2024-25 Season Thread

[Kings4OT]

Anyone catch the presser? I got tied up with work. Curious what garbage spewed out of his mouth and delusions of grandeur he has.

No but im sure it was something like "We like the team we have assembled and think its already a top contender. We were concerned that TENT has score a couple non EN goals and Lewis netted another one last month, so we got Kuzmenko to bring that production down to a comfortable level."

 

[PuckinUgly57]

A whopping 62 minutes after the TDL ends and the grade is out from TA on the Kuzmenko deal. Can't C/P the title but it's:

NHL Trade Grades: Kings overpay for Kuzmenko, but he might fit

The trade
Kings get: Forward Andrei Kuzmenko, 2025 seventh-round draft pick

Flyers get: 2027 third-round draft pick (Flyers retain 50 percent of Kuzmenko’s salary)

Shayna Goldman: Even with 50 percent salary retention, a third-round pick is a bit much to give up for Andrei Kuzmenko. So this is a nice move for the rebuilding Flyers, because the winger was never going to be a long-term fit there.

It’s been quite some time since Kuzmenko’s 38-goal season in 2022-23, which looks like a real outlier at this point. Shooting percentages come and go, but sometimes players can hold value by contributing elsewhere when their finishing fades. That hasn’t been the case for Kuzmenko, whose goal-scoring downturn has crushed his value. He doesn’t drive play or transition the puck up the ice to help facilitate it, either. His defensive game is another anchor in his value. There just isn’t a ton of dimension outside of that shooting talent, and the problem is that he isn’t a stylistic fit for the bottom-six on most teams. So that explains why he has bounced around so much over the last couple of seasons.

Finding an ideal fit for Kuzmenko is tricky, but there’s actually some juice with the Kings. Los Angeles has a lot of two-way talent in the top-nine, which can help balance out some of Kuzmenko’s flaws. What this team needs is some finishing talent. In all situations, the team has scored 21 goals fewer than expected based on the quality of their shots. That has been a theme with this team for some time. So if Kuzmenko can find his scoring touch, he could be the winger this team needs. With Kevin Fiala finally hitting his stride, the Kings just need some accents on the wing to punch up their scoring. Since he is far from a sure thing, that salary retention matters, because the Kings may not be done.

Kings grade: B-
Flyers grade: B+

Ouch. Love how the title says "might". Blake had to go to a third so the Flyers would retain 50%, this guy is worth a fourth at most.

Another example of how shit you did 3 years ago comes back to bite you in the ass.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

No but im sure it was something like "We like the team we have assembled and think its already a top contender. We were concerned that TENT has score a couple non EN goals and Lewis netted another one last month, so we got Kuzmenko to bring that production down to a comfortable level."

Accurate.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Bowlby confirms he is in the last year of his contract (duh) and that they'll revisit at the end of the season (huh? Why is he even being considered still? Eight years of this circus isn't enough?).

Now I'm really hoping the Kings either miss altogether or get a date with the Jets or Oilers and get beat so bad they wished it ended in 3.

On the flip it sounds like Blake needs to have results finally if they make the POs so the gauntlet has been thrown down by ownership.

This franchise is dumb as hell. Eight years into Dumbo we got two Cups, eight years into Bowlby we're lucky to make the POs.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Bowlby confirms he is in the last year of his contract (duh) and that they'll revisit at the end of the season (huh? Why is he even being considered still? Eight years of this circus isn't enough?).

Now I'm really hoping the Kings either miss altogether or get a date with the Jets or Oilers and get beat so bad they wished it ended in 3.

On the flip it sounds like Blake needs to have results finally if they make the POs so the gauntlet has been thrown down by ownership.

This franchise is dumb as hell. Eight years into Dumbo we got two Cups, eight years into Bowlby we're lucky to make the POs.

You know what, a nothing burger is probably fine in hindsight. Just gotta figure our Gavrikov situation and it is what it is. Kopitar and Doughty another year older is the only thing. But they probably did leash Blake and didn't let him go all scorched earth trying to throw Hail Mary's at the deadline. This team does feel like maybe they'll miss the playoffs now, or get smoked in Round 1. Depends on the matchup. Ironically, a date with Winnipeg would be dramatic.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Extremely happy they muzzled Blake, he's been running around like a serial killer the last few years with no rhyme or reason to what he does.

I honestly think the PLD thing would have worked out if the Kings stuck with him and put him in positions to succeed but Blake panicked thinking this isn't going to work and moved on ASAP. His 20 goals in a T6 role would have been very helpful right about now and helped in the standings, the Flame and Canucks are right on the Kings heels.

Just gotta figure our Gavrikov situation and it is what it is.

I just read they are very close to an extension. I'm afraid to see what that actually turns out to be.

I think Blake is on his way out for sure with things looking the way they are and he's going to pay players. I wouldn't be surprised if he extends Laferriere at some gross number as a grenade in the room double birds up as he leaves his office, he has always been pro player in terms of earnings. He probably wishes he had 8 contracts to extend instead of two.

