VAN 3 - LAK 0 "It's only two, err three games"

[Fat Elvis]

Pretty unwatchable team. Not sure what level of effort they're playing with. Great way to play in front of your home crowd. Brutal
Could swear I was watching a top line tonight of;

Craig Johnson-Jozef Stumpel-Sandy Moger
Pretty much the same output and outcome.

Guess the team is going thru withdrawals......

 

[KingsFan7824]

Yep, there is absolutely nothing threatening about the Kings. The Kings players seem perfectly happy staying on the perimeter and trying to bomb shots through a sea of bodies that would end-up going wide anyways. Nobody wants to pay what it costs to go to the scoring areas. This looks like a team full of guys who are satisfied with what they have accomplished in the past and simply no longer have the drive

We have seen this before. It's not new that the Kings don't go to the net at times. Never not frustrating, but not new. They do go through periods like this. I guess they usually put up a little more of a fight than in 2 of the 3 games so far. It doesn't help when the entire top 6 goes to Kopitar's winter cave though.

Of their top 9 guys in terms of shots on net this year, 1 has a goal, and it's short handed.

The season couldn't have started worse. There's more angst this year because of missing the playoffs, because there's no 1st round pick in case things fall off the rails, because expectations are still there, because they're playing today the way they ended last season(or how they played all year), because the big summer addition has done nothing, because there was a lot of talk, etc.

There's a lot of pressure mounting, even for the first week of the season, and you could see it on those 3 consecutive PP's last night. That shot by Martinez, that's a team with every player on their own page in different books.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

FWIW, the teams we have played are a combined 8-0-1, but I'm less concerned about losing than I am about the manner of losing. The 1st game started well then turned into the 2014 playoffs; the 2nd game was more of the same, good effort with bad brain farts and turnovers; the third game was just an awful effort and that's what infuriates most of us I think, the lack of heart there.

 

[Cronuss]

This is what baffles me about the Lucic trade, though. You're wrecked by your team's off ice behavior and moral choices...so you trade for Milan Lucic? A guy with his own unpredictable history and alleged locker room issues? The ****?

I would have expected Dean to hold tight to a guy like Williams, or even better, do everything he could to get Mitchell back on the team. Trading for Lucic makes zero sense now knowing how emotionally barren this past year has made Dean.

I'm sorry, what?

 

[Reclamation Project]

So what happens if the Kings miss the playoffs? It's gonna get ugly. I'd expect both Sutter and Lombardi to leave. Does Futa take over?

A combination of Carter, Gaborik, Quick, Doughty, Muzzin, and possibly Toffoli/Pearson should be traded. Just nuke it and start over.

 

[DocWest]

So what happens if the Kings miss the playoffs? It's gonna get ugly. I'd expect both Sutter and Lombardi to leave. Does Futa take over?

A combination of Carter, Gaborik, Quick, Doughty, Muzzin, and possibly Toffoli/Pearson should be traded. Just nuke it and start over.

Trading Quick would be the worst move. We have nobody in goal worth a **** after him. And this franchise went years before finding a decent goalie. I also don't see the point of getting rid of Pearson, Toffoli and Doughty. They are young and care. Kopi, Gabby, Lucic, Greene, ect. Our veteran leaders are the problem right now. They don't seem to give a **** and they aren't even attempting to score. So if you are going to blow it up, start there. But Quick and Doughty have to stay.

 

[tyhee]

Canuck fan, coming in peace. I like to sometimes read forums from other teams to see what they're thinking about the game, their team and its players, and of course the Kings have been a fascinating and successful team in recent years. Hopefully these comments won't be objectionable:

1. In this thread there was a request to say something positive.

The Kings went 4/4 on the penalty kill last night.

The flow of the game and effort put in by the Kings was probably less bad then it would appear from the score and the low total of 15 shots on goal. 17 blocked shots and 22 missed shots don't count for anything on the scoreboard or the shot count but they do show that the Kings had some possession time and the flow of the game wasn't entirely against them.

