Hiller Hotseat Thread

[Illegal_Stick]

I cannot see QB being traded. If he is traded the Kings are sending more and getting an upgrade. QB may not become the 1C that we had hoped he would become. He is still a pretty darn good player that is still young. Many folks must have forgotten Kopi's mistakes when he was younger. Yes, he did make mistakes. He did learn. QB is learning at a little bit slower of a pace. Understandable as I do not think his dad was a hockey coach.

I hope he stays. He has frustrated me immensely but he is now at a point that he will fetch very little in return. Kempe is hopefully another comparable - it just took time

I don’t know how good Greentree, George etc will be but I’m uncomfortable with Holland making moves while Hiller is coach for the reason I already said (his style is likely devaluing some assets) and I don’t see this team going anywhere anyway, as long as Hiller is around. My fear is a trade for a veteran like O’Reilly and giving up a decent prospect or player to do it.

For now my main hope is we don’t trade Byfield (hope you’re right that we won’t) or Clarke (pretty sure that is unlikely) or any top prospects.

 

[DryKing]

Trading QB means the Kings need at least two top three center positions filled and that’s a pretty bad starting point going into the offseason.
Your points are valid beyond that. Byfield has developed slower than most everyone assumed/hoped. But I honestly doubt he will be the player 2-3 years from now that he is today. His path has not been all that smooth so far. A couple early years with health issues, then playing wing, now a year and a half playing C. He is really only beginning his journey as a centerman. But he is a guy who has to start some upward movement.

Re the questions over Danault departure, I think Phil was upset about feeling diminished in his role. I can’t fault that. To a point. If he was upset you don’t hurt the team with your response. That’s inexcusable. You grind it out, discuss it and maybe ask for a trade in the offseason. You don’t quit. You don’t quit on the team. ESPECIALLY when you aren’t producing. His performance actually showed that maybe the smaller role was appropriate. But, it’s also appropriate to understand that his line with Moore and Foegele was less than anemic. A smaller role with linemates who aren’t performing did not help matters. Still a disappointing end to his time here, with a guy who played really well for the Kings.

I agree, the Kings Org would be making a sizable mistake, imo, by trading Byfield. While his progress has been slower than expected, he has made progress each season and has done so at a faster rate than Kempe did his first several seasons. The question now is where his true ceiling lies, but I'd be surprised if he does not end up at a top line forward who possesses both size and speed. I see him a bit like RHN at this point in his career. RHN was drafted 1st overall by Edmonton and would likely have established himself as a top line Center if not for McDavid and Drai overshadowing him. As a result, he never fully developed into what he could be. The same holds true of Byfield. Until Kopitar is no longer there to overshadow him, we really will not see his full potential emerge. In the time in which Kopi has been out, Byfield has looked a world better, to me, while still not truly being granted L1 center duties.

I'm still suspicious when it comes to Danault. Maybe he quit on the team, but he never struck me as that type of guy. Chances are we will never know what happened there, but Danault, Kempe and Anderson struck me as the next potential Kings' Captain, so it's really odd to see someone with such leadership ability fall out like Danault did.

 

[VCRW]

I hope he stays. He has frustrated me immensely but he is now at a point that he will fetch very little in return. Kempe is hopefully another comparable - it just took time

I don’t know how good Greentree, George etc will be but I’m uncomfortable with Holland making moves while Hiller is coach for the reason I already said (his style is likely devaluing some assets) and I don’t see this team going anywhere anyway, as long as Hiller is around. My fear is a trade for a veteran like O’Reilly and giving up a decent prospect or player to do it.

For now my main hope is we don’t trade Byfield (hope you’re right that we won’t) or Clarke (pretty sure that is unlikely) or any top prospects.

They can't trade Q. Too much invested in his eventual success. Plus the return would never be commensurate with the time and money already spent. A 1/2 centerman and a 1/2 left shot defenseman are going to cost plenty. Be prepared to say goodbye to your favorite players, prospects and draft picks.

 

[What party?]

I'm still suspicious when it comes to Danault. Maybe he quit on the team, but he never struck me as that type of guy. Chances are we will never know what happened there, but Danault, Kempe and Anderson struck me as the next potential Kings' Captain, so it's really odd to see someone with such leadership ability fall out like Danault did.

