Training Camp/Preseason games Thread 2021

[kilowatt]

Agreed, Roy looked back to form. He was pretty clearly shook up ab it last year.

Losing two of our four NHL-caliber defensemen cannot be understated in terms of the effect it had on the team last season. Some nights, Kurtis MacDermid was on our second pair due to merit. We're going to look back on last season similarly to 2008-11, when we were rolling out guys like Peter Harrold and Davis Drewiske and Denis Gauthier and wondering why we weren't a playoff team.

Danault was a force last night. He was everywhere, and Vegas didn't really have an answer for him. I don't know what teams are going to do with Kopitar and Danault for 35 minutes a night. Add in competent third line with Andersson and Vilardi and we may exceed expectations this season.

It's starting to feel good to be a Kings fan again.

 

[cyclones22]

The best thing about seeing Danault out there is that I knew that line wouldn't get their teeth kicked in by Vegas' top line. Oh and I loved how he gave the ref shit at the face-off dot when he got kicked out. The ref eventually told him to GTFO, but I thought it was funny.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Losing two of our four NHL-caliber defensemen cannot be understated in terms of the effect it had on the team last season. Some nights, Kurtis MacDermid was on our second pair due to merit. We're going to look back on last season similarly to 2008-11, when we were rolling out guys like Peter Harrold and Davis Drewiske and Denis Gauthier and wondering why we weren't a playoff team.

Danault was a force last night. He was everywhere, and Vegas didn't really have an answer for him. I don't know what teams are going to do with Kopitar and Danault for 35 minutes a night. Add in competent third line with Andersson and Vilardi and we may exceed expectations this season.

It's starting to feel good to be a Kings fan again.

You could tell some of those guys had MTL ptsd. There was one play in particular where he picked Stone from behind and he just sighed, like hey, that's MY gig. What a nightmare Danault is.

 

[kilowatt]

signing AA was the only error of the off season....but it's not $1m. It's 2.7m. At least, it's only for this year. Not a bad player, but by adding Danault, Arvidsson and Tkachev, there is no spot for him.

Andreas Athanasiou

Los Angeles Kings / NHL - 21/22
Expiry status: UFA C.H %: 3.31

SEASON	CLAUSE	CAP HIT	MINORS SALARY
2021-2022		$2,700,000	$2,700,000

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I agree. Even if we send down all the prospects, I'm having a hard time figuring out where he plays.

Arvidsson - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Danault - Iafallo
Andersson - Vilardi - Tkachev
Athanasiou - Lizotte - Moore
Lemieux

I don't think Athanasiou is really a fourth line kind of guy, at least not when I think about what our fourth lines have historically been, but who does he realistically bump here? I don't think it's a stretch to say that Tkachev has done enough to make the team, and even if he doesn't, I think I'd play Moore there over Athanasiou. I don't know, that's still the only real head-scratcher to me. I guess Vilardi is technically waivers-exempt, but I just don't see a world in which we send him down, especially after displaying his growth and chemistry with Andersson.

 

[kingsfan]

Guilty



Well said. I am promoting you yet again. You are now Super Ginormous King.

To late, the wife already gave me that title

If AA had Tkachev's hockey IQ, his contract would be $10m and not $1m. I know we're all gushing over Tkachev, but you could see immediately in the way he processes the game. No game-breaking speed and you hope he doesn't get crushed at his size, but he's a slippery player. Last night was a good test in that it was against a heavy opponent.

Edit: Good point^ about the first assist. Watch the highlight replay, he peeks over his should before handling the puck, knowing exactly where Gabe is going to be to spring him on a 2 on 1.

I wish AA's contract was $1 mill. Try $2.7.

 

[cyclones22]

I was remembering last season's contract unfortunately. I wasn't a fan of the re-signing especially given the youth coming up the ranks. I view AA as a counter-attack specialist but even though Blake won't say it, I think the re-signing was hedging his bets in case Tkachev and some youngers proved to not be ready.

 

[Sol]

What's the line ups for tonight?

