GDT: Preseason games 2024-25

[SEALBound]

Saw several things on facebook (yeah, I know) that said you guys might be looking for a center now?

True? False? Complete and utter BS? Half true?

 

[KingsOfCali25]

Saw several things on facebook (yeah, I know) that said you guys might be looking for a center now?

True? False? Complete and utter BS? Half true?

Maybe in 2 years after Kopitar retires, but not now. The Kings need a young Patrick Kane winger that is right handed.

Centers: Kopitar (1C), Byfield (2/3C), Danault (3/2C), Turcotte/Thomas/Helenius (4C)

Edit: there are some good scoring wingers coming up this offseason (Boeser, Konecny, Ehlers) and maybe a kid like Zegras might become available too.

 

[Sol]

Kings are not looking for a center until Kopitar's rotten decomposing carcass is finally scraped off the ice. Or when Danault leaves.

 

[kingsboy11]

Saw several things on facebook (yeah, I know) that said you guys might be looking for a center now?

True? False? Complete and utter BS? Half true?

One of our local writers suggested they might be looking to upgrade the 4th line center role because the team might see both Turcotte and Thomas as wingers and there's no way Lewis is being moved back to center. But ultimately I don't think that happens and we have a future 4th line center practically inches away from making the NHL. If they move Byfield back up to Kopitar's wing (which isn't out of the realm of possibility), they may look to bring in a center, but again I think its unlikely.

 

[SEALBound]

One of our local writers suggested they might be looking to upgrade the 4th line center role because the team might see both Turcotte and Thomas as wingers and there's no way Lewis is being moved back to center. But ultimately I don't think that happens and we have a future 4th line center practically inches away from making the NHL. If they move Byfield back up to Kopitar's wing (which isn't out of the realm of possibility), they may look to bring in a center, but again I think its unlikely.

Penguins are a tad heavy in the bottom 6 center category with Hayes, Eller, Acciari, Glass, and possibly Poulin. I bet you could get one of the first three for a song.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kaliyev for a random 33 year old fading 4C incoming

 

[Lt Dan]

Saw several things on facebook (yeah, I know) that said you guys might be looking for a center now?

True? False? Complete and utter BS? Half true?

Hey SEALBound! Welcome to our little corner

To answer your question...
Utter BS

Byfield was moved to Center and Jeannot and Warrren "Mia K's biggest fan" Foegele as wings to replace PLDufus and Arrrrrviddson

 

[Kurrilino]

Vasilevsky had the athleticism to sprawl and make saves he shouldn't though. Portillo hasn't shown any of that. Watch the two goals from the Utah game. The first one, he just gets stuck in place trying to move laterally to make the save. The second he goes down, has no idea where the rebound is and makes has no chance to make the save because he lost the puck.

When Portillo starts making saves like this:



Then we can talk about the Vasilevsky comparison. Because I don't see it at all right now.

I mean watched the game as well

The 1st goal he got far out of the net to square the shooter and it was actually the defender who was out of position.
To get this Portillo would have had to do a 30 feet sliding splits.

The 2nd one was a rebound right against the chest of an opponent close to the goal line.

Both goals issue is actually the defender positioning not Portillo.

I have to admit, that my expectations for goalies is to just save the savable, my goalie doesn't need those super star saves.
If you lose a game, where the goalie saves all the savables, the goalie is not the issue

 

[Surf Nutz]

I mean watched the game as well

The 1st goal he got far out of the net to square the shooter and it was actually the defender who was out of position.
To get this Portillo would have had to do a 30 feet sliding splits.

The 2nd one was a rebound right against the chest of an opponent close to the goal line.

Both goals issue is actually the defender positioning not Portillo.

I have to admit, that my expectations for goalies is to just save the savable, my goalie doesn't need those super star saves.
If you lose a game, where the goalie saves all the savables, the goalie is not the issue

Good because the Kings really don't have that type of goaltender.

I like Ports form, Englund was a bit slow to react.

EP did look a bit out of position if there had been better rebounds against him.



Not sure how Copley looks but I would measure Ports against him.

Likely giving Ports the Reign runway and first call up given his age and progress.

Ports seems to be waiver exempt , probably not in 25/26.

Might as well take advantage of it and see how he holds up off the farm.

The Kings should try to sneak guys down on the next cut rather than waiting til when teams have less guys and more evaluation on their camps.

I heard the 4th C rumor.

Just pick one up on the camps waiver wires.

Best to try to sneak whoever that impacts through this week.

 

[BigKing]

Byfield and Clarke are far from being Doughty,Makar,Stamkos, and Barkov.