I've been waiting to bring this up, the new El Capitan. And have some thoughts, if Holland takes a big swing at the deadline and Doughty is traded for whomever...is this Anderson's team?

Mike (because he's a big boy now) Anderson? How Norstromeque...interesting.

Anyway, would love to hear any theories about Phil as well but it was probably he no longer loved being a heart and soul guy that no one was giving that "heart and soul" love to (as the fanfare is concerned) in Los Angeles.

 

[symbology]

He’s gonna bring Scotty out of retirement

Could not be worse.

 

[symbology]

Trading QB means the Kings need at least two top three center positions filled and that’s a pretty bad starting point going into the offseason.
Your points are valid beyond that. Byfield has developed slower than most everyone assumed/hoped. But I honestly doubt he will be the player 2-3 years from now that he is today. His path has not been all that smooth so far. A couple early years with health issues, then playing wing, now a year and a half playing C. He is really only beginning his journey as a centerman. But he is a guy who has to start some upward movement.

Re the questions over Danault departure, I think Phil was upset about feeling diminished in his role. I can’t fault that. To a point. If he was upset you don’t hurt the team with your response. That’s inexcusable. You grind it out, discuss it and maybe ask for a trade in the offseason. You don’t quit. You don’t quit on the team. ESPECIALLY when you aren’t producing. His performance actually showed that maybe the smaller role was appropriate. But, it’s also appropriate to understand that his line with Moore and Foegele was less than anemic. A smaller role with linemates who aren’t performing did not help matters. Still a disappointing end to his time here, with a guy who played really well for the Kings.

I have been bringing up this point for a while.

Whether by trade, or moving him to wing. That would leave two huge holes at center that would be impossible to fill. It is going to be hard enough to replace one of Kopi/QB as it is.

 

[symbology]

I've been waiting to bring this up, the new El Capitan. And have some thoughts, if Holland takes a big swing at the deadline and Doughty is traded for whomever...is this Anderson's team?

Mike (because he's a big boy now) Anderson? How Norstromeque...interesting.

Anyway, would love to hear any theories about Phil as well but it was probably he no longer loved being a heart and soul guy that no one was giving that "heart and soul" love to (as the fanfare is concerned) in Los Angeles.

Have a look at these links.

Elliotte Friedman explains why Phillip Danault's exit from L.A. turned ugly

It ended poorly in Los Angeles for Phillip Danault, as reports Friday revealed the Kings were unhappy with the return they received in the trade involving the center

www.allhabs.com

'I felt powerless and useless': Phillip Danault opens up on his struggles in L.A. after Canadiens return

At 32 years old, Quebec-born center Phillip Danault has been back with the Montreal Canadiens since Friday, following a trade that stirred up quite a reaction.

www.allhabs.com

 

[dneprovec]

is it Kings new coach ??
Gerard Gallant in consultation with his KHL team doctors and management, has decided to step away from coaching the rest of the season. He’s doing better.

 

[symbology]

is it Kings new coach ??
Gerard Gallant in consultation with his KHL team doctors and management, has decided to step away from coaching the rest of the season. He’s doing better.

Not likely

 

[Statue4Deano]

The Kings to this point haven’t been able to find a guy to play 2nd line Center on the trade market. I’m not sure what makes people think they can find a 1st line Center or a Center better than Byfield.

 

[What party?]

Have a look at these links.

Elliotte Friedman explains why Phillip Danault's exit from L.A. turned ugly

It ended poorly in Los Angeles for Phillip Danault, as reports Friday revealed the Kings were unhappy with the return they received in the trade involving the center

www.allhabs.com

'I felt powerless and useless': Phillip Danault opens up on his struggles in L.A. after Canadiens return

At 32 years old, Quebec-born center Phillip Danault has been back with the Montreal Canadiens since Friday, following a trade that stirred up quite a reaction.

www.allhabs.com

Good read. Thx.
I know I'm going to sound like a jerk but I'll wear the label, uh, the guy with no goals wonders why he was getting less and less minutes on *checks notes* the POWER PLAY?


Shoresy chirp: Hé, pas de statistiques ! Belles statistiques !

 

[symbology]

The Kings to this point haven’t been able to find a guy to play 2nd line Center on the trade market. I’m not sure what makes people think they can find a 1st line Center or a Center better than Byfield.

This is the chorus I have been singing all season long.

