Jason Lewis: Kings 2013-14 Defensive Depth Chart Projections

You know what I am thinking.

Raphael Diaz would look good as a Kng and Clifford would look good as a Hab

You know what I am thinking.

Raphael Diaz would look good as a Kng and Clifford would look good as a Hab
- willey101

Yea, because LA is going to trade one of their only natural LWers for their 10th defenseman. Good thinking.

If Schultz is ever a 1-2 defender on this team, I'm becoming a Ducks fan.

If Schultz is ever a 1-2 defender on this team, I'm becoming a Ducks fan.
- Ersberg

I'm sure that is a shared feeling amongst many Kings fans.

I would say if Mitchell is healthy, it will be:

Regehr-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Greene-Muzzin
Martinez

If Mitchell is not healthy, it will be:

Regehr-Doughty
Schultz-Voynov
Greene-Muzzin
Martinez

As you said in the article, Ellerby was rushed to the NHL in Florida, and he has picked up some bad habits as a result. I think with a little more time in the AHL, he could develop into a much better player. I would like for him to spend the next season or two in Manchester, then called back up in 2015 to replace Regehr. Forbort will be ready around the same time as well, so ideally our defensive D-men core in 2015-16 will be Ellerby, Forbort, Greene.

I think Muzzin and Martinez are right about the same level. I think Martinez's offensive game is a little further along than Muzzin, but Martinez is also less responsible on defense. I would like for them to be defensmen 6 & 7 on the team and compete for that final spot. My first intuition is to give the spot to Muzzin, as he is a year younger and has further upside in my opinion, but he still needs to prove himself.

That would leave Schultz as the odd man out. I would say he's a stopgap as long as Mitchell is injured. If and when Mitchell comes back and shows that he's can hack it for the rest of the season, Schultz gets traded for a 5th round pick or put on waivers.

I would say if Mitchell is healthy, it will be:

Regehr-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Greene-Muzzin
Martinez

If Mitchell is not healthy, it will be:

Regehr-Doughty
Schultz-Voynov
Greene-Muzzin
Martinez

As you said in the article, Ellerby was rushed to the NHL in Florida, and he has picked up some bad habits as a result. I think with a little more time in the AHL, he could develop into a much better player. I would like for him to spend the next season or two in Manchester, then called back up in 2015 to replace Regehr. Forbort will be ready around the same time as well, so ideally our defensive D-men core in 2015-16 will be Ellerby, Forbort, Greene.

I think Muzzin and Martinez are right about the same level. I think Martinez's offensive game is a little further along than Muzzin, but Martinez is also less responsible on defense. I would like for them to be defensmen 6 & 7 on the team and compete for that final spot. My first intuition is to give the spot to Muzzin, as he is a year younger and has further upside in my opinion, but he still needs to prove himself.

That would leave Schultz as the odd man out. I would say he's a stopgap as long as Mitchell is injured. If and when Mitchell comes back and shows that he's can hack it for the rest of the season, Schultz gets traded for a 5th round pick or put on waivers.
- tkecanuck341

I say the sixth spot is Muzzin's to lose. If he proves his scoring streak last season was not a fluke then I don't see Martinez taking it from him (barring a defensive break down), Ellerby and Shultz could and should, take a back seat to Martinez if he gets his full (11'-12')game back. I see potential in Ellerby though, I'm glad DL wants to work with him to see more.

Jason Lewis: Kings 2013-14 Defensive Depth Chart Projections
- Jason_Lewis

does anybody have any real idea if mitchell is planning on playing this season?

Is there a reason why everyone is putting Greene on the 3rd line pair?

does anybody have any real idea if mitchell is planning on playing this season?
- dprice818

I don't think even Willie Mitchell knows that.

Is there a reason why everyone is putting Greene on the 3rd line pair?
- LAKingsfan626

Right handed shot. He is not bumping Voynov.

Is there a reason why everyone is putting Greene on the 3rd line pair?
- LAKingsfan626

Kings don't really play a numbered defensive pairing system. Last season, Doughty played with Regehr, Voynov played with Scuderi, and Greene played with Muzzin throughout the end of the regular season and playoffs. I think everyone would agree that Doughty is a superior defenseman to Voynov, while Scuderi is superior to Regehr. So which is the "first line" pairing?

It is mostly due to the side that the players play on. Doughty, Voynov, and Greene all play on the right side (although Doughty can play either side...he plays the left side on the power play with Voynov), while Muzzin, Martinez, Mitchell, & Regehr all play on the left. The consensus lately has been to pair a puck moving defenseman with a stay at home guy, so the only real options are which stay at home guy you're going to put with Doughty, and which you're going to put with Voynov. Doughty played with Regehr last season, so I don't see that changing. That leaves either Mitchell or Schultz/Ellerby to play with Voynov. Greene and Muzzin/Mitchell are pretty much locked. If you want to call that the "third-line pair" then so be it.

I'm sure that is a shared feeling amongst many Kings fans.
- Jason_Lewis

Absolutely. Sh itz is such a bad d-man. You can't blame Lombardi for taking a flyer on the guy, though. He's cheap...

Is there a reason why everyone is putting Greene on the 3rd line pair?
- LAKingsfan626

Right handed shot. He is not bumping Voynov.

Bingo

Yea, because LA is going to trade one of their only natural LWers for their 10th defenseman. Good thinking.
- tkecanuck341

Kings would probably want either Eller, or at the least, Sebastian Collberg; Diaz could be a side piece if the Kings aren't sold on their younger defensive prospects

Kings would probably want either Eller, or at the least, Sebastian Collberg; Diaz could be a side piece if the Kings aren't sold on their younger defensive prospects
- Habs-n-Kings

Kings don't need another center. We already have several centers playing on the wing. Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Lewis, Stoll, & Fraser are all natural centers. The only two players on the Habs lineup that the Kings would be remotely interested in are Rene Bourque and Travis Moen. Collberg is too small to fit in the Kings style of play.

