Bobby Kittleberger: Iafallo, the Kings Powerplay and Being Wrong Through their first three regular season games of the 2018-2019 season, the LA Kings offense looks, once again, like it's taking a back seat to the team's defensive identity.

welcome back to the buzz...

their shot counts are unacceptable. I'm not too concerned after 3 games but if they lay an egg tonight, I'll be dissecting their possessions. Why does it always seem that rookies make contributions on the score sheet for all the other teams, but never Kings' rookies?? wadafaq!!

Olli says coach Stevens isn't going to make it to American Thanksgiving

Stevens is the one that needs to let Kovy be Kovy, putting him in front of the net on the PP has got to be one of the stupidest moves I have seen.

You sign the guy for his 1 timer on the PP, not to stand in front of the net.

They went to OT against one of the best teams in hockey, beat a team in transition, and lost by a goal to another very good team, though in that one it should have been like 8 to 1, if not for Campbell.

You now play Montreal and Ottawa, lose those, Stevens better start updating his resume.

#Lose4Hughes

Stevens is the one that needs to let Kovy be Kovy, putting him in front of the net on the PP has got to be one of the stupidest moves I have seen.

You sign the guy for his 1 timer on the PP, not to stand in front of the net.

They went to OT against one of the best teams in hockey, beat a team in transition, and lost by a goal to another very good team, though in that one it should have been like 8 to 1, if not for Campbell.

You now play Montreal and Ottawa, lose those, Stevens better start updating his resume.
- fsanford

Kovi was at the front of the net on the PP? I must've missed that.

I think that it's very unlikely that Stevens gets fired mid season. He was hired (or, rather, promoted) because Blake was afraid to make a tough decision and gave a friend the benefit of the doubt. Nothing has changed, IMO. Blake is going to be just as reluctant to make a tough decision in only the middle of the second season and will likely continue giving his friend the benefit of the doubt that he'll turn the team around in the second half. I'm not sure that even missing the playoffs would get Stevens fired at the end. Even then, he might again get the benefit of the doubt, and only if next season also starts slow might there be a real chance of an in-season coaching change, IMO.

BTW, it was mentioned in the comments of the last blog that JAD or Vilardi would need to be protected in the Seattle expansion if they play this year. I believe that that's inaccurate, since they'll be exempt for the same reason that Kempe was: being only second-year professionals.

I think that it's very unlikely that Stevens gets fired mid season. He was hired (or, rather, promoted) because Blake was afraid to make a tough decision and gave a friend the benefit of the doubt. Nothing has changed, IMO. Blake is going to be just as reluctant to make a tough decision in only the middle of the second season and will likely continue giving his friend the benefit of the doubt that he'll turn the team around in the second half. I'm not sure that even missing the playoffs would get Stevens fired at the end. Even then, he might again get the benefit of the doubt, and only if next season also starts slow might there be a real chance of an in-season coaching change, IMO.

BTW, it was mentioned in the comments of the last blog that JAD or Vilardi would need to be protected in the Seattle expansion if they play this year. I believe that that's inaccurate, since they'll be exempt for the same reason that Kempe was: being only second-year professionals.
- Osprey

I believe Vilardi would be protected automatically if he's on an ELC. I guess it depends on when the exp draft happens.

Olli says coach Stevens isn't going to make it to American Thanksgiving
- paulozz

Too early to start talkin' that.

Stevens is the one that needs to let Kovy be Kovy, putting him in front of the net on the PP has got to be one of the stupidest moves I have seen.

You sign the guy for his 1 timer on the PP, not to stand in front of the net.

They went to OT against one of the best teams in hockey, beat a team in transition, and lost by a goal to another very good team, though in that one it should have been like 8 to 1, if not for Campbell.

You now play Montreal and Ottawa, lose those, Stevens better start updating his resume.
- fsanford

I noticed that too. Maybe because Brown is out?

I believe Vilardi would be protected automatically if he's on an ELC. I guess it depends on when the exp draft happens.
- BobbyKittleberger

"Exempt" is the proper term. "Protected automatically" could give the impression that he'd use up one of the 8 or 10 spots on the team's protected list, which he would not. Also, first and second year pros are exempt, not everyone on ELCs.

