2024-25 Season Thread

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I will never forget that interview, Hayward has always been a classless homer. I think I told you guys that dolt cut me off on the 57 when I was near the Puddle like 20 years ago, I look over after catching up and was like ugh it's that clown. I should have PIT maneuvered him.

Fox was spot on too, shows how resistant Hayward was to acknowledge the better built team. How's that working for you the last 13 years Hazy? Bunch of stacked teams, division banners, no championships and a long ass rebuild.

Just an FYI, back in September 2011 I told now Ms Ex Puck the Kings were going to win the Cup this season. Wasn't looking good in December but in my gut I just knew it. She would razzle me and say you still sure? I would always say yes.

The change to Sutter happens, Carter is brought in and boom.

I got to meet Jim Fox briefly after Kings won in 2012 and I said I was bummed he and Bob Miller didn't get announce the final game/finals (I mean, basically anything after Round 1). He said it didn't even matter, we won. Felt you could see the absolute relief. I watched an interview (That I cannot find now) with him. Someone asked Jim what it meant for Kings to win it, and he was actually in tears. He said when he does the speaking engagements, or goes into classrooms, the kids always ask "Have the Kings ever won it all?" and he just takes a moment and goes "And now I can say 'yes'". Dude lives and breaths Kings. Never had kids. Does have a winery, but that's about it. Played for the Kings, analyst for the Kings his whole life after that. Pretty blessed to have Bob Miller and Jim Fox, and the only part that stinks is now we have to always just compare the next dudes to these guys, and it will always feel like a letdown.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Great story, you can feel the passion he has for LA even through a telecast. He also has pulled back on not criticizing the Kings the last decade or so, he will call a spade a spade.

Can't say that for the Anaheim duo, they are still two of the worst in the business. I'll watch a Ducks game on mute because I don't want to hear their commentary and it's irresponsible the shit they spew, setting up young Ducks fans to get clowned because they don't offer objectivity. Sad actually but also explains why most of their fan base are still - 32 years later - some of the dumbest fans I've ever encountered. This is who they've had to "learn" from.

As for the Kings, no one will ever compare to Miller, Fox to a degree but a successor needs to be found. Faust was a tool, glad he's gone but there is no one else.I can think of who may be able to pull it off. Maybe Stoll but keep PON out of the booth.

 

[histkng23]

I got to meet Jim Fox briefly after Kings won in 2012 and I said I was bummed he and Bob Miller didn't get announce the final game/finals (I mean, basically anything after Round 1). He said it didn't even matter, we won. Felt you could see the absolute relief. I watched an interview (That I cannot find now) with him. Someone asked Jim what it meant for Kings to win it, and he was actually in tears. He said when he does the speaking engagements, or goes into classrooms, the kids always ask "Have the Kings ever won it all?" and he just takes a moment and goes "And now I can say 'yes'". Dude lives and breaths Kings. Never had kids. Does have a winery, but that's about it. Played for the Kings, analyst for the Kings his whole life after that. Pretty blessed to have Bob Miller and Jim Fox, and the only part that stinks is now we have to always just compare the next dudes to these guys, and it will always feel like a letdown.

Jim Fox broke down into tears during the pregame of the Parade after the 2012 Cup. Told a story about how he'd go to Children's Hospital events, and the kids would ask him about if the Kings had ever won the Cup, and how he always said they hadn't, but that it was a relief to say that now (then) they had finally won..... I have a picture from the parade, and as the buses turned off Figueroa, I caught Jim in pure adulation, hands in the air, head tilted back, just reveling in the moment. Can only imagine what his emotions were that day, as he's proven to wear his on his sleeve...

 

[histkng23]

Forgot, also, if you watch the camera angle of Jim & Bob doing their play-by-play during Game 6 in 2012, after the final horn, Jim breaks down & starts to cry. Can understand, after Greene scored to make it 6-1, and all the anxiety was given away to relief, with about 2 minutes left, I started welling up & crying. To the point my wife looked at me, and asked "Are you actually crying!?!?"

 

[Fox4Kings]

Forgot, also, if you watch the camera angle of Jim & Bob doing their play-by-play during Game 6 in 2012, after the final horn, Jim breaks down & starts to cry. Can understand, after Greene scored to make it 6-1, and all the anxiety was given away to relief, with about 2 minutes left, I started welling up & crying. To the point my wife looked at me, and asked "Are you actually crying!?!?"

