The first clue about Todd McLellan

[Greg33]

WAS the coaching he did the week of Apr. 24 to Apr. 30 back in 2014 for the Sharks.

I mean come on!!!!!

 

[STONE]

I'm over this experiment... Bring in Torts, and if he can't get wins out of this team, them it's time to sell the farm... Yeah, yeah, Doughty and Walker, but the Kings look bad, other than an arguably worse Vegas team win. Besides Kopi, no one is a real threat offensively. Arvidson, ha! Not the savior...

 

[Pevsfreedom]

I'm over this experiment... Bring in Torts, and if he can't get wins out of this team, them it's time to sell the farm... Yeah, yeah, Doughty and Walker, but the Kings look bad, other than an arguably worse Vegas team win. Besides Kopi, no one is a real threat offensively. Arvidson, ha! Not the savior...

I'm a little bummed because I thought this would be a fun year to watch the young kids mesh and grow. None of that. Kopitar's being Kopitar and everyone else is being substandard. The most offensive thing to me is how many giveaways we have over the offensive blue line.. our D is atrocious. Pretty disappointing to say the least. Firing Todd? Yeah, go for it. Brings out nothing in this group.

 

[Moog]

Todd is coach number 3 in Rob Blake’s game of “pick a coach roulette”
Stevens….nope (blame it past management promised positions….an easy safe choice for Rob to avoid any blame)
Desjardins….lol
Todd….low hanging fruit, a proven mediocre coach with no championship pedigree.

 

[orpheus]

Don't blame Management. They are doing a good job.

 

[Helvetica]

what is it you think McClellan could do a better job of?

From my perspective, the execution from the players has been abysmal. And it's mostly the younger guys. They've talked about being more aggressive on the forecheck, which we've seen at times, but it seems like the team is using that aggressive forecheck pretty sparingly. The passing has been mediocre, and the outlet passes have generally not been very crisp. They seem to do a good job of getting that first pass from D up the boards, and then they turn it over in the neutral zone because the passes are missing their targets. It's also pretty obvious, at least playing a team like St. Louis that they either need a couple bodies with some strength, or they need to be significantly faster at moving the puck. If you're not going to out muscle a team, you better at least out pace them, and the pace has not been there. Again, that feels like a player issue.

My big gripe from Mclellan right now is the PP. it still feels really stale, with lack of movement from the players and generally slow paced. Either increase the tempo or set up a guy like Kaliyev in Ovechkin's office.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

what is it you think McClellan could do a better job of?

From my perspective, the execution from the players has been abysmal. And it's mostly the younger guys. They've talked about being more aggressive on the forecheck, which we've seen at times, but it seems like the team is using that aggressive forecheck pretty sparingly. The passing has been mediocre, and the outlet passes have generally not been very crisp. They seem to do a good job of getting that first pass from D up the boards, and then they turn it over in the neutral zone because the passes are missing their targets. It's also pretty obvious, at least playing a team like St. Louis that they either need a couple bodies with some strength, or they need to be significantly faster at moving the puck. If you're not going to out muscle a team, you better at least out pace them, and the pace has not been there. Again, that feels like a player issue.

My big gripe from Mclellan right now is the PP. it still feels really stale, with lack of movement from the players and generally slow paced. Either increase the tempo or set up a guy like Kaliyev in Ovechkin's office.

I've never played or coached, so it's difficult. I do know that when the team is on the ice they look like chickens running around with heads cut off, except the 1st line, sometimes. To me I see coaching issues, along with glaring player issues. It's a tough sell all around right now. As for the PP, half the time they can't even make the pass without fumbling it, and our breakouts and giveaways are staggeringly bad.

 

[VCRW]

Does anyone still remember how good the Kempe-Vilardi-Frk line was in the last month of the 2020 season?

Why was that not attempted again in camp or preseason games?

Doesn’t everyone remember that the team’s most effective PP player in the second half of last season was Kempe?

Why was he taken off PP1?

These are just a couple of the moves made by McLellan that have completely confounded me. I am sure everyone has their favorites too.

How ‘bout breaking up Grundstrom-JAD-Moore when they were clearly an extremely effective 4th line?

I dunno about y’all… but this guy’s decision making makes me as crazy as Dave Roberts handling a pitching staff…

 

[Kurisu]

I kinda never understanding NHL coaching changes. Especially with the musical chairs of Tortorella - DeBoer - Sutter - Vigneault and McLellan.

It was especially apparent during our cup run years when we were knocking these guys out and they would all move down a chair.

I don't have anything specific against McLellan, but it did seem like an odd hire to me after we wrapped him in duct tape and stuffed him in a locker in 2014.

