Proposal: Should Drew be our Captain?

[King'sPawn]

Yeah I just thought your statement was pretty coy that's why I pointed it out. Offense does start from defense, but Brown being our top goal scorer clearly paints a picture as well

I wasn't trying to be coy. Just outlining that Doughty was saying changes need to be made, won't outright have a solution, not want to deal with changes on defense, and then suggests they talk to his boss's boss for insight.

 

[Mats26]

If he makes a move because Drew said so then Blake really should be fired. The plan needs to be followed and definitely not changed because a player, any player, says it should. That’s part of the problem in Buffalo, making changes to keep Eichel happy (one of the reasons I didn’t want him even before the injury - some Sabres fans joke he’s Captain, Coach, GM and now team Dr). If they want to change the plan because they decide it needs changing then fine, but just to keep a player or players happy is really dumb.

It's pretty clear we need new Vet players to support the prospects. How do you trade Muzzin, Martinez, Carter, Clifford, Lewis, Toffoli etc and not bring in one decent Vet player to offset those losses. WTF we are heading for Sabres territory once Doughty and Kopitar tail off. Regardless of what Doughty says, the GM needs to do his job.

 

[Sol]

I wasn't trying to be coy. Just outlining that Doughty was saying changes need to be made, won't outright have a solution, not want to deal with changes on defense, and then suggests they talk to his boss's boss for insight.

Well I don't think he's going to speak for Blake, but he said enough that it should get someone's attention. Saying the team is potentially heading in a bad direction if they don't bring in vets is pretty telling as it is.

 

[KINGS17]

/QUOTE]

 

[Little Psycho]

Well I don't think he's going to speak for Blake, but he said enough that it should get someone's attention. Saying the team is potentially heading in a bad direction if they don't bring in vets is pretty telling as it is.

He got his point across. He's not going to get into the details, the players know where the issues lie and you bet the vets are going to voice out their concerns when they sit down with management. Also, what kind of leader will he be if he singles them out? The dcore is young and looks up to him.

 

[King'sPawn]

Well I don't think he's going to speak for Blake, but he said enough that it should get someone's attention. Saying the team is potentially heading in a bad direction if they don't bring in vets is pretty telling as it is.

The problem is Doughty and the d-corps are part of the problem offensively, just like Kopitar and the offensive corps are part of the problem defensively.

I like personality, but the same people blowing Doughty would be roasting Kopitar if he said the exact same stuff.

Actually, check that. People did. Lombardi, fans, etc were upset at Kopitar and Brown mentioning getting help on the wing years ago.

Doughty wants to compete, I get it. How about he keeps helping the young players play better and identify weaknesses on the blueline, which most definitely exist?

 

[Legionnaire]

If Drew was named captain, the same people who are complaining about the captaincy now, will be complaining about the captaincy a year from now with Drew wearing the C.

Just like they were complaining about Brown when he was captain.

Really the captaincy doesn't matter a whole lot. It's just something for the fans and media to hype up.

Teams win because they have better players and coaches. Put Mark Messier on the Sabres and they still suck ass.

Nah. Brownie and Kopi are both mild mannered ala Sakic. Doughty is passionate and in your face ala Messier.

I'd prefer passionate.

 

[Herby]

Drew: "MAKE CHANGES!"
Q: "So you want a new partner?"
Drew: "No."
Q: "New defense corps?"
Drew: "No."
Q: "So what changes?"
Drew: "Ask Blakey."

No wonder the people in this thread have a boner for Drew to be captain. He shares the same insight they do. "Make changes, but I don't know what changes. Clearly MY department on defense is good, although we just got turfed 11-1 the past 2 games"

Are we sure he doesn't post on HF?

He's not going to go into detail because he doesn't want to anger anyone individually. What's he supposed to say, he doesn't like to play with Anderson? Then if he doesn't call out Anderson but then calls out the rest of the D by answering the next question with a yes? I think everyone knows the Kings need a #2 d-man to anchor the 2nd pairing but the team has finished 26th, 30th and 30th in goals-for the last three seasons, it's painfully obvious where the issues with this team are, the same place they have been for Drew's entire time with the Kings.

 

[KopitarFAN]

The LHD they likely get doesn't have to play with Dewey, he could drive the offense on the 2nd pair playing ~20 minutes with Roy.

