So, who do we keep, trade or promote?

[VCRW]

That also means theres the deadline boost of returning players who also arent suffering the fit/fat issue of players in late March /April who are physically 70-80% of their October testing but whose bodies are now eating themselves. Will see what blake does but the depth to tread water at 0.610 hockey is valuable.

If the Kings do get a healthy Kaliyev, Vilardi and Moore back for the March/April home stretch, that would definitely give the whole team a huge boost both physically and emotionally.

I am now starting to think that Blake may actually stand pat, barring more injuries or the team going into a tailspin. I keep remembering that the Kings almost beat Edmonton in Round 1 last year without Doughty or Arvidsson.

As I said, I am happy that the deadline is still over a month away. Time may give Rob the additional options he needs if the organization still wants to make a move.

In the meantime, we are being treated to some pretty entertaining hockey games. I am starting to get spoiled watching these guys pull out all these one goal games.

 

[New User Name]

I am now starting to think that Blake may actually stand pat

OMG Blake absolutely should not stand pat. Quick has a save percentage of .881, and a goals against of 3.41. Quick must be asked to retire at the trade deadline (hopefully sooner) so Blake can get a #2 goalie who can compete. He hasn't won a game since December 1st, and has been well under a .900 save percentage in his six losses since then. He had an .800 save percentage against TB!!!! #FFS the Kings cannot win with him in goal. Thanks for the two Cups, but come on.

 

[VCRW]

OMG Blake absolutely should not stand pat. Quick has a save percentage of .881, and a goals against of 3.41. Quick must be asked to retire at the trade deadline (hopefully sooner) so Blake can get a #2 goalie who can compete. He hasn't won a game since December 1st, and has been well under a .900 save percentage in his six losses since then. He had an .800 save percentage against TB!!!! #FFS the Kings cannot win with him in goal. Thanks for the two Cups, but come on.

I didn’t say I recommend Blake stand pat… I said I can see Rob considering it. But I agree that the biggest hole on the team is in goal.

Everything from here on out is about whether the management group believes this team’s full roster can win a playoff round as presently configured.

 

[New User Name]

I didn’t say I recommend Blake stand pat… I said I can see Rob considering it. But I agree that the biggest hole on the team is in goal.

Everything from here on out is about whether the management group believes this team’s full roster can win a playoff round as presently configured.

No, I understood your take. There are other areas that need to be addressed as well. This team has a lot of difficulty trying to get the puck out of their own end of the ice, and results in giving up a goal a lot of the time. Very frustrating to watch. But yeah...this team needs to move on from Quick. Can't put all of the blame on the team playing in front of him; Copley has the most wins in the league since Dec 6th.

 

[Helvetica]

Quick must be asked to retire at the trade deadline (hopefully sooner)

That's not happening. We can all agree Quick has looked bad, but he' snot being asked to retire mid season. It just isnt happening.

 

[New User Name]

That's not happening. We can all agree Quick has looked bad, but he' snot being asked to retire mid season. It just isnt happening.

Okay then he needs to be the number 3 goaltender, and Blake needs to find someone better.

 

[DryKing]

Okay then he needs to be the number 3 goaltender, and Blake needs to find someone better.

Quick's numbers are actually in pretty good company as a backup. When your top goalie has a save % of .901 and is 15-3 it's obvious that the team prioritizes offense over defense, and defensively the team simply isn't that good. Sure up the defense and then you can start pointing fingers at the goal tending but if you watched the Tampa game it was easy to see the Kings were getting outmatched in their own zone consistently all game.

If, as a coach, you are worried about playing Quick, then start giving him favorable match ups and see how he does. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Copely or Quick are the long-term answer but we also can't expect them to play like All-Stars which is what they would need to be to put up good numbers on this team currently.

 

[NewCastle]

If, as a coach, you are worried about playing Quick, then start giving him favorable match ups and see how he does. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Copely or Quick are the long-term answer but we also can't expect them to play like All-Stars which is what they would need to be to put up good numbers on this team currently.

Once again, I don't know what the hell Todd is doing. If you want to sincerely try to get a win with your backup, who is Quick, you give him better chances to do so. If Copley is Todd's starter, why not put him against TB and open the back-to-back with Quick against the lesser opponent, the Panthers. That isn't even tough decision making. It's the obvious choice. Todd did this same exact thing before with the SJ and NJ games.

And just to stir the pot... It's almost like Todd doesn't like Quick... like Quick embarrassed him earlier in his life.**


**No. I don't really believe this. But this decision making in how to use his starter and back-up is baffling.

 

[hokiecat]

Quick's numbers are actually in pretty good company as a backup. When your top goalie has a save % of .901 and is 15-3 it's obvious that the team prioritizes offense over defense, and defensively the team simply isn't that good. Sure up the defense and then you can start pointing fingers at the goal tending but if you watched the Tampa game it was easy to see the Kings were getting outmatched in their own zone consistently all game.

If, as a coach, you are worried about playing Quick, then start giving him favorable match ups and see how he does. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Copely or Quick are the long-term answer but we also can't expect them to play like All-Stars which is what they would need to be to put up good numbers on this team currently.

