Round 1 Game 3 Sharks @ Kings: Kings Lose 4-3; Sharks Lead series 3-0

[Herby]

And it was a stupid move on their part. This guy had 29 points in 46 games last season in a lockout year and vanished in the playoffs with only 3 goals and 4 points in 18 games.

He follows that up with 27 points in 72 games this season. This extension is going to look as laughable as the David Clarkson contract. I'm just cringing typing those numbers. Excuse me, I'm going to have to barf.

It really is depressing. And as much as we can say it's only a billionaires money, these two guys will take up 17% of the Kings cap in 2015 if they both return.

 

[MynameisKing]

I've been defending Richie but I have to admit that his performance this year really hurt the Kings. We HAD strength down the middle. Now that Richie's game has gone off the cliff we are now thin on depth. Double whammy is Brown's awful year! Don't know what happened to these guys but I'd still give them one more chance to redeem themselves. Hopefully it's just an outlier year for the both of them.

It may have been better if they both had been injured and not played this year because their presence is taking ice time away from somebody else who may have contributed, even minimally at best.

They both must rebound next year or it's out the door you go.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Honestly, if this is the type of performance they're going to get from some of their top players, then they really do deserve to be in the position they're in, down 0-3 in the first round to a vastly superior hockey club.

The Sharks' offense, speed, defense, and role players have badly outplayed the Kings in every way imaginable. The Kings, the supposed best defensive team in the league, have surrendered 17 goals in 3 games. So much for a team built for playoff hockey.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Also just wanted to say: Whatever the **** is broken on Drew Doughty he better not be making it worse by playing.

Doubt they would let him back out there.

I am obviously not a current season ticket holder. But If I were still a STH I would renew regardless. People are simply discussing changes to the roster that makes the Kings have a better chance of being a contender like they were in 2012 and 2013 as opposed to a run of the mill playoff team like this year.

2012 was awesome, we can all remember it and enjoy it, but it should have no bearing on how the team is built in 2015.

Ditto, not a season ticket holder because I'm not a fan of being around large crowds, but if I was this first round exit would have very little effect on my decision. Been a King fan for 20+ years, we've all seen MUCH worse than a first round exit.

WHAT he's 2 years younger than me?! Whoa...didn't know that.

When you put that perspective on it, he's one year younger than me. And I suddenly feel like a loser...

 

[HockeyGalSoCal]

Jim Fox in the intermission prior to overtime:

"Voynov for the game winner." (Probably hoping to release the Voynov of last years play offs)

Great prediction, Foxy.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I've never liked Brown as the captain, from day one. I shut my mouth, and rightfully so, after 2012. But I started banging the same drum in the 2013 playoffs. Guy is just not a gamer. Look at his stat sheet in every series he's played outside of 2012 - it's abysmal. Whatever switch was flipped with him in 2012 will likely never be found again.

This collapse will hopefully allow people to start looking at these players and Kings' management without the tint of 2012. Lombardi is not a mastermind GM. He makes a lot of mistakes, as we've seen from what's become of the defense. For all Lombardi's mantra about building from the net out, he's relied HEAVILY on veteran free agent signings and trades. He's developed exactly one bonafide top four defenseman in Doughty, who was a no brainer top two pick. Voynov, Martinez, and now Muzzin have all had issues one way or another, with only Voynov having shown flashes of true gamebreaking ability.

I said from the drop of the puck this season that this team's D was an absolute mess, and it's fitting that it sinks us. Regehr was a desperation trade/resigning, and Mitchell and Greene are just done. DL got caught holding the bag on three major top 15 picks in Teubert, Hickey, and Forbort with absolutely nothing to show for it. The result is a thin blueline over-reliant on veterans playing at a level their age doesn't allow, and absolutely nothing in the pipeline to show for it. Then we trade perhaps the most promising center prospect in the league in Fasching to simply shore up the 5-7 slot depth. That's bad management no matter how you slice it.

MAYBE Forbort develops and MAYBE Gravel turns into a top four guy, but that's all years down along the road, anyway.

WWe have a crop of promising young forwards in Vey, Toffoli, and Pearson - no reason to not let these guys do their thing at the NHL level next year. If it doesn't work out, we're no worse off than we were before. But like others have said, the ancillary core players on this team - guys like Williams, Richards, Brown, etc. - have simply fallen off the face of the earth and there needs to be a change there. Kopitar is obviously still the guy, Doughty and Carter are all-world, and Quick can break a game with the support. Stick to your REAL core and don't get blinded by personal attachment to what players have done in some distant past, which is something I'm afraid Lombardi is incapable of doing.

