D.J. Smith Hotseat Thread

[VCRW]

Just to evaluate - DJ didn't realize an aging Kopitar should no longer be the L1 Center and continued to line him up with Kempe and Panarin come playoff time against a fast skating AVs team who Kopi no longer had the foot speed to keep up with.

Meanwhile he continue to overuse Doughty and give him top minutes (averaging 25:12 in the playoffs)...

In terms of strategy, while he came into the Avs series with a very good game-plan, I saw no signs of adjustments as the series went on.

I do like you earlier point regarding player development, but how does a coach no recognize his two aging stars are better suited in a complimentary role at this point in their careers?

Kopi should have started the season at 2C. His play was noticeably diminished by the end of last season. Why the coaches and management have always seemed to defer to DD and Kopi has been a mystery to me. When the Kings gave up on a rebuild to placate that pair, the team insured its current mediocrity by attempting to “win now”. Surely the better course would have been to trade the discontented players and proceed with the rebuild. But Luc seems obsessed with holding onto legendary Kings and the PR he can generate from their presence.

 

[Bollocks]

Yeah they let Knoblauch go.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/48768399/oilers-fire-kris-knoblauch-coach-source-confirms

I wonder what will they do if Cassidy signs with the Kings. Were they perhaps over-confident that they will be able to find someone better than Knoblaugh?

I can't imagine Cassidy preferring Oilers much over the Kings, especially considering he's more of a defensive minded coach.

Also, it could happen that there will be another coach vacancy before the end of the season. I bet he waits. And it's not like Vegas wants him in our division anyway...

 

[santiclaws]

Just to evaluate - DJ didn't realize an aging Kopitar should no longer be the L1 Center and continued to line him up with Kempe and Panarin come playoff time against a fast skating AVs team who Kopi no longer had the foot speed to keep up with.

Meanwhile he continue to overuse Doughty and give him top minutes (averaging 25:12 in the playoffs)...

In terms of strategy, while he came into the Avs series with a very good game-plan, I saw no signs of adjustments as the series went on.

I do like you earlier point regarding player development, but how does a coach no recognize his two aging stars are better suited in a complimentary role at this point in their careers?

I'm guessing he knew but perhaps didn't feel he had the authority to do it as an interim.

 

[santiclaws]

View attachment 14566

Dreger getting his scoops from Friedman's podcast.

 

[DryKing]

I wonder what will they do if Cassidy signs with the Kings. Were they perhaps over-confident that they will be able to find someone better than Knoblaugh?

I can't imagine Cassidy preferring Oilers much over the Kings, especially considering he's more of a defensive minded coach.

Also, it could happen that there will be another coach vacancy before the end of the season. I bet he waits. And it's not like Vegas wants him in our division anyway...

Oilers seem to scapegoat the Coach quite often - not really sure that they expected Knoblauch to do with a weakened roster this season. Still, I think they have a couple good options, Berube being the backup, and likely land one of them.

I would be very surpised if the Kings are able to land Cassidy. I don't see what the Kings have to currently attract a top coach, other than the beach/weather. Any coach the Kings get is going to have to put in the work (likely over several seasons) to turn the team into a contender unless the Kings somehow hit big in the draft.

 

[Bollocks]

Oilers seem to scapegoat the Coach quite often - not really sure that they expected Knoblauch to do with a weakened roster this season. Still, I think they have a couple good options, Berube being the backup, and likely land one of them.

I would be very surpised if the Kings are able to land Cassidy. I don't see what the Kings have to currently attract a top coach, other than the beach/weather. Any coach the Kings get is going to have to put in the work (likely over several seasons) to turn the team into a contender unless the Kings somehow hit big in the draft.

But what do the Oilers have besides 3 very talented forwards (McD, Drai and Bouchard)?

They have near zero assets and cap room to improve the team and UFA market is barren.
Why would he go there?

 

[santiclaws]

But what do the Oilers have besides 3 very talented forwards (McD, Drai and Bouchard)?

They have near zero assets and cap room to improve the team and UFA market is barren.
Why would he go there?

They were within a goal of the Cup and went to the finals twice in the last 3 seasons. They still have largely the same lineup. They are a legit Cup contender, still, especially if they can get a competent goalie. Of course, you do have to live in Edmonton to coach them, so that's a big downside. Maybe Cassidy could coach them over Zoom?

 

[hokiecat]

Adam Foote is available if we want a tank commander

 

[symbology]

But what do the Oilers have besides 3 very talented forwards (McD, Drai and Bouchard)?

They have near zero assets and cap room to improve the team and UFA market is barren.
Why would he go there?

Good point. What they have over the Kings are two of the best forwards in the league and a front office with the goal to win the Cup, not just make the playoffs.

 

[ICE24]

I wonder what will they do if Cassidy signs with the Kings. Were they perhaps over-confident that they will be able to find someone better than Knoblaugh?

I can't imagine Cassidy preferring Oilers much over the Kings, especially considering he's more of a defensive minded coach.

Also, it could happen that there will be another coach vacancy before the end of the season. I bet he waits. And it's not like Vegas wants him in our division anyway...