I think the biggest issue with the draft is that we never got the bonafide stars that we needed. Byfield is good, Clarke is not anywhere close to Doughty.

In order for the Kings to be contenders they’re gonna have to source that bonafide player through another draft or trade. These guys just simply aren’t that guy.

I think any honest person looks at how f***ing good Kopitar and Doughty were in their rookie year can see how far these guys are from that level.

I think the real star we lost potentially is Vilardi that we got rid of with one of the worst trades of all time.

Problem is that Kopitar and Doughty are most likely first ballot hall of fame players so it isn't surprising that Byfield and Clarke didn't look like them in their rookie years: not many players do. Hell, there are a lot of hall of fame players that didn't look as good in their rookie years as those two and there are scores of guys that never looked as good as they did in their rookie or early years.

Flip side of this argument is Faber who looks the complete part but we are told that he wouldn't be as good of a player here. So is it the Kings development in this case or is it that "these guys just simply aren't that guy"?

The Kings slow played these guys. It's been beaten to death. One of the few things to be excited about for this season is seeing if Byfield has another level and can play center along with what we should all hope is a healthy dose of Brandt Clarke.

Their rookie years don't matter anymore, although you could argue this is kind of Clarke's rookie year. What matters now is if the Kings actually play the hell out of them and if they don't fumble the opportunity.

Byfield has more star potential than Vilardi. I'd argue that Clarke does as well. Clarke's plays that nobody else on the Kings blueline thinks of making haven't routinely led to production but Vilardi also had to go play an entire season in Ontario in what was supposed to be a break out season for him. Clarke's offensive vision is the best on the team from the blueline right now. He attempts--or completes--moves in the offensive zone that no other defenseman on this team goes for. Will he ever be competent defensively? Let's hope so but he definitely has the offensive talent and it isn't in a Jack Johnson type way which was a result of--while being talented--also being simply faster and stronger than his peers. Clarke actually has a toolbox to go along with the hands.

I'm definitely not carrying the water for this organization and I've been quicker to blame prospects v. development than most posters. Clarke isn't Doughty and he won't ever be; however, I still believe he has 60 point potential. 31 point pace over 82 games last season while averaging 13:39 a game. That would have made him the second highest scoring defenseman on the team last year! They need a player with his skillset on the backend and need to invest in him on the power play. This is a kid that is a price-of-admission guy once the confidence is flowing. Here's to hoping these dipshits put him in positions to utilize his strengths.

 

[Sol]

Problem is that Kopitar and Doughty are most likely first ballot hall of fame players so it isn't surprising that Byfield and Clarke didn't look like them in their rookie years: not many players do. Hell, there are a lot of hall of fame players that didn't look as good in their rookie years as those two and there are scores of guys that never looked as good as they did in their rookie or early years.

Flip side of this argument is Faber who looks the complete part but we are told that he wouldn't be as good of a player here. So is it the Kings development in this case or is it that "these guys just simply aren't that guy"?

The Kings slow played these guys. It's been beaten to death. One of the few things to be excited about for this season is seeing if Byfield has another level and can play center along with what we should all hope is a healthy dose of Brandt Clarke.

Their rookie years don't matter anymore, although you could argue this is kind of Clarke's rookie year. What matters now is if the Kings actually play the hell out of them and if they don't fumble the opportunity.

Byfield has more star potential than Vilardi. I'd argue that Clarke does as well. Clarke's plays that nobody else on the Kings blueline thinks of making haven't routinely led to production but Vilardi also had to go play an entire season in Ontario in what was supposed to be a break out season for him. Clarke's offensive vision is the best on the team from the blueline right now. He attempts--or completes--moves in the offensive zone that no other defenseman on this team goes for. Will he ever be competent defensively? Let's hope so but he definitely has the offensive talent and it isn't in a Jack Johnson type way which was a result of--while being talented--also being simply faster and stronger than his peers. Clarke actually has a toolbox to go along with the hands.

I'm definitely not carrying the water for this organization and I've been quicker to blame prospects v. development than most posters. Clarke isn't Doughty and he won't ever be; however, I still believe he has 60 point potential. 31 point pace over 82 games last season while averaging 13:39 a game. That would have made him the second highest scoring defenseman on the team last year! They need a player with his skillset on the backend and need to invest in him on the power play. This is a kid that is a price-of-admission guy once the confidence is flowing. Here's to hoping these dipshits put him in positions to utilize his strengths.

