We were right there

[aragorn]

I think Kings fans in general are in a bubble about how unique they feel their suffering is. You can look all around this league and see a lot of reasons for varying fanbases to be awfully frustrated.

The difference with some may be they still have more reason for hope, but like you said with Tampa that may begin to wear thin after so many years.

Dallas lost in the WCF three years in a row. And now out in the first round. Brilliant roster construction. Third best record in the league this year. But if you’re a fan of that franchise how confident are you?

Toronto is in freefall after their mighty core four failed to deliver year after year.

Detroit has yet to see a return on their rebuild.

Pittsburgh is basically a mirror image of the Kings.

McDavid will be 30 in January. Managed to go his entire 20s without winning a Cup. I promise you EDM fans are hurting worse than we are right now. Like that has to be a daily source of anxiety for them. He’s got two years but next year has to be a Cup or EDM has to consider trading him so he doesn’t walk for nothing.

There are plenty more examples of teams who’ve enjoyed regular season success but have sad fans. We’re really not that special in our misery and this isn’t the worst run team in the league. Doesn’t excuse all the terrible mistakes we’ve witnessed since Dean was fired, but we’re not unique.

Exactly. I can complain as loud as the next guy but there have been so many teams way worse off than us the past 5-10 years. Considering we keep spending near the cap, our management is absolutely trying to win the cup... they have simply been too inept to get the right personnel. One of those two managers is gone and it takes a few years to see if new managers have the right stuff. But we have some folks around here that simply love to complain.

 

[aragorn]

Before each season starts, it would be nice to believe we have at least a shot at the cup.

Maybe one out of three seasons that would be nice. Every team every year can't feel that way. I felt confident last season we would go at least a round or two in the playoffs, and the collapse against the Oilers hurt. We simply aren't the Dodgers who can buy whatever player they want. I'm watching Colorado score whenever they want against Minnesota... something they couldn't do against us. Defense ain't our problem. We simply do not make our opportunities count and haven't for years and years. The guy that if he does get open, he buries it. A Leon Draisaitl or a Jeff Carter.

 

[hokiecat]

That's hilarious. How is it with copyright stuff regarding AI created music? Can you sell this son cheap to Crypto to convince them to play it at games or something? That would be amazeballs.

That was created using the free version. You or I would have to subscribe in order to monetize the song. It's in the FAQs. But yes, the Kings could pay one of the AI song websites to write the next "We are united, we're undivided" songs and play it before every game.
TBH, and I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it, usually I am using AI (once every month or two) to create songs about something my cats or the dog did that day. Oh yeah, AI did create a good "Kings to Clowns" song right before we fired Hiller; I shelved it once Holland made the switch.

 

[hokiecat]

Exactly. I can complain as loud as the next guy but there have been so many teams way worse off than us the past 5-10 years. Considering we keep spending near the cap, our management is absolutely trying to win the cup... they have simply been too inept to get the right personnel. One of those two managers is gone and it takes a few years to see if new managers have the right stuff. But we have some folks around here that simply love to complain.

That's fair in the sense that we are not Vancouver or Buffalo (prior to this spring) or Ottawa/Columbus/ Chicago/Detroit/New Jersey. I think what is frustrating is the Kings actually were trying to be good and they failed. Hindsight is 20/20 but it certainly feels like Blake stopped the rebuild too quickly after signing Danault and seeing the team rebound. Couple that with most of the rebuild picks being misses (Turc, Kaliyev, Bjornfot, Kupari, etc) or traded and doing well (Faber), it is depressing.

I can only speak for myself but my frustration with the team is that it feels like we've peaked with the current crop of players and the Kings are playing closer to their ceiling than their floor. A few years ago, we had one of the best if not the best top 9 forwards in the NHL. And Byfield and Kaliyev were still up-and-coming. It seemed likely that we could run back a very similar roster and expect improvements in the kids and then get some bounces. The PLD trade was the beginning of the end.

I'm not sure how I feel about the "soft cap" in the 90s that has been mentioned for next year. Is that AEG giving up (bad) or saving for a future FA spending spree in 2028 (good)?

 

[santiclaws]

Exactly. I can complain as loud as the next guy but there have been so many teams way worse off than us the past 5-10 years. Considering we keep spending near the cap, our management is absolutely trying to win the cup... they have simply been too inept to get the right personnel. One of those two managers is gone and it takes a few years to see if new managers have the right stuff. But we have some folks around here that simply love to complain.