I noticed that too. Maybe because Brown is out?
- BobbyKittleberger

He was assuming the Dustin Brown position, but I would think a guy like Carts would be better served, and you put Kovy out for the 1 timer. H

There was an "adjusment" last game, but sure seemed as though they put Kovy out there on his off wing. Though I read somewhere back in the KHL he played his off wing during the PP, not sure if true, but it might explain that head scratcher.



Will see what the next 2 games bring...

I believe Vilardi would be protected automatically if he's on an ELC. I guess it depends on when the exp draft happens.
- BobbyKittleberger

If expansion happens for 2020-21, Vilardi and JAD are exempt, regardless if they play this season or not. If it happens for 2021-22, they're only exempt if their ELC's slide another season. Last I heard, they were hoping for 2020-21, but that 2021-22 was much more likely due to arena construction timeline estimates.

https://nhltoseattle.com/...ick-updates-on-timelines/

In his earlier NHL days wasn't Kovy typically back on the blueline for the PP? I think Atlanta use him there a lot, and also I recall him working the points (alongside Peter Harrold of all people) when he was in NJ.

Just sad.

I was thinking all game of what MikeOxbyg said last week about Muzzin, Martinez and Forbort costing them games. He wasn't exaggerating.

I was thinking all game of what MikeOxbyg said last week about Muzzin, Martinez and Forbort costing them games. He wasn't exaggerating.
- Osprey

Yeah this team needs to wake up or shake it up. Same old same old.

I do like what i see from JAD but it’s hard to imagine them burning a year off ELC in a year where this team isn’t going anywhere.

#Lose4Hughes

I was thinking all game of what MikeOxbyg said last week about Muzzin, Martinez and Forbort costing them games. He wasn't exaggerating.
- Osprey

Honestly I would bench or trade all 3 of them, let Bricks play with doughty, pair phaneuf and ladue, let fantenberg and walker or strand fill in until a deal can be done to bring in a solid veteran 3 or 4 slot

defensemen have to be able to move their feet now and get to the corners, win a battle and move the puck to where the winger is , in his proper position.

These one handed jabs at the puck don't get to the winger and makes turn overs seem like direct passes to the other team, and this lagging to the puck also creates these weak reversals that end up behind our net hamstringing the other defenseman. they are no longer expecting to get out of the zone and trying to position themselves in a cover area rather than a break out position.

This is a Stevens thing too as much as it is a Muzzin, Martinez Forbort thing.

Disclaimer, Forbort is not terrible, he actually makes some good defensive plays, but he falls short in a lot of others, the way I see it is that Bricks is a better version of Forbort and can play at the NHL level, why wouldn't you play the kid given those circumstances?

Honestly I would bench or trade all 3 of them, let Bricks play with doughty, pair phaneuf and ladue, let fantenberg and walker or strand fill in until a deal can be done to bring in a solid veteran 3 or 4 slot

defensemen have to be able to move their feet now and get to the corners, win a battle and move the puck to where the winger is , in his proper position.

These one handed jabs at the puck don't get to the winger and makes turn overs seem like direct passes to the other team, and this lagging to the puck also creates these weak reversals that end up behind our net hamstringing the other defenseman. they are no longer expecting to get out of the zone and trying to position themselves in a cover area rather than a break out position.

This is a Stevens thing too as much as it is a Muzzin, Martinez Forbort thing.

Disclaimer, Forbort is not terrible, he actually makes some good defensive plays, but he falls short in a lot of others, the way I see it is that Bricks is a better version of Forbort and can play at the NHL level, why wouldn't you play the kid given those circumstances?
- MikeOxbyg

There's a regular on the LAKI boards that is a season ticket holder to the Reign. According to him, Brickley hasn't been doing well in Ontario so far this season. He was -6 in his first 3 games. I wouldn't slot him in the Kings roster just yet.

