Jason Lewis: LA Kings System: Why Centers and D Are so Important

How did Lecavalier look? I know he registered an assist, but just talking in general.

2017 AllStar game next year! It'll most likely happen.

Great write up Jason. With all the systems, plenty of the King's success hinges on personal abilities to finish as well. If Lewis had a grain more finish (and Brown) we'd be seeing scoring from virtually the top 9.

How did Lecavalier look? I know he registered an assist, but just talking in general.
- jmatchett383

Slow foot speed sometimes but he still has the mitts to move the puck up ice. Even got PK time. A promising first game but time will tell

I love this kind of blog great stuff Jason. Kings have always been one of the best breakout teams in hockey. They're also perhaps the best gap team in hockey. They always keep the gap tight, and play as a 5 man unit in all 3 zones. Love their structured game and how good Sutter is at getting his team in sync.

How did Lecavalier look? I know he registered an assist, but just talking in general.
- jmatchett383

I'm not going to say he looked great, but he hustled, laid a gorgeous cross-ice backhand pass from just inside the blue line to the crease and won a few faceoffs. He backchecked too.
IMO what he brings for the Kings is another veteran puck handler. While Andreoff might have dished/dumped/lost the puck on Vinny's assist play, Vinny was able to calmly handle and wait for the pressure to move by and then sneak the pass to the point... To me, that's the kind of play that will help this team. Patience and poise with the puck.

Schenn looked solid, too. He'll benefit more from the practices and knowing where his release wingers will be. Quite a few times he looked tentative with the puck, not sure where people were going to be, but off the puck, he played a solid D game.

Slow foot speed sometimes but he still has the mitts to move the puck up ice. Even got PK time. A promising first game but time will tell
- Jason_Lewis

He did look slow, but he looked faster than MRichards did while he played 4c.

I'm not going to say he looked great, but he hustled, laid a gorgeous cross-ice backhand pass from just inside the blue line to the crease and won a few faceoffs. He backchecked too.
IMO what he brings for the Kings is another veteran puck handler. While Andreoff might have dished/dumped/lost the puck on Vinny's assist play, Vinny was able to calmly handle and wait for the pressure to move by and then sneak the pass to the point... To me, that's the kind of play that will help this team. Patience and poise with the puck.

Schenn looked solid, too. He'll benefit more from the practices and knowing where his release wingers will be. Quite a few times he looked tentative with the puck, not sure where people were going to be, but off the puck, he played a solid D game.
- Stu17

That is one of his traits. He holds on to the puck way too long while trying to figure out what to do.

I'm not going to say he looked great, but he hustled, laid a gorgeous cross-ice backhand pass from just inside the blue line to the crease and won a few faceoffs. He backchecked too.
IMO what he brings for the Kings is another veteran puck handler. While Andreoff might have dished/dumped/lost the puck on Vinny's assist play, Vinny was able to calmly handle and wait for the pressure to move by and then sneak the pass to the point... To me, that's the kind of play that will help this team. Patience and poise with the puck.

Schenn looked solid, too. He'll benefit more from the practices and knowing where his release wingers will be. Quite a few times he looked tentative with the puck, not sure where people were going to be, but off the puck, he played a solid D game.
- Stu17

Glad to hear Vinny was decent for you guys, hope he can successfully fill that veteran role. Schenn should adapt well, LA is a perfect team for him especially while playing in a reduced role.

Schenn looked real good..Vinny, tough to tell due to lack of playing time. That pass to Muzzin was a beauty.

Should Leafs reel in Rychel?

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...r_id=251155&post_id=17206

thanks for reading!

It's games like last night's that make me wonder why people think the game needs more scoring. I was on the edge of my seat watching some incredible hockey and never once hoped that one team who blow out the other. Thoroughly entertaining and satisfying, even if I was rooting for the team that lost.

The title of this write up should really be...

"LA Kings System: Why having numerous cap friendly contracts is so important"

That is one of his traits. He holds on to the puck way too long while trying to figure out what to do.
- wilsonecho91

I'll have to take your word for it. I'm hoping it'll be less of a thinking thing and more of a reflex with practice and video sessions... If it's always going to be a thinking thing he might be a liability.