Toronto: Incompetent management, wasted incredible talent and just hired a GM who is apparently hated by all other GMs. He will probably be handling the trading of their best player and Captain very shortly.

Edmonton: got four overall first picks in short succession. Wasted McDavid and Draisaitl's prime years because acquiring an average NHL goalie over the last dozen years was apparently an impossible task. Have several awful contracts which will hinder improving the team. If they don't win the cup next year, or come at least very close, McDavid is likely gone with Drai not far behind.

Vancouver: Just slid down two spots from first in the draft after finishing dead last. The SEVENTH time they are picking below where they should have according to the standings. How many times have they managed to move up in the lottery in their history? Zero. If it wasn't for bad luck, they wouldn't have no luck at all. Incompetent management. Completely dysfunctional organization. Just had to trade their generational talent defenseman because he didn't want to be there anymore. The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.

 

[What party?]

Toronto: Incompetent management, wasted incredible talent and just hired a GM who is apparently hated by all other GMs. He will probably be handling the trading of their best player and Captain very shortly.

Edmonton: got four overall first picks in short succession. Wasted McDavid and Draisaitl's prime years because acquiring an average NHL goalie over the last dozen years was apparently an impossible task. Have several awful contracts which will hinder improving the team. If they don't win the cup next year, or come at least very close, McDavid is likely gone with Drai not far behind.

Vancouver: Just slid down two spots from first in the draft after finishing dead last. The SEVENTH time they are picking below where they should have according to the standings. How many times have they managed to move up in the lottery in their history? Zero. If it wasn't for bad luck, they wouldn't have no luck at all. Incompetent management. Completely dysfunctional organization. Just had to trade their generational talent defenseman because he didn't want to be there anymore. The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.

I would defer to a Canadian but I think this gif is Canada. Contract 10 teams (read: American). Period.

 

[HiFi]

Maybe someone else already mentioned it, but really, WE WERE RIGHT THERE.

Right there at missing the playoffs.

 

[The Nuts]

That's fair in the sense that we are not Vancouver or Buffalo (prior to this spring) or Ottawa/Columbus/ Chicago/Detroit/New Jersey. I think what is frustrating is the Kings actually were trying to be good and they failed. Hindsight is 20/20 but it certainly feels like Blake stopped the rebuild too quickly after signing Danault and seeing the team rebound. Couple that with most of the rebuild picks being misses (Turc, Kaliyev, Bjornfot, Kupari, etc) or traded and doing well (Faber), it is depressing.

I can only speak for myself but my frustration with the team is that it feels like we've peaked with the current crop of players and the Kings are playing closer to their ceiling than their floor. A few years ago, we had one of the best if not the best top 9 forwards in the NHL. And Byfield and Kaliyev were still up-and-coming. It seemed likely that we could run back a very similar roster and expect improvements in the kids and then get some bounces. The PLD trade was the beginning of the end.

I'm not sure how I feel about the "soft cap" in the 90s that has been mentioned for next year. Is that AEG giving up (bad) or saving for a future FA spending spree in 2028 (good)?

We took Oil to 7 games with Doughty out injured.
Logic would dicktake we should be better with DD back but we were not.
So I don't blame Bake going for it.
The problem goes back to 2019 draft we had a bunch of players but picked all dudes and others we passed on are now very good players. I posted about it recently.
PLD was the guilotene for this rebuild.

 

[The Nuts]

Maybe someone else already mentioned it, but really, WE WERE RIGHT THERE.

Right there at missing the playoffs.

We are no longer right there , I hope to no longer read that.
We are now:

LEFT RIGHT HERE!

 

[Clif]

Exactly. I can complain as loud as the next guy but there have been so many teams way worse off than us the past 5-10 years. Considering we keep spending near the cap, our management is absolutely trying to win the cup... they have simply been too inept to get the right personnel. One of those two managers is gone and it takes a few years to see if new managers have the right stuff. But we have some folks around here that simply love to complain.

Blake, Luc and Bergevin really messed up. And yet, team’s made the playoffs five years in a row. This is not about making the Kings sound better than they are, it’s just being realistic about how bad they aren’t. Purple tinted glasses go both ways.

 

[orpheus]

 

[aragorn]

Edmonton: If they don't win the cup next year, or come at least very close, McDavid is likely gone with Drai not far behind.

I really wonder about this. Everything I keep seeing and hearing is McDavid wants the Cup, but loves Edmonton even more. His wife and other family members are thick as thieves with several other team players. He may stick around as long as they are competitive. And with the cap going up 9mil and individual players limits at 20mil a season, management can keep him happy.

