ICE24
Super Star
I just don't see him wanting to take over a team in decline.
Kings spoke to Laviolette
- Thread starter K-Man #32
- Start date
DryKing
Power Forward
I actually think the Kings are on the upswing, provided they get a coach in there which can help develop the younger players and hold the vets accountable to playing within the system and sticking to their defined role.
It would also be a great opportunity for Woodcroft to show he can win without two of the best players in the world (including the best) on the team to carry it.
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
I can think of a few million reasons he would do it
dannybuoy1
Cause Mitchrock said so
who ever it is, and since we won't rebuild, it will be an upgrade.
dannybuoy1
Cause Mitchrock said so
I am with you. These are fixable problems once Doughty is gone. And you know I hate this team.
ICE24
Super Star
A
Are the Kings willing to fix, is the question.
LAKINGSFAN
Prospect
Yes, the Kings need a whole new system.
LAKingSteve
Super Star
Both Friedman and Hoven stating that it's likely down to Woodcroft and Smith.
Luc and Rob show had a habbit of holding on to assets too long until they become liabilities.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
Will things change now?
Clif
Super Star
Yes and in Rob’s case, hanging on to assets too long until they lost all value.
Bjornfot / JAD / Thomas / Fagemo / Kaliyev / Turcotte / Madden / Pinelli
Hang onto Walker and Spence until their value is at their lowest.
Just mistakes all the way around. The contending teams make lots of trades and they move out prospects before the cake is baked. It can be a gamble. Of course doing nothing can often mean a bust.
King of Pentacle5
Top Forward
I’m not against DJ staying as HC. I think with a healthy roster and starting with training camp to implement new systems and roles, he can be a good coach. He did pretty well with the Kings for the latter part of the season, imo.
DryKing
Power Forward
AI has an interesting take on it. Personally I would put DJ lower than #4. Mayor posted a recently article considering Woodcroft as the new HC and DJ remaining on as an assistant which makes more sense to me (though Defensive Coach should remain as Greene imo).
1. Bruce Cassidy — The clear #1 fit
With your roster built around:- Byfield as a young 1C
- Panarin + Fiala as elite wingers
- Clarke as the franchise defenseman
- Aging defensive depth (Doughty, Dumoulin, Ceci, Edmundson)
- Two veteran goalies (Forsberg, Kuemper)
Why Cassidy fits THIS roster:
- His defensive structure protects slower defensemen (Doughty, Dumoulin, Ceci)
- His system elevates puck‑moving defensemen (Clarke becomes a star)
- His teams suppress high‑danger chances — perfect for Kuemper/Forsberg
- He gets elite production from high‑skill wingers (Panarin thrives)
- He gives Byfield the two‑way framework he needs as a full‑time 1C
If LA wants a coach who grows with the roster, Woodcroft is the guy.Why he fits:
- Excellent with young centers (Byfield, Turcotte, Helenius)
- Modern, fast, transition‑heavy system fits Fiala + Panarin
- Great for developing Clarke into a top‑pairing driver
- Helps LA shift into a younger, faster identity
Why he’s not #1:
He doesn’t bring Cassidy’s elite defensive structure — something your blue line needs.
Gallant is a short‑term spark plug, but he’s not a perfect stylistic match.Pros:
- Simple, aggressive forecheck
- Can get immediate buy‑in
- Good for wingers like Moore, Armia, Laferriere
Cons for this roster:
- Needs veteran centers — you don’t have them
- Not ideal for Panarin’s east‑west style
- Doesn’t maximize puck‑moving defensemen like Clarke
Smith is respected and stabilizing, but:- He doesn’t elevate elite talent
- He doesn’t maximize offensive creativity
- He doesn’t provide the structural overhaul this roster needs
None of these guys ever had any value except draft position which buys you nothing.
DryKing
Power Forward
Tell that to Toffoli j/k
Clif
Super Star
Be honest: do you know who Shakir Mukhamadullin or Nikita Okhotiuk are?
What about Justin Barron?
You may actually have heard of Drew Helleson.
Mikhail Abramov?
Vasili Ponomaryov or Ville Koivunen?
How many of these names are you familiar with? You will know every player who they were traded for because they are all impact to high impact NHL players.
Tell him what? Other than thank you for taking advantage of your opportunity with the Kings.
DryKing
Power Forward
Madden was a, if not the, key piece coming back on that trade. Madden had never played a single game in the NHL, but obviously he has enough value for the Kings to move a former 30 goal scorer (for Madden, a 2nd and a Vancouver salary dump).
>The Los Angeles Kings traded forward Tyler Toffoli to the Vancouver Canucks on February 17, 2020, in exchange for Tim Schaller, prospect Tyler Madden, a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, and a conditional 2022 draft pick
King of Pentacle5
Top Forward
I’m not really a fan of AI in general. It’s part of the enshitification of everything over the past 30 years. I’m glad it’s pretty much maxed out and people are starting to realize its limitations. Listing QB as a 1C demonstrates this.AI has an interesting take on it. Personally I would put DJ lower than #4. Mayor posted a recently article considering Woodcroft as the new HC and DJ remaining on as an assistant which makes more sense to me (though Defensive Coach should remain as Greene imo).
