Kings Interested In Alex Tuch

At the risk of sounding like a Homer, I think the Kings talent-wise are good enough. Good enough for what, a Cup final? No? A lot would have to go right. Goaltending being lights out. The sleepy goal scorers we signed or traded for start producing again. Kopitar gets rejuvenated and him and Kempe go on a tear (bringing along which ever winger they get). Doughty gets back to form on Offense AND defense. Injury free.
Gavvy's NMC will probably mean he stays unless a real Cup contender with cap space comes knocking - may change his mind. Holding onto him will be Blake's "deadline deal"
So, don't look for much change at the deadline, IMO. Kings may not see "major" changes until the offseason.
 
Bollocks said:
But when you look at Tuch's stats, he's not a 30 goal scorer either (only one season in his longer career than Moore). What makes us think he will be with the Kings?

Sure, he may fit right in and be great for us, but there are no guarantees. Rob should be careful not to overpay like he did with PLD who we also hoped would fit right in and he didn't.
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We don't need Alex Tuch to be a 30 goal scorer per se. Adrian Kempe, hopefully QB, and Fiala (if playing on top of his game) are all capable of that. He needs to give other teams defense fits and he plays that high energy power forward game. It could be just what we need.
 
Dorian20 said:
We don't need Alex Tuch to be a 30 goal scorer per se. Adrian Kempe, hopefully QB, and Fiala (if playing on top of his game) are all capable of that. He needs to give other teams defense fits and he plays that high energy power forward game. It could be just what we need.
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Correct. And Tuch is 6’ 4” with a right handed shot. Tuch is also playoff tested. He’s played 66 playoff games with 19 goals scored. He’s basically exactly what the Kings need.
 
The Kings don't need another scorer, the Kings need a player capable of racking up the assists. You think Draisaitle could score that many goals if McCheezits wasn't dishing out the assists?
 
Clif said:
“Mediocre” and you list those three. Nice troll job.
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Byfield tracking at .5 points per game, and Tuch has managed .7 points per game over more than twice the amount of games. You think Byfield is going to top that rate of contribution? Even if you factor intangibles into the mix, Tuch is noted as a guy who brings those as well. If you’re gonna say Byfield is better than ‘mediocre’, what does that make Tuch by comparison? And don’t even get me started on Turcotte’s production to this point.
 
Madness20721 said:
The Kings don't need another scorer, the Kings need a player capable of racking up the assists. You think Draisaitle could score that many goals if McCheezits wasn't dishing out the assists?
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This comment sent me down a little rabbit hole, because I jokingly thought to myself, well if QB actually scored goals at a league average shooting percentage, he’d probably have about 30 by now. However, a glance at his season average shooting percentages over the last few years reveals that he has a relatively typical shooting percentage, not particularly low. Which then lead me to the consideration of whether shooting percentage is only calculated based on actual statistically captured -shots on goal-, which as we know when a player shoots wide, hits a post etc., does NOT count as a shot on goal. So that begs the question, are these shooting percentages based on shots taken, or calculated against actual registered shots on goal? Given what I see on QB’s shooting %, I would surmise that it’s got to be calc’ed against actual SOG stats, not just ‘shot attempts’. Since we know he loves to shovel those pucks very high and wide.
 
DarkLeftHand said:
This comment sent me down a little rabbit hole, because I jokingly thought to myself, well if QB actually scored goals at a league average shooting percentage, he’d probably have about 30 by now. However, a glance at his season average shooting percentages over the last few years reveals that he has a relatively typical shooting percentage, not particularly low. Which then lead me to the consideration of whether shooting percentage is only calculated based on actual statistically captured -shots on goal-, which as we know when a player shoots wide, hits a post etc., does NOT count as a shot on goal. So that begs the question, are these shooting percentages based on shots taken, or calculated against actual registered shots on goal? Given what I see on QB’s shooting %, I would surmise that it’s got to be calc’ed against actual SOG stats, not just ‘shot attempts’. Since we know he loves to shovel those pucks very high and wide.
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There is no question that the stat is based on actual SOG. Q is never going to be a reliable goal scorer unless he devotes much more time to developing accuracy. It's gotten so bad that the expected outcome of any shot he takes is either hitting the goalie's crest, or "Shot wide!". During the last home stand, I laughed out loud at a rebound he was gifted at the goal mouth that he shot almost straight up into the netting from a foot away. He needs to concentrate on assists.
 
