Jason Lewis: What Happens Now as the Kings on the Brink of Elimination?

Sutter said it best April 3rd. The older guys just can't(my Words) play the new type of system. The days of the stay at home defenseman may be fading:

On practicing quick transition and puck movement, and exhibiting it against Phoenix:
We were good on the trip…and I think when you don’t practice three or four of those older guys that you just alluded to, they forget how to do it. It’s not the young guys, it’s those older guys that revert back to the old style, and as much as you’re trying to get them rested and ready, you can’t let their detail, the way the game’s changed, slip. So basically when we’re doing that, it’s more for that. Clearly where it shows up is in guys that have to make the adjustment to how the game’s played now. We were really good at it on the road trip, and then the first game back, I think the guys just dug in and did it, and I think we weren’t as good against Minnesota, and it was better last night. It’s something unless you don’t have the skill set anymore, or you’re too stubborn to do it, you can do it.
http://lakingsinsider.com...ailability-darryl-sutter/

Another good read. Keep it up.

Rebuild

Well, we can't rightly ice the same exact line-up next season. Thoughts? Slow, oldies out. Fresh blood in. Agree/disagree?

Well, we can't rightly ice the same exact line-up next season. Thoughts? Slow, oldies out. Fresh blood in. Agree/disagree?
- Ersberg

It's a difficult thing to do if we want to stay competitive. You are looking at Campbell and McNabb as 6-7 defenseman to start the year probably. Forbort needs a little more time, Gravel as well.

That's super risky IMO.

Well, we can't rightly ice the same exact line-up next season. Thoughts? Slow, oldies out. Fresh blood in. Agree/disagree?
- Ersberg

I'd like to see the majority of the guys back next year. I hope we can resign Gaborik and have a core of forwards with him, Kopitar, Carter, Williams, Stoll, Lewis, Toffoli, and Pearson. King's contract is up, but I'd like to see him back. I see no reason why we need both Clifford and Nolan, so I'd like to see one moved.

Greene and Mitchell are both up. With how they've played this year I couldn't image they both are resigned, and wouldn't be shocked if they're both gone. We do have D prospects I wouldn't mind seeing a look at.

As far as guys like Brown and Richards, they definitely had bad years, but I'm inclined to see them around next year and see how they respond. If they still are playing poor during next season they could be moved. I wouldn't mind seeing them moved in the off season, but I've got a feeling they will play better after a break so who knows.

It's a difficult thing to do if we want to stay competitive. You are looking at Campbell and McNabb as 6-7 defenseman to start the year probably. Forbort needs a little more time, Gravel as well.

That's super risky IMO.
- Jason_Lewis

Campbell? Not championship material IMO. A UFA, not sure everyday NHL material. I guess we'll see if the organization has any interest in re-signing him. My gut tells me no.

I think McNabb has all ability to be a very good player, will need to work more on positioning but had the ability. He probably has the best chance of any of the new guys. He certainly can hit.

It's a difficult thing to do if we want to stay competitive. You are looking at Campbell and McNabb as 6-7 defenseman to start the year probably. Forbort needs a little more time, Gravel as well.

That's super risky IMO.
- Jason_Lewis

Or...we trade some of the vets to up comers, then sign different d-men. It's possible. Fresh blood doesn't necessarily mean young blood. Mitchell and Greene haven't looked good in a long while. Stoll and Richards should be looked at as well.

I'd like to see the majority of the guys back next year. I hope we can resign Gaborik and have a core of forwards with him, Kopitar, Carter, Williams, Stoll, Lewis, Toffoli, and Pearson. King's contract is up, but I'd like to see him back. I see no reason why we need both Clifford and Nolan, so I'd like to see one moved.

Greene and Mitchell are both up. With how they've played this year I couldn't image they both are resigned, and wouldn't be shocked if they're both gone. We do have D prospects I wouldn't mind seeing a look at.

As far as guys like Brown and Richards, they definitely had bad years, but I'm inclined to see them around next year and see how they respond. If they still are playing poor during next season they could be moved. I wouldn't mind seeing them moved in the off season, but I've got a feeling they will play better after a break so who knows.
- PancakesPenner

Well-rounded post. We could let both Greene and Mitchell go in favor of one kid and one addition. Also, having both Muzzin and Martinez is becoming rapidly redundant. I'd rather see a different youngster in one of their spots. They both make the same mistakes and have the same upside. Kind of a wash. Let's try something different. Clifford can go, I'd rather we keep Nolan. Stoll is a toss-up but let's see how he does next season before we clear his "X".

Trade for Spezza in the summer anyone ? This team is built well. They need one more strong offensive presents though.

What would y'all be willing to give up ??

Trade for Spezza in the summer anyone ? This team is built well. They need one more strong offensive presents though.

What would y'all be willing to give up ??
- Erik6Karlsson5

I don't see enough of the Sens to know who on the Kings roster they would want/need.

I don't see enough of the Sens to know who on the Kings roster they would want/need.
- PancakesPenner

They need a #2 D-Man to play with Karlsson first & foremost. I know those aren't cheap but I Believe we'll be shopping Spezza to fill that massive hole.

