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2024-25 Season Thread

PuckinUgly57

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TA, Scott Wheeler and his Top 100 drafted NHL prospects. Not going to be too much NHL news with the tournament, looking for any content to share the next two weeks.

Kings have only one on there at #48, the Sharks have a TON and Anaheim has a good nunber too. They both should become good teams in the not so distant future which is bad news for the Kings.

Liam Greentree

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Greentree’s an interesting one because he was just OK for Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and played his way to a diminished role at last spring’s U18 worlds — after standing out pre-tournament, he seemed to struggle with the pace against the better teams — but he has been one of the most consistent game-to-game offensive players in the OHL the last two seasons. He scored 25 goals and was named to the league’s First All-Rookie Team at 16. Last year, he was named captain of the Spits in his draft year as they began a rebuild and led the team in scoring by a wide margin (his 90 points were 24 more than his nearest teammate) to prove he could drive offense himself.

But despite having a makeup (size, strength, shot, skill, on-and-off-ice habits, etc.) that would usually lend itself to being universally well-liked, and despite a strong showing at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in which he scored, was robbed and had multiple looks against other top prospects, he had some skeptics. This season, he has silenced some of them and has at times led the OHL in scoring.

Greentree’s game is all about subtle soft skill/finesse for a big, strong kid. He finds his way onto pucks inside the offensive zone, can stay on them, can win battles and when he keeps his feet moving he plays an opportunistic style with above-average talent in multiple areas (shooting, handling, first touch for a player his size, etc.). He has skill and an NHL release; the puck comes off his stick hard and quickly and hits his spots. I haven’t seen a dynamic quality and his skating needs work (though his speed is decent when he gets going and it’s more through his first few steps), but he’s got pro size, a well-rounded toolkit offensively, individual skill and a growing statistical profile. He’s not ultra-competitive but he has played harder and with more pace this season. He’s not going to be a star but he looks like he’s got the makings of a solid NHL forward who can play up and down a lineup.
 

LAKINGSFAN

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TA, Scott Wheeler and his Top 100 drafted NHL prospects. Not going to be too much NHL news with the tournament, looking for any content to share the next two weeks.

Kings have only one on there at #48, the Sharks have a TON and Anaheim has a good nunber too. They both should become good teams in the not so distant future which is bad news for the Kings.

Liam Greentree

RW8
LAK
Height:
6' 2"
Weight:
207 Ibs
DOB:
Jan. 1, 2006

Greentree’s an interesting one because he was just OK for Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and played his way to a diminished role at last spring’s U18 worlds — after standing out pre-tournament, he seemed to struggle with the pace against the better teams — but he has been one of the most consistent game-to-game offensive players in the OHL the last two seasons. He scored 25 goals and was named to the league’s First All-Rookie Team at 16. Last year, he was named captain of the Spits in his draft year as they began a rebuild and led the team in scoring by a wide margin (his 90 points were 24 more than his nearest teammate) to prove he could drive offense himself.

But despite having a makeup (size, strength, shot, skill, on-and-off-ice habits, etc.) that would usually lend itself to being universally well-liked, and despite a strong showing at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in which he scored, was robbed and had multiple looks against other top prospects, he had some skeptics. This season, he has silenced some of them and has at times led the OHL in scoring.

Greentree’s game is all about subtle soft skill/finesse for a big, strong kid. He finds his way onto pucks inside the offensive zone, can stay on them, can win battles and when he keeps his feet moving he plays an opportunistic style with above-average talent in multiple areas (shooting, handling, first touch for a player his size, etc.). He has skill and an NHL release; the puck comes off his stick hard and quickly and hits his spots. I haven’t seen a dynamic quality and his skating needs work (though his speed is decent when he gets going and it’s more through his first few steps), but he’s got pro size, a well-rounded toolkit offensively, individual skill and a growing statistical profile. He’s not ultra-competitive but he has played harder and with more pace this season. He’s not going to be a star but he looks like he’s got the makings of a solid NHL forward who can play up and down a lineup.
Interesting. I just ran across the farm team ranking and how things have changed. For several years the Kings were always near the top. We know things havent panned out as we hoped but now they are showing to be ranked 23rd. To make things worse is that most of the teams with worse ranked farm systems are contenders.


 

PuckinUgly57

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Interesting. I just ran across the farm team ranking and how things have changed. For several years the Kings were always near the top. We know things havent panned out as we hoped but now they are showing to be ranked 23rd. To make things worse is that most of the teams with worse ranked farm systems are contenders.



Spot on, Blake really did a number and either drafted wrong or gutted the system. You guys know I can't stand Buster but he is exactly what is wrong with the scouting and development departments. Nobody else epitomizes the failure of this organization to capitalize on primo picks.

