2021-22 Season Thread

[PuckinUgly57]

Thought I'd start a season thread again for this year, all things Kings here.

Been super busy with Pop Warner for both boys the last 3 months but that'll come to an end in about 2-3 weeks here so I'll jump in more, also my youngest daughter is playing 12U softball again so I've been slammed six ways from Sunday between games and practices 5-6 days a week.

Hope these hosers can play competitive hockey, let's see if Bowlbys work to date starts paying off. Vegas is always a tough match up for the Kings, but Vegas also isn't what they were just 2 years ago. Good test right off the bat to see how the long game looks.

Hope everyone is doing well and you're all still a bunch of jabronis.

=)~~

 

[davnlaguna]

Game one
Summary: old guys rule

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Game one
Summary: old guys rule

Yes we do. I'm getting close to 50 and I'm still full of piss and vinegar and will kick your ass and punch your mom in the face. It's who I am and what I do. OK, maybe slightly more mellow these days with kids but that fire ain't gone. I don't believe it is for these guys either.

First observations, I'm not sure what to take from this game. I know Vegas is sliding but I also don't think LA is that good. Everyone did look good though sans Arvidsson, he looked like Lewis or Wagner or Johnson 2.0. Initial thoughts: he will not fit in. Hope I'm wrong.

And FU Getzlaf. Kopitar is the better center and he has proven it. Getzlaf doesn't have 1000 points yet although he was drafted 2 years earlier. I hope he gets it but honestly I thought about this and overall Kopitar will have had the better career. Only difference was Getzlaf fought whereas Kopitar didn't but not to the point where it affected his game so much he could not be a 1C. He's simply not as good although I love the guy. The Kings stole him at 11 in 2005 and he is amazing to watch. Just such an amazing player.

LA wins again.

)=~~

PS - hope they left some goals for Saturday.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

I think they looked good overall. I hope they can sustain that energy throughout the season. Seemed like Arvidsson had 3 or 4 quality scoring chances and the score could have been even more. Cal looked a little shaky in my opinion, hopefully he can settle himself down or Quick will be right there to take his spot back.

Overall, it was a great game and I was nervous about starting the season off against the Knights. Hopefully, they will keep it up vs the Wild.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I think they looked good overall. I hope they can sustain that energy throughout the season. Seemed like Arvidsson had 3 or 4 quality scoring chances and the score could have been even more. Cal looked a little shaky in my opinion, hopefully he can settle himself down or Quick will be right there to take his spot back.

Overall, it was a great game and I was nervous about starting the season off against the Knights. Hopefully, they will keep it up vs the Wild.

Hopefully it's just getting acclimated, he did get some good looks but it seemed to me he pulled a Hoss and put them right into the logo. We've seen it countless times, it is not easy to play with Kopitar because he just sees the the game at a different level. As much as I crack on Brown, he is one of the few - diminished skills or not - who can read Kopitar which is why even at this stage of his career he finds himself on his wing. Williams was one and believe it or not Smyth was another.

Petersen...agreed. That was one hell of a weak goal to give up and I rolled my eyes, thinking oh crap I hope this isn't foreshadowing of the season. No screen, no deflection, 40 feet out and nothing, he just muffed it. Visions of Storr went through my head and for the contract he just got after less than 60 games in the NHL, he is being paid like an established starter. Hopefully just jitters for him too.

Quick, you have to feel for him. His time is done in LA and for the warrior and leader he is that has to be hard. I thank him for being a highlight reel for over a decade and for bringing 2 Cups to LA. Unless a team ponies up on him huge I don't see him leaving LA. His 32 will be retired when he is done here. I'm not sold on Petersen 100% so I hope the Kings develop or draft some goalies in case things fall apart.

Vegas - you done. It'll be fascinating to see an expansion team actually play like one 5 years later.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Oh FYI, that Lemieux fight absolutely changed the game. Woke the team up and they need some muscle anyway but it helps this guy can actually play a bit in the B6.

Props to Bowlby for that move.

 

[Deader2818]

Lot of over reactions so early into the season after 1-2 games.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Lot of over reactions so early into the season after 1-2 games.

What overreaction are you referring to?

 

[histkng23]

That Anderson (#44) deserves to be in the NHL....(LaDue, Part Deux)

 

[davnlaguna]

Doughty knee on knee
No word on how bad.
Kings may need to play 4 forwards and 1 damn lines

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Doughty knee on knee
No word on how bad.
Kings may need to play 4 forwards and 1 damn lines

Didn't see the game but watched highlights this morning, not an intentional hit IMO so I don't see a suspension coming but it was dirty and properly assesed the 5 minute major and game.

I hope it's not serious, otherwise the Kings are in deep shit considering how important he is. Everyone will be bumped up above their abilities which will not work, this defense isn't talented enough for that.

Kempe was right in there standing up for his teammate but this is where the team softness issue arises. Lemieux would have dropped somebody, as would have MacDermid but they need some size and toughness for sure. This is alarming and needs to be addressed ASAP.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Lot of over reactions so early into the season after 1-2 games.

7 games in. Overreaction?

