Trouble in LA LA land

[Fogghorn]

Miller would be a good fit. They do need to let him go before trade deadline and he's not worth the money. And he insists on being on a west coast team to be close to his family. LA would be his preferred choice. But I actually like this idea so Benning definitely wouldn't do it.

Taking back Dustin Brown for Ryan Miller is a Benning kind of move, though.

you are so right, you just ruined my morning with the thought of it. He'd probably throw in a draft pick just to sweeten the deal for LA

[E.L.]

Mulling over Pavelec's salary, I'm sure. Jets would need to take some back.

[Bosc]

Miller would be a good fit. They do need to let him go before trade deadline and he's not worth the money. And he insists on being on a west coast team to be close to his family. LA would be his preferred choice. But I actually like this idea so Benning definitely wouldn't do it.

Taking back Dustin Brown for Ryan Miller is a Benning kind of move, though.

you are so right, you just ruined my morning with the thought of it. He'd probably throw in a draft pick just to sweeten the deal for LA

Sorry!

[Pokecheque]

Kings officially eliminated from the playoffs. I obviously have some very mixed feelings about Jarome Iginla's recent stint in Colorado but super-bummed nonetheless that one of the best players to ever take the ice in my lifetime will likely retire never having lifted the Cup.

[E.L.]

What happened to Kopitar? Only 12 goals and 49 points. Has his body taken too much over the years?

[Pokecheque]

Huh...did not expect the Kings to start this strong with virtually the same lineup as last year. Kopitar and *gasp* Dustin Brown look reinvigorated, and Adrian "Flow" Kempe looks like a find.

And one of my all-time faves, Mike Cammalleri is still scoring goals. Unfortunately he has to wear 14 because Kyle effing Clifford is wearing 13. Just give it to him!

[E.L.]

No playoffs, no World Cup, no Olympics coming up.

I think the team just had a chance to catch its breath.

[Logical Progression]

No playoffs, no World Cup, no Olympics coming up.

I think the team just had a chance to catch its breath.

Quick is back.

[Logical Progression]

Looks like the Kings are righting the ship somewhat with 86 points and 9 games to play. Big OT win over the Mild tonight, Carter with a pair and 8 goals in 8 games since his return from the the skate laceration which has kept him out for most of the season.

Quick is still a bit of an adventure in goal. One game he looks all world - the next he looks like a wandering melody. Would love to see them face Vegas in round 1.

[E.L.]

Vegas v LAK in the playoffs would set up an amazing rivalry for years to come.

[E.L.]

Doughty will likely spend his career a King: 8 year/88M extension until 2027.

As for the rest of the team, they added another old guy in Kovalchuk. Will their thirtysomethings (Ilya, Anze, Brown, Carter, Dion, Lewis, Martinez, Thompson, Quick, Budaj) be enough?

They've got three guys in their primes (Pearson, Toffoli, Forbort) and a few young guns (Kempe, Iafallo, Brickley, Rempal, Eyssimont) and some legit prospects in Vilardi, Clague and Anderson-Dolan.

Not sure this group has one more run in them. Hope Quick, Kopitar, Kovalchuk and Doughty hang on long enough for Vilardi and JAD to come in and reshape the team.

[Pokecheque]

I have a feeling Kupari will be a solid addition as well in time.

I think this team's just gotten too stale, hopefully for Blake's sake the new blood really starts to take over. It'd help if they got a full year out of Carter this go-around as well.

[Logical Progression]

We all know the core can still play -- Doughty (28), Anze (30), Carter (33) and Quick (32). Whether or not they have enough young talent surrounding them remains to be seen. Brown has had one good season based on the departure of Sutter, but he really shouldn't be relied on for any sustained offense. Kovalchuk was a curious signing but reports are that he's still able to produce at a high level. The NA game has changed since he was last in the NHL. Should be fun to see how their season unfolds first hand.

[Pokecheque]

Less than a year after it was announced, the "Offensive Coordinator" experiment has come to an end. Pierre Turgeon decided against returning for another season.

http://lakingsinsider.com/2018/06/08/pi ... ant-coach/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pokecheque]

Wuh-oh...last night was not good. And last night would mark the first time since Anze Kopitar made his NHL debut in 2006 that the Kings had both he and Dustin Brown were out of the lineup at the same time. That's quite a record. I'll probably jinx him here but Anze's luck at avoiding long-term injury thus far in his long career is every bit as remarkable as his many accomplishments on the ice.

Kings definitely looked slooooooooow last night but what's confusing me is that it's not necessarily the vets letting them down, it's the kids. Adrian Kempe has all but disappeared after a rip-roarin' start to his NHL career, and so has Tyler Toffoli. They need more from their kids if they're gonna make this ancient lineup work.

Also, even though he scored last night, Jeff Carter looks like he's on his way to joining his Dry Island buddy Mike Richards in forced retirement.

John Stevens is in big trouble already to say the least.

[E.L.]

The blowout was Quick's first game back from injury, so I'll let it slide. This team could use a healthy Vilardi.

[Pokecheque]

This team could use a healthy Vilardi.

They might be waiting a while...

[Pokecheque]

As posted by Greg in the Coaching Watch thread, John Stevens wins the First Coach to be Axed race, Willie Desjardins takes over as interim.

https://www.tsn.ca/kings-fire-head-coac ... -1.1203815" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I imagine this is it for Stevens as a head coach, though he has been very successful as an assistant everywhere he's gone.

[E.L.]

Your Last Place Los Angeles Kings.

[Pokecheque]

I think "Lose for Hughes" is officially on now that L.A. is onto their third and final goaltender.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/kin ... coMD1jf0O0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;