The Kings have shown us many bright spots this season. No one can argue that fact. 25 games in, they sit 4th in a tough as nails Western Conference. I believe that this team can compete This Year. I am certainly not ready to bet that this team will reach the Stanley Cup Finals. However; I am very encouraged with what we have seen this year and can definitely fathom hockey being played in LA next June. So what makes this team better than last year's?
1. Jonathan Quick has officially broken out. This guy gives the Kings a dependable rock every night between the pipes, a crucial fundamental of any championship hockey team.
His numbers are elite. They speak for themselves.
13-5-0 .928 1.92
Terry Murray must be careful not to overwork Quick, although he will have no control over Quick's playing in the 2011 All Star Game, which leads me to point number two...
2. Jonathan Bernier has arrived. The backup goaltender's AHL resume is thick (Last season's Goalie of the Year at that level) and he has proven his skills at the professional level before, while at the tender age of 23. His numbers are lacking this season thus far, no doubt about it. But his past history shows he is a skilled goaltender and a consummate pro, he should be able to turn it around and save Quick's legs for the long run. He absolutely must if this team is going to end up where we want it to.
3. D. Defensively, the Kings are as good as any team in the league. Adding Willie Mitchell was in my opinion was, leaguewide, one of the most underrated offseason moves. Pairing Mitchell with Drew Doughty gives the Kings a formidable shutdown pairing that's second only to Keith-Seabrook in Chicago, but that also packs greater offensive flair. Jack Johnson built on his Olympic effort and late season dominance early this year but experienced minor growing pains in the Kings' last ten games. He was written up in S.I. and the world is beginning to notice, he is a beast. Rob Scuderi and Matt Greene are each first class stay home defenders in the NHL and can shut down top guns coast to coast. Round that out with the stellar play of recently recalled Alec Martinez, and average but solid Davis Drewiske and you have a defensive corps that is established and loaded, but also improving. A scary, deadly combination that bodes very well for LA.
4. 14, 11, ? The Kings have benefited by the establishment of two rising stars in Justin Williams (10+15=25) and Anze Kopitar (10+14=24). After those two guys a slight drop off in scoring occurs. This could be potentially destructive to the Kings' Cup bid. Ryan Smyth, Dustin Brown, Wayne Simmonds and Jarret Stoll are very steady and reliable players. Even with that top 6 the Kings can certainly contend. This unit of forwards can and will at times, catch fire. But lulls in scoring lead to a recent (1-6-0) stretch and could threaten the Kings in the long run. Helene Elliott of the Times wrote of this lack of scoring and it very well could be a serious problem.
Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis are rising stars but have not quite arrived. It is undeniable that the Kings must make a move or two in an effort to produce more productive scoring if they want to win big. However; the Kings addition of Alexei Ponikarovsky and the loss of enigmatic Alexander Frolov (addition by subtraction), give the Kings playoff team strength up front.
Those are four reasons that the Kings are better than last year and ABSOLUTELY can compete THIS YEAR.
The one thing holding this team back from being a top 5 contender is the lack of a more imposing scoring punch. If Dean Lombardi is willing to be aggressive and can land a top scorer to play the left side with the solidified top line of Kopitar and Brown, the Kings are downright ferocious. If not, they are very good, not great.
Food for thought: I see no problem in unloading the vast organizational defensive assets the Kings have stockpiled over recent years. Thomas Hickey and Colton Teubert are top prospects currently playing for the Manchester Monarchs. They will be good players but it is unlikely that either will ever become a Hall of Fame type impact player (Drew Doughty for instance). Why not deal one or both of those guys if that opportunity presents itself? GM Dean Lombardi would be extremely wise in considering that type of move. He will be quick to say it must be the "right" guy in the "right" fit. Correct. But if that guy becomes available to the Kings, snatch him with a package of emerging defensemen. This team is already blessed with tremendous talent and depth at the NHL level on defense (see reason 3). Make a game changing move, make this team a contender DL.
Three guys that have expiring contracts that would fit that billing for the Kings...
DAL - Brad Richards
COL - Milan Hejduk
WSH - Alexander Semin (his team is a legit cup contender and it is hard to foresee the Caps considering unloading his talents before a cup run)
Thanks for reading and Go Kings,
SVIK
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
GAMES THAT MATTER 1/24
In bold are the teams the Kings would like to win for its effect on the standings.
