2024-25 Season Thread

[LAKINGSFAN]

Yes they were t3, I thought Stutzle should be #1 as he looked NHL ready. But just because consensus of whoevers say a guy should go at what number.....doesnt mean they are correct and a good talent team can see through the hype and get the right guy....thats their job. If I did my job based on other people outside my company telling me what to do I would be fired....not the same but similarities. Why do some teams trade up or down? Usually a guy is miss # and teams will base their decisions on what they expect others to do

I get it. I am in agreement with needing to make some moves in the front office. I think that is a given. If we contunue this trend of giving away picks and assets (veryy few) it isnt sustainable. We cant keep overpaying for free agents and getting fleeced in trades or we will never get out of the cap issues we have had.

 

[histkng23]

Clearly bored on a Wed night with only two hockey games on the docket so I went down a rabbit hole and decided to look at old LA rosters. Good lord look at this rag tag bunch:

2007-08 Los Angeles Kings Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts | Hockey-Reference.com

Check out the latest Los Angeles Kings Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts and more on Hockey-Reference.com

www.hockey-reference.com

That summer Dumbo went bananas and signed Calder, Handzus, Preissing and Brad Stuart as UFAs to either keep as veteran players while giving the youth some shelter or to flip them at the deadline (I think he got a 1st for Stuart from Detroit).

Guiliano, I remember calling him Gonzo because of the beak, Zeiler was Frat Boy because he wore polos all the time and aviators, Andy Murray's kid Brady, somehow Lauri Tukonen (another 1st round bust but during Al Murray's tenure) was on that team. Yikes.

Just goes to show how hard it is to build a Stanley Cup team, Dumbo had this to work with but had a clear plan and followed it.

Feel I recall reading a statement by Deano during that year, why he signed all the FA's, even admitting to "overpaying" for Handzus because he was coming off a torn ACL, was to make sure the Kings were above the floor of the Salary Cap. Being insulation for Brown, Kopitar, JMFJ, etc., was also necessary. But he also hired Marc Crawford as coach, who in hindsight wasn't the best, even if he'd won a Cup with Colorado. Main turning point came with trade for Stoll & Greene, which we've discussed, but, imo, hiring Terry Murray to install a structure, amd teach players how to play proper defense (literally spray painting circles on the ice requiring players to identify where to go to in the D Zone) are the catalysts to creating the winning team we were finally blessed with...

 

[Kings4OT]

I think a savvy GM can use FA to get some assets both for helping develope youth and others to be flipped for picks or prospects....but at some point you need a plan, I think you can loosely have one to start but soon you need to evaluate what you have and make your path from there. No matter what, it does take some luck along the way but I also think you make your own luck

 

[PuckinUgly57]

even admitting to "overpaying" for Handzus because he was coming off a torn ACL, was to make sure the Kings were above the floor of the Salary Cap.

You are correct, he did make that statement. The Kings were such a young team on ELCs or low second contracts he had to write blank checks to get the floor threshold.

I went back and looked at Stuart, who was having a good season as a SAH defender but also scored at a .33 PPG clip and he was traded mid season to Detroit for a 2nd not a first. He was a good signing and gained an asset in the flip, that is asset management. The Kings basically bought a 2nd round pick for nothing but cash.

Preissing was traded two years in for Ryan Smyth, who was LW1 with Kopitar and Williams but then demanded a trade back to Edmonton - anyone remember that fiasco? Where Dumbo called out then GM Tambellini publicly for trading a damaged Colin Fraser? The original trade was for Gilbert Brule but he wasn't cleared from a concussion so Fraser was sent here instead. The intention was to waive him but he played a big role in that B6 leading to the 2012 Cup.

Calder and Handzus completed their contracts here and left as UFAs. Handzus had a big hand in mentoring the kids, he earned every penny of that 4 year/$16 million overpayment and left for SJ, Calder went down the street to Anaheim for a year and then retired.

That was an exciting time, even though the Kings stunk you could see a clear cut path of what Dumbo was doing. There was hope at the end of the tunnel and it paid off big time.

Bowlby, I don't think even he knows WTF he is doing or had for dinner last night.

 

[Kings4OT]

McJesus and Dirty Dri getting imaging done for injury timeline....good chance for LA to get home ice, not sure it matters but its in their corner to make the move.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

McJesus and Dirty Dri getting imaging done for injury timeline....good chance for LA to get home ice, not sure it matters but its in their corner to make the move.

Saw that last night, story of the game was injuries. McJesus was just hunting down a puck going around the net and then grabbed his junk, I'm thinking a possible groin injury.

