***LA Kings @ Vegas Golden Knights GDT 10/22/24 >>8:00<<pm on ESPN, ESPN+***

(NHL front office rankings from https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5860549/2024/10/22/nhl-front-office-rankings/).

Screenshot 2024-10-23 at 9.34.11 AM.png


edit: Our single sentence: "The Kings going without a single vote is a surprise, given they’ve had some modest success over the past few years under team president Luc Robitaille and GM Rob Blake."
 
As of right now, we have a good idea who this team is. They got blown out by the 2 better teams they played, haven't played a solid 60 minutes and their best game was against the worst team they played, Anaheim. Even then, they really only turned it on for the last 20 minutes and it was still 2-1 with a couple minutes left. I kept thinking they were a "mid" team but they may be more of a "mid to bottom" team now.
 
Congratulations to the following posters who correctly guessed within +/- 1 of 12 combined PIM and/or that Foegle would be credited with the final goal of the road trip:

Both dead on 12 and Foegle (3 points):
mugs
TooCool

12 PIM (2 Points):
VegasHockey
DRice
mik999999
JayWells24
Guinevere
jammer06
DRGinLBC
VCRW
CIrvine
empire
sonnyboy11
JETS GARAGE
Dr. Tran
Shackleford
Nyssa42
beady eye
KernCoKingFan


Foegle (1 Point):
Clif
forum gold
AngelEyes
pray4mojo


I had my own game last night and by the time I got in the car in the second all the damage had been done. Daryl sounded like this team knew it had already had a successful trip and just didn't have the mustard for the night. By the time I got home and turned on the third....well I only did that because it was something to do. That was an absolutely pointless period of hockey. At least I only had to listen to that 2nd Period PP impotence instead of also watching it. The season is still young but this team is certainly not grabbing any bulls by any horns so far. The only thing that's been a delight is Turcotte.
 
As of right now, we have a good idea who this team is. They got blown out by the 2 better teams they played, haven't played a solid 60 minutes and their best game was against the worst team they played, Anaheim. Even then, they really only turned it on for the last 20 minutes and it was still 2-1 with a couple minutes left. I kept thinking they were a "mid" team but they may be more of a "mid to bottom" team now.
I think they could be a mid team with DD in the lineup, but "mid to bottom" without him.
 
This has to be Blake ‘s last run with the Kings. I’m not worried about Fiala, he will get his game back. The lack of two way play concerns me. So many open looks in front of the net. Players are looking around too much. Put a body on someone. The Kings are still too small
I’m joining the wagon on this post too because it’s also what bothers me. I came into the season looking for a culture recalibration, increased physicality, and ample playing time for the kids. I’m pleased enough with the last point but where is the “most physical training camp” Mikey had ever seen now?

Not getting in those “uncomfortable” areas in front of the net playing the Ducks was an early tell apparently. If they don’t do it then no wonder they couldn’t penetrate the big and elite Vegas d squad.

I don’t personally assess too much until games 10-20. I think at game 20 teams have told you who they are league wide. Defensive leaks and sloppy play right now don’t bother me. But not being “hard to play against” does. It’s goal number 1 this year.
 
The LA Kings identity was that they are a team that is hard to play against. That’s not the case anymore. They were manhandled last night.
 
Absolutely time for a rebuild depending on how the next month goes. But I don't see things turning around.

Moore / Phil / Fiala are probably the most logical pieces to move. I love Phil but he's replaceable and will bring back good value, he's on a good contract. Fiala is a no brainer, get what you can, I think he'll have some nice value in the East. WAY too inconsistent, not physical nor fast, takes too many penalties, too many turnovers, horrible +/-, his cap hit will draw interest though, good pieces can be brought back.

Moore, tough to move the local boy but I think he's reached his peak (sell high) and the biggest mistake we could ever make would be to give him 7.5m x 6 after next year, which some team will definitely offer him, if not 8m. That does not fit the Kings at the moment unfortunately. He's not taking a "local discount", it's his only chance for a big contract, he's not that young.

Hopefully Blake is gone soon, because he will definitely back the Brinks truck up for Moore, and he's just not worth that much at 30. Tough hockey decision but it has to be made.

If we really start to spiral (and I think we will) you have to look at moving Kempe too because he'll bring back the 3 "big" pieces to really jumpstart a rebuild. Then maybe you move Kopitar next year to a contender. Hard to stomach but those are the tough decisions that competent GMs have to make.

Unfortunately we do not have one.
 
Absolutely time for a rebuild depending on how the next month goes. But I don't see things turning around.

Moore / Phil / Fiala are probably the most logical pieces to move. I love Phil but he's replaceable and will bring back good value, he's on a good contract. Fiala is a no brainer, get what you can, I think he'll have some nice value in the East. WAY too inconsistent, not physical nor fast, takes too many penalties, too many turnovers, horrible +/-, his cap hit will draw interest though, good pieces can be brought back.

Moore, tough to move the local boy but I think he's reached his peak (sell high) and the biggest mistake we could ever make would be to give him 7.5m x 6 after next year, which some team will definitely offer him, if not 8m. That does not fit the Kings at the moment unfortunately. He's not taking a "local discount", it's his only chance for a big contract, he's not that young.

Hopefully Blake is gone soon, because he will definitely back the Brinks truck up for Moore, and he's just not worth that much at 30. Tough hockey decision but it has to be made.

