Adam Kirshenblatt: The Kings win their fifth in a row, so now what do we do?

Both teams had their chances, and neither could capitalize. Just one of those games. Obviously, Quick is feeling it right now, which is good. Mitchell is a huge upgrade over Laich for sure. Can't wait till Carts is back in the lineup - out.

So now what do we do?

Let them stay on the road, their road record is sic, their home record is sick

Muzzin actually improved a lot on this road trip, MacD is MacD, I know everyone considers him a liability but I am willing to be more patient with him in hopes that he straightens some areas of his game out.

Fantenberg and Folin have proved to be serviceable so I don't know why would would even look at that dumpster fire Schenn again... I still think there could be a better piece out there for our Defense, but it will cost Muzzin or Martinez to find out. I am still leaning toward Muzzin to be the one if that scenario pans out. There is a lot of loyalty there with Him and Martinez so I am guessing they will leave the back end alone.

If Gaborik is the Ferrari then what does that make Kempe?

Still not sold on Shore as 2nd line C, I liked the direction Stevens headed in with his late game shuffles.

Pearson looked a little better on the top line with Brown and Kopi, but I would have moved Iafallo back with Kempe and Gaborik.

Blow up the 2nd line a little by going Toff, Lewis/Dowd, Brodz

And leave the 4th Jokinen Mitchell Lewis/Clifford (when available)


One thing is clear though... we don't need Andreoff

Carter due back in a month? Says who?

Also, how would Chara fit under the salary cap?

Muzzin actually improved a lot on this road trip, MacD is MacD, I know everyone considers him a liability but I am willing to be more patient with him in hopes that he straightens some areas of his game out.

Fantenberg and Folin have proved to be serviceable so I don't know why would would even look at that dumpster fire Schenn again... I still think there could be a better piece out there for our Defense, but it will cost Muzzin or Martinez to find out. I am still leaning toward Muzzin to be the one if that scenario pans out. There is a lot of loyalty there with Him and Martinez so I am guessing they will leave the back end alone.

If Gaborik is the Ferrari then what does that make Kempe?

Still not sold on Shore as 2nd line C, I liked the direction Stevens headed in with his late game shuffles.

Pearson looked a little better on the top line with Brown and Kopi, but I would have moved Iafallo back with Kempe and Gaborik.

Blow up the 2nd line a little by going Toff, Lewis/Dowd, Brodz

And leave the 4th Jokinen Mitchell Lewis/Clifford (when available)


One thing is clear though... we don't need Andreoff
- MikeOxbyg

Ikr, put Muzzin with Doughty and he starts throwing his scraggly little body around and plays some decent D. It's almost like he is protesting not being paired with DD by being barely serviceable. Go figure. It was funny watching Muzz try to lay out fools with big hits. Almost like a child...

Carter due back in a month? Says who?

Also, how would Chara fit under the salary cap?
- CUP4LA

Carter is supposed to be back no earlier than February. I don't know who says otherwise? Bruins will stay in playoff picture so likely Chase is going nowhere. Where are you hearing this?

Carter due back in a month? Says who?

Also, how would Chara fit under the salary cap?
- CUP4LA

http://www.thehockeynews....-cole-could-be-next-moved

However, they could wait for Jeff Carter's return from a leg injury in late-December or early-January before deciding if they need another forward.

The salary cap is a whole other issue and could take a whole other blog to deal with, I was just giving options that are out there.

Muzzin actually improved a lot on this road trip, MacD is MacD, I know everyone considers him a liability but I am willing to be more patient with him in hopes that he straightens some areas of his game out.

Fantenberg and Folin have proved to be serviceable so I don't know why would would even look at that dumpster fire Schenn again... I still think there could be a better piece out there for our Defense, but it will cost Muzzin or Martinez to find out. I am still leaning toward Muzzin to be the one if that scenario pans out. There is a lot of loyalty there with Him and Martinez so I am guessing they will leave the back end alone.

If Gaborik is the Ferrari then what does that make Kempe?

Still not sold on Shore as 2nd line C, I liked the direction Stevens headed in with his late game shuffles.

Pearson looked a little better on the top line with Brown and Kopi, but I would have moved Iafallo back with Kempe and Gaborik.

Blow up the 2nd line a little by going Toff, Lewis/Dowd, Brodz

And leave the 4th Jokinen Mitchell Lewis/Clifford (when available)


One thing is clear though... we don't need Andreoff
- MikeOxbyg

If Muzzin or Martinez get traded, it will be for offensive help, not for a new defensive option.

They call Gaborik Ferrari because he drives a Ferrari (He cut me off on the 110 freeway in it once), and apparently enjoys the high-class lifestyle. It doesn't have anything to do with his on-ice play.

As soon as Carter comes back (hopefully the February estimate doesn't get further pushed back), Shore will be back on the 4th line. The 1st and 3rd lines mesh really well, so there's no reason to mess with that chemistry right now. The only other alternative with Carter out is to put Jokinen at 2C, which I suppose is worth a shot if Shore doesn't start to produce.

Dowd is in Stevens' doghouse for some reason, he's not going to get a look on the 2nd line. The Gaborik/Kempe/Lewis line has been really good for the last couple games, not sure that I want to break that up.

If Muzzin or Martinez get traded, it will be for offensive help, not for a new defensive option.

They call Gaborik Ferrari because he drives a Ferrari (He cut me off on the 110 freeway in it once), and apparently enjoys the high-class lifestyle. It doesn't have anything to do with his on-ice play.

