Training Camp/Preseason games Thread 2021

[No Name The Nameless]

Same. I knew better than NHL scouts when I was 12 sounds like someone a dozen beers in.

I knew better at age 10 before I knew about Hockey. I was a young drunk.

 

[Sol]

I would add QB, Danault and RV to last nights roster. Beef it up with trades\UFAs and go from there. Kinda done watching the dinosaur squad.

Same. I'm kinda hard on Kopitar, but I've been sick and tired of seeing by far the softest player on the Kings be given a title that symbolizes leadership. To expect this team gets far when the captain is soft as he makes it really tough to sell that message. I am hoping I won't be alive to see such a soft player hold the C for a Kings ever again

 

[Sol]

Listening to Ahlers call tonight's game, he tries to come across smarter than he is. Using big words doesn't make you smart.

I must partake in your astute assessment of Ahlers. He has a myriad of incomprehensible sentences that my kind yachting friends at Oxford would have a hearty laugh over his abomination. Stupendous.

 

[kingsfan]

Same. I'm kinda hard on Kopitar, but I've been sick and tired of seeing by far the softest player on the Kings be given a title that symbolizes leadership. To expect this team gets far when the captain is soft as he makes it really tough to sell that message. I am hoping I won't be alive to see such a soft player hold the C for a Kings ever again

Don't agree. Leadership isn't about physical play. Let's not forget this same guy was wearing an A when we won two cups. No one would ever say Gretzky was physical, and he played at a time when the game was much more physically inclined and he reached six finals.

I'm not sure exactly how we select the C, but usually player involvement is part of the process to some degree. Kopitar got the C in part because the guys in the locker room wanted him to have it and apparently keep it given we have an organization which had no problem taking the C from Brown. He's a fine captain.

 

[HookKing]

Don't agree. Leadership isn't about physical play. Let's not forget this same guy was wearing an A when we won two cups. No one would ever say Gretzky as physical, and he played at a time whent he game was much more physically inclined and he reached six finals.

I'm not sure exactly how we select the C, but usually player involvement is part of the process to some degree. Kopitar got the C in part because the guys in the locker room wanted him to have it and apparently keep it given we have an organization which had no problem taking the C from Brown. He's a fine captain.

I'm calling this bullshit. Selke winners aren't leaders and are notorious for being the softest players on the ice.

 

[Basilisk]

I must partake in your astute assessment of Ahlers. He has a myriad of incomprehensible sentences that my kind yachting friends at Oxford would have a hearty laugh over his abomination. Stupendous.

What behooved you to pen such vitriolic skrim?

 

[AlphaBravo]

The Captaincy has nothing to do with physical play. It's about overall leadership, bringing it game-in and game-out, and the representative of the team. I don't know about his leadership ability inside the locker, but the players apparently felt he brings that. As for the other qualities, you can see it on the ice. He is always committed to his 200 foot game, and when not scoring, he is helping the team win games by keeping the puck out of the net. He is also a good ambassador for our team, and respected by other players, which is why he typically gets nominated for Lady Byng. I think he will remain the captain until one of the young players is ready to take the role in 5 years or so.

 

[bland]

The Captaincy has nothing to do with physical play. It's about overall leadership, bringing it game-in and game-out, and the representative of the team. I don't know about his leadership ability inside the locker, but the players apparently felt he brings that. As for the other qualities, you can see it on the ice. He is always committed to his 200 foot game, and when not scoring, he is helping the team win games by keeping the puck out of the net. He is also a good ambassador for our team, and respected by other players, which is why he typically gets nominated for Lady Byng. I think he will remain the captain until one of the young players is ready to take the role in 5 years or so.

Yet since his captaincy his team has gone into the toilet with disintetested veterans, young players struggling to be integrated into the lineup, meek responses to aggressive opponents and not one overachiever in the bunch. Those aren't a player's fault, but the lack of response to tough times is very much an indictment of the poor leadership coming from within the group of players.

If we are to assume that the C is anything other than ceremonial, then we have to check the pudding for proof and acknowledge that this team has not benefited one bit from his selection. Terrific, honorable player whose work and attention to detail are second to none, but doesn't inspire others to be better or congeal as a group with a common goal.

 

[Statto]

I'm calling this bullshit. Selke winners aren't leaders and are notorious for being the softest players on the ice.

He’s not soft, he doesn’t throw his body around but he doesn’t shy away from contact either.

 

[Statto]

The Captaincy has nothing to do with physical play. It's about overall leadership, bringing it game-in and game-out, and the representative of the team. I don't know about his leadership ability inside the locker, but the players apparently felt he brings that. As for the other qualities, you can see it on the ice. He is always committed to his 200 foot game, and when not scoring, he is helping the team win games by keeping the puck out of the net. He is also a good ambassador for our team, and respected by other players, which is why he typically gets nominated for Lady Byng. I think he will remain the captain until one of the young players is ready to take the role in 5 years or so.