 

[Pucknut50]

Losing two of our four NHL-caliber defensemen cannot be understated in terms of the effect it had on the team last season. Some nights, Kurtis MacDermid was on our second pair due to merit. We're going to look back on last season similarly to 2008-11, when we were rolling out guys like Peter Harrold and Davis Drewiske and Denis Gauthier and wondering why we weren't a playoff team.

Danault was a force last night. He was everywhere, and Vegas didn't really have an answer for him. I don't know what teams are going to do with Kopitar and Danault for 35 minutes a night. Add in competent third line with Andersson and Vilardi and we may exceed expectations this season.

It's starting to feel good to be a Kings fan again.

"He's here! He's there! He's every F***** where, Danault! Danault!"

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

We need a Lemieux on this team. If it means Lizotte or Grundstrom or Wagner are gone so be it…

Like Grundstrom the other two,meh

 

[tny760]

I haven't been following much as I'm burned out with work and finally had to bow out of rehashed arguments.

heh, right there with you.. i actually had to put a couple threads on my ignore list this offseason because the same exact argument gets really hard to read after the 20th time

i suspect kaliyev will score a lot of goals just like that one, right place right time and it's not by accident. pretty excited about watching this season honestly, a lot to be learned

 

[DoktorJeep]

What's the line ups for tonight?

Breaking news, per the mayor…

https://mayorsmanor.com/2021/10/preseason-rematch-kings-projected-lineup-vs-golden-knights/

LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. VGK on 10/1

Brown – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Kaliyev – Danault / Byfield – Kupari
Moore – Turcotte – Frk
Grundstrom – JAD – Fagemo

Other options: Kempe, Iafallo, Tkachev, Vilardi, Andersson, Wagner, Lemieux, and Lizotte

Anderson – Doughty
Wolanin – Clague
Bjornfot – Roy / Spence

Other options: Maatta, Strand, Edler, and Walker

Petersen (starter)
Villalta

 

[Lt Dan]

Breaking news, per the mayor…

https://mayorsmanor.com/2021/10/preseason-rematch-kings-projected-lineup-vs-golden-knights/

I like those lines considering who played last night, but needs more Tkachev

 

[cyclones22]

I thought they mentioned in the broadcast last night that both Kopitar and Danault were unlikely to be in the same lineup until next week according to TMc. So maybe we see QB centering his Reign teammates tonight.

 

[BigKing]

Thing is, Tkachev is a very good skater with very quick latersl mobility and made several outstanding reads defensively last night. Both of his assists came from plays made along the wall - the first was a major problem for the Kings last year, taking a defensive clearance from the halfwall and putting it right in the stride of Vilardi to not just to get the puck out but to launch a quick strike.

The second came from a traditional dead zone for the Kings, a stationery dead puck along the halfwall on the PP. Tkachev took a quick step to change the passing lane and put a slick pass right into the middle of the slot.

This isn't a slight, perimeter player who hides in the weeds waiting for a chance, he was dictating play in all three zones. Tkachev was easily the most polished forward on the ice, and his style of play should sync with Kopitar more than any other winger on the roster. I hope he gets that opportunity.

I mentioned the short, five foot pass as being an issue with the Kings and that first assist fell under that for me since it was not the usual hope-and-pray clearance off the glass we are used to seeing but a purposeful chip placed in the perfect spot. Extremely confident player which is something the Kings have been lacking as well.

Dude looked like a professional that has played in way bigger games than this because, well, he has. Been putting up solid numbers in a legit league for years now. Helps fill that dead zone of an age gap this team has as well if he turns out to be a player.

 

[johnjm22]

I've enjoyed watching Tkachev, but I've seen lots of players look good in the pre-season before, so I can't get too enthused about it.

