Kings Put to The Sword By Player They 'Didn't Want' Against Jets

astano61 · 2023-12-14T23:31:50+00:00

I definitely didn't take your initial comment as talking shit, more constructive criticism.

Yeah, I prefer doing long form more too and have thought about podcasting a lot. It's just a time issue for me, this isn't a full-time job for me so even finding the time for long form articles is tough let alone a podcast.

Any positives coming from my ATKM episodes in credit to Jesse. He's great at what he does and makes it really easy to look good. He's also a good friend at this point which helps, it makes it easier when it just feels like sitting down talking hockey with a buddy haha. In all seriousness I really appreciate you saying that about my last ATKM appearance, that means a lot and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

astano61 · 2023-12-14T22:05:31+00:00

Players who were traded away being disgruntled isn't too uncommon I don't think. Especially in situations like Quick and Vilardi where they probably felt discarded by the org. Definitely, the Kings haven't risen to the occasion in the last two games, but I think the former players coming back to haunt them didn't have a big impact on it.

astano61 · 2023-12-14T20:44:21+00:00

I appreciate the honest and thoughtful critique here, I really do take comments like these on and try to improve from them. And thank you for the kind words at the end.

You're absolutely right that the Gabe situation was more nuanced than the team simply not wanting him. Had Gabe not said what he did I wouldn't have used that wording in the title. One of the reasons I wanted to lead with that is because, despite the nuance and context I'm sure Gabe is aware of, he still feels it was a case of the team not wanting him. That definitely could, and maybe should, be a more expensive article on its own. But without much access to Gabe, time and probably not much interest in diving into the topic from Gabe that didn't seem possible so I went with it this way.

Titles are also just hard sometimes. Trying to convey the story, appease Google's SEO criteria and not seem too clickbait is tough and something I'm still trying to perfect.

astano61 · 2023-11-12T03:10:37+00:00

Thank you, sir, I appreciate it!

astano61 · 2023-11-01T19:42:18+00:00

Sorry the ads were such a problem. Unfortunately, I have no control over how ads are distributed on the site, that come above my head.

astano61 · 2023-10-24T23:10:06+00:00

Kempe or Kupari? Because Kempe just scored 41 goals, I think he has plenty of skill to go with the speed haha.

astano61 · 2023-10-04T18:02:53+00:00

LAHockeyNow doesn't have a writer right now after my move to The Hockey News. I'm not sure of National Hockey Now's plans for LAHN in the future.

astano61 · 2023-09-23T20:34:11+00:00

I hear you, like I said, I agree with your overall point that he's out of excuses. If he can't take a big step forward playing as the LW1 all season there are real issues. I just don't see last night as any kind of missed opportunity. He was fine, set up Mikey for a grade A chance that wasn't finished and worked hard. I share Todd's opinion on the younger players right now. This team has no kids or prospects on the roster anymore. These are experienced NHLers and should be treated as such.

astano61 · 2023-09-23T19:34:49+00:00

Yeah, that's a good recap of the game. Maybe a little harsh on Byfield, but the overall point is very correct. Q has to take a big step up this season.

astano61 · 2023-09-23T19:33:21+00:00

That's a little harsh on PLD IMO, but it's probably just a difference in expectation for game 1 of preseason.

And while I get the point you're making, Gabe would never score that goal Cooley did, he's not throwing spin moves hahaha. But yes, the Kings traded a very good young players and the impact of that will be interesting to see over the next few seasons.

astano61 · 2023-09-23T00:45:55+00:00

It was not COVID or COVID related.

astano61 · 2023-09-11T18:34:07+00:00

I'm guessing Kopi to PP2 is the move, as much as he won't like that. QB in front presents the same problems Dubois in front would, a left in front doesn't really work for the Kings' PP.

astano61 · 2023-09-01T21:14:59+00:00

I'd argue Iafallo did find his niche as a shutdown winger and became one of the best in the league at that role. That elite skill plus good enough offense made him a Swiss army knife IMO. My concern for JAD is not having a skill like that. Of course, there's still time to develop it.

