SLAVA VOYNOV
This season: 54 games, 8 goals, 12 assists, plus-12 rating.
The good: Voynov got assigned to the AHL at the end of preseason and again in early February, but not because of any dissatisfaction on the Kings’ end. The Kings simply had a full complement of healthy defensemen at those times. They knew that when they called upon Voynov, he would be ready, and they were correct. For a 22-year-old defenseman with no prior NHL experience, Voynov did a fantastic job. He played big minutes and contributed on the power play. His skating, passing and accurate shot made him a solid complement to Willie Mitchell, and Voynov maintained a high level during the playoffs.
The bad: This is certainly not uncommon for a player with his (lack of) experience, but Voynov can improve his play with the puck, particularly when it comes to making a first pass out of the defensive zone. Particularly in the playoffs, teams tried to exploit Voynov by putting extra-strong pressure on him, in an attempt to force him into a turnover or a bad pass. As he gets older and gains more experience, Voynov will play with a bit more composure. Voynov also isn’t the strongest defenseman out there, and probably never will be, so he needs to make sure he’s always in good position in order to not get exposed to big hits.
Going forward: The Kings were patient with Voynov, and waited to bring him along until they believed they had found just the right situation. It is here, and Voynov is ready. Voynov and Willie Mitchell formed a great pairing, and Voynov looked up to Mitchell as a mentor, both on and off the ice. That’s also great news for the Kings. In terms of puck-moving defensemen, Voynov is second only to Drew Doughty on the Kings in terms of natural skill, and he’s only going to get better. The areas in which Voynov can improve will come naturally, as his NHL games-played total rises. He and Mitchell figure to continue their successful partnership.
is it me or does he kinda look like admiral Spock in that picture?
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@Stuart,
Chekov???
[Reply]
Howard Berger Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
@Michael J., Hey Kingers: Nice to be back in the home of the Stanley Cup champions. What do you think of this idea for my home-town club in Toronto?… http://www.bergerbytes.ca/2012/07/no-harm-in-leafs-pursuing-bernier/
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
@Howard Berger,
Howard, it was mighty terrific to have you along during our famous 2012 playoff run.
You augmented our charge for the Cup just beautifully with your sumptuous photography and richly descriptive captioning
I’m sure I speak for more than just myself in telling you what a pleasure it was to have you along for the ride.
A salute to you, sir!
Nice to see you back here too, enhancing our knowledge of our (adoped) hometown’s culture.
Don’t go far, will you!
YoBro Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
@Howard Berger, What he said!
Go Kings
variable Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Stuart,
more like jiri hudler….
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tfpmedia.com/tfpsite/mug/jiri_hudler.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.lhss.ca/player.php?player%3D498&h=120&w=80&sz=1&tbnid=6cGp6mwNLL8BmM&tbnh=0&tbnw=0&zoom=1&usg=__rbQsFG85FFZV8qzZLO_fcXwFxRM=&docid=82VL8sHPrE7UFM&sa=X&ei=wdoJUIK1KqGi2gWbo7ysBw&ved=0CIsBENUX
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@Stuart, …wonder if he plucks that thing to keep it from becoming an ant bridge…
[Reply]
Shuchuk Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
@Stuart, have you seen his picture on EA NHL 12? he has a russian bowl cut. HA!
[Reply]
B+ This kid has all the tools. He will only get better.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@Michael J., Considering because we could send him up and down he wasn’t on the roster with the Kings his production was an A in my book. At points in this year when DD was still trying to rally from his poor start Voynove was be best puck moving Dman on the team. The reason the Kings were able to move JJ was Voynov and the fact that JJ’s loss could be absorbed by Voynov and Carter’s presence were key for the Kings. May be in the top 50 of NHL Dmen already and is still getting better.
[Reply]
Shuchuk Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
@Michael J., plus, he was NJ’s highest scorer
[Reply]
Dave Reply:
July 22nd, 2012 at 1:06 am
@Shuchuk, Yeah he scored on Quick more times than any other player. Kind of a gift, really.
[Reply]
There’s an argument to be made that his development was the key to the Stanley Cup. Confidence in Voynov allowed the Kings to trade Jack Johnson…bringing in Jeff Carter then set the roster to slot everyone into the exact best role…Coach Sutter got the most out of everyone…and hello, Lord Stanley.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@Mel Powell,
I was about to post something to this effect. Thanks for beating me to it.