I've never been particularly high on Kupari, and that continues to be the case. I thought the Kings should have explored the trade market for him last year when he was near the top of the AHL in scoring.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I like those lines considering who played last night, but needs more Tkachev

f***in Brown right back up on the first line lollll

Moore-Turcotte is going to be annoying as hell for Vegas. Would love some Lemieux or other been in the lineup for the inevitable runs taken against, that D is gonna get run over too

 

[Lt Dan]

f***in Brown right back up on the first line lollll

Moore-Turcotte is going to be annoying as hell for Vegas. Would love some Lemieux or other been in the lineup for the inevitable runs taken against, that D is gonna get run over too

I am interested to see how Spence plays against Vegas tonight

 

[Fishhead]

I've enjoyed watching Tkachev, but I've seen lots of players look good in the pre-season before, so I can't get too enthused about it.

I've never been particularly high on Kupari, and that continues to be the case. I thought the Kings should have explored the trade market for him last year when he was near the top of the AHL in scoring.

It wouldn't surprise me to see him at the top again this year. He's healed up, and with a fraction of a second more time he's going to score a ton of goals. He's got a wicked shot, it's all about if it translates to the NHL where time and space close quickly.

One thing is certain, if guys keep showing improvement like they have been, the team is going to have some great trading chips when the time comes.

 

[kilowatt]

Pretty sure Kupari hit two posts last night, too. I don't think he's a first-line guy, but he probably follows a similarly trajectory as Kempe: if he's on your third line because you have two better options, your team might be pretty good.

With that said, I'd happily package Kupari and Kempe for top LHD.

 

[bmr]

Based on what i've seen so far, you definitely need to have Tkachev in this lineup.

I agree with kilowatt, this should be our lineup as of right now. Tkachev has to be on the PP for us. He is super creative and while not a shoot first guy, definitely adds a dynamic that this lineup didn't have last year.

Arvidsson - Kopitar - Brown
Kempe - Danault - Iafallo
Andersson - Vilardi - Tkachev
Athanasiou - Lizotte - Moore
Lemieux

IMHO, Kempe is too hot and cold to be a guy we can always rely on...but he definitely has top end skill that is undeniable. I'm loving the chemistry of that 3rd line and think they could generate a ton of points because of all the defensive pressure that the top 2 lines will put on other teams. AA is another odd man out to me. I get Blake having him as an insurance policy, but definitely need to give some of the young players looks this year. I think Turcotte will need a full year in the AHL.

Is it okay to start getting excited, guys? I know it has only been a couple of games, but we played a legit game against Vegas last night with some of their better guys.

 

[Steve Zissou]

I've enjoyed watching Tkachev, but I've seen lots of players look good in the pre-season before, so I can't get too enthused about it.

I'm used to nearly every player on The Kings looking like crap in pre-season the past decade... let me have my cake and eat it, too!

...and get off my f***ing lawn!

 

[Steve Zissou]

What an asshole, Dadonov!



Some good news...

 

[All The Kings Men]

"He's here! He's there! He's every F***** where, Danault! Danault!"

Mind if I steal that?

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I'm not sure if the Kings played well last night or if Vegas was coasting. Maybe a little of both but it's encouraging to see a solid effort while missing some of the better players on the team.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

https://lakingsinsider.com/2021/10/...-of-the-season-possible-game-group-and-notes/

“Poise, creativity, a sense of what might happen two or three moves ahead,” McLellan said of Tkachev. “We talk about players, they’re either playing chess or checkers and Tkach is playing chess for sure.”

– McLellan also had positive things to say about forward Vladimir Tkachev, one of yesterday’s top performers, with a pair of assists in the victory.
“Poise, creativity, a sense of what might happen two or three moves ahead,” McLellan said of Tkachev. “We talk about players, they’re either playing chess or checkers and Tkach is playing chess for sure.”
In some ways, Tkachev’s play has been surprising to those on the outside, because of the lack of information known about him externally coming into training camp. For those within the organization, however, McLellan felt that the Kings had a pretty good sense of what he brought to the table.
The question, however, was how could he, just eight days into his time with the Kings, put his abilities into practice and impose his game. Early returns have been promising.
“Sometimes it’s tough for a young player to come from another country, in particular Russia, and be able to apply his game immediately, and we’ve seen that from him for three or four exhibition games, throughout training camp,” McLellan said. “I believe, when the opposition’s colors are different than black, white and silver, he plays even better, so we have to continue to evaluate him in the exhibition season.”