Dallas vs. Colorado
Dallas vs. Colorado
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Kopitar has a hand in three unanswered as Kings top Wings 3-2
Anze Kopitar stepped up big tonight. With a slam dunk goal, a gritty one that I love to see, him crashing the net, and two second assists our team leader actually lead us tonight. I love Kopi and am a big beleiver in his huge contract. I think he's going to have a great career in Los Angeles and it's nights like this one when he shows us the special player he is. He just needs to do it every night. But he'll get there.
Also very pleased with the play of Brad Richardson. Sweet goal tonight. But the goal of the night definetely goes to Peter Harrold with the first Kings snipe shot in WAY too long. What a perfectly placed shot and of course, do everything of late man Wayne Simmonds was in on it with a perfect pass to set him up.
Quick was brilliant tonight. I thought that the Kings did a poor job tightening up defensively after the third goal. Quick saved their asses with an awesome treehousing job. Payback for Howard at Staples I guess.
Terrific effort overall and once again awesome determination by the Kings to rally. After the first couple goals that early it felt eerily similar to the most recent San Jose game. But the Kings continue to show us they're learning the lessons, this time tightening up and simply outworking the Wings. In a very hostile environment.
Seems like the fallout of the JJ vs. DL controversy turned out less toxic and bad for the team as I thought. Still think Jack will be on his way out next month and honestly wouldn't mind seeing it that much. Although, he has really picked up his game of late. As long as he's traded for the right player I'll be cool. I hope it turns out like Kyle Quincey. But, DL confirmed that he meant it as a compliment, so maybe we're all just making an issue out of nothing. I think if Dean is going to say anything at all and get himself into the situation, he should be man enough to just tell the world that he hates Jack Johnson, like everyone suspects.
Screw all that shit though, we're officially in 6th place as I write this at night's end. Thanks for the added patricipation in the polls and please keep coming back as I try to get this blog on the road. Which I hope will be similar to lakingsinsider.com with more opinions and heated comment boards. That's the dream anyway. Next up is lowly Toronto and maybe some future Kings.
Totally wrong on the lines tonight, way to go Terry Murray.
Let's go Kings.
SVIK 1/23
Also very pleased with the play of Brad Richardson. Sweet goal tonight. But the goal of the night definetely goes to Peter Harrold with the first Kings snipe shot in WAY too long. What a perfectly placed shot and of course, do everything of late man Wayne Simmonds was in on it with a perfect pass to set him up.
Quick was brilliant tonight. I thought that the Kings did a poor job tightening up defensively after the third goal. Quick saved their asses with an awesome treehousing job. Payback for Howard at Staples I guess.
Terrific effort overall and once again awesome determination by the Kings to rally. After the first couple goals that early it felt eerily similar to the most recent San Jose game. But the Kings continue to show us they're learning the lessons, this time tightening up and simply outworking the Wings. In a very hostile environment.
Seems like the fallout of the JJ vs. DL controversy turned out less toxic and bad for the team as I thought. Still think Jack will be on his way out next month and honestly wouldn't mind seeing it that much. Although, he has really picked up his game of late. As long as he's traded for the right player I'll be cool. I hope it turns out like Kyle Quincey. But, DL confirmed that he meant it as a compliment, so maybe we're all just making an issue out of nothing. I think if Dean is going to say anything at all and get himself into the situation, he should be man enough to just tell the world that he hates Jack Johnson, like everyone suspects.
Screw all that shit though, we're officially in 6th place as I write this at night's end. Thanks for the added patricipation in the polls and please keep coming back as I try to get this blog on the road. Which I hope will be similar to lakingsinsider.com with more opinions and heated comment boards. That's the dream anyway. Next up is lowly Toronto and maybe some future Kings.
Totally wrong on the lines tonight, way to go Terry Murray.
Let's go Kings.
SVIK 1/23
Tonight's Lineup vs. Red Wings
Richardson - Kopitar - Simmonds
Smyth - Stoll - Brown
Frolov - Handzus - Purcell
Parse - Moller - Segal
Scuderi - Doughty
Johnson - Harrold
O'Donnell - Greene
Quick
thanks to Rich Hammond and lakingsinsider.com for tonight's lineup.
Lets go Kings
Smyth - Stoll - Brown
Frolov - Handzus - Purcell
Parse - Moller - Segal
Scuderi - Doughty
Johnson - Harrold
O'Donnell - Greene
Quick
thanks to Rich Hammond and lakingsinsider.com for tonight's lineup.
