2023 Off Season Thread

[PuckinUgly57]

It's August and we're in the dead zone of hockey so anything out there is something for us.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/2023-24-nhl-prospect-pool-overview-los-angeles-kings

Take it as you will but I question if this guy has actually watched any of the Kings prospects. Turcotte making the team this season? I'm not banking on it but stranger things have happened in camp.

 

[xis]

It's August and we're in the dead zone of hockey so anything out there is something for us.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/2023-24-nhl-prospect-pool-overview-los-angeles-kings

Take it as you will but I question if this guy has actually watched any of the Kings prospects. Turcotte making the team this season? I'm not banking on it but stranger things have happened in camp.

Man the Hockey News used to be such a great read. I used to subscribe to it back in the day before the internet took off.

Keep an eye on the development of the this kid Matthew Mania. He'll need a few years (4-5) but once he's figured out a few
kinks in his game and if the development team of the Kings does a good job with him he's going to be a player that will surprise you.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Camp To Camp - Erik Portillo - LA Kings Insider

Between now and training camp, we’ll share the stories of several young prospects, who attended development camp in the summer and are approaching training camp in the fall with a variety of goals. This week’s story is about Erik Portillo, who joined the Kings organization at the trade deadline...

lakingsinsider.com

Next Quick?

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Good to see you posting again X...

Man the Hockey News used to be such a great read. I used to subscribe to it back in the day before the internet took off.

Those were the days, I loved coming home from work or something and a new THN would be sitting in my mailbox. I kept a bunch from the 1990s and important issues afterwards but sold the rest as a garage sale in 2010. I had about 4 small moving boxes full and didn't think they would sell, as we are wrapping up the sale at the end of the day some dude stops by, looks around and sees the 4 boxes and says I'll give you $50 for these 4 boxes. About 30 seconds later I had some extra beer and pizza money for the night. Of course I had already pilfered through them and kept what I wanted.

But yes, it used to be a great read, now it's kind of dumb. I check it out now and again but that's about it.

Keep an eye on the development of the this kid Matthew Mania. He'll need a few years (4-5) but once he's figured out a few
kinks in his game and if the development team of the Kings does a good job with him he's going to be a player that will surprise you.

He's high risk/high reward, needs work in front of the net, along the boards. So basically Durzi 2.0. Kings better hope they have their other 5 defenders solidified before having this guy in the line up.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Camp To Camp - Erik Portillo - LA Kings Insider

Between now and training camp, we’ll share the stories of several young prospects, who attended development camp in the summer and are approaching training camp in the fall with a variety of goals. This week’s story is about Erik Portillo, who joined the Kings organization at the trade deadline...

lakingsinsider.com

Next Quick?

Would be nice, Copley/Talbot/Rittich are bandaids. Next summer I believe Bowlby make a move for Swayman or another 24-26 established goalie.

After that the Kings do not have anyone in the system who looks NHL capable so they absolutely must hit on a goalie in the next few years.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

I need some perspective from those of you who follow the NFL and the NHL.
I’m trying to figure out a draft comparison.
Generally speaking, the deeper you go in the NHL draft, the diamonds change to coal. Yes, there oddities, Robitaille being drafted #120 is an example of that. But overall, guys in the mid to lower rounds, never see the NHL and either play in the minors (AHL if they’re lucky and good) or go overseas. But in the NFL many a late round draftee makes not only the team, but in many cases becomes a starter.
Why is that? Is it because better athletes play football? Or is it something else?

 

[Kings4OT]

I need some perspective from those of you who follow the NFL and the NHL.
I’m trying to figure out a draft comparison.
Generally speaking, the deeper you go in the NHL draft, the diamonds change to coal. Yes, there oddities, Robitaille being drafted #120 is an example of that. But overall, guys in the mid to lower rounds, never see the NHL and either play in the minors (AHL if they’re lucky and good) or go overseas. But in the NFL many a late round draftee makes not only the team, but in many cases becomes a starter.
Why is that? Is it because better athletes play football? Or is it something else?

I'm not really sure That's accurate..... I thought it was like fifty percent of the players drafted in the NHL actually make it to play at least one game. Unless you mean superstars only? i dont know NFL much Anymore But I would be surprised if it wasn't the opposite of what you're saying..... And that more top draft picks in football are what make it as starters

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Capitals, Tom Wilson agree to 7-year extension

Wilson recorded 13 goals and nine assists in 2022-23.

theathletic.com

 

[Kings4OT]

Capitals, Tom Wilson agree to 7-year extension

Wilson recorded 13 goals and nine assists in 2022-23.

theathletic.com

I actually like Wilson, but thats way to much IMO

 

[Fox4Kings]

I need some perspective from those of you who follow the NFL and the NHL.
I’m trying to figure out a draft comparison.
Generally speaking, the deeper you go in the NHL draft, the diamonds change to coal. Yes, there oddities, Robitaille being drafted #120 is an example of that. But overall, guys in the mid to lower rounds, never see the NHL and either play in the minors (AHL if they’re lucky and good) or go overseas. But in the NFL many a late round draftee makes not only the team, but in many cases becomes a starter.
Why is that? Is it because better athletes play football? Or is it something else?

