Jason Lewis: Game No. 15 Game Day Blog: Los Angeles Kings v. Nashville Predators

As an organization and fan base, the Kings have come a long way when we still find fault with the team and want to make changes when they are 9-5. Except for a couple of extremely hot teams coming out of the starting gate, we would probably be in first place now.

Thinking DS starts Vey and Toffoli on the same line, maybe with Richards moving to a wing. Makes sense to ease the transition to the NHL with a familiar face and a vet for the kids.

Off topic: Quick v. Emery would be an epic battle.

Vey skating on 4th this morning. Carcillo, Richards, Toffoli 2nd.

Muzzin Doughty
Regehr - Voynov
Mitchell - Greene

D pairings.

Why call up Vey if you are going to have him play a 4th line role? He's better off satying down in Manchester as their first line center. I do not agree with this.

Why call up Vey if you are going to have him play a 4th line role? He's better off satying down in Manchester as their first line center. I do not agree with this.
- blk4x499

This isn't set in stone. I'm sure DS will tinker in-game, and then over the next few games, with Vey's and Toffoli's line spots. DS has no fear of mixing-and-matching to see what works.

Even if he does play fourth line this is a great move for Vey. He can come up and play NHL hockey with an NHL team. He has earned it and that alone should be a boost to his confidence.

Even if he does play fourth line this is a great move for Vey. He can come up and play NHL hockey with an NHL team. He has earned it and that alone should be a boost to his confidence.
- Jason_Lewis

I agree. Weather its 4th line to start or higher up the lines. Its to build NHL exp. There is no doubt if he is playing solid he will gain more minutes.

Even if he does play fourth line this is a great move for Vey. He can come up and play NHL hockey with an NHL team. He has earned it and that alone should be a boost to his confidence.
- Jason_Lewis

For the experience aspect, I'll agree with you. But if they are calling Vey up to show case his talent, it will be difficult to do this without the right players around him.

For the experience aspect, I'll agree with you. But if they are calling Vey up to show case his talent, it will be difficult to do this without the right players around him.
- blk4x499

During training camp there were rumors of Vey taking Frasers spot on the 4th line. Theyre trying to mold him into a Stoll. He wont be the offensive player in the NHL with us right now that he is in the AHL or Juniors. His 2way game is pretty solid. Hes gonna be a bottom 6 guy most likely.

The puck just always seems to always come to Toffoli.

Clifford has got to stop with these boneheaded hits.

Man CarBomb is everything we needed Clifford to be.

Sean O'donnell slipped and said Carter isnt expected back anytime soon.

Heard that. Bad news bears. I liked what I saw from Toffoli tonight but that would be a huge blow.

Heard that. Bad news bears. I liked what I saw from Toffoli tonight but that would be a huge blow.
- Jason_Lewis

Toff is the real deal. But we def need Carter back to. We gotta figure out how to keep both guys up. I figure once Carter is healthy they'll be trying Toff at LW or moving Richards over and letting Carter C them. Kid is just to good to not be on the Kings roster. I sure hope we dont make the Sabres look good.

During training camp there were rumors of Vey taking Frasers spot on the 4th line. Theyre trying to mold him into a Stoll. He wont be the offensive player in the NHL with us right now that he is in the AHL or Juniors. His 2way game is pretty solid. Hes gonna be a bottom 6 guy most likely.
- poisondhearts37

My take is a bit different. I think one of the reasons teams draft players is because the teams feel they have the type of game that would fit into their system. That being said, trying to mold a player into a type of game he does not play ends up being an excericise in futility. More times than not, that player...(prospect) gets traded to another team and ends up doing better. Now, I'm not saying Vey can turn into a Stoll, but the odds of this happening is not on Veys side. Reason being, He's the number one center on Manchester right now.

Time will tell with Vey. With Stoll dinged up, it will be interesting to see what pans out in the next game.

My take is a bit different. I think one of the reasons teams draft players is because the teams feel they have the type of game that would fit into their system. That being said, trying to mold a player into a type of game he does not play ends up being an excericise in futility. More times than not, that player...(prospect) gets traded to another team and ends up doing better. Now, I'm not saying Vey can turn into a Stoll, but the odds of this happening is not on Veys side. Reason being, He's the number one center on Manchester right now.

