WCQF Gm#2: KINGS vs. BLUES - 5/2/13 - Another Heartbreaker...

[Ziggy Stardust]

As much grief as some of you are giving Richards, he is the one who setup the lone Kings' goal and has prevented quite a few scoring opportunities for the Blues. Yes, he is not generating much in terms of scoring opportunities, but neither are the 11 other forwards on the team.

Judging by how they wore down as the game progressed, you'd think that the entire team is out of shape. There were few shifts that were far in between where they had their legs going, but this team isn't going to go far if most of their play is stuck along the boards. Last year they were moving from the boards to the open areas and getting shots through. This year, not so much. And that is starting from Kopitar all the way down to Fraser and Nolan.

 

[HYORI 1963]

You must think DL is an idiot if you think his fascination with Richards is gonna be strong enough to cost him his job. Thats bad management.

What makes you think retaining Richards is going to cost him his job? If anything, trading Richards may cost his job.

 

[damacles1156]

What makes you think retaining Richards is going to cost him his job? If anything, trading Richards may cost his job.

Bingo.....

Some people on here play way too much Fantasy hockey or NHL 13.

 

[Reclamation Project]

You would think we are picking top five this year...

 

[KingKopitar11*]

What makes you think retaining Richards is going to cost him his job? If anything, trading Richards may cost his job.

He's not doing anything really.

 

[damacles1156]

You would think we are picking top five this year...

Yup.

Trade Richards ?

What ?

Like Lombardi would even consider that....Like Ever.

Richards would have to fall off the face of the earth. Like Zero points in an 82 game schedule.

Did you see Lombardi's reaction when he got asked if he would consider buying out Richards contract.....Lombardi was floored.

 

[damacles1156]

He's not doing anything really.

Nether is Kopitar trade him ? Kopitar cost Two million more.

 

[Herby]

You guys need to get moving Richards out of your heads.....

The GM is Dean Lombardi.......Let me say that again....Dean Lombardi...

Mike Richards is going nowhere, he is the wet dream of Lombardi.

The guy is going to retire a King.

You can disagree with that , but your are in for years of disappointment if you think Lombardi is every going to move that guy(regardless of production)....

Just look at Stoll......You think Lombardi is going to move Richards ?

I think Lombardi will do what he thinks is best for the team going forward. If he has any reservations about paying MR over 40 million for the life of his contract and he can get good value for him I think he would consider it.

I think you mistake the Philly version of MR for the LA version when you call him a Lombardi wet dream.

I don't think MR will be traded this year, but he does have a lot more value than he would have at this time next year if he sleepwalks through another season like he did this year.

 

[damacles1156]

I think Lombardi will do what he thinks is best for the team going forward. If he has any reservations about paying MR over 40 million for the life of his contract and he can get good value for him I think he would consider it.

I think you mistake the Philly version of MR for the LA version when you call him a Lombardi wet dream.

I don't think MR will be traded this year, but he does have a lot more value than he would have at this time next year if he sleepwalks through another season like he did this year.

He just has to be average, come on Herby it's Lombardi. Stoll was awful for TWO full years...And got resigned.

You think Lombardi cares about the money ? It's not his money...

And the Cap will go back up.

 

[HYORI 1963]

He's not doing anything really.

Last year, Richards in 74 games scored 44 pts which is .6pt per game.

This year, Richards in 48 games scored 32 pts which is almost .7pt per game.

So, in actuality, he's done more this year than last.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

Nether is Kopitar trade him ? Kopitar cost Two million more.

Kopitar is actually useful most of the time.

 

[damacles1156]

Last year, Richards in 74 games scored 44 pts which is .6pt per game.

This year, Richards in 48 games scored 32 pts which is almost .7pt per game.

So, in actuality, he's done more this year than last.

And looked like garbage doing it....That is shocking.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Kopitar is actually useful most of the time.

So is Richards.

 

[Herby]

Last year, Richards in 74 games scored 44 pts which is .6pt per game.

This year, Richards in 48 games scored 32 pts which is almost .7pt per game.

So, in actuality, he's done more this year than last.

This would be like arguing the value of MA Bergeron based on points.

Richards was a PP player this year, that's all he was. The same reason Kopitar has still put up points during his poor stretch. They are empty points.

Richards was on the ice for more goals-against than any Kings forward and had the worst +/- on the team. He was poor in 5 on 5 situations. Despite spending most of the year with Jeff Carter.

The Kings need 10 and 11 to be good to have a chance to win games against good teams. 10 was bad all year, and 11 joined him about halfway through the season.

 

[Kings man 4 life]

Wow the fall of Rome is happening in here, you guys need to chill the hell out jeez.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Blow it up.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Guys, Richards finished 29th in scoring among centers in the NHL. That's top 30. That's the same amount of points as guys like Seguin and Bergeron and Pavelski and J. Staal. Even with the PP points, he can provide offense in spurts. The problem is that the Kings' offense is cyclical, and he's part of that offense. To single out Richards isn't fair when there are others who are just as important to the team (and even more so) who disappear for long stretches.

