GDT: Offseason GDT II

[Trolfoli]

It's impossible for a team with Doughty, Kopitar and Quick to tank. Unless ofcourse one of these 3 guys got injured.

It's also impossible to contend with a d-core as bad as our is. The division is really bad though, so the Kings will probably still be a playoff team next season.

Pretty much. Hockey purgatory.

 

[Kingsfan1]

He's only had the classic Gaborik injury for a bit in the '15 season (soft tissue) with this year's injury being a fluke.

Agree that trading him sooner rather than later is smart to get out in front of his decline but, so far, he's averaging 27 goals a season for the Kings when including playoffs with 58 goals in 172 total games.

It didn't "look good" when he went to Columbus and appeared to be dead. He still has the wheels and the speed this team is lacking for the most part.

If they are going to compete next season, he needs to be on the roster and healthy. Totally get the fear of injury but it would be hard to replace his contribution with the team's current assets and at a similar/lower cap hit.

Spot on observation. He is not going anywhere. This team needs a player like Gaborik. He will have a bounce back year next year. His seasons usually consistently trend this way. 1 down 1 up. Next year he hits 33 goals

 

[HookKing]

I wonder if Brown might have had his knee cleaned up a bit.

I was hoping it was Lasik.

 

[Trolfoli]

Pretty much. Hockey purgatory.

What a stupid post. Lombardi will not settle for Hockey Purgatory.

Now just worry about what Lombardi will have to do to avoid this with his limited resources.



The best thing about being crazy is you're never alone.

I was hoping it was Lasik.

Really the problem with his shot was he got too huge last Summer. He's just too yoked out. Too much power going into the shots. That's why they're all 10 feet over the net.

Didn't think it was possible to get too huge?

 

[HookKing]

What a stupid post. Lombardi will not settle for Hockey Purgatory.

Now just worry about what Lombardi will have to do to avoid this with his limited resources.



The best thing about being crazy is you're never alone.





Really the problem with his shot was he got too huge last Summer. He's just too yoked out. Too much power going into the shots. That's why they're all 10 feet over the net.

Didn't think it was possible to get too huge?

I think his biggest problem is puckhandling, he was never great with it but the last couple of years have been brutal. Get those eyes checked.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think his biggest problem is puckhandling, he was never great with it but the last couple of years have been brutal. Get those eyes checked.

I actually think there was something else to the theory another poster had (maybe it was even Trolfoli?) that Brown is overcoached and trying to lead by example so much--the 'shooting for possession' crest snipes him and Lewis pull, the overhandling/holding on too long for the cycle, etc...that's all relatively new to his game. But I dunno, he wasn't producing awfully the whole time Sutter was here...so...

Brown's production downfall is truly baffling. Watch game clips of him from 5 years ago and you see the exact same dude with way crappier results.

 

[funky]

I actually think there was something else to the theory another poster had (maybe it was even Trolfoli?) that Brown is overcoached and trying to lead by example so much--the 'shooting for possession' crest snipes him and Lewis pull, the overhandling/holding on too long for the cycle, etc...that's all relatively new to his game. But I dunno, he wasn't producing awfully the whole time Sutter was here...so...

Brown's production downfall is truly baffling. Watch game clips of him from 5 years ago and you see the exact same dude with way crappier results.

Brown needs to play North South and head straight to the net to provide screens and get garbage goals from 5 feet out. That is his game. He should not carry the puck, he should not cycle the puck, he should be the immovable object in front. Plus the refs are on him because of a dive history and the league is on him because of past questionable hits. He has basically been neutered and had all his special talents taken away. Time for Sutter to switch up his style and Brown to play more reckless and more of that power game

 

[KingsFan7824]

Brown has a career sh% of 9.3%. This season, other than his rookie year, a career low of 5%.

Kopitar - career 12.4%, this year 14.1%
Carter - 11.4%, 9.9%
Toffoli - 12.2%, 14.6%
Lucic - 14.8%, 16.1%

Not that they're all the same player with the same talent level, but Sutter's put the puck on net system isn't killing everyone else. Gaborik was down this year by about 4% like Brown, but his career average and season average weren't almost cut in half.

Lucic wasn't much of a shooter this year. He may have picked his spots better, or maybe when he did shoot, it was more of the tap in goal variety.

Brown is having to shoot almost twice as much to score the same amount of goals as in prior years. The Kings system may be a volume system, but like his contract, that's very inefficient. Then you throw in his skating where he falls down a little too much for a pro hockey player. Almost like everything about Brown's game has unraveled a bit. Doing more of everything, but getting less out of it. Like has been said, he needs to simplify things.

 

[YP44]

You want a top4D that's expansion proof? Just saying... If they aren't all in what's the point of being mediocre?




Well there goes his trade value!

I am perfectly fine with LA filling it's holes through the AHL and then come deadline trading for a rental if need be. I imagine with the expansion draft coming rentals will be cheaper than other years. I expect LA to be in a playoff spot with how the roster is currently constructed. Get in to the playoffs and see what happens. Quick can still win a series on his own, and a lot of our top guys can play better then this year's post season.

Getting in the playoffs as an 8th seed is probably perceived as mediocre, but it has worked before.

