is just about toast, and it's possible that Kopitar has entered his true decline-phase), and most of the youngsters either are disappointing or aren't getting appropriate opportunities to develop. The later element is by far the more concerning one to me; but apparently, it's not concerning enough for management to change course mid-season...

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I have no idea what all this bickering is about. Snoop Dogg will be at the game tomorrow!

 

[Sol]

No denial here; I agree (and in fact, that bolsters my belief that the hire in 2019 should have been made primarily, if not almost exclusively, with the development of the youngsters in mind).

My main problem with McLellan right now is that his results place in in a kind of "no man's land" - the vets aren't performing particularly well (in fairness: Brown IMHO is just about toast, and it's possible that Kopitar has entered his true decline-phase), and most of the youngsters either are disappointing or aren't getting appropriate opportunities to develop. The later element is by far the more concerning one to me; but apparently, it's not concerning enough for management to change course mid-season...

That's why there needs to be an immediate firing through out.

My opinion is, stats aside. The Kids have looked good. They just get the rug pulled out from under them so much for no reason so it's nearly impossible to maintain momentum.

There shouldn't be a Kopitar favoritism, brown favoritism. But there is. Shouldn't the goal be getting players accustomed to the NHL grind by exposing them more and more to the game. Why shelter them? You're not winning. They're better than the vets. Who are you exactly sheltering because it's yielding negative results. I understand good teams sheltering young players because they can afford to. Kings can't. Those players are the very near future cornerstones. Give them a chance to be just that.

 

[BigKing]

I have about 5 phases with this team

1. Will not miss a game, will rearrange events to make sure I can watch it live. If unavoidable, will turn off all social media notifications I DVR and watch as soon as I get home.
2. Will miss games for events but will turn off notifications and DVR and watch when convenient.
3. Might miss games but will always watch DVR at some point. Notifications on.
4. Won't necessarily watch live unless completely bereft of things to do, will DVR and watch unless notifications suggest loss or shit show.
5. Rarely watch, will DVR but likely to delete unless notifications suggest this one is a must see.

The cup years were 1-2. Most of the years before were 2-3, even the bad years. It's only since 2018 that I've even touched 4-5, and each year it's gotten quicker.

This year I was 1 thru 10 games, 2 through another handful...but I'm already at #4, bordering #5.

Maybe SOME of that is cup winning release, but the vast majority of it is gutless, inconsistent hockey with the same suspects as the last 5 years and little change/hope to believe that anything will be different. Getting Byfield on the roster will bring me to #2 for a few games, but as I see them stomp him with #4C minutes, I'm unlikely to watch.

#6 - Lose FSW on your satellite provider so you can no longer do #s 1-5. Stick with your provider over making sure you can DVR Kings hockey for what is now a 3rd season of this.

I was tied to going to the games and watching every road game day of. On a trip somewhere? Can we find a sports bar? The 2007 Kings are in Calgary tonight in December...can't miss it.

It is so refreshing to not care as much anymore. That said, I'd like them to give me a reason to care as much again but I don't think I can ever go back to being so in to it. No wonder my various female partners through the years hated the Kings so much.

 

[kingsfan28]

The Blake era reminds me of the Leiweke years of promoting Erik Rasmussen and Steve Heinze as top 6 wingers. The Kings had Alison, Palffy, Deadmarsh and nothing else. Though, actually the D might have been better back then with Visnovsky, Schneider, Boucher, Miller, Modry, and Norstrom.

They couldn't afford a second line (besides Smolinksi) or a legit number one D (traded Blake).

Yeah that's the dude...Erik Rasmussen! I've been trying for days to think of the guy Taylor and Co were trying to convince us was a legit top 6 forward.

 

[kingsfan28]

I have no idea what all this bickering is about. Snoop Dogg will be at the game tomorrow!

Cool, then he can yell "Common nephew" after Kaliev misses high and wide, 10 feet from the net on the pp!

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

I have no idea what all this bickering is about. Snoop Dogg will be at the game tomorrow!

"C'mon nephew"

 

[Schmooley]

Cool, then he can yell "Common nephew" after Kaliev misses high and wide, 10 feet from the net on the pp!

Its weird you hate on Kaliyev so much. Kids gonna be really good

 

[Sol]

Would be nice if someone asked the coach that

They don't got the balls. When I watch Euro football my favorite part is how honest the media is since they aren't affiliated with the teams.

Hearing Faust, Fox, Bernstein, hoven just throat relentlessly is so irritating.

Bob Miller had to have insane tenure to get away with the few moments he roasted the team.