I just don't see the Kings getting Mama Cass. Cassidy I believe would like a say when it comes to players. Holland likes his own way

 

[santiclaws]

Adam Foote is available if we want a tank commander

He'd really have to show something to prove that that he's more qualified than Willie

 

[The Nuts]

Kopi should have started the season at 2C. His play was noticeably diminished by the end of last season. Why the coaches and management have always seemed to defer to DD and Kopi has been a mystery to me. When the Kings gave up on a rebuild to placate that pair, the team insured its current mediocrity by attempting to “win now”. Surely the better course would have been to trade the discontented players and proceed with the rebuild. But Luc seems obsessed with holding onto legendary Kings and the PR he can generate from their presence.

Byfield really din't come close to grabbing the one c, until paired with Laff and Moore.

From a marketing perspective Kopi and DD are franchise legends, especially compared to whoever they would have acquired.



The Kings may have been ahead of the curve, on teams no longer doing full rebuilds, instead retools that don't damage the revenue and franchise valuation as much.

I don't think any other team would have done it different.
KnD are the most accomplished King players in their position above even Gretzky, and Dionne.

Cassidy looking at 2 recent finals, Drai, Mc Cry and Boucher over the Kings?
No chance he picks King a Lings.

Cassidy will want to wait for best and all offers, and permission.
He won't end up with Kings.

teams want a coach in place for the draft, ideally.

WHoever comes in will have to have more success or is likely gone when Ken goes or even sooner if the team fail in the West with improving teams squeezing them.

DJ was doing whatever it took to win, its not the interim tag.
The better he did the more chance he continues next season.
Kopitar looked better with PAn and , it was 3 vets.
Byfield, Laff and Moore were good.
You were not putting Laughts up top.

 

[The Nuts]

I just don't see the Kings getting Mama Cass. Cassidy I believe would like a say when it comes to players. Holland likes his own way

So its just " California Dreaming " on such a Spring day?

 

[Bollocks]

They were within a goal of the Cup and went to the finals twice in the last 3 seasons. They still have largely the same lineup. They are a legit Cup contender, still, especially if they can get a competent goalie. Of course, you do have to live in Edmonton to coach them, so that's a big downside. Maybe Cassidy could coach them over Zoom?

They need to dump Nurse to improve F depth. Some of their fans are even willing to replace him with a D-man like Ceci FFS. Otherwise they are likely losing Roslovic as he's probably done giving them huge discounts at 29. He has to cash in something.

Goalie that's a clear upgrade and cheap enough is going to cost them assets they don't really have. Bob, Talbot and Andersen are all very old and not good enough. So...Skinner coming back or they trade whatever assets they have left for someone.

I just don't see it. Living in Edmonton is just an icing on the turd pile.

I just don't see the Kings getting Mama Cass. Cassidy I believe would like a say when it comes to players. Holland likes his own way

You mean like when Hiller said he needs better and tougher 3rd pairing and Ken went and signed Dumo&Ceci to be the most overpaid 3rd pairing D-men in the past decade?

I'm not saying Cassidy will sign with the Kings. But Devils are also looking for a new coach besides Kings, Oilers and the Leafs. Another option is very well paid vacation and waiting it out for next season or a potential mid-season coach firing by a team looking to make the playoffs that also has a better outlook for the future.

 

[The Nuts]

I think Vegas is waiting for a team in the East to ask and then they give Cassidy permission to interview there. They are coach blocking the West.

 

[DryKing]

I think Vegas is waiting for a team in the East to ask and then they give Cassidy permission to interview there. They are coach blocking the West.

Wouldn't be surprised if they deny all teams the ability to interview Cassidy until his contract expires. It just seems like a Vegas move.

 

[symbology]

Byfield really din't come close to grabbing the one c, until paired with Laff and Moore.

QB seems to be hot and cold. Maybe injury related, who knows. I recall the previous season he looked really good with Laf and Fiala for a bit as well.

 

[Clif]

QB seems to be hot and cold. Maybe injury related, who knows. I recall the previous season he looked really good with Laf and Fiala for a bit as well.

So far, yes. He was also used by Hiller as a shutdown center last season, but excuses good and bad are now exhausted.

Panarin is a point machine so Byfield playing between him and Kempe on an offensively-minded, true first line needs to put up 80 points minimum. If he can’t put up significant points between those two, he’s not going to.

 

[DryKing]

So far, yes. He was also used by Hiller as a shutdown center last season, but excuses good and bad are now exhausted.

Panarin is a point machine so Byfield playing between him and Kempe on an offensively-minded, true first line needs to put up 80 points minimum. If he can’t put up significant points between those two, he’s not going to.

Totally agree. Imo Byfield has never had good-fit wings on his line. We know he can work well with Laf and he never really worked well with Fiala.

Line him up with Kempe and Panarin and he becomes a solid 2-way 70+ point player. Put him with those two and on PP1 as a regular and his point total will exceed 80 (provided he plays 80+ games).

 

[Clif]

Totally agree. Imo Byfield has never had good-fit wings on his line. We know he can work well with Laf and he never really worked well with Fiala.

Line him up with Kempe and Panarin and he becomes a solid 2-way 70+ point player. Put him with those two and on PP1 as a regular and his point total will exceed 80 (provided he plays 80+ games).

I think you and I are two of Byfield’s last believers/defenders on this board. He has, simply put, never been prioritized on this team. It’s why I am actually happy to move on from Kopi. The page needs turning and it came down to Kopi himself to turn it by retiring.

Now Byfield will have his wingers who can play with his speed and skill and we’ll see if he’s still a frustrating, so-close tease or a guy who can finally put it together.