Ben Shelley: Special teams playing a role in Kings’ early struggles

Greetings Mr. Shelley!

Thanks for the optimistic -- light at the end of the tunnel post.

It beats the pessimistic -- only darkness ahead post you could have gone with.

Or worse.

The realist approach of -- uhh, I think that's a train heading at us.

Kuddos.

Mr. Kings

There's no reason for any optimism if Doughty is out for very long. The defense is a joke without him. At least people may realize that Roy isn't the defensive rock that they think that he is. Basically, the Kings are screwed.

There you go, Cabbages. You're welcome. Choo choo!

With or without Doughty. This team sucks. Its the same old game of relying on Kopi. Imagine not using Villardi and Kaliyev in OT when they scored in the game already. The teams system is a joke. And that power play break out is a joke. The entire thing is in slow motion.

With or without Doughty. This team sucks. Its the same old game of relying on Kopi. Imagine not using Villardi and Kaliyev in OT when they scored in the game already. The teams system is a joke. And that power play break out is a joke. The entire thing is in slow motion.
- poisondhearts37

Without Doughty, Stl in regulation @ -130 looks pretty good. Drew's 1.75ppg and 23 minutes a night won't be maintained my Roy and Walker. Stl should get an easy W tonight.

Without Doughty, Stl in regulation @ -130 looks pretty good. Drew's 1.75ppg and 23 minutes a night won't be maintained my Roy and Walker. Stl should get an easy W tonight.
- bikeguy99

Its an easy win with or without him. Aren't you following along.

With or without Doughty. This team sucks. Its the same old game of relying on Kopi. Imagine not using Villardi and Kaliyev in OT when they scored in the game already. The teams system is a joke. And that power play break out is a joke. The entire thing is in slow motion.
- poisondhearts37

I agree. I didn't mean to suggest that the team was good with Doughty. I was just pointing out how important he is, particularly for the defense, which is carried by him to a dangerous degree. In spite of that, maybe an excellent coach could get them to over-perform, but McLellan is not that. Even if the defense and overall roster were extremely solid, I'm sure that he wouldn't get the most out of them.

I agree. I didn't mean to suggest that the team was good with Doughty. I was just pointing out how important he is, particularly for the defense, which is carried by him to a dangerous degree. In spite of that, maybe an excellent coach could get them to over-perform, but McLellan is not that. Even if the defense and overall roster were extremely solid, I'm sure that he wouldn't get the most out of them.
- Osprey

Agreed. I had optimism this year. But outside of game one. They look lost. They look slow. Still the worst passing team ever. There pp break outs are in slow motion. They look disinterested. I know its early in the year. But man. This hasnt looked good.

I also feel like Danault is gonna end bad. Im not sure how there was so much hype for a sub 52% face off guy. Id rather of just stayed the course and given young players a chance. Also love how Todd Father isnt giving many of them much time. If you dont cut it for one game. Line is broken up.

And there goes Walker. The year of our D falling like flies.

You know that you're bad when your own color commentator suggests that an upcoming homestand in October might determine your season.

You know that you're bad when your own color commentator suggests that an upcoming homestand in October might determine your season.
- Osprey

I told myself this wasn't going to be a playoff team. But the complete absence of hope before November is painful.

I told myself this wasn't going to be a playoff team. But the complete absence of hope before November is painful.
- Only_A_Ladd

Without Doughty, Stl in regulation @ -130 looks pretty good. Drew's 1.75ppg and 23 minutes a night won't be maintained my Roy and Walker. Stl should get an easy W tonight.
- bikeguy99

Haha yes I was following along. Just trying to get any potential gamblers out there some confidence to get an easy W.

I didn't have the Kings as a playoff team this season. It would rely too heavily on Byfield having a 60pt season, and Clark being a solid offensive 2RD with the rest of the team in good health for the most part. Too much to hope for and now the wheels have fallen off early on. Certainly not a bad year to get a lottery pick tho. Brown may be shaping up to be a potential 1st rd pick at the deadline. Who wouldn't want a guy with his pedigree, and his production since the beginning of last season has been outstanding.

Agreed. I had optimism this year. But outside of game one. They look lost. They look slow. Still the worst passing team ever. There pp break outs are in slow motion. They look disinterested. I know its early in the year. But man. This hasnt looked good.
- poisondhearts37

Truer words were never spoken. It used to be just DB, but so many passes out of the zone are a foot off the mark or straight to the opposition.

Haha yes I was following along. Just trying to get any potential gamblers out there some confidence to get an easy W.

I didn't have the Kings as a playoff team this season. It would rely too heavily on Byfield having a 60pt season, and Clark being a solid offensive 2RD with the rest of the team in good health for the most part. Too much to hope for and now the wheels have fallen off early on. Certainly not a bad year to get a lottery pick tho. Brown may be shaping up to be a potential 1st rd pick at the deadline. Who wouldn't want a guy with his pedigree, and his production since the beginning of last season has been outstanding.
- bikeguy99

No one with knowledge of this team ever factored those two, combined things in as material to a playoff push. No one.