PLD and how I learned to quit worrying about the bomb
- Thread starter jammer06
- Start date
I think the problem is how the trade was promoted. It was as if the Kings made some major trade to land a top-tier talent, which would substantially benefit the team. I always considered it disingenuous marketing. I have no problem with the trade, itself (though I loved Vilardi), but the contract KINDA bothers me (though, understand that too).
Iafallo and Kupari—does anyone genuinely care that they are going? They were both cut from the Craig Johnson “hands of stone” mold. Iafallo did some good things, but nothing, IMO, to write home about, despite being on the top line for several seasons. Kupari, like Johnson, had wheels but hands of stone. I wish them the best with the Jets but couldn’t really care less they were traded.
The Second Round Pick, sucks to give it up, but you’ve got to give to get. Which leads to Vilardi.
Vilardi was the one piece that hurt to see go. He was on the cusp of being released from what I recall and he really stepped it up. He has some amazing “stick handle in phone booth” goals. He was also physical. And he scored 23 goals for the first time. Sky was the limit but that back problems that kept him out of the league for so long always scared me a bit. Regardless, he was quickly becoming one of my favorites.
So, in the end, it’s really Vilardi and a 2nd for P.L. (NOT Pierre-Luc, for some reason) Dubious.
If you look at P.L.’s stats, it’s a reasonable trade. Switching out PL for Gabe is a pretty much 1 for 1 move. But that’s where the “marketing” pissed me off. We all knew P.L.’s reputation as a coaster and he may have had points, but they were on crap teams (not surprisingly, when defense is REQUIRED his stats suffer). Point being, he wasn’t going to improve the team in any big way. He was going to preserve the status quo and help A LITTLE and then MAYBE if we were super lucky he’d have a break out year and be an awesome leader. Instead, what is to be expected is happening: he’s struggling on a new team, that emphasizes team defense, and since he’s not a superstar, he’s not doing much beyond what an average player on the 3rd line would do. He also comes off lazy out there. I see him get chippy when players hit or obstruct him, but I don’t see him flying into corners, winning puck battles, having three guys on his back while maintaining puck possession and opening up ice for his linemates. So, yeah, what I expected.
I don’t sense any leadership potential in him. He comes off like a prima donna, it’s like he believes deserves the respect of a superstar, even though he hasn’t earned it yet. (Just my observation, I could be wrong.)
The contract is rough, but I think the Kings are counting on him adjusting to a new team/system and ultimately maturing as a player and hopefully breaking out. I think Kopi is at 10 or 11 million (I think), and that’s from a few seasons ago. PL is at $8M/season. IF he becomes a decent center for the Kings, that will be a real bargain. It’s up to PL grow, but since we really didn’t give up too much for the return, the trade itself doesn’t bother me. PL, however, looks gawd awful out there.
ICE24
Super Star
I don't see in PLD, a player that will do what it takes to take it to the next level. You see a player like Justin Williams and he has that killer instinct and rises to the occasion. To me PLD is just not interested. And that's him, and it sucks for the Kings but that is just him.
Luc, Blake and Todd need to be fired. The PLD trade is a bust. He quit on everyteam he played on and with the Kings he hasn't even put in an effort to play well. And For Luc, and Blake not to realize that is simply crazy and very irresponsible. You cannot take a chance like this , the cost is a team terminator. I know if I owned the Kings I would be mad as hell having to pay PLD 8.5 mill a year and get absolutely nothing back in return and then turn on the t.v and watch a player I had scoring and making the team he was traded to better.
MiketheKing
Super Star
Vilardi scores again tonight. 16 pts in 22 games.
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
I posted more in the GDT of last night but thought I'd share this. Notice his rookie line mate is -1.
Rog or Reg?
Super Star
Minus nine! Wow! Just wow.
There are certain numbers that do not lie...the dates on a calendar, the time on the clock, the weight on a scale...and the plus/minus in hockey.
I'm lost for words at this point.
symbology
TEAM LGK
The problem was, Blake wanted another solid top 9 center, but there was only Slim Pickens.
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More outside analysis:
theathletic.com
One thing I have noticed, PLD's line generates most of their opportunities off the rush, but their in zone game is rough and that is probably where having Laf on his line is hurting the worst.
Which Western Conference trades and signings have aged best and worst?
Breaking down every Western Conference team's most noteworthy moves and how they've panned out so far.
theathletic.com
One thing I have noticed, PLD's line generates most of their opportunities off the rush, but their in zone game is rough and that is probably where having Laf on his line is hurting the worst.
VCRW
Classic player
I would suggest that Arty is more of a liability than Laf when looking at puck possession skills. He loses most board battles, 50/50 puck battles, and fails more often than not at puck retention and retrieval.More outside analysis:
Which Western Conference trades and signings have aged best and worst?
Breaking down every Western Conference team's most noteworthy moves and how they've panned out so far.
One thing I have noticed, PLD's line generates most of their opportunities off the rush, but their in zone game is rough and that is probably where having Laf on his line is hurting the worst.
Not disputing this, but Laf needs to improve his F1 presence to follow his shots too. He's probably the player that could have improved the most under VA tutelage and its kind of a shame VA is likely a cap casualty next season since that might turn into a big what could have been. Arty is Arty, but the biggest gainer on this one aspect is Laf IMO.
Rog or Reg?
Super Star
Thanks for posting that!More outside analysis:
Which Western Conference trades and signings have aged best and worst?
Breaking down every Western Conference team's most noteworthy moves and how they've panned out so far.
One thing I have noticed, PLD's line generates most of their opportunities off the rush, but their in zone game is rough and that is probably where having Laf on his line is hurting the worst.
But puck luck aside, PLD is failing the eye test. His weaknesses are glaring and none worse than in OT last night.
Yes, he may very well be snake bitten...the bounces have definitely not been going his way...and in general the Kings have had poor puck luck (I've given up trying to count how many posts we've hit in the past few games)...but something has to change. Maybe sit PLD for a while and see how it goes?
JayWells24
Top Forward
Perhaps a night or two in the press box will wake him up. But yes, that aside, something has to change.
ICE24
Super Star
PLD had a chance to knock Hagel off the puck last night using his big body, however, Hagel used and abused that big body of PLD. If you are not going to do the little things that help your team win, then you are soft and have zero heart. Sometimes it's not in your makeup to be aggressive and your more passive like PLD. I blame the scouting and Blake for this move, and I have supported him a long time. Do your homework and not just take a player that is a big body and may have skills, trade for a hockey player that will do whatever it takes for the team to succeed. Where's the Tylenol?
ICE24
Super Star
Honestly, I don't think PLD cares. For him, it will just be a rest day and he will gladly accept that day off. It's not in him to get pissed, he is not built that way. Do that to Moore and he will be pissed and come out blazing.
Now Chirping
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