 

[Greg33]

It’s silly to hand out a 5 year contract to a coach in the NHL, 3 year should be the max any team offers.

Especially with this group here in LA. This team burns through coaches, it’s what it is.

 

[Greg33]

what is it you think McClellan could do a better job of?

From my perspective, the execution from the players has been abysmal. And it's mostly the younger guys. They've talked about being more aggressive on the forecheck, which we've seen at times, but it seems like the team is using that aggressive forecheck pretty sparingly. The passing has been mediocre, and the outlet passes have generally not been very crisp. They seem to do a good job of getting that first pass from D up the boards, and then they turn it over in the neutral zone because the passes are missing their targets. It's also pretty obvious, at least playing a team like St. Louis that they either need a couple bodies with some strength, or they need to be significantly faster at moving the puck. If you're not going to out muscle a team, you better at least out pace them, and the pace has not been there. Again, that feels like a player issue.

My big gripe from Mclellan right now is the PP. it still feels really stale, with lack of movement from the players and generally slow paced. Either increase the tempo or set up a guy like Kaliyev in Ovechkin's office.

I think you answered your own question. The team should be coached to play to its strengths, a la Tippett. The best of the best get blood from a stone. Make them achieve at a level they themselves did not know was possible. McLellan isn’t even getting them to apply the basics

Ultimately the real issue are the people upstairs from Todd.

 

[ChiKingFan]

What blows my mind about this team is that it doesn't seem to matter who they bring in, but nothing changes (other than the final score). Under Murray and then Sutter, OK they're going to be a low scoring team. Possession oriented, a lot of shots, but maybe not a ton of goals, and you're going to win 3-2. Now they've given up the sandpaper quality in an attempt to open things up a bit, and we're still getting lots of shots (most nights), still getting very few goals (every night), and this team just doesn't hit anyone. At least the Oilers for the last decade were exciting to watch when losing. There's nothing worse than a boring loser. This team is as boring as it gets.

 

[MiketheKing]

What blows my mind about this team is that it doesn't seem to matter who they bring in, but nothing changes (other than the final score). Under Murray and then Sutter, OK they're going to be a low scoring team. Possession oriented, a lot of shots, but maybe not a ton of goals, and you're going to win 3-2. Now they've given up the sandpaper quality in an attempt to open things up a bit, and we're still getting lots of shots (most nights), still getting very few goals (every night), and this team just doesn't hit anyone. At least the Oilers for the last decade were exciting to watch when losing. There's nothing worse than a boring loser. This team is as boring as it gets.

Watching the Kings is a great sleep inducer. We can't pass, break out, drive the net, check and lack passion. We're content with perimeter chances.

If a full roster of professionals can't get anything going then either we have the most untalented players of all-time or a terrible coach with zero system. Do the players have any fear for their job? I'm not seeing any passion or desire out there, hence I'll be watching other teams around the league for a bit-- its simply not enjoyable watching this team.

 

[ChiKingFan]

We're content with perimeter chances.

I've actually seen a few instances where, in the past, I would have been upset that they held the puck too long or overpassed and missed an opportunity to score. But now I'm thinking maybe make that one extra pass, or hold the puck for an extra beat. If you lose it, who cares? What's the alternative? Another point shot that doesn't get through, or gets easily gloved? Maybe going for the low percentage pass that is more likely to lead to a goal if successful is a better option than the high percentage pass that almost certainly won't end up in a goal. Try something different anyway. Unfortunately, whoever does that is likely to get benched. They've just drummed all the creativity completely out of the players who had any to begin with.

 

[gokor84]

He sure can talk fancy about how they are going to play with pace and be aggressive. Where is it? The line combos are complete disaster. Why cant we put our rookies in line where they can succeed. Why did it take these many games to break up the 2nd line that had no shooter. It is time to move away from Brown being a first line player. At this point I am really hoping for the reign to do great and Wroblovski can take over TM at some point.

 

[LAKingSteve]

It?s silly to hand out a 5 year contract to a coach in the NHL, 3 year should be the max any team offers.

Especially with this group here in LA. This team burns through coaches, it?s what it is.

Todd was given 5 years because that was the expected rebuild timing. I think that could be cut down by a year IF this team fails to improve over the rest of the season. I do think he lasts the full season though.

 

[LAKingSteve]

Watching the Kings is a great sleep inducer. We can't pass, break out, drive the net, check and lack passion. We're content with perimeter chances.

If a full roster of professionals can't get anything going then either we have the most untalented players of all-time or a terrible coach with zero system. Do the players have any fear for their job? I'm not seeing any passion or desire out there, hence I'll be watching other teams around the league for a bit-- its simply not enjoyable watching this team.

