King of Pentacle5
Top Forward
The Ottawa Locked-On guy had some good things to say about him today, actually. I’m interested to see how the team reacts tonight for sure.
D.J. Smith Hotseat Thread
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Statue4Deano
Super Star
Very interesting to hear DJ confirm the team is having a playoff collapse hangover. Nobody wanted to admit it but it was beyond obvious. I appreciate his candid response.
Clif
Super Star
No disagreement with any of that. Far as I’m concerned Hiller was problems 1-10 with this team, at least. This is why I bristle at complaints over the roster. Not because there aren’t legitimate roster questions, mainly on defense, but because Hiller needs to exit the picture to properly assess this team.
Now it’ll be too late for that, serious roster moves will happen this summer anyway along with a new head coach. Truly a wasted season, truly a pathetic failure to cap off Blake’s “legacy.”
JC6388LAKings
Super Star
Blake does indeed get some of the blame for this but frankly, Luc and Bergevin are the real culprits for this mess to begin with. But I pin the blame mostly on Luc because had he not hired Bergevin to be his advisor, the PLD trade and the departures of Walker and Durzi would have never happened. Thanks for ruining the Kings' future with your bone-headed decisions, Luc.
symbology
TEAM LGK
The dude has got to go. ZERO wins as the Kings Head Coach. He was coaching a stacked (AHL) team as well. Come on....
Bollocks
Super Star
Apparently he's good at developing/integrating young players and can boost confidence of his players.
He developed young kids in Ottawa well, only to fail to meet the high expectations and then he got fired. His replacement improved their record, but this year they are failing to meet said high expectations again, despite being more experienced and frankly quite talented.
IMO Smith could be a really good fit for the remaining of this season...he could give a fighting chance to some of the AHL kids and then Ken will know what's what.
One of the best ways to fight against asset depletion while trying to compete is to promote young guys with little to no trade value from within and trading established guys that don't move the needle (anymore).
Kuz is injured, thus he is a lock to not get traded and will likely resign. Time to think long and hard who to keep and who can be replaced from within...
The top 6 is pretty much set except for potentially the 1st line center spot. Panarin, Fiala, Kempe, Laf, Byfield...you could argue Kuzmenko is up there, too, if Laf is moved to center permanently and no trade for a 1st line center is made.
The bottom six is where the dilemmas lie. I'd keep Armia, he's a gamer. Foegele, Moore and Turcotte are on thin ice. Perry should be traded at the deadline and if he isn't, that's a firing offense for Ken IMO...(not that it would happen lol).
Defense is a clusterf*** though. What can be done there I have no idea...
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ICE24
Super Star
I don't see the Kings resigning Kuz. On paper the top six looks average. I believe next season will be worse than this season. I'm hoping the Kings can move 2-3 players at the deadline and then during the summer maybe another 3, all for picks or prospects. Defense is the priority now. They are no longer in a win now mode, which is a relief.
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King of Pentacle5
Top Forward
I don’t think Kuz has many options, and if the Kings can get him for another year at a low cost like they did for this one, I think they’ll do it.
I too would like to see a rebuild. But I don’t think a full rebuild will happen. I think KH will try for some trades, but not many NTC/NMC top sixers want to come to LA in the state it’s in. I expect a really underwhelming next few seasons. Much like the play of Panarin so far.
ICE24
Super Star
I said 6-8 goals max for Panarin in a Kings uniform. That might be a good prediction for next season.
Bill Hicks
LGK Agitator
Or, 100% fitting.
King of Pentacle5
Top Forward
I wonder if he’ll ask to be traded at next season’s deadline? Wouldn’t surprise me. And he could bring a boatload of picks/prospects.
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
I think your top six (or five) is right with the proviso of where Laffy/Kuzy slot. But, let’s not assume Fiala comes back next year at same level. This looked like a bad injury. I have some questions about what occurred post-injury with his surgery being in Italy which was hardly ideal for player injuries.
We do know that Fiala took some time to regain his form early in his career after an injury that did not look this significant. So I’m hopeful but wary of what his immediate future looks like.
As for the defense, exactly right about not having a clue. They don’t currently have a top pair. They have half a second pair. They have no real third pair. I don’t see a top pair of Mikey and Clarke (at least yet). Doughty maybe second pair? Eddie is really a third pair guy. This defensive group needs some real help.
They need a top pair D and a puck mover, just to get started.
Lots of holes on this team. Hopefully some youth can full some of them. Hopefully some guys can bounce back.
I don’t trade Foegele. He’s on a modest salary and could easily regain form and is flexible. Worth the gamble.
Moore has shown us that he’s capable of producing for about half a season. His salary is not problematic given his ability to play the full ice, but he’s hardly proven to be dependable. He’s a chip you toss to make a difference if the opportunity arises.
I wanted Turcotte to get a chance. I thought he needed to show what he could become. I’ve been underwhelmed. But I can’t imagine he has any real value. Maybe you keep him, see if he can put together a couple months and get something out of him in a trade? But I’ve pretty much lost the hope that he could develop into much worthwhile.
Armia stays. And we need to find another like him.
Perry has a unique situation. I would certainly think Holland has asked if Perry wants to stay or go to a contender. I do though wonder if Holland has any interest in bringing him back next year.
Perry has had a tough year with family issues. And he didn’t come here to miss the playoffs. But I assume he feels at home here. Curious about maybe a silent agreement to stay with an extension?