Blake built shit. Overrated player, overrated GM. Under qualified. Dumbo would have cock slapped this asshole.

Sorry bud.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

7 games in. Overreaction?

Blake built shit. Overrated player, overrated GM. Under qualified. Dumbo would have cock slapped this asshole.

Sorry bud.

Flake should have NEVER been given the position. This teams is going nowhere this season. I have a feeling it will be a lottery team yet again. They really need to clean out the front office and get people from outside the Kings family to run this team.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

I am about as optimistic as they come when it comes to the Kings. However, with the way they have played the last 3 games, I just dont see them getting any better. I will say they played Dallas pretty well but inevitably still lost.
I hate to think we have to endure yet another lottery type season. They have to figure out a way to get some solid defense. I get that the NHL went to quick and skilled but the Kings just arent that skilled. I would like them to start making some trades and get back to a more defensive style. At least that way they have a chance at winning.

 

[histkng23]

Mikey Anderson with the "ole defense" for goal #1, letting Tarasenko go right around him without getting a single Frat Boy nail on him!! Rreminiscent of the 80s & 90s when Kings defensemen were escorts for opposing teams right to the crease for high scoring chances. Classic was Modry just letting Chris Drury just go right around him to break the game open in Game 7 of the 2001 CSF against the Avs. This team is just outright SOFT, and how and why our system of success was abandoned by Blake & Luc is something they are going to have to answer for.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I was hoping this year would be different, but man, I am just seeing what everyone else is seeing. I just wanted to start with this article I came across tonight. Nothing crazy really EXCEPT for a note that the Ontario Reign are on fire and are undefeated. So what is the deal with our development? One of the worst pro teams in the league, with arguably the best minor/farm team.

Kings News & Rumors: Doughty, Hakanpaa, Line Changes, & More - The Hockey Writers Los Angeles Kings Latest News, Analysis & More

In this edition of Kings News & Rumors, I'll be discussing the injury Drew Doughty sustained, some new line combinations, and more.

thehockeywriters.com

What year are we on with the league patting the Kings on the back for their prospect pool (Gotta be Year 4 of 5)?

Anyway, couldn't agree more with how soft this team is. Physically, yes, but mentally soft too. I don't think it's a talent issue anymore, so much as a mentality issue. 3rd period leads against Nashville and Dallas and both blown. Dallas they had been outshooting the Stars like 30-10, but some dumb penalties leading to 2-man advantage and let Dallas back in. Kings able to snatch defeat from the hands of victory. Finding ways to lose.

My main question is what is the endgame and direction for this team? Like what identity is this team even trying to become? They are too soft to be a defensive team, so going for offensive juggernaut? Basically best case scenario is become the Leafs in 3 years? Team needs a ton more grit, and I'd love for them to just get much bigger on the back end. I was watching "The Hockey Guy" on Youtube and he read some stat about all the past Stanley Cup champs the past decade having defenses that averaged like 6'1 210lbs. They might have one or two smaller dudes, but overall, the whole 6 player defensive core was at least a certain size when averaging it out. So I would take that to also mean, if you run a smaller dude out there, then you are offsetting him with an even bigger guy somewhere. The Athletic has an article on defensive size for champs, and article is dated from 2019 after Blues won it. Says sort of same thing that with exception for Chicago, size really matters. And even then, Chicago was averaging a d-core that was 6'1 197.

For fun, here were Kings averages for 2012 and 2014. I just remember a lot had to go right for LA when they won it in 2012, but I remember Daryll Sutter going down to their minor league and pulling up Dwight King and Jordan Nolan immediately to try to make the team a little bigger. I know they traded out Jack Johnson, and brought in Jeff Carter, but there were other moves that fly under the radar that helped a ton too.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

It looks like its about time for me to jump on the fire Blake and McLellan bandwagon. They need to go. If this season is going to be saved there needs to be a change.

 

[Kings4OT]

Im fine with waiting until 50/60 game mark. I didnt expect the kings to do much except a "show me" season. Problem is, they dont have much to show save a few nice articles that say the kings have soooo much young talent. I havent seen it, in fact im skeptical its even there.

Still not fast, still lack skill, still cant finish, now cant hit. Now cant play d, now cant put up a fight

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Im fine with waiting until 50/60 game mark. I didnt expect the kings to do much except a "show me" season. Problem is, they dont have much to show save a few nice articles that say the kings have soooo much young talent. I havent seen it, in fact im skeptical its even there.

Still not fast, still lack skill, still cant finish, now cant hit. Now cant play d, now cant put up a fight

At this point I say why wait? Try to inject some life into this group. If they were playing like they did in the first game vs LV then I agree. As you said, they just arent competitive. I do think there is some skill, but not enough to overcome the glaring D mistakes. Make some moves (if possible) and get some solid D.

 

[Kings4OT]

I wait only because i expected this, but i want to see youth getting better.....i think giving 50 or 60 games to show what we have is good enough vs 7 games and some retarded covid seasons. Game 60 hit and still complete garbage then a new gm has 20ish games to see what he can to make offseason moves for next year is my thought....