Every time Roy took a shot from the blue line during the PP last night I wept. Won't work if you don't have any traffic in front of the keeper.

 

[LAKingSteve]

What blows my mind about this team is that it doesn't seem to matter who they bring in, but nothing changes (other than the final score). Under Murray and then Sutter, OK they're going to be a low scoring team. Possession oriented, a lot of shots, but maybe not a ton of goals, and you're going to win 3-2. Now they've given up the sandpaper quality in an attempt to open things up a bit, and we're still getting lots of shots (most nights), still getting very few goals (every night), and this team just doesn't hit anyone. At least the Oilers for the last decade were exciting to watch when losing. There's nothing worse than a boring loser. This team is as boring as it gets.

Unfortunately, that's the system they've created both here and in Ontario though they are at least scoring down there. Until there is a complete change in strategy, they won't score. Problem is that they can't run and gun when Doughty is the only capable d-man.

 

[Helvetica]

I've never played or coached, so it's difficult. I do know that when the team is on the ice they look like chickens running around with heads cut off, except the 1st line, sometimes. To me I see coaching issues, along with glaring player issues. It's a tough sell all around right now. As for the PP, half the time they can't even make the pass without fumbling it, and our breakouts and giveaways are staggeringly bad.

ive never coached, and ive only ever played at a rec league level. But... Here are the trends ive noticed:

The team has been pretty good at retrieving pucks in their own zone, and then making that first pass from D to forward in the zone. But here's where **** starts to break down. The pass from that forward to the 3rd man usually runs afoul. They aren't making that next pass quick enough, and they either cough up the puck in their zone, or they wing a pass out of the zone that isnt on target, and they turn things over in the neutral zone and a counter attack ensues. Either way, once that happens, it's been much more scrambly as guys are starting to fly the zone and everyone is hitting the breaks and having to sort out assignments. On top of this, they tend to dump the puck once they finally do clear the zone, go for a change, and set up in that 1-3-1 because they're too tired to play an aggressive forecheck and they've just changed personnel. So they havent been playing nearly as aggressive as they'd like, because they aren't playing fast and crisp in their own zone. And that probably shouldnt come as a shock to anybody because their defense has been suspect the whole time. They have two guys that dont even have a full season's worth of games under their belt. Edler is smart, but extremely slow. Walker and Roy are what they are. And that doesnt even account for the injuries.

On offense, they seem to be generating a lot of shots and decent scoring opportunities, but im not real sure why they are not capitalizing. From memory, the haven't looked nearly as dangerous as the stats suggest. And our third line has simply been bad. Tkachev seems to have the skill, but might still be trying to get acquainted with the NHL game. Lias Andersson was looking pretty good but is obviously injured. Vilardi has fantastic skill and vision, but lacks speed, and doesn't play heavy enough. I thought he looked better last game, but he still looks like he's trying to figure things out. You'd hope though, given that he plays weaker competition, that he'd be more assertive. You can see what he's capable of on the PP, which indicates to me, he's struggling with pace. 5v5 is much faster than being able to slow things down on the PP. Perhaps we'll see things looking better for him when they play at home and can shelter him a bit more. But overall, i don't feel like the Kings have been able to play as aggressive as they'd like in the neutral and offensive zones, because they've been playing so poorly in their own zone. And to me, that's not a coaching issue. That's execution and personnel. We've got a lot of injuries, and a lot of younger guys in the lineup. I like the Danault line, i think theyve been doing exactly what we expected them to do. I think Kopitar has been good offensively, but has looked not great on faceoffs (incidentally, the team, as a whole has been bad at the dots this season, and that too is costing them). As a team, the Kings are sitting at 46.9% on faceoffs. 6th worst in the league. Last season, they were 50.6%. Good for 12th best league wide. Kopitar has been bad at 47.2% (and he probably takes more faceoffs than anybody else on the team). Vilardi has been abysmal with 38%. Danault has been good at 55.4%. But those ****ty overall FO%'s are really costing the team right now. And again, that's not a coach issue.

 

[VCRW]

He sure can talk fancy about how they are going to play with pace and be aggressive. Where is it? The line combos are complete disaster. Why cant we put our rookies in line where they can succeed. Why did it take these many games to break up the 2nd line that had no shooter. It is time to move away from Brown being a first line player. At this point I am really hoping for the reign to do great and Wroblovski can take over TM at some point.

Reign have points in every game so far... 4-0-1 in their first 5 games. Seems as though the Kings kept the wrong guys on the NHL roster.