Rumor: 2018-19 Kings News/Rumors/Tidbits

[KINGS17]

Showed much compared to who?

Can't compare him to Doughty or Voynov but for his 1st year or so compared to Muzzin and Martinez...he looks to be performing about the same defensively and better offensively.

Compared to any of the Kings other six defensemen who played ahead of LaDue on a regular basis.

If you want to get in a time machine, LaDue doesn't show me much in his own zone compared to a 23-year old Alec Martinez or Jake Muzzin.

 

[TruKingFan]

If you want to get in a time machine, LaDue doesn't show me much in his own zone compared to a 23-year old Alec Martinez or Jake Muzzin.

Not that I disagree totally with your point and probably agree more on 23-yr old Martinez than 23-yr old Muzzin (who hadn't stepped on NHL ice when he turned 23), but remember LaDue was a collegiate standout and thus had a late start on his professional career than those two. Still, LaDue regressed last season but I think should be given more latitude this coming season.

 

[KINGS17]

Not that I disagree totally with your point and probably agree more on 23-yr old Martinez than 23-yr old Muzzin (who hadn't stepped on NHL ice when he turned 23), but remember LaDue was a collegiate standout and thus had a late start on his professional career than those two. Still, LaDue regressed last season but I think should be given more latitude this coming season.

Jake Muzzin - age 23

2012-13, 45 games, 16 points, +16

Jake Muzzin Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

I hope LaDue makes it, but I have my doubts.

 

[Reaper45]

Not that I disagree totally with your point and probably agree more on 23-yr old Martinez than 23-yr old Muzzin (who hadn't stepped on NHL ice when he turned 23), but remember LaDue was a collegiate standout and thus had a late start on his professional career than those two. Still, LaDue regressed last season but I think should be given more latitude this coming season.

Both played as 23 year olds in the NHL. Martinez was a college player himself and managed to play significantly in his 23 year old season. LaDue may break out or he may not. The issue most have with him is that hes old prospect wise. He doesn't have much time or room for growing pains.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I don't think Kings keep Brickley as a #8 when he can play full time in AHL and MacD has to clear waivers.

 

[KingTrouty]

I don't think Kings keep Brickley as a #8 when he can play full time in AHL and MacD has to clear waivers.

So we burn off Brickey's last year of his ELC if he flashes in camp? A "#8"?

 

[Reaper45]

So we burn off Brickey's last year of his ELC if he flashes in camp? A "#8"?

Yes. Let him grow into a top 4 in Ontario and then bring him in. No sense having him play every 3rd or 5th game and 12 minutes a night.

Forbort-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez (The pairing that wont die)
Phaneuf-LaDue
MacDermid

Big Mac rotates in when you need muscle, laDue sits. If LaDue or any puckmover gets hurt, call up Fantenberg (if hes not taken off waivers) or Brickley.

 

[KingTrouty]

Yes. Let him grow into a top 4 in Ontario and then bring him in. No sense having him play every 3rd or 5th game and 12 minutes a night.

Forbort-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez (The pairing that wont die)
Phaneuf-LaDue
MacDermid

Big Mac rotates in when you need muscle, laDue sits. If LaDue or any puckmover gets hurt, call up Fantenberg (if hes not taken off waivers) or Brickley.

Fair enough, thanks for the feedback, Reaper.

I want to see Brickley stick, but it does make sense that he as the #7 would be a waste of his development, and the LaDue contract seemingly makes him the 7 if he does make the team (Brick)?

I still can't ignore the hype from the org and scouts on the kid, tho.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

what's the latest on Voynov? I thought the next step was he needed to sit down with the league, and they then decide his fate in regards to playing in the league again....I guess everyone is trying to be very quiet about it all.

 

[kingsholygrail]

They're not going to move quickly on Voynov.

 

[kingsfan28]

Toffoli is going to look like end of his career Luc Robitaille on that line. He cant keep up with those two...

A skating coach would be a good start. If a lumbering guy like Brian Boyle can increase his speed , so can Toffoli. Hell, even Luc did it at one point in his career .

 

[Butch 19]

They're not going to move quickly on Voynov.

= we'll have some Voynov news tomorrow.... thx

 

[onlyalad]

what's the latest on Voynov? I thought the next step was he needed to sit down with the league, and they then decide his fate in regards to playing in the league again....I guess everyone is trying to be very quiet about it all.

