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About This Page: This is a discussion on LA Kings Talk within the LetsGoKings.com forums, at Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum. As great as the whole develop from within mindset is, it's a little alarming that so far none of DL's free agent signings (aside from Calder IMO) have
As great as the whole develop from within mindset is, it's a little alarming that so far none of DL's free agent signings (aside from Calder IMO) have really proven to be much. Handzus' defensive play is certainly appreciated, but really, I don't think the going rate for that should be $4M a year. Preissing's here for 4 years at $2.5M, but I'm really not seeing anything from him that makes me think he's any better than say Weaver who we were paying considerably less last season. Stuart and Nagy were atleast 1 year deals that may be turned into picks during the deadline. As for Thornton and Willsie....really, what do they bring to this team aside from Thornton's occasional attempt at toughness when he's not being benched these days. And Cloutier...
At some point that track record has to change in order for this team to really take off. It doesn't have to be marquee FA either...just guys who produce based on what they're be paid to produce. Detroit got guys like Cleary, Lilja and Samuellson a couple years back and is making good use of them. So what is the problem here? Is it that the Kings coaching staff is just incapable of getting the best out of their players or is it that the our GM's eye for what a player brings to a team just isn't very good? I think both Crow and DL have one more season to prove that they are holding up their end of that equation, otherwise a re-evaluation is definitely in order.
Last year - 38 points didn't put the Kings dead last in the league at this point.
This year - 40 points is good enough for being 5 points behind the second to worst team in the league.
What the hell does that have to do with anything? When a team has more points one year than they did the previous year, it IS considered an improvement regardless of where they finish in the standings.
This year's Kings team has more wins and more points than last year's squad. "Markedly worse" my ass...
His play this year has not surpassed his play of last year. I'd call that a plateau for now. He needs to take it up a notch in the future. It's kinda like the difference between Dustin Penner and Ryan Getzlaf. Penner is good, Getzlaf is better.
One area that he has improved is his ability to finish. He's on pace for 30 goals which is a 10 goal improvement over last season. How many players score 30+ goals at age 20 in their second NHL season?
Last year - 38 points didn't put the Kings dead last in the league at this point.
This year - 40 points is good enough for being 5 points behind the second to worst team in the league.
This year, we are better than last year PLUS we get #1!
It's really tough to put a timeline on something like this. This is the first year that Dean Lombardi has had his staff in place and that includes for the draft!
He ESTIMATED 3-5 years and that is based on prior experience in pre-CBA days, it's different now. Much as I appreciate all our Kings commentators and love their work, 35+ years of being a Los Angeles Kings fan has taught me not to take certain commentaries to heart until you see it/hear it from Kings Management.
Three to five years? You gotta give a full rebuild TEN years, at least, (and more realistically fifteen), before the wins start piling up. Otherwise it's just the same old same old.
Suck it up and enjoy watching the kids develop into pros, grow into vets, and eventually teach the new kids how to be vets, and so on, until late one June evening Dustin Brown can take the elevator down from the GM's box, strap on the old skates, and finally hoist the Cup and skate with his team, Scotty Bowman style.
What the hell does that have to do with anything? When a team has more points one year than they did the previous year, it IS considered an improvement regardless of where they finish in the standings.
Not at all. Points by themselves are only a way to measure how one team is doing versus other teams during that season. Last season they had 2 less points but were higher in the standings, this year they have 2 more but are much lower in the standings. So basically, the rest of the league has gotten better than the Kings. But you keep holding onto that two point improvement! I'm sure they can keep it up and get above .500 before Kopitar retires.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit
This year's Kings team has more wins and more points than last year's squad. "Markedly worse" my ass...
Actually, the statement was: "We're well on our way to finishing markedly worse than last year." A little reading comprehension goes a long way. If the season ended today, the Kings would in fact finish "markedly" worse than last season because they would be dead last by 5 points.
With all due respect, who cares what Nick thinks? Look, I think the guy is a great play-by-play man as was an even better color man, but would it be better to finish in the #8 slot and then lose in the first round to Detroit or worse yet, the D*cks 4-0/4-1?
I can handle sucking for a while if it means we actually build(not rebuild) a team that can compete at a high level for years to come. There is no easy quick fix to make this happen. Patience is the most important thing right now. I understand the growing pains are difficult. For me right now, its hard to get through a full game without turning the channel, but I think DL has the best vision I've ever seen as a long time Kings fan. Hell, I'd be OK with one more year of being near the bottom if we can get lucky and get Tavares. How many UFA do you think would be willing to come to the Kings if we had
Kopitar, Tavares and Stamkos?
I tuned in briefly that night and heard Nicks comments. Sure he seemed frustrated by the state of the franchise, but it wasnt much of a calling out. He was just saying what all of us already know...including Mr. Lombardi....things need to change. During Taylor and Murrays reign the King fielded competitive teams that simpley suffered too many injuries. Its sad to see how fast it has come apart. Lombardi seems like a smart GM with a well thought out plan. The problem is he cant seem to pick the right free agents to accomplish his objectives and he relies a little too much on picks and prospects "panning out". I've said it before..picks and prospect are nice to have. They are the shiney wrapped presents under the christmas tree. We can talk about how wonderful and fantastic they are going to be...untill we open them and find another bad tie or pair of socks inside !! The best GM's and coaches realize when thier well thought out ideas dont fit with the personel that they have to work with. Lets hope these two great hockey minds can find a way to alter this lost team.
Not at all. Points by themselves are only a way to measure how one team is doing versus other teams during that season. Last season they had 2 less points but were higher in the standings, this year they have 2 more but are much lower in the standings. So basically, the rest of the league has gotten better than the Kings. But you keep holding onto that two point improvement! I'm sure they can keep it up and get above .500 before Kopitar retires.
Actually, the statement was: "We're well on our way to finishing markedly worse than last year." A little reading comprehension goes a long way. If the season ended today, the Kings would in fact finish "markedly" worse than last season because they would be dead last by 5 points.
Exactly. Points are just relevant to the other teams in the NHL. You can't compare points from previous seasons to say we are a better team now because we have more points than then. All NHL teams have higher points this season than last season and we are still the worst in the league. To get to the play offs we don't need a certain amount of points, we need more points than 7 of the teams in our conference.
The problem is he cant seem to pick the right free agents to accomplish his objectives and he relies a little too much on picks and prospects "panning out".
In regards to FA signings, I really hope that its recognized after the fact that aside from Handzus and perhaps Calder, what Dean has done is essentially taken stop gap players and purchased draft picks and prospects with them. It's a calculated move.
This entire franchise has a long ways to go. People thought I was crazy for saying the Kings would probably be worse this season, and not to expect even modest success until 09-10. Its the way it goes when youre truly razing and rebuilding something.
Bandit
