***LA Kings @ Nashville Predators GDT 10/18/22 6:30pm on >>ESPN<<***

[Helvetica]

Perhaps Blakey’s patience with Kempe, Vilardi and QB showed he has far greater hockey knowledge and intuition than many here are willing to admit. I also believe that sticking with Turcotte will produce great results in the not too distant future.

i agree, but also Vilardi deserves some credit for seemingly flipping a switch on his attitude. I wouldnt be shocked at all to find out that blake was shopping vilardi last season on teh hunt for chychrun, but im happy that gabe has seemingly worked on his deficiencies this past offseason. Whatever he did, it's working.

 

[Kurisu]

Perhaps Blakey’s patience with Kempe, Vilardi and QB showed he has far greater hockey knowledge and intuition than many here are willing to admit. I also believe that sticking with Turcotte will produce great results in the not too distant future.

I read something a while back that addressed this topic, specifically from the context of how difficult a development period the last three or so years have been with Covid and the bubble games, and the lack of lower league activity. Then throw in the unforeseeable injuries and it gets even more complicated. Hockey in general is just starting to feel completely normal again.

 

[VCRW]

i agree, but also Vilardi deserves some credit for seemingly flipping a switch on his attitude. I wouldnt be shocked at all to find out that blake was shopping vilardi last season on teh hunt for chychrun, but im happy that gabe has seemingly worked on his deficiencies this past offseason. Whatever he did, it's working.

Vilardi deserves huge props for reinventing/resurrecting his career and emerging from his physical and mental struggles in such a positive way. Couldn’t be happier for him.

Byfield has had a similar journey as a pro. A season lost to a broken leg that followed that truncated year in the pandemic season. Rob is sticking by him and that’s enough for me at this point.

 

[Helvetica]

Vilardi deserves huge props for reinventing/resurrecting his career and emerging from his physical and mental struggles in such a positive way. Couldn’t be happier for him.

Byfield has had a similar journey as a pro. A season lost to a broken leg that followed that truncated year in the pandemic season. Rob is sticking by him and that’s enough for me at this point.

ive liked what ive seen from Byfield this season so far and im hoping by mid season he's really starting to assert himself. That line has been exactly what we were hoping to see coming into this season. Ive seen enough plays already this season to see that the skill is there, he just needs some timer to get into the flow, get adjusted to the speed, and and stop having to think his way through shifts and just let the instincts dictate his play.

 

[05/29/93]

Vilardi for the Masterson trophy? I know it's extremely early, but if he keeps this up, he's a worthy nominee.

 

[Nyssa42]

I can tell you that more than 1 Kings broadcaster was almost 100% sure last March during Fantasy Camp that Vilardi would not be a King by the start of this season, so whatever it is that he did to keep his spot here, he needs to write a book about it & go on a motivational speaking tour when his playing days are over.
Maybe he didn't get along with Dustin Brown?? Maybe he just found pain meds that work and aren't illegal substances. Or maybe his back just finally healed.

 

[Rogie-Vachon]

Maybe he didn't get along with Dustin Brown?? Maybe he just found pain meds that work and aren't illegal substances. Or maybe his back just finally healed.

Or maybe...having two HALL OF FAMERS working with the rosters helped the maturity process?

 

[Illegal_Stick]

I can tell you that more than 1 Kings broadcaster was almost 100% sure last March during Fantasy Camp that Vilardi would not be a King by the start of this season, so whatever it is that he did to keep his spot here, he needs to write a book about it & go on a motivational speaking tour when his playing days are over.
Maybe he didn't get along with Dustin Brown?? Maybe he just found pain meds that work and aren't illegal substances. Or maybe his back just finally healed.

I give Blake all the props in the world, but I have no doubt he was offered for Chychrun with more pieces and it was rejected. Turns out it may be the right move for us after all.

 

[jgs]

Glad Vilardi has found his scoring touch and QB is much better and comfortable play NHL caliber hockey. Hoping both continue to reach higher heights during the coarse of the season. TM has a knack of not using the youngsters much. I hope he realizes that the youngsters are who he needs to lean on. Kopi is slow. DD isn't what he used to be. Clarke. i hope he takes it to another level, He has the potential to be a great rushing d-man.

