In 2011-2012 the Kings needed to add some grit and character to the bottom lines, they called up King and Nolan to replace Moreau and Hunter and totally changed the makeup of the team.
In 2013-2014 the Kings needed to add skill to the bottom lines, we have seen Vey, Toffoli and Pearson all come up and contribute key goals to help the team win.
Great teams have lines like the kid line, they don't send out junk lines like Clifford-Stoll-Lewis.
I am extremely impressed with all these kids. They have been a breath of fresh air to a team thaat desperately needed it.
In 2012 Sutter called up two young grinders to replace two old grinders which kinda refutes the idea that I've seen many people post that he favors veterans over grinders.
And the line about great teams, you do realize that Clifford, Stoll and Lewis are all Stanley Cup Champions right? I guess that wasn't a great team. Or maybe you are suggesting their play has diminished so much in that time period that they are no longer capable of playing at that level? It is funny because in the GDT you mention Brown and Kopitar are struggling but you are confident they can get their game back but for some reason the three whipping boys you've picked out this year are unable to. I personally don't care if they replace Stoll et al. I want what is best for the team but I can understand why the GM in the coach wouldn't be so certain these guys can continue to play at this level and into the playoffs. The three you listed are champions and are more than likely be given the benefit of the doubt until their play and their potential replacements play dictates otherwise.
The young guys have far exceeded my expectations to this point but the real question is if they can keep it up. BTW.. I only watched the third period of last nights game but apparently Pearson was abysmal before that. He scores one goal, an important goal, and everyone seems to forget about that. Unless of course that wasn't true.
Sutter and/or Lombardi have a severe soft spot for veteran grinders, and I think it has weakened the product we have put on the ice both this season and last. You hate to see anyone get hurt, but it appears injury is the only way to open their eyes to just how awful guys like Clifford, Stoll and Fraser are.
That is the type of skilled bottom six forwards we need to beat Chicago. It will be really interesting to see what happens when Clifford and Stoll come back, how do you possibly send these kids down to play those stiffs.
And here your first line contradicts the statement you made prior. Sutter called up King and Nolan over veteran grinders. This year when the current three rookies were called up, they've all been inserted into the line up and he even played them on the PP yesterday.
This idea that Sutter is a dinosaur and favor grinders over skill or veterans over youth is complete horse ****. Voynov played top minutes as a rookie. Muzzin did as well. There are plenty of rookies that are both grinders or skill players that Sutter has relied on.
