GDT: pre-season LA kings vs Anaheim Ducks @7:00pm

[kingsfan28]

Sort of what I expected especially with our line up .

 

[kingsfan28]

Wagner was the lone highlight. The kid can fly!

 

[Shellz]

That was... fun?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

He really appears to need strength. He's getting knocked around and it's putting him a step or two behind, he can't absorb the contact and keep his balance. He will absolutely benefit from being around the Kings staff in that regard at least. That said, I certainly would rather see him in Juniors than not getting ice time in Ontario.

He definitely appears to be afraid of physical hockey. Not asking for him to be a physical presence nor do I expect that from him, but his ability to absorb/avoid hits isn't suitable for this level, and I'm afraid he'll be eaten alive in the minors as well.

A guy like Martinez was able to overcome these issues. Clague has time, no need to rush him. He just didn't seem like he was even prepared for preseason hockey. And it isn't just this game that concerned me either. I said the same exact things about him a year ago. I was looking for some progress from a year ago, and not much has changed.

 

[kingsfan28]

I forgot LaDue is competing for a roster spot.

Brickley has far surpassed him, and if Forbort is fit to play and start the season, then LaDue is likely destined for waivers.

LaDue will never clear waivers. He's a RHD which teams are always looking for, even if his camp isn't solid.

 

[onlyalad]

I almost went tonight, but friend had tickets for Saturday so going then instead.

 

[King'sPawn]

I forgot LaDue is competing for a roster spot.

So did LaDue!

 

[Bandit]

Kemp’s game is screen the goalie and look for tips. Hard to do if your team never has the puck.

Not even mad.
Bunch of no bodies vs the Ducks (almost) opening day roster.

We talking about Adrian Kempe? Screen the goalie? Since when. I’m not mad either, just would gave liked to see more from someone who should be feeling anything but comfortable

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Good timing by the LA Times to tweet this:

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

LaDue will never clear waivers. He's a RHD which teams are always looking for, even if his camp isn't solid.

Paul LaDue for Ty Rattie, the preseason MVP.

 

[kingsboy11]

There's lots of competition on Ontario's blueline. I'd like to think he would earn a spot there, but I think with him being a former 2nd rounder, they'll let him sink or swim, which I don't have a problem with. I just have been waiting for a decent showing from him in low pressure situations like camp/preseason, and he's clearly not even ready for that.

Thus, I question how ready he is for even the AHL. He's still 20, so it might not do him much harm. And again, that's if he looks unfit to play in the minors. Judging from preseason action, I'm not sure he is. And there's nothing else to judge his performance off of.

I don't have a problem with sink or swim either, but sending him back down to juniors? Dude had 70+ points and a +42 over the course of last season and can't really learn anything else playing against players his age. His biggest flaws are obviously his physicality and defensive positioning/awareness and I think the AHL is the perfect spot for him to learn the ropes of the professional game. With the Reign practicing at TSC this season he'll get more hands on work from Emerson or O'Donnell to help round out his game. I just think that there's a lot more benefits of him being in the AHL than juniors. And like you said, he's only 20 so there's no need to rush him, but I think he's got to learn it the hard way.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Toronto has a goalie issue and one of those guys will go on waivers and will be a better option over Campbell.

 

[kingsholygrail]

That Watson guy was pretty good.

 

[regulate]

No chance Clague is going to juniors. He'll be on the Reign this season as he physically matures and gets used to the higher pace of the pro game. People are expecting too much because of the offensive numbers he put up in the WHL, but it's a new ball game now. He's a middle of the 2nd round pick, not an upper tier 1st rounder. And yep, he was terrible tonight. But it's a great setting to learn what it will take to play against the best players in the world, and D men take longer to develop. Check back in a year and we'll see how he's doing. I'll see him play all year in person.

 

[HowDareYou]

were there any fights this game?

 

[regulate]

Toronto has a goalie issue and one of those guys will go on waivers and will be a better option over Campbell.