[Reply]
Not that big a guy, but he can definitely be stronger. Plus, all that stuff Sutter said about using his stick better ‘like Chelios’ should go a long way towards helping him shut down top players for years to come. Start lifting V! (no not that V).
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
too late….:)
i’m in full-training, off season mode….
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Yeah, apparently Drew doesn’t need any help with “that” V……
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@Kingsfanone, If there is a roll back of 12% of players salaries making DD’s salary 6 mil/yr does that mean people will start cutting him some slack?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@luc20rules, No, cos it won’t affect the fact of him still being one of the highest paid players.
He will still be expected to perform like Orr/Bourque/Pronger/Chara all rolled into one – rollback or otherwise.
If he doesn’t, look out!
Silver and Black fans will be seeing All red!
Doughty99 Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
@Duncanz,
“Silver and Black fans…” holy sweeping generalization, Batman!
Speak for yourself. The way Doughty played in the playoffs, $7M is a bargain.
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 11:10 pm
@Doughboy99,
Lol, it was really more a vehicle to insert an “Allred” joke in there, in case you missed it.
Incidentally, I really like DD, but the jury is still out on him.
He’s beginnng to establish himself but any resting on his laurels, as he has inarguably been know to do, and he will approach Penner status in the minds of the people.
You have to back up your entertainment page value with your sports page value or you approach Mandy Ramirez territory.
Meta World Fleece and Becksy Bucks (at his self-satisfiediest) are other examples of hyper-paid imported white elephants you may not want in your room on a hockey club – even after winning a championship!
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@Kingsfanone, Drew? LOL. Uh, this is about SlavaLavaDingo
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Yeah………the “V”
(Y)
Try to keep up……..
The kid’s got a huge upside. I hope he’s with the Kings for yrs to come. I drive my wife crazy because whenever we toast, I raise my glass and say “Slava.”
[Reply]
Was is that last game against Phoenix when we had the lead with a couple minutes left & he controlled the puck behind the Coyotes net for 30 seconds as the time was ticking off the clock? The crowd was going crazy. So he gets an A just for that.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@Howe9,
I believe it was game 3? I kept think Frolov
[Reply]
plywood Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@Howe9, That was one of my favorite memories of the playoffs. I was going nuts during that sequence. Amazing for a rookie to have that much skill and composure.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@Howe9,
One of my very favorite non-save or non-goal-consequenting offensive plays by a Dman of the season.
Screw it. It WAS my favorite play of the season!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
You know I’m almost certain it wasn’t DS’s/JS’s favorite play of the season tho’!
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
@Duncanz, Then does the Shea Weber signing at 7.857 mil/yr take some heat off DD? By the way in the playoffs DD was at Norris Trophy level plus. If DD starts the season well, I think expectations are stay high, but the crazy hieratic level of criticism that took place though last year will be gone. Like the witch hunt for TM, JK, etc we still one the Cup, so no harm no foul, right? For the record I absolutely agreed with the 2 firings, but its time to let it go.
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
@luc20rules,
I guess you were actually replying to my comment one before this one.
The reply I left for @Doubty99 is my true manifesto of intent.
rick Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@Duncanz, Mine, too. It was hockey artistry.
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@Howe9, I think to say Darryl Sutter lost his [poop] would be an understatement. But after it was done he and everyone else got a good chuckle.
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
@Howe9,
I remember that, it was awesome
[Reply]
C+ – Probably a bit harsh, but he did score two goals against Quick in the playoffs. But seriously, Voynov is one of the players that sort of drove me nuts this season and in the playoffs. Too many times, he was indecisive with the puck in his zone, resulting in turnovers or at least limiting the rushes they made outside of their zone.
I realize that his results are good (+12 is nothing to sneeze at), but he made me cringe more than he made me comfortable when he had the puck in his own zone.
[Reply]
bmova Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@vplaza, You know he’s a rookie, right?
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@bmova,
Really, who knew.
IMO, playing with our number one stay at home defenseman surely helps him as well, saving his bacon many times when he was in tight spots.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@vplaza, ….playing with WM definitely increases your chances of a good +-….
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@Deke’r,
WM is definitely da man on D.