He has to get a work visa . I don’t know what he needs for that. He may have reached out to the league. They won’t say anything because they want to limit the bad PR.

 

[Stimpythecat]

Yeah, last I heard was the work visa application. That normally would take longer than normal due to a criminal history. I am not sure how an expungement would affect that.

 

[Stimpythecat]

I think MacDermid's 2 year deal was to make it more likely for him to pass through waivers unclaimed. Same rational the kings had when signing Andreoff for 2 years.

 

[YP44]

I think MacDermid's 2 year deal was to make it more likely for him to pass through waivers unclaimed. Same rational the kings had when signing Andreoff for 2 years.

Speaking of Waivers and Andreoff. My understanding is the Kings picked up Budaj to go to Ontario as a leader. However is anyone else concerned that he will be picked up on waivers? I could see a few teams wanting a veteran back up.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Speaking of Waivers and Andreoff. My understanding is the Kings picked up Budaj to go to Ontario as a leader. However is anyone else concerned that he will be picked up on waivers? I could see a few teams wanting a veteran back up.

Concerned seems like a strong word to use.

 

[YP44]

Concerned seems like a strong word to use.

fair...not like it keeps me up at night but just something I could see happening

 

[johnjm22]

Yes. Let him grow into a top 4 in Ontario and then bring him in. No sense having him play every 3rd or 5th game and 12 minutes a night.

Forbort-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez (The pairing that wont die)
Phaneuf-LaDue
MacDermid

Big Mac rotates in when you need muscle, laDue sits. If LaDue or any puckmover gets hurt, call up Fantenberg (if hes not taken off waivers) or Brickley.

Seeing that lineup I feel like we're lacking a defensive specialist.

 

[Reaper45]

Seeing that lineup I feel like we're lacking a defensive specialist.

I feel like that's a dying breed in todays game. Everyone's a hybrid.

 

[johnjm22]

I feel like that's a dying breed in todays game. Everyone's a hybrid.

I think that's the mentality of a lot of people in hockey right now, but I don't agree with it.

 

[KingsFan7824]

fair...not like it keeps me up at night but just something I could see happening

I'd say his contract probably keeps him in the organization. Unless someone else gets desperate. Seems like most teams have their backup, and $1m is a lot for a 3rd/4th string guy.

I think that's the mentality of a lot of people in hockey right now, but I don't agree with it.

And that's where there risk/reward comes into play. Do you follow everyone else, or do you buck the trend? If you do something different, you can start a new trend, if successful, but doing the latter sort of got Lombardi fired. Or at least made fun of, not just with the Kings, but also his last try with Team USA. I guess you don't have to be slow to be a defensive specialist, but defensive is usually shorthand for lacking talent and/or speed.

Same as in the NBA. You can still have a 7 foot center that can't shoot 3's, but the rest of your team has to be that much better at what they all do to make up for it.

 

[YP44]

I feel like that's a dying breed in todays game. Everyone's a hybrid.

I agree. The Matt Greene's are going away slowly. I think teams are favoring two way D over defensive specialist even if that means sacrificing in their own end. On the flip side I feel like only offensive forwards are not as valuable and teams are looking for better two way forwards. This helps mitigate the loss of the stay at home D-man.

 

[johnjm22]

And that's where there risk/reward comes into play. Do you follow everyone else, or do you buck the trend? If you do something different, you can start a new trend, if successful, but doing the latter sort of got Lombardi fired. Or at least made fun of, not just with the Kings, but also his last try with Team USA.

Doing something different is what made Lombardi successful.

I guess you don't have to be slow to be a defensive specialist, but defensive is usually shorthand for lacking talent and/or speed.

And "PMD" or "Offensive Defenseman" is usually shorthand for lacking effectiveness in the defensive zone.

IMO, having a defensive specialist makes it easier to work your young defensmen into the NHL by giving them a responsible player to pair them with. It can also let your offensive defensemen roam a bit more.

If we had a prime Mitchell/Scuderi type player, I'd feel totally comfortable pairing Brickley/LaDue/Fantenberg with one of them. As it stands now, I don't feel comfortable pairing those guys with any one not named Doughty.