Campbell had a bad game tonight in front of a porous defense. He was fine at the end of last year, and he'll be fine this year. His fundamentals were a mess tonight trying to do too much in front of a bunch of young players, especially the young forwards and Clague, who had a very poor game. He was also very good the other day against Vancouver. Needs to get in one more preseason game with an NHL defense in front of him and shake it off.

 

[regulate]

were there any fights this game?

Imama, who should be in the ECHL and racked up a -3 in 6 minutes of play, had a minor battle as did Rymsha, who was -3 in 7 minutes of play.

 

[Sol]

Campbell is just one awful goalie. No sugar coating it really.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Amadio better be a roster fixture this year. Dude is an animal and clearly put that summer work in. It's not often a guy's speed is so noticeable so soon. My goodness, what a sponge.

Wagner making the case for immediate bottom six duty. He'll at least be an early call up if nothing else. Still would like him in the AHL to continue to develop offensively and defensively rather than immediately be a 4th liner playing few minutes not really developing, but I think he'll play some games this year, which I'm good with.

JAD...I think he could play. Knocking on the door for sure and I think on a younger roster he breaks in. But I also think it's best to not rush him. Clearly another year of growth and development and he'll be a madman.

I liked Etem's game tonight and what I like most about him is he will be cheap and you don't have to worry about wrecking him if he's the spare forward.

Weird ass bouncy ball game so hard to get much of a read on the defense but they're not as bad as they looked tonight as well as not as good as they looked in victory. That being said, seems like most people are seeing why some of us were talking about how Clague is not making this roster this year as his defensive awareness concerns were on full display, AHL will be good for him and if there's an organization that can teach defense it's this one. The rest of the guys were various shades of crap all night too, not really sure there was a roster spot 'winner' based on this game, will have to be whole preseason body of work.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I almost went tonight, but friend had tickets for Saturday so going then instead.

cool story

 

[KingsHockey24]

Last season LaDue under performed in preseason and started in the AHL, this season he's doing the same. Guy is looking more and more like a #6D/Top 2 AHL.

Fantenberg gets a lot of shit for some reason but he's usually pretty solid out there and know's how to get the puck through to the net.

Brickley has been pretty meh in my eye's but I'm guessing he sticks with the big club.

MacDermid is well.. MacDermid. I think he would be just fine to have as a #7 big tough guy to have on the back end.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Last season LaDue under performed in preseason and started in the AHL, this season he's doing the same. Guy is looking more and more like a #6D/Top 2 AHL.

Fantenberg gets a lot of **** for some reason but he's usually pretty solid out there and know's how to get the puck through to the net.

Brickley has been pretty meh in my eye's but I'm guessing he sticks with the big club.

MacDermid is well.. MacDermid. I think he would be just fine to have as a #7 big tough guy to have on the back end.

My problem with Fantenberg vs. LaDue is Fantenberg has seemingly none of the upside (I guess game 2 of the playoffs would be it?) and all of the downside (same weaknesses).

 

[regulate]

My problem with Fantenberg vs. LaDue is Fantenberg has seemingly none of the upside (I guess game 2 of the playoffs would be it?) and all of the downside (same weaknesses).

Which is why when it comes down to the two, the Kings will more likely waive Fantenberg. When LaDue is on the ice, for whatever reason, the Kings put the puck in the net. Of course, LaDue being the holy grail (an RHD) doesn't hurt him either.

 

[kovacro]

Toronto has a goalie issue and one of those guys will go on waivers and will be a better option over Campbell.

Meh, Campbell shits the bed, you call up Budaj.

No need to bring in another teams trash.

 

[BigKing]

Last night should be a bucket of cold water on those tossing around names like Rempal and Clague.

It's the same cast plus Kovy and Brickley. Wagner always has a chance because of his skating but he'll still start in Ontario most likely.

Need vets to maintain, youth to progress and Kovy to work out. That's the recipe. There is no prospect savior. The only possible one needs a backeotomy.