 

[tny760]

They don't got the balls. When I watch Euro football my favorite part is how honest the media is since they aren't affiliated with the teams.

Hearing Faust, Fox, Bernstein, hoven just throat relentlessly is so irritating.

Bob Miller had to have insane tenure to get away with the few moments he roasted the team.

foxy has been sounding increasingly frustrated with them lately, especially late game and in the postgame but he still doesn't have the balls to say it outright and faust interrupts waxing poetic about things every time

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Cool, then he can yell "Common nephew" after Kaliev misses high and wide, 10 feet from the net on the pp!

I'd rather watch Kaliyev slowly work out the yips than TJ Tynan fulfill his Make-A-Wish or Matt Roy skate himself into the boards before releasing a wrist shot into someone's knee.

Difference between kids getting acclimated and never-was-es eating the positive minutes/matchups.

Same attitude that would have Derek Grant out there behind the net over Zegras

 

[DoktorJeep]

Consider this, who is the best prospect to break out under Coach Todd? The only player I can point to is Lizotte.

Even worse is that Wagner and Luff had better breakouts under Willie D. Even Grundstrom got off to a good start that year. Then Todd the Cooler rolls in and all these guys go completely in reverse.

And if anyone tries to point to Kempe, he broke in under Sutter / Stevens.

 

[NikF]

Of the Kings top 8 point producers so far this season, not one of them is younger than 25. This rebuild has ways to go.

 

[Schmooley]

Of the Kings top 8 point producers so far this season, not one of them is younger than 25. This rebuild has ways to go.

Thats a bit misleading. No young player plays in the top six or gets meaningful powerplay minutes. They just moved Kaliyev to pp1 like last week.
Grundstrom, Kaliyev, and Lemieux are all in the top 8 in goals. Grundstrom is healthy scratched a lot and the other 2 are on the 4th line. Youre right the rebuild has ways to go. But not for the reasons you think. It doesnt have to be this way.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Of the Kings top 8 point producers so far this season, not one of them is younger than 25. This rebuild has ways to go.

What is your opinion of the more recent King Euro draftees?

Chromiak, Nousiainen, Huselius, Grans, Simontaival, Jamsen? Saw your Kupari and Andersson post, thanks!

Thanks!

 

[Bandit]

I have no idea what all this bickering is about. Snoop Dogg will be at the game tomorrow!

There’s a game tomorrow? Why?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Thats a bit misleading. No young player plays in the top six or gets meaningful powerplay minutes. They just moved Kaliyev to pp1 like last week.
Grundstrom, Kaliyev, and Lemieux are all in the top 8 in goals. Grundstrom is healthy scratched a lot and the other 2 are on the 4th line. Youre right the rebuild has ways to go. But not for the reasons you think. It doesnt have to be this way.

I might be misreading @NikF but I think you're actually agreeing rather than arguing.

If not I agree with you, it's opportunity rather than raw ability. That's a different flavor of bad for sure.

My thing with TM/Blake and really any coaching is when was the last time we saw anyone exceed expectations, either as individuals or a roster? Who has OVERachieved lately? Just Iafallo as far as I can see. I like the growth of Bjornfot, Anderson, and the other kids, but due to a lack of opportunity more than anything, I don't think you can say anyone is really fulfilling potential right now and that's 1. a scary thought and 2. indictment of management/coaching/whoever at the top you feel is responsible at this point.

 

[Schmooley]

I might be misreading @NikF but I think you're actually agreeing rather than arguing.

If not I agree with you, it's opportunity rather than raw ability. That's a different flavor of bad for sure.

My thing with TM/Blake and really any coaching is when was the last time we saw anyone exceed expectations, either as individuals or a roster? Who has OVERachieved lately? Just Iafallo as far as I can see. I like the growth of Bjornfot, Anderson, and the other kids, but due to a lack of opportunity more than anything, I don't think you can say anyone is really fulfilling potential right now and that's 1. a scary thought and 2. indictment of management/coaching/whoever at the top you feel is responsible at this point.

My bad I wasnt sure what he was getting at so was just trying to say points dont tell the whole story.
Yea Id say Iafallo exceeded expectations. Though compared to others he was given top line and powerplay minutes from the get go. He worked hard but was also put in a position to succeed. People on here seemed high on Bjornfot when Doughty was out. Back to lukewarm on him now that hes just a depth guy and just goes about his job queitly.
Also I dont know who is responsible. The easy answer is the players or the coach and GM. I personally blame the core because no matter what players, gm or coach are brought in its the same result. They are great players but are getting by on their raw talent and ability. They are leading the team nowhere with their energy and intensity. But thats just a theory I really have no clue and have no answers.