Media Prediction Thread

[jammer06]

The first media predictions for the season are starting to come out. Please aggregate any links here for discussion:

The Athletic's Dom and Shayna place tiers based on "Top 100 players" here:

NHL Player Tiers: Breaking down each team?s placement in the top 100

The relevant portion to our fans:

Tier 4: Bubble Teams
5-10 points

Los Angeles, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Vancouver, Nashville, San Jose, Islanders, Columbus, Washington

Nine teams reside in this tier, all of which have some sort of playoff aspiration ? whether those hopes are legitimate or not. Looking at you, San Jose.

Of the nine teams, only two have players residing in Tier 1 or Tier 2. That?s essentially the difference-maker between teams on the right side of the playoff bubble and those on the wrong side. Nashville is one of those teams with Roman Josi all the way in 1C, but the Predators only have one other player on the list: Filip Forsberg in 3B. Columbus is in a similar boat. The Blue Jackets also have a franchise player in Johnny Gaudreau who sees himself in 2B, but only one other inclusion with Zach Werenski in 4B. That?s a one tier difference from Nashville?s duo. Washington is the only other team to make the cut with just two skaters, but both fall in Tier 3 which helps the Capitals stay above the cutoff.

Los Angeles leads the pack with four inclusions. All four of the Kings fall on the low-end of the spectrum which is how they fall just below the cutoff for playoff teams. Drew Doughty is the highest in 3C, followed by three forwards scattered in Tier 4.

The rest of the group has at least three players each, placed somewhere between Tier 3 and Tier 4. Winnipeg and Ottawa have two players each in Tier 3 which puts the two clubs above Vancouver, while the Sharks are the only team here without any player in Tier 3 or higher. Three players in Tier 4 helps keep San Jose afloat here, though the Sharks probably deserve to be closer to the tier below.

This analysis is based on proven players, not on projected growth from within. Seems the kings are going to need a lot of growth if we are going to cruise to a playoff spot.

 

[drums4dmf]

Yeah I can't really argue with this. EDM, CAL and Vegas may be better next season IMO.

The Kings will need to improve even more from last season to secure a playoff spot...

 

[Clif]

Kings played entirety of last year with near league-last special teams and D scoring. A slew of high profile injuries. They only had 2/3 of a top line no third line to speak of. Cal’s SV% was less than 900%. And they reached 99 points.

I’m not discounting how tough it’s going to be for this team to make it, but the bar for improvement is so low and in multiple areas that I don’t think people always account for just how bad last year’s team was. Half full or half empty, but to me that makes improvement across numerous areas closer to their reach, not further.

 

[jammer06]

Kings played entirety of last year with near league-last special teams and D scoring. A slew of high profile injuries. They only had 2/3 of a top line no third line to speak of. Cal’s SV% was less than 900%. And they reached 99 points.

I’m not discounting how tough it’s going to be for this team to make it, but the bar for improvement is so low and in multiple areas that I don’t think people always account for just how bad last year’s team was. Half full or half empty, but to me that makes improvement across numerous areas closer to their reach, not further.

Counter that with the fact that the club played at 0.750 points percentage against the east and likely will not repeat that record in those 32 games. If they do rebound from the lows you point out, but play conventionally against both east and west they may very well tread water in points. Not going to lie, I'll take them playing better hockey overall to get to 99 points, but I'll not expect them to improve on last years number at the same time they are improving as a team.

 

[Clif]

Counter that with the fact that the club played at 0.750 points percentage against the east and likely will not repeat that record in those 32 games. If they do rebound from the lows you point out, but play conventionally against both east and west they may very well tread water in points. Not going to lie, I'll take them playing better hockey overall to get to 99 points, but I'll not expect them to improve on last years number at the same time they are improving as a team.

100 percent. So many of those East team wins had considerable fortune mixed into them. Tying then beating CLB late, ditto for FL starting with that miracle Frk goal. Sparks managing a win against WSH. Got outplayed handily the second game against MTL but won. Survived the biting major against OTT. Other wins like NYI and NJ they nearly blew after leading. And so on. It’s a long list.

And agreed could definitely see a much better team that doesn’t look like it based on points alone.

 

[tokyoking]

I predict that someone in the media will use the Sacramento Kings logo when reporting on us.

 

[King Ludwig]

Over/Under on Faust actually getting the play right some time during the game???

 

[Rogie-Vachon]

Over/Under on Faust actually getting the play right some time during the game???

Only if JIM FOX says it first...as Alex is a copy catter

 

[XPantericA]

Only if JIM FOX says it first...as Alex is a copy catter

::rubs chin in deep thought:: Or, would he perhaps be a copier cat?

