Roster Talk: Nearing the 20 game mark

[bob77]

Time for Mersch to show us what he's made of. Hype train is out of control for this kid (just like most prospects).

I think Mersch will be just fine. He's played a lot of high level hockey in his life, NTDP and NCAA. And Manch last year. Why do I always get the feeling that people tend to surmise that every call up is like a kid out of Jr who has only played against and dominated other boys. Some of these kids have faced quite a bit more of high level hockey, and physical adult play like NCAA.

 

[damacles1156]

Mersch will struggle, just like all prospect players that have to (work) for their production.

Shore/Mersch, these guys are not overly skilled, they do not have skill, like (Toffoli). These guys have to work extremely hard to produce. It will take time, and lots of growing pains in the NHL.

Good for Mersch to get a cup of coffee though.

 

[deeshamrock]

Well, that explains Mersch getting the call.

Yup, The Mayor is reporting he's flying East today to join the team

 

[scryan]

I wouldn't be pounding the drums just yet. Dude doesn't score at all.

It was a good play, an excellent pass to Martinez to catch the goalie off-guard. Not sure if that launches him into the stratosphere of "great offensive instincts" but we'll see where it goes from here.

Mersch hasn't seen one second of NHL hockey, so I'm also not sure that the third/fourth line is due to explode offensively with reckless abandon.

DUDE.

dude.

He had an assist in 3 on 3. Lets not be so critical. He totally found an open man out there.

 

[lumbergh]

it'll be super interesting to see what the lines are.
i'd like to see mersch-weal-brown but it isn't likely
maybe it's more likely mersch is on the 4th line since he's never played before?
so possibly weal-shore-brown & mersch-andreoff-nolan
or most likely of all? andreoff-shore-brown & mersch-weal-nolan?
how 'bout weal-shore-mersch on the third?
shame about clifford - hope he's okay

This makes the most sense to me too. See if Mersch and Weal find some chemistry together.

 

[LAKings88]

I have tempered expectations for Mersch. I do think his build and style will translate into the Kings system. Hoping he gets some good looks.

 

[YP44]

Mersch just needs to ensure he is not a liability defensively and allow the offense to come gradually.
Glad to see him play a few games. Hopefully Clifford & Lewis will be back soon.
I the league even looking into the Hedman hit?

 

[Trolfoli]

Interesting that all those questioning Shore's offensive abilities a few pages back have been silent after tonight. The 3 on 3 tonight was a prime example of his great offensive instincts. 95% of players would have been shooting when they received the puck... he on the other hand had his head up the entire way. He just needs some offensive players with him and he should get that with the Mersch call up.

No point in beating a dead horse. Shore's going to struggle with offense. Maybe that's related to Lewis/Brown, they probably don't help, but it's not like he's going to magically end up with say Pearson/Shore/Kempe and become an offensive dynamo. He was out during 3v3 and the D gets the goal.

Don't need to constantly beat up on a guy for not being able to score... exception: Lewis.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Mersch just needs to ensure he is not a liability defensively and allow the offense to come gradually.
Glad to see him play a few games. Hopefully Clifford & Lewis will be back soon.
I the league even looking into the Hedman hit?

Nope, and that seemed to piss off patty o'neal and jim fox (rightfully imo). I knew if they didn't make a big stink about it when it happened, the league would look over it. If only that play were Hedman on Subban and it happened in MTL.

If the line does end up, in fact, being Mersch-Weal-Nolan, I hope expectations are adjusted because that's setting those two up to fail. I imagine it's more likely we'll see a bottom six blender with those three getting the lowest TOI on the team, though.

 

[HookKing]

Nope, and that seemed to piss off patty o'neal and jim fox (rightfully imo). I knew if they didn't make a big stink about it when it happened, the league would look over it. If only that play were Hedman on Subban and it happened in MTL.

If the line does end up, in fact, being Mersch-Weal-Nolan, I hope expectations are adjusted because that's setting those two up to fail. I imagine it's more likely we'll see a bottom six blender with those three getting the lowest TOI on the team, though.

The league is pathetic. Just compare the Hedman elbow with the one that got Brown a suspension.