There, that's TWO positive things.

All that being said, it was a surprisingly poor game for the Kings.

I'm used to the Kings being a mediocre team much of the season, then turning it on to make the playoffs and actually showing up in the playoffs. I also expected the Kings to bounce back this season. Even so, the team appears to be playing worse than should be expected even at this time of the season and it leads to wondering whether they'll be able to turn it on and, if so, whether it might be too little and too late.

2. There's quite a bit of negative discussion on Lucic's production and play so far. Canucks' GM Benning, formerly of the Bruins front office, was also in the hunt trying to trade for Lucic and I breathed a sigh of relief when the Kings got him, but now live in fear Benning will sign him for the Canucks next summer to a lengthy contract with a no-trade clause and for the kind of money that would reflect a 2011 Lucic. Those of you who have posted negatively about Lucic will understand that I really hope Lombardi signs an extension with Lucic soon. To those who are high on Lucic and hope he is extended, I hope you get your wish and, if you do, I hope it doesn't work out badly for you.

3. The discussion on Kopitar on this thread and another is interesting.

I have the utmost respect for Kopitar, see him as having had a great first half of his career, wanted the Canucks to draft him in 2005 and still see him as an elite player. In that I'm probably higher on him than many posters on this forum, though I've seen less of him than you have.

His contributions might be changing, or have changed, with less offence and more possession and defensive play.

Personally I don't think think long term contracts for large amounts for forwards nearing 30 YO make good sense for the teams involved because of the chance of regression in the player's ability as he ages during the term of the contract. An 8 year $70 million contract might work out and probably the first few years it would appear reasonable, but it wouldn't be any great surprise if it turned out really badly the last few years. Imo that kind of contract for a player who would be 29 when it starts is in general a bad gamble.

Again, I say that not out of any disregard of Kopitar, but on general principles fearing long term contracts, especially for players nearing the end of the age range at which a player is usually most productive.

Cheers. (Yes, Cheers was filmed before a live studio audience.)

 

[YP44]

Trading Quick would be the worst move. We have nobody in goal worth a **** after him. And this franchise went years before finding a decent goalie. I also don't see the point of getting rid of Pearson, Toffoli and Doughty. They are young and care. Kopi, Gabby, Lucic, Greene, ect. Our veteran leaders are the problem right now. They don't seem to give a **** and they aren't even attempting to score. So if you are going to blow it up, start there. But Quick and Doughty have to stay.

Depends on the return.
gaborik has been invisible so far he is the forward I am pointing my finger at the most. But they all need to be better. Our offence looked frigging terrible. Carter is a close second.
McNabb looked good last night.. So that is good. Quick looked better so that is good.
Brown looked worse (I thought he looked pretty good good game 1 & 2). Still waiting on Pearson and Lucic to compete for ice time.
Martinez looked terrible last night.

 

[KingsFan7824]

So what happens if the Kings miss the playoffs? It's gonna get ugly. I'd expect both Sutter and Lombardi to leave. Does Futa take over?

A combination of Carter, Gaborik, Quick, Doughty, Muzzin, and possibly Toffoli/Pearson would be traded. Just nuke it and start over.

It's not easy to nuke things anymore. Too many cap issues. It would probably be a multi-year drawdown. That's why they're in such a tough spot with Kopitar. It's also why teams don't usually just blow things up. They hold onto any sense of competitiveness as long as they can, until there's no other choice, because it's damn easy to get lost in the shuffle. The Kings were pretty irrelevant for decades, and that's a lot more likely than winning Cups.

The smart thing if this run is done is to clean the slate as quickly as possible. Nobody is really that smart though. Like you said, if Sutter and Lombardi are gone, then it makes it easier, but it's not going to make it fast.

 

[The Tikkanen]

This Kings team hasn't earned patience. We were all patient last season and the reward was a lackluster effort, a horrendous offseason and players moved. I'm not a GM, I'm not a scout, I'm not an accountant-I'm a fan of the Kings and what I'm watching is an awful hockey team, simple as that.

