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Forums :: Blog World :: Bobby Kittleberger: Where will Kovalchuk play?
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Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Jul 16 @ 10:06 AM ET
Bobby Kittleberger: Where will Kovalchuk play? A look at the potential lines for the LA King's top forward and power play units with Ilya Kovalchuk in the lineup.
claude1971
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Timmins, ON
Joined: 08.05.2010

Jul 16 @ 10:15 AM ET
In Los Angeles
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Jul 16 @ 10:16 AM ET
In Los Angeles
- claude1971


Touche.
dozerD10
Anaheim Ducks
Location: long beach, CA
Joined: 01.29.2014

Jul 16 @ 10:21 AM ET
The point looks like his best spot ... that shot is still heavy, hard and accurate....

If he plays top LW ... which I think is a given ... interesting to see how he keeps up with big minutes over the season ....
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Jul 16 @ 10:25 AM ET
The point looks like his best spot ... that shot is still heavy, hard and accurate....

If he plays top LW ... which I think is a given ... interesting to see how he keeps up with big minutes over the season ....

- dozerD10


Fatigue could be a factor, but I just can't see him playing anywhere else. Maybe Carter's line, but even that's hard to picture.
dozerD10
Anaheim Ducks
Location: long beach, CA
Joined: 01.29.2014

Jul 16 @ 10:35 AM ET
Fatigue could be a factor, but I just can't see him playing anywhere else. Maybe Carter's line, but even that's hard to picture.
- BobbyKittleberger


70’s line is a winner for the most part ... Tyler looks good to have a bounce back yr and Tanner fits well ... Kovi’s not playing there unless the wheels come off ...

On the fatigue factor though I think that’s going to be something Kovi’s to have to deal with...... Top min time w/ PP time and if memory serves me he always killed penalties in both Atl & NJ ... that’s an awful lot of minutes for a guy that hasn’t played nhl hockey in sometime...
PancakesPenner
Los Angeles Kings
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 04.20.2012

Jul 16 @ 11:08 AM ET
70’s line is a winner for the most part ... Tyler looks good to have a bounce back yr and Tanner fits well ... Kovi’s not playing there unless the wheels come off ...

On the fatigue factor though I think that’s going to be something Kovi’s to have to deal with...... Top min time w/ PP time and if memory serves me he always killed penalties in both Atl & NJ ... that’s an awful lot of minutes for a guy that hasn’t played nhl hockey in sometime...

- dozerD10


He did, but with the forwards the Kings have I doubt he'll see a lot of PK time, especially if once the season is going it looks like fatigue could be an issue.
Only_A_Ladd
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Sabres VERY Much in Hellebuyck Hearing they are the closest treat to getting a deal…bu a mile., CA
Joined: 06.06.2013

Jul 16 @ 11:11 AM ET
Notwithstanding the fact that the man hasn't played in the NHL in years, he was a top ATOI forward before he left. Granted, that was in his late 20's. Unless his fitness has fallen off a cliff, I'm guessing he'll still be able to get ~20 ATOI. So I think he'll default to FWD 1 and PP1, with shuffling throughout the year if some of the other lines need a spark.
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Jul 16 @ 11:17 AM ET
He did, but with the forwards the Kings have I doubt he'll see a lot of PK time, especially if once the season is going it looks like fatigue could be an issue.
- PancakesPenner


I agree. At least I hope you're right. There's no reason for him to be on LA's pk.
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Jul 16 @ 11:19 AM ET
Notwithstanding the fact that the man hasn't played in the NHL in years, he was a top ATOI forward before he left. Granted, that was in his late 20's. Unless his fitness has fallen off a cliff, I'm guessing he'll still be able to get ~20 ATOI. So I think he'll default to FWD 1 and PP1, with shuffling throughout the year if some of the other lines need a spark.
- Only_A_Ladd


LA's scouts would be well aware of his conditioning, or any issues thereof. I'd be a bit surprised to see those crop up after the Kings were comfortable enough with him to pay out 6 mil a year.
KINGS67
Season Ticket Holder
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Joined: 01.29.2010

Jul 16 @ 11:29 AM ET
Notwithstanding the fact that the man hasn't played in the NHL in years, he was a top ATOI forward before he left. Granted, that was in his late 20's. Unless his fitness has fallen off a cliff, I'm guessing he'll still be able to get ~20 ATOI. So I think he'll default to FWD 1 and PP1, with shuffling throughout the year if some of the other lines need a spark.
- Only_A_Ladd

I’m going to say fitness won’t be as much of s factor that people think.