The problem with the Captaincy was that they stripped it from Brown. I think that was when Sutter lost the room and it’s never been the same since. The guys were never going to go against Kopitar as he’s rightly highly respected but I’m not convinced he’s the correct Captain. The team definitely lost something when Brown lost the job and I think the sooner someone new earns the job, the better. I don’t hold any of it against Kopitar as he was put in a tough spot.

 

[motalar]

I'm calling this bullshit. Selke winners aren't leaders and are notorious for being the softest players on the ice.

I'm calling this bullshit. Go look at the list of past winners. There is not one soft player on it. (okay maybe Kessler)

 

[KingsFan7824]

The problem with the Captaincy was that they stripped it from Brown. I think that was when Sutter lost the room and it’s never been the same since. The guys were never going to go against Kopitar as he’s rightly highly respected but I’m not convinced he’s the correct Captain. The team definitely lost something when Brown lost the job and I think the sooner someone new earns the job, the better. I don’t hold any of it against Kopitar as he was put in a tough spot.

Brown got stripped of the C in June 2016. That was after missing the playoffs and going out quietly to the Sharks in 5. They had already lost whatever they had, but giving Kopitar the C because he was now locked in forever with a giant contract, it wasn't a great choice by DL and Sutter. It didn't have to be done, for sure.

 

[kingsfan]

Yet since his captaincy his team has gone into the toilet with disintetested veterans, young players struggling to be integrated into the lineup, meek responses to aggressive opponents and not one overachiever in the bunch. Those aren't a player's fault, but the lack of response to tough times is very much an indictment of the poor leadership coming from within the group of players.

If we are to assume that the C is anything other than ceremonial, then we have to check the pudding for proof and acknowledge that this team has not benefited one bit from his selection. Terrific, honorable player whose work and attention to detail are second to none, but doesn't inspire others to be better or congeal as a group with a common goal.

Just curious what you think Kopi can do in some of these situation. For example Brown, who everyone is saying is mailing it in now, what do you expect Kopi to do? Get him traded? The guy has been around longer than anyone, Kopi -and any captain for that matter- can only do so much. Same goes for Doughty btw, who has publicly said he hasn't been as invested in recent years. It's on them to pull on their big boy pants and play, not Kopi.

Which young players are you referencing also? Thanks to DL's system gutting in the cup window era, which young players could we have integrated in that were expected to make it but didn't, keeping in mind EVERY team has a few top end prospects that don't pan out. Who exactly was supposed to make it but didn't? Kyle Clague? Valantin Zykov? Not exactly sure fire can't miss types.

Meek responses are the by-product of the line up. Again, did Gretzky go and get in someone's face? No, but McSorley did. Miller did. Who would you like to respond on this squad? Lemieux is about all we got. Since he's been named captain this is the first real time the club has added players in their prime of this caliber. Let's see what the team can do for a season before proclaiming him a scrub of a captain.

 

[Schmooley]

Just curious what you think Kopi can do in some of these situation. For example Brown, who everyone is saying is mailing it in now, what do you expect Kopi to do? Get him traded? The guy has been around longer than anyone, Kopi -and any captain for that matter- can only do so much. Same goes for Doughty btw, who has publicly said he hasn't been as invested in recent years. It's on them to pull on their big boy pants and play, not Kopi.

Im tough on brown but I dont think hes necessarily mailing it in. Hes just not a top line player anymore on both ends of the ice. He has a lot of miles and its understandable but lets get on with the next generation. Love what he brought to the team throughout his career but its time.
My only real complaint with kopitar is he never drives the net. Maybe twice a season and he scores when he does. Maybe with less minutes he will have the energy this season.
Doughty was great last season though the couple seasons before he didnt look as good. He would also benefit from playing less minutes but not sure thats going to happen.

 

[kingsfan]

I don't think Brown has mailed it in either, just throwing in what seems to be the usual complaints

 

[No Name The Nameless]

The problem with the Captaincy was that they stripped it from Brown. I think that was when Sutter lost the room and it’s never been the same since. The guys were never going to go against Kopitar as he’s rightly highly respected but I’m not convinced he’s the correct Captain. The team definitely lost something when Brown lost the job and I think the sooner someone new earns the job, the better. I don’t hold any of it against Kopitar as he was put in a tough spot.

But wasn’t Brown the guy who really was milking it during that period? Brown spent 3 years averaging 27 points. Hits dropped. Penalties drawn dropped. Out of shape. No injuries. Just didn’t take care of himself. He even admitted to prioritizing family. Brown was the face of the Kings demise.

Kopitar has carried this team for years. He’s carried Brown. He’s been the one guy who has not let his foot off the gas consistently.