I don't see Kings games, well ever on the east coast, who on defence could you see coming back our way. I know Doughty is untouchable. Oh man would that be sweet though

They need a #2 D-Man to play with Karlsson first & foremost. I know those aren't cheap but I Believe we'll be shopping Spezza to fill that massive hole.

I don't see Kings games, well ever on the east coast, who on defence could you see coming back our way. I know Doughty is untouchable. Oh man would that be sweet though
- Erik6Karlsson5

In my opinion a 2-D is the same thing the Kings need. We have a couple of young talented Dmen besides Doughty, but none that can play Doughty/Karlsson type minutes. In my opinion at least.

In a very general sense, this Kings team is starting to remind me of San Jose before the recent "re-tooling." Very solid roster that can control games, but only when they are able to dictate the pace. When LA is able to slow the game down, their puck possession is scary. Just like San Jose before adding speed, though, fast teams present a big issue. A fast, aggressive attack/forecheck prevents the team from being able to set the pace. I don't necessarily think it's time to panic in LA, even if this series ends in four. Moving a couple of veteran pieces for youth and speed in the off season would be huge, without having to take any major steps back. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lombardi fleece a team looking for veteran D (re: the return DW got for Douglas Murray).

I watch a lot of LA games, but obviously you guys would know better, so definitely interested to get your perspectives.

What about trading Richards, Toffolli, Voynov and LA's first round pick to the jets for Kane, Little and the Jets first round pick?

In a very general sense, this Kings team is starting to remind me of San Jose before the recent "re-tooling." Very solid roster that can control games, but only when they are able to dictate the pace. When LA is able to slow the game down, their puck possession is scary. Just like San Jose before adding speed, though, fast teams present a big issue. A fast, aggressive attack/forecheck prevents the team from being able to set the pace. I don't necessarily think it's time to panic in LA, even if this series ends in four. Moving a couple of veteran pieces for youth and speed in the off season would be huge, without having to take any major steps back. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lombardi fleece a team looking for veteran D (re: the return DW got for Douglas Murray).

I watch a lot of LA games, but obviously you guys would know better, so definitely interested to get your perspectives.
- Fitzy

You're definitely right on about the speed. Teams with speed, most obvious being Chicago but Columbus is another example, give the Kings trouble.

Rebuild
- Whiskey-Tango

Changes for sure...it's been a shocking series for L.A....lots of team weakness exposed for sure.

Regehr is done as an NHL regular.
Sad

Regehr is done as an NHL regular.
Sad
- FLflames34

How is that sad... Regher was a one trick pony.

How is that sad... Regher was a one trick pony.
- Reveen

He was the best dman for Calgary for many years, until he blew his knee out (in 10?)
Many great careers end prematurely based on this. Sucks. Wouldn't have minded seeing him win. He will never be a HOFee, but the only reason he is still playing is bc of D Sutt. He really was dang good not too long ago.

How is that sad... Regher was a one trick pony.
- Reveen

OHHHHH YEAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

OHHHHH YEAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!
- al3535

I think Sutter might be gone. We all know DL has loyalty. But its clear that Sutter has already got stale with this team. I think Greene and Mitchelle are both gone unless Mitchelle is willing to come back for really cheap. Both those guys being gone doesnt make me lose any sleep. Im fine letting Amart and Muzzin get more games. I feel its more a two way dman / offensive dman game right now anyhow. A strictly defensive dman needs to skate really good in this league.

Im also hoping that Clifford is gone. I hope we can get a 2nd rounder in this or next years draft for him. Like a previous poster noted. Id rather have Nolan. Id like to have King for another year on a 3rd line role. Id like to hope we can fit Gabby into the mix for next year. Id like to see a younger offensive minded coach come in. With assistants who can keep the defense in control.

Muzzin is a bigger risk than Amart only because he has major issues with himself when he plays bad. He cant seem to keep his head in check and brush off a bad game.

Jason, I wish you could break down that total failure of a 4-2 led by brown. IIRC he had a dman joining the play high and instead of trying to hit him with a pass as he skated into the zone, the cap decided to weakly throw towards the net and I think a dman was rig in front if him and deflected it out of play. If I had a nickel for every time he's made that play or a very similar momentum killing play, I'd be a season ticket holder ON THE GLASS. He is a hockey dunce whose mental mistakes were covered up or ignored by his stat line or the huge heart and hitting that he played with. But now the heart and definitely the hitting has dried up and we're left with bonehead plays over and over. He turned the puck over twice on the same play at the end of the first power play (he actually got it back once only to fumble it away for good) with Richards right there waiting for a pass that never came. Later he went for a hit and was so intent in the hit, which he missed, that he skated right by an errant puck that lay there at the offensive zone blue line. When he's on the boards down by the goal line, where anyone else would look to make a pass, he shoots it towards the net on a terrible angle, with no one in front for a rebound or anything, just to put it towards the net... WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS GUY???