Steve Palumbo: Rickard Rakell is the right man for the All-Star nod

"Why are "fans" still complaining about Anaheim's goaltending?"

The fans that are complaining about Anaheim's goaltending are doing so because they are new to hockey. They can't see the mistakes made up ice and in the defensive zone that leave the Ducks' goalies hung out to dry. That is why fans would complain about two elite goalies' performance while they are pretty much dominating night after night. They are the same people who glow about how great Beauchemin is.

I don't think the Ducks would be where they are now without Gibson and Miller. They have easily stole games or at least got the Ducks to OT and earned a point for the club. I think Gibson got hosed on the All Star game but oh well. Ever since Hiller took the shot from Letang off the face and got injured during the ASG years ago, I'm ok with the Duck's goalies getting the days off. Stoked to see RR do some magic.

Man Gibson and Rakell for Tyler Biggs is still the worst deal in the world.

Good for the Ducks

No goalie complaints from me. I'm a big Gibson fan and think he's only going to get better and better. Between Andersen and Gibson, was always on the Gibson train.

Man Gibson and Rakell for Tyler Biggs is still the worst deal in the world.

Good for the Ducks
- Aaron_85

I crack up everytime I think about how we scored on that one.

Surpassed only by perhaps Teemu from the Jets for whatever we gave...

And for gosh sakes anyone complaining about Duck goalies is a complete moron... the only reason Ducks are anywhere near a playoff spot is because of both guys.. JG especially -

Fluery being chosen instead of Gibson is a complete joke. Gibson was carrying the Ducks with all the injuries your guys team had and still have yet they give the nod to a goalie who has only played 12 games? That is just unbelievable.

At just 24 years old, Rakell is coming into his own as an elite NHL scorer. He has 15 goals and 31 points in 38 games, both team highs after leading the Ducks with a career-high 33 goals last season. If you believe the word "elite" is an overstatement, consider that he was one of only 26 players in the world to score 30 or more goals in the NHL last season. That's the definition of "elite."
- Steven Palumbo

I think your standards for "elite" are a little low.

Elite implies that you're among the best of the best in the world whatever category you're being evaluated at. Last season, there were 15 other forwards in the league that scored as many or more goals than he did. That's 5 full lines worth of players that are more "elite" than he is. Not to mention that most of them do it season after season, while this was Rakell's first time in the 30 goal club.

Before you get angry and accuse me of being a biased Duck-hating Kings fan, I wouldn't call Anze Kopitar an elite goal scorer either. In fact, aside from maybe Jeff Carter (and even he's debatable), I don't think the Kings have a single "elite" goal scorer on their roster.

Rakell's a great player, and I'd love to have him on my team, but I think it's premature to start attaching the "elite" moniker to him just yet. Give him several seasons as a top-ten goal scorer, then we'll talk. But if we use your definition of elite, you could describe several hundred unworthy players in the league that way (remember Jonathan Cheechoo?).

I think your standards for "elite" are a little low.

Elite implies that you're among the best of the best in the world whatever category you're being evaluated at. Last season, there were 15 other forwards in the league that scored as many or more goals than he did. That's 5 full lines worth of players that are more "elite" than he is. Not to mention that most of them do it season after season, while this was Rakell's first time in the 30 goal club.

Before you get angry and accuse me of being a biased Duck-hating Kings fan, I wouldn't call Anze Kopitar an elite goal scorer either. In fact, aside from maybe Jeff Carter (and even he's debatable), I don't think the Kings have a single "elite" goal scorer on their roster.

Rakell's a great player, and I'd love to have him on my team, but I think it's premature to start attaching the "elite" moniker to him just yet. Give him several seasons as a top-ten goal scorer, then we'll talk. But if we use your definition of elite, you could describe several hundred unworthy players in the league that way (remember Jonathan Cheechoo?).
- tkecanuck341

As much as it pains me to agree with King fan, I concur.

As much as it pains me to agree with King fan, I concur.
- yzermaneely

Makes two of us.

What's up with this State Farm agent doing a discount double check? Inferiority complex?? Now here is something for your eyes, so grip your phone with both hands (not that you were compensating for anything), and let me lay it on you:

Rickard Rakell is freaking awesome, and I am very happy to see him make the All-Star team. He's a fun player to watch, and I know I'm not the only one who gets excited when it's his shift. He finds a way to make things happen, and then the puck is in the net. Definitely a leader on this team.