Well in NHL there are only 6 positions on the ice, and in NFL there are 22 and that's not even counting special teams. So in theory you could get the top ranked (insert position here) in a later round just due to shear numbers, and typically earlier rounds draw the attention of QB's, linemen, and receivers.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Well in NHL there are only 6 positions on the ice, and in NFL there are 22 and that's not even counting special teams. So in theory you could get the top ranked (insert position here) in a later round just due to shear numbers, and typically earlier rounds draw the attention of QB's, linemen, and receivers.

I agree with Fox. They also have practice squad that they can sign from when an injusty occurs. I would also imagine along with the amount of players on the team there are also a lot more injuries to account for.

 

[Kings4OT]

So a quick search says 30% of NFL draftees make the pro team and 49% of NHL draftees make a pro game....so its difficult for me to argue why its easier to make NFL

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Aren't NFL players drafted at say 21-22 out of college and what not? Not my forte compared to hockey, but I'm assuming the physical maturity of these guys plays a role in that.

You're always hearing about some 6th round/day 3 draft pick making an NFL team out of camp who was drafted only a few months earlier vs the same scenario in the NHL.

Just a thought.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

The Rover traded to Pittsburgh. I'm sure he will let in 73 goals on the flight from SJ to PA.

Sharks send Karlsson to Pens in 3-team trade

The Sharks granted longtime defenseman Erik Karlsson's request for a trade, dealing him to the Penguins in a three-team deal that involved the Canadiens for a haul that includes veteran forward Mikael Granlund and a 2024 first-round pick.

www.espn.com

 

[Kings4OT]

The Rover traded to Pittsburgh. I'm sure he will let in 73 goals on the flight from SJ to PA.

Sharks send Karlsson to Pens in 3-team trade

The Sharks granted longtime defenseman Erik Karlsson's request for a trade, dealing him to the Penguins in a three-team deal that involved the Canadiens for a haul that includes veteran forward Mikael Granlund and a 2024 first-round pick.

www.espn.com

I loathe this guy and loved when he went to SJ, probably in a post somewhere on here how glad i was he went there. +/- isnt much of a stat, but 101pts and still -26....c'mon man.

Only playtime dude would get on my team would be on PP and when goalie pulled....i think he could be an asset doing only that.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

He bleeds goals, no concept of defensive play whatsoever. Norris winner at. -26 is embarrassing, much like I felt in 1998 when Bowlby won with a -3 but he put up 23 goals that year.

If you look at the list of Norris winners who have a negative +/-, the list is very short. While I agree the stat itself isn't a tell all, it's an indication of a player's acumen in their own end.

Looks like SJ is retaining only 10% ($1.5 million) but the Pens just acquired a really expensive PP specialist. When him and Doughty were duking it out for defensive prowess over the years, it baffled me to the enth degree how Karlsson was even in the conversation.

Dude loses his man in a lunch sack.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Jones signs 1 year$875,000 deal with the Loafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs sign goaltender Martin Jones to one-year, $875,000 contract | TSN

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the signing of goaltender Martin Jones to a one-year, $875,000 deal on Wednesday.

www.tsn.ca

It's almost comical how teams use the LTIR loophole, TO is way over the cap as is but announced that Matt Murray will essentially be out all season long with no injury disclosure...in July. If that isn't basically saying we are going to LTIR him and work around that cap I don't know what is, it's a joke at this point. I'm sure Mark Stone will intermittently go on LTIR too and be "ready" and in full flight just in time for G1 of the SCPOs.

I completely forgot Jones was part of that 2014 Cup team too. I remember Quick went down in 2015 early and Jones had astronomical numbers in his absence but that was due to the smothering team defense the Kings played, not Jones himself although he showed some flashes now and then.

 

[Fox4Kings]

I watch most of the Kraken games and he was terrible for them. He had a decent stretch during Grubauer's injury, but his terrible tending was overshadowed by Seattle's offense that gave him a ton of run support. His stats are so crazy... his win/loss record is pretty amazing for how bad his goaltending numbers were.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

It actually reminds me of Copley. Don't get me wrong, he's a great story - but he isn't a legitimate number one. You can point to his 24 wins or whatever but he was average at best. Kind of how I look at Jones, similar. He won't steal you many games, we all got really spoiled with Quick for a decade plus.

Goaltending needs to just hold the fort this season for LA and hope the offense and defense does the rest, otherwise it's going to be a long season. If you subscribe to the thought process that Bowlby is going for a legitimate number one next summer and temper the expectations, if goaltending f**ks the dog this season we shouldn't be overly disappointed. Good ain't cheap.amd cheap ain't good, you get what you pay for.

I'm hoping any combination of Copley/Rittich/Talbot can just make the saves they need to.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

QMJHL bans fighting; suspensions possible

The league's rules state that anyone engaged in a fight will be ejected from the game.

theathletic.com

So how long before this reaches the NHL? Is Quebec going to force the NHL (through Montreal) into the same thing?