We'll trade you Kyle Clifford & Willie Mitchell for Bourque & Moen.

Kings don't need another center. We already have several centers playing on the wing. Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Lewis, Stoll, & Fraser are all natural centers. The only two players on the Habs lineup that the Kings would be remotely interested in are Rene Bourque and Travis Moen. Collberg is too small to fit in the Kings style of play.

We'll trade you Kyle Clifford & Willie Mitchell for Bourque & Moen.
- tkecanuck341

I suppose we'd take Brenden Gallagher too, but I can't imagine Montreal would make him available.

I would say if Mitchell is healthy, it will be:

Regehr-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Greene-Muzzin
Martinez

If Mitchell is not healthy, it will be:

Regehr-Doughty
Schultz-Voynov
Greene-Muzzin
Martinez

As you said in the article, Ellerby was rushed to the NHL in Florida, and he has picked up some bad habits as a result. I think with a little more time in the AHL, he could develop into a much better player. I would like for him to spend the next season or two in Manchester, then called back up in 2015 to replace Regehr. Forbort will be ready around the same time as well, so ideally our defensive D-men core in 2015-16 will be Ellerby, Forbort, Greene.

I think Muzzin and Martinez are right about the same level. I think Martinez's offensive game is a little further along than Muzzin, but Martinez is also less responsible on defense. I would like for them to be defensmen 6 & 7 on the team and compete for that final spot. My first intuition is to give the spot to Muzzin, as he is a year younger and has further upside in my opinion, but he still needs to prove himself.

That would leave Schultz as the odd man out. I would say he's a stopgap as long as Mitchell is injured. If and when Mitchell comes back and shows that he's can hack it for the rest of the season, Schultz gets traded for a 5th round pick or put on waivers.
- tkecanuck341

I don't know if you accidently Transposed names who plays better d and who has a better o game, if you did'nt, I disagree with your opinion. Muzzin is a turnover machine and his offensive game is better than Martinez.

I don't know if you accidently Transposed names who plays better d and who has a better o game, if you did'nt, I disagree with your opinion. Muzzin is a turnover machine and his offensive game is better than Martinez.
- blk4x499

I did not. I am nervous any time Martinez is on the ice. I don't feel that way about Muzzin. Muzzin has the potential to be a better offensive threat, but his game isn't there yet.

I did not. I am nervous any time Martinez is on the ice. I don't feel that way about Muzzin. Muzzin has the potential to be a better offensive threat, but his game isn't there yet.
- tkecanuck341

Then apparently you did not watch the last half of the season when Muzzin would consistently make perfect centering passes to the opposing team right in front of Quick. Anytime he was pressured, he would make bad decisions in his own end, Martinez was not as nearly as bad in this area as Muzzin is.

Then apparently you did not watch the last half of the season when Muzzin would consistently make perfect centering passes to the opposing team right in front of Quick. Anytime he was pressured, he would make bad decisions in his own end, Martinez was not as nearly as bad in this area as Muzzin is.
- blk4x499

I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

Kings don't need another center. We already have several centers playing on the wing. Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Lewis, Stoll, & Fraser are all natural centers. The only two players on the Habs lineup that the Kings would be remotely interested in are Rene Bourque and Travis Moen. Collberg is too small to fit in the Kings style of play.

We'll trade you Kyle Clifford & Willie Mitchell for Bourque & Moen.
- tkecanuck341

the kings would be crazy to not take eller for clifford.

pretty sure montreal would laugh at the kings if we offered that but...eller is 24, 6'2" 210, left handed, had 30 pts in 46 gms and was a plus 8.
since you're a kings fan i wont post cliffy's numbers but even including all the little things that we both know clifford does...imo the kings would gobble eller up in that trade without hesitation.

in less words ill state that i feel the same about the bourque & moen for cliffy and mitchell deal. that trade can only be made if mitchell is healthy and imo it would be silly to trade a healthy mitchell for the two guys you mention. not to mention the bad contracts both those players have(a 5.1m cap hit).

respect your obvious passion. respect but disagree with your opinion.
go kings.

It's really getting old with so many people, without any insider knowledge or particular insight, consistently writing off Mitchell. Mitchell himself has posted several pictures of him skating, posting statements like "for all you doubters out there". Sounds like he is sick of it too. There are no guarantees for sure, but lets plan on him playing until we see otherwise. He is the key to this team on D, just like he was when we won the cup. Without him, our D is good, but not great.

It's really getting old with so many people, without any insider knowledge or particular insight, consistently writing off Mitchell. Mitchell himself has posted several pictures of him skating, posting statements like "for all you doubters out there". Sounds like he is sick of it too. There are no guarantees for sure, but lets plan on him playing until we see otherwise. He is the key to this team on D, just like he was when we won the cup. Without him, our D is good, but not great.
- Regulate

Mind you, Mitchell did that same exact thing in the past before having a setback and having to miss the entire season.

More or less I believe the doubt is coming, at least on my end, from the lack of game play. He isn't a young guy, and he's taken what will be a year and a half break from competitive action once preseason rolls around. Who knows what this has done to him. He was A key when this team won the cup yes, but he is a year and a half removed from the game and that makes it hard to gauge his effectiveness. You almost NEED those insurance policies in Ellerby and Schultz. Otherwise you get what happened last year, where we have a lot of inexperience and we are essentially one bad game away from putting in Andrew Campbell (Which that's not a knock on Campbell, I think he deserves a shot). It just spoke to our lack of available depth on D last season.