My dad and I happen to get tickets for the game winning game in 2012. When playoffs started that year I joked with my wife that if the Kings made the final, I would fly down (I'm in WA state) and catch a Stanley Cup finals game. Incredibly they did it and she let me do it. I had flights and tickets arranged for game 4 but after Game 3, the dude that had the tickets bailed on me and left me with nothing. I was so upset but it ended up working out great because we held out for Game 6 instead. Such a special night, no one left the arena for about an hour after the game and one of the only times I can remember seeing my dad cry, along with about 50% of everyone else in the building. My dad has been a Kings fan since the beginning, I just got into them in the early 90's as I was born in '82. Was a moment I will never forget.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Jim Fox broke down into tears during the pregame of the Parade after the 2012 Cup. Told a story about how he'd go to Children's Hospital events, and the kids would ask him about if the Kings had ever won the Cup, and how he always said they hadn't, but that it was a relief to say that now (then) they had finally won..... I have a picture from the parade, and as the buses turned off Figueroa, I caught Jim in pure adulation, hands in the air, head tilted back, just reveling in the moment. Can only imagine what his emotions were that day, as he's proven to wear his on his sleeve...

This is what I was thinking about. Good call. I might try to go find that full broadcast, because it was hours and hours of coverage leading up to the parade, which I ended up heading down to, and then was able to get into the building for the speeches and stuff (Still not entirely sure why they decided to do the ticketed event for that, but I got lucky with that).

 

[PuckinUgly57]

This is what I was thinking about. Good call. I might try to go find that full broadcast, because it was hours and hours of coverage leading up to the parade, which I ended up heading down to, and then was able to get into the building for the speeches and stuff (Still not entirely sure why they decided to do the ticketed event for that, but I got lucky with that).

My ex was pregnant with Junior II and we caught the train from Fullerton and I think two connectors and made it to the parade. The other 3 were in tow and impatient being 2 years old and 7 but we got lucky and got great seats along Figueroa. Man, seeing the motor cops and double decker come by with the players and Cup was a dream come true.

In September we got invited to Jack Ferreira's private party in Riverside because I knew some folks and actually being able to put my hands on that Cup, my kids doing the same, just an experience many don't get to do. I'm so grateful for the people who allowed me to do that, for the Kings getting that elusive monkey off their back and to the long timers like Ox who waited a lifetime for that.

Speaking of, next month is his 10 year anniversary. Can't believe how quickly it's gone by and for me how much I miss that man. I was the darkness and he was the light, no idea how he pulled me from that place but he sure as shit did. Love honoring him when April rolls around.

If you guys are down would.love to meet near Staples or even better attend a game together for him and have a beer.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

TA with the All 25 and Under Team. I for sure Buster would make it, but he didn't. They even put together a second team and he didn't make that one either.

Looks who is at C1, and two of the guys I wanted (Raymond and Sanderson) made it. Faber made it too, the Kings just stink at drafting.

A lot of these names were available on the board when the Kings made their picks over the years.

 

[Kings4OT]

TA with the All 25 and Under Team. I for sure Buster would make it, but he didn't. They even put together a second team and he didn't make that one either.

Looks who is at C1, and two of the guys I wanted (Raymond and Sanderson) made it. Faber made it too, the Kings just stink at drafting.

A lot of these names were available on the board when the Kings made their picks over the years.

Thats just bs, dude has arrived....didnt anyone notice??

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Thats just bs, dude has arrived....didnt anyone notice??

Complete non factor last night, I also noticed something the majority of the game - he didn't really engage in any board battles. He dished the puck off and either floated around or tried to get to the front of the net which he didn't succeed at much. Credit to the Wild for that but top players in this league find a way to work through that and get there.

Sure as a C you need to do that, but the lack of bodying up and looking for someone to get the puck to you rather than asserting yourself and establishing position was a little alarming.

He seems to be always looking for a highlight goal as opposed to grinding it out. Kopitar may be old and slow but he is always involved along the boards no matter what even as a center, Dexter goes kamikaze and goes right into the battle.

Reminded me way too much of Arty Retardy, floater looking to others to make things happen and exactly why he was neutered last night.