[Reply]
krash324 Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@vplaza, Agree but the positives he brought made him at least a B and way better than JJ for me
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@krash324,
Maybe I could go B-, but it’s close.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@vplaza, Do you really prefer JJ who very *decisively* made bad passes? Just sayin’.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
@HockeyNerd,
My post was about how I graded Voynov. It has nothing to do with JJ whatsoever.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
@vplaza, My point was that decisiveness does not always make for a CORRECT decision. I apologize for the way I phrased that, no you did not mention JJ I did to make my point.
Doughty99 Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
@vplaza,
VVVV saved Mitchy’s bacon on several occasions in the playoffs, especially against NJ.
Giving Slava a C+ and even joking about those flukey goals in the Finals is like giving Quick a B and then saying, ‘he gave up that goal to Morris. But seriously, he gave up that goal to Parise and was in a lot of nervey moments. Maybe a bit harsh, but he was in a lot of tough spots, and that made me nervous: ‘B’.’ It’s the Playoffs. There will always be “nervey moments”.
Grade: A – he’s an integral piece to this team; the perfect complement to Mitchy. If you gave Mitchy and A, then Quad V should get one, too.
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
@Doughty99,
Are you tryin’ to go one better than @Stuuu and his Triple D ????
If so, you’ve succeeded!
B+. Great job as an inexperienced kid coming up to the big club for the playoff push. He will get much better as his comfort level increases. He is already ahead of the curve, with the huge playoff run and Cup. As mentioned previously, his ability afforded the Kings to make the moves to get into the playoffs and beyond.
Plus, he did score more goals against the Playoff MVP then anyone else in the playoffs, didn’t he?
[Reply]
Many of the other players who have been evaluated already had a common theme – poor to average regular season followed by a great playoff/Finals performance. VV is the one player who had a great regular season followed by a poor playoff/Finals. He is only going to get better!
[Reply]
@Rich Hammond. Nice try making stuff up for ‘The Bad’.. amart is the one injured by big hits this year, yet you didn’t say that for him.. first pass out of the zone a weak point? Do you not remember the game winning goal vs phx when he hit brown tape to tape for a breakaway.. you guys are just sour cause you all thought amart was better, he is not. Thank you.
[Reply]
Just watched the 1981 SCF clinching game when the Islanders won their second Cup. That was an awesome post game – fans jumping onto the ice, cops beating up fans, skaters carrying the Cup and sucking down champagne on the ice, photographers beating each other up to get pictures, really bad suits, no Bettman BS, yep, real hockey
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@DesertKing, best part of your synopsis: no Bettman
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@Stuart, My Uncle Gary will be here for years to come.
And you can bett your bottom backside on that one!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
@Duncanz,
Uncle Gary sucks.
laikaloco Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@Duncanz, and hopefully it will be his honor to present the Stanley Cup to captain Dustin Brown a few more times, too…
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@DessertKing,
Well, he’s the best (Uncle) we’ve got!
Who are you going to replace him with???
(can’t wait for this …)
DesertKing Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@Duncanz,
Charles Manson, Mick Jagger, Jamie Kompon, one of my Yorkies, TM, my mother-in-law, Otis from The Andy Griffith Show, Kermit, Dennis Rodman, Steve Avery, Sean Penn, any one of the Power Rangers, Megatron, Jimmy Carter, Cal Worthington, you know, just about anybody.
Stuart Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@DesertKing, quite an impressive, yet VERY random, list you came up with! LOL
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@DesertKing,
Wait……….NO GODZILLA?
Sacrilege!
YoBro Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
@Duncanz, Wait,,, DK, Yorkies???? Really??
Go Kings
DesertKing Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@Stuart,
Yep, anybody but Bettman.
[Reply]
Mik3ysfv Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Duncanz: Cal Worthington. Definetely.
7MILforHickey Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@DesertKing, thats a family guy list. you get an A for randomness
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
@DessertKing
Jimmy Carter, wasn’t he the guy that valiantly opened the nation’s asylums and liberated the incarcerated, including, anecdotally, my Uncle Gary?
… Or was that the other guy?
if slava can start being more responsible in his own zone and gain that “first pass” confidence RICH eluded to, he could really be a huge difference maker…
i think he could put up as much as 45 points next year if all goes well….
[Reply]
Marty's Knuckles Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@variable, And perhaps less opposition goals scored off his chest and dome.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
@Marty’s Knuckles,
right…(!)
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
@variable, I don’t really give a flying fig if he scores 45-50 pts. I would love to see him get better at his position (defense) before he worries about trying to put together a Bobby Orr campaign!
