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Forums :: Blog World :: Bobby Kittleberger: Defensive Problems Abound in LA
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Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Oct 17 @ 9:22 AM ET
Bobby Kittleberger: Defensive Problems Abound in LA The LA Kings deeper stats look good, but a careless defense and lack of execution is gifting offense to their opponents.
ABC123
Joined: 07.23.2006

Oct 17 @ 9:32 AM ET
To summarize your article "advanced stats" are crap and anyone who prattles about them is a moron.
dozerD10
Anaheim Ducks
Location: long beach, CA
Joined: 01.29.2014

Oct 17 @ 9:37 AM ET
Thought Kings would really bounce back big against the Leafs after that Ott game. That D effort was just an extension of the exhibition season.
Even offensively they looked lost. Where’s that 70’s line? And their bottom 6 is just not good right now. It looks as though they miss Brown way more than I ever thought they would, esp on the PP.
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Oct 17 @ 9:44 AM ET
To summarize your article "advanced stats" are crap and anyone who prattles about them is a moron.
- ABC123


Well, no. I never actually said any of that.
paulozz
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 07.02.2012

Oct 17 @ 11:35 AM ET
Olli says coach Stevens won't make it until Halloween now
Bobby Kittleberger
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Staunton, VA
Joined: 07.06.2018

Oct 17 @ 11:57 AM ET
Olli says coach Stevens won't make it until Halloween now
- paulozz


I honestly don't believe it's a coach system/thing. What I'm seeing the last couple of games is a distinct issue with effort and skating, especially on the defense.
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

Oct 17 @ 11:59 AM ET
Thought Kings would really bounce back big against the Leafs after that Ott game. That D effort was just an extension of the exhibition season.
Even offensively they looked lost. Where’s that 70’s line? And their bottom 6 is just not good right now. It looks as though they miss Brown way more than I ever thought they would, esp on the PP.

- dozerD10

The thing is. The bottom 6 has almost never been good. But right now is a time that it should be good.
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

Oct 17 @ 12:01 PM ET
I honestly don't believe it's a coach system/thing. What I'm seeing the last couple of games is a distinct issue with effort and skating, especially on the defense.
- BobbyKittleberger

But whos at fault with that? Who gets the players out of that mentality? I feel this has been a Kings issue quite often over the past 5 years or so. Somebody has to keep there heads in the game. Perhaps its the leadership of the players allowing them to be lazy on the ice. Somebodys gotta step up and get things going.
Osprey
Joined: 11.10.2015

Oct 17 @ 5:33 PM ET
I honestly don't believe it's a coach system/thing. What I'm seeing the last couple of games is a distinct issue with effort and skating, especially on the defense.
- Bobby Kittleberger

Effort and skating is a coach issue, IMO. I don't want to try to re-iterate something that I've said before, so here's something that I posted on another board back when Stevens was promoted:
I think that this is a mistake. The players are far too comfortable with him. They got comfortable with Sutter, knew where he stood and had already heard everything that he could possibly say to them, so they eventually tuned him out. They've similarly learned and heard just about everything from Stevens, since they've been around him for 7 years, so the tune-out is liable to occur much, much faster.

I believe that a big reason why teams tend to turn around so quickly under new coaches isn't new systems or new tactics (both of which take time to implement and perfect), but simply that there's a new guy to be slightly intimidated by and want to impress. If you were a favorite for the former coach, you no longer are and need to prove yourself all over again, and if you were in the doghouse before, you have a fresh chance to make a first impression and maybe become a favorite for the new coach. Stevens is like family and already knows the players inside and out, so there's little reason for the players who were too comfortable before to try harder and for the players who felt underused before to have hope that things will change.

