What's up with our team? What should they do in order to improve?
2006-10-24 12:45:24 · 12 answers · asked by Kings Fan 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
I think the Kings GM DID say that this was going to take some time, that the Kings in the past have gone for that "quick fix" instead of developing some strong, home-grown players.
The Kings looked awful against the Avalanche the other night, but I'm not going to blame Cloutier for it. The L.A. defense was just plain awful. Some of that can be attributed to them getting used to each other -- there's an awful lot of turnover from last year -- but they didn't have a very good D last year. Getting Rob Blake can't hurt, but they'll need a little time to gel.
But back to the young kids -- I still say Frolov can be a star in this league. Kopitar (see link below) has looked amazing, and the kid they got in the Demitra trade, Patrick O'Sullivan, will be very good once he gets his legs. Remember, these are 19-, 20-year-old kids. Give'em a bit of time.
And remember: You have the rights to probably the best defensive prospect in the league (Jack Johnson, see below). The kid is still in college, but they're saying he's got the potential to be a shutdown defenseman. You've also got one of the top goaltending prospects in the league in Johnathan Bernier (see stats below from college and the minors). They say he could be with the big club in 2-3 years.
Like I said, give them time. It takes time to build a solid base. GM Dean Lombardi did the same thing in San Jose, and he can do it in L.A. Help is on the way!!!!
Let's Go Kings!
Let's Go Kings!
Let's Go Kings!....
2006-10-24 15:34:23 · answer #1 · answered by Tom A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a question of time. The Kings have a couple key diamonds in the rough who are getting used to playing in the NHL. I'm not just talking about the rookies, players like Brown and Frolov are starting to find their groove, but meshing as a team takes time (I hate to wait!!!) What sems to be lacking is players knowing what the others are doing and backing them up. This too will come with time playing together. I hate seeing the dump & chase as much as the next guy but when you are about to enter the offensive zone and no one is near to back you up...what do you do in traffic? I have seen Frolov, Avery, Kopitar (damn that kid can skate), Visnovsky, Conroy....oh hell, almost all of them go for a Kamakase attack without backup because others didn't react or read play right. This too, will come in time (I hope).
Getting Blake back was great, I hate the people that boo him at home games, but that seems to be fading unless he flubs.
I do think Garon is better in goal than Cloutier, but you can hardly call the game against the Avalanche Cloutier's fault. The first three goals were during 5 on 3 power plays....need more to take the wind out of the team's sails??
OK, enough of my rant. Come on Kings, Kick 'em!!!!
2006-10-25 03:22:05 · answer #2 · answered by boredperv 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frankly, Demitra leaving is the biggest reason. The top line looks lost at the best of times. You can't just let a super talented guy like that go, and think nothing will change. Now obviously the Kings are loaded down the middle, but so are a lot of clubs. And when your only standout winger is Frolov, your club is in big big trouble. Cloutier is a fabulous goaltender and Blake, Vis, and Sopel are great guys to have in front of you on defense. But until you can get more pressure on the wings, you're not going to produce enough offence to keep the puck out of the king's zone. Improving is as easy as playing to your strengths. If you can't beat them with skill, beat them with brutality. Move a hulking winger like Scott Thornton up to the top line with Frolov. Or start focusing on developing your top potential in O'Sullivan. That kid can put it on net so easily. If you had Thornton sitting down by the goalie, he could just bang it in. Have I got your imagination working?
2006-10-24 23:34:47 · answer #3 · answered by manicjustice 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Tom A" has a good answer. The Kings are going to be really good again if they keep on going with what they've got. Lombardi and Crawford are the guys who'll stick with things and get it done right.
It's a combination of a lot of turnover, different coaches with different systems and philosophies, young guys who have to learn on the job, and just coming together as a team. Plus they're in the Pacific, which might be what the Northwest was last year. You just have to give them time, that's all it'll take in order to improve.
They're on the right track! Compared with the Kings teams of years past, they're much better even already.
2006-10-24 23:32:54 · answer #4 · answered by Ilmari_Karjalainen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goaltending. Kings should go with Garon. Dan Cloutier is so overrated. He may have won 3-30+game seasons with the Canucks but then he was playing with a very good team. Now, he looks mediocre. Also chokes a lot especially in the playoffs. Oh yeah, and he gets injured a lot.
2006-10-25 02:52:57 · answer #5 · answered by tyrone b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its your goal-tending non other then Dan Cloutier, he was terrible with the Canucks and i just don't understand why he is still in the NHL his start this year with goals against is 1-4-1 .878 3.73 they need to play more Mathieu Garon he can be a great goalie if only given the chance and he will get it this year cause i know Cloutier will fall apart well he did 6 years ago.
2006-10-24 19:58:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anze Kopitar and wath a save of Cloutier BOTH Garon is the number I hait Sean Every he is a racist
2006-10-25 07:16:31 · answer #7 · answered by Emman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are rebuilding. They just did not want to admit it before the season becase they wanted people to show up. Getting back Blake was just to put people in the seats too. They will get better in time, be patent and take it slow
2006-10-24 22:17:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alyn McCauley injuries can't help.
They have a young coaching staff, they're having issues on the powerplay (both giving up too many and not producing when they're on-one) and they're going through a changing process. They'll get it together and they'll be a major threat when they do.
2006-10-24 21:03:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
their goalie..hes not the next patrick roy..they also need better offense..defense..basically everything..they dont have much of a good team is the truth..of course they can get a goal..but theyre not a big team..sorry
2006-10-24 20:02:47 · answer #10 · answered by Ohkay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