Lets go Kings
Friday, January 22, 2010
Purcell to remain in lineup vs. Wings
Teddy Purcell, the King that nobody likes will be back in the lineup for a second straight contest. I'm not too disappointed as he played pretty well last night I thought, by his standrards. The reality is, he replaces Ivanans, so it has no impact on the outcome of the game. His career is obviously going nowhere however and if he's only going to get 7 or 8 minutes per game I'd like to see the Kings bring up Brayden Schenn to get his feet wet on the third or fourth line.
Wings, Kings Round 3 - - The Kings really need a win against Detroit. To be honest, they've dominated us in the first two matchups but I liked the progress we showed in firing 52 shots at Jimmy Howard in the last one. If Quick is solid and Kopitar doesn't get left at the hotel as of late, we should show that we're the better team when Detroit is missing three top contributors. Let's get it on tomorrow night. Go Kings.
Funny feeling that Frolov is going to score. Just wait and see.
-Svik 1/22
Wings, Kings Round 3 - - The Kings really need a win against Detroit. To be honest, they've dominated us in the first two matchups but I liked the progress we showed in firing 52 shots at Jimmy Howard in the last one. If Quick is solid and Kopitar doesn't get left at the hotel as of late, we should show that we're the better team when Detroit is missing three top contributors. Let's get it on tomorrow night. Go Kings.
Funny feeling that Frolov is going to score. Just wait and see.
-Svik 1/22
roi MOCK #1
1 St. Louis - DT Ndamukoung Suh (Nebraska) - - When you have a chance to land the best defensive prospect Mel Kiper has ever seen, you don't pass it up.
2 Detroit - DT Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) - - Gerald McCoy picked the wrong year to come out. Suh ruins everything for him. He's still a baller.
3 Tampa Bay - S Eric Berry (Tennessee) - - Eric Berry flat out kills people, is a tremedous athlete, and has wide receiver playmaking ability. If the Bucs can't score on one of the DT's they'll be more than content with Berry.
4 Washington - QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame) - - The Skins missed on Jason Campbell but Clausen should become a stud in red and gold. Him or Bradford here will be the argument of the draft, but I'm going with Clausen because of his superior arm strength.
5 Kansas City - T Anthony Davis (Rutgers) - - Davis is a huge man that moves like Antonio Gates. A definete top five talent.
6 Seattle - QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) - - Matt Hasselbeck is washed up and Pete Carroll will look to find his next Heisman trophy winner.
7 Cleveland - CB Joe Haden (Florida) - - The total package at corner. With both the QB's gone this is the logical selction for the Browns.
8 Oakland - T Russell Okung (Oklahoma St.) - - The Raiders need a franchise tackle. The problem is, Okung isn't one. It is Al Davis though.
9 Buffalo - WR Dez Bryant (Oklahoma St.) - - They need more offense.
10 Denver - DE Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech) - - Outside of Dumervil, the Broncos are dismal in the front seven. Morgan is a beast that will help turn the Josh McDaniels experiment around.
11 Jacksonville - DE Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) - - A freak of nature who is a local star that will help sell tickets.
12 Miami - OLB Sergio Kindle (Texas) - - Vintage Bill Parcells 3-4 speed rusher.
13 San Francisco - T Trent Williams (Oklahoma) - - Another Sooner who lost out on a boatload of money for a fun 7-6 season.
14 Seattle - S Taylor Mays (USC) - - If you doubt Taylor Mays just wait for the combine. And, duh, it's Pete Carroll picking here.
15 NY Giants - ILB Rolando McClain (Albama) - - A tough guy that the Giants (the softest team in the world) really need.
16 Tennessee - DE Carlos Dunlap (Florida) - - The Titans ends will be grandparents soon. They could use another stud at the position most important to their defense.
17 San Francisco - S Earl Thomas (Texas) - - Outside of Patrick Willis, their defense is terrible. SOS
18 Pittsburgh - RB CJ Spiller (Clemson) - - It's impossible to pick what the Steelers will do in the draft and quite honestly it's just weird to see them at 18.
19 Atlanta - OLB Ricky Sapp (Clemson) - - I have him earlier than any other place on the web, but I think his stock will rise in the next few months.
20 Houston - DT Brian Price (UCLA) - - Apparently, they need a DT and he's the third best.
If your team picks after 20, stop being greedy and go watch the playoffs.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Kovalchuk, worth a King's Ransom?