Kings are not the only team with needs at center. The big issue is that the Kings do not have the available assets to make an offer that will be better than pretty much any other team.

 

[What party?]

is it Kings new coach ??
Gerard Gallant in consultation with his KHL team doctors and management, has decided to step away from coaching the rest of the season. He’s doing better.

 

[DryKing]

This is the chorus I have been singing all season long.

Kings are not they only team with needs at center. The big issue is that the Kings do not have the available assets to make an offer that will be better than pretty much any other team.

Agreed, they either need to address it through the draft (which will take time), Free Agency this summer, or by trading for a salvage project. At this point the Kings do not have a lot to offer for a top 6 center, via trade, and what they do have they would be better off holding on to (as any Center trade at this point, with the exception of a salvage project, will demand a big over payment).

I think we have a top 6 center in Turcotte so, at worst, we need a 2B or 3rd line center to round out the roster.

Maybe it's time to give Nikita Alexandrov a call up.

 

[santiclaws]

Agreed, they either need to address it through the draft (which will take time), Free Agency this summer, or by trading for a salvage project. At this point the Kings do not have a lot to offer for a top 6 center, via trade, and what they do have they would be better off holding on to (as any Center trade at this point, with the exception of a salvage project, will demand a big over payment).

I think we have a top 6 center in Turcotte so, at worst, we need a 2B or 3rd line center to round out the roster.

Maybe it's time to give Nikita Alexandrov a call up.

I haven't seen anything from Turcotte to suggest that he is a top 6 center in the NHL. He has a severe case of Austinwagneritis. Needs a dozen great chances to score one goal. 13 goals in 144 NHL games does not a 2nd line center make. I'm not entirely convinced he's a good 3C. Yeah, he hasn't had a ton of minutes, but his offensive upside is very, very limited.

 

[DryKing]

I haven't seen anything from Turcotte to suggest that he is a top 6 center in the NHL. He has a severe case of Austinwagneritis. Needs a dozen great chances to score one goal. 13 goals in 144 NHL games does not a 2nd line center make. I'm not entirely convinced he's a good 3C. Yeah, he hasn't had a ton of minutes, but his offensive upside is very, very limited.

Fair opinion but he's not going to prove himself as a 2nd line (or even 3rd line) center without the chance to. It's not really fair to play someone ~8 minutes a game with a line 4th liners and expect big production out of him.

The last couple games he has been paired with Fiala and the two look really good together. I'm hopefully we have finally found someone who meshes with Fiala. He has also had 3 points in the last 5 games so the points are following the opportunity. Big miss by Hiller in that he has only averaged ~15 minutes during that span.

Remember Danault stating he felt helpless with the minutes and limited situations the Kings used him in? Turcotte is that X2 but Turcs is still hanging strong.

I agree with you, though, that while, in my opinion, his biggest strengths come in areas that tend not to lead to points, the points still need to be there. He still has a lot to prove.

 

[JustJoe]

I think we're past the point of firing Hiller. A good coach coming in now couldn't turn this sh*t show around in half a season. Let 'm ride out missing the playoffs, selling at the trade deadline, and clean house this summer.

 

[Dr. Tran]

The Kings to this point haven’t been able to find a guy to play 2nd line Center on the trade market. I’m not sure what makes people think they can find a 1st line Center or a Center better than Byfield.

Columbus has 6 centers who can score. Fantilli, Coyle, Jenner, Monahan, Sillinger, & Johnson. I wonder if we could get one of those guys. Maybe give their pick back to them?

 

[Dr. Tran]

For everyone who goes to games, could you get a fire Hiller chant going in the arena? Given & Bernstein aren’t right about a lot. But they’re right in saying that calling for Hiller to get fired online doesn’t do anything. It has to be heard by people going to the games. Unless the fans are buying into the we’re doing really well BS. Which I don’t think they are.

 

[symbology]

I haven't seen anything from Turcotte to suggest that he is a top 6 center in the NHL. He has a severe case of Austinwagneritis. Needs a dozen great chances to score one goal. 13 goals in 144 NHL games does not a 2nd line center make. I'm not entirely convinced he's a good 3C. Yeah, he hasn't had a ton of minutes, but his offensive upside is very, very limited.

He is similar to QB, but worse. Never looking to get a shot on net. Always looking to drive the net and then look for a pass. Work your backside off to get some shots on net. You get more goals that way.