54LikesAll I see right now is that Columbus is ahead in the standings, a team that was expected to finish last. The fact that Doughty is better than Johnson is really having an effect on the season.
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I know JJ tore up the Kings in his first game with Columbus and sent them home with a loss.
I would definitely take JJ on the PP over DD, and would take DD defensively over JJ. Do not be so closed minded as to forget that JJ greatly elevated his game during the playoffs while with the Kings as well. He was a beast in several of those games against Vancouver, and was key in the Kings PP clicking at ridiculous %. I also greatly respect JJ for the way he handled his contract in a situation that was both good for him and for the Kings. He did not holdout or ask for money undeserving.
Both are very good players with different strengths and weaknesses, and both have another level that they play at during the playoffs. I strongly believe that the acquisition of Carter did help to give the existing Kings players more confidence in themselves and the belief that they had another scorer to help them, but it really was the elevated play of Kopitar and specifically Brown that led the Kings to a playoff spot and finally the Cup.
I have and will continue to criticize Brown's play a lot, but he was absolutely key in setting the tone for the Kings. First, he was playing to prove he belonged on the Kings and didn't want to be traded. Second, the hit on Sedin during the Vancouver series absolutely inspired the Kings to play physical the rest of the playoffs. I do think the Kings could have been just as successful with Gagne in place of Carter, had the other Kings players played with the same confidence that they exhuded after the trade occurred.
Yes, DD is a better player.Originally Posted by Ice24
Yes, LGK and the fans put JJ on a pedestal that he was never able to perform to the level of.
Because I know that picking Hickey at #3 overall was a really silly thing to do. He was never rated a 3rd overall pick by anyone except Lombardi.
DD and JJ on the other hand...
I still don't think we've seen the full potential of JJ. And seeing as he's no longer a King, I hope I never do.
Not me. I don't really care.
Actually, according to NHL.com stats as of today are as follows:
Doughty:
7 Games Played, 0 Goals, 3 Assists, -5 +/-, 6 PIM, 28:41 TOI/G, averaging 34.4 shifts/game
Johnson:
9 Games Played, 1 Goal, 2 Assists, -2 +/-, 4 PIM, 28:00 TOI/G, averaging 27.9 shifts/game
You must have not been watching when DD was on the TR and JJ was in beast mode. Also, the Olympics. I'm not saying JJ is better but if you don't think JJ played great during those periods, then you clearly weren't paying attention.
And Hickey was picked at #4. But remember, that draft wasn't very deep in top-line talent. Was it a blown pick? Arguably, yes. But at the time we needed d-men and look at Alzner, who was the guy that was expected to be taken. Not really much better. Would I rather have drafted Couture? Well, sure! But really...how would the kid have done in the messed up system the Kings had at the time? And besides...the way everything turned out...the Kings won the Cup! Had anything been different, it might not have happened.
IMO, good, but not great. And I was paying attention for the few games I was able to watch. At this point though I don't recall any specific details, so it's hard for me to defend my position.
Like I said...we haven't seen JJ's best. That guy could really be as good as all of his expectations, but he hasn't gotten there yet.
Right, #4. My bad.
I think DL would have better served the team overall had he drafted a great forward, like Couture, and packaged him season or so later in a trade for a good D-man. Then we could all be bitching about DL trading away Couture for a D-man whose contract has already expired and has moved on.
Also, we did have Manchester back then for development, you know.
Whatever. I'm happy about the way things turned out, but the Kings better start playing today like they want to win, or it's going to be a really short season.
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