 

[rinkrat]

I think that they will take steps forward as these young guys continue to get NHL experience. We had better make the playoffs!

 

[orpheus]

I predict: Winning Streak LGK. :friends:

Losing Streak LGk.

I know, bold predictions. mhihi:

 

[Ice24]

I will wait until March of 2023 to give my prediction of what the Kings do in 2022-2023.

 

[jammer06]

Espns questions for every team article is big on how big can Q be:

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34623142/lingering-questions-all-32-nhl-teams-heading-training-camp-goaltending-lineup-injuries-more

The relevant text:

Los Angeles Kings
Big question: Will this be the season Quinton Byfield breaks through?

Rebuilding the franchise around players such as Anze Kopitar was the starting point. Signing free agents such as Phillip Danault was the next step. Together, the pair form a one-two combination down the middle that made the Kings formidable enough to reach the postseason for the first time in three seasons. Yet it is the promise someone like Byfield offers that only adds to what could make the Kings a long-term contender.

He has the size and the ability to make plays, with a 6-foot-5 frame. Those are among the reasons why Byfield went second in the 2020 draft. But is this the season when the 20-year-old can make it all work? Byfield scored 10 points in 40 games last season for the Kings, while also scoring six points in 11 games in the AHL. His physical traits are why he carries high expectations. So does the fact he went second overall.


Enough is in place to suggest the discussion around Byfield is a bit philosophical. He's only 20, which means there is time. But he's also 20 in a league that has seen first-round picks become instant contributors. Look no further than Byfield's draft class. There are eight first-rounders from that draft who have scored more points and played in more games than Byfield to this point. -- Clark

 

[Ice24]

I predict: Winning Streak LGK. :friends:

Losing Streak LGk.

I know, bold predictions. mhihi:

I?m holding you to your predictions, especially the beers!

 

[jammer06]

LAKingsinsider schedule and roster information is up. VA and Durzi are the only two vets still dealing with injury/recovery over the summer. Doughty and Walker are expected to be ready today.

https://lakingsinsider.com/2022/09/21/kings-announce-training-camp-roster-schedule/

 

[jammer06]

Vegas is beginning to weigh in

Stanley Cup Predictions 2023

Colorado Avalanche (+450)
Carolina Hurricanes (+1000)
Toronto Maple Leafs (+1000)
Florida Panthers (+1100)
Tampa Bay Lightning (+1200)
Edmonton Oilers (+1500)
Calgary Flames (+1600)
Pittsburgh Penguins (+1700)
New York Rangers (+1700)
Vegas Golden Knights (+1700)
Minnesota Wild (+1800)
Boston Bruins (+2700)

The top contenders don't seem to list the kings.

 

[Ice24]

Now we all know that the Kings making the playoffs last year was highly unlikely, however they did and even went 7 games. A lot of us thought 2023-2024 was the year they would make the playoffs, so they will have to prove us wrong again and that is OK in my book. I can guarantee that the teams in the league when they see the Kings on their schedule don't take it for granted that this is a win. I love having so many young players and what it does for competition. Who knows, someone we don't expect, steps up and the Kings find a hidden gem, maybe Nyssa's favorite, Taylor Ward.

Now let's do this!

 

[Sultanic]

Camp lines indicate:

Fiala - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Danault - Fagemo (Arvidsson)
Iafallo - Byfield - Kaliyev
Lemieux - Lizotte - Grundstrom
Andersson - Tynan - Vilardi

Anderson - Doughty
Walker - Roy
Edler - Clarke (Durzi)
Bjornfot - Spence

Won't be too much change from last year, banking on the kids to step up a notch and Fiala succeeding with Kopitar which will be interesting since they are two totally opposite types of players. Fiala's breakout year was due to playing in a secondary offense-only role with two kids. He is a known defensive liability, so seeing how he adapts to playing in much more defensive situations and seeing fewer offensive rush attacks will be key. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if he and Iafallo switch spots before Halloween.

 

[DryKing]

Fiala's breakout year was due to playing in a secondary offense-only role with two kids. He is a known defensive liability, so seeing how he adapts to playing in much more defensive situations and seeing fewer offensive rush attacks will be key. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if he and Iafallo switch spots before Halloween.

That's a true statement up until last season. Last season Fiala played a well rounded game including time on the PK. I believe that fact, and Kevin's defensive progress, is largely why the Kings felt comfortable making that trade and long term signing.