I know Doughty and Kopitar's shoes are an incredibly high ask for them and I know almost everyone will fail to match it. However... my issue isn't that they're not on their levels at their same age, they're just not even in the same galaxy. I truly believe that you need bonafide players, you need superstars to be legitimate contenders. I know Vegas and the Blues threw a wrench in that philosophy but historically that is what it takes.

I am not here to bash on any player because while they're young now, Kopitar and Doughty were just straight up amazing. Kopitar was a top player in his first NHL game when he undressed Pronger. and Clarke seems unpolished still while Doughty pretty much was like Neidermayer the second he joined. Kings just dont have any bonafide talent from the draft which is why I am expecting this to be the peak of the rebuild until another rebuild happens or a miracle happens in the trade market/ufa

In regards to Faber, yeah I don't see how we can say variable x and variably y = the same in different settings. So I think you can say he obviously had it in him, but at the same time, why are most of the top prospects so unimpressive? Coaching you can say that for sure.


And I think if we're being realistic, there's not one player from the rebuild who had Vilardi's poise, hands, vision, and shot. Vilardi is undoubtedly the most talented player from the draft. If Vilardi plays a full year this year I expect him to hit 75-80 points.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I know Doughty and Kopitar's shoes are an incredibly high ask for them and I know almost everyone will fail to match it. However... my issue isn't that they're not on their levels at their same age, they're just not even in the same galaxy. I truly believe that you need bonafide players, you need superstars to be legitimate contenders. I know Vegas and the Blues threw a wrench in that philosophy but historically that is what it takes.

I am not here to bash on any player because while they're young now, Kopitar and Doughty were just straight up amazing. Kopitar was a top player in his first NHL game when he undressed Pronger. and Clarke seems unpolished still while Doughty pretty much was like Neidermayer the second he joined. Kings just dont have any bonafide talent from the draft which is why I am expecting this to be the peak of the rebuild until another rebuild happens or a miracle happens in the trade market/ufa

In regards to Faber, yeah I don't see how we can say variable x and variably y = the same in different settings. So I think you can say he obviously had it in him, but at the same time, why are most of the top prospects so unimpressive? Coaching you can say that for sure.


And I think if we're being realistic, there's not one player from the rebuild who had Vilardi's poise, hands, vision, and shot. Vilardi is undoubtedly the most talented player from the draft. If Vilardi plays a full year this year I expect him to hit 75-80 points.

In other words, they ended the rebuild too soon, traded away their two best talents from the tank, and even if QB and Clarke take giants steps it would still not be enough to get into the contend zone. Here's to hoping this Quebec City thing is about moving the team there, while LA gets a new franchise under new ownership.

 

[Surf Nutz]

AEG is not selling or moving to Quebec, or out of LA.

LA is a money location.

High shoes? Lol sounds like you are talking about high heels or platforms.

You guys are special!

 

[Statto]

Sorry, I also have a problem with picking up sarcasm

I’m British so it’s my default setting.

 

[Lt Dan]

I’m British so it’s my default setting.

I blame beans on toast

 

[King'sPawn]

I’m British so it’s my default setting.

British people have a default setting????

 

[ru4reals]

Is tonight's going to be televised again? Anyone know?

 

[DoktorJeep]

Is tonight's going to be televised again? Anyone know?

ESPN+ supposedly has the game.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

ESPN+ supposedly has the game.

It’s not showing up on the schedule there. It’s on NHL Network, so I suspect it will be blacked out on ESPN+.

 

[DoktorJeep]

It’s not showing up on the schedule there. It’s on NHL Network, so I suspect it will be blacked out on ESPN+.

Yea, I’m not sure about it. I heard it’s on ESPN+ when listening to the Locked On Kings podcast. But it doesn’t show as upcoming on the app when I looked. It is on Scripps for the Vegas local broadcast, so there should be some kind of stream out there.

 

[Reaper45]

British people have a default setting????

It’s called bot’ol ’o’wau’au.

 

[DoktorJeep]

MM chimes in that tonight’s game is on ESPN+. Worst case scenario for those without the NHL Network channel is an audio broadcast on the ESPN LA app.

Game 2: Projected Lineups for LA Kings at Vegas, Preseason

mayorsmanor.com

 

[Sausages]

British people have a default setting????

Yeah, over apologetic with low expectations. Perfect Kings fans!

 

[Sausages]

I blame beans on toast

Not hockey related, but these beans beat anything the UK has to offer in the baked bean world.

Awesome on toast.

.

 

[bland]

Not hockey related, but these beans beat anything the UK has to offer in the baked bean world.

Awesome on toast.View attachment 909748.

I'll take Heinz ANY day!