There's a regular on the LAKI boards that is a season ticket holder to the Reign. According to him, Brickley hasn't been doing well in Ontario so far this season. He was -6 in his first 3 games. I wouldn't slot him in the Kings roster just yet.
- tkecanuck341

I thought he looked fine playing with the big squad, maybe that is a factor here? could be a thing where he plays up to the talent he is surrounded by

Stevens might be full potato, I am really starting to buy into this "he has to go" movement...

Amadio Thompon and Carter... that is our 3rd line tonight... way to think out of the box there Stevens that ought to throw the Leafs a curve ball, how do you match up against 3 centers on one line?

and yet the turn over tandem of Martinez and Muzzin gets the 3 - 4 slot on D

didn't even bother recording the game tonight, just going to go home curl up in the corner of the bath tub and turn the shower on and let my mascara run.

Stevens might be full potato, I am really starting to buy into this "he has to go" movement...

Amadio Thompon and Carter... that is our 3rd line tonight... way to think out of the box there Stevens that ought to throw the Leafs a curve ball, how do you match up against 3 centers on one line?

and yet the turn over tandem of Martinez and Muzzin gets the 3 - 4 slot on D

didn't even bother recording the game tonight, just going to go home curl up in the corner of the bath tub and turn the shower on and let my mascara run.
- MikeOxbyg

I was literally coming here to say something aobut that to. How is Wagner not playing there? His speed is needed.

Disclaimer, Forbort is not terrible, he actually makes some good defensive plays, but he falls short in a lot of others, the way I see it is that Bricks is a better version of Forbort and can play at the NHL level, why wouldn't you play the kid given those circumstances?
- MikeOxbyg

Forbort would be fine if he were used as a bottom half defenseman, rather than a top half. There's just nothing exceptional about him to warrant him getting the treatment that he does. The only reason why he gets it is that the organization has sunk so much development time into him that they're determined to make it and their first round pick pay off.

In contrast, Brickley is someone that they got for free only 6 months ago. Even if Brickley is better than Forbort (and I agree that he's looked it in the little time that we've seen him), the organization and Stevens are likely going to be slow to recognize it because Forbort has the pedigree and has paid the dues and Brickley hasn't.

There's a regular on the LAKI boards that is a season ticket holder to the Reign. According to him, Brickley hasn't been doing well in Ontario so far this season. He was -6 in his first 3 games. I wouldn't slot him in the Kings roster just yet.
- tkecanuck341

MacDermid leads the Reign in +/- and none of us would want him slotted in the Kings roster. I wouldn't read much into AHL performance. It commonly doesn't translate to the NHL. Besides, Brickley never had training camp with the Reign, has never played with his teammates and has never played in the AHL or for Stothers. On top of that, he's probably disappointed at being sent down after seemingly making the Kings. I wouldn't read anything into his AHL performance just yet and I'd have no qualms at all about calling him up and inserting him into the Kings' lineup. He might not stick, but I'd like to see that before deciding that he isn't ready for the NHL.

I was literally coming here to say something aobut that to. How is Wagner not playing there? His speed is needed.
- poisondhearts37

Wagner is all speed and zero finish. Been the knock even in junior. Great kid but one-dimensional.

MacDermid leads the Reign in +/- and none of us would want him slotted in the Kings roster. I wouldn't read much into AHL performance. It commonly doesn't translate to the NHL. Besides, Brickley never had training camp with the Reign, has never played with his teammates and has never played in the AHL or for Stothers. On top of that, he's probably disappointed at being sent down after seemingly making the Kings. I wouldn't read anything into his AHL performance just yet and I'd have no qualms at all about calling him up and inserting him into the Kings' lineup.
- Osprey

I didn't mean to imply that his +/- was an indicator of his performance. The statements that he hasn't played well and that he's -6 are two independent statements.

Here's the full discussion from the LAKI blog. You can interpret it however you'd like.

Q: Why is it everyone thinks [Brickley]’s ready right now? At least that’s what it seems

A: I think a lot of it is hope because of the hype, and their were times in the preseason he looked like he could stick because of his poise, but he needs to pick up the pace. He's a bit too nonchalant it appears. Quicker decision making, more purpose. Smarter reads. He's struggling defensively, as is Roy, his D partner.

http://lakingsinsider.com...-goal-practice-in-ottawa/