Jason Lewis: Darryl Sutter Should Keep Brown and Kopitar Separated

Jason Lewis: Darryl Sutter Should Keep Brown and Kopitar Seperated
- Jason_Lewis

What a great read. I hope Kings management reads this blog. (we should think this is what they look at as well) With the stats backing it up up and all the good points you make.....Who is the best choice for Kopi and Gaborik? King's game fits but his skill level might not really warrant being on the first line. Lewis is in kinda in the same boat. Both hustle but are not top line skill level. We need another Toffoli, He plays heavy and gets the loose puck. Kessel would be good...........cap space please!

This is a tough position to fill, I really don't know who to throw in there with the current personel. Maybe rent Jagr? IDK, I would like to hear you weigh in on how to fix the first line. You pin pointed the issue with that line, but is there a solution?

What a great read. I hope Kings management reads this blog. (we should think this is what they look at as well) With the stats backing it up up and all the good points you make.....Who is the best choice for Kopi and Gaborik? King's game fits but his skill level might not really warrant being on the first line. Lewis is in kinda in the same boat. Both hustle but are not top line skill level. We need another Toffoli, He plays heavy and gets the loose puck. Kessel would be good...........cap space please!
- dprice818

Tanner Pearson imo would be the perfect guy to put in there

Kessel I wouldn't go after. He needs the puck also.

As far as an outside target goes? Oh shoot ummmm someone like a David Perron would actually have been an excellent pick up. Troy Brouwer is another guy who is really thriving in that role alongside Ovechkin. Think players along that line.

Great article, love the 'King Cobra' reference, haha. Question though, who is this team's best option with Gabotar? You mentioned King, but does Richards work? Not sure why but I don't think we've seen the last of that guy.

Great article, love the 'King Cobra' reference, haha. Question though, who is this team's best option with Gabotar? You mentioned King, but does Richards work? Not sure why but I don't think we've seen the last of that guy.
- Gretz2Kurri

At this juncture I'd honestly say Lewis or Williams.

At this juncture I'd honestly say Lewis or Williams.
- Jason_Lewis

I agree, at what cost would we do better for that line? I forgot about williams though, and I was thinking about Pearson (and cursing a little to myself) I'm going to go back a few steps and just agree......Like the Offspring say...................keep em seperated

I agree, at what cost would we do better for that line? I forgot about williams though, and I was thinking about Pearson (and cursing a little to myself) I'm going to go back a few steps and just agree......Like the Offspring say...................keep em seperated
- dprice818

Problem for Williams is that it's asking him to play his off wing.

At this juncture I'd honestly say Lewis or Williams.
- Jason_Lewis

I would say Lewis would work better than Williams. don't know why Suts broke that up in the first place

I would say Lewis would work better than Williams. don't know why Suts broke that up in the first place
- MikeOxbyg

Yea and you'd be messing with Williams and/or Gaborik's natural position. Both prefer RW. Lewis can play any position.


Even goalie.

Thank you Jason, I've been saying this FOR YEARS, literally. Every one at another site thinks I hate Brown, but I really just hate him playing with Kopitar. Brown is a momentum KILLER with all his stick handling and his turnovers. Every stride that Brown has the puck is one less second for Kopi to be looking to make something happen. A couple of years ago, I was saying that Richards must've hated seeing 23 on his line too, for the same reason. If Brown would just know his role, give up the puck before the red line and head to the front!! I've always thought Browns best bet would be on the 3rd line with Stoll for the same reasons you mentioned (Stoll doesn't need to possess the puck all the time). So great to read this blog as it vindicates my biggest complaints that would get answered with "look how many goals Brown scores..." barf! They never have the ability to see how many MORE goals he could've had by giving the puck up!!
What do you think about Curtis Glencross fitting that spot? The money probably doesnt allow it, but I think it might be great.

Great stuff as usual Jason, keep up the good fight.

Unrelated, but do you think the Kings will recall Mike Richards as a 13th/14th forward once the playoffs start (assuming they make the playoffs)?

Unrelated, but do you think the Kings will recall Mike Richards as a 13th/14th forward once the playoffs start (assuming they make the playoffs)?
- jmatchett383

I don't think it would be out of the question at all if he is still with the team.

http://lakingsinsider.com...ame-that-can-be-improved/

Sutter offered a terse explanation of what he’s looking for from Brown.

“He’s a much better player when he goes up and down his wing and goes to the net and when he’s strong on the wall,” Darryl Sutter said. “Get pucks out, get pucks in.”

Great article, love the 'King Cobra' reference, haha. Question though, who is this team's best option with Gabotar? You mentioned King, but does Richards work? Not sure why but I don't think we've seen the last of that guy.
- Gretz2Kurri

Richards just doesn't have the mobilty, drive, or energy King does right now. I thought Lewis was completing Kopitar and Gaborik just fine don't know it switched. With Brown on 3rd and Lewis on the first, that's three very balanced and threatening lines, with the 4th playing their role well also.