Ilya Kovalchuk is a wonderful player. We can ALL agree on that. YES, I would like to see the Kings add a legitimate mega star like him, we all would, but the problem is the sad old adage that to make money, you must spend money. I think that Waddell is going to overhype the shit out of Kovy when he dangles him to all the big fish at the deadline and drive the price TOO HIGH. Guys, the last rumor was Simmonds and Doughty for Kovy. Two words, no way. Simmonds is really maturing and Doughty is our rock.
Now, obviously that was only a rumor and we all know that ultra conservative DL would never even think about making such a deal. The reality is, the Thrashers asking price for Kovy may just be too high for anyone to bite. Why sell the farm when we can join a bidding war for the russian's services on July 1. Let's get real. If it's Teubert, Hickey, Schenn, Voynov and any other prospect except Bernier, I would be willing to part with three of those guys AND some picks. We could really use Kovalchuk and if we honestly think we can win the cup, he would ideally orchestrate that.
But, we're simply not good enough to sell our future to Atlanta, for one player. That is the bottom line.
Now, a dream scenario because these are just so fun to create. The Oilers will definetely be out to sell contracts at the deadline, they suck. Dustin Penner's name comes up. He's putting up career numbers and he would fit perfectly alongside Fro and someone like Zus or Stoll. A big body that can chip in scoring wise, he could be the missing piece to the puzzle. Adding ANOTHER Ryan Smyth player will make us ridiculously deep. Nine "top 6" forwards. Damn...
And, he's only making 4 mil, which means we would, financially, not even need to give away any NHLers. Let Fro go in FA and sign two more Rob Scuderi's next off season and get ready for a 2011 parade Los Angeles.
- - LATER DEVELOPMENT - -
Jack Johnson is "irate" with his general manager. The day after the highest of highs, this news comes out. This drama could only happen in Los Angeles.
It's officially clear that Dean Lombardi hates Jack Johnson as a player and probably also his "YEAH DUDE" personality as well. Lombardi called Johnson's alma mater Michigan "the worst hockey program at coaching and developing kids in the nation" and called out Jack's former coach Red Berensen. Jack of course came out defensive, which is fine, but please not in the media. He fired jabs right back at his boss, which is not always a smart thing to do to the man that signs your checks.
I don't want this to seem to big. They're grown men and I don't think this will be like Avery and the Stars. But, from a hockey standpoint, and now a personal one. If a King will be on the move in February, it's going to be Jack. Accept it. Hey, who really cares? He's a perennial minus player, and he's got a cannon but always misses the net. His agent is tough and his contract is up after next season. Get rid of him and set the precedent that players can not call out the organization. But, please DL, grow up and be a professional. You can't say one of your players "sucked" publicly. Are you serious?
The Kings will not practice today as they prepare for tomorrow night's game in Detroit. This time, if they take 53 shots again, they will actually WIN. No. 7 versus No. 8, huge game. Lets go Kings
Shout out to Sean Avery, ex fan favorite, for standing up for bitchy Marian Gaborik (who was destroyed by Carcillo). He fought 3 different Flyers to protect his ace, gotta love the fire. Phaneuf should be very grateful for HIS sloppy seconds after last night. What a baller.
1/22
Now, obviously that was only a rumor and we all know that ultra conservative DL would never even think about making such a deal. The reality is, the Thrashers asking price for Kovy may just be too high for anyone to bite. Why sell the farm when we can join a bidding war for the russian's services on July 1. Let's get real. If it's Teubert, Hickey, Schenn, Voynov and any other prospect except Bernier, I would be willing to part with three of those guys AND some picks. We could really use Kovalchuk and if we honestly think we can win the cup, he would ideally orchestrate that.
But, we're simply not good enough to sell our future to Atlanta, for one player. That is the bottom line.
Now, a dream scenario because these are just so fun to create. The Oilers will definetely be out to sell contracts at the deadline, they suck. Dustin Penner's name comes up. He's putting up career numbers and he would fit perfectly alongside Fro and someone like Zus or Stoll. A big body that can chip in scoring wise, he could be the missing piece to the puzzle. Adding ANOTHER Ryan Smyth player will make us ridiculously deep. Nine "top 6" forwards. Damn...
And, he's only making 4 mil, which means we would, financially, not even need to give away any NHLers. Let Fro go in FA and sign two more Rob Scuderi's next off season and get ready for a 2011 parade Los Angeles.
- - LATER DEVELOPMENT - -
Jack Johnson is "irate" with his general manager. The day after the highest of highs, this news comes out. This drama could only happen in Los Angeles.