If we really start to spiral (and I think we will) you have to look at moving Kempe too because he'll bring back the 3 "big" pieces to really jumpstart a rebuild. Then maybe you move Kopitar next year to a contender. Hard to stomach but those are the tough decisions that competent GMs have to make.

Unfortunately we do not have one.
Much to discuss here I won’t get into, but worth pointing out Moore is signed through 2027 and carries an annual cap hit of 4.2M
 
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I think people may be being a little dramatic after a terrible game last night. End of a seven game season starting road trip against a team who had lost three straight coming in....it was always a recipe for disaster. Pretty brutal road trip to start the season and they came back 3-2-2 which is solid overall. The games they lost were absolute stinkers but overall if someone told you they would go 3-2-2 over the road trip you would have signed up for it.

New system, new faces, number one D man hurt, let's give them some time to gel before we bury them. Maybe they will end up surprising us.
 
Absolutely time for a rebuild depending on how the next month goes. But I don't see things turning around.

Moore / Phil / Fiala are probably the most logical pieces to move. I love Phil but he's replaceable and will bring back good value, he's on a good contract. Fiala is a no brainer, get what you can, I think he'll have some nice value in the East. WAY too inconsistent, not physical nor fast, takes too many penalties, too many turnovers, horrible +/-, his cap hit will draw interest though, good pieces can be brought back.

Moore, tough to move the local boy but I think he's reached his peak (sell high) and the biggest mistake we could ever make would be to give him 7.5m x 6 after next year, which some team will definitely offer him, if not 8m. That does not fit the Kings at the moment unfortunately. He's not taking a "local discount", it's his only chance for a big contract, he's not that young.

Hopefully Blake is gone soon, because he will definitely back the Brinks truck up for Moore, and he's just not worth that much at 30. Tough hockey decision but it has to be made.

If we really start to spiral (and I think we will) you have to look at moving Kempe too because he'll bring back the 3 "big" pieces to really jumpstart a rebuild. Then maybe you move Kopitar next year to a contender. Hard to stomach but those are the tough decisions that competent GMs have to make.

Unfortunately we do not have one.
Zero chance I would move either Danault or Kempe, and Kopitar only moves if he requests it. Moore maybe gets moved if the right offer is there but he is on a team friendly deal through 2027/8 and Fiala, as much as I like him, would net a solid return (so again if the offer is right - though we really do need him as we are very short on elite offensive players).

I'd probably start with Gavrikov, (closer to the trade deadline based on upcoming UFA) and Edmundson if anyone will take him.
 
Much to discuss here I won’t get into, but worth pointing out Moore is signed through 2027 and carries an annual cap hit of 2.7M.

Ah, my mistake. He'll bring back more value then. That's a great deal for 2 years of Trevor. We are going absolutely nowhere. Our absolute ceiling is a first round exit, but I think we'll be out of the playoff picture sooner than later.

Blow. It. Up.
 
Ah, my mistake. He'll bring back more value then. That's a great deal for 2 years of Trevor. We are going absolutely nowhere. Our absolute ceiling is a first round exit, but I think we'll be out of the playoff picture sooner than later.

Blow. It. Up.
Man I shouldn’t do this at work ha. Meant 4.2M a year. Since edited. Proper value there.

Was always a good chance Kings wouldn’t make the playoffs this year, and of course they still might. I actually see the goal of this year as revisiting the rebuild. Pipeline is likely better than most give it credit for. Also no ownership group is going to sign off on another full scale rebuild after just green-lighting one like 5 years prior. Larger conversation there but blow it up aint gonna happen here.
 
I think people may be being a little dramatic after a terrible game last night. End of a seven game season starting road trip against a team who had lost three straight coming in....it was always a recipe for disaster. Pretty brutal road trip to start the season and they came back 3-2-2 which is solid overall. The games they lost were absolute stinkers but overall if someone told you they would go 3-2-2 over the road trip you would have signed up for it.

New system, new faces, number one D man hurt, let's give them some time to gel before we bury them. Maybe they will end up surprising us.

I don't think it's dramatic after one game I think it's a reaction to 10 years of suck and literally zero pieces being added this year while losing pieces and being in a black hole of squeaking into the playoffs to get destroyed. It is absolutely rebuild time, this team ain't going nowhere despite any potential glimpses of greatness like the beginning of last season. The message from actions from top management is that all they care about is squeaking into the playoffs, and they're getting worse at it. I thought 22 we had a chance of beating EDM obviously in 7 games but it's just been a hard regression and bad trades/moves. I'd be more optimistic but the lack of doing =anything= in the off season besides losing pieces is a tough pill to swallow. The only good thing was getting rid of PLD, whom they brought in. I'd love for a surprise but I definitely 110% don't think it will come with Hiller leading the group (and by that I really mean BLuc). If Quick's fair game I say everyone is - go from there - but they won't.
 
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I would just like to understand the system they are playing. No Neutral zone coverage. And it seems like they are dropping 5 low in defensive zone opening up fro a trailer or center slot shot. Anyone have any idea the logic with this new system
 
I would just like to understand the system they are playing. No Neutral zone coverage. And it seems like they are dropping 5 low in defensive zone opening up fro a trailer or center slot shot. Anyone have any idea the logic with this new syst
Losing best dman, 7 game roady to start season, slow team, with marginal goaltending. Would stress any system. Too early to throw in the towel. They were 2 OTs from a 5-2 start. Lets see how they do on home ice.
 
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