I mean, if you look at the Kings, it's the old war horses that have all seen better days. That has to suck for Kings fans, the young gun that punishes them on the reg gets the nod, while it's the same old story in Los Angeles. It's not to say that foes can't be friends, but two wrongs don't make a right, and if it looks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck then it's a Duck. Petty small talk aside, 2+2=4 and the young gun is finding himself with the old Kings. Hopefully this won't pan out like The Lord of the Rings. I mean ... Nazguls are tenacious fighters *nonchalantly sips milk*, but were no match for Strider ... nor rivers truth be told. And I'm not talking about the bastard from the Trident, because that'd mean I'd have all my lore mixed up, and that's not the case OK? Got it. Better.

Gibby was snubbed, but let's face it, with how this team's been playing he needs the extra rest. In all seriousness, he's matured, and that's been fun to watch. Hopefully Getzlaf can do him a solid in one of these OTs after the break.

Congrats again Rakell! Have fun and enjoy yourself! You deserve it dude!

I have no idea who thinks Gibson wasn't playing very good, all I know is if Gibby, and to a lesser extent Miller, hadn't played as well as they have for the first half of the season, the Ducks would be in the Dahlin sweepstakes.
The boys were out playing golf recently, and I got to play with them. The course has been packed during the holiday so our director of golf didn't think it was a good idea to send them out by themselves, so I got 3 1/2 hrs. with them. Here's the stuff I can tell you.
Kesler is about 70% max right now. There's really nothing else they can do medically, he just has to play to strengthen the outer leg muscles. They figure he should be almost 100% by the playoffs (if they make it )

Murray and Samueli were furious with Getzlaf earlier this year. His first injury was sustained playing beach volleyball a week before the season started. Teemu saw him at Coto de Caza after the fact and even he asked him what the hell he was thinking.

They haven't been too happy with Brandon Montour this year. They think the competition with Shea Theodore last year kept him hungry and on his toes. Now that Theodore is gone there's no competition and they feel he's a little more complacent. Once Jacob Larsson gets healthy the Ducks might call him up so Brandon has something to think about. Carlyle LOVES Larsson.

They also talked about trades the Ducks might do but they made me swear not to tell anybody. They were thisclose on Duchene, but didn't want to give up the players and the first rounder. Then Henrique happened almost immediately after.

What's up with this State Farm agent doing a discount double check? Inferiority complex?? Now here is something for your eyes, so grip your phone with both hands (not that you were compensating for anything), and let me lay it on you:

Rickard Rakell is freaking awesome, and I am very happy to see him make the All-Star team. He's a fun player to watch, and I know I'm not the only one who gets excited when it's his shift. He finds a way to make things happen, and then the puck is in the net. Definitely a leader on this team.

I mean, if you look at the Kings, it's the old war horses that have all seen better days. That has to suck for Kings fans, the young gun that punishes them on the reg gets the nod, while it's the same old story in Los Angeles. It's not to say that foes can't be friends, but two wrongs don't make a right, and if it looks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck then it's a Duck. Petty small talk aside, 2+2=4 and the young gun is finding himself with the old Kings. Hopefully this won't pan out like The Lord of the Rings. I mean ... Nazguls are tenacious fighters *nonchalantly sips milk*, but were no match for Strider ... nor rivers truth be told. And I'm not talking about the bastard from the Trident, because that'd mean I'd have all my lore mixed up, and that's not the case OK? Got it. Better.

Gibby was snubbed, but let's face it, with how this team's been playing he needs the extra rest. In all seriousness, he's matured, and that's been fun to watch. Hopefully Getzlaf can do him a solid in one of these OTs after the break.

Congrats again Rakell! Have fun and enjoy yourself! You deserve it dude!
- IGotTheMemo

What???

What's up with this State Farm agent doing a discount double check? Inferiority complex?? Now here is something for your eyes, so grip your phone with both hands (not that you were compensating for anything), and let me lay it on you:

Rickard Rakell is freaking awesome, and I am very happy to see him make the All-Star team. He's a fun player to watch, and I know I'm not the only one who gets excited when it's his shift. He finds a way to make things happen, and then the puck is in the net. Definitely a leader on this team.