It's also high time we looked at bottom six youth, as well. Guys like Clifford, King, Nolan, what are they doing? What is their role? I feel like management have been trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with King and Clifford in particular for years.

It's all very disappointing, and technically, yes, we still have one more game to lose. But anyone who didn't feel at least a pang of anxiety going into this postseason, after having watched this team's struggles this year, was simply not watching what was really happening on the ice. This team had MAJOR problems from day one, and save for a freak run in November/December on the backs of Scrivens and Jones, was very pedestrian.

Also, do yourselves a favor and just stay away from the main boards. There is a pretty large majority of hockey fans who have been waiting for this day for literally two years. Every empire must fall, and we've been the secret nightmare of the western conference since April of 2012. People are really going to relish this, so just do yourselves a favor and let it be. It wasn't long ago that we were the "lowly Kings" of the league and no one gave a **** about hockey at Staples.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

I remember a few months ago when I was reading a post on here while at school sitting next to a couple friends. I started shaking my head and leaned back in my seat. Concerned, they all asked me, "Oh my goodness what's wrong?" Still shaking my head I responded, "I just don't think Muzzin's defensive game is gonna come along! Not in my lifetime."

No one had a clue.

Love this post.

This collapse will hopefully allow people to start looking at these players and Kings' management without the tint of 2012. Lombardi is not a mastermind GM. He makes a lot of mistakes, as we've seen from what's become of the defense. For all Lombardi's mantra about building from the net out, he's relied HEAVILY on veteran free agent signings and trades. He's developed exactly one bonafide top four defenseman in Doughty, who was a no brainer top two pick. Voynov, Martinez, and now Muzzin have all had issues one way or another, with only Voynov having shown flashes of true gamebreaking ability.

I said from the drop of the puck this season that this team's D was an absolute mess, and it's fitting that it sinks us. Regehr was a desperation trade/resigning, and Mitchell and Greene are just done. DL got caught holding the bag on three major top 15 picks in Teubert, Hickey, and Forbort with absolutely nothing to show for it. The result is a thin blueline over-reliant on veterans playing at a level their age doesn't allow, and absolutely nothing in the pipeline to show for it. Then we trade perhaps the most promising center prospect in the league in Fasching to simply shore up the 5-7 slot depth. That's bad management no matter how you slice it.

MAYBE Forbort develops and MAYBE Gravel turns into a top four guy, but that's all years down along the road, anyway.

WWe have a crop of promising young forwards in Vey, Toffoli, and Pearson - no reason to not let these guys do their thing at the NHL level next year. If it doesn't work out, we're no worse off than we were before. But like others have said, the ancillary core players on this team - guys like Williams, Richards, Brown, etc. - have simply fallen off the face of the earth and there needs to be a change there. Kopitar is obviously still the guy, Doughty and Carter are all-world, and Quick can break a game with the support. Stick to your REAL core and don't get blinded by personal attachment to what players have done in some distant past, which is something I'm afraid Lombardi is incapable of doing.

It's also high time we looked at bottom six youth, as well. Guys like Clifford, King, Nolan, what are they doing? What is their role? I feel like management have been trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with King and Clifford in particular for years.

It's all very disappointing, and technically, yes, we still have one more game to lose. But anyone who didn't feel at least a pang of anxiety going into this postseason, after having watched this team's struggles this year, was simply not watching what was really happening on the ice. This team had MAJOR problems from day one, and save for a freak run in November/December on the backs of Scrivens and Jones, was very

Good insights, Richie10. I'm still disappointed we lost Fasching. We need more goal scorers in the pipeline. Our offense just doesn't inspire confidence on a consistent basis.

Off-topic somewhat, but I had a dream today that I was an NHL general manager. It was oddly exciting.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

In my opinion, these guys should be locks next season:

Forwards: Kopitar, Carter, Gaborik, Stoll, Lewis, King, Toffoli, Pearson
Defensemen: Doughty, Voynov, Martinez, Muzzin, McNabb
Goaltenders: Quick, Jones

That's 8F, 5D, 2G.

As much as we want the team to get rid of the contracts of Brown and Richards, you know the sad truth is that they'll be back with the team next season. I would also say that Regehr would've been a good candidate to be bought out but sadly I think that he's brought back as the #6-7 veteran dman to replace the departing Mitchell.

Nolan and Clifford are signed for one more year, but I could see either one or both being dealt in order for the team to give looks to hungrier players like Andreoff or Shore.

