Friedman: Andrei Kuzmenko to LA
- Thread starter HeadInjury
- Start date
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
Who and how is Kuzmenko - the guy is a playoff stud so far that we got for so cheap. Tripled production of Kopitar and Kempe since arriving.
McSorleyFan
3rd Line Winger
Kuz definitely has found new life in LA. He wasn't really noticeable since leaving VAN. He may be one of those players that gets a boost out of playing with better players.
I agree, a long way to go and we've only seen him for a small subset of the season but even when he 1st got here and had that pointless streak I could see his energy and how AK2 fed off him.
Still want to focus on the playoffs but Blake has some serious work to do when considering Kuz and Gavvy before July 1.
I agree, a long way to go and we've only seen him for a small subset of the season but even when he 1st got here and had that pointless streak I could see his energy and how AK2 fed off him.
Still want to focus on the playoffs but Blake has some serious work to do when considering Kuz and Gavvy before July 1.
Rogie-Vachon
Sizzler Across The Street
Statue4Deano
Super Star
Hiller has said more than once that the team didn’t expect this level of production from Kuzmenko. Nobody did. He was a reclamation project. And it worked it! Great for everyone involved.
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
I knew all along he was the missing piece and by that I mean I had no idea who he was and had no opinions.
salami
Top Forward
DryKing
Power Forward
He definitely seems to be having fun out there, and appears to have bought into the system. I really hope he keeps it up for the duration of whatever new contract he signs. He's been great during the first season with each of his teams, only to slow down from there.
Either way, picking him up for a 3rd has already been a steal.
King of Pentacle5
3rd Line Winger
I think Kuz signing in LA depends on two things:
1: The Kings get out of the first round against the Oils.
2: The Kings signing Kempe to an extension, which is probably heavily dependent upon item 1.
1: The Kings get out of the first round against the Oils.
2: The Kings signing Kempe to an extension, which is probably heavily dependent upon item 1.
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
wrong
Rogie-Vachon
Sizzler Across The Street
Whatever magic that top line had - The Oil has successfully controlled that.
Of course - the staff decided that putting Lewis on the top line over Kuzy is baffling (among other things)
Too bad that pass didn't connect with Kempe Tuesday... it would've been siiiiick
Of course - the staff decided that putting Lewis on the top line over Kuzy is baffling (among other things)
Too bad that pass didn't connect with Kempe Tuesday... it would've been siiiiick
On a side note.. I wish Hiller would go back to what worked early in the season since they have the KKK line scouted. Do Kempe, Kopitar, and Turcotte
Put Moore with Kuzmenko instead. But that would actually require some thinking outside the box... so that won't happen.
Put Moore with Kuzmenko instead. But that would actually require some thinking outside the box... so that won't happen.
What party?
Taxi Squad
This post stopped me in my tracks. Dimples you say? Nice. A certain person typing can get on board with your wife's assessment and he gave a Mike Richards effort those first two/three playoff games. Big plays, all grit and making everyone around him better. Dude, caught and kept my attention.
And, yes the first couple of pages of this thread are ...suspect and the white nationalist nod for a line name joke is horrible. Let just say, I'd prefer to call the line: K cubed. But, alas the season is over so math dorks, maybe next year.
DarkLeftHand
Super Star
My question is, did Kuzmenko jump the shark, did the entire team jump the shark, OR… did the coach just pull a 180 to start the third period of every game in the series?
If we’re going to play that 1-3-1 prevent, then Kuzy’s only value would probably be as a PP specialist. I can definitely see value of having a guy like him along for the 82 game regular season, but if the coach is going with wholesale philosophy change mid game for the playoffs, it will certainly mitigate his usefulness, and the value of anyone similar.
Im not really saying one way or another whether we should or should not resign him. Obviously that requires examination of the strategy moving forward, over the next several seasons, and whether he wants a larger value/shorter term ‘prove it’ deal, or long term security. If the Kings have their sights set on a big ticket UFA this off season, then Kuzmenmo likely signs elsewhere. Maybe sign him to a one year 6.5 mill deal, and let him ride off into the sunset with Kopitar’s last season. Then the cap projection really skyrockets, and the Kings should be poised to spend that money on a premium, long term target(and no, I’m not talking about guys like Byfield/turcotte/Clarke).
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DryKing
Power Forward
A few things worry me about Kuz and how he fits on the future of the team. 1) he was rated in the top 5 of slowest skaters in the NHL 2) for $6.5 AAV I would rather target a more consistent player like Boeser (who, granted, is also is not the fleetest of foot).
symbology
TEAM LGK
He is not the fastest skater. Looking at stats during the playoffs he has the same speed as Kopitar and was slightly faster than Danault and Clarke. Just to put things in perspective.
It is interesting that Kopitar and Daunault lost top speed during the playoffs. They both had faster bursts of speed during the regular season. Maybe the Kings should have rested some players more at the end of the season. Like the Oilers did.
Now Chirping
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