Win or look good trying?

[No Name The Nameless]

I became a fan of the NHL as a little boy because of Sakic, Forsberg and Fleury. That was so fun to watch. I didn't even understand the rules.

Somewhere in the trade rumors thread someone mentioned how winning is more fun than watching Gretzky and Bure. While that was true 5 years ago I'm not so sure anymore.
In many ways winning has lessened my fandom. I never missed a game between 2002 and 2016. Not once. Whether it was in person, live tv or at the very worst a recording. Since then my views have gone down a quarter each year.

The lack of interest coincides with an increase in other other interests, already seeing the top of the mountain, but mostly it has to do with boring hockey. I'm not sure a competative Kings are going to change that. I need to see fun hockey.

In a world that gives us everything we want, when we want it and where we want it I'm not so sure that winning will reel me back in to the levels of fandom that I had. I'd love to see Forsberg, Sakic, Fleury again. I'd love to see Gretzky and Bure.

The NHL has done a pretty good job increasing the pace of the game. I want to see that pace. I want to get lean in on a rush. Do I want to win? Yes. But I need to golden lasso to pull me in again.

I watched the world's shittiest movie (Wonder Woman 84) because she's sexy. I enjoyed that. I hope the Kings come up with a golden lasso, not just for my sake but for the sake of the next generation of possible Kings fans.

Click to read more...

 

[Bandit]

I feel you. Before the Kings won in 2012, I’d never miss a game. Since 2014 my level of interest has gone way down. I’ve got much more important things to do than waste three hours watching the Kings grind out a 2-0 loss with a sprinkling of bark madness on top. Would that change if they were exciting to watch? Probably, it is entertainment after all and if you’re not entertained then it’s not serving it’s purpose.

 

[ibleedkings]

That would have been picking Stutzle over Byfield which I was in favor of.

 

[Schrute farms]

Serious? Winning is the best "fun" i've ever experienced as a fan. Losing sucks -- simple as that (whether you have exciting players or not).

 

[kingsboy11]

I will admit watching the team felt like a chore for the past couple of years. From 2015 to the end of 2018 the team was just lacking any sort of identity and made it painful to watch. I think what gives me optimism is McLellan and the incoming prospects and you can see the direction that Blake wants to take this team. I also think the NHL in general is moving toward a more exciting brand mostly just based on the fact that those are the kind of prospects coming in are like.

I just want to win. If we play boring hockey like we did under Sutter I'm all for that if it means cups. I do think the team is trending to a more exciting brand of hockey if the prospects pan out the way that we think they will.

 

[Token]

Serious? Winning is the best "fun" i've ever experienced as a fan. Losing sucks -- simple as that (whether you have exciting players or not).

 

[Token]

I have enjoyed some losing efforts the Kings put on over the years. Entertainment has many layers.

I wish I could simplify the joys and sorrows of the world into neat binary states.

 

[AlphaBravo]

This is a legitimate issue. I obviously loved the cup years, but I did enjoy watching the game more during the Palffy/Deadmarsh era. We sucked but we had legit goal scorers and every game was up and down, leaving you on the edge of your seat until the final minute. Post-cup years, I still watch all the games but I admit I start fast-forwarding once the team goes down by 2-3 goals because it’s highly unlikely they will tie the score.

This is one the the reasons why I also enjoyed the 2014 cup win more than 2012, because it was so entertaining and unpredictable what would happen each game.

 

[Lt Dan]

I think the 18-19 season was rock bottom.
Last season was had some low lows , but also a lot of signs of promise.

This season should be much more fun to watch. Especially with the division that we are in .

Locks to make the playoffs : Col, STL and Vegas

I expect Arizona to regress big time. I don't know what the hell Minny is doing and I think that the Sharks and Ducks are in the same position that we are.

 

[LAKings88]

I became a fan in 88-89 when Gretzky arrived. Didn’t know who he was or what hockey was. I was 10 and flipping channels. Got caught up on Gretzky, the history of the hockey through Gretzky. That team and era was my wonder years. Everything was new and exciting. Legit stars on every team and high octane offense. The Kings came close but didn’t win obviously. Suffered the post Gretz years. Had some entertaining years with Palffy and co.

12-14 was the best time to be a Kings fan but even in those losing years it was still fun to watch excellence on ice. Poetry in motion. Losing is more bearable I guess when you’ve got a chance at highlight reel moments.

Still, winning is the most fun. Especially when it looks good too. I just like knowing my team has a chance at least and isn’t just going through the motions.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Kings fans by and large have the mentality of a beaten dog when it comes to expectations for the franchise. Because LA is an outpost when it comes to media attention from the biggest hockey markets, Kings fans have conditioned themselves to accept mediocrity from the team and management. Winning two cups didn’t change how easily the fans would ignore seasons full of losses.

LA is the second biggest metropolitan area by size and economy in North America. Sports teams have every possible resource available to them to be a successful franchise. All Kings fans should expect a team that makes the playoffs every single season. When you win you look good, it’s not an either or situation.

 

[KINGS17]

When a team is young and developing even watching them lose can be fun, because the effort is there and you can see progress.

