The Pacific Division Thread

[waynet]

The sucks are good and fun, but they will get pummeled in the playoffs.

Not sure of this. Dostal has the ability to win games on his own, like when they were totally outplayed in Colorado recently. Did the latest win streak without their 2 best players, Carlsson and Terry. As someone said, they hit NHL gold with Sennecke. When the camera pans their bench, it mostly resembles a college hockey team. A desirable composition of youth and skill.

 

[Clif]

That's why given the teams poor performance this year compared to last, is the opportunity for Ken to do a one year retool and do something before he retires.

The Kings without Fiala and with Wright are unlikely to even make the playoffs.
Ken is not doing that.
They will look back at 105 points last year, get a new coach, and hope this year is a mulligan.

This is probably an even more likely scenario, but losing Kopitar is not just a mulligan. Big changes are coming regardless.

Of course not. In some post I read today someone reminded us that Ken is 70+ on a 3 year contract. He won't start a rebuild unless the team collapses horribly, which I can't see happening this season.



The Kings almost 100% won't rebuild yet, and in this case they want a borderline 1st line C or an established 2nd line center that could step in the 1A/1B situation with the Kings immediately, and Wright is not that player. Or they go big and take a gamble with Elias.

At this point Wright is only slightly more useful to improving the Kings short-term winning chances as Kenny Connors or Nikita Alexandrov are, and they are cheap. So, why bother losing assets?

Rebuilds implying selling it all off and tanking for top picks. No, Kings will not go that route. But being one of the oldest teams in the league who have need for a top 6 center, a new system, more mobility on the backend, increased physicality, and increased scoring shouldn’t be lost on Holland.

 

[The Nuts]

This is probably an even more likely scenario, but losing Kopitar is not just a mulligan. Big changes are coming regardless.

Rebuilds implying selling it all off and tanking for top picks. No, Kings will not go that route. But being one of the oldest teams in the league who have need for a top 6 center, a new system, more mobility on the backend, increased physicality, and increased scoring shouldn’t be lost on Holland.

Outside of the coaches , I don't see big changes and think that would be a mistake.
Prices are too high because so many teams are in buble or better positions.
Thank Cliff

 

[symbology]

Right now indicates a trade as you can't sign but a few players in season.

Plenty free agents, top tier players are not picking LA lately.
If you trade for one , he won't resign here or will ask for a trade.

2026 Center Free Agents

Tracking the status and signings of all 2026 Center free agents, including total value, average and guarantees.

www.spotrac.com

The Kings need help but if we maybe miss playoffs , why buy during pre deadline when prices are high and a record number of teams are in the race?

If the team even makes the playoffs advancing would be a miracle.

The Kings have a shot at being better next year.

But we agree on a lot

I personally remove much of the meat on that list due to their age (over the age of 33yrs).

I have been in a "sell" mode off and on for 2 years. I thought they should have sold Arvi and Roy 2 years ago at the TDL. Used those assets to try improve the team that offseason. Kings management is delaying the inevitable, IMO. I had them getting swept in the playoffs by the Oilers that year. They won a single game. They could have retooled a bit and improved the team / org. Instead, they got their butts kicked in the playoffs and got nothing when Arvi and Roy walked.

Kopi will be gone and DD will be a year older, as will a few other "aged" Kings defensemen. Some younger players will improve, but I am not expecting them to be better on the ice. That is, unless they make some trades which would make the team worse overall by hurting an already poor prospect pool. That would just kick the can that much closer to the edge of the cliff. A one step forward, two steps back sort of thing.

I will agree to agree.

 

[Bollocks]

Not sure of this. Dostal has the ability to win games on his own, like when they were totally outplayed in Colorado recently. Did the latest win streak without their 2 best players, Carlsson and Terry. As someone said, they hit NHL gold with Sennecke. When the camera pans their bench, it mostly resembles a college hockey team. A desirable composition of youth and skill.

He'll have a hard time winning 4 games on his own, and they have near-zero playoff experience where the game changes significantly and crap D. Similar concern stands for Sharks, too. Would also depend on a matchups though...but deep run? Nope.

They may do something to shore up their D at the deadline. But it's going to be difficult to fix 2nd worst D in the league that's also full of inexperienced youth in a couple of months.