 

[Magicman]

I'm on that train as well.

Dean has stopped doing what made him successful and these moves he's made the last 2 years have been total disasters. I'm wondering if Dean's lost it, and maybe Futa should be promoted to his position.

if you followed Lombardi's arc in San Jose, you will see the same arc here in LA, with the same coach

The only difference is that LA made the jump and won the cup, San Jose didn't.

And the downfall in San Jose began with the injuries and holdouts of the veterans. Here in LA it seems it's UFA departures and cap issues. But in the end, the arcs are definitely similar.

 

[Fat Elvis]

This Kings team hasn't earned patience. We were all patient last season and the reward was a lackluster effort, a horrendous offseason and players moved. I'm not a GM, I'm not a scout, I'm not an accountant-I'm a fan of the Kings and what I'm watching is an awful hockey team, simple as that.

Need to add a "like" button.

 

[johnjm22]

Some of the comments I'm reading in this thread are ludicrous. Trade Doughty? Lunacy.

If the team continues to play this way, then I think you have to consider a coaching change before anything else. I LOVE Sutter, but his coaching style may have an expiration date. Sometimes you just need a change of voice.

It's only been 3 games, hopefully they turn things around.

 

[Ron*]

Sutter has won two Stanley Cups in 4½ seasons.

He isn't going anywhere. Calm the **** down.

 

[KINGS17]

Some of the comments I'm reading in this thread are ludicrous. Trade Doughty? Lunacy.

If the team continues to play this way, then I think you have to consider a coaching change before anything else. I LOVE Sutter, but his coaching style may have an expiration date. Sometimes you just need a change of voice.

It's only been 3 games, hopefully they turn things around.

Sometimes you just need to change out the people that don't listen.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Well according to other Canes fans on these boards I'm jinxing the Canes, and you guys will end up rebounding and winning the Stanley Cup. So you are welcome.

So if that doesn't happen, do we get to do this to you?

 

[KingsFan7824]

The 3 guys primarily responsible for faceoffs so far:

Carter
O-zone: 15 total, 53.3%
N-zone: 10 total, 50%
D-zone: 24 total, 66.7%
Total: 49, 59.2%

Shore
O-zone: 13 total, 53.8%
N-zone: 12 total, 41.7%
D-zone: 11 total, 63.6%
Total: 36, 52.8%

Kopitar
O-zone: 20 total, 45%
N-zone: 20 total, 40%
D-zone: 17 total, 52.9%
Total: 57, 45.6%

3 games, but well under 50% at the dot for Kopitar outside of his own zone, with the most faceoffs on the team taken outside of his own zone? Sure, nobody on the defense can make a decent pass, but damn. You're killin' me Kopes.

I think I remember something similar happening at the start of last year, and the Kings really never had the puck for the first 8 or 10 games. It was all Quick and the 70's, and neither of those two things have happened this year.

 

[Herby]

Kopitar is not playing well, obviously, and if he keeps stinking like this we will be a bottom ten team. The biggest concern for me is the defense, even assuming the forwards get back to a normal level, this is a really bad defense.

Ehrhoff is just bad, I remember how good he was in SJ and Vancouver, the guy out there for the Kings isn't close. Clearly we know now why he didn't sign until late in the summer and signed for next to nothing.

We will see what happens, but the mismanagement of this team the past two off-seasons is really showing through now. Dean had no business paying what he did for a Lucic rental if he knew this team was going to feature guys like Schultz, Greene, Forbort and a guy like Ehrhoff on the defense. I thought when they got Lucic they would also re-sign Sekera or bring in a #2 or #3 d-man and go for it again, why trade for Lucic with one year left if you weren't a serious contender? Would love to hear DL's reasonibg for that one.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

if you followed Lombardi's arc in San Jose, you will see the same arc here in LA, with the same coach

The only difference is that LA made the jump and won the cup, San Jose didn't.

And the downfall in San Jose began with the injuries and holdouts of the veterans. Here in LA it seems it's UFA departures and cap issues. But in the end, the arcs are definitely similar.