 

[King'sPawn]

He's not going to go into detail because he doesn't want to anger anyone individually. What's he supposed to say, he doesn't like to play with Anderson? Then if he doesn't call out Anderson but then calls out the rest of the D by answering the next question with a yes? I think everyone knows the Kings need a #2 d-man to anchor the 2nd pairing but the team has finished 26th, 30th and 30th in goals-for the last three seasons, it's painfully obvious where the issues with this team are, the same place they have been for Drew's entire time with the Kings.

And as I mentioned above:
- Doughty essentially said the forwards are the problem. You do realize he plays with the forwards, too?
- The blueline is contributory to the poor offense. They can't break out. They can't get shots through traffic. They aren't contributingbto the forecheck.

Both the forwards and defense need to improve.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

All I took from what Doughty said was he realizes we have a shitload of cap space and shitload of assets and now is the time to weaponize it.

AKA what like 75% of posters here are saying, he's just typically indelicate about it.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

And he discovered capfriendly finally. He could have used that a few years ago when he was signing for 11 mill.

 

[Sol]

The problem is Doughty and the d-corps are part of the problem offensively, just like Kopitar and the offensive corps are part of the problem defensively.

I like personality, but the same people blowing Doughty would be roasting Kopitar if he said the exact same stuff.

Actually, check that. People did. Lombardi, fans, etc were upset at Kopitar and Brown mentioning getting help on the wing years ago.

Doughty wants to compete, I get it. How about he keeps helping the young players play better and identify weaknesses on the blueline, which most definitely exist?

You're using this as a reason to prop up Kopitar even though you seem to agree with Doughty said. You're comparing different times to the present when the team was in a completely different place as to now.

Can the defense be better? Yes. Does that change the fact that our offense looks lifeless every time they have the puck? No. Kings need Eichel first or Dahlin second. Both areas of the team help. However I have more faith in the defense getting better than the offense.

 

[HookKing]

It's pretty clear we need new Vet players to support the prospects. How do you trade Muzzin, Martinez, Carter, Clifford, Lewis, Toffoli etc and not bring in one decent Vet player to offset those losses. WTF we are heading for Sabres territory once Doughty and Kopitar tail off. Regardless of what Doughty says, the GM needs to do his job.

Wut? The entire board was literally ing over themselves with the move for Maata. Well, maybe one poster didn't, but that was just one guy.

 

[King'sPawn]

You're using this as a reason to prop up Kopitar even though you seem to agree with Doughty said. You're comparing different times to the present when the team was in a completely different place as to now.

Nope. Just pointing out the hypocricy.

Can the defense be better? Yes. Does that change the fact that our offense looks lifeless every time they have the puck? No. Kings need Eichel first or Dahlin second. Both areas of the team help. However I have more faith in the defense getting better than the offense.

Eichel or Dahlin would have done shit for the team. They couldn't save the Sabres.

So expending assets to pull them from a lousy situation to a slightly less lousy situation is short-sighted.

 

[Sol]

Nope. Just pointing out the hypocricy.



Eichel or Dahlin would have done shit for the team. They couldn't save the Sabres.

So expending assets to pull them from a lousy situation to a slightly less lousy situation is short-sighted.

Yeah, I don't think there's really a comparison considering vastly different circumstances but an axe to grind is just that.

Expending assets that aren't going to be much of an impact to the team most likely are fine by me. A first this year, along side Turcotte, and something else are not on a tier close to Eichel and Dahlin. Sabres are a disastrous organization from top to bottom. I have no doubt if they leave that organization they will play much better. I think it's extremely shortsighted to bring in a bunch of young kids and an old core expecting it to be harmonious. Find me another player on Eichels tier that's available at his age. If players like Doughty think vets need to be added then I think we shouldn't be ignorant of it. A 24 year old super star would be good for 18 year olds.

 

[tomd]

It's pretty clear we need new Vet players to support the prospects. How do you trade Muzzin, Martinez, Carter, Clifford, Lewis, Toffoli etc and not bring in one decent Vet player to offset those losses. WTF we are heading for Sabres territory once Doughty and Kopitar tail off. Regardless of what Doughty says, the GM needs to do his job.

Right on!

 

[kingsfan28]

All I took from what Doughty said was he realizes we have a shitload of cap space and shitload of assets and now is the time to weaponize it.