There is no other explanation for the contracts he has dished out. NHLPA probably absolutely loves him.

 

[Kings4OT]

At the very least I assume Kings would need to get past the 1st round and look like they belong....if that isnt the case hes gone

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Correction: he won't be able to do that with Laferriere being a GII RFA and MQOs not being able to be sent until June 15 at the earliest. Gavrikov has been eligible to sign an extension since Jan 1 being a GIII UFA.

The Kings will be gone by then POs or not and by proxy hopefully Blake too as soon as the season ends which will be well before that June 15 date.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

At the very least I assume Kings would need to get past the 1st round and look like they belong....if that isnt the case hes gone

If by some miracle the Kings make it to the WCSF, which they won't no matter who they play, and that's considered a win by AEG there is a serious losing culture within the organization.

 

[Kings4OT]

Don't know about the rest of you, but im excited to see what the new look Kings lines will be, so much to juggle around....exciting stuff

 

[PuckinUgly57]

With Kuzmenko incoming and no one leaving, someone sits. I pray that is Lewis but I doubt it. Guess we will find out tomorrow.

 

[Kings4OT]

With Kuzmenko incoming and no one leaving, someone sits. I pray that is Lewis but I doubt it. Guess we will find out tomorrow.

Im hoping 11/7 no changes

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Blowby is grasping at straws. The sooner he is gone the better. And not only him but Luc too. I love what lucky has done for the Kings, but it’s time to go. I know the responsibility for this team lies squarely with Blake, Luc is unfortunately guilty by association.

 

[histkng23]

Blowby is grasping at straws. The sooner he is gone the better. And not only him but Luc too. I love what lucky has done for the Kings, but it’s time to go. I know the responsibility for this team lies squarely with Blake, Luc is unfortunately guilty by association.

If Blake is FINALLY relieved of his duties, Luc has to be let go of as well. They teamed up together, and sold AEG on their philosophy, and abilities to keep the franchise in a position to compete for cups regularly. Clearly, they were in over their collective heads. Luc, should have just stayed on the business side of the equation for the franchise. Blake, really should have never been brought in to be the Assistant GM under Dean, let alone been given keys to the team. 8 years, and the team is clearly starting to regress, and the whole rebuild was mismanaged. Is time to move on...

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I think of all the bad moves Dumbo did- and towards the end he made plenty (Sekera for a 1st and he walks, really?)- bringing Bowlby on out of loyalty was probably the worst.

Blake's character is awful and there is so much documented proof of that I don't know what else to say. How this guy is so revered in franchise lore is baffling to me. He wasn't even that good as a defenseman, he just threw checks and had a heavy shot.

I figured OK, he will be a mentor and Blake will learn. Nope, didn't happen. Blake is and was never qualified enough to build a franchise and this is the mess we have. Regardless of what happens, and my belief now is they will end up as WC2 and a date with the Jets, he should not be extended and should be shown the exit.

He has failed in epic proportion in every aspect as a GM.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Happy Monday ya mooks, fun little factoid I just dug up. Loved Lewis when he was part of the teams, he played his role to a T. Little disappointing that he was a 17OA and turned into a B6 checker but he was critical to those Cup teams.

Fast forward 19 years and he's definitely not that anymore although I'm sure he's still the consummate pro and teammate. He just doesn't bring anything anymore to the table and hopefully this is his last season here.

The fact: he's been scratched the last 2 games with Kuzmenko coming over and the Kings are 10-2-2 without him in the line up all season long.

Thanks for your contributions but have a nice retirement...

 

[Kings4OT]

Happy Monday ya mooks, fun little factoid I just dug up. Loved Lewis when he was part of the teams, he played his role to a T. Little disappointing that he was a 17OA and turned into a B6 checker but he was critical to those Cup teams.

Fast forward 19 years and he's definitely not that anymore although I'm sure he's still the consummate pro and teammate. He just doesn't bring anything anymore to the table and hopefully this is his last season here.

The fact: he's been scratched the last 2 games with Kuzmenko coming over and the Kings are 10-2-2 without him in the line up all season long.

Thanks for your contributions but have a nice retirement...

After 15 I dont mind projects or roll players, i dont expect many "ready now" type guys passed the 1st 5 maybe 10....but lets say at 3 the Blackhawks took Lewis instead of Jonathan Toews....while you can say Lewis was all those things and the perfect professional....the Hawks lose out on not 1 but 2 Cup championships.

As it is, not many players around the Lewis pick that would have been a better choice in hindsight....sure Girioux pops out, but every one missed that one....further out there was Lucic and Marchand. I dont get to upset when they are missed multiple rounds.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

That's why I'm not overly upset about the Lewis pick. At 17OA you're already reaching, the game breakers or foundational pieces are in the top 5, maybe in the top 10. After that it drops off significantly, Kempe was a true rare find at 29th and even then it took him longer than expected.

But he had some finishing skills prior to the NHL so I was expecting a bit more, maybe a M6 player instead of a career B6 player. Regardless he was a big piece of the Cups, now it's just time to hang them up and call it a day Lewie.