Lauzon is big and mean had over 380 hits his last healthy season. Sissons is big too. The Hague trade was really smart by them.
One thing is certain EDM won’t win the division and instead will finish 2nd while the Kings finish 3rd.
I know you're joking but I do think the Kings finish 3rd. We spent a lot of money to not improve but the field behind us is as big of a mess.
Get ready for the Kings struggle to stay in the playoff race through Feb. then come the trade deadline you’ll see Holland go all in for Rickard Rakell.
It’s as possible as other outcomes. It’s a ton of hockey, as well as heartbreak, for the Oilers. McDavid may be just as all-in but it’s a big ask to get all those guys to match that energy year after year, especially if nothing changes in net. They could finish 2nd, 3rd or wildcard. I really just don’t know how they’ll respond. Also waiting to see if McDavid resigns before the season starts. I’m sure he will, but if he doesn’t, they may not even make the playoffs. Seriously. That’s a morale torpedo and a constant media circus.
Let us finish with a wildcard while Edmonton finishes 2nd so we can avoid them next playoffs.
Unfortunately I see this happening, but not because of a bigger plan to avoid Edmonton. My best guess is that after how last season ended, this team core quits on Hiller by Christmas. I hope I am wrong.Let us finish with a wildcard while Edmonton finishes 2nd so we can avoid them next playoffs.
I’d be surprised if they do. After all, the consensus by the players after their 1st round exit again was that Hiller didn’t order them to sit back, and none of the players were complaining about him not playing the 4th line. So who knows.
And then Holland hires his desired Coach, and they either miss the playoffs, or they go on a tear and a deep playoff run, we’ve seen both here.
None of them were complaining about not playing the 4th line? Maybe to the extend that they weren't complaining publicly to the media but they were definitely complaining. There is a reason Hiller finally started playing them towards the end of the series.
I'm unconvinced. Did Hiller order them to attack and they consciously disobeyed? I'm skeptical of that. The only concrete thing I know is that Hiller's decisions prevented a critical win.
Maybe they were gassed because Hiller decided to hamstring himself by using two thirds of the roster spots that the NHL allows. A team that uses 18 skaters has a distinct advantage over one that stubbornly uses 13.
Aside from losing our best defenseman and one of the few puck movers that we had on defense, little was lost. The only possible justification is that the Kings blueline prospect pool is so depleted for the next 2-3 years that Holland figured he'd extend the bottom pair for an extended duration so that he wouldn't have to waste a future summer signing some other pylons.
Players were “good soldiers” and circled the wagons around Hiller. Trust your eyes. All the players went into a defensive shell. What person makes decisions that affect all players? The coach… Hiller failed miserably.
Not even a rumor. Holland said it a few times.
We have been watching the Kings turn into the Angels. The only difference is having 2 championship rings…Rumor: Kings Among Teams Connected To Rasmus Andersson
The Los Angeles Kings have made some additions to their blue line after losing Vladislav Gavrikov this summer, but they have been linked to another defender as the offseason continues.sports.yahoo.com
"while there were rumblings the Kings had a strong trade on the table for Andersson, it doesn't sound like there is mutual interest from Andersson in playing for the Kings."
No one of consequence wants to play for LA, just scrubs and a few aging veterans. This team is doomed.
This is likely the correct answer. The Oilers were pushing and the Kings were tired. Cannot make plays when you are tired.
Rumor: Kings Among Teams Connected To Rasmus Andersson
The Los Angeles Kings have made some additions to their blue line after losing Vladislav Gavrikov this summer, but they have been linked to another defender as the offseason continues.
"while there were rumblings the Kings had a strong trade on the table for Andersson, it doesn't sound like there is mutual interest from Andersson in playing for the Kings."
No one of consequence wants to play for LA, just scrubs and a few aging veterans. This team is doomed.