 

[damacles1156]

Blow it up.

Might as well for some people.

There was a lot less drama when the Kings were the NHL doormat.

 

[Bandit]

You would think we are picking top five this year...

Yup.

Trade Richards ?

What ?

Like Lombardi would even consider that....Like Ever.

Richards would have to fall off the face of the earth. Like Zero points in an 82 game schedule.

Did you see Lombardi's reaction when he got asked if he would consider buying out Richards contract.....Lombardi was floored.

Wow the fall of Rome is happening in here, you guys need to chill the hell out jeez.

Guys, Richards finished 29th in scoring among centers in the NHL. That's top 30. That's the same amount of points as guys like Seguin and Bergeron and Pavelski and J. Staal. Even with the PP points, he can provide offense in spurts. The problem is that the Kings' offense is cyclical, and he's part of that offense. To single out Richards isn't fair when there are others who are just as important to the team (and even more so) who disappear for long stretches.

Seriously. I mean jesus christ, I don't have a good feeling about this year's playoffs the way things are going but some of you acting like we need to jettison half the team are out to lunch. Kopitar will come back healthy next year, same with Greene, Mitchell will either be or he will be adequately replaced and half our D won't be two rookies and a sophmore.

Trade Richards? Sure maybe we should trade Carter too, it worked out so well in Philly...

Holy hell.

 

[damacles1156]

Guys, Richards finished 29th in scoring among centers in the NHL. That's top 30. That's the same amount of points as guys like Seguin and Bergeron and Pavelski and J. Staal. Even with the PP points, he can provide offense in spurts. The problem is that the Kings' offense is cyclical, and he's part of that offense. To single out Richards isn't fair when there are others who are just as important to the team (and even more so) who disappear for long stretches.

This YES.

I am just lost for words how Bad Kopitar has been with two AWESOME wingers on his line.

Williams/Brown have been monsters, and they are just dragging Kopitar kicking and screaming.

 

[Herby]

Who is saying blow anything up?

Someone mentioned possibly trading the Kings most disappointing forward this season and people are discussing the possibility.

I don't think anything drastic will happen with the Kings this offseason, but when your two highest paid forwards play like Kopitar and Richards did this year it's not completely out of the realm to discuss trades.

I hope both bounce back to previous levels, but you never know. I've never seen Kopi look as bad as he did in Game 1.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

This would be like arguing the value of MA Bergeron based on points.

Richards was a PP player this year, that's all he was. The same reason Kopitar has still put up points during his poor stretch. They are empty points.

Richards was on the ice for more goals-against than any Kings forward and had the worst +/- on the team. He was poor in 5 on 5 situations. Despite spending most of the year with Jeff Carter.

The Kings need 10 and 11 to be good to have a chance to win games against good teams. 10 was bad all year, and 11 joined him about halfway through the season.

Carter was scoring like crazy too.

 

[bobafettish*]

a blow up would be pretty cool, im sick of seeing the same faces.

 

[damacles1156]

Who is saying blow anything up?

Someone mentioned possibly trading the Kings most disappointing forward this season and people are discussing the possibility.

I don't think anything drastic will happen with the Kings this offseason, but when your two highest paid forwards play like Kopitar and Richards did this year it's not completely out of the realm to discuss trades.

I hope both bounce back to previous levels, but you never know. I've never seen Kopi look as bad as he did in Game 1.

I would say that belongs to Kopitar.

Kopitar is paid to dominate Games and make his wingers better.

Williams dragged Kopitar along all season. Brown as well.

Richards and Kopi both this year were lackluster at times.

Drew Doughty gets my MVP vote, Drew was asked to do a lot and play a lot, and he is still the Best Defender on the ice nightly.

Remember last year when Drew said "I am suppose to be the best Defender on the ice nightly" And he was...

Kopitar needs some of that. Cause over the last three weeks Stoll has outplayed Richards and Kopitar.

 

[Herby]

I would say that belongs to Kopitar.

Kopitar is paid to dominate Games and make his wingers better.

Williams dragged Kopitar along all season. Brown as well.

Richards and Kopi both this year were lackluster at times.

The Kings best forwards all year were wingers, no question about it. Stoll was the Kings most consistent center this season, he played his role well and exceeded expectations.

Williams and especially Brown made Kopitar look better on the ice and on the scoresheet, same goes with Carter making Richards look better. I agree with you 100%

The problem is the Kings are built and have a system that revolves around strong and smart play from the centers. They didn't get much of that this year. The Kings started off horrible, then got hot largely because Carter was scoring an insane amount of goals, then the PP (and more importantly Drew Doughty) got going in the final 15-20 gmes and that was enough to get the Kings into the playoffs, the problem is, it's difficult to win playoff games when you can't score 5 on 5 and give up a lot of goals 5 on 5. And that is the spot the Kings are in right now.