This team has not been fun to watch the last few seasons.

 

[Telos]

Eh, I just think the great success the franchise has had recently has just redefined how many fans relate to the team, etc. It's like Apollo 13 when the guys at NASA have to explain to Jim Lovell's wife that no one cares about going to the moon anymore. It is going to need something extra exciting to capture that electricity again. Before fans were hoping to achieve a great unknown, but now they have tasted that success and it will never be quite the same again.

It is a sign of progress as it has given many of us the ability to focus our energies elsewhere, to expect a certain level of success from the team, and much of that excitement will return when they turn things around, but it's never going to be exactly as it was during those runs. We have a lot to look forward to, this is the boring part of the rebuild, but we can still enjoy watching all of these prospects develop. Also, like Apollo 13, once things start blowing up, and prospects start catching fire, then it will be exciting again, lol.

Honestly, I have been a very big critic of Blake and Robitaille and the position they were put in because of Blake's past and the nepotistic management group that has been assembled; however, I have to give credit where it is due and Blake has absolutely crushed it since he has taken over. He has followed this rebuild reverently. This, so far, is one of the most boring, textbook, rebuilds I've ever witnessed. They have maximized the potential future returns they could possibly receive and I think the Byfield pick solidifies the direction and adherence they have to their plan.

With how forward-heavy our blue-chip prospects are, it won't take very long for things to get more exciting...

 

[Anguyen92]

If I have to say which rebuild period is worst, 2006-2008 (before Doughty got drafted) or current period, I would have to say the post-Robitaille era and before Doughty period. My goodness, seeing that revolving door of goalies, before Quick emerged and save this team's goaltending issues, was painful to see in the first years of me being a fan of the Kings. That time, I have been very well conditioned to not expect greatness for this team. Now in today's age, I'm not expecting greatness, but good progress with their younger players and hopefully, the veterans can play like they give a crap to do so and things should be exciting again in slow bursts.

 

[KINGS17]

Eh, I just think the great success the franchise has had recently has just redefined how many fans relate to the team, etc. It's like Apollo 13 when the guys at NASA have to explain to Jim Lovell's wife that no one cares about going to the moon anymore. It is going to need something extra exciting to capture that electricity again. Before fans were hoping to achieve a great unknown, but now they have tasted that success and it will never be quite the same again.

It is a sign of progress as it has given many of us the ability to focus our energies elsewhere, to expect a certain level of success from the team, and much of that excitement will return when they turn things around, but it's never going to be exactly as it was during those runs. We have a lot to look forward to, this is the boring part of the rebuild, but we can still enjoy watching all of these prospects develop. Also, like Apollo 13, once things start blowing up, and prospects start catching fire, then it will be exciting again, lol.

Honestly, I have been a very big critic of Blake and Robitaille and the position they were put in because of Blake's past and the nepotistic management group that has been assembled; however, I have to give credit where it is due and Blake has absolutely crushed it since he has taken over. He has followed this rebuild reverently. This, so far, is one of the most boring, textbook, rebuilds I've ever witnessed. They have maximized the potential future returns they could possibly receive and I think the Byfield pick solidifies the direction and adherence they have to their plan.

With how forward-heavy our blue-chip prospects are, it won't take very long for things to get more exciting...

I see it much as you do with the forward-heavy top prospect list. It is going to be interesting to see how Blake uses the assets he has collected to turn this team into one which should consistently make the playoffs into a team which is a contender for the Stanley Cup. The real decisions and work for Blake have yet to come.

I don't think he has built from the net out, and will likely need to find a 1D in the draft in the not too distant future.

 

[Master Yoda]

The Kings historically have never been a defensively stout team until Terry Murray. So it makes sense that they were more entertaining even during the down years.
Since Terry Murray though, they haven't had a good offense, sans the 2014 playoff run.
And now that they're not winning, it makes sense that it's not so entertaining.
It is definitely more fun watching young guys play and develop even on losing teams, so I am hopeful the entertainment value starts to increase again.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Well, OP, it sounds like a few different problems wrapped up in one:

1. Will you ever be excited about winning in the same way again? I'm sure you'd be stoked if we won a SCF--and it may be easy to say this from a distance but I doubt I get as excited about a, say, 2025 stanley cup in the same way i did 2012. It's just different. We're a little desensitized in a good way after being a doormat for 40 years. Not sure that's something that can ever be replaced, especially together.

2. Are you a fan of the game, or a fan of the team? I think that affects things greatly. I loved this year's playoffs. Great pace, good balance of scoring, defense, checking. but of course, the Kings were far removed, and up until the end of the season, were nigh unwatchable most nights. I think the game itself is in a great state.

3. The team itself seems to be super up-tempo and is looking on paper to be one of the fastest in the league at the very least--that's obviously TBD a bit but we're watching a makeover from a 'competitive' but grindy Kings team that was descending to a more-poppy team that's slowly ascending.

4. You point out your personal situation as well. I know I'm no spring chicken anymore. I have a kid and a family of my own and I can't just waste a random Tuesday night glued to 6 hours of hockey including the Kings. YMMV, but I imagine a lot of us that have been here for years are also aging into having to be more deliberate with our interests.

