Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane are significantly less effective vs last season. The bottom six lost a key piece in Bjugstad. Yamamoto for all his flaws did add skill to the lineup. Holloway and Carrick are just far less impactful. Certainly not upgrades.
Hyman stepped up, they added some vet depth in Henrique and toughness with Perry. They just look like a better team on the ice to my eyes. While they faltered early on, I can't recall them having a bad stretch much of the season since then. Regardless, the Kings don't appear to be on the same level as Edmonton.
The Kings needed to check a few boxes, and failed in all respects:
Maybe but I remember the Kings being overmatched when McDavid was on and off the ice. Last night they held serve when McDavid’s line wasn’t out there.
Ok, that happened but the Kings still got their butts kicked. Now what? Kings need to be better, but what happens when McJesus Dirtbagaitl play better 5 on 5?
Good call, I just went through the schedule and you are correct. Only 15 wins against playoff teams. 3 of those came against the Canucks
That is what really scares me. We're going to be stuck in the middle for the rest of the decade unless something like that happens (unlikely) or Portillo or the other goalie become the next Patrick Roy.
If Blake is not going to be able to sign Arvy and Roy to cheap deals in the offseason, he should have sold them at the deadline for players on term / cheaper contracts, or for pics to use those to get said players on term with good contracts.
It’s time for a full rebuild.
I really didn't understand why Hiller road Talbot down the stretch, when he was far from great. Rittich would be in a better position to come in now had he gotten into more games.
As appealing as it sounds, are any of these guys even trade-able? I’m not just talking about Drew’s outrageous cap hit.. but with all the NMC’s, will any of them accept being traded to destinations that’ll result in worthwhile draft picks?
I agree with you, but probably not for the same reasons. I’d say going with the Hail Mary approach early is a necessity here. If we wait until we’re down 3-0 in the series, it’ll be too late anyways, even if Rittich came in and stole a game. Might as well swing for the fences early, haymaker hail mary style, and hope to plant the seed of doubt in the Oilers, then feed on that.
Gavrikov has 1 year left on his deal. He’ll be looking for his next payday.
Good calls, and probably the very same list I would put together. The really tough part is assessing the talent and picking the right returns. Unless you just go pure draft pick returns but that’s always a crap shoot, as evinced by our last 3 top ten picks. Then it’s a matter of fate, and the draft talent that’s available when you DO have those high picks. Will Byfield and Clarke turn out to be special players over the next decade? I certainly hope so, otherwise we will just be the Ottawa senators or Buffalo sabres.
Tix sure will be cheap and seats will be empty if this all were to happen. Assuming Blake is gone, we'll find out what the new guy plans on doing. Could be the most interesting offseason in LA in many years.
What's wrong with Kopi and Drew? They were both arguably two of our best players this year which is quite a feat at their ages.
