Call it pessimistic but there's some amazing discussions and ideas by some posters here. Good stuff to read here.
Round 1 Game 3 Sharks @ Kings: Kings Lose 4-3; Sharks Lead series 3-0
- Thread starter Reclamation Project
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bmr
Registered User
- Jan 23, 2013
- 1,888
- 1,717
RP - Stranger things have happened..however, this team as currently constructed just doesn't seem to have it this year. The good thing is that Lombardi and CO. should be able to retool pretty quickly. It all starts with defense. I think we need to sign a bigger name guy in the offseason, dump Greene/Mitchell/Regehr. I think i've heard a few of you mention you'd keep Regehr over Mitchell. Don't like that at all. Regehr hasn't added anything to this team. If we can resign Mitchell for a year, do that..and then get McNabb up here and another free agent signing. Hell, we have other guys in Manchester we can try.
Next season guys like Vey/Pearson/Weal really need to get their chance. Hopefully Richards/Brown have bounceback seasons or we can figure out a trade.
Herby
How could Blake have known?
The problem is there really isn't a guy in UFA that is going to solve the Kings issues, and the Kings are up against the cap if no changes are made and with the weak pool of UFA defenders the few decent ones are going to get paid huge.
Reclamation Project
Cut It All Right In Two
- Jul 6, 2011
- 34,135
- 3,783
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
Agreed, even if they win Thursday, do we honestly expect this team to pull off a win in San Jose? Unlikely.
On the plus side, the Kings have a solid core in place and don't have to make heaping changes.
The Kings just need to have better support for the top guys on the roster. Take the Ducks and Sharks for example.
The Ducks had a big help with production from the likes of Nick Bonino (49 points), Mathieu Perreault (43 points), Andrew Cogliano (42 points), Kyle Palmieri (31 points), Daniel Winnik (30 points), Patrick Maroon (29 points), Matt Beleskey (24 points). That's a lot of scoring support to go along with Getzlaf and Perry's 169 combined points. And that's not even mentioning the production from Selanne, Koivu and Silfverberg.
The Sharks depth is also insane. They had four 20+ goal scorers, Pavelski with 41, Marleau with 33, Couture with 23 and Burns with 22. They had three players with 70+ points, and got production from newcomers in Hertl and Nieto. Then there are the support guys like Wingels, Havlat, Sheppard, Torres, Brown, Desjardins, etc. who are making their presence felt on and off the score sheet.
The Kings aren't getting that type of support. Sure, Lewis and Stoll have turned it on, but what are Nolan, King, Clifford, Brown, Williams, Richards doing out there? Absolutely nothing.
Pretty much this, there are only a few that might help us, but the kings either need to improve through trade and prospects. I think the kings defense will improve if they give some rookies a shot. They can't be any worse than mitchell, rr, greene.
Herby
How could Blake have known?
What rookies? Mitchell and RR played a ton of minutes this year. Especially on the PK. A lot to ask of any of the Manchester guys to do.
The Kings have a bunch of future third pairing defenders, that is what I was saying when I said all the flopped first round picks are starting to come home to roost. If even one of those three first rounders developed into a second pair defenseman the Kings are in pretty good shape on the back end. The Teubert pick in particular continues to haunt the Kings, six years later. Because that was such a loaded defensive draft and so many guys taken around him would be either great second pair defenseman or ideal partners for Drew.
Reclamation Project
Cut It All Right In Two
- Jul 6, 2011
- 34,135
- 3,783
We had one guy with 70 points (exactly) and only two players with 50 or more. And only 2 players with 20+ goals. Shocking.
Pearson, 1st, +.
Buddy The Elf
Kings!
That's not really a problem since most of us have complained about Lombardi's UFA signings. Most of the good players DL has acquired have come through trade or drafting. Lets assume UFA pool was stacked and the Kings had no cap issues, would you really have faith the DL would "get the guy"?
As far as forwards go, I think most people have been clammoring for Pearson/Vey/Toffoli to get more minutes. I'd expect at least 2 rosters spots to be held for those guys. One of those three should be able to round out the wing spots on the top two lines. That also makes sense from a cap perspective.
I NEVER expect the Kings to make good moves at UFA and I'm actually happy there isn't anyone for DL to chase and a bunch of posters to get worked up about.
Bodnarchuk, McNabb, Gravel. Hell even if they get rushed in, they most likely will do fine.I'm sure if any of these guys are given a shot they'd do good.even two of them.