 

[BigBrown]

Brown still moves around decently and when in the mood can throw his weight around (though that's getting increasingly rare). I personally don't think it's a system thing, he's been preached the shoot mentality ever since Terry Murray and has been doing alright for years. I think it's his hands that are just gone now.

Brown was never great at handling the puck but he could fire it pretty hard and accurately plus clean up garbage around the net. Now I feel like he can't even receive a pass or take more than two strides without losing control of it. His shot is weak and above all inaccurate. I have very little hope of him improving by any substantial amount, this was supposedly the best shape he's ever been in and he did an extra amount of on ice workouts to prepare this season.

I dunno what else the guy can do. He obviously cares. I think he's just one of those guys whose skills deteriorate and before long they're out of the league.

 

[eleventy]

Brown still moves around decently and when in the mood can throw his weight around (though that's getting increasingly rare). I personally don't think it's a system thing, he's been preached the shoot mentality ever since Terry Murray and has been doing alright for years. I think it's his hands that are just gone now.

Brown was never great at handling the puck but he could fire it pretty hard and accurately plus clean up garbage around the net. Now I feel like he can't even receive a pass or take more than two strides without losing control of it. His shot is weak and above all inaccurate. I have very little hope of him improving by any substantial amount, this was supposedly the best shape he's ever been in and he did an extra amount of on ice workouts to prepare this season.

I dunno what else the guy can do. He obviously cares. I think he's just one of those guys whose skills deteriorate and before long they're out of the league.

"front net presence"

He's a retriever who needs to stop being the puck carrier for zone entry and head straight for the net. The bread and butter even during his 30-goal year was as a garbage collector. I feel like there's still time to redefine his game. It just boggled my mind how many times we'd see him gain entry into the zone, often alone, and blow a tire along the boards, or soft dump it to change the line. It makes no sense why this situation occurs over and over again.

 

[BigBrown]

Not really sure Brown was ever a good net presence guy. People expect him to be since he has other power forward traits but even when he was a good player he was still second fiddle to Smyth, Handzus, Frolov and such in front of the net.

 

[YP44]

Not really sure Brown was ever a good net presence guy. People expect him to be since he has other power forward traits but even when he was a good player he was still second fiddle to Smyth, Handzus, Frolov and such in front of the net.

true..at the top of his game is driving to the net..not sitting in front of it.
Penner was better infront as well

 

[Trolfoli]

I am perfectly fine with LA filling it's holes through the AHL and then come deadline trading for a rental if need be. I imagine with the expansion draft coming rentals will be cheaper than other years. I expect LA to be in a playoff spot with how the roster is currently constructed. Get in to the playoffs and see what happens. Quick can still win a series on his own, and a lot of our top guys can play better then this year's post season.

Getting in the playoffs as an 8th seed is probably perceived as mediocre, but it has worked before.

This is true, but that team was built on defense. The current defense with one of Scuderi/Schenn in the top 4 in the best case scenario, I have my doubts as to just how far that D will carry the team.

If the D/Team can't be filled out this year due to expansion and or cap space then taking a nose dive for a season would really help either add a high end D or impact center on the cheap. As others have said, it's unlikely with Kopitar/Doughty/Quick.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I have very little hope of him improving by any substantial amount, this was supposedly the best shape he's ever been in and he did an extra amount of on ice workouts to prepare this season.

I dunno what else the guy can do. He obviously cares. I think he's just one of those guys whose skills deteriorate and before long they're out of the league.

It seems like most of the time in sports, when veteran players that haven't had productive seasons, with no apparent major injuries, say this is the best shape they've been in, that's when you know it's slipping away. Jagr is on a different level, but when we see video of Brown running, that's what hope looks like.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So the Kings end up losing the 21st overall pick to Carolina for a handful of games from Sekera in a forgettable 2014-15 season.

That may be Dean's worst transaction as Kings GM, that pick should've been a conditional based on Sekera re-signing.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I actually think there was something else to the theory another poster had (maybe it was even Trolfoli?) that Brown is overcoached and trying to lead by example so much--the 'shooting for possession' crest snipes him and Lewis pull, the overhandling/holding on too long for the cycle, etc...that's all relatively new to his game. But I dunno, he wasn't producing awfully the whole time Sutter was here...so...

Brown's production downfall is truly baffling. Watch game clips of him from 5 years ago and you see the exact same dude with way crappier results.

You mean this post? I posted it....soemone on the Lakingsinsider posted it...I agree with it.


>>>I've said this before and I'll say it again, Brown's biggest problem is being asked to be the Kings' leader by example of possessing the puck. He is a terrible choice for this. He makes terrible decisions with the puck. He is not a facilitator. He holds onto the puck for way too long in fear of losing possession, only to wind up with poor passing or shooting options. I can't believe that management/coaching has such a hard time seeing this.
His skills aren't diminishing, he's just used completely improperly for his skill set. He should be playing without the puck, crashing into bodies, stripping pucks, getting it immediately to a team mate, then go crashing to the net. There's no reason why he can't still earn some of his pay. He's in great shape and hasn't lost a step. He's just doing the things that are asked of him and it's just wrong for him.<<<

 

[nikolai19]

Most likely Gravel or Forbort will play in LA next season full time. Likely that Mersch and Dowd will be there as well. Be tough to get rid of Brown or Gaborik so someone else may have to go i.e. King, Nolan, etc.