Apr 25, 2022:

"Kevin Fiala is now second on the leaderboard behind Kaprizov for most points in a season after adding two more in a big win over the Nashville Predators Sunday evening. Now he has 84, and he’s doing it by thriving in all situations. Before this season, Fiala was hardly spotted in short-handed scenarios and only totaled a smattering of minutes. But ask Fiala himself – Dean Evason hasn’t thrust him into the PK out of necessity. He wanted this.

“That was one of my goals,” Fiala said about his time on the penalty kill. “I wanted to become a complete player.”

His journey started as soon as the Wild were eliminated from the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights. He then wrote down a few things he felt he needed to improve upon. Of the items on the list, he noted in his exit interview that he wanted to be more consistently competitive on defense.

Defense has been one of the knocks on Fiala for most of his career. So much so that his coaches felt they couldn’t trust him in all situations. It’s like having Adrian Peterson and being unwilling to put him on the field in third-down situations because he can’t pass protect. Fiala didn’t want that label. He was already getting power-play time and time at even strength. In order to improve from 54 points in 64 games two seasons ago and become a point per game player, he needed to find minutes in defensive situations and on the penalty kill.

Fiala has one of the Wild’s two short-handed goals while only being on the ice for six power-play goals against. That’s a strong showing on a penalty kill ranked 24th in the league with a 75.7% success rate. Compared to his teammates, Fiala has conceded fewer expected goals while shorthanded than Joel Eriksson Ek, Jordan Greenway, and Marcus Foligno – all players thought to be good shutdown forwards ideal for the PK. It’s all happening while Fiala is getting a significant chunk of time shorthanded. Just three seasons ago, Bruce Boudreau wouldn’t have given a second thought to giving Fiala any amount of time short-handed'"

Link below for the full article:

https://zonecoverage.com/2022/wild/kevin-fialas-defensive-improvements-are-sparking-his-offense/

 

[Sultanic]

That's a true statement up until last season. Last season Fiala played a well rounded game including time on the PK. I believe that fact, and Kevin's defensive progress, is largely why the Kings felt comfortable making that trade and long term signing.

Apr 25, 2022:

"Kevin Fiala is now second on the leaderboard behind Kaprizov for most points in a season after adding two more in a big win over the Nashville Predators Sunday evening. Now he has 84, and he’s doing it by thriving in all situations. Before this season, Fiala was hardly spotted in short-handed scenarios and only totaled a smattering of minutes. But ask Fiala himself – Dean Evason hasn’t thrust him into the PK out of necessity. He wanted this.

“That was one of my goals,” Fiala said about his time on the penalty kill. “I wanted to become a complete player.”

His journey started as soon as the Wild were eliminated from the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights. He then wrote down a few things he felt he needed to improve upon. Of the items on the list, he noted in his exit interview that he wanted to be more consistently competitive on defense.

Defense has been one of the knocks on Fiala for most of his career. So much so that his coaches felt they couldn’t trust him in all situations. It’s like having Adrian Peterson and being unwilling to put him on the field in third-down situations because he can’t pass protect. Fiala didn’t want that label. He was already getting power-play time and time at even strength. In order to improve from 54 points in 64 games two seasons ago and become a point per game player, he needed to find minutes in defensive situations and on the penalty kill.

Fiala has one of the Wild’s two short-handed goals while only being on the ice for six power-play goals against. That’s a strong showing on a penalty kill ranked 24th in the league with a 75.7% success rate. Compared to his teammates, Fiala has conceded fewer expected goals while shorthanded than Joel Eriksson Ek, Jordan Greenway, and Marcus Foligno – all players thought to be good shutdown forwards ideal for the PK. It’s all happening while Fiala is getting a significant chunk of time shorthanded. Just three seasons ago, Bruce Boudreau wouldn’t have given a second thought to giving Fiala any amount of time short-handed'"

Link below for the full article:

https://zonecoverage.com/2022/wild/kevin-fialas-defensive-improvements-are-sparking-his-offense/

I have seen him play in person at least 50 times over his career. He is a cheater. And that isn't a bad thing, you don't need a roster full of complete players. You just don't want them in overly defensive situations and that is what you will see here in just a few short weeks. His play last year was almost entirely with kids that deferred to him, that's a long way from playing with Anze.

Don't expect point totals in the 80s, the over-under should be low 60s if he plays with Kopitar. If they can find a more competent PP then maybe it will be better than that.

And regarding the PK time, there has been a shift over the past few years where you see a lot of speedy wingers with tremendous one on one skills seeing penalty kill minutes over the more traditional bottom 6 defensive specialists. It won't be a surprise to see Fiala get that here even though board work, point coverages and switches are far from his strengths. Kempe and Moore aren't exactly Selke candidates themselves, but they saw a ton of time because they could stretch the ice and generate quick attacks off of long passes.