It's officially clear that Dean Lombardi hates Jack Johnson as a player and probably also his "YEAH DUDE" personality as well. Lombardi called Johnson's alma mater Michigan "the worst hockey program at coaching and developing kids in the nation" and called out Jack's former coach Red Berensen. Jack of course came out defensive, which is fine, but please not in the media. He fired jabs right back at his boss, which is not always a smart thing to do to the man that signs your checks.
I don't want this to seem to big. They're grown men and I don't think this will be like Avery and the Stars. But, from a hockey standpoint, and now a personal one. If a King will be on the move in February, it's going to be Jack. Accept it. Hey, who really cares? He's a perennial minus player, and he's got a cannon but always misses the net. His agent is tough and his contract is up after next season. Get rid of him and set the precedent that players can not call out the organization. But, please DL, grow up and be a professional. You can't say one of your players "sucked" publicly. Are you serious?
The Kings will not practice today as they prepare for tomorrow night's game in Detroit. This time, if they take 53 shots again, they will actually WIN. No. 7 versus No. 8, huge game. Lets go Kings
Shout out to Sean Avery, ex fan favorite, for standing up for bitchy Marian Gaborik (who was destroyed by Carcillo). He fought 3 different Flyers to protect his ace, gotta love the fire. Phaneuf should be very grateful for HIS sloppy seconds after last night. What a baller.
1/22
Kings beat Buffalo 4-3 in shootout
The Kings showed the resiliency, competitiveness and will to win that us fans have been waiting for years to see tonight. Dean Lombardi's creation is officially coming together and this is not only a playoff team but a team that will play deep into the spring.
As unqualified as I am there are some fairly obvious reasons to be extremely optimistic:
1. We just defeated arguably the best team in the East which also happens to employ the league's finest goaltender. All of this with our best player, Anze Kopitar, nowhere to be found. Where was he tonight? What did he do? The man that contributes more (scoring wise) to the team than any King, was able to watch his teammates completely pick him up as we beat another great veteran team yet again. And yes, I know Kopi scored in the shootout, on a beautiful move I might add, but come on, he was outside in the rain tonight.
2. Drew Doughty is the man! Doughty will be the youngest player on the world's most elite team this February. He earned first star honors with a couple nifty assists and picked up Rob Scuderi in winning a footrace very late in the game to preserve the tie. He is a stud. Period. Every good team needs a rock, and he is going to be one to rely on.
3. They just have it. Whatever it is, I've been watching this team for 10 years and I've never, ever had such a good feeling about what it is they were doing. Moving into the 7th spot tonight with the help of Chicago beating the Flames, could be leading to the feeling but I truly believe in these guys. They're just gritty. They had their heart broken twice tonight and still out battled a bona fide cup contender. And adding this to 3 wins against San Jose, and wins against Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington and a 2 to zero season lead over the surging Ducks shows that we are absolutely for real.
The bottom line is, the game in Detroit this weekend is the biggest one we've had in a long ass time. Let's go Kings
-SVIK 1/21
The Kings showed the resiliency, competitiveness and will to win that us fans have been waiting for years to see tonight. Dean Lombardi's creation is officially coming together and this is not only a playoff team but a team that will play deep into the spring.
As unqualified as I am there are some fairly obvious reasons to be extremely optimistic:
1. We just defeated arguably the best team in the East which also happens to employ the league's finest goaltender. All of this with our best player, Anze Kopitar, nowhere to be found. Where was he tonight? What did he do? The man that contributes more (scoring wise) to the team than any King, was able to watch his teammates completely pick him up as we beat another great veteran team yet again. And yes, I know Kopi scored in the shootout, on a beautiful move I might add, but come on, he was outside in the rain tonight.
2. Drew Doughty is the man! Doughty will be the youngest player on the world's most elite team this February. He earned first star honors with a couple nifty assists and picked up Rob Scuderi in winning a footrace very late in the game to preserve the tie. He is a stud. Period. Every good team needs a rock, and he is going to be one to rely on.
3. They just have it. Whatever it is, I've been watching this team for 10 years and I've never, ever had such a good feeling about what it is they were doing. Moving into the 7th spot tonight with the help of Chicago beating the Flames, could be leading to the feeling but I truly believe in these guys. They're just gritty. They had their heart broken twice tonight and still out battled a bona fide cup contender. And adding this to 3 wins against San Jose, and wins against Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington and a 2 to zero season lead over the surging Ducks shows that we are absolutely for real.
The bottom line is, the game in Detroit this weekend is the biggest one we've had in a long ass time. Let's go Kings
-SVIK 1/21
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