Quick's numbers suck. Period.
Bottom 5 in GSAA. He's been in the bottom for most of the last 5 years except for last year. The Kings aren't great in their own zone like they were under Sutter, but Quick is hanging with Elvis and the other scrubs for GSAA. Copley is ever so slightly positive for GSAA; which for a career journeyman could indicate that our defense isn't so terrible.

 

[Helvetica]

Once again, I don't know what the hell Todd is doing. If you want to sincerely try to get a win with your backup, who is Quick, you give him better chances to do so. If Copley is Todd's starter, why not put him against TB and open the back-to-back with Quick against the lesser opponent, the Panthers. That isn't even tough decision making. It's the obvious choice. Todd did this same exact thing before with the SJ and NJ games.

alternatively, if you play your starter against the lesser team, you have a better chance of securing those two points. Coach probably knows that the second game of a back to back, on teh road, against TB is going to be a tough match up. So, go out, give everything on game one to at least secure the split, then hope you can catch a break on the second night. Every point matters right now. So if you throw quick in against florida, and he ****s the bed, and you take a tired team into TB and cant get that win either...

i think this is simply a matter of hedging you bets.

 

[brasspucks]

Clarke with a hat trick tonight. He's scored 10 goals + 9 assists in 9 games since being sent down after the WJCs. Not sure you want to trade him unless there's a huge return. https://twitter.com/OHLHockey/status/1619866487203991552?s=20&t=ulD2GGS-fCZ0qUgeKaclGQ

 

[Kurisu]

Clarke with a hat trick tonight. He's scored 10 goals + 9 assists in 9 games since being sent down after the WJCs. Not sure you want to trade him unless there's a huge return. https://twitter.com/OHLHockey/status/1619866487203991552?s=20&t=ulD2GGS-fCZ0qUgeKaclGQ

To answer my own question, I think him and Byfield are the untouchables. They're the future Doughty and Kopitar.

Also, those numbers (10+9) are why I wondered about sending him back the OHL. It's an interesting debate, but is it more valuable to turn him loose to dominate down there, or to struggle and learn with selected match-ups up with the big club. Or was it purely an economic, contract decision. Gotta respect the alchemy required in all the GM decisions.

 

[Ice24]

I'm not worried about Quick, his contract expires at the end of the season. His last two games he has played, Kings weren't expected to win, so it gave time off for Copley. I don't want to see Copley get lit up against Carolina, like he did against Nashville. People will lose their mind, however, I would rather see Quick in against Carolina. Imploding now

 

[New User Name]

I'm not worried about Quick, his contract expires at the end of the season. His last two games he has played, Kings weren't expected to win, so it gave time off for Copley. I don't want to see Copley get lit up against Carolina, like he did against Nashville. People will lose their mind, however, I would rather see Quick in against Carolina. Imploding now

Not expected to win is not the same as not even competing. Quick had an .800 save percentage in that game.

 

[DryKing]

Lias Andersson is starting to heat up in the AHL, now with 35 points in 35 games and 5 points in his last 2 games. Any chance we see him get a call up or hold enough value to get packaged in a trade?

 

[VCRW]

Lias Andersson is starting to heat up in the AHL, now with 35 points in 35 games and 5 points in his last 2 games. Any chance we see him get a call up or hold enough value to get packaged in a trade?

I wouldn’t mind seeing Lias given a shot at LW with Danault and Arvy if Moore is going to be out for an extended period. AI is clearly not the right fit.

 

[santiclaws]

I wouldn’t mind seeing Lias given a shot at LW with Danault and Arvy if Moore is going to be out for an extended period. AI is clearly not the right fit.

Moore and Kaliyev have started skating, so hopefully not too much longer.

 

[VCRW]

Moore and Kaliyev have started skating, so hopefully not too much longer.

Fingers crossed for both returning in February… though the concussion for Moore may be a bit more unpredictable.

 

[JayWells24]

I wouldn’t mind seeing Lias given a shot at LW with Danault and Arvy if Moore is going to be out for an extended period. AI is clearly not the right fit.

I wouldn't be surprised if AI is part of some package to bring a LD or G in at the trade deadline. For 2 years I have been trying to figure out his role. Is he a checker? Scorer? Set up man? Will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

Go Kings!!

 

[DryKing]

I wouldn't be surprised if AI is part of some package to bring a LD or G in at the trade deadline. For 2 years I have been trying to figure out his role. Is he a checker? Scorer? Set up man? Will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

Go Kings!!

Yeah he's a jack of all trades, but not really a standout in anything. I wasn't a fan of him when he first joined the Kings (due to playing on the top line) but really like him now that he is on a more appropriate line and we have some clear cut scorers on the team who he does a good job in supporting. He seems to make those on his line better and can fit in with most players, while adding a touch of leadership to boot. I'd be sad to see him go, but the Kings are going to have to make some tough decisions and he is a logical choice who could probably find a role on any team in the league (and therein holds some value).