He’s a fitness nut according to some.
Only_A_Ladd
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Sabres VERY Much in Hellebuyck Hearing they are the closest treat to getting a deal…bu a mile., CA
Joined: 06.06.2013

Jul 16 @ 11:35 AM ET
I’m going to say fitness won’t be as much of s factor that people think.

He’s a fitness nut according to some.

- KINGS67


As established by his ATOI numbers the last few years before he left. My concern is just the natural progression of age and the deterioration of his body from so many miles. No amount of dedication to fitness can halt that. We all slow down (as my back aches while I type this response). In the end, ~20 ATOI with spot scratches hopefully will maximize production during the regular season and keep him fresh for the playoffs.
Stu17
Los Angeles Kings
Location: If its Brown flush it down!, CA
Joined: 10.15.2013

Jul 16 @ 11:47 AM ET
top line seems like a no-brainer... the thing I'm really looking forward to is his on-time shot on the PP. I'd rather see it from the top of the circle then the blue line, but if he's going to be able to cheat down and have Drew cover the middle of the ice I'm all for it. I cant remember a legitimate one-time threat that the Kings' had... Nichols? Kurri? Palffy, maybe?
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Jul 16 @ 12:02 PM ET
top line seems like a no-brainer... the thing I'm really looking forward to is his on-time shot on the PP. I'd rather see it from the top of the circle then the blue line, but if he's going to be able to cheat down and have Drew cover the middle of the ice I'm all for it. I cant remember a legitimate one-time threat that the Kings' had... Nichols? Kurri? Palffy, maybe?
- Stu17


LUCIC
cryptical77
Los Angeles Kings
Joined: 07.31.2009

Jul 16 @ 12:07 PM ET
top line seems like a no-brainer... the thing I'm really looking forward to is his on-time shot on the PP. I'd rather see it from the top of the circle then the blue line, but if he's going to be able to cheat down and have Drew cover the middle of the ice I'm all for it. I cant remember a legitimate one-time threat that the Kings' had... Nichols? Kurri? Palffy, maybe?
- Stu17


Luc. Granted he would stop then snap it but with his ultra short windup it was just as good as a one-timer.
Stu17
Los Angeles Kings
Location: If its Brown flush it down!, CA
Joined: 10.15.2013

Jul 16 @ 12:20 PM ET
Luc. Granted he would stop then snap it but with his ultra short windup it was just as good as a one-timer.
- cryptical77

Lucic? We hardly knew ye...
Only_A_Ladd
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Sabres VERY Much in Hellebuyck Hearing they are the closest treat to getting a deal…bu a mile., CA
Joined: 06.06.2013

Jul 16 @ 12:26 PM ET
top line seems like a no-brainer... the thing I'm really looking forward to is his on-time shot on the PP. I'd rather see it from the top of the circle then the blue line, but if he's going to be able to cheat down and have Drew cover the middle of the ice I'm all for it. I cant remember a legitimate one-time threat that the Kings' had... Nichols? Kurri? Palffy, maybe?
- Stu17


I was going to respond "Muzzin" but noted you qualified the question with the word "legitimate".
Bojangle
Los Angeles Kings
Location: WI
Joined: 03.12.2013

Jul 16 @ 12:36 PM ET
The Kings aren't spending over $6 mil on a player to play with Lewis. He will easily be on the Kopitar line unless they simply don't mesh well at all. If they don't he will move to Carter's line and Pearson will move to Kopi's line.
joegreif17
Location: Hockeyville, BC
Joined: 05.10.2009

Jul 16 @ 1:06 PM ET
He is a superstar and I fully expect to see him on the number one line with Kopitar as well as on the first pp unit. Do not expect to see him kill penalties. If they use him properly I predict 30 goals and 70 points minimum. Big strong man and when you consider Jagr was effective well into his 40's, Kovy should be just fine for the duration of his contract.
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Jul 16 @ 2:30 PM ET
In Los Angeles
- claude1971