I loved Taylor but it reminds me of those days, they were the #1 ranked organization in 2001, by 2003 it was dearth of talent. They had Frolov, Corvo, Karlsson (bust, never played on NHL ice), Visnovsky, etc.

Similar situation here, roll back the clock 3-4 years and the Kings were the #1 or #2 system. Now they are decent but are not contenders and they have nothing of significance in the system, maybe goal but that's even unproven. You know my stance, a prospect is just that until they succeed at the NHL level. I never buy hype until I see it, I know better.

What's worse is Anaheim and SJ bit the bullet and rebuilt properly, Bowlby tried on the fly. That rarely works and few teams have pulled it off, these two teams are going to mop up LA in about 3 years. They certainly draft and develop better and are set up for success.
 
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Kings4OT

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I know it appears that Im just complaining all the time but little things like keeping Richards, signing a guy for too much, a bad trade, wrong pick, believing hype all lead to where the Kings are now. Each little missed opportunity dig a deeper hole you dont know your in until you cant get out.
 

PuckinUgly57

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I know it appears that Im just complaining all the time but little things like keeping Richards, signing a guy for too much, a bad trade, wrong pick, believing hype all lead to where the Kings are now. Each little missed opportunity dig a deeper hole you dont know your in until you cant get out.

It all compounds too, just look at the Petersen mess. It cost the Kings money, a solid player in Walker, a prospect and salary retention (Proverov) to undo that premature overpay contract.

The Richards thing, I can at least understand. Dumbo personally visited him the summer before in Ontario and got a promise from Richards he will be more dedicated for the upcoming season. We all know how loyal Dumbo was to his players so he believed him, that one is an iffy iffy thing. To his credit he didn't hesitate to act when he got a second chance to lose that contract the following summer with the oxy bust but that too came at a cost, the cap hit that seems like it will go on forever but at least it wasn't full boat.
 

Kings4OT

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It all compounds too, just look at the Petersen mess. It cost the Kings money, a solid player in Walker, a prospect and salary retention (Proverov) to undo that premature overpay contract.

The Richards thing, I can at least understand. Dumbo personally visited him the summer before in Ontario and got a promise from Richards he will be more dedicated for the upcoming season. We all know how loyal Dumbo was to his players so he believed him, that one is an iffy iffy thing. To his credit he didn't hesitate to act when he got a second chance to lose that contract the following summer with the oxy bust but that too came at a cost, the cap hit that seems like it will go on forever but at least it wasn't full boat.

I 100% agree and I am also a Richards fan, but I also am a realist and it was time. Loyalty goes both ways and each side needs to hold up their end for it to work and he was not. Cut him and tell him if you need help to really get your shit together Im here to help and if you do im ready to get you back on the team...until then gotta do whats best for the Kings
 

PuckinUgly57

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Speaking of Richards, he just turned 40 yesterday and I was curious about his buyout - I forgot it goes 15 freaking years. PuckPedia only has it listed through 2027-28 but there will be two more years after that. Unreal, Richards was paid $4.2 million a year (against the Kings cap too) between 2018-20.

2024-25 $700,000
2025-2028 $600,000

Happy birthday I guess, dude has made a fortune not playing hockey for the last 9-10 years. Also saw the Kings have $4.58 million in dead money including him, mostly Bowlby's doing although Dumbo had his hand on Richards. That's a T6 winger right there they could have had to address the scoring issues.
 
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Decent Kempe article. I didn't know last time he played internationally he didn't score a goal in ten games. One of the few players I've heard who likes the smaller rink. Says it suits his game better.
 
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Anyone watch the Sweden/Canada game? Not trying to exaggerate, but some of the highest level hockey I can remember. Intense and high skill. Some amazing saves in there too. Kempe with a nice goal in there too.
 

PuckinUgly57

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Anyone watch the Sweden/Canada game? Not trying to exaggerate, but some of the highest level hockey I can remember. Intense and high skill. Some amazing saves in there too. Kempe with a nice goal in there too.

Knocked Theodore out of the tournament, looks like a right hand or shoulder injury from a clean check. Can't imagine Vegas is too happy about that one.
 

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Knocked Theodore out of the tournament, looks like a right hand or shoulder injury from a clean check. Can't imagine Vegas is too happy about that one.
Thats my fear with things like the Olympics and other types of tournaments using NHL players (especially Kings).
 

PuckinUgly57

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Thats my fear with things like the Olympics and other types of tournaments using NHL players (especially Kings).

100%, just hoping both Kempe and Doughty return to LA uninjured. Pretty much would seal their fate for the POs considering the lack of scoring as is.
 