1. Bruce Cassidy — The clear #1 fit
With your roster built around:
…Cassidy is the coach who maximizes this group immediately.
- Byfield as a young 1C
- Panarin + Fiala as elite wingers
- Clarke as the franchise defenseman
- Aging defensive depth (Doughty, Dumoulin, Ceci, Edmundson)
- Two veteran goalies (Forsberg, Kuemper)
Why Cassidy fits THIS roster:
This roster needs identity, structure, and defensive organization.Cassidy is the best coach in the league at delivering that.
- His defensive structure protects slower defensemen (Doughty, Dumoulin, Ceci)
- His system elevates puck‑moving defensemen (Clarke becomes a star)
- His teams suppress high‑danger chances — perfect for Kuemper/Forsberg
- He gets elite production from high‑skill wingers (Panarin thrives)
- He gives Byfield the two‑way framework he needs as a full‑time 1C
If LA wants a coach who grows with the roster, Woodcroft is the guy.
Why he fits:
- Excellent with young centers (Byfield, Turcotte, Helenius)
- Modern, fast, transition‑heavy system fits Fiala + Panarin
- Great for developing Clarke into a top‑pairing driver
- Helps LA shift into a younger, faster identity
Why he’s not #1:
He doesn’t bring Cassidy’s elite defensive structure — something your blue line needs.
Gallant is a short‑term spark plug, but he’s not a perfect stylistic match.
Pros:
- Simple, aggressive forecheck
- Can get immediate buy‑in
- Good for wingers like Moore, Armia, Laferriere
Cons for this roster:
He’s a fallback option, not a primary target.
- Needs veteran centers — you don’t have them
- Not ideal for Panarin’s east‑west style
- Doesn’t maximize puck‑moving defensemen like Clarke
Smith is respected and stabilizing, but:
He’s a “keep the room calm” coach, not a “push the team forward” coach.
- He doesn’t elevate elite talent
- He doesn’t maximize offensive creativity
- He doesn’t provide the structural overhaul this roster needs
As far as the coach, Cassidy would be my #1 choice, but it’s doubtful he’d want a job with the Kings. Edmonton is knocking on his door, apparently.
Last edited:
What party?
Taxi Squad
Oh, great, that's the coach our robot overlords want? Are they still pretending we have a choice?AI has an interesting take on it. Personally I would put DJ lower than #4. Mayor posted a recently article considering Woodcroft as the new HC and DJ remaining on as an assistant which makes more sense to me (though Defensive Coach should remain as Greene imo).
1. Bruce Cassidy — The clear #1 fit
With your roster built around:
…Cassidy is the coach who maximizes this group immediately.
- Byfield as a young 1C
- Panarin + Fiala as elite wingers
- Clarke as the franchise defenseman
- Aging defensive depth (Doughty, Dumoulin, Ceci, Edmundson)
- Two veteran goalies (Forsberg, Kuemper)
Why Cassidy fits THIS roster:
This roster needs identity, structure, and defensive organization.Cassidy is the best coach in the league at delivering that.
- His defensive structure protects slower defensemen (Doughty, Dumoulin, Ceci)
- His system elevates puck‑moving defensemen (Clarke becomes a star)
- His teams suppress high‑danger chances — perfect for Kuemper/Forsberg
- He gets elite production from high‑skill wingers (Panarin thrives)
- He gives Byfield the two‑way framework he needs as a full‑time 1C
If LA wants a coach who grows with the roster, Woodcroft is the guy.
Why he fits:
- Excellent with young centers (Byfield, Turcotte, Helenius)
- Modern, fast, transition‑heavy system fits Fiala + Panarin
- Great for developing Clarke into a top‑pairing driver
- Helps LA shift into a younger, faster identity
Why he’s not #1:
He doesn’t bring Cassidy’s elite defensive structure — something your blue line needs.
Gallant is a short‑term spark plug, but he’s not a perfect stylistic match.
Pros:
- Simple, aggressive forecheck
- Can get immediate buy‑in
- Good for wingers like Moore, Armia, Laferriere
Cons for this roster:
He’s a fallback option, not a primary target.
- Needs veteran centers — you don’t have them
- Not ideal for Panarin’s east‑west style
- Doesn’t maximize puck‑moving defensemen like Clarke
Smith is respected and stabilizing, but:
He’s a “keep the room calm” coach, not a “push the team forward” coach.
- He doesn’t elevate elite talent
- He doesn’t maximize offensive creativity
- He doesn’t provide the structural overhaul this roster needs
Hmmm...okay well I'm off to the gym. No reason.