I really think we need to add speed and mobility to the backend, especially to be partnered with Doughty. Speed and transition is what has killed our defense. Some teams will be in cap trouble next year if the cap is only raised to $68 million. There are really not many LHD that are UFA's that would be enticing or want to commit a long term contract to. The only ones I see that would be interesting would be Timomen (one year bridge), Orpik, and Nikitin.
The only way we are going to get someone is through trade. Our trade chips should be picks, prospects, Stoll, Williams, Clifford, Martinez (value is at its highest), and depending on the return Richards or Brown.
I think our targets should be:
Giordano (probably won't happen after his Norris-like year)
Josi (similar contract to Voynov, but will be a hefty price)
Ehrhoff
Hjalmarsson (decent contract, Chicago will be in cap trouble)
Sekera
Edler (might just need a change of scenery and out of Torts doghouse)
Alzner (if you can pry that guy away from Wash)
IF you can get one of those guys for a good price and fix up the bottom 6 with some speed and skill, you have a new team that is balanced and can compete with the top of the West.
The only way we are going to get someone is through trade. Our trade chips should be picks, prospects, Stoll, Williams, Clifford, Martinez (value is at its highest), and depending on the return Richards or Brown.
I think our targets should be:
Giordano (probably won't happen after his Norris-like year)
Josi (similar contract to Voynov, but will be a hefty price)
Ehrhoff
Hjalmarsson (decent contract, Chicago will be in cap trouble)
Sekera
Edler (might just need a change of scenery and out of Torts doghouse)
Alzner (if you can pry that guy away from Wash)
IF you can get one of those guys for a good price and fix up the bottom 6 with some speed and skill, you have a new team that is balanced and can compete with the top of the West.
Moses Doughty
Registered User
- Aug 19, 2008
- 9,129
- 689
Is it over? Maybe, I'm too much of an optimist to say it is though. But offseason plans-whatever I'll board that train too
. I also think a major issue is the fatigue. Teams just don't consistently go deep and these roadblocks happen. In the last 3 seasons we had a Cup run where we were playing playoff, do or die hockey for the last 20-25 games of the regular season. Then a compressed lockout with Quick coming off surgery, and yet another deep run where injuries picked up. And another compressed season with many player in the Olympics. It builds up with little time off.
Forwards under contract entering offseason-Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Williams, Brown, Toffoli, Pearson, Stoll, Lewis, Clifford, Nolan.
Free Agents-King, Gaborik
King-He'll come cheap and at times was our best forward this past season. Could he be faster? Yes that would be nice. But he's a good PK guy and bottom 6 forward still. Resign 2 years
Gaborik-He still has the speed and hands and him and Kopi have great chemistry and he's a guy we've long needed. I think we can pay him enough to stay. Resign.
Defensemen under contract-Doughty, Voynov, Regehr, Muzzin, Martinez
Free Agents-Mitchell, Greene
Mitchell-Getting older but can still be reliable. I prefer him to Regehr but we shouldn't keep both. Sign him and trade Regehr or let him go
Greene-He was a warrior when healthy but just doesn't have it anymore. Let Go
Goalies-Quick, Jones. We're fine here
Moves-For the betterment of this franchise and for cap space one of Stoll, Richards, Brown, and Williams will go. I think he'll let Richards and Brown get another chance, and I think Williams is less expendable than Stoll. I used to dislike Stoll but have grown to appreciate him and he had a HUGE game last night except for the penalty. And I think his faceoffs can be replaced by what we have.
Clifford should also be dealt. It's time to bring some guys up and he's not what we thought he could be. Not a guy that will be sorely missed.
Williams-ONLY if we can find a solid replacement. I just don't see anyone being attainable that we can afford or trade for. I think Richards, Brown, and Williams can rebound today and our offense will be fine if they will.
Call Ups-McNabb, Andreoff. I think we'll trade Vey and guys like Shore, Weal, and Sabourin won't make the roster. Leaving us with...
Gaborik-Kopitar-Williams
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
King-Richards-Brown
Nolan-Andreoff-Lewis
XXX, XXX
XXX-Doughty
Voynov-McNabb
Regehr/Mitchell-Martinez
Muzzin
So LA should go for a top flight Dman to pair with Doughty. Ehrhoff is still my favorite target. Look at trading Vey and some top prospects. I don't think we need to trade Pearson or Toffoli to get him either. Didn't check cap so who knows
. I also think a major issue is the fatigue. Teams just don't consistently go deep and these roadblocks happen. In the last 3 seasons we had a Cup run where we were playing playoff, do or die hockey for the last 20-25 games of the regular season. Then a compressed lockout with Quick coming off surgery, and yet another deep run where injuries picked up. And another compressed season with many player in the Olympics. It builds up with little time off.Forwards under contract entering offseason-Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Williams, Brown, Toffoli, Pearson, Stoll, Lewis, Clifford, Nolan.
Free Agents-King, Gaborik
King-He'll come cheap and at times was our best forward this past season. Could he be faster? Yes that would be nice. But he's a good PK guy and bottom 6 forward still. Resign 2 years
Gaborik-He still has the speed and hands and him and Kopi have great chemistry and he's a guy we've long needed. I think we can pay him enough to stay. Resign.
Defensemen under contract-Doughty, Voynov, Regehr, Muzzin, Martinez
Free Agents-Mitchell, Greene
Mitchell-Getting older but can still be reliable. I prefer him to Regehr but we shouldn't keep both. Sign him and trade Regehr or let him go
Greene-He was a warrior when healthy but just doesn't have it anymore. Let Go
Goalies-Quick, Jones. We're fine here
Moves-For the betterment of this franchise and for cap space one of Stoll, Richards, Brown, and Williams will go. I think he'll let Richards and Brown get another chance, and I think Williams is less expendable than Stoll. I used to dislike Stoll but have grown to appreciate him and he had a HUGE game last night except for the penalty. And I think his faceoffs can be replaced by what we have.
Clifford should also be dealt. It's time to bring some guys up and he's not what we thought he could be. Not a guy that will be sorely missed.
Williams-ONLY if we can find a solid replacement. I just don't see anyone being attainable that we can afford or trade for. I think Richards, Brown, and Williams can rebound today and our offense will be fine if they will.
Call Ups-McNabb, Andreoff. I think we'll trade Vey and guys like Shore, Weal, and Sabourin won't make the roster. Leaving us with...
Gaborik-Kopitar-Williams
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
King-Richards-Brown
Nolan-Andreoff-Lewis
XXX, XXX
XXX-Doughty
Voynov-McNabb
Regehr/Mitchell-Martinez
Muzzin
So LA should go for a top flight Dman to pair with Doughty. Ehrhoff is still my favorite target. Look at trading Vey and some top prospects. I don't think we need to trade Pearson or Toffoli to get him either. Didn't check cap so who knows
Our core is definitely pretty solid. Maybe a blessing in disguise if we get swept then we'll know what we really need to contend for years to come. One Stanely Cup is not enough for me and I want one sooner then later. As long as we continue to develop and draft well which is easier said then done, we should be okay. What I don't want happening is disappearing into obscurity and go into the tank like what happened after the '93 cup finals. I'm sure we all know what it felt like after aaaaaall those years of hell.
saintsnsoldiers
GO KINGS GO
No matter how this series turns out, we are and will always be STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS! San Jose can not say that....Yes I want to win again but we need to retool our D. Drew Doughty needs to wear the C, he will thrive with it. Hes vocal he's cocky and he can back it up. One of Brown and Richards needs to go, return would be good in helping with fixing the D.
Everlast22
NICE STICK
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
This team used to play like they had a chip on their shoulder and wouldn't allow others to push them around. I don't see that attitude on the ice anymore.
BigKing
Blake Out of Hell III: Back in to Hell
Been saying it for awhile but yes, this is a huge summer for the Kings. Dean hasn't had to do much in the off-season since 2012 except re-sign current players. It is going to be very interesting to see how this plays out.
In regards to your projected defense, McNabb is going to figure in and hopefully not be just a #7. I'd hate to lose Fasching for a guy who is going to sit in the press box.
saintsnsoldiers
GO KINGS GO
Agree this happened to much this year. I am still for getting them on the score board but come on, time to show some Moxy and nutt up and give some back. Cant believe Quick got rolled twice by the same player in the first 2 games of this series and no one punched Brown (their Brown) in the face, almost seems like Stanley Cup Hang Over for the past 2 years. Miss the swagger!
saintsnsoldiers
GO KINGS GO
Disagree, think he has the shoulders to carry the burden. Hes a player that plays better with the more responsibility you give him, player respect him and his skills. Born leader time to give him the C. This would be a good thread to start, Doughty should wear the C.
Everlast22
NICE STICK
I feel like we should be talking about this AFTER we know LA has been knocked out... They haven't yet.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Would be lovely, but Caps aren't giving up their #1 d-man, and trading Alzner would be like trading Voynov--do-able but need a replacement.
