Kings Article: LA Kings D Prospect Paul LaDue Is Still Turning Heads With AHL Ontario Reign
- Thread starter FrozenRoyalty
- Start date
raswilliam
Registered User
Raccoon Jesus
Todd McLellan is an inside agent
Really? The transaction hasn't even been announced yet and you want to say "I told you so" for what is likely a cup of coffee until Toffoli's return? Come on, man.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
Proving a point that he shouldn't talk in absolutes, as if he knows any more than anyone else.
Raccoon Jesus
Todd McLellan is an inside agent
"When told about what LaDue said about what he needs to improve on, Stothers flatly said, “I agree with him. Everything.â€
“He’s just a kid,†added Stothers, “We need to get that consistency.â€
It was at that point that Stothers, who is known for adding a bit of humor here and there in his comments, went for the joke, even though it was a serious comment.
“One night [LaDue] can look close to a Drew Doughty and some nights he looks like an old Mike Stothers.â€"
What does that guy know, right?
Also, can't speak for Gann, but doubt he's speaking in absolutes, it's a pretty common colloquialism around here that when we say "not ready for the NHL" it's a general statement meaning "not ready for full-time duty," not "he won't even get a callup."
Also kind of funny because you yourself said earlier in this thread that you think he'll be ready next year.
Really just an unnecessary shot.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
I figured by next season he'd be ready for full-time duty, as pointed out by his age, contract status and the other examples of players around his age or slightly younger who made the jump from college to minors to the pros.
That's where I vehemently disagreed about him "not being ready." I don't expect LaDue to be earning close to 20 minutes a night, but he's close enough to crack the top six. Especially with how awful McNabb has been since returning.
That's where I vehemently disagreed about him "not being ready." I don't expect LaDue to be earning close to 20 minutes a night, but he's close enough to crack the top six. Especially with how awful McNabb has been since returning.
Raccoon Jesus
Todd McLellan is an inside agent
Hey you could be right, I mean, Voynov had a similar scouting report, though he was much more consistent defensively. I just think people are going to be enamored too much by the shiny new toy with good puck skills and forget his defense is very much a work in progress, he's probably Jamie McBain right now.
AlphaBravo
Registered User
The Kings would not take the risky move of waiving Gilbert, just to give LaDue a game or two of cup of coffee. What happens if Gilbert gets picked up off waivers, LaDue plays those two games and gets sent down again? Now we have no 7th defenseman since Greene is injured for what looks like the entire season.
It seems like DL wants LaDue to be up for the remainder of the season.
It seems like DL wants LaDue to be up for the remainder of the season.
AlphaBravo
Registered User
Seriously? You are comparing LaDue to Jamie McBain? I agree that he shouldn't have been called up at this point in the season, but Jamie McBain? That is a bit unfair.
He's been progressing on the defensive side of the puck. Definitely making fewer mistakes.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
Raccoon Jesus
Todd McLellan is an inside agent
I'm not saying that's his ceiling, I'm saying those should be our expectations right now. But then again, maybe I liked McBain more than most
Good with the puck, great IQ, but with a propensity to get muscled off the puck and occasional defensive zone lapses. But it's good to hear from Sam that he's progressing, so I'd be happy to be completely wrong.
AlphaBravo
Registered User
I'm not saying that's his ceiling, I'm saying those should be our expectations right now. But then again, maybe I liked McBain more than most
But it's good to hear from Sam that he's progressing, so I'd be happy to be completely wrong.
I haven't seen too many Ontario games, but during the preseason LaDue blew my mind away. He was probably the third best defenseman on our team during preseason. Of course, preseason is not the same as the regular season, but he had that IT factor and the composure that appears necessary to reach elite status.
Raccoon Jesus
Todd McLellan is an inside agent
he does strike me as the kind of guy (like Kempe) who would do better with the flow and structure (and somewhat predictability) of NHL play for sure but every time I've seen him he's been high-event; will wow you with some plays and can certainly be a difference maker, but can also burn you on defense. I do agree he has the innate ability for a high ceiling. I'm just trying not to get overly mesmerized by how a guy 'looks' vs. his actual performance--Jack Johnson used to wow us with his raw tools, but nothing pointed to his actual effectiveness. Damon Severson from Jersey is another one; the guy is so good and smart with the puck that everyone looks past how brutal he can be without it. Or like Karlsson last year, who put up so many points people were failing to realize he was actually costing them points in the standing by virtue of being on the ice for more 5v5 goals against (by 10!) than anyone in the NHL and even having goals against relative to team bottom 7 in the NHL.
FrozenRoyalty
Registered User
THE SAVIOR AND SECOND COMING OF DOUGHTY HAS ARRIVED!!!!
Finally a RHD to fill THE hole!
Too soon?
SFKingshomer
Registered User
Raccoon Jesus
Todd McLellan is an inside agent
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
- 21,665
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Will struggle against NHL forwards.
But hey, so do all young Defenders. Forbort did as well for a time.
But hey, so do all young Defenders. Forbort did as well for a time.
And Muzzin... And Forbort... And Gravel... McNabb is still struggling...
Doughty and Voynov are the exceptions...
johnjm22
Pseudo Intellectual
- Aug 2, 2005
- 19,739
- 15,207
I don't think Gravel has struggled all that much. As a bottom pair guy, he's been comparable to a lot of other bottom pair regular NHLers.