Schenn was solid, his first stride looks a bit slow, but he was on the ice at the end of the game with the Leafs pressing for the tying goal as the horn sounded to end the game. He played a solid 16 minutes, which was pretty surprising for someone that fly to the west coast during the day and has never practiced with the team. The more minutes he plays, the less minutes Doughty will have to play, and that's a good thing.

Vinnie took a lot of draws (13, obviously Carter is not 100%, he only took 5) in his limited ice time (9 1/2 minutes) and was 46% in the dot. While he is not speedy or great defensively, he was solid enough. The biggest thing he brings is the ability to pass the puck, and he and Mersch seemed to have a solid connection all night. If he can bring even a little offensive spark to the 3rd or 4th lines, it would be a huge upgrade to help this offense, which relies almost 100% on the top 2 lines to score.

I liked the play of Schenn and Lecavalier for their first game. Schenn looked at times he didn't want to make a stupid mistake so he may have been hesitant in some areas, but thought he played well enough. Lecavalier actually looked decent out there. I know he has only played 7 games this year but all in all he looked good with the 4th line. Made a couple key back checks that surprised me with him. If they both play like this for the rest of the year and get better with how the Kings play, I think this trade could end up working well for another cup run. Plus it adds a lot more depth

It's games like last night's that make me wonder why people think the game needs more scoring. I was on the edge of my seat watching some incredible hockey and never once hoped that one team who blow out the other. Thoroughly entertaining and satisfying, even if I was rooting for the team that lost.
- Anthropophagic

I actually agree with you in keeping the game how it is right now. There are times where I'll catch myself saying "I hate these 5-0 blow out games". They aren't exciting. The other team almost looks like they give up and the team that's winning 5-0 is just skating circles around them. Although nerve racking, I think the 3-2 games are the best games.

Schenn is unfairly maligned, largely based on not living up to his 4th overall draft status. He's a solid depth defenseman.

WTF was Muzzin thinking when he layed out the ref? Don't tell me he didn't see him, he was literally right in front of him, he just didn't care that he was in the way and skated through him.

Schenn is unfairly maligned, largely based on not living up to his 4th overall draft status. He's a solid depth defenseman.
- ChoclitLeClair

How is that unfair? If you're drafted that high you're supposed to produce(defensively or otherwise) like you were a top 5 pick. You don't pick a guy at 4 to be a "solid depth defenseman". Was Alexandre Daigle unfairly maligned?

How is that unfair? If you're drafted that high you're supposed to produce(defensively or otherwise) like you were a top 5 pick. You don't pick a guy at 4 to be a "solid depth defenseman". Was Alexandre Daigle unfairly maligned?
- Wetbandit1

That would be on who selected him there, not the player. Teams and GM's have been known to have some misses from time to time.

WTF was Muzzin thinking when he layed out the ref? Don't tell me he didn't see him, he was literally right in front of him, he just didn't care that he was in the way and skated through him.
- Wetbandit1

Wait, seriously?

WTF was Muzzin thinking when he layed out the ref? Don't tell me he didn't see him, he was literally right in front of him, he just didn't care that he was in the way and skated through him.
- Wetbandit1

what? Maybe he was thinking what kind of outlandish comment he could prompt if he took out the ref...

I know its very early but this takes the lead in the off the wall, least amount of thought put into a post contest for 2016

what? Maybe he was thinking what kind of outlandish comment he could prompt if he took out the ref...

I know its very early but this takes the lead in the off the wall, least amount of thought put into a post contest for 2016
- fsanford

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/v...3cuIVeZVhX5DuImWOrnNzmGge

How is it off the wall? This is the Kings thread right? I'm just curious what the excuse is for the hit. The Gordon hit wasn't dirty because "that's hockey". It was all Gordon's fault blah blah blah. How is it outlandish? Unless it's a fake video, it's relevant to ask, less than what, 2 weeks After a similarly reckless play to ask if he's maybe a reckless player? For the record I like Muzzin, but he's got to smarten up a little bit, and maybe when he sees the referee right in his face to maybe go around, or at the very least not straight through him. He made absolutely no attempt to avoid contact.