Kempe Contract Watch Thread

[symbology]

To add to this with a recent example - 20/21 the Canadians made it to the SC Finals with their top center (Suzuki) average 0.71 PPG and 0.73 PPG in the playoffs. Their second line center, Danault, averaged 0.45 PPG during the regular season and 0.18 PPG during the playoffs that year.

But clearly, according to others, they were not a contender based on their stats and Byfield at a 0.77 PPG pace could not be a L1 center on a contending team...

While it is true that the Canadians and other teams have done well in the playoffs without high end centers. That Montreal team had not been making, or doing anything in the playoffs. They were over achievers for sure. Not considered contenders at all. Not even close.

Byfiled is at .77 pts per game for the last 13 games. That is a significant jump from his past seasons. Hope he keeps it up.

It is more than just points. Yes, points are mentioned and focused on at times. IMO, QB is not ready to be a #1C on a contending team, even if he finishes the season at .77 pts per game. He is not ready for that role yet IMO. His game needs work in certain areas. He needs to read plays better at times, and he needs to slow down at times. He tries to push the pace to much IMO, and loses control of the puck to often. Finally, 44% at the dot is not going to cut it.

Hope he gets there and gets there soon.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

Stutzle has 14 points in 13 games. Byfield has 10 points in 13 games. Let’s maybe tap the brakes on calling Stutzle an elite scorer. Especially when you consider that Byfield plays in one of the most conservative offensive systems in the NHL while Stutzle plays in one of the highest scoring.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

Love Byfield, but no one outside of us Kings fans, would say that they would rather have him than Stutzle. It’s not even a knock on Byfield. Stutzle has become an impressive player at both ends of the ice. He has become one of the best players for expected goals against. Their offensive stats aren’t even close. You guys may think I’m being hard on Byfield, but I think you are in absolute denial about what Stutzle is.

 

[symbology]

Love Byfield, but no one outside of us Kings fans, would say that they would rather have him than Stutzle. It’s not even a knock on Byfield. Stutzle has become an impressive player at both ends of the ice. He has become one of the best players for expected goals against. Their offensive stats aren’t even close. You guys may think I’m being hard on Byfield, but I think you are in absolute denial about what Stutzle is.

Hard to argue this. Many folks do not realize that Stutzle's defensive game has improved over the last few seasons. I think even his faceoffs have improved. As of now, comparing FO %, Stutzle is at 61%, while QB is at 44%. Stutzle is tied for the team lead in +/- with +4, while QB is sitting at 17th, with a -2.

I am not trying to bash QB either. The way I see it, is you question some things on his game or make comments and folks try to sell you that all is well all is good QB is great. So, some of us end up bringing up some negative stuff on QB just to defend our opinions.

 

[VCRW]

Back on topic, Kempe is on pace for a 35 goal, 90 point season. He is responding in the best possible way to the uncertainty surrounding his contract status. Any team would be happy to have what he brings. Holland is not looking too savvy in this current situation.