Great game between the Kings and Sharks last night, but despite their very best efforts, LA still couldn't grab the win.
Now they're down 0-3 and in danger of getting swept by their arch rivals, who they beat just one year ago.
If LA loses, will we see a big shakeup in Tinseltown? All of a sudden, the possibility of Darryl Sutter and his assistant John Stevens becoming available doesn't seem quite so far-fetched. Just two years after winning the Cup...
I think there are some circumstances working against the Kings this time around. Remember, they got incredibly lucky last year with some puck-over-the-glass calls that tipped their series against the Sharks in their favour?
This year, they're dealing with an injured Drew Doughty—whose will is strong but whose left shoulder probably isn't. He's such an important part of their team but is clearly not able to bring 100 percent of his game.
And Jonathan Quick's in one of his valleys. He wasn't bad in Game 3, and didn't get much help in the first two games, but when he's in the zone he can steal games on his own.
I'm not surprised to see Robyn Regehr struggling out there, but why is he now a better option than Matt Greene, who's four years younger and played every game in the 2012 playoff run?
The Kings aren't old. So what's happened to players like Dustin Brown, Slava Voynov and Mike Richards, who were so effective in 2012?
Here's my point: Brown and Richards are both 29—the same age as Ryan Kesler. If we think those guys won't get back to their form from two or three years ago, should we be thinking the same about Kesler?
All three play different types of games, but here's a quick statistical comparison:
Ryan Kesler
2009-10: 25-50-75, plus-1, played on US Olympic Team
2010-11: 41-32-73, plus-24, won Selke Trophy
2011-12: 22-27-49, plus-11
2012-13: 4-9-13, minus-5, only 17 games played
2013-14: 25-18-43, minus-15, played on US Olympic Team
Dustin Brown
2009-10: 24-32-56, minus-6, played on US Olympic Team
2010-11: 28-29-56, plus-17
2011-12: 22-32-54, plus-18, 20 points in 20 playoff games, won Stanley Cup
2012-13: 18-11-29, plus-6, 46 games played, only 4 points in 18 playoff games
2013-14: 15-12-27, plus-7, played on US Olympic Team, 0 points in 3 playoff games so far
Mike Richards
2009-10: 31-31-62, minus-2 (with Flyers), played on Canadian Olympic Team
2010-11: 23-43-66, plus-11 (with Flyers)
2011-12: 18-26-44, plus-3, 15 points in 20 playoff games, won Stanley Cup
2012-13: 12-20-32, minus-8, 48 games played, 12 points in 18 playoff games
2013-14: 11-30-41, minus-6, did not play on Canadian Olympic Team, 0 points in 3 playoff games so far
I noticed the change in Richards' cachet when he was left off the Canadian Olympic roster in January. I know Canada has a lot of centres, but hadn't realized that Richards' defensive game had fallen off. He seemed like such an important part of the roster in 2010, I'd just assumed he'd be back.
When you compare his output to Kesler's this season, they're similar, but Richards has been in that 40-ish point zone in the regular season ever since he got to LA. His 80-point peak was all the way back in 2008-09 with the Flyers.
Richards' ice time has increased as the series against San Jose has gone on. He started at 12 minutes in Game 1 and got all the way up to 18:49 last night. He also got his first five shots of the series last night—but finished the night a minus-two. Not sure that'll earn him more ice time in Game 4.
Brown's ice time dropped a bit in Game 3, from 16:42 to 15:05—interesting, considering the overtime. He had three of his four shots in the series last night.
So—is there a conclusion here? Why do these formerly elite players seem to be slumping just as they should be hitting their hockey prime?
I'd still argue that Kesler has done more this year. The Olympics are probably the most objective direct means of comparison. He had the highest average ice time of any US forward and, interestingly, had three assists—which runs against the idea that he's not capable of being a setup man.
Kesler was pretty adamant at the end of the season that he didn't ask to be traded after the Olympics. I believed him then and I still do. And I want him to stay—I think his intensity and his versatility are two things that the Canucks will need going forward.
But I feel like I can look more objectively at Richards and Brown—and they look like players in decline. Is my loyalty clouding my assessment of Kesler? Should the Canucks move him this summer while his trade value is still relatively high? If...of course...that the team actually has a general manager by then to make such a deal.
What do you think? Assuming a better package comes available than what was rumoured at the trade deadline...
If yes, what kind of return do you think would be enough to justify parting with Kesler? Would you swap him for either one of those Kings?
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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