 

[ICE24]

The sucks are good and fun, but they will get pummeled in the playoffs.

So will the Kings, if they make it. The bright side for the Ducks is that they will improve each year.

 

[ICE24]

He'll have a hard time winning 4 games on his own, and they have near-zero playoff experience where the game changes significantly and crap D. Similar concern stands for Sharks, too. Would also depend on a matchups though...but deep run? Nope.

They may do something to shore up their D at the deadline. But it's going to be difficult to fix 2nd worst D in the league that's also full of inexperienced youth in a couple of months.

Verbeek understands his teams limitations as a borderline playoff team. They will be better next season and that's when he tries to really upgrade.

 

[symbology]

Verbeek understands his teams limitations as a borderline playoff team. They will be better next season and that's when he tries to really upgrade.

Interesting thought..... They are on the rise and do not need to make any stupid moves for one last kick at the can/Cup. They can be patient and let the youngsters grow and learn from this season's success. Not a lot of pressure this year.

They are looking good with a top 5 prospect pool and 26m in cap space.

 

[symbology]

He'll have a hard time winning 4 games on his own, and they have near-zero playoff experience where the game changes significantly and crap D. Similar concern stands for Sharks, too. Would also depend on a matchups though...but deep run? Nope.

They may do something to shore up their D at the deadline. But it's going to be difficult to fix 2nd worst D in the league that's also full of inexperienced youth in a couple of months.

I kind of agree. However, I will just point out that during their recent 7 game winning streak they had a 1.86 GA. They only gave up 1 goal to both the Stars and Avs.

I looked through the Kings schedule and their best 7 game stretch had them with a 2.0GA and had a record of 4-3.

I guess I am saying that their defensive game seems to have improved of late.

 

[Clif]

Interesting thought..... They are on the rise and do not need to make any stupid moves for one last kick at the can/Cup. They can be patient and let the youngsters grow and learn from this season's success. Not a lot of pressure this year.

They are looking good with a top 5 prospect pool and 26m in cap space.

They endured a longer and more humiliating rebuild. They didn’t have a Kopitar or Doughty to tell the GM to hurry up. Getzlaf was chill af.

They even traded big time young pieces in Drysdale and Zegras and have an embarrassment more where that came from so they could do it.

 

[Bollocks]

Verbeek understands his teams limitations as a borderline playoff team. They will be better next season and that's when he tries to really upgrade.

Well, Verbeek still has to build a winner and win and have a deep PO run as a GM. Sure, he had a great mentor, but so did Blake...whose mentor has spoiled a bit after initial success...similarly to Yzerman.

Would I want Verbeek over Ken as our GM? Probably. Especially if we were to rebuild. But if I were a fan of the Ducks, I would be optimistic, but not overly so until there are playoff rounds won.

I kind of agree. However, I will just point out that during their recent 7 game winning streak they had a 1.86 GA. They only gave up 1 goal to both the Stars and Avs.

I looked through the Kings schedule and their best 7 game stretch had them with a 2.0GA and had a record of 4-3.

I guess I am saying that their defensive game seems to have improved of late.

That is true, and an interesting observation!

 

[tacquarelli57]

10 goals given up in their last 2 games...maybe not

 

[hokiecat]

10 goals given up in their last 2 games...maybe not

I'd switch places with the ducks every day and twice on Sundays. They've got an equivalent record now with a brighter future.

You can say they haven't won a playoff series under this group but they still have 4 more series wins than the Kings do since 2014.

 

[tacquarelli57]

I'd switch places with the ducks every day and twice on Sundays. They've got an equivalent record now with a brighter future.

You can say they haven't won a playoff series under this group but they still have 4 more series wins than the Kings do since 2014.

I mean when you have 7 top 10 picks in a row I sure would hope they have something brewing. It took long enough. If the Kings missed the playoffs 7 straight years then they would be stocked with young talent as well. We will see what the Ducks do in the future.

 

[symbology]

10 goals given up in their last 2 games...maybe not

Nice cherry pick, they gave up 7 goals to the Oilers in their last game. The two games before that they beat the Flames 4-3 and the Kraken 4-2.