- Osprey

In other words, Stevens is like every player's dad at this point and they know how much effort or slacking they can get away with and still keep their minutes. They're too comfortable, which leads to complacency, which manifests itself in lack of skating and effort.
ColoTim
Los Angeles Kings
Location: CO
Joined: 02.09.2015

Oct 17 @ 6:18 PM ET
Seems like the real elephant in the room is the special teams, both PP (which we all know has to get going) but also especially the PK. Overall special teams is a -5, that makes a big difference when they are pretty much breaking even at 5v5. AMart and Phaneuf have been awful on the PK. A return to their historic levels on special teams would go very far towards starting to get some points. Note to Stevens, 4F PP sets score at a better rate than 3F, let's do this!
MikeOxbyg
Los Angeles Kings
Location: CA
Joined: 02.28.2011

Oct 18 @ 3:23 PM ET
Pretty accurate article... but let's deep dive here:

The forward situation and the power play - there are some underachieving forwards and some bad chemistry with the line juggling. Tanner Pearson is not playing a good brand of hockey at all. anyone with functioning eyes and basic hockey knowledge can see it and I doubt he could even hold his own in Ontario with his play.

Amadio is not getting it done either I don't know why he is getting the minutes and the roster spot when there are hungrier players with more skill.

The rest of the forwards really get exposed as to how slow they think and react when Kovi is on the ice with them. He makes tip passes and board plays that his line-mates can't seem to get a whiff of at times and that is the thing I have been saying for a couple years now in regard to the forwards "playing slow". You don't have to have the fastest feet, you just have to be able to read and react and think a couple steps ahead as well as having the hands and skill to make the plays and I think the whole team lacks in that department

The blender being used with the PP lines trying to stack them they way Stevens does, is jacking up the lines when they get back to even strength, Your top 6 should be operating the PP with the exception of adding/subtracting a strategically placed play for the special teams but other than that they should be able to be productive with the top 6.

Also, the PP set up is stagnant, players do not move, create switches or do anything to open the ice in areas where a 4 man penalty kill is vulnerable. Defensemen make sloppy, telegraphed and weak passes, sometimes even receiving the puck, standing still, taking up to 5 seconds to survey, then moving their feet or attempting to move the puck. You just don't have that amount of time to do that and run an effective PP

The Defense - Jake Muzzin Derek Forbort and Alec Martinez have done nothing to show that they are rightfully occupying their spots. Slow, half hearted and skating the other direction sums them up rather well. Phaneuf would be fine with better d-men around him, same with LaDue, but those 3 wind socks are dragging the all 6 down with them and a change needs to happen soon.

This whole comfort and complacency has seeped into the fan base as well. The whole #believe, we'll get em next time, everything's fine because we won 2 cups, the rose tinted lack of accountability is a major top down organization issue. Sure they talk about changes, fixing, accountability but when was the last time you saw tangible evidence of that? I honestly think they have a complacency cancer in the organization because everyone is getting paid, it's nice and cushy from a fan and media stand point and they can literally coast through each season with the knowledge that they just have to act disappointed with their failures, say the right things to the press and the season ticket holders and everything will be fine. they will still have their sunny weather(actual sunny weather, and in reference to their fans), they will still have their south bay homes and scrutiny free jobs... we need a Toronto-esque escalation from the fans and media so these players, coaches and management feel the pressure and be compelled to show proof of their work.

Can we start a gofundme for Tyler Toffoli? I really want him to get the surgery to have his legs put on facing the right direction, he has to me the ugliest skater I have seen in the NHL I have seen in the last 30 years.
tkecanuck341
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Irvine, CA
Joined: 06.25.2009

Oct 18 @ 3:30 PM ET
Can we start a gofundme for Tyler Toffoli? I really want him to get the surgery to have his legs put on facing the right direction, he has to me the ugliest skater I have seen in the NHL I have seen in the last 30 years.
- MikeOxbyg


You're going to hate Vilardi then. Hockey IQ is off the charts, but to call him a "bad" skater is putting it nicely. Guy looks like Luc Robitaille on the ice.
MikeOxbyg
Los Angeles Kings
Location: CA
Joined: 02.28.2011