As soon as Carter comes back (hopefully the February estimate doesn't get further pushed back), Shore will be back on the 4th line. The 1st and 3rd lines mesh really well, so there's no reason to mess with that chemistry right now. The only other alternative with Carter out is to put Jokinen at 2C, which I suppose is worth a shot if Shore doesn't start to produce.

Dowd is in Stevens' doghouse for some reason, he's not going to get a look on the 2nd line. The Gaborik/Kempe/Lewis line has been really good for the last couple games, not sure that I want to break that up.
- tkecanuck341

1. thanks for the clarification on the Ferrari thing
2. I was just suggesting other options
3. you are right about the chemistry
4. when Carter is back, we will have Kopi Carter Kempe and Mitchell down the middle and I think that will be very strong and cause other teams a problem

1. thanks for the clarification on the Ferrari thing
2. I was just suggesting other options
3. you are right about the chemistry
4. when Carter is back, we will have Kopi Carter Kempe and Mitchell down the middle and I think that will be very strong and cause other teams a problem
- MikeOxbyg

I've been pretty unimpressed by Torrey Mitchell thus far. I think I'd rather see Shore on the 4th line between Clifford and Jokinen once Carter comes back.

I've been pretty unimpressed by Torrey Mitchell thus far. I think I'd rather see Shore on the 4th line between Clifford and Jokinen once Carter comes back.
- tkecanuck341

1 game? you gave Shore a much larger sample size than that

http://www.thehockeynews.com/rumors/article/rumor-roundup-sabres-kane-penguins-cole-could-be-next-moved



The salary cap is a whole other issue and could take a whole other blog to deal with, I was just giving options that are out there.
- Adam Kirshenblatt

(frank) that article THN is trash. I wish Carts was back tomorrow. It would nicely clean up that void at 2C and probably give us back that lethal 70's line; but alas:

https://www.tsn.ca/kings-...turn-in-february-1.916506

(frank) that article THN is trash. I wish Carts was back tomorrow. It would nicely clean up that void at 2C and probably give us back that lethal 70's line; but alas:

https://www.tsn.ca/kings-...turn-in-february-1.916506
- verwustung

House of Cards

House of Cards
- rubberduckies

WTF are you trying to say, Quack? Trying to start some poop?

1 game? you gave Shore a much larger sample size than that
- MikeOxbyg

I'm not saying that I think that Mitchell played poorly in his first game, or that 1 game is enough to see what he's capable of, but rather that I'm not overly excited about what he brings to the lineup. The Clifford-Shore-Lewis line was exceptional during the first six games before Carter was injured. Lewis has been working out really well on the speedy 3rd line, but if that line starts to slump, I'd like to see the Narnia line reunited.

The only area that I see Mitchell's skillset being an improvement the Kings is with faceoffs. Mitchell has a 60%+ FO% this season (albeit with a small sample size), while Shore is exactly 50%. I don't know if that's enough to warrant him a regular spot in the lineup.

I'm not saying that I think that Mitchell played poorly in his first game, or that 1 game is enough to see what he's capable of, but rather that I'm not overly excited about what he brings to the lineup. The Clifford-Shore-Lewis line was exceptional during the first six games before Carter was injured. Lewis has been working out really well on the speedy 3rd line, but if that line starts to slump, I'd like to see the Narnia line reunited.

The only area that I see Mitchell's skillset being an improvement the Kings is with faceoffs. Mitchell has a 60%+ FO% this season (albeit with a small sample size), while Shore is exactly 50%. I don't know if that's enough to warrant him a regular spot in the lineup.
- tkecanuck341

yeah, the clifford shore lewis line was looking real good, and I would not object to seeing if that line can rekindle the chemistry and intensity it had before his injury.

when we are healthy, there will be some scratches and send downs, the only ones I can think of that we could do without is Brodz and Andreoff...

Got any other suggestions of how to shuffle things around with the current availability and then another idea on when we are 100% healthy?

I like getting your slant on things so fire away

What's going on with Matt Moulson? I understand the inner workings of what transpired, but my main questions is, why isn't he playing on the Sabres? was he slumping? injured? are they done with him? what the heck is going on?

yeah, the clifford shore lewis line was looking real good, and I would not object to seeing if that line can rekindle the chemistry and intensity it had before his injury.

when we are healthy, there will be some scratches and send downs, the only ones I can think of that we could do without is Brodz and Andreoff...

Got any other suggestions of how to shuffle things around with the current availability and then another idea on when we are 100% healthy?

I like getting your slant on things so fire away
- MikeOxbyg

Honestly, right now there's not a lot of options. I like the current make up of the Kopitar line and the Kempe line. Without Carter, Pearson & Toffoli should play with the best remaining center available. The 4th line should be made up from whomever is left. So cycle Shore, Jokinen, Dowd, Brodzinski, and Mitchell at 2C and see which one has the best chemistry with 70 & 73. Take 3 of the remaining 4 and plug them into the 4th line. The other guy can practice with the team and be a healthy scratch for games.

When everyone is healthy, I would keep the lines as is, but reunite that 70s line, and put Shore between Clifford and Jokinen. The only potential change I would make is to swap Jokinen and Lewis. At that point, I don't know that we'd necessarily have a 3rd & 4th line, but rather two "bottom six" lines that could potentially play similar minutes.

Any changes beyond that would necessitate packaging a defensemen for a center to hold us over until Carter comes back.

What's going on with Matt Moulson? I understand the inner workings of what transpired, but my main questions is, why isn't he playing on the Sabres? was he slumping? injured? are they done with him? what the heck is going on?
- MikeOxbyg

I haven't really kept up with Matt Moulson since the trade rumours a few years ago, but I imagine that 0 points in 14 games doesn't really inspire much confidence.