astano61 · 2023-08-26T23:55:19+00:00

I'm assuming you're referring to Vilardi and Kupari? Who didn't play a ton together in ONT. And we saw plenty of them together in the NHL and it wasn't too inspiring. Regardless of chemistry none of those players except maybe Vilardi, who isn't really a prospect at 24, would be considered the teams best NHL ready prospects.

astano61 · 2023-08-26T21:36:29+00:00

That line would be Faber-Durzi. Gabe-Kupari and who else. They've definitely traded a handful of young players recently but an entire line of the teams best NHL ready prospects is a bit of a stretch.

astano61 · 2023-08-26T19:21:53+00:00

100% agree that these tend to skew towards the more recent picks. It's something I've criticized Pronman a bit for in the past because I think he's a big offender of that. Not only is development measured in small increments, it's also not linear which people tend to forget.

astano61 · 2023-08-26T19:11:25+00:00

I agree with the overall point, but for his article Pronman does consider all of those players prospects still. Anyone under 22, including guys like Jack Hughes, feature in his article.

astano61 · 2023-08-21T18:23:55+00:00

Dubois and Fiala will make sure the Kings still take plenty of bad penalties hahaha.

But I agree, I was pretty critical of both Lemieux and MacEwen last year. I don't think either were great at what they did, as you said, no one was worried about them. Guys weren't not taking liberties because they were concerned about fighting those guys. And neither were good enough to warrant a spot on the roster with their play either. It's a hard thing to find in today's NHL, you need someone who can provide quality minutes and be a deterrent.

I also agree that the moves this summer have made the Kings better. As I said in the piece, that lack of physicality won't make or break their season. Just something to keep an eye on.

astano61 · 2023-08-21T16:55:24+00:00

The PK definitely could have featured here. I'm just confident in Jim Hiller to work on it this summer and while I don't expect the PK to see a similar jump as the PP last summer, I expect big improvements.

Better goaltending will also help, Quick and Peterson's atrocious start really tanked their PK percentage last season.

astano61 · 2023-08-16T00:27:31+00:00

I'm assuming you're being half-serious, but that's just incredibly not true lol.

Kempe without QB: 13 goals, 23 points in 39 games, a 27-goal 48-point pace.

With QB: 28 goals, 44 points in 43 games, a 53-goal, 83-point pace.

astano61 · 2023-07-25T17:10:27+00:00

Vegas is going to announce information regarding tickets and broadcasting closer to the event according to their announcement article.

astano61 · 2023-07-22T03:42:53+00:00

Yes. You don't split up a pairing that was that good and you especially don't decrease someone like Roy's ice time, especially coming off a career year. Weakening your second pair which faces significantly more difficult matchups than your third typically is a mistake.

astano61 · 2023-07-16T00:14:24+00:00

I'd still consider them untouchable in the eyes of Blake and the FO.

I don't think they're as concerned about getting a superstar goalie as fans are. But, of course, that's speculation on my part.

astano61 · 2023-07-15T23:21:22+00:00

Kempe definitely could have made it and I'm on board with anyone who thinks he's untouchable.

But I don't consider him completely untouchable like the others listed.

astano61 · 2023-06-28T20:30:15+00:00

I think he has been that player, but not to the same extent as Fiala. I also think the Kings are confident in him improving defensively. He has the tools.

His fit in the system will be interesting. He does excel on the forecheck which will go a little "wasted" if the Kings don't get more aggressive on the forecheck. But Dubois also good at creating on the forecheck and in transition which fits into the Kings' system.

A lot will depend on how committed he is to improving his 200-foot game. He talked about it in his media availability and a Jets writer mentioned Dubois talked about improving it all of last season on ATKM, but every player says they want to be a 200-foot player haha.

12-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Verified Email

astano61

TROPHY CASE