Oct 18 @ 3:51 PM ET
You're going to hate Vilardi then. Hockey IQ is off the charts, but to call him a "bad" skater is putting it nicely. Guy looks like Luc Robitaille on the ice.
- tkecanuck341



I can't wait !
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

Oct 18 @ 5:02 PM ET
Man I dont like it when LaDue sits.
KINGS67
Season Ticket Holder
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Joined: 01.29.2010

Oct 18 @ 5:45 PM ET
Pretty accurate article... but let's deep dive here:

The forward situation and the power play - there are some underachieving forwards and some bad chemistry with the line juggling. Tanner Pearson is not playing a good brand of hockey at all. anyone with functioning eyes and basic hockey knowledge can see it and I doubt he could even hold his own in Ontario with his play.

Amadio is not getting it done either I don't know why he is getting the minutes and the roster spot when there are hungrier players with more skill.

The rest of the forwards really get exposed as to how slow they think and react when Kovi is on the ice with them. He makes tip passes and board plays that his line-mates can't seem to get a whiff of at times and that is the thing I have been saying for a couple years now in regard to the forwards "playing slow". You don't have to have the fastest feet, you just have to be able to read and react and think a couple steps ahead as well as having the hands and skill to make the plays and I think the whole team lacks in that department

The blender being used with the PP lines trying to stack them they way Stevens does, is jacking up the lines when they get back to even strength, Your top 6 should be operating the PP with the exception of adding/subtracting a strategically placed play for the special teams but other than that they should be able to be productive with the top 6.

Also, the PP set up is stagnant, players do not move, create switches or do anything to open the ice in areas where a 4 man penalty kill is vulnerable. Defensemen make sloppy, telegraphed and weak passes, sometimes even receiving the puck, standing still, taking up to 5 seconds to survey, then moving their feet or attempting to move the puck. You just don't have that amount of time to do that and run an effective PP

The Defense - Jake Muzzin Derek Forbort and Alec Martinez have done nothing to show that they are rightfully occupying their spots. Slow, half hearted and skating the other direction sums them up rather well. Phaneuf would be fine with better d-men around him, same with LaDue, but those 3 wind socks are dragging the all 6 down with them and a change needs to happen soon.

This whole comfort and complacency has seeped into the fan base as well. The whole #believe, we'll get em next time, everything's fine because we won 2 cups, the rose tinted lack of accountability is a major top down organization issue. Sure they talk about changes, fixing, accountability but when was the last time you saw tangible evidence of that? I honestly think they have a complacency cancer in the organization because everyone is getting paid, it's nice and cushy from a fan and media stand point and they can literally coast through each season with the knowledge that they just have to act disappointed with their failures, say the right things to the press and the season ticket holders and everything will be fine. they will still have their sunny weather(actual sunny weather, and in reference to their fans), they will still have their south bay homes and scrutiny free jobs... we need a Toronto-esque escalation from the fans and media so these players, coaches and management feel the pressure and be compelled to show proof of their work.

Can we start a gofundme for Tyler Toffoli? I really want him to get the surgery to have his legs put on facing the right direction, he has to me the ugliest skater I have seen in the NHL I have seen in the last 30 years.

- MikeOxbyg

Sooooo...

#Lose4Hughes is what I’m seeing

😊
MikeOxbyg
Los Angeles Kings
Location: CA
Joined: 02.28.2011

Oct 18 @ 6:00 PM ET
Sooooo...

#Lose4Hughes is what I’m seeing

😊

- KINGS67



i like how you interpret things, keep it up
QuicksEnnormous
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Villa Park, CA
Joined: 02.14.2014

Oct 18 @ 9:07 PM ET
Ive always been of the belief that coaches can get stale. Stevens has been around forever, I dont hate his systems or principles, but as many are suggesting i believe his voice has gotten tired in the room.

I still think Kopi is a top 10 center and Drew is a top 3 defense league wide. Carter has one of the better contracts vs production in the league. Our real problem is Dean traded away most of our cheap contract high production talent when they were prospects. San Jose has continued to build around an established core with young cheap contracts to supplement... that should have been the model.