 

[ICE24]

Blake, Luc and Bergevin really messed up. And yet, team’s made the playoffs five years in a row. This is not about making the Kings sound better than they are, it’s just being realistic about how bad they aren’t. Purple tinted glasses go both ways.

The Kings are not terrible, they are who they are, a playoff bubble team. I believe only two teams were better in the Pacific this season, and that was Anaheim and SJ. Next season, we won't be talking about Vegas and or Edmonton as locks to win the division. Anaheim has to be in the conversation, no matter what happens in the playoff series. I don't see where the Kings fit in, especially with SJ entering the picture.

 

[Bollocks]

The Kings are not terrible, they are who they are, a playoff bubble team. I believe only two teams were better in the Pacific this season, and that was Anaheim and SJ. Next season, we won't be talking about Vegas and or Edmonton as locks to win the division. Anaheim has to be in the conversation, no matter what happens in the playoff series. I don't see where the Kings fit in, especially with SJ entering the picture.

San Jose needs to make moves, the right ones at that, in order to become a team of serious conversation. Can't see Celebrini doing much more by himself, so others need to improve and they need to add fitting vets to round out the team.

I can't see Vegas being as bad as this year. Edmonton - who knows what happens there...

My prediction is VGK-Ducks-Kings, if Ken manages to secure solid options for #2C, #3C and top 4 D. Otherwise we're probably going to battle for the WC spot...

 

[Kaos]

 

[What party?]

View attachment 14525

View attachment 14526

Hi Dolphin, admittedly overstepping but I have some suggestions for your Star Wars and Blues Brothers memes. "Notes" as they say in the industry. So, not going to describe the image because you'll see it in your head.
*ahem*

Star Wars:
" Hi, I'm Ken Holland and I'm here to rescue you." (speaking to the Kings front office)

Blues Brothers:
"We're on a mission to placate season ticket holders" (Elwood and Jake picking up Panarin)

***
If you need to call me an asshole, I get it and deserve it. lol.

 

[Clif]

The Kings are not terrible, they are who they are, a playoff bubble team. I believe only two teams were better in the Pacific this season, and that was Anaheim and SJ. Next season, we won't be talking about Vegas and or Edmonton as locks to win the division. Anaheim has to be in the conversation, no matter what happens in the playoff series. I don't see where the Kings fit in, especially with SJ entering the picture.

Bollocks addressed San Jose well, and I am in agreement. Waiting to see what moves they make. But they of course stand a chance.

This year a lot of WC teams took a step back, in the case of WPG a massive step back. Not everyone will accomplish this summer what they set out to do. There aren’t that many teams rebuilding who can be picked for parts. GMs are going to have to be bold and make hockey trades.

MacTavish was a healthy scratch in round 2. Someone is going to a good young center. And Verbeek is going to get a good player back.

 

[DryKing]

Bollocks addressed San Jose well, and I am in agreement. Waiting to see what moves they make. But they of course stand a chance.

This year a lot of WC teams took a step back, in the case of WPG a massive step back. Not everyone will accomplish this summer what they set out to do. There aren’t that many teams rebuilding who can be picked for parts. GMs are going to have to be bold and make hockey trades.

MacTavish was a healthy scratch in round 2. Someone is going to a good young center. And Verbeek is going to get a good player back.

Not sure the Ducks would be willing to make a deal with the Kings, but MacTavish would be a fantastic addition.

I still think MacTavish was one of the Ducks savviest picks - really wonder what is going on there.

 

[VCRW]

Not sure the Ducks would be willing to make a deal with the Kings, but MacTavish would be a fantastic addition.

I still think MacTavish was one of the Ducks savviest picks - really wonder what is going on there.

It’s Q. He often uses “healthy scratch” as a motivation tool, not always as punishment.

 

[Clif]

Not sure the Ducks would be willing to make a deal with the Kings, but MacTavish would be a fantastic addition.

I still think MacTavish was one of the Ducks savviest picks - really wonder what is going on there.

Don’t think they would either, but I couldn’t think of a more ideal solution at center given the age and skillset. He scored 60 something points last year. His production has dropped off a bit this year and he was healthy scratched a couple games in a row at one point. But he has all the tools to be a very effective second C.

He’s someone I’d be tempted to trade Fiala for and Verbeek might even be good with that return. But that removes a top 6 winger. I don’t like making one hole to fill another. If Fiala was traded for Tkachuk it could just be seen as a new direction/upgrade. The center hole would remain a separate issue.