Present Road Trip

[oxnardkingsfan]

Anybody think the Kings can get 6 points from the remaining 4 games on this trip? Got Washington, Florida, Tampa Bay and Columbus. If they can I think they can call it a successful trip.

Ox

 

[Kings4OT]

I don't think they get more then 3

 

[pete6835]

I don't think they get more then 3

3 wins... I agree

 

[ouendan1]

3 wins is very doable for this trip. Florida and Columbus SHOULD be wins. They should be able to beat Washington. Tampa will be tough but they can get a W.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I'm not expecting much honestly, their road record is horrendous whether they play Chicago or Florida. Not sure why it is so bad this season, it was huge for them a few years ago but I think all the chaos (Voynov, Richards) and the change in personnel (Mitchell + Voynov > McBain/McNabb/Schultz) on defense has really hurt this team.

Didn't think missing Big Willy was going to be so rough but it has been, his presence, smarts and leadership is missed. Don't blame the guy for chasing money however on what will likely be his retirement contract and LA wasn't going to pay him that much (they couldn't) but some moves need to be made to address the defense. It's not nearly as solid as years past.

The whole team just has had a weird vibe to it since Opening Night, I'm pretty sure we all knew that 6-1-1 start or whatever was not going to hold up.

 

[oxnardkingsfan]

I'm looking at a best 5 points from these 4 remaining games on this trip. More likely 3 or 4. If they do an 0-fer I think they're pretty much done for this season. Might even become sellers at the deadline.

Ox

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Everything I've read so far on Richards as a teammate has been positive, and guys genuinely seem sad/hurt that a veteran like him, even with what he brings to the table, was demoted. He was actually offered to every NHL team for free as we know, which is a huge move by this organization based on what he has accomplished here.

If that isn't a giant wake up call in itself, I don't think moving guys either. This team has been together a long time and I'm thinking the current group of guys has run its course. They developed together, they peaked together and now they are shitting the bed together. Stagnant is the word that comes to mind.

It's time to have a quasi-rebuild IMO, but nothing major. I do think some of the core players need to move on, particularly Brown, and I think guys like Nolan and King should be jettisoned too. Kopitar should be extended, and Quick and Doughty don't seem to be the issue. I consider Carter part of that core, he is a legitimate sniper the Kings have lacked since Palffy.

Thus, I don't believe they would be sellers - they are not even 1 year removed from a second Cup win - but changes need to be made. The salary cap situation is complicating that but we knew this was coming, successful teams have pretty high cap ceilings.

Should be easier to absorb some salary as we're getting closer to the end of the season but they won't have too much room to make a big splash.

 

[Kings4OT]

I agree with Puck about Brown, King, Nolan and maybe even Muffin. It might actually help those players as well. Overall I am ok with DD, Amart, Regher and Greene but something does need to be done overall with the Dmen as well. Kopitar, Carter, Gabs, Lewis, Williams, TT and Pearson I would like to see stay

 

[CaptHowdy00]

It seems impossible to me that we are talking about moving players. Yes, they are struggling right now, but part of this can be attributed to the fact that they have played the most total games in the last 3 years.
That being said, it's surprising that teams like Chicago can maintain the level of play that they have while playing a lot of games too.
I would say that certain players should go. The usual suspects that you all mentioned. The crux of the problem is that the Kings no longer have that one two punch up the middle, that they had before, when Richards was playing. SO the teams can concentrate more on Kopitar.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

It seems impossible to me that we are talking about moving players. Yes, they are struggling right now, but part of this can be attributed to the fact that they have played the most total games in the last 3 years.

It absolutely can, but we all know players peak no matter what. I think some of these guys have, like Brown, Williams, Stoll, Greene, etc. for example. It may not seem like it but keep in mind these guys have been in LA for quite some time (Brown - 11 years, Williams - 7 years, Stoll/Greene - 8 years) and they were here either for the full rebuild or near the completion of it.

Guys get older, they get hurt, they slow down; it's human and they are bound to see decline in play. They may seem young but some guys have been here since they were 20-21.

That being said, it's surprising that teams like Chicago can maintain the level of play that they have while playing a lot of games too.

Chicago doesn't play the same style of hockey as LA does. They aren't nearly as physical an therefore their bodies don't/haven't taken the toll like the Kings have.

The Kings were the biggest NHL team in the league the last 2 seasons, and that was by design, to play the intense, grinding hockey necessary to win championships. The negative to that is that style of play wears players down sooner than it should.

I would say that certain players should go. The usual suspects that you all mentioned. The crux of the problem is that the Kings no longer have that one two punch up the middle, that they had before, when Richards was playing. SO the teams can concentrate more on Kopitar.
Just my 2 cents.

They have Kopitar and Carter, who looks like he has been moved back to his natural position which is a C. When Richards was on top of his game Carter was a RW.

Center depth is still there, I think the defense has taken the biggest hit with the losses of Mitchell and Voynov and replacing them with much lesser guys in the Brothers McStiff and Schultz. They had too however because of the cap situation so it's not really the Kings' fault but it has created a problem.

This defense is not nearly as physical or nasty as years past, nor nearly as intelligent.

 

[oxnardkingsfan]

In any event Lombardi has his work cut out for him during this off-season.

Ox

 

[Kings4OT]

The crux of the problem is that the Kings no longer have that one two punch up the middle, that they had before, when Richards was playing. SO the teams can concentrate more on Kopitar.
Just my 2 cents.

The Kings have only played a couple of games without Richards, I am going to totally disagree with you and say they were playing badly before that. Mitchell/Voynov is what I would point to along with a lineup that seems to have stagnated. I kind of buy into them being worn out but I also thing that is in part to not having many new players that have the drive to win (because they were not here). I think that extra drive from players can be contagious and players forget how tired they are and play like they should.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

The Kings have only played a couple of games without Richards, I am going to totally disagree with you and say they were playing badly before that. Mitchell/Voynov is what I would point to along with a lineup that seems to have stagnated. I kind of buy into them being worn out but I also thing that is in part to not having many new players that have the drive to win (because they were not here). I think that extra drive from players can be contagious and players forget how tired they are and play like they should.

I agree that Richards was non-factor long before. That 1-2 comment was meant as saying that.