AKA what like 75% of posters here are saying, he's just typically indelicate about it.

Exactly! We have a ton of both, time to use them while we have some elite players around to benefit. You got to love his brutal honesty.

 

[Sausages]

They've been trying to suck the poison out of the failing organism that is the "core" for a while now. It's still there, I believe, in the form of Drew Doughty. He just separated himself from the youth of this team by saying this, "There's no point just waiting for these prospects to develop when you've got guys in their prime".

Just f***ing awful.

 

[tny760]

Yeah, I don't think there's really a comparison considering vastly different circumstances but an axe to grind is just that.

Expending assets that aren't going to be much of an impact to the team most likely are fine by me. A first this year, along side Turcotte, and something else are not on a tier close to Eichel and Dahlin. Sabres are a disastrous organization from top to bottom. I have no doubt if they leave that organization they will play much better. I think it's extremely shortsighted to bring in a bunch of young kids and an old core expecting it to be harmonious. Find me another player on Eichels tier that's available at his age. If players like Doughty think vets need to be added then I think we shouldn't be ignorant of it. A 24 year old super star would be good for 18 year olds.

i still find myself double checking that every time i read it.. crazy. kid's a stud, feels like he's been around for 10.

 

[Albi]

Well I don't think he's going to speak for Blake, but he said enough that it should get someone's attention. Saying the team is potentially heading in a bad direction if they don't bring in vets is pretty telling as it is.

And he’s right

 

[BigBrown]

Drew is always first to pat himself on the back for the "improvements" he's made. In his eyes he never has a bad season, should be up for a Norris every year and a given on Team Canada's blueline. I mean I love the guy's swagger but him as the captain would be terrible.

 

[Sparky206]

Unfortunately for Drew he had a team full of guys in their prime in 17-18 but for whatever reason they all decided to not turn up for the year. Theres no way that team was 30th in the league based on talent, but when they spend to the cap and the guys there don't want to put in then your going to go through a rebuild Drew. The time to worry about your prime was then, The next prime the GM is aiming for isnt yours its the kids.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Jah bless Drew Doughty and his lack of verbal filter. I think he was still wearing the emotions from getting embarrassed by Colorado in the preceding 48 hours. He had an interesting season. He took it upon himself to be more in control of behavior with the refs when call’s didn’t go his way. And he played with more urgency on the offensive side while also busting his ass on defense when the games were close. And since he has the fifth highest cap hit in the league, his production was okay at 17th in scoring by defenseman, just 1 point in front of AMart. But still better than Erik Karlson, so there’s that.

He said the obvious out loud stating there is no point in waiting for prospects to develop while you have two of the best players in the league at their positions. It’s also the reason he won’t be captain. It’s always a bad look when the highest paid player on one of the worst teams in the league demands that management spends more money in the offseason.

The one word answer of “No” when asked about being happy if big moves aren’t made before next training camp doesn’t leave much wiggle room. Blake’s foremost media apologist, the Mayor, was saying as of a few weeks ago that he wouldn’t be disappointed if no big move was made in the offseason. He said that next years trade deadline was the timeline he thinks Blake has to make his biggest trade to date. It’s clear that Doughty has no patience for that approach.

Real dilemma for Blake here. His only personal legacy to date as a GM is being tops in the league at kicking the can down the road when it comes to pressure situations. He is an expert at waiting for things to happen before making his own moves. It took years before he actually conducted a coaching search and he ends up landing Coach Todd as his prize catch and pays him like he has the track record of Quenville or Babcock.

Now Doughty has thrown down the gauntlet and set expectations among the fan base for next season’s opening roster. This is shaping up to be a very scrutinized couple of months for BLuc. Every move made by another team that turns out well could be used to point fingers back at management. The Kings have every resource available, so a good chunk of fans won’t have time for excuses about trades being hard to make or UFAs not wanting to come to LA for personal or team reasons.

I think Blake makes his Roenick move this summer. My prediction is he sends this years first and Vilardi to Calgary for Johnny Hockey. Whatever happens, I guarantee Drew’s mood picks up this summer when he gets his $4M lump sum salary bonus.

 

[Mats26]

Didn't Bernstein ask Blake what he is going to do with the free cap space this off season. Blake's answer "Try to make the team better". So if he doesn't should we not all be disappointed? Yet we throw Drew under the bus for being honest.