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Halfway Done

December 29, 2019, 11:37 PM ET [8 Comments]
Matt Ross
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Hope everyone had a nice holiday!

This past summer I enjoyed my time helping cover the Kings and providing blogs for you guys - especially after some of the great hockey discussions we had.

When the season started back up, I focused on my regular duties as the Panthers writer here at HB. As a fan, I'll always follow the Kings.

Since we're halfway through the 2019-20 campaign, and with a window between work/life responsibilities, I wanted to take a little time to jot down some quick thoughts I have so far this year on LA's royalty. I hope this will give you a space to share your thoughts on the season to this point.

Overall

I think the Kings have done OK for a team in their position. Sure, 16-21-4 and third from last in the league isn't ideal by any means, but this is a team that's in a real transition period - made clear by Rob Blake's direction to play the kids and the small/low risk signings of the summer.

It's always a bumpy road when choosing to go with the (dreaded) youth movement. Most fans don't like it because they know it means the potential for poor play and a generally non-fun product to watch for a significant amount of time.

The Kings are no exception. Their young guys are going through the same growing pains that players experience when getting significant time in the big show. There's been a lot of blunders, but also some flashes of nice play. I like some of the speed I'm seeing and there seems to be some glimpses of tenacity with guys getting to the net, etc.

While we know there are moves that need to be made with some of these aging players (and their big contracts), I think it'll be vital for these young guns to soak up as much knowledge from them as they can - especially if the plan is to hope that some will develop into regulars, combined with pieces that make sense for the system, just in time for the next wave of guys (from that great 2019 draft) is ready for their turn.

With that in mind, it's been kind of fun - err, more tolerable? - to watch (at least to me).

Quick and Campbell

We know JQ's time in a black and white sweater is probably limited (provided they can find a buyer for that contract), but I still enjoy watching him play. Campbell, too. I think their numbers this year are more a product of the young/somewhat disjointed team in front of them, than poor play on their part.

McLellan's system will probably be good for these guys down the line when they flesh things out and get the right pieces, there's just not enough in the current lineup right now. It would be tough for any goalie to carry these guys on a regular basis.

Kolvachuk Out

I was surprised when he signed with the Kings because I always felt that both sides had to know the direction the Kings were ultimately going to be going in. Maybe they saw him as a veteran presence? But there was already a fair amount of that on the roster at the time of the signing.

Was the script flipped on him in terms of what he thought the direction, or his role on the team was?

At the time of the signing he was 35 and always seemed like a guy you add when you're a Kolvachuk away from a significant run. Do you know what I'm saying? Like...a team on the cusp that needs some offensive help/flare or a little boost to propel them to the next level. Not even sure if he would have been that guy for a team looking for that, but it would make more sense for a team in that position to get him.

While I don't know what goes on behind closed doors, there must have been some kind of breakdown, as evident by the ice time cutbacks and eventual press box visits.

Regardless of what it was, I do think he'll end up aiding a team in the playoffs, or one that's looking to make the push. This was something that came up on a recent All the Kings Men Podcast where it was debated between Jesse and his guest. I actually read that the Caps may be looking to add him...

What did you guys think of the whole ordeal?

Going Forward

Despite the 3-2 loss yesterday to Vancouver, I actually think that was an important game for this current Kings squad.

There was a lot of offense generated with 51 shots on goal. But I'd like to see them improve on the quality of shots. I talked about this in a recent Panthers blog, too. It's one thing to pour shots on, but another to get the "right" kinds of shots on - the ones that make things difficult for the goalie. A shot where the goalie sees it all the way is a lot different then when you have guys crashing and battling out front looking for a screen/redirect/rebound. The more chaos they can create, the better odds of finding the back of the twine. Time to start getting ugly.

I also thought their pace looked good - holding their own with a pretty fast Canuck team. Speed is the name of the game for the modern NHL and LA is trying to build that foundation of youth and skill, with an emphasis on speed - per Blake during the draft. Playing teams that have some of these attributes is a great way to measure where you're at and assess what areas you may need to address/tweak.

What have you guys been liking or not liking this season? What do you want to see Kings brass do to help this teams future? In the past we discussed a number of the contracts that need to be moved, but have your thoughts changed since then regarding what the return is you'd be looking for?

Most importantly: Do you think they're on pace for the rebuild?

___________________

Go Kings Go


(Photo credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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