Nah, he'll torch ya like he did my devs. Just count yourself lucky you didn't trade 2 first rounders to acquire him, and get penalized another 2 first rounders for a contract that wasn't structured properly. He won't finish his 3 years before returning to the mother land.
bikeguy99
New Jersey Devils
Joined: 09.05.2017

Jul 16 @ 2:34 PM ET
The Kings aren't spending over $6 mil on a player to play with Lewis. He will easily be on the Kopitar line unless they simply don't mesh well at all. If they don't he will move to Carter's line and Pearson will move to Kopi's line.
- Bojangle


They did it with Richie. haha but I agree. He's a top 6 for sure. How is Lewis still playing?!?!?!
Nucker101
Vancouver Canucks
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 09.26.2010

Jul 16 @ 2:35 PM ET
As established by his ATOI numbers the last few years before he left. My concern is just the natural progression of age and the deterioration of his body from so many miles. No amount of dedication to fitness can halt that. We all slow down (as my back aches while I type this response). In the end, ~20 ATOI with spot scratches hopefully will maximize production during the regular season and keep him fresh for the playoffs.
- Only_A_Ladd

doubt this happens, it's pretty rare in the NHL.
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Jul 16 @ 2:49 PM ET
Nah, he'll torch ya like he did my devs. Just count yourself lucky you didn't trade 2 first rounders to acquire him, and get penalized another 2 first rounders for a contract that wasn't structured properly. He won't finish his 3 years before returning to the mother land.
- bikeguy99


I think he has expressed wanting to play in LA for a long time.
ColoTim
Los Angeles Kings
Location: CO
Joined: 02.09.2015

Jul 16 @ 3:10 PM ET
LA tends to stack their first unit and their first unit gets the lion's share of the time. Kopi, Brown, and DD all got 200+ min on the PP. The next closest forward was at 25% less PP time, Toffoli.

That was in a season mostly without Carter, a healthy Carter the prior year was the highest minutes forward in PP time on the team and also scored at the highest rate. So Carter/Kopi/Brown with DD and Kovi would be the major weapons and get the most time (and also 4F sets have proven to score at a higher rate ~6.1 GD60 w/ 4F vs 4.9GD60 w/ 3F since 09-10 via Matt Cane).

In terms of Kovi getting worn out, I hope with the expected improvement in overall depth with the additions of Kovi and likely Villardi that Stevens takes a page from the VGK book and evens out the even strength time to promote a higher tempo of play, develop the younger players, and save legs (esp DD and Kopi) for the playoffs.
Osprey
Joined: 11.10.2015

Jul 16 @ 3:52 PM ET
If I may be blunt, this is remarkably bad considering Kopitar and Brown put up 153 points.

Of those 25 points, only 20 of them came on that exact forward line combination. Of that 20, two of them were on the powerplay, for a grand total of 18 points involving that forward line combo, for Iafallo at even strength.

He was a major third wheel in the newly rekindled Kopitar and Brown bromance.

- Bobby Kittleberger

I like you already. Such honesty is refreshing. I was getting a little tired of the platitudes last season, to be honest. The worst was Jim Fox suggesting that Iafallo would lead the team in 3rd assists, which some fans took to repeating every time that his production was pointed out. I like Alex, too, but you put a player like him on the top line only when you're decimated with injuries. The 3rd line is where he belongs for now. Ideally, I'd like to see him hit his last season mark of 25 points playing from the 3rd line, instead. Then, I'd be happy to praise him and interested to see if he could improve on that with better linemates.

As for Kovalchuk and the powerplay, I'd like to see him as the 4th forward on the 1st unit, not at the blue line, but dropped down a little to the top of the circle. Doughty, cheating a little to the center ice to cover, could feed him for the one-timer or Kovalchuk could pass to teammates on either side of the net. Such a setup will produce the occasional odd-man rush, since Kovalchuk will be in a little deep and isn't a fast skater, but the setup would probably pay off a lot more often than it would bite them.
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