Time will tell with Vey. With Stoll dinged up, it will be interesting to see what pans out in the next game.
- blk4x499

Vey plays a similar game to Stoll. One thing that is overlooked is the fans see that Vey is a high point producer in the AHL. Thats because hes on the top line with Pearson and Toffoli. There are so many role guys in the NHL that are top point getters in the AHL. Look at Newbury in Philly. He's a high point producer in the AHL. But in the NHL hes just a role guy. Look up any scouting report on Vey and talks abouthow he is a 2way player. Mostly the things that Stoll does. Stoll would be a top point producer in the AHL to.

My take is a bit different. I think one of the reasons teams draft players is because the teams feel they have the type of game that would fit into their system. That being said, trying to mold a player into a type of game he does not play ends up being an excericise in futility. More times than not, that player...(prospect) gets traded to another team and ends up doing better. Now, I'm not saying Vey can turn into a Stoll, but the odds of this happening is not on Veys side. Reason being, He's the number one center on Manchester right now.

Time will tell with Vey. With Stoll dinged up, it will be interesting to see what pans out in the next game.
- blk4x499

We will most def see Vey play. Prolly he and Lewis will trade off that 3rd and 4th center roles. Unless they decide to sit Vey a little bit more. Then Fraser will come in. But youd have to think that Vey is gonna play. Like 4 days until the Buffalo game. Plenty of time to get him going.

Podcast is up from this morning covering the pacific division. Give it a look/listen!

Podcast is up from this morning covering the pacific division. Give it a look/listen!
- Jason_Lewis

Something about Henderson rubs me the wrong way. He sounds like a little kid and his blogs are the writing of a fanboy. Even the EDM fans mock him. Good listen otherwise.

As you pointed out about Sutter calling out Mitchell and Greene. Im glad he finally called out some guys instead of being so vague. Im sure when hes vague the guys know who hes talking about. But doing it the way he did last night should light a fire under them. I think that Greene has looked really slow this year. Looks like hes always a step behind. Mitchell looked a bit of the same to start the year. But has improved a little bit.

As you pointed out about Sutter calling out Mitchell and Greene. Im glad he finally called out some guys instead of being so vague. Im sure when hes vague the guys know who hes talking about. But doing it the way he did last night should light a fire under them. I think that Greene has looked really slow this year. Looks like hes always a step behind. Mitchell looked a bit of the same to start the year. But has improved a little bit.
- poisondhearts37

Agreed. Quick hasn't been playing up to his usual standards but then again our defence has been hanging him out to dry.

The bottom line is that we need to be close to 25 points at the quarter mark of the season so losing games to teams we should be beat like Nashville and Calgary are going to hurt us in the long run.

It sucks that Carter and Stoll and hurt but now is the time for Toffoli and Vey to prove they belong.

I would also bet that Pearson would be a much better fit in a top 6 LW spot than King but given our status right now on the injury front I doubt we'll see him anytime soon.

Agreed. Quick hasn't been playing up to his usual standards but then again our defence has been hanging him out to dry.

The bottom line is that we need to be close to 25 points at the quarter mark of the season so losing games to teams we should be beat like Nashville and Calgary are going to hurt us in the long run.

It sucks that Carter and Stoll and hurt but now is the time for Toffoli and Vey to prove they belong.

I would also bet that Pearson would be a much better fit in a top 6 LW spot than King but given our status right now on the injury front I doubt we'll see him anytime soon.
- Anjin

Kings do tend to play good against top teams but also tend to make crappy and marginal teams look good. Its puzzling.

Kings do tend to play good against top teams but also tend to make crappy and marginal teams look good. Its puzzling.
- poisondhearts37

There is a defensive laziness this season that I don't get. I was at the Nashville game sitting at the glass........Mitchell looked good, Muzzin is trying and cursing his mistakes all the time on the ice. Although Muzzin did put it together in the he third He was visibly mad at his play........miss judging puck movement, getting beat along the boards. I do think he will get better as he expects a lot more from himself.
I hate to say it, we all have been thinking this.........Murray prepped our D for our cup run IMO.

Something is missing right now. The puck spends too much time in the D zone. I believe this is a defining period in Sutter's coaching career with the Kings. I'm glad he is showing his dissatisfaction because he shouldn't be OK with the way the team is playing D.