 

[Omni Owl]

A lot of that has to do with Hedman being such a high profile player, elbowing a 4th line guy in Clifford. I'm so ****ing sick of these cheap headshots, belongs no where near the game.

 

[cali101]

do you think it's setting them up to fail?
i think weal-mersch have some sense of familiarity from the ahl.
so maybe that could actually work to their advantage.
on the other hand i can see the line blender whirling in full force...

 

[YP44]

A lot of that has to do with Hedman being such a high profile player, elbowing a 4th line guy in Clifford. I'm so ****ing sick of these cheap headshots, belongs no where near the game.

I think the cheapshots are way down. My issue is how the league decides suspension/fine based on level of talent involved.
If Prust had hit Crosby in the nuts do you think he would have only got $5K?

For those who are good on twitter. Someone should send a gif of the Hedman elbow to the player safety twitter account...I am sure they have it already but whatever.

 

[YP44]

do you think it's setting them up to fail?
i think weal-mersch have some sense of familiarity from the ahl.
so maybe that could actually work to their advantage.
on the other hand i can see the line blender whirling in full force...

biggest issue IMO is that LA will be introducing Mersch on the road. So it will be harder to get favorable matchups, but I am sure his minutes will be sheltered with offensive zone starts and by playing with Doughty on the back end to cover any mistakes.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

do you think it's setting them up to fail?
i think weal-mersch have some sense of familiarity from the ahl.
so maybe that could actually work to their advantage.
on the other hand i can see the line blender whirling in full force...

If Nolan is their winger, you're giving two rookies the biggest liability on the team in a road situation where Sutter gives a piss in the wind about line matching. Unless Sutter likes Mersch as much as he likes Shore, they would be in tough. I do think it's a bad setup for them but hey if they can prove themselves through that then they're good!

 

[Fishhead]

I'm not as worried about Mersch as much. One, he doesn't have the responsibilities of a center. Two, his game is about as simple as it gets. He looked quite comfortable in the preseason, he played almost every game IIRC. It's way more difficult for a guy like Weal who has much more to take care of.

Personally I would rotate Mersch and Toffoli on the 2nd/3rd lines. It suits Mersch's playstyle and might help jump start Toffoli if he is the go to guy on the 3rd line. Just bounce them back and forth depending on the situation.

 

[Ron*]

DUDE.

dude.

He had an assist in 3 on 3. Lets not be so critical. He totally found an open man out there.

I was answering SoulAssassin's retort to those who were bashing Shore (I wasn't one of them).

Dude.

 

[Ron*]

I think the cheapshots are way down. My issue is how the league decides suspension/fine based on level of talent involved.
If Prust had hit Crosby in the nuts do you think he would have only got $5K?

For those who are good on twitter. Someone should send a gif of the Hedman elbow to the player safety twitter account...I am sure they have it already but whatever.

Yes, because that is the maximum punishment allowed for a first-time offender in spearing.

The best money he ever spent, according to him. If I were the NHL, I would fine him again just for showing them up. Prust is an ass hole.

 

[Ron*]

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Strange number? HE's a keeper.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Reminds me of the 49ers. Gross.

 

[scryan]

I was answering SoulAssassin's retort to those who were bashing Shore (I wasn't one of them).

Dude.

I was sarcastically pointing out that while it was a nice play, 3 on 3 is designed to be a hectic gong show that sets players up to have non stop opportunities to make passes like that, and that while I have nothing against shore.... Finding an open man during 3 on 3 is not exactly proof of anything....

 

[LAKings88]

Strange number? HE's a keeper.

Joe Juneau

 

[Herby]

He should never go down, he will quickly prove he is worlds better than Clifford and Nolan, but DS probably sticks with both 13 and 71 until the playoffs start and he realizes he will have to sacrifice some toughness if he wants to roll four capable lines.

Think when healthy the best lineup the Kings can roll is

Lucic- Carter- Toffoli
Pearson- Kopitar- Gaborik
King- Shore- Brown
Mersch- Lewis- Andreoff

I think that would be an awesome playoff lineup.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I forget Nolan is even on this roster. If he isn't chicken winging people what's his purpose?