VCRW said:
There is no question that the stat is based on actual SOG. Q is never going to be a reliable goal scorer unless he devotes much more time to developing accuracy. It's gotten so bad that the expected outcome of any shot he takes is either hitting the goalie's crest, or "Shot wide!". During the last home stand, I laughed out loud at a rebound he was gifted at the goal mouth that he shot almost straight up into the netting from a foot away. He needs to concentrate on assists.
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I agree with you that Byfield needs to work on his shot and that he will never be a true goal scorer but let's be fair - every King this season has been guilty of missing wide open nets, shooting into the goalies crest and shooting wide. He will get better, but only the future knows by how much.

Our best goal scorers are only average 12% and 11% lifetime so Byfield isn't that far off. That said, he ranks in the upper middle currently within the NHL. Now there are factors which give players an unfair advantage, time on PP1, which Byfield has not received the luxury of. That, in itself, will bridge some of the gap.

Tuch has a 11.8 shooting percentage over his career which already ties that of our second best goal scorer. On top of that he has a 15.3% this year with zero PP goals. Though it is an up year for him, that is an elite percentage and stat. His season high is also a 16.5% during a season where he scored 36 goals. All this underlines that Tuch is a far better goal scorer than he is being given credit for, and a 30 goal season, if given top line playing time, is not a fluke.
 
DarkLeftHand said:
Byfield tracking at .5 points per game, and Tuch has managed .7 points per game over more than twice the amount of games. You think Byfield is going to top that rate of contribution? Even if you factor intangibles into the mix, Tuch is noted as a guy who brings those as well. If you’re gonna say Byfield is better than ‘mediocre’, what does that make Tuch by comparison? And don’t even get me started on Turcotte’s production to this point.
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That you are citing a player’s “mediocrity” or not based primarily on ppg, especially those like Byfield who believe it or not are still developing, makes it tempting to not respond at all. But let’s focus on just Byfield for a moment.

Last Oilers game his line held McDavid’s line to one shot on goal 5-on-5. If you look at the last few games, Byfield drew assists from the dzone after effective forechecking and quick breakout passes. Those aren’t intangibles. That’s complete play.
 
Clif said:
Last Oilers game his line held McDavid’s line to one shot on goal 5-on-5. If you look at the last few games, Byfield drew assists from the dzone after effective forechecking and quick breakout passes. Those aren’t intangibles. That’s complete play.
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As a centerman in the NHL, I fear that becoming a faster version of Michal Handzus may be QB’s eventual future. His offensive success was achieved playing with 11 and 9. He hasn’t come close to matching that output on his own line. Jury is definitely still out, but I think it’s best to temper our expectations. He’s 22 now, no longer a “kid”.

As Birdman just said, acquiring Tuch checks all the boxes.
 
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VCRW said:
As a centerman in the NHL, I fear that becoming a faster version of Michal Handzus may be QB’s eventual future. His offensive success was achieved playing with 11 and 9. He hasn’t come close to matching that output on his own line. Jury is definitely still out, but I think it’s best to temper our expectations. He’s 22 now, no longer a “kid”.

As Birdman just said, acquiring Tuch checks all the boxes.
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He’s no longer a kid but it is a fact he’s still developing. This is his first year at center. He has disappointed offensively but he has exceeded my expectations defensively, especially of late. Kopi, while having higher offense to start, still took an offensive hit when becoming a complete 200 ft player.

It’s clear Byfield needs finishers. I get the Handzus projection as possible, but he still shows higher end skill. I think production-wise an Adam Oates type of profile is possible for him.

Regardless, I bristled at Darklefthand calling him among Turcotte and Spence as “mediocre.” It was a silly post. Though what was not silly was his assertion that Laf would be the piece for Tuch. That’s probably quite accurate and I’m not doing that, even for a player who checks all the boxes now.
 
Clif said:
He’s no longer a kid but it is a fact he’s still developing. This is his first year at center. He has disappointed offensively but he has exceeded my expectations defensively, especially of late. Kopi, while having higher offense to start, still took an offensive hit when becoming a complete 200 ft player.

It’s clear Byfield needs finishers. I get the Handzus projection as possible, but he still shows higher end skill. I think production-wise an Adam Oates type of profile is possible for him.

