Can We Talk About Lizotte?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DyslexicTom
  • Start date Start date
We know Kopi and Danault are locked in as out top two centers next season, and then we have potentially 2 of: Byfield, Vilardi, Kupari and JAD. Really there is no room for Lizotte at center, so like many have said the logical move is to convert him to wing where he won't be a liability on defense as he is today at center. We've seen that Lizotte can handle himself physically in the playoffs, and gives 100% every shift. Ideally I'd like to see Byfield move back to center (we need to get him ready awithin the next two seasons to fill the center role especially should Kopi either begin to sharply decline or decide to retire) next season and Lizotte move to his wing where he can use his expereince to help foster Byfield's growth, help fill in for his current weaknesses while he grows, and continue to help instill a strong work ethic in him.
 
I already said in another thread I don’t want Kings to get PLD based on the assets needed to get him and the future cap hit he’s going to incur.

Looking at this thread and facing the sobering reality that Lizotte is reportedly the Kings’ third line center to start next season, I understand why Blake would look at PLD if those reports are true.

Team is competing now. But what is next season? Further development for Byfield so he can hopefully play center the following year? Ride a tandem of Copley and Jarry or Anderson and see what happens while losing Durzi, Arvidsson or AI to make that cap hit work? In other words a bridge kind of season of more development and biding time until the cap goes up or make bold moves and keep pushing.
 
I like Lizotte. He's smaller but did more on the ice than bigger dudes that shouldn't be on the first line, etc.
 
He's always moving his feet, always pushing. And always falling. A lot. But that does draw a ton of penalties, combination of moving his feet, falling, and a stick nearby... I think I saw a stat in the playoffs where he drew 2.2 penalties per game on average. He also worked on his face-off skills and wins a lot of them. He's a keeper for those intangibles, IMO.
 
He definitely brings more skill than the 4C we had in our cup years, in guys like Colin Fraser and Trevor Lewis. His intangibles are pretty much off the chart. Does his size present a liability to the degree that it negates the above benefits? He might definitely be better suited to play wing on the 4th line, but I appreciate his presence on the team, no doubt.
 
DarkLeftHand said:
He definitely brings more skill than the 4C we had in our cup years, in guys like Colin Fraser and Trevor Lewis. His intangibles are pretty much off the chart. Does his size present a liability to the degree that it negates the above benefits? He might definitely be better suited to play wing on the 4th line, but I appreciate his presence on the team, no doubt.
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No, he needs to be buzzing around the middle of the ice getting in the way, stealing pucks, and being a pest.

We need big strapping bodies in the corners banging away on the opposition, and then he darts in and scoops up the puck.

I love the idea of him at 4C, killing penalties, and Kupari on the wing.
 
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