Go Kings
[Reply]
Marginal in the playoffs, but a strong rookie regular season. Voynov gets a “B” from me due to his overall low salary, high high value results. Still young and with loads of talent. With experience will come more confidence and learning from Mitchell doesn’t hurt one bit. He will be pushed by Martinez and Hickey though to keep his level of play at a high level.
[Reply]
mike onusic Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@KC23, Hickey???? You have to be joking right?
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
@mike onusic, Not joking. Last years AHL all star defenseman Hickey with a +16 will surprise many, especially you apparently.
[Reply]
HockeyfanB4Gretzky Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
@KC23, +1
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
@KC23, You may be right IF one of the regular 6 we now have is injured for a significant length of time. Otherwise I don’t think he even makes the team.
SDGolfer Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
@mike onusic, calling hickey a bust based on your vast scouting experience?
[Reply]
Many here are hard graders! A rookie defenseman playing big minutes on the eventual Stanley Cup Champions? How can he not be an A?
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@JohnD,
On the second best defensive team in the league?
It’s hard to give a d-man on this team a poor grade. As good as Quick was, and likely bailed out team several times, the overall control the Kings d-men had of their zone was nothing to sneeze it. It was truly a dominant display. They would been the top defensive team if the offense could have sustained an attack more consistently, thus eliminating time spent in the D zone. (See: 2012 Playoffs, Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings)
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
@JohnD, ….see post above yours….B….
[Reply]
Who cares — we won the Cup.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
@Woody, The people who posted here care. We are being given something fun and thought provoking to do while we wait for the new season to start. Now if YOU don’t care than why are you bothering us?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
@HockeyPhone,
You seem to have a woody for @Woody.
Well, fair enough I suppose.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 12:19 am
@Duncanz, He asked a question and I gave him an answer. If he has no opinion on he topic of the thread than why should I have to waste my time reading his comment?
SLIM Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Who’s us?
He has an opinion like you do…
Please don’t include me as one of you’re us”s…
This is a friendly blog or are you somewhat newish…?
[Reply]
@Howe9, Amen.
[Reply]
Voynov gets an A, I mean considering expectations vs result. Who was Voynov at the beginning of the season, training camp rolls around and people are 1) mad at whoever that DD wasn’t there and 2) wondering who the hell is this Russian kid playing the blueline. Very few at the end of last season saw Voynov coming and to step in and preform the way he did, he deserves an A.
[Reply]
I voted “A” simply based on performance under pressure vs. experience. Thank God we have great scouts.
[Reply]
Love this kid. He is dripping with talent. A top 4 defenseman for the next 10-15 years.
[Reply]
I gave Voynov an A. He still has some parts of his game to improve, but he filled in very well for Doughty (and played better than Doughty did when he got in the lineup), adjusted well when being sent down and back up, and then replaced Johnson and even improved the defense.
He could be a 12-15 goal scorer very soon and probably plays the point better than any Kings player already. And his +12 looks mighty nice on that second pair after years of Johnson struggling in that area.
[Reply]
An A from me as well. I grade based on expectations. What was expected was to maybe fill in if someone got hurt. What we got was somebody who played so well as a rookie that we were able to trade an experienced defenseman for Jeff Carter and actually get BETTER at the blue line.
[Reply]
If anyone is looking for the beer and is near Inglewood CA they have about ten cases left, today at
Albertsons at 12630 South Hawthrone Blvd Inglewood CA 90304
Now if only I can find the quick milk bottle I be at set.
Good luck
Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@Gail Web, um, what?
[Reply]
Gail Web Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@Stuart,
There is bud light bottles in a pak look on facebook if you can shows picture just a bottle that congrats the LA Kings cup win.
Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
@Stuart,
That’s what I was thinking
[Reply]
Daren Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@Gail Web, Is there a kings stanley cup beer?
[Reply]
QueenInVan Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 1:33 am
@Gail Web,
Always on the lookout for the beer!
GKG!
[Reply]
Handled a top-4 role well in his first season of NHL action, put up points, hung in there patiently waiting for his chance to join the big club and ultimately allowed the Kings to make the Carter deal. Grade: A, for this year.
He’s got great potential but to get an A next year he needs to improve on the defensive side while producing points at the same or better rate for the full season.
The way he likes to sneak down the weak side when everyone is looking the other way reminds me of his fellow Chelyabinsk native Sergei Gonchar. It would be tremendous if VV could develop into that type of player.
[Reply]
responsible D Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@responsible D,
By