 

[DryKing]

Glad Vilardi has found his scoring touch and QB is much better and comfortable play NHL caliber hockey. Hoping both continue to reach higher heights during the coarse of the season. TM has a knack of not using the youngsters much. I hope he realizes that the youngsters are who he needs to lean on. Kopi is slow. DD isn't what he used to be. Clarke. i hope he takes it to another level, He has the potential to be a great rushing d-man.

Yeah it really seems like this is the season where the youth begins to take over. Hopefully TMac consistently puts Vilardi, Byfield and Kaliyev in key situations (which also means no more scratching Kaliyev please). Our lines are still pretty weird as Danault belongs with Kempe and Fiala, and Moore and Arvidsson belong on the 3rd line. Kopitar, though slow, is still our best center though, but Blake and company essentially built a top line which he isn't a good fit on. The best alternative I can see would be:


Fiala / Danault / Kempe
Iafallo / Kopitar / Vilardi
Moore / Byfield / Arvidsson
Grundstom/Lemieux / Lizotte / Kaliyev

Personally if I am Blake I would be considering trading Arvidsson around the trade deadline to a contender if an ideal trade situation does not occur before then. Arvidsson is awesome but it's time to start making room for Kaliyev on the 3rd line and Kupari on the 4th. I personally hope we keep Iafallo as he is able to fit sounded with any of our centers, but if he does get traded that makes room for Fagemo at LW.

 

[Clif]

Just read today Kings are 8th youngest team in the league. Didn’t know that but very cool. Blake’s plan at this stage really is trending where it’s intended to go.

 

[VCRW]

Yeah it really seems like this is the season where the youth begins to take over. Hopefully TMac consistently puts Vilardi, Byfield and Kaliyev in key situations (which also means no more scratching Kaliyev please). Our lines are still pretty weird as Danault belongs with Kempe and Fiala, and Moore and Arvidsson belong on the 3rd line. Kopitar, though slow, is still our best center though, but Blake and company essentially built a top line which he isn't a good fit on. The best alternative I can see would be:


Fiala / Danault / Kempe
Iafallo / Kopitar / Vilardi
Moore / Byfield / Arvidsson
Grundstom/Lemieux / Lizotte / Kaliyev

Personally if I am Blake I would be considering trading Arvidsson around the trade deadline to a contender if an ideal trade situation does not occur before then. Arvidsson is awesome but it's time to start making room for Kaliyev on the 3rd line and Kupari on the 4th. I personally hope we keep Iafallo as he is able to fit sounded with any of our centers, but if he does get traded that makes room for Fagemo at LW.

This summer I posted that McClellan should take a serious look at Danault centering Kempe and Fiala. I still believe that should be attempted.

 

[Nyssa42]

This summer I posted that McClellan should take a serious look at Danault centering Kempe and Fiala. I still believe that should be attempted.

Holy heck...that would be like an old school Redwings line from the 90's with all that speed & flash!

 

[salami]

This is just what Petersen needs. His problem is between his ears, so hopefully this comeback win helps.

This post did NOT age well.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

Did it seem like watching the ESPN broadcast was almost like watching a Preds broadcast? Maybe it was just me. Oh well, who cares. We got the win.
And what a huge win it was. It may not have pretty, there were a lot of mistakes. But they came through. That's true for the team overall & for Cal specifically. 2 of the goals he allowed weren't great. But at the end of the 3rd, through OT, & the shootout he really stepped up. We need that from him. Also, Gabe Freaking Vilardi, getting that great tip in on that 1st goal & then scoring the shootout winner. He's been amazing so far this season. And how about Matt Roy, the scoring machine? He's the 3rd leading goal scorer on the team with 3 goals. That's great for him. Not so much for Kopitar, Fiala, Danault, Moore, Arvidsson, or Doughty. Anyway, it's 3 straight wins on this road trip. This may not be a great team but it's a resilient team.

Go Kings Go!

I also noticed this and meant to mention it in my post game thoughts and comments. It definitely seemed like a pro Preds broadcast team.