I think the veteran most likely to be moved will be Williams. The guy just doesn't have it anymore. He used to be able to hang onto the puck, win board battles, make plays, take the puck to the net, and y'know, shoot the puck, but he's lost all of that. I think a return to the east is in his horizon.

Solid group. Completely Agreed. Those players are different and provide different dynamics. They should stay. Everyone else is replaceable. and should be replaced for the betterment of the team going forward.

 

[Moses Doughty]

Fully agreed.

This is much less the 2012 Canucks disintegrating and much more a team that can retool on the go. Most teams would kill to have Kopitar-Doughty-Quick as a base to start. We've got that and much more, assets and prospects, and a great drafting team.

And then there are some people who think we're about to go last or some crazy stuff. People think everyone needs to go...

 

[12ozPapa]

I've never liked Brown as the captain, from day one. I shut my mouth, and rightfully so, after 2012. But I started banging the same drum in the 2013 playoffs. Guy is just not a gamer. Look at his stat sheet in every series he's played outside of 2012 - it's abysmal. Whatever switch was flipped with him in 2012 will likely never be found again.

This collapse will hopefully allow people to start looking at these players and Kings' management without the tint of 2012. Lombardi is not a mastermind GM. He makes a lot of mistakes, as we've seen from what's become of the defense. For all Lombardi's mantra about building from the net out, he's relied HEAVILY on veteran free agent signings and trades. He's developed exactly one bonafide top four defenseman in Doughty, who was a no brainer top two pick. Voynov, Martinez, and now Muzzin have all had issues one way or another, with only Voynov having shown flashes of true gamebreaking ability.

I said from the drop of the puck this season that this team's D was an absolute mess, and it's fitting that it sinks us. Regehr was a desperation trade/resigning, and Mitchell and Greene are just done. DL got caught holding the bag on three major top 15 picks in Teubert, Hickey, and Forbort with absolutely nothing to show for it. The result is a thin blueline over-reliant on veterans playing at a level their age doesn't allow, and absolutely nothing in the pipeline to show for it. Then we trade perhaps the most promising center prospect in the league in Fasching to simply shore up the 5-7 slot depth. That's bad management no matter how you slice it.

MAYBE Forbort develops and MAYBE Gravel turns into a top four guy, but that's all years down along the road, anyway.

WWe have a crop of promising young forwards in Vey, Toffoli, and Pearson - no reason to not let these guys do their thing at the NHL level next year. If it doesn't work out, we're no worse off than we were before. But like others have said, the ancillary core players on this team - guys like Williams, Richards, Brown, etc. - have simply fallen off the face of the earth and there needs to be a change there. Kopitar is obviously still the guy, Doughty and Carter are all-world, and Quick can break a game with the support. Stick to your REAL core and don't get blinded by personal attachment to what players have done in some distant past, which is something I'm afraid Lombardi is incapable of doing.

It's also high time we looked at bottom six youth, as well. Guys like Clifford, King, Nolan, what are they doing? What is their role? I feel like management have been trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with King and Clifford in particular for years.

It's all very disappointing, and technically, yes, we still have one more game to lose. But anyone who didn't feel at least a pang of anxiety going into this postseason, after having watched this team's struggles this year, was simply not watching what was really happening on the ice. This team had MAJOR problems from day one, and save for a freak run in November/December on the backs of Scrivens and Jones, was very pedestrian.

Also, do yourselves a favor and just stay away from the main boards. There is a pretty large majority of hockey fans who have been waiting for this day for literally two years. Every empire must fall, and we've been the secret nightmare of the western conference since April of 2012. People are really going to relish this, so just do yourselves a favor and let it be. It wasn't long ago that we were the "lowly Kings" of the league and no one gave a **** about hockey at Staples.

As a Die-Hard Ducks fan, this post is so well thought out and said. It's how I have felt about the Kings. I truly think you guys have such a great core but rely too much on almost what you could call stop-gap players.

I really hope Lombardi figures it out and TRULY starts BUILDING from the net out. Not just signing/trading left and right - if that makes sense.

Kopitar and Quick alone are absolutely awesome and a great core - just them two. Add in Carter, Doughty, etc and you have quite the start to something that can TRULY compete for the Cup year after year.

 

[Herby]

I'm not one of those people who thinks because a guy is a billionaire that millions of dollars means nothing to him. But if the Kings buyout Richards it's not as if Uncle Phil has to write him a $25 million dollar check.

