hmm, didn't think of it that way, but you may be onto something
- Marc D

It's hardly the lone factor, but helps cement my thoughts that Jack Johnson is a horrible defenseman.

I wonder what the GAA is with him and without him since the trade. The Kings were still playing good defense when he was there they had trouble scoring goals.

I dunno.
- stveshdy

You would think that the goals would be even more difficult to come by, if you adhere to Jack Johnson's perceived value as an offensive defenseman.

Just checking in ... any word on lineups tonight?

You would think that the goals would be even more difficult to come by, if you adhere to Jack Johnson's perceived value as an offensive defenseman.
- bradleyc4

I dont know because your adding Carter and taking Johnson out. I think Carter is more deadly on offense then Johnson. However you are replacing another forward with another defenseman. You could be right though.

The addition of Carter has helped them greatly.

Penner/Richards/Carter have been solid
Kopitar/Williams/Brown are playing well

I dont know because your adding Carter and taking Johnson out. I think Carter is more deadly on offense then Johnson. However you are replacing another forward with another defenseman. You could be right though.

The addition of Carter has helped them greatly.

Penner/Richards/Carter have been solid
Kopitar/Williams/Brown are playing well
- stveshdy

after the carter/johnson trade, their GF went up and GA down.

I will gently disagree with this logic, MJL. Imo Teams win not just because they have good players but because some players outperform their contracts. In other words, its not the performance alone - its something like the difference between performance and pay. The greater the difference across players (assuming it is positive), the greater the team's chances. Typically, this happens because some rookies play great on their first contracts or players who were average elsewhere do great in that team or some guys have career years an so on.

Two years from now, Giroux will be getting probably double if not more. Couturier will get a huge raise. If Simmer continues to score 20+ goals, so will he. And so on. This means there will be less money elsewhere to spend.

And in that sense, yes, I am afraid there is a window, for if these guys all blossom, then we won't be able to afford them all after 2 years.
- PT21

They'll become expensive to keep, but valuable at the trade table. In that, the gravy train may be kept rolling, and space can be made for the Girouxs and the Couturiers to stay.

after the carter/johnson trade, their GF went up and GA down.
- OrangeBlack27

So what you're saying is Jeff Carter is the #1 defenseman we're looking for?

I dont know because your adding Carter and taking Johnson out. I think Carter is more deadly on offense then Johnson. However you are replacing another forward with another defenseman. You could be right though.

The addition of Carter has helped them greatly.

Penner/Richards/Carter have been solid
Kopitar/Williams/Brown are playing well
- stveshdy

See, Richards and Carter are really solid 2nd line players, better than most. But we tried to make them first liners/franchise players.

after the carter/johnson trade, their GF went up and GA down.
- OrangeBlack27

Interesting. Do you think any of that has to do with the Kings playing better? I think you guys are on to something here with Jack Johnson. It's kind of funny that they improved in both areas after the trade.

They'll become expensive to keep, but valuable at the trade table. In that, the gravy train may be kept rolling, and space can be made for the Girouxs and the Couturiers to stay.
- BulliesPhan87

If you get equal players, you will not shed $. If you get prospects, then there will be a new window. Those prospects may or may not pan out.

See, Richards and Carter are really solid 2nd line players, better than most. But we tried to make them first liners/franchise players.
- PT21

I don't think anyone doubts those two guys are good players. Thats a hell of a second line to have.

Like you stated thats their second line and not first.

I don't think anyone doubts those two guys are good players. Thats a hell of a second line to have.
- stveshdy

Oh sure. But they don't have to carry the team or are expected to carry the team as they were back here. Without the baggage, I would love that 2nd line. And both Carter and Richie are good defensively too.

See, Richards and Carter are really solid 2nd line players, better than most. But we tried to make them first liners/franchise players.
- PT21

They could be a first line on a ton of NHL teams.

But right now Mr Brown and Mr Kopitar are playing unreal hockey, and the Kings have 2 great lines and the goalie.

What sucks is that if you turn around the outcome of the up-for-grabs Game 3, this is a 2-2 series
- bmeltzer

This could also easily be over already, with a NJ sweep.

Remember when the know-it-all pundits took the Flyers in a sweep and/or 5 games?



This will be a good game tonight, tell your goons not to hurt anyone and go out with some dignity!

Just checking in ... any word on lineups tonight?
- FlyerGuy

Rumor is Mezzy is in, don't know if Lilja or Gusty sits, or they dress seven D.
Also Rinaldo playing, so I guess six D and 12 forwards.

See, Richards and Carter are really solid 2nd line players, better than most. But we tried to make them first liners/franchise players.
- PT21

well when one scores 46 goals and the other 80 points in the same year at age 24, what would make someone think differently?

If you get equal players, you will not shed $. If you get prospects, then there will be a new window. Those prospects may or may not pan out.
- PT21

There's no set formula for dollars in versus dollars out at the trade table. Multiple players for one happen. Prospects acquired for can be flipped in a proceeding trade. Find trades that fit our needs, and get us a fair or advantageous return on value. There are many options available.

For all the talk of a 'window', it's only an analogy to describe expectations over several seasons. The way this team operates from season to season, and especially as we saw through this season, expectations can change and be exceeded in a hurry.

This could also easily be over already, with a NJ sweep.

Remember when the know-it-all pundits took the Flyers in a sweep and/or 5 games?



This will be a good game tonight, tell your goons not to hurt anyone and go out with some dignity!
- FLdevilsFAN

It could also be easily 2-2.
Most people here knew it would not be an easy series or sweep.

This could also easily be over already, with a NJ sweep.

Remember when the know-it-all pundits took the Flyers in a sweep and/or 5 games?



This will be a good game tonight, tell your goons not to hurt anyone and go out with some dignity!
- FLdevilsFAN

This could also easily be over already, with a NJ sweep.

Remember when the know-it-all pundits took the Flyers in a sweep and/or 5 games?



This will be a good game tonight, tell your goons not to hurt anyone and go out with some dignity!
- FLdevilsFAN

Well, aren't we cocky?

Interesting. Do you think any of that has to do with the Kings playing better? I think you guys are on to something here with Jack Johnson. It's kind of funny that they improved in both areas after the trade.
- stveshdy

like brad said, there are a lot of factors involved, not the least of which is luck. to put it bluntly, the kings were ridiculously unlucky for most of the year. they consistently out-chanced their opponents, they just didn't finish. that will regress to normal over time.

but yeah, johnson is consistently on the ice for goals against despite playing against second or third lines and starting more shifts in the o-zone than d.

glad that has exactly zero bearing on tonight's outcome.
- OrangeBlack27

well when one scores 46 goals and the other 80 points in the same year at age 24, what would make someone think differently?
- OrangeBlack27

They were/are first line, franchise players.

They were/are first line, franchise players.
- bradleyc4

definitely were

like brad said, there are a lot of factors involved, not the least of which is luck. to put it bluntly, the kings were ridiculously unlucky for most of the year. they consistently out-chanced their opponents, they just didn't finish. that will regress to normal over time.

but yeah, johnson is consistently on the ice for goals against despite playing against second or third lines and starting more shifts in the o-zone than d.
- OrangeBlack27

same went for the Blues early on...they were a good, but unlucky team. they change their coach, and everyone proclaims him the savior, but it was more because their luck regressed back to normal.

(sorry crims)