Regardless, I bristled at Darklefthand calling him among Turcotte and Spence as “mediocre.” It was a silly post. Though what was not silly was his assertion that Laf would be the piece for Tuch. That’s probably quite accurate and I’m not doing that, even for a player who checks all the boxes now.
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I posted a while ago that I would be ecstatic if Q developed into a Joe Thornton (or Oates) type assist machine. But I don’t believe he possesses the ice vision or the situational awareness to become that player. Don’t see him as a 1C any longer. Hope I am wrong, but that’s what it kinda looks like right now.
 

Clif said:
He’s no longer a kid but it is a fact he’s still developing. This is his first year at center. He has disappointed offensively but he has exceeded my expectations defensively, especially of late. Kopi, while having higher offense to start, still took an offensive hit when becoming a complete 200 ft player.

It’s clear Byfield needs finishers. I get the Handzus projection as possible, but he still shows higher end skill. I think production-wise an Adam Oates type of profile is possible for him.

Regardless, I bristled at Darklefthand calling him among Turcotte and Spence as “mediocre.” It was a silly post. Though what was not silly was his assertion that Laf would be the piece for Tuch. That’s probably quite accurate and I’m not doing that, even for a player who checks all the boxes now.
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It would be a bitter pill to see Laffy get traded. I would not be happy about it. Obviously the return matters, and of course it could happen and be a good thing.
I’ve said before that Laffy reminds me of Deadmarsh. Good speed, tough, responsible and fearless and Laffy has a better shot than many would acknowledge. He also has the intangibles.
 
VCRW said:
I posted a while ago that I would be ecstatic if Q developed into a Joe Thornton (or Oates) type assist machine. But I don’t believe he possesses the ice vision or the situational awareness to become that player. Don’t see him as a 1C any longer. Hope I am wrong, but that’s what it kinda looks like right now.
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Too early for me still but I’m not going argue your take. We’re all watching and projecting (just don’t give me that mediocrity stuff). But yeah assist machine sounds like absolute ceiling.

I put more weight on his moments of brilliance, like his ability to outskate and stop on a dime to a make a direct feed right in front of the net. Again those passes to Fiala last few games were promising. When he shows his ceiling its high.
DoubleMinor said:
It would be a bitter pill to see Laffy get traded. I would not be happy about it. Obviously the return matters, and of course it could happen and be a good thing.
I’ve said before that Laffy reminds me of Deadmarsh. Good speed, tough, responsible and fearless and Laffy has a better shot than many would acknowledge. He also has the intangibles.
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Blake has traded two high-end prospects who you’d want as a part of your future twice. Both were for 25 year-olds who then signed 7 and 8 year deals, respectively. I don’t see Blake trading Laf for a 28 year old with one year left who will then be poised for a big FA window. Though with the interest Tuch will get league-wide right now I do believe that’d be the center part of the asking price from BUFF to LA.
 
VCRW said:
I posted a while ago that I would be ecstatic if Q developed into a Joe Thornton (or Oates) type assist machine. But I don’t believe he possesses the ice vision or the situational awareness to become that player. Don’t see him as a 1C any longer. Hope I am wrong, but that’s what it kinda looks like right now.
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Wow I really hope you are right - that was be a spectacular final outcome. My prediction is Byfield develops into a solid 70 point player, with a point production similar to Jozef Stumpel. Byfield will, however, be an excellent two-way player which sets him apart from many and will be the true strength of his game.

Between your guess and mine, though, I hope you are right. Once he is able to take a lead role on the team we will better know what we truly have in him.
 
Clif said:
Too early for me still but I’m not going argue your take. We’re all watching and projecting (just don’t give me that mediocrity stuff). But yeah assist machine sounds like absolute ceiling.

I put more weight on his moments of brilliance, like his ability to outskate and stop on a dime to a make a direct feed right in front of the net. Again those passes to Fiala last few games were promising.
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I have started to see his final landing spot as 2C. May have to wait for Kopi and Drew to get off the books before acquiring a true 1C.

Losing Laffy seems like a real bad idea to me - and not just because I graduated from Boston University!😁 He has Justin Williams potential that could/should pay off soon.

That gets us back to Moore plus one or two sweeteners for Tuch. Fingers crossed.
 
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