 

[symbology]

I mean when you have 7 top 10 picks in a row I sure would hope they have something brewing. It took long enough. If the Kings missed the playoffs 7 straight years then they would be stocked with young talent as well. We will see what the Ducks do in the future.

Yep, the Ducks tanked and worked on a rebuild while the Kings were treading water. Now the Kings are getting older and more tired and they are still treading water.

What would you rather have had? A bunch of sucky years where your team was working on a rebuild? On their way to becoming one of the top young teams in the league. Or a bunch of mediocre years watching the Kings tread water while hoping they would start to swim?

The Ducks are on their way up. Where they go nobody knows. The Kings are taking on water. We all know how that will end.

 

[DryKing]

Yep, the Ducks tanked and worked on a rebuild while the Kings were treading water. Now the Kings are getting older and more tired and they are still treading water.

What would you rather have had? A bunch of sucky years where your team was working on a rebuild? On their way to becoming one of the top young teams in the league. Or a bunch of mediocre years watching the Kings tread water while hoping they would start to swim?

The Ducks are on their way up. Where then go nobody knows. The Kings are taking on water. We all know how that will end.

Fair points, but 7 years a long time to watch an noncompetitive team, and at the end it means nothing unless they win the Cup.

Meanwhile, the Kings were one head coach away from potentially going deep into the playoffs last season.

I think between the two, and as a fan, I'd go with the Kings these past seven years over the Ducks. Let's see, however, what the Ducks can do with it. Currently they have a younger, and more talented roster for the foreseeable future, a superior head coach, a superior GM and what seems to be a superior front office. The future looks bright, but futures tend to be....murky.

 

[symbology]

Fair points, but 7 years a long time to watch an noncompetitive team, and at the end it means nothing unless they win the Cup.

Meanwhile, the Kings were one head coach away from potentially going deep into the playoffs last season.

I think between the two, and as a fan, I'd go with the Kings these past seven years over the Ducks. Let's see, however, what the Ducks can do with it. Currently they have a younger, and more talented roster for the foreseeable future, a superior head coach, a superior GM and what seems to be a superior front office. The future looks bright, but futures tend to be....murky.

I get it and can agree with some of what you say.

The last 7 years the Kings have been the better team to be a fan of. I think that over the next 7 years the Ducks will be the better team. The Ducks will continue to be on the way up while the Kings continue to decline.

I just think the Ducks next 7 years are going to be better than the Kings last 7 and for sure the Kings next 7.

 

[DryKing]

I get it and can agree with some of what you say.

The last 7 years the Kings have been the better team to be a fan of. I think that over the next 7 years the Ducks will be the better team. The Ducks will continue to be on the way up while the Kings continue to decline.

I just think the Ducks next 7 years are going to be better than the Kings last 7 and for sure the Kings next 7.

I'm not ready to give the Ducks 7 years of superiority, but I do think they will be better for the next couple seasons. At the same time, I do not foresee the Kings missing the playoffs for the next 7 seasons straight, which it what it took to get the Ducks to where they are now.

Kings best hope of surpassing the Ducks, in the near future, is through the draft. The biggest challenge, outside of roster, is that even with a full front office/GM/HC change I don't think they will be able to hire a coach of the same caliber as Quenneville.

 

[ICE24]

Fair points, but 7 years a long time to watch an noncompetitive team, and at the end it means nothing unless they win the Cup.

Meanwhile, the Kings were one head coach away from potentially going deep into the playoffs last season.

I think between the two, and as a fan, I'd go with the Kings these past seven years over the Ducks. Let's see, however, what the Ducks can do with it. Currently they have a younger, and more talented roster for the foreseeable future, a superior head coach, a superior GM and what seems to be a superior front office. The future looks bright, but futures tend to be....murky.

Duck's fans will not remember 7 years in a row of losing hockey if they make the playoffs again, again and progress further to the Cup Final in a few years. Hockey is a niche sport and have probably the truest fans in the world. It's a failure for every team that doesn't win the cup unless you are in the known rebuilding process. The Ducks are still rebuilding and will make more moves to strengthen their team in the coming years. As Kings fans we have seen what making the playoffs has done for the organization in the last 4 years.

It will be interesting if Anaheim will be able to sign talented free agents when it's their time.