2024-25 Season Thread

[PuckinUgly57]

Capitals tracked Pierre-Luc Dubois for years before trading for him and believed his problems in LA were solely usage-based

The Washington Capitals made a slew of big moves this past offseason, fueling an on-the-fly retool that has them atop the NHL's…

russianmachineneverbreaks.com

Just to rehash that the PLD stuff wasn't a fever dream.

It wasn't. Yeah he looks uninspiring which is on him, but he also wasn't put in positions to succeed like say Buster has been. PP time? Nope. L1 duties? Nope. Quality wingers? Nope.

The trade was bizarro to begin with but how he was handled was even more weird. Why trade for and sign an $8 million a year guy if you aren't going to utilize him properly? That's on Blake and McLellan and Hiller.

Was watching the Caps Oilers tonight on CI and guess who scored the GW goal to win 3-2 and help the Kings in the standings...

 

[Kings4OT]

I know most Kings fans dont like PLG because he looks like Pencakes while playing instead of the Lizard. But the fact of the matter is he is a decent playmaker, He is difficult to play against and can draw penalties. I know everybody wants a playmaker to be able to drive his own line And get a shit ton of points from the third line with no real offensive Opportunities But that's not how play makers usually work. They need somebody to accept the pass and bury it. If you go back.
And watch a lot of those games.He was making the pass, but either nobody would be there where they should be.Or they could not make the play from the pass. Whether you like your players or not you need to play them for success. Paying that guy eight million was just stupid.... He's not a player.I would have went after but They did need to do something With the legend....

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I know most Kings fans dont like PLG because he looks like Pencakes while playing instead of the Lizard. But the fact of the matter is he is a decent playmaker, He is difficult to play against and can draw penalties. I know everybody wants a playmaker to be able to drive his own line And get a shit ton of points from the third line with no real offensive Opportunities But that's not how play makers usually work. They need somebody to accept the pass and bury it. If you go back.
And watch a lot of those games.He was making the pass, but either nobody would be there where they should be.Or they could not make the play from the pass. Whether you like your players or not you need to play them for success. Paying that guy eight million was just stupid.... He's not a player.I would have went after but They did need to do something With the legend....

Dude his wing was JAD for most of his time in LA, spot on. Kaliyev too prior to entering Jill's doghouse permanently in Jan 2024. JAD waived and picked up by Nashville and out of the NHL, Arty Retardy scratched January on and now waived and gone as well.

You aren't going to get points with wingers like Name Plate and Retardy and it's actually impressive PLD was able to hit 40 points as the 3C with dumpy guys on his wings all season.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Funny we were discussing Miller if he is a locker room issue, sounds like that's a resounding "no". From a TA article on what he may bring back in return (TLDR: a 1st round pick, M6 center and a round prospect):


What kind of locker room fit would Miller be?

Many will wonder if Miller will be a good locker room/off-ice fit on other teams given all the speculation around a potential rift with Pettersson.

Having covered Miller closely for six seasons, which includes extensive reporting/writing on the double-edged sword of his fiery, old-school leadership style, the best way to sum up his off-ice impact is he amplifies the team’s current emotional state.

When the club is winning, Miller’s swagger, passionate energy and off-ice lightheartedness (he’s a huge chirper) can take a team to the next level. He makes the good vibes even better and can be a fun, popular teammate.

When the club is losing, Miller can become frustrated, charged up and on edge. He’s blunt and unafraid to speak his mind, which has ruffled feathers in Vancouver.

Miller’s not a “bad guy” — Vancouver’s former head coaches loved having him as a player and leader — but his emotions amplify the feeling of whatever a team is going through at a given moment, whether it’s positive or negative.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

TA Power Rankings:

6. Los Angeles Kings, 25-12-5

Last week: 8
Sean’s ranking: 6
Dom’s ranking: 6

It’s taken a long time, but Alex Turcotte is starting to finally reward the Kings for drafting him fifth back in 2019. The 23-year-old opened things up with a bang against the Canucks with three points in the first period — all at five-on-five. With that, he’s now up to 2.42 points per 60, the third-best mark on the Kings. He’s making an impact and has earned his place on Los Angeles’ top line.

Have to agree with that assessment of Turcotte, I'm fully in favor of giving him more opportunities over a Buster or TOTM.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

MSN

Some speculation maybe Marchand could become available. Contract almost up and maybe butting heads with coach. Bruins sorta middling this year. I don't think this is serious, but it's definitely interesting.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

MSN

Some speculation maybe Marchand could become available. Contract almost up and maybe butting heads with coach. Bruins sorta middling this year. I don't think this is serious, but it's definitely interesting.

Would be a great add, exactly the type of player the Kings would need in the POs. Boston isn't contending so I wouldn't be surprised to see them taking calls on almost everyone.

 

[Kings4OT]

Playing people correctly brings me to Fiala on the PP. His ass should be to the right of the Goalie, from there he is fast enough to retrieve the puck, can go up down back forth, move to net shoot or pass through middle to Kempe shot. Lots of creative space opportunity there. If he Fiala's at that spot the point guys have his back....having him at the point is just stupid, I wonder if these people even understand the game or skills of players

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Playing people correctly brings me to Fiala on the PP. His ass should be to the right of the Goalie, from there he is fast enough to retrieve the puck, can go up down back forth, move to net shoot or pass through middle to Kempe shot. Lots of creative space opportunity there. If he Fiala's at that spot the point guys have his back....having him at the point is just stupid, I wonder if these people even understand the game or skills of players

That would be too obvious my friend.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Every time I see Buster skate this dude pops into my head. Robbie Rotten from Lazy Town, a show Ms Puck watched as a kid in the mid 2000s. Guy was goofy as hell.