 

[histkng23]

Complete non factor last night, I also noticed something the majority of the game - he didn't really engage in any board battles. He dished the puck off and either floated around or tried to get to the front of the net which he didn't succeed at much. Credit to the Wild for that but top players in this league find a way to work through that and get there.

Sure as a C you need to do that, but the lack of bodying up and looking for someone to get the puck to you rather than asserting yourself and establishing position was a little alarming.

He seems to be always looking for a highlight goal as opposed to grinding it out. Kopitar may be old and slow but he is always involved along the boards no matter what even as a center, Dexter goes kamikaze and goes right into the battle.

Reminded me way too much of Arty Retardy, floater looking to others to make things happen and exactly why he was neutered last night.

The whole PP was a mess....way too much passing back and forth between 3 players out at the blue line, puck never got more than 10 feet into the zone. Is why this team has been lacking players that drive the puck to the front of the net for the past couple years. Too many perimeter players....

 

[PuckinUgly57]

The whole PP was a mess....way too much passing back and forth between 3 players out at the blue line, puck never got more than 10 feet into the zone. Is why this team has been lacking players that drive the puck to the front of the net for the past couple years. Too many perimeter players....

The Kings PP has been terrible for a few years now, makes you wonder why Newelle Brown was hired. He led a 30th ranked PP for Anaheim last year, not sure why the Kings felt he would be an improvement. I'd take Jamie Kompon back at this point.

The Vegas 6-5 game notwithstanding, Kings hockey is grind it out 2-1/3-2 games, an effective PP can be the difference between a win and a loss. If the Kings has just an average PP, I think they have about 4-5 extra wins this season.

That PP will also be the difference between a win and a loss in the POs, refs won't be making a ton of calls so when you get one you better make it count if you're an offensively challenged team like LA already is.

As a side bar too, since the PP is so bad opposing teams know that and aren't afraid to push the lines knowing their PP won't make them pay.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

TA with the All 25 and Under Team. I for sure Buster would make it, but he didn't. They even put together a second team and he didn't make that one either.

Looks who is at C1, and two of the guys I wanted (Raymond and Sanderson) made it. Faber made it too, the Kings just stink at drafting.

A lot of these names were available on the board when the Kings made their picks over the years.

Maybe this has already been discussed on this board but I had a conversation with a Kings fan at work and my question to him was, do the Kings not draft well or is the issue more that they dont do a good job at development? I find it hard to believe that they would have a farm system ranked in the top 3 for years and so many dont pan out. To me, it sounds more like a development issue. I am sure its a combination of both but I tends to go with the lack of development.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Maybe this has already been discussed on this board but I had a conversation with a Kings fan at work and my question to him was, do the Kings not draft well or is the issue more that they dont do a good job at development? I find it hard to believe that they would have a farm system ranked in the top 3 for years and so many dont pan out. To me, it sounds more like a development issue. I am sure its a combination of both but I tends to go with the lack of development.

I think it's both but the key was when Futa left in 2020. Yanetti gets a lot of credit for turning out players from 2007 on but Futa was the common denominator. With Blake's first draft being 2017 there was a 3 year overlap between Futa running the show and him leaving. I think he had a lot to do with finding good players and developing them. Futa was here 2007-2020.

To your question, I think it's a combination of both. As I stated, a lot of those guys were on the board still when the Kings made their picks so to me they didn't identify the proper players and to compound it they didn't develop these picked players properly either.

IMO Yanetti and Co need to go and a new set of eyes and developmental staff needs to be brought in. It's mind boggling how you have a stacked pipeline but can only manage one decent player or so.

 

[Kings4OT]

Personally I think its more lack of evaluating talent at draft. Most of these guys should already have been developing their whole lives, after draft at that ahl ish level they should just be getting their man-bod and learning high level play of their positions....they should know how to pass, puckhandle, shoot, skate etc....all that stuff is just continuation of their abilities, you shouldnt be hoping the guy will learn to skate....thats where late picks come into play, those you see the player flaws and hope to develope those guysand dont care for the most part if it takes them 5 years to break out. Those early picks especially with cap, you want performing right away....you get that super star ability at cheap cap and can afford the right vet cast to get it competitive right away. It gets hard when guys cost 11m. Just look at McJesus and Dirty dri, harder and harder as they make more $$