If I have to say which rebuild period is worst, 2006-2008 (before Doughty got drafted) or current period, I would have to say the post-Robitaille era and before Doughty period. My goodness, seeing that revolving door of goalies, before Quick emerged and save this team's goaltending issues, was painful to see in the first years of me being a fan of the Kings. That time, I have been very well conditioned to not expect greatness for this team. Now in today's age, I'm not expecting greatness, but good progress with their younger players and hopefully, the veterans can play like they give a crap to do so and things should be exciting again in slow bursts.

God yeah, that was borderline old-Clippers-level managerial ineptitude. ZERO direction.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Didn't you guys find it fun watching the Kings play in games that mattered?

That first Cup winning team was a bore to watch during the regular season, until Carter was brought in, Voynov was inserted as a regular into the lineup, and they were playing some intense hockey prior to the playoffs in order to clinch the 8th spot in the standings.

I think most have forgotten what it feels like to watch this team play in some meaningful games.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

That would have been picking Stutzle over Byfield which I was in favor of.

You'll get over it when the Kings start winning games with Byfield as the franchise center.

 

[fivehole32]

If I have to say which rebuild period is worst, 2006-2008 (before Doughty got drafted) or current period, I would have to say the post-Robitaille era and before Doughty period. My goodness, seeing that revolving door of goalies, before Quick emerged and save this team's goaltending issues, was painful to see in the first years of me being a fan of the Kings. That time, I have been very well conditioned to not expect greatness for this team. Now in today's age, I'm not expecting greatness, but good progress with their younger players and hopefully, the veterans can play like they give a crap to do so and things should be exciting again in slow bursts.

The fear of losing Labarbra to waivers and having him buried in the AHL will never be forgotten.

 

[ibleedkings]

You'll get over it when the Kings start winning games with Byfield as the franchise center.

Thats what I’m 100% hoping for.

 

[Statto]

You'll get over it when the Kings start winning games with Byfield as the franchise center.

Quite. He is a highly skilled player in his own right, he’ll be plenty entertaining. There is little chance that Stützle will be playing with the same level of flash in his game at the NHL level, he will have to adapt. I have no reason to doubt he will be able to do that but he will have to reign certain things in if he wants his game to translate. If not he will end up just being a luxury player. Like I said I’m sure he has the ability to do that, but I strongly believe that Byfield will be the better player long term and just as much fun.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Quite. He is a highly skilled player in his own right, he’ll be plenty entertaining. There is little chance that Stützle will be playing with the same level of flash in his game at the NHL level, he will have to adapt. I have no reason to doubt he will be able to do that but he will have to reign certain things in if he wants his game to translate. If not he will end up just being a luxury player. Like I said I’m sure he has the ability to do that, but I strongly believe that Byfield will be the better player long term and just as much fun.

The Russians played physically against Stuetzle, and it resulted in his worst performance at the WJC. He was also almost exclusively used as a winger all tournament.

For those whose preference is style over results, remember those Marc Crawford coached Kings? They scored plenty of goals...

 

[Schrute farms]

Same with Caufield -- easier to dance around with the puck at this level but to consistently do that with men in the NHL...good luck. I just don't see it. You have to pick your spots (esp Caufield). Zegras too -- way too much playing with the puck and in traffic on the rush. It looks pretty and cool right now. But you're asking for trouble doing that all the time in the NHL like they currently do. You better have four other guys willing to clean up your mess when needed.

That's my uneducated hockey comments seeing some of these flashy guys. I don't think it's sustainable at the NHL level...not without some major refinements.

 

[BigKing]

I was saying it while the Kings were good and winning Cups: NHL hockey sucks for entertainment value unless your team is winning.

Getting blown out again in the 90s and 00's? Well, good thing you've got a 4th line of monsters that are going to go out and stir things up. Now all they do is bend over, take a 5-1 loss and just go through the motions for the entire 3rd period.

I knew it was happening when the Kings were winning and always worried about the entertainment value once they stopped being good. In a world where there is less hitting, fighting and hatred, being a fan of a losing team is horrific. I used to never leave a game early but now you know nothing is going to happen so might as well hit the road early: especially on a work night.

I went to the least games ever last season and didn't switch TV providers even without FSW all season. I used to record every game on VHS at one point in my life. Sure, I have more responsibilities now but the idea that we've just grown up and grown out of being obsessed to the point of not missing a game only looks at one side of the coin: the game has changed a lot as well. We can all argue if it has changed for the better but--more often than the not--the ones that feel it has changed for the better are the ones that aren't wondering why they aren't as in to it anymore.

Hopefully this season's schedule lends itself to a little more edge during the regular season. I hope this is the case and then we can see the NHL move to more of a baseball-type schedule moving forward. Only thing I don't like there is that you might be out of town for a weekend and miss a team coming through for the entire season. Will also be easier for the league to suspend a player long enough to not face retribution in a series format. I'm all for it though if it leads to more regular season animosity.