I was thinking the exact same thing this morning but I couldn't remember if it were Sutter or not.

 

[Scottkmlps]

No panic yet. Only 3 games, and a few new faces. My only request is, sit Greene and play Forbort. Greene is nothing more than a 7th d-man at this stage of his career.

 

[Reclamation Project]

It's usually a disaster when other fans come into our threads.

 

[cali101]

The 3 guys primarily responsible for faceoffs so far:

Carter
O-zone: 15 total, 53.3%
N-zone: 10 total, 50%
D-zone: 24 total, 66.7%
Total: 49, 59.2%

Shore
O-zone: 13 total, 53.8%
N-zone: 12 total, 41.7%
D-zone: 11 total, 63.6%
Total: 36, 52.8%

Kopitar
O-zone: 20 total, 45%
N-zone: 20 total, 40%
D-zone: 17 total, 52.9%
Total: 57, 45.6%

3 games, but well under 50% at the dot for Kopitar outside of his own zone, with the most faceoffs on the team taken outside of his own zone? Sure, nobody on the defense can make a decent pass, but damn. You're killin' me Kopes.

I think I remember something similar happening at the start of last year, and the Kings really never had the puck for the first 8 or 10 games. It was all Quick and the 70's, and neither of those two things have happened this year.

thanks for the stats.
people were saying shore's been best in the face-off circle but clearly it's been carter.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kopitar is not playing well, obviously, and if he keeps stinking like this we will be a bottom ten team. The biggest concern for me is the defense, even assuming the forwards get back to a normal level, this is a really bad defense.

Ehrhoff is just bad, I remember how good he was in SJ and Vancouver, the guy out there for the Kings isn't close. Clearly we know now why he didn't sign until late in the summer and signed for next to nothing.

We will see what happens, but the mismanagement of this team the past two off-seasons is really showing through now. Dean had no business paying what he did for a Lucic rental if he knew this team was going to feature guys like Schultz, Greene, Forbort and a guy like Ehrhoff on the defense. I thought when they got Lucic they would also re-sign Sekera or bring in a #2 or #3 d-man and go for it again, why trade for Lucic with one year left if you weren't a serious contender? Would love to hear DL's reasonibg for that one.

See, the thing for me is the personnel aren't even that bad. Even if Ehrhoff's play had fallen off a cliff, he's not making 'system' mistakes, he's making bonehead, no-hockey-IQ mistakes that aren't isolated to him, literally EVERYONE is doing it. Like I said above, my issue is there's no identity--not playing pond hockey offense, but playing pond hockey defense; not playing stifling defense, but stifling our offense; and not playing physical, crunching hockey being hard to play against, but rather floating around and taking stupid penalties and retaliating after whistles.

 

[B-MEL]

"It's a 3-2 league"

Yep... 2 goals in 3 games!

 

[DryIslandBartender]

if you followed Lombardi's arc in San Jose, you will see the same arc here in LA, with the same coach

The only difference is that LA made the jump and won the cup, San Jose didn't.

And the downfall in San Jose began with the injuries and holdouts of the veterans. Here in LA it seems it's UFA departures and cap issues. But in the end, the arcs are definitely similar.

It just shows that Lombardi is a great builder for an organization, he builds teams very well. He did that with the Sharks and in the recent past with L.A.

The problem is this organization is reeling, and Dean's culture mantra got blown to smithereens in less than one year by reckless players he acquired.

Things are about to go off the rails pretty fast if things don't turn around. I'm not sure they can, the top teams in the league have adjusted and improved their speed lineups while the Kings stay with a heavy lineup. It's going to cause issues going forward, we look slow because we are. Has nothing to do with effort but the way the team was constructed by its architect.

My hope is that Dean starts returning to the blueprint he started out with. Acquiring draft picks and making low cost high risk trades. He's doing the opposite lately, draft picks are being sent out and making high cost and high risk trades. Go back to what got you here DL.