Hardcore Doughty @calstanvard

All historians agree Mao caused the deaths of 40-70+ MILLION of his own people. Let that sink in. Several million of those he directly purged and murdered (ie not indirectly killed by deliberate state policy). This dude is dangerous to America and Americans. Pure evil.

DSA Watch @DSA_Watch

a month ago

Hasan Piker: Mao Zedong is one of the great leaders of this world

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@AndrewKnollNHL We're #1 in something now!

Weak people fight. Normal people don't resort to fighting when talks breakdown. Talks breakdown because the people are not normal. At the end of talk isn't a fight. At the end comes new people. Normal people who can resume talks. It is not normal to fight, kill, and destroy.

To call a guy with a 20 yr NHL career from start to finish in critical roles, 1300 points, two Cups, and two Selkes just a "hall of very good" should be a felony. This dude should not be allowed to watch hockey for the rest of time. 😭 The stupidity has no limits!

Joe Finley Fan Club @fighting__sioux

a month ago

@NHLRussell Not really. Kopitar is hall of very good, Toews is hall of fame. Though the gap between them is not huge

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Yeah that's correct imo too. Reminds me of people who say that having a lot of options is a good problem to have. All problems are not good to have - by definition - which is why they're called problems in the first place. Capacity planning is a real thing.

Peter Richards @Peter2Richards

a month ago

@calstanvard Totally agree on lines. I do think you try to trade a goalie at some point this season unless someone gets hurt. Three goalies in AHL for full season is not ideal.

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It feels like a conservative low risk/low cost/low ceiling plan that is easier to unwind. Players are either super glue or scotch tape. The glue will take skin with it but the tape just leaves an residue. Kings have been messing around with tape for awhile now.

Mathias Hulvén @mathiashulven

a month ago

@calstanvard Great read! Also think moving Kempe or Laf to center is Plan B if Haula/Byfield goes cold or injured. I'm guessing Haula and Zuccarello weren't what ppl were expecting after Kopitar retired (I like the signings tho), so wondering if this is actually part of the plan: sign

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No. Not yet. LA has to address the elephant in the room and it ain't the forwards. Dumoulin-Ceci must be squarely addressed and changed. I have faith that Lavvy will figure it out and make some necessary rotations there or even force Kenny to bring in some reinforcements. End.

Personally, I think Byfield will shine. Why? If you can't shine with Panarin and Kempe flanking you and Laviolette orchestrating the offense like a maestro then you're cooked anyway. The LA Kings top line will flourish this season. Is it enough to win games?

Until now Byfield hasn't proven he's even ready to be a great every game 2C in the NHL. But, he's the first domino to fall should he fall. Meaning, if Byfield doesn't work out at 1C they're fucked. Everyone else will suffer by being moved around the chess board.

This last part requires maturity but also a strong level of self confidence and composure. Much of what you do won't be noticed much less commended. You're the backbone of your shifts. So, yes, a lot LA's success will hinge on Byfield. Will he finally be ready?

The centerman position isn't something you just try out. It comes with exponentially more demands and responsibilities. Beyond just your own game you are the player coach. You're communicating constantly. You're making up for someone else's mistakes.

You're giving orders to others like a platoon sergeant. You're covering much more ice and your shifts are much longer so your stamina requirements are on another level. And, you're also the one doing the faceoffs, barking at the refs, and doing the thankless stuff.

Every kid grows up wanting to be a centerman the same way every kid grows up wanting to be the shortstop or point guard. As they reach the highest levels of play they end up playing where they belong because someone else is better at those critical positions.

It's not a great lineup but I'm fine with it. I think they'll be better not only because of the new pieces but because who is managing and moving around the prieces (aka Laviolette). We finally have a competent leader. That makes a ton of difference.

The same two goalies will play. Goalies have to lose their spot to be replaced. They can't just have bad stretches. They have to be atrocious and lose the trust of the coaching staff and their teammates. Bad news for Portillo I suppose but that life in the NHL.

If Helenius starts at 4C it's reasonable to assume Lavvy will mix up the front/back pairings by putting the 4th line on the ice with the 2nd D-pair. Whether it's the 1st or 2nd pair depends on who is used on PP/PK as well as game flow.

In Lavvy's system which forward lines come off the ice with puck possession is critical. It's not ideal for Helenius to be chasing pucks then coming off so the Byfield or Haula line starts in the D-zone all game. So I wouldn't be surprised if Turcotte is given 4C.

Helenius is the obvious choice but his game doesn't fit with Lavvy's offensive system. Not only is he not a transition player but he is not a good F3 when the puck changes hands. And he'll be out there with our woeful 3rd D-pair traffic cones and compound matters.

get injured or totally can't be relied upon to soak up those minutes. They have more than 4 centermen so why would they create holes (ie problems) on the wings to create more oversupply at the center position? Think logically. Kempe is their best scoring winger.

Laffy is their best two way middle 6 winger and arguably their toughest forward who can create matchup nightmares especially on the road. Neither will be forced to play out of position just for the hell of it. Now, what about the 4th line? That's really the open question.

Why would they demote Laferriere or not use him at center? They were never going to use Kempe or Laffy at center. When they talk about them being options it is not referring to the best or top option. They're referring to a backup plan if one or more of the natural centermen ...