Need to find a good backup. There was a rumor at the deadline that LA acquired Chad Johnson from Buffalo so he might be an option for under $1 million.

I'm very curious to see what happens with Lewis who is this team's swiss army knife. Maybe they think Dowd can play this role or potentially even Shore (Dowd more likely).

I would love to see Kempe start the season in LA playing top 6 minutes and that very well may happen especially if Lucic doesn't re-sign.

 

[lumbergh]

Brown still moves around decently and when in the mood can throw his weight around (though that's getting increasingly rare). I personally don't think it's a system thing, he's been preached the shoot mentality ever since Terry Murray and has been doing alright for years. I think it's his hands that are just gone now.

Brown was never great at handling the puck but he could fire it pretty hard and accurately plus clean up garbage around the net. Now I feel like he can't even receive a pass or take more than two strides without losing control of it. His shot is weak and above all inaccurate. I have very little hope of him improving by any substantial amount, this was supposedly the best shape he's ever been in and he did an extra amount of on ice workouts to prepare this season.

I dunno what else the guy can do. He obviously cares. I think he's just one of those guys whose skills deteriorate and before long they're out of the league.

I don't think that Brown has really deteriorated. He's playing the same game he has for years. He is on the plus side corsi wise. He still records a ton of hits.

One thing may be that goalies and defensive systems have gotten better against his style. He used to score a lot from mid and short range, but most teams have moved to a collapsing style of defense that cedes the boards to the Kings.

Brown has always been a speedy slasher. His game is not well suited for Kopitar's half-court possession game. If placed with another speedy attacking center like Carter, I think he can find the back of the net more regularly.

 

[nikolai19]

I wonder if Brown might have had his knee cleaned up a bit.

Brown had a minor procedure on his wrist according to the article.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Not really sure Brown was ever a good net presence guy. People expect him to be since he has other power forward traits but even when he was a good player he was still second fiddle to Smyth, Handzus, Frolov and such in front of the net.

Yeah he was never a Smyth type, but he sure went to the net hard for tap ins and rebounds and got a healthy amount of PP points around that area.

Funny thing is his even strength scoring AND PP scoring have been sawed off almost equally so it's not like just getting more PP preferential time is a solution

I don't feel like making a table, deal with it, and keep in mind totals may not add up perfectly due to SH and so on

Season, 5v5, PP, TOtal points
2016, 21, 3, 28
2015, 21, 6, 27
2014, 20, 4, 26
2013, 13, 13, 29
2012, 31, 15, 53
2011, 35, 15, 57
2010, 33, 16, 56
2009, 29, 15, 53
2008, 28, 22, 60
2007, 19, 24, 47

So the Kings end up losing the 21st overall pick to Carolina for a handful of games from Sekera in a forgettable 2014-15 season.

That may be Dean's worst transaction as Kings GM, that pick should've been a conditional based on Sekera re-signing.

At least it was conditional, could have been really ugly to flat out lose 13th overall

 

[BigKing]

Don't think Sutter comes back unless Lucic is coming back as well.

He loves the guy and still wants to "win now".

 

[Quattro]

So the Kings end up losing the 21st overall pick to Carolina for a handful of games from Sekera in a forgettable 2014-15 season.

That may be Dean's worst transaction as Kings GM, that pick should've been a conditional based on Sekera re-signing.

Worse than signing Cloutier?

I doubt that if the pick was conditional the trade would have happened.

I have no problem with that move. He added the best available d-man to make a run at another Cup. Sekera got hurt and it didn't work out. Not every move is going to be a home run.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Worse than signing Cloutier?

I doubt that if the pick was conditional the trade would have happened.

I have no problem with that move. He added the best available d-man to make a run at another Cup. Sekera got hurt and it didn't work out. Not every move is going to be a home run.

That was right after the 8 game winning streak wasn't it? Right when they got back into the playoff race and looked like contenders. Things would have been so different had they not had that run....Would have never traded for Sekera. Probably wouldn't traded away some veterans on expiring contracts and gotten some picks. Oh well, things happen.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Worse than signing Cloutier?

I doubt that if the pick was conditional the trade would have happened.

I have no problem with that move. He added the best available d-man to make a run at another Cup. Sekera got hurt and it didn't work out. Not every move is going to be a home run.

The team was in a different place when that Cloutier trade/signing took place, I figured they'd be in the gutter then so it had no harm on the team then.

With the Sekera trade, I understand the logic behind the move, but it was a very shortsighted move given where the team was and Sekera's status as a UFA. It wasn't like getting Gaborik who cost very little to obtain.

Anyhow, what's done is done and the Kings will be without a 1st for a second consecutive year, which means that the scouts better do their best to find some diamonds in the rough, because the Kings have only four selections at this year's draft.

Hoping some guys can be moved out to obtain more picks and to clear up some roster room (and cap space) for new additions from Ontario.