Jason Lewis: Size and the "Identity" Game

All I know is Kings have got to get faster.

Players like King need to be replaced. If the guy was more skilled or knew how to hit somebody I wouldn't mind as much. The guy needs to go.

All I know is Kings have got to get faster.

Players like King need to be replaced. If the guy was more skilled or knew how to hit somebody I wouldn't mind as much. The guy needs to go.
- Shenanigans20

Second thread in a row.

Again, King is not a problem. He is a fine third liner.

Fantastic article.


Well written , easy to read.

Plus it proves that its nice to have size but means nothing without speed. Everyone wants size and speed but you just cant find that for the NHL minimum.

Well done

I was going to say... you don't want King? I'll give you JT Brown, Cedric Paquette and a 3rd for him- I'd have Dwight King on my 3rd line all day everyday.

Good stuff, Jason!

Second thread in a row.

Again, King is not a problem. He is a fine third liner.
- Jason_Lewis

Nope. Not a fan.

Sorry

I was going to say... you don't want King? I'll give you JT Brown, Cedric Paquette and a 3rd for him- I'd have Dwight King on my 3rd line all day everyday.
- OzBolts

Lol just because I don't like a player doesn't mean I want to get rid of him for spare parts

Sustr is the guy I would want if making a trade with lightning.

Lol just because I don't like a player doesn't mean I want to get rid of him for spare parts

Sustr is the guy I would want if making a trade with lightning.
- Shenanigans20

Sustr is a spare part for TB.

Lol just because I don't like a player doesn't mean I want to get rid of him for spare parts

Sustr is the guy I would want if making a trade with lightning.
- Shenanigans20

I'd make that trade without hesitation. I think both players would be better on eachothers respective teams.

EDIT- But... you have to take Brown too

Smart blog. Play to your strengths, who knew?

It's almost so simple that it should be easy for teams to get it right.

JORDAN WEAL

Second thread in a row.

Again, King is not a problem. He is a fine third liner.
- Jason_Lewis

He must stay in the third line and no higher.

"Size and the "Identity" Game" Very true, good blog. Applies to the Canucks (or lack of)

Smart blog. Play to your strengths, who knew?

It's almost so simple that it should be easy for teams to get it right.
- Misterbator

You'd think? Yet, we have teams that pull in different directions in terms of draft/development and on ice utility.

It still amazes me when teams take players such as...Andrei Loktionov for example. Good solid player on the right team. Why he was ever drafted by the Kings is beyond me. Did not fit their style at all. Maybe someone saw something at some point. Who knows.

Why do you think Edmonton or a team like Florida has yet to put it together? What is the identity of those teams? Edmonton has had three different general managers and three different coaches in something like four years. Not to mention drafting high as almost tied their hands in selecting players that fit a "mold"

They almost HAVE to select McDavid, Hall, RNH. After all they are the "Best players available." Right?

Drafting that high can be a blessing and a curse.

All I know is Kings have got to get faster.

Players like King need to be replaced. If the guy was more skilled or knew how to hit somebody I wouldn't mind as much. The guy needs to go.
- Shenanigans20

Not sure why you want to get rid of King. That big body clears a lot of space for Toffoli and Carter. He's also become a 30 pt guy! Keep him right where he is...

the Kings as currently constructed are basically forced to utilize their size. that's just a reflection of the current personnel they're working with. but in all honesty, i'd take the "heavy" game in the playoffs any day over the speed game. the only exception is if there's a massive gap between one team's speed and the opponents. but considering we're talking about NHL professionals here, most of the time the whole speed argument is entirely overblown. they can all skate pretty fast... go figure. the "heavy" game tends to be able to overcome the speed deficit in the postseason. Chicago is one of the only exceptions. but if you're using Chicago as the example of speed over physical play, you have to acknowledge the unusual amount of skill they have in addition to their speed. saying they win on speed alone would be incredibly misleading. its the combination of speed and skill that becomes the exception. not just a team's speed. but as i mentioned before, i'll still take the kings heavy game over a lighter, faster kings team.

Why, oh why, do I enjoy and respect the Kings' blogger so much? Well done again Jason.

"Size and the "Identity" Game" Very true, good blog. Applies to the Canucks (or lack of)
- VanHockeyGuy

Yeah, the problem is fans want the team to be something they're not. That's probably why WD is a much better fit than Torts. This team needs to embrace the skill/possession game and not try to beat LA/ANA at their own games.

Good stuff, Jason!
- Nucker101

Why, oh why, do I enjoy and respect the Kings' blogger so much? Well done again Jason.
- yzermaneely

Thanks Gents! Much appreciated.

Why, oh why, do I enjoy and respect the Kings' blogger so much? Well done again Jason.
- yzermaneely

Us Kings fans got lucky having him write for our team. I would definitely still be reading his blogs if I was a fan of another team. JL helps make this period before next season a little more bearable. The Ducks/Hawks series helps in that aspect as well

Us Kings fans got lucky having him write for our team. I would definitely still be reading his blogs if I was a fan of another team. JL helps make this period before next season a little more bearable. The Ducks/Hawks series helps in that aspect as well
- dprice818

So you're not missing Matt Barry?! LOL.

All I know is Kings have got to get faster.

Players like King need to be replaced. If the guy was more skilled or knew how to hit somebody I wouldn't mind as much. The guy needs to go.
- Shenanigans20

I like King, but I don't want him on the top line, I don't think he fits there. I wish Brown would go to the front of the net more (Ryan Smyth like) because he has good enough hands to make things happen, and is physical enough to make plays. He just needs to learn how and when to make the right plays. I don't know if it's too late, but I can't imagine he can't be coached enough to go to the front more.

King on the 3rd line is good, I'm hoping that Weal switches to RW easily, and can stick on the 3rd line with Shore.

I think the biggest shuffling we'll see is Brown, King and Lewis all on Kopitar's wing. King I don't think has the skill or speed, Lewis is a little better but I don't think his skill set fits, Brown is best when he just keeps it simple.

At least we know our second line is good.

I like King, but I don't want him on the top line, I don't think he fits there. I wish Brown would go to the front of the net more (Ryan Smyth like) because he has good enough hands to make things happen, and is physical enough to make plays. He just needs to learn how and when to make the right plays. I don't know if it's too late, but I can't imagine he can't be coached enough to go to the front more.

King on the 3rd line is good, I'm hoping that Weal switches to RW easily, and can stick on the 3rd line with Shore.

I think the biggest shuffling we'll see is Brown, King and Lewis all on Kopitar's wing. King I don't think has the skill or speed, Lewis is a little better but I don't think his skill set fits, Brown is best when he just keeps it simple.

At least we know our second line is good.
- bluecoconuts

Mersch with 5 goals in his last 2 games, all of them Ryan Smyth type front of the net greasy goals. Can't wait til the baby Kings are in Ontario next year.

Late to the party, but just wanted to say this is one of the best pieces I've read in 6+ years of visiting this site. Tremendously well written.