KingsCourt
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2005
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It sounds like if the Kings take Stutzle it’s because he’s the faster, quicker player; who they believe is a better fit for the identity they are trying to build.
Management has been consistent in their message that the direction of the roster will be to get younger and faster. So taking the flashier skater makes sense in that context. I don’t think it hurts either that Stutzle will be in either the AHL or NHL right away.
The BPA argument is unknowable at this point between QB and TS. But if management does draft TS, it will look an awful lot like drafting for need.
In all fairness to the kid, he should have scored at least a few times in the tournament. Power might have ensured he did score, but I am pretty confident he still would score on those plays 9/10. Bad luck, but puck not in the net is puck not in the net. Like he should have scored on a borderline empty team canada net but the puck was passed behind him and the goalie dove back across the crease to pull it out. Also should have scored on team USA and Russia in similar but different circumstances.
I don't disagree about the speed aspect, however I don't agree Stützle would come to North America right away, in part because people in the organization have been adamant that both players need more time, but also the DEL is going start well in advance of the AHL and probably the NHL.
I think Stuetzle offers more than just an immediate need, because he’ll be an important part of the new core that they’re building, and I think that his teams relying on him heavily, from the DEL to WJC, is a sign that he has some leadership qualities and that he can thrive in high pressure situations.
Not that other options can’t do that as well, but Stuetzle may have that extra layer of it. I get more of a Nicklas Backstrom vibe from the way he plays and controls the game.
If I were Blake, I would reflect on the overall size of the teams which advanced the furthest in the playoffs.
I'm fully prepared for them to take Stutzle only because the consensus seems to be that he is "safer" than Byfield. Turcotte fell in to the "safer" category more than some of the guys that went right after him as well.
I see Blake as kind of risk-adverse. Sure, he took Vilardi but that was with the 11OA and he thought he was inheriting a contender anyways. While it wound up being played perfectly, he took the safer Bjornfot over Kaliyev last year as well.
I'm not saying that Stutzle is bad because he's viewed as a safer prospect but I do think Blake errs more on the side of floor v. ceiling with this pick.
He "should have scored" a lot more this year in all scenarios, though. That's the knock. It's tangible upon view and it's got tangible lack-of-results. I'm still not sure why suggesting that's an issue is so controversial. how much of an issue it is is a fair discussion, as @bland points out, maybe it's an overstatement in the sense that he deferred a lot in the DEL, especially as he was mostly manning the point on the PP. I'm not sure I've seen him take more than a slap shot or two. But at all levels in all the highlights, the guy is firing into the goalie's crest a lot.
If I were Blake, I would reflect on the overall size of the teams which advanced the furthest in the playoffs.
And I think the rule in the DEL is once you start the season there for regular season games, you're there for the season. Same in the SHL. That's why we've got players only sticking around in Germany until the season starts and other prospects playing in the lower level Swedish league.
Craig Button on TSN just had his last mock draft and has Kings selecting QB....
Did he play anymore in the game(s) Laf sat out? I really felt like I saw him on the ice a lot against Germany, but I would really like to know how much ice he officially saw in that game.
Did he play anymore in the game(s) Laf sat out? I really felt like I saw him on the ice a lot against Germany, but I would really like to know how much ice he officially saw in that game.
I actually think Byfield is the safer pick because he's used to NA ice and a big center that can skate. Worse case scenario, he develops into a 3rd or 4th line center. I feel Stutzle is more boom or bust.
I think Blake and Luc can keep their jobs for life if the Kings are a team that makes the playoffs every 3 out of 5 years. With the monkey of never winning a cup off the backs of fans, I don’t think their is any internal pressure within the Kings org to really put a championship team together again through hard work by management.