PuckinUgly57

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I dunno, plays right inyo Vegas MO....they taking a hard look at Marchand and I think even made an offer

The good old Mark Stone LTIR clause although Knights saying he's out week to week.

A long-term injury would allow Vegas to free Theodore's $5.2 million cap hit via long-term injured reserve, though replacing the blueliner would prove difficult.


Pretty funny TSN referenced his nunber in there in case of LTIR.
 
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PuckinUgly57

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Cleanly bored with no hockey, PLD update.


On pace for 66 points still, 19G/46A. Already is at 1 point less (13G/31A/44 points) with 30 or whatever games to go than Buster's total season projection (18G/27A/45 points).
 

PuckinUgly57

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Still bored, thought this was an interesting comment from someone on Teh Blog:

I think calling Kempe a bust prior to the 2021/2022 season is a bit harsh. His points per game prior to that season was .42 which while nothing to write home about is acceptable scoring from a secondary 3rd line NHL player. You can do far worse on a 29th overall pick which is just barley outside the 2nd round of the draft, especially back then.

So with Buster hovering around that same PPG mark if standards are the same he's a "secondary 3rd line NHL player" correct? Yet all we hear is patience, he's doing all the other things right, he will be a star, blah blah blah.

Bill Parcells was an amazing coach and being a NY Giant fan I got to appreciate this guy for years. One of his most infamous quotes is "you are what your record says you are". IMO this can be translated straight to Buster, "you are what your stat sheet says you are".

Which is a secondary 3rd line NHL player, correct? Meanwhile Stuetzle and 2020 draft Co accel. I do not see the same career trajectory arc with Buster vs Kempe, Kempe was a damn near second round pick. Buster doesn't get that runway being a 2OA and he hasn't lived up to the hype at all.

This season is lost hoping he turns it up, he will get his points in bunches - mostly assists, he pulled this BS in 2023-24 too in October/November racking up like 50 assists in 6-7 games - but if he is ever to be a game breaker or difference maker next year has to be it.

Can't be paying $6.25 million for 4 more years to be a secondary assist king. If he's in a similar position a year from now I'd be all on board for moving him before his value plummets like Blake has let happen to so many prospects/players.
 
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Kings4OT

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Thats been kinda the point all along, a later pick you can get away with taking longer or not paning out at all. While it hurts an organization a little, you can overcome that as you had a decent team already and why you picked later. If you have a t5 pick, your team probably has little going for it. (You can see a path for LA to be here quickly if you look)

The future of LA looks way different if Byfield is a 3rd line energy guy or if he is a #1C power forward. 1 of those you can anchor your team, the other you sign for 2-5m from FA
 

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I am not a Buster apologist at all but I do see that he gets a lot of scoring chances but just doesnt finish. All of his shot mostly go high and miss the net altogether. I think if he were to just work on his finish we would see better stats. I think if he were to just finish on half of the opportunities that that he has had we would be singing a different tune. I thnk his playmaking abilities are pretty good but seems to squeeze the stick a bit epscially on breakaways etc. With all of that, I agree that we should expect more from a 2OA pick at this stage of his career.

I am still confused as stated before on how we have all of those picks and "prospects" and they just dont pan out. Is is Blake doesnt know talent or are the Kings that bad at developing players? A few years ago, I was okay with the "rebuild" knowing what was lurking in Ontario. Now, we are a middle of the road team and dont have a very bright future with the younger talent. Eh, who know, I am just a keyboard warrior and this is my 2 cents. LOL
 

PuckinUgly57

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The guy has been put in every position to succeed but simply has not executed. I'm absolutely sick and tired of the patience card, he has to produce. And he hasn't minus his little dick swinging second assists. He cannot drive a line, he does not make his linemates better. He isn't a needle mover.

I want people to admit he was a bad pick and he is not someone to hinge this franchise on. They flat out screwed up and they're not good enough to win a Cup but not bad enough to get a 2OA anymore. They flubbed it and hurt the Kings.

Don't mean to call my buddy out - we have attended games together, have had meaningful conversations, when I hit low points in my life this guy listened - but X, you cannot justify this clown anymore. You just cannot. He is a bust and unfortunately screwed the franchise.

The Kings got a Dunno 2.0 and nothing else. Extremely disapponting because the last 2OA changed the franchise and led to 2 Cups.

If anyone can prove otherwise, I'm all for it. I dont think that'll happen.
 
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Kings4OT

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Eh, who know, I am just a keyboard warrior and this is my 2 cents. LOL


Thats all any of us are, I like that others have different views at times (or mostly haha) than myself as Kings are the only team or sport I follow much and I enjoy facing a different oppinion on them....weather I agree or not makes niether oppinion better or worse
 
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