Congrats to QB!!!

[kIngsX]

I think moving Foegele, even Kuzmenko in order for Lee to replace them would be a mistake. This team is already to slow. Yes, you can move Armia up and let Lee replace him. However, Lee is going to be a downgrade compared to what Armia is bringing to this team. Could a move like that improve the team overall? Sure.... However, it will not have the same type of impact as the changes in 2012

King and Nolan were brought up under a different coach/system than what was in place to start 2012, so not a fair comparison IMO. Also, this team does not have players like Hunter/Loktionov to replace. King and Nolan were not really "downgrades" when they were called up.

Kings are cooked. Trade for a 1/2C to move QB to wing. That will be costly. Then, what do the Kings do for next year? How do they replace Kopi? They will have even fewer assets to make another big trade and time and time again.... it is proven that top UFA's want nothing to do with LA. Pettersson has had two down years in a row. Cannot blame Miller for his poor play/showing this year. I am not sure that I would want the Kings targeting him in a trade for anything of value.

I get what you are trying to do, but the Kings do not have the enough assets, or the right assets to make it work like 2012. They also do not have enough assets to fix this years issues, as well as next years. The Kings are cooked.

I’ve heard this point made before. Not being a local resident, I was wondering why you think this is. Beyond the obvious tax questions, I mean it’s hard to compete with states like Nevada or Florida, is that all there is to it? Is it a team culture/identity issue? Something else?

 

[symbology]

Good question. Not sure why. Could be due to taxes, team culture, difficult travel? All of the above, or ? As great as the LA area is for a number of reasons, it also sucks for a number of reasons.

 

[LAKingSteve]

I watch QB closely when he's on the ice and he doesn't seem to exhibit a high hockey IQ at times. Very odd decisions with the puck...poor passes, indecision. He's so big but gets knocked off the puck way too easy and often or just fails to control the puck on his stick way too often. And as others have said, he really needs to start shooting the puck. Almost always feels like he's looking to pass first. I'm still hopeful he will develop but to beat a dead horse, the Kings clearly missed on this pick if they thought he would be a number 1 center.

 

[LAKingSteve]

I’ve heard this point made before. Not being a local resident, I was wondering why you think this is. Beyond the obvious tax questions, I mean it’s hard to compete with states like Nevada or Florida, is that all there is to it? Is it a team culture/identity issue? Something else?

That's the million dollar answer. I've seen many hockey pundits say the tax thing isn't an issue...they want to go where they can win. Marner likely didn't pick Vegas because of the taxes. They are winners every year as they have a superior GM that will make the tough moves like getting rid of popular players to reload or signing guys like Eichel, who many thought was a risk due to his neck issues. I'd choose living in Manhattan Beach over Vegas all day.

I think it's a culture and style of play thing right now. A guy like Marner doesn't want to play in LA where he's likely expected to be thinking Defense first. And then there's the first round playoff exit futility. Team hasn't done anything to show they can get past a first round opponent and the moves made have arguably made the team worse. The team may very well have a poor reputation in the front office as well.

 

[DryKing]

I watch QB closely when he's on the ice and he doesn't seem to exhibit a high hockey IQ at times. Very odd decisions with the puck. He's so big but gets knocked off the puck way too easy and often or just fails to control the puck on his stick way too often. And as others have said, he really needs to start shooting the puck. Almost always feels like he's looking to pass first. I'm still hopeful he will develop but to beat a dead horse, the Kings clearly missed on this pick if they thought he would be a number 1 center.

Agreed, but also to counter that this is the first season he is playing regularly against the opposing team's top line.

Let's take a look at where he was and where he is now:

23/24 - establishes himself as a top 6 winger
24/25 - establishes himself as a full-time NHL center (middle 6)
25/26 - getting his first taste as a top top 6 while regularly facing the opposing team's top line - realistically he has supplanted Kopi this season

Based on his growth rate, and assuming he finally gets paired with the Kings top winger (Kempe) in 26/27, including remaining deficiencies, imo he projects to breakout during the 27/28 - which is quite a bit farther than initially expected.

Granted this is not ideal, but the Kings also did not do a lot of speed his development.