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Statue4Deano
Lurker
Spence is a keeper. Very steady and reliable. I actually wouldn't mind seeing him paired with Durzi on the 3rd unit. Especially if Durzi really is more comfortable on the left side.
Spence Being Recalled
- Thread starter HeadInjury
- Start date
Clif
Super Star
I was seriously just about to say “hear me out”’ and suggest this. It sounds a little out there, but I could see it working.
Durzi’s used to the left side now. Spence could cover for Durzi. A smaller pair but Durzi has snarl. It would definitely be fast and could drive some real production. They wouldn’t get a ton of minutes anyway. Seems worth a go.
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hokiecat
Lurker
Agree with Helvetica. Spence and Durzi are a luxury that you can't probably have in the modern NHL. We can't be the early 2003s Red Wings and just have multiple all-stars. Those 2 guys roles are too similar, especially with Roy and Clarke pushing for time behind Drew.
I'd like to see how Spence does against more difficult competition before passing the baton to him. He's still getting very sheltered minutes against Gritensity players.
Also, the fancy stats on Gavrikov are crazy good. He's had some easier competition (probably when he broke in on the 3rd pairing) but his metrics are insane looking right now. I thought he's be Ben Chiarot 2.0 but he's really tilted the ice in the Kings favor.
I'd like to see how Spence does against more difficult competition before passing the baton to him. He's still getting very sheltered minutes against Gritensity players.
Also, the fancy stats on Gavrikov are crazy good. He's had some easier competition (probably when he broke in on the 3rd pairing) but his metrics are insane looking right now. I thought he's be Ben Chiarot 2.0 but he's really tilted the ice in the Kings favor.
Clif
Super Star
They definitely play the same role, that’s why it’s an admittedly weird idea. Of the two I could see Spence being better poised to be first back and play a more responsible game. Also not talking long term, just looking at games left this season it could be worth an experiment.
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VCRW
Lurker
I would like to see Spence play every game that Edler starts. Jordan would be better at cleaning up for Edler than Walker has been.
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
Helvetica
Top Forward
i think that's really what it boils down to. Spence and Durzi play similar roles, but they approach their game differently. Spence plays a calm game and probably looks more reliable and safe. Durzi is going to probably try some more dangerous passes, and he seems more prone to a bad read (although i think that something he can still clean up). But Durzi has that moxy and feistiness. He's going to battle always, and you just kind of get the impression that he's going to find a way sometimes. I think both will be good. I think both will contribute similarly on offense. But you have to sort of choose which style and intangibles you want from them. I think both have value, although i do question if spence's calm and dependable style might be better suited to this team. Considering we have Clarke in the pipeline, im not sure we need two guys that are going to be the defensive version of Fiala.
I still want to see how Spence plays here, and hopefully we see him in the playoffs, but stylistically i think im leaning towards keeping Spence over Durzi, everything else being equal. But i wouldnt be mad at all if the Kings stay with Durzi. I think in another couple years he could be really good once he starts to minimize his mistakes. And i just like his attitude and compete.
Clif
Super Star
Two defensive versions of Fiala - that’s perfect.
I think Jammer really nailed it in likening Clarke’s game to Karlsson’s. To that end, Spence is more like Doughty. He does seem at this stage like he’d have a better two way game than Durzi. So it’s real fair question on if Durzi is needed once Clarke is on the team.
Durzi’s attitude would be hard to part with. He’s clearly popular in the room. Of course Kings have won all 4 games since trading Quick, so they are capable of not letting tough trades take over. Still, Durzi clearly contributes positively to the team’s current chemistry. If he was able to evolve his game and better pick his timing for riskier plays, it’d be pretty exciting.
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Centerman66
Lurker
I like this idea. Durzi is a defenseman who cannot defend.
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Ice24
Lurker
Once again, I'll let Blake make the decisions. Now if he asks me for my opinion, then I will gladly let him know my thoughts.
HeadInjury
2 Late to Change My Name
When you try to forecast the cap situation for next year and assume Vilardi, Gavrikov and Korpisalo are all re-signed, it becomes pretty clear that Walker, Durzi and Iaffalo all need to be moved. I don't think Durzi can return a first, but moving him still leaves Doughty, Roy, Spence and Clarke available on the right side next season.
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DarkLeftHand
Lurker
Spence does remind me of a young Doughty. Maybe not a first pairing version, but definitely a second pairing version. He seems to exhibit some extreme calmness behind his own net when pressured. I noticed a few nifty moves last night, and he looks like a lesser version of Drew.. On that note, i cannot believe there are posters here calling out Doughty. I mean, wtf.. do those people even watch these games? Do you see how clever he is at escaping his own zone when under pressure? it's uncanny, it always has been, and it still is. The guy is so calm back there even under extreme duress. That being said, he has always left me wanting more on the offensive side of the blueline, but he just does not possess the shot or a one timer, and that's never going to be his game. He gets us out of the back half and up the ice like very few in the game can. I see this in Jordan Spence, far more than I see it in Durzi. Spence seems like he can dance the blueline and get pucks through, on net, and into situations that are tippable for our attacking forwards. That's pretty easy to see from his assist tally down in the AHL. It would be a shame to see him go elsewhere and thrive, but the Kings will need to make a tough choice regarding Spence/Durzi/Clarke in the offseason. It could even result in one of Durzi/Spence being traded and Clarke stuck for a year in the AHL. However, if they feel they MUST play Clarke in the NHL, then hopefully we get a good return for one of Spence/Durzi, and the other can comfortably play the left side.
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Ice24
Lurker
I need to see more games in which Spence plays, in order to give everyone here my expert opinion on how he fits in with the Kings.
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
I've said before that Spence is a poor man's Doughty, although he may actually be better offensively. And I think Clarke will at least start next year in the AHL unless he absolutely explodes in camp.
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MiketheKing
Lurker
Now that we have plentiful offense, Durzi can go. We have no room on this team for defenseman that can't play defense. I'd much rather use his cap space for the new boys