 

[Maynard]

Kopitar doesn’t have any sand. Even when the games are intense battles, or someone gets injured, you’ll still see him chuckling with other players. Like….he doesn’t even get mad. I don’t expect him to go scorched earth when Byfield gets taken out, but don’t have a laugh with their goalie 5 minutes later. He has no pulse, and while that probably helps him play well, it doesn’t look good when the game gets chippy. He’s ALWAYS a gentleman, even to the enemy.

 

[Statto]

But wasn’t Brown the guy who really was milking it during that period? The things that people blame Kopitar for. Kopitar has carried this team for years. He’s carried Brown. He’s been the one guy who has not let his foot off the gas consistently.

Brown didn’t play well in the build up to losing the Captaincy but that was definitely the Sutter effect. Whether there was a specific problem or a style issue, I don’t know. However as soon as Sutter went his game started to come around.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Brown didn’t play well in the build up to losing the Captaincy but that was definitely the Sutter effect. Whether there was a specific problem or a style issue, I don’t know. However as soon as Sutter went his game started to come around.

The variable changes were minimal between Sutter and post Sutter. Brown had the same opportunities to succeed. He was put in the same situations. The only constant was Brown. A guy like him HAS to take care of himself. I can't blame him for prioritizing him family. He was a 2 time winner with a thank you contract in his pocket and a handful of kids running around in a crazy era of their lives.
We can love him, appreciate him and even idolize him but that doesn't mean that that 3 year period wasn't Brown and Brown alone.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

guys, it's just the pre-season, it doesn't mean that because your team is losing games 8-5, 7-4, 6-4, 7-5 etc. that the Kings won't be able to trap and be more responsible in their D zone

once the season starts you'll notice the scoring will start to drop

it's the pre-season afterall! Not all rosters are opening night rosters, and players aren't going to all give their 110%, so it's normal that scoring is this high..........................................

 

[bland]

Just curious what you think Kopi can do in some of these situation. For example Brown, who everyone is saying is mailing it in now, what do you expect Kopi to do? Get him traded? The guy has been around longer than anyone, Kopi -and any captain for that matter- can only do so much. Same goes for Doughty btw, who has publicly said he hasn't been as invested in recent years. It's on them to pull on their big boy pants and play, not Kopi.

Which young players are you referencing also? Thanks to DL's system gutting in the cup window era, which young players could we have integrated in that were expected to make it but didn't, keeping in mind EVERY team has a few top end prospects that don't pan out. Who exactly was supposed to make it but didn't? Kyle Clague? Valantin Zykov? Not exactly sure fire can't miss types.

Meek responses are the by-product of the line up. Again, did Gretzky go and get in someone's face? No, but McSorley did. Miller did. Who would you like to respond on this squad? Lemieux is about all we got. Since he's been named captain this is the first real time the club has added players in their prime of this caliber. Let's see what the team can do for a season before proclaiming him a scrub of a captain.

So you haven't paid attention to anything that has happened here over the past five years, huh?

This is obvious stuff and there is no need to rehash it.

 

[kingsfan]

So you haven't paid attention to anything that has happened here over the past five years, huh?

This is obvious stuff and there is no need to rehash it.

Yep. You got me. I haven't watched a game or read a thing in five years. Buy this man a grey suit and call him Matlock.

You couldn't scout atom hockey with your acumen.

 

[HookKing]

I'm calling this bullshit. Go look at the list of past winners. There is not one soft player on it. (okay maybe Kessler)

He’s not soft, he doesn’t throw his body around but he doesn’t shy away from contact either.

Damn, I keep forgetting that sarcasm button.

 

[BigKing]

I'm the guy that used to make a Kings fight tape each season and mail it to other degenerates in NHL cities for their respective team's season fight tape. I have two MacDermid jerseys which is probably more than anyone besides Kurtis MacDermid himself.

So I love the fighting and constantly bemoan the lack of balls on this team. That said, I don't have a problem with a "lack of response" to Byfield getting hurt. It wasn't a dirty play: it wasn't much of anything.

Matt Roy? Bjornfot? Oh yeah...the lack of response on those plays was pathetic: especially the latter against a "rival" in a game that was out-of-hand.

Regardless, this team isn't going anywhere until it is the team that elicits a response from the opposition. They need to actually start taking the action to other teams as opposed to merely hoping to get through a game with a couple of power play goals while not having to throw a hit.

Don't understand how you could coach this team for as long as T-Mac has now and not lose your f***ing mind over how soft the team is.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Brown didn’t play well in the build up to losing the Captaincy but that was definitely the Sutter effect. Whether there was a specific problem or a style issue, I don’t know. However as soon as Sutter went his game started to come around.

Brown's knee injury was the bigger culprit I think. He didn't fully recover from that for a couple seasons and then Brown had to reevaluate his fitness and game in additional seasons, his words. There was a great interview where he said he started watching the young players more closely and trying to figure out how they play because what he knew wasn't working anymore.