 

[histkng23]

Just for entertainment, 14 years ago today, Quick made his infamous "Phantom" save against Ignla...

Kingstorian on Instagram: "On March 21, 2011, @LAKings goaltender Jonathan Quick used the force to stop Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames in a 2-1 shootout win at STAPLES Center. #LAKings #GoKingsGo"

25 likes, 0 comments - kingstorian on March 21, 2025: "On March 21, 2011, @LAKings goaltender Jonathan Quick used the force to stop Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames in a 2-1 shootout win at STAPLES Center. #LAKings #GoKingsGo".

www.instagram.com

 

[PuckinUgly57]

More info. If they are out any extended period of time, road or not this is probably the Kings best chance to defeat them. Skinner hurt too but he's always hit or miss anyway, Skinner Specials are great to watch.

Oilers Superstars Set for Further Testing

The Edmonton Oilers are experiencing very untimely and possibly season-altering injury issues. As the regular season winds down, the Oilers are fighting for a p

www.si.com

But then two things will happen if they do:

- Oilers fans will say they didnt have a full roster which is the only reason LA beat them. Nevermind Doughty was out in 2022 or Dunno played with two broken fingers in 2024.

- bigger issue to me, if the Kings win it likely means Bowlby is back. That guy should be shown the door no matter what happens this season.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Just for entertainment, 14 years ago today, Quick made his infamous "Phantom" save against Ignla...

Kingstorian on Instagram: "On March 21, 2011, @LAKings goaltender Jonathan Quick used the force to stop Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames in a 2-1 shootout win at STAPLES Center. #LAKings #GoKingsGo"

25 likes, 0 comments - kingstorian on March 21, 2025: "On March 21, 2011, @LAKings goaltender Jonathan Quick used the force to stop Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames in a 2-1 shootout win at STAPLES Center. #LAKings #GoKingsGo".

www.instagram.com

The ensuing goal by Stoll, Simmonds doing all the dirty work along the boards. I was bummed to see him go but Richards was one of the key pieces required.

 

[Kings4OT]

- bigger issue to me, if the Kings win it likely means Bowlby is back. That guy should be shown the door no matter what happens this season.

Thats what I said, it sucks because there is a good chance this happens

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Thats what I said, it sucks because there is a good chance this happens

Well maybe not, per TA:

Knoblauch said McDavid will be sidelined for “maybe a week” with a lower-body injury, whereas Draisaitl’s timeline is “up to a week.” Draisaitl will miss his second straight game Saturday with an undisclosed ailment.

But at the very least they may be banged up going into the POs. But they have a pretty easy schedule the rest of the way and after tomorrow their next game is against Dallas next Thursday so they'll have some time off too.

Skinner is fine, he was pulled for most likely concussion protocol but will keep playing. It was The Legend who was pushed into him by an Oiler.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Anze Kopitar says this player is the best player on the LA Kings currently

The Los Angeles Kings are going to try and get back in the win column on Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. They had their five-game win streak end

rinkroyalty.com

Buckle up. Kopitar gives his thoughts on the best player currently on the Kings...

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Anze Kopitar says this player is the best player on the LA Kings currently

The Los Angeles Kings are going to try and get back in the win column on Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. They had their five-game win streak end

rinkroyalty.com

Buckle up. Kopitar gives his thoughts on the best player currently on the Kings...

Read that one already, Teh Blog had this grandiose article on Buster between the Wild and Hawk games.

I thought it was interesting both Kopitar and Doughty said "it's about time" regarding Buster playing better. Tongue in cheek I'm sure but when two long standing leaders and vets say that, makes you wonder who is thinking that.

 

[histkng23]

The ensuing goal by Stoll, Simmonds doing all the dirty work along the boards. I was bummed to see him go but Richards was one of the key pieces required.

I loved Simmonds!! Him and Clifford truly were great selections by Sean. Watching Simmonds go into the corners, front of the net, being physical and standing up for anyone was a joy to watch. Didn't like seeing him go in the Richards trade, but knew what the Kings were getting in return. 2 Cups justifies the trade in a heartbeat!

 

[PuckinUgly57]

He was lanky, like 185 pounds but 6'2 or whatever. That dude took on anyone and everyone and never hesitated to stick up for a teammate. In Philly he actually had two 30 goal seasons too, he was a great pick by Lombardi as well as Clifford. Two high quality character guys for sure.

Watching the Pens BJs game and just saw Imama score a goal, he was on the Reign for years and was traded to the Coyotes and bounced around since. I forgot about that guy until just now.

FYI - Junior I has a baseball game at 1pm tomorrow, if I don't post a GDT by 1130 someone please cover for me, game time is also 1pm against the Canes.