Richards just doesn't have the mobilty, drive, or energy King does right now. I thought Lewis was completing Kopitar and Gaborik just fine don't know it switched. With Brown on 3rd and Lewis on the first, that's three very balanced and threatening lines, with the 4th playing their role well also.
- CrownedKing

Agreed. Unless Stoll goes down with an injury, I can't foresee MR coming back in any other capacity than a 3rd C.

Richards just doesn't have the mobilty, drive, or energy King does right now. I thought Lewis was completing Kopitar and Gaborik just fine don't know it switched. With Brown on 3rd and Lewis on the first, that's three very balanced and threatening lines, with the 4th playing their role well also.
- CrownedKing

I think DL is going to try to deal him, but may not be able too. That being said, since he still counts against the cap, the more likely scenario is around playoff time. Just a gut feeling.

I think DL is going to try to deal him, but may not be able too. That being said, since he still counts against the cap, the more likely scenario is around playoff time. Just a gut feeling.
- Gretz2Kurri

we know what he is capable of, what better time is there for him to make a statement than during the playoffs?

Unrelated, but do you think the Kings will recall Mike Richards as a 13th/14th forward once the playoffs start (assuming they make the playoffs)?
- jmatchett383

Depending on how far Manchester goes in the postseason, the Kings will recall Richards, as well as every other player on the Monarchs' roster with a NHL contract, in the group of "Black Aces", just as they did last year.

5/4/2014 - Kings Recall Six Players

5/7/2014 - Kings Recall Seven Players

Whether or not he will crack the lineup is a different question entirely.

Depending on how far Manchester goes in the postseason, the Kings will recall Richards, as well as every other player on the Monarchs' roster with a NHL contract, in the group of "Black Aces", just as they did last year.

5/4/2014 - Kings Recall Six Players

5/7/2014 - Kings Recall Seven Players

Whether or not he will crack the lineup is a different question entirely.
- tkecanuck341

I feel like its the MR rehab experiment. He was solid in the playoffs last season. I will be fine seeing him play in place of Andreoff, shore....maybe Nolan (although Nolan has been great as of late) Richard is part of the cup winning team chemistry. I for one want nothing more than to see him get his shyt together and play NHL hockey.....in that order of course.
He is good still but his contract makes him a sour point.

I wonder if we could trade Richards for Glencross. Glencross said he wants out, so that hurts their hand a bit. Richards would give them a veteran hand amidst all the young players, and sticking him with two speedy wingers might hide how slow he is. Plus, they are horrible at faceoffs so he could help there, and on the PK, where CAL is 21st (on one of the Kings sites there is an article pointing out statistically how much better Richie has been than Stoll on the PK this year, not gonna take the time to find it). While we'd also have to retain salary or throw in a prospect, I'm into it. Give them Forbort or Lintuniemi because they have enough puck moving defenseman. Just none of our picks from this draft please!

I wonder if we could trade Richards for Glencross. Glencross said he wants out, so that hurts their hand a bit. Richards would give them a veteran hand amidst all the young players, and sticking him with two speedy wingers might hide how slow he is. Plus, they are horrible at faceoffs so he could help there, and on the PK, where CAL is 21st (on one of the Kings sites there is an article pointing out statistically how much better Richie has been than Stoll on the PK this year, not gonna take the time to find it). While we'd also have to retain salary or throw in a prospect, I'm into it. Give them Forbort or Lintuniemi because they have enough puck moving defenseman. Just none of our picks from this draft please!
- CrownedKing

I'd rather we go after Yandle, and solidify the back-end. I don't think we need Glencross.

I'd rather we go after Yandle, and solidify the back-end. I don't think we need Glencross.
- Ersberg

Obviously go after Yandle, but we all know the price is going to be sky high. I'm hoping Richards would be part of the deal just to make the money work. Let's say we do trade for Yandle, would it look something like this Richards, Weal, Forbort, and a 1st for Yandle and maybe a low end prospect?.... I really have no idea, but we all know ARZ is wanting one of Pearson or Toffoli, which to be honest Toffoli is the one that would be staying if it had to be one of the two. I'm not saying trade Pearson because I would HATE for that to happen but we all know you have to give in order to get sometimes

Obviously go after Yandle, but we all know the price is going to be sky high. I'm hoping Richards would be part of the deal just to make the money work. Let's say we do trade for Yandle, would it look something like this Richards, Weal, Forbort, and a 1st for Yandle and maybe a low end prospect?.... I really have no idea, but we all know ARZ is wanting one of Pearson or Toffoli, which to be honest Toffoli is the one that would be staying if it had to be one of the two. I'm not saying trade Pearson because I would HATE for that to happen but we all know you have to give in order to get sometimes
- RobitailleFAN20

I doubt they'd want Weal. Probably Kempe or McKeown+.

I doubt they'd want Weal. Probably Kempe or McKeown+.
- Ersberg

I specifically didn't throw in those names because I'd rather not trade for Yandle if it requires those guys being traded. Just what I think