It would be $1.6 million a year until 2026, obviously still a lot of money, but in the big picture with a $70 million cap it's not insane, especially if DL can convince him that the team won't be able to compete if they are burdened by the cap hit.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

As a Die-Hard Ducks fan, this post is so well thought out and said. It's how I have felt about the Kings. I truly think you guys have such a great core but rely too much on almost what you could call stop-gap players.

I really hope Lombardi figures it out and TRULY starts BUILDING from the net out. Not just signing/trading left and right - if that makes sense.

Kopitar and Quick alone are absolutely awesome and a great core - just them two. Add in Carter, Doughty, etc and you have quite the start to something that can TRULY compete for the Cup year after year.

It's more that some kings fans and even DL put too much stock into stop gap players. I sometimes feel that everyone thinks that our entire roster and every single player is a rarity.

 

[damacles1156]

Meh these guys have no answer.

They all at least agree on something.

"We are not playing well enough to win playoff hockey". "Kings players".

At least they know, they can't win playing like this.

 

[TheSentinel]

Day was pretty rough, then i saw this result, and like that, my evening got even worse.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Love this post.

Ha, thanks!

I'm not one of those people who thinks because a guy is a billionaire that millions of dollars means nothing to him. But if the Kings buyout Richards it's not as if Uncle Phil has to write him a $25 million dollar check.

It would be $1.6 million a year until 2026, obviously still a lot of money, but in the big picture with a $70 million cap it's not insane, especially if DL can convince him that the team won't be able to compete if they are burdened by the cap hit.

I also consider it a strike, albeit small, against Dean in the long run.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It's more that some kings fans and even DL put too much stock into stop gap players. I sometimes feel that everyone thinks that our entire roster and every single player is a rarity.

This isn't really at you KK but more using your quote as a springboard--I think that's unfair to a lot of very reasonable posters. It would almost have been dumber of DL to dismantle the team this year than to let it play out. If you're just about any other GM, going to the cup finals, the WCF, and then despite our slump having one of the best regular seasons in Kings history, tinkering heavily with your lineup is a little bit foolhardy. I think you'll find people much more accepting of change discussions this offseason now that DL has given this group of players the chance to replicate their earlier success.

 

[Bandit]

and bravo to the mega-post Bandito!

Mega post Bandit!

Ha, sorry guys. Gt home from the game and had to play catch up.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Ha, sorry guys. Gt home from the game and had to play catch up.

Haha no way man, I was doing the same, no worries.

 

[kingscourt26]

As a Die-Hard Ducks fan, this post is so well thought out and said. It's how I have felt about the Kings. I truly think you guys have such a great core but rely too much on almost what you could call stop-gap players.

I really hope Lombardi figures it out and TRULY starts BUILDING from the net out. Not just signing/trading left and right - if that makes sense.

Kopitar and Quick alone are absolutely awesome and a great core - just them two. Add in Carter, Doughty, etc and you have quite the start to something that can TRULY compete for the Cup year after year.

Lombardi preached patience because he was building a culture. My guess is, he was under the gun and sold off the future for a cup. Schenn and Simmonds was a lot to give up looking back on it.

 

[damacles1156]

Lombardi preached patience because he was building a culture. My guess is, he was under the gun and sold off the future for a cup. Schenn and Simmonds was a lot to give up looking back on it.

I am fine with that, I would rather have a cup then a Maybe.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Ha, sorry guys. Gt home from the game and had to play catch up.

Not a problem, love it! I read it and enjoyed it!

 

[Reclamation Project]

Lombardi preached patience because he was building a culture. My guess is, he was under the gun and sold off the future for a cup. Schenn and Simmonds was a lot to give up looking back on it.

Cup > Potential

Seven damn days a week.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Robyn Regehr's smothering defensive coverage

 

[damacles1156]

ASk Cub fans if they would give up the future for a WS ?

Lombardi gambled and it worked....

If the Kings are trash from here on out, at Least I can say....

"I have seen my team win a Cup in my lifetime".

 

[Winger23]

Brown did not play with Kopitar till 2012.....And had multiple 20G season before hand...

If I am correct he didn't play a single regular shift with Kopitar in his 30 goal season.

Can we not be stupid please guys.

2007-2008, first and last goals that brown scored that season were assisted by none other than Kopitar at even strength. I didn't bother to look at any of the other games, but to say he didn't get any time with Kopitar prior to 2012 is just plain wrong.

Brown was also being given tons of 1st line PP time, which will obviously inflate his totals as well. Brown is no longer going to be on the 1st line PP, I stand by my statement he will not score 20 goals again without playing on a top line to carry his play.

If you don't agree with my opinion it's one thing, but to start calling people out for being stupid is about as solid as the kings postseason so far.