I mean, if you look at the Kings, it's the old war horses that have all seen better days. That has to suck for Kings fans, the young gun that punishes them on the reg gets the nod, while it's the same old story in Los Angeles. It's not to say that foes can't be friends, but two wrongs don't make a right, and if it looks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck then it's a Duck. Petty small talk aside, 2+2=4 and the young gun is finding himself with the old Kings. Hopefully this won't pan out like The Lord of the Rings. I mean ... Nazguls are tenacious fighters *nonchalantly sips milk*, but were no match for Strider ... nor rivers truth be told. And I'm not talking about the bastard from the Trident, because that'd mean I'd have all my lore mixed up, and that's not the case OK? Got it. Better.

Gibby was snubbed, but let's face it, with how this team's been playing he needs the extra rest. In all seriousness, he's matured, and that's been fun to watch. Hopefully Getzlaf can do him a solid in one of these OTs after the break.

Congrats again Rakell! Have fun and enjoy yourself! You deserve it dude!
- IGotTheMemo

By "old war horses" You mean players in the running for Norris, Selke and Vezina? And with his 3 goals and 7 assists in 5 years playing against the Kings isn't exactly punishing the Kings on the reg. And not sure if you paid any attention to the Kings last year, but this year isn't the same old story for the Kings, especially the "old war horses" as you say. Rackell has 1 less point then Dustin Brown, so if you think Rackell is deserving, then Brown is just as deserving and the Kings could have had 4 guys represented.

Maybe he’s correct! We should get rid of those old war horses like Taffoli 18 goals at age 25 or Kempe age 21 with 13 goals, or mabe Tanner Pearson age 25 with his 25 points!

What???
- arh777

LOL. I had the very same reaction.

What's up with this State Farm agent doing a discount double check? Inferiority complex?? Now here is something for your eyes, so grip your phone with both hands (not that you were compensating for anything), and let me lay it on you:

Rickard Rakell is freaking awesome, and I am very happy to see him make the All-Star team. He's a fun player to watch, and I know I'm not the only one who gets excited when it's his shift. He finds a way to make things happen, and then the puck is in the net. Definitely a leader on this team.

I mean, if you look at the Kings, it's the old war horses that have all seen better days. That has to suck for Kings fans, the young gun that punishes them on the reg gets the nod, while it's the same old story in Los Angeles. It's not to say that foes can't be friends, but two wrongs don't make a right, and if it looks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck then it's a Duck. Petty small talk aside, 2+2=4 and the young gun is finding himself with the old Kings. Hopefully this won't pan out like The Lord of the Rings. I mean ... Nazguls are tenacious fighters *nonchalantly sips milk*, but were no match for Strider ... nor rivers truth be told. And I'm not talking about the bastard from the Trident, because that'd mean I'd have all my lore mixed up, and that's not the case OK? Got it. Better.

Gibby was snubbed, but let's face it, with how this team's been playing he needs the extra rest. In all seriousness, he's matured, and that's been fun to watch. Hopefully Getzlaf can do him a solid in one of these OTs after the break.

Congrats again Rakell! Have fun and enjoy yourself! You deserve it dude!
- IGotTheMemo

You have a problem with State Farm Agents?

Not gonna lie, I'd be pretty stoked to have the chance to play with Kopi and Doughty

You have a problem with State Farm Agents?
- yzermaneely

It's slang for people with inferiority complexes, a very common trait amongst humans. They feel inferior (for whatever reason) and therefore discount people's accomplishments in an attempt to compensate for their shortcomings. I refer to these people as State Farm agents because in the hugely promoted marketing campaign with NFL star Aaron Rodgers, he would do a "discount double check" to make sure State Farm clients got the best rate possible. I adopted this slogan as a way to describe people like tkecanuck341 . And TBH, of all the regulars here, I thought you of all people would get this.

It's slang for people with inferiority complexes, a very common trait amongst humans. They feel inferior (for whatever reason) and therefore discount people's accomplishments in an attempt to compensate for their shortcomings. I refer to these people as State Farm agents because in the hugely promoted marketing campaign with NFL star Aaron Rodgers, he would do a "discount double check" to make sure State Farm clients got the best rate possible. I adopted this slogan as a way to describe people like tkecanuck341 . And TBH, of all the regulars here, I thought you of all people would get this.
- IGotTheMemo

I didn't discount Rakell's accomplishments at all. In fact, I said he was a great player that I would love to have on my team. I'm not sure why you get so hostile about every little thing that I write.

My only swipe here was at an overzealous blogger that used "elite" outside of its commonly understood definition when describing hockey players. I think Rakell has been a quality goal scorer in his relatively short career thus far, but I wouldn't put him in the "elite" category just yet. If he continues to pot 30 and 40 goal seasons, then we can have that conversation.