On the other hand I remember wishing I could see the Kings win the cup just once in my lifetime. I will always thank him for those 2 cups.
Osprey
Joined: 11.10.2015

Oct 18 @ 11:59 PM ET
disagree, but I see what you are saying, he does take dumb penalties but has reduced them greatly
- MikeOxbyg

You were saying...? That's two more penalties tonight, one of which (in the offensive zone, no less) led to the current game winner. Kempe now has 5 minor penalties in just 7 games.

Edit: Make that 3 penalties tonight and 6 minor penalties in 7 games. He'd better sit the next game (at least).
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

Oct 19 @ 12:09 AM ET
Bright side they scored on the pp?
KINGS67
Season Ticket Holder
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Joined: 01.29.2010

Oct 19 @ 12:53 AM ET
In other news. VOTE NO ON PROP 11.

As an EMT in a 911 system in the state of California this proposition can not pass.

My apologies, but I feel the need to address Proposition 11.

Prop 11 is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Prop 11 is articulately worded to make it sound like a positive thing for EMS personnel. This is not the case.

Prop 11 states that it will require EMT's and Medics to stay on call while on lunch. It also assures that EMS workers will receive training in disaster training, active shooter training, and mental health coverage. We already have established yearly training in disaster response, active shooter and we have access to mental health through our EAP (Employee assistance Program.) Prop 11 will change nothing in regards to the benefits offered to us through the company.

11 states that EMS workers will have to remain available to respond during lunch breaks. This has always been the case, and always will be the case. I can personally attest to how many times I have lunch breaks interrupted to respond to someone calling 911. The difference if prop 11 passes, is that the company will no longer be required to compensate us for missed lunch periods. American Medical Response (my employer) has currently spent 22 million dollars towards the approval of prop 11. There is wording in the proposition that will shield AMR from pending lawsuits over missed lunch breaks. The passing of Prop 11 will save AMR over 100 million dollars in pending lawsuits over missed lunch breaks. Whether prop 11 passes or not, EMS workers will miss lunch breaks to respond to 911 calls. Prop 11 determines whether or not we will compensated for missed lunch breaks.

AMR is expected to have spent over 35 million dollars on this campaign for yes on 11. We should learn the exact amount in about 2 weeks when financial reports are released.

No argument against Prop 11 was released due to financial reasons. The unions that represent us do not have the money to fight against a juggernaut like AMR.

Bulletpoints:

-Prop 11 offers mental health, active shooter awareness, and disaster training. These training modules are already active, so ultimately there will no change for us.
-Prop 11 states that it will require EMS to be available to respond to calls. We will always be available on lunch breaks. Prop 11 ensures that we will not be compensated for time lost.
-AMR is a for profit company. The passing of prop 11 will save our company over 100 million dollars, at the expense of it's workers.

Please, I urge you all, vote NO on Proposition 11 and support your local EMS workers.
Osprey
Joined: 11.10.2015

Oct 19 @ 1:42 AM ET
If you're really an EMT, get to Staples Center immediately. The LA Kings have no pulse!
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

Oct 19 @ 1:54 AM ET
If you're really an EMT, get to Staples Center immediately. The LA Kings have no pulse!
- Osprey

KINGS67
Season Ticket Holder
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Joined: 01.29.2010

Oct 19 @ 1:55 AM ET
If you're really an EMT, get to Staples Center immediately. The LA Kings have no pulse!
- Osprey

I am and yes they are dead!

Seriously though NO ON PROP 11. 😐

Forgot to add #Lose4Hughes
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

Oct 19 @ 2:01 AM ET
If you're really an EMT, get to Staples Center immediately. The LA Kings have no pulse!
- Osprey

Kovi about to retire again.
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

Oct 19 @ 10:49 AM ET
In other news. VOTE NO ON PROP 11.


Please, I urge you all, vote NO on Proposition 11 and support your local EMS workers.

- KINGS67


I second this. One of the more insidious Propositions I've ever seen.
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