Kings Article: SB Nation & JFTC's Season Previews

[bob77]

Well, ignoring that a lot of the cup-winning d-men are gone, it's sort of an oxymoron touting that Forbort/Gravel should get roster spots because they had stellar AHL playoff runs but that the guys who won the Stanley Cup and have had stellar NHL playoff runs shouldn't be guaranteed them. I get what you're saying, and I think some fresh blood and hunger is fantastic, but let's not pretend those guys aren't going to get playing time; hell, we aren't even fully healthy going IN to the season, never mind coming out of it, so they're going to get some NHL experience but bigger AHL minutes, which isn't going to hurt them, and will be here as soon as someone is hurt or struggling. Also, while what those guys did in the A was great, neither of them impressed me here enough to say "yeah, wow, I wish Forbort was on our third pairing right now" (but it is an admittedly horribly small and weird sample size being the preseason, I too want to see them in regular season action for a gauge).

Truth is, most of the guys beyond 8/6/27/3/44 are roughly interchangeable to some degree. Waivers, experience, role, and hell, handedness will all play a part.

I love Forbort and Gravel but like Mersch et. al. they have to outplay someone to get here. They've certainly 'paid their dues' but they also have to earn it with demonstrated ability. HF potential doesn't buy you a Kings' roster spot.

I get what you're saying. And I'll be the first to say that preaseaon is meaningless, but it is a business, and there are several players IMO that are being automatically penciled in because they were on Cup teams!! The truth is that so many of these players are not at all the real reason why the cup was one!!! I'm sorry to those that have favorites!!!

 

[Sheng Peng]

I agree on McNabb, flip-flopped them based on what we know about their abilities on paper vs. their potential. I think he's the biggest key to the defense this year.

I agree! Very excited to see where he's at when the season starts.

My biggest fear is the 3 on 3 OT format.

You know, I'm not too concerned. That 3-15 OT/SO record last season—worst ever since the introduction of the SO—is an anomaly. And sure, 3-on-3 is a different animal, but there's plenty of speed & skill between 11-12-77-73-70-8-44.

Both of these guys played exceptionally last year, and Forbort was called on to switch out as his partner Ebert, Raine, and Gravel all season long.

As well as Forbort and Gravel played last year, they were Manchester's third-pairing, which doesn't exactly scream "Put them in the NHL." Granted, the Monarchs were very deep, but neither has done enough this preseason (or last season) to dislodge Schultz or McBain, much less Greene.

 

[417th]

Solid articles.

I see our D being better than most in the league and our depth is actually great on the blue line.

McNabb is developing into a solid #3Dman and should be there by the end of the year. He is a 4/5 guy today.
With DD and JM as our top 2 (and I think best top 2 in the game) and Ehrhoff/McNabb Martinez I think our 2nd pairing is as good as anyone other 2nd pairing around the game. However it shakes out our 3rd pairing is exceptionally solid as well. One of McNabb/Martinez pairing with either Greene McBain Forbort or Gravel we have a pretty solid SAHD pairing with depth in case of injury.

Our D is exceptional and deep.

I also love our 3rd and fourth lines and their depth too.

Up the middle we have Weal Shore Lewis Andy Andy Nolan who could all play center if needed with Shore and Lewis the likely guys to start the season holding those spots. With King Clifford Brown Weal Nolan Andy etc we are pretty well set up and our depth with Mersch Dowd and Oneil we have some excellent call up depth as well.

The only real question marks to me are in our top 6. We absolutely have 6 great and proven scoring threats in our top 6 but I think it will all be about drive and desire with them. Carter has lost his best friend in Richards and while it shouldn't make it difference it isn't impossible that it could have some effect on him.

Kopitar simply has to start shooting the puck more and can't afford another cooling off period this year. Still one of the best in the game and even when he doesn't play up to his true potential he is a great player but he needs this to be a big season to justify the big contract that will be coming his way. He is normally cool under pressure but when it comes to contract crap anything can happen.

Lucic has to stop gripping his stick so tightly and quit worrying about fitting in so he can just get back to playing his typically solid heavy hockey. If he does then he will be a true difference maker for us. If not then we could be in for a bit of a tough go of things while he figures it out. I think he will be fine and have a great season for us but I am still holding my breath a bit.

Gabby stays healthy and he is right on the money a great sniper all around player. Gabby stays healthy.

Pearson was on pace to score the most goals among rookies when he went down (he had 11 goals) so I think he just needs to play his game and he will be fine. Of course that is all going to depend on Carter or at least somewhat so.

TT should be fine but our 2nd line has to find that magic again.

I also think that coach needs to set his lines early in the season and leave them alone for awhile. Let them gel. Then do his stinker tinkering but I believe that if he let the guys build chemistry for a few weeks and then made his changes that we would see some solid progression on our O numbers.

Still, all in all I think our team is set and loaded for bear. I like our cup chances today as much as I did before the 12 season.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

McNabb is the keymaster to our D

 

[Sheng Peng]

We added a few more articles to our Season Preview coverage:

What Darryl Sutter Doesn't Get About Christian Ehrhoff

Marian Gaborik Might Be The Kings' X Factor This Season

Ten Games to Watch on the Kings' 2015-16 Schedule

JFTC's 2nd Annual Pacific Predictions Roundtable!

Season Preview: Bad Jokes About Good Players

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Glad I'm not the only one who recognizes that in Ehrhoff!

Even Pens fans who should have been down on him last year weren't--they pointed out he was being used as the shut-down guy on that pairing as opposed to an offensive or TWD--and was good in that role despite injury. Unless he falls off a cliff, once he gets acclimated, it could pay off big time, like Willie Mitchell (not comparing abilities, simply situations).