By "old war horses" You mean players in the running for Norris, Selke and Vezina? And with his 3 goals and 7 assists in 5 years playing against the Kings isn't exactly punishing the Kings on the reg. And not sure if you paid any attention to the Kings last year, but this year isn't the same old story for the Kings, especially the "old war horses" as you say. Rackell has 1 less point then Dustin Brown, so if you think Rackell is deserving, then Brown is just as deserving and the Kings could have had 4 guys represented.
- LAkings96

I mean LA's season has been miraculous, I'll give you that. I know there are many people in la la land that are thrilled to see Kopitar earning his contract. I mean, that had to be tough last year watching that. So I guess it's nice for Kings fans to see him put together a decent first half of the regular season.

With that being said, Brown isn't All-Star material, and to suggest such is folly. You conveniently left out games played in your comparison of Rakell and Brown, as Rakell has substantially less games played. Given Rakell's PPG stat; he's in a different league than Brown if you compared it by that metric. And that's why he's an All-Star and Brown isn't.

Don't worry, I've see this phenomenon before. Kings fans are notoriously known for grasping and holding on for dear life to anything to make themselves look right. It's interesting for me, because you guys haven't had any material to work with for at least 3 years. I mean, watching you guys defend the Bishop trade was hilarious.

With all that being said, it is very apparent with this All-Star selection that Rakell is the future of hockey here in socal, and it's good to see him get the league recognition he deserves.

I mean LA's season has been miraculous, I'll give you that. I know there are many people in la la land that are thrilled to see Kopitar earning his contract. I mean, that had to be tough last year watching that. So I guess it's nice for Kings fans to see him put together a decent first half of the regular season.

With that being said, Brown isn't All-Star material, and to suggest such is folly. You conveniently left out games played in your comparison of Rakell and Brown, as Rakell has substantially less games played. Given Rakell's PPG stat; he's in a different league than Brown if you compared it by that metric. And that's why he's an All-Star and Brown isn't.

Don't worry, I've see this phenomenon before. Kings fans are notoriously known for grasping and holding on for dear life to anything to make themselves look right. It's interesting for me, because you guys haven't had any material to work with for at least 3 years. I mean, watching you guys defend the Bishop trade was hilarious.

With all that being said, it is very apparent with this All-Star selection that Rakell is the future of hockey here in socal, and it's good to see him get the league recognition he deserves.
- IGotTheMemo

By substantially do you mean 4 games? Because Rackell has played 38 games to Browns 42. And Just FYI Brown has been an All-Star before.

I didn't discount Rakell's accomplishments at all. In fact, I said he was a great player that I would love to have on my team. I'm not sure why you get so hostile about every little thing that I write.

My only swipe here was at an overzealous blogger that used "elite" outside of its commonly understood definition when describing hockey players. I think Rakell has been a quality goal scorer in his relatively short career thus far, but I wouldn't put him in the "elite" category just yet. If he continues to pot 30 and 40 goal seasons, then we can have that conversation.
- tkecanuck341

You discounted his accomplishment's with your little writings. I know a State Farm agent when I see one, and I'm not going to put up with it. There's nothing hostile here, I'm just calling it for what it is.

Since the latter part of the 2015-2016 season, Rakell's really stepped up his game. He's consistently getting open and finding the back of the net. There's a reason why Getzlaf is 3rd in PPG production, and that reason is Rakell. The guy's an effective goal scorer.

Is Rakell a star? He's getting close to that, but with his play the past 2 years, it's safe to say he's elite.

By substantially do you mean 4 games? Because Rackell has played 38 games to Browns 42. And Just FYI Brown has been an All-Star before.
- LAkings96

Exactly my point, Rakell would have 5 or 6 more points than Brown. And that's why he's elite and Brown isn't. I know it's nice for Kings fans to see the a player of yesteryear have a resurgence, but I'm calling it for what it is.

Exactly my point, Rakell would have 5 or 6 more points than Brown. And that's why he's elite and Brown isn't. I know it's nice for Kings fans to see the a player of yesteryear have a resurgence, but I'm calling it for what it is.
- IGotTheMemo

You do realize that adding 5 or 6 more points would just put him inside the top 50 players in the league? Perron has played in 4 less games the Rackell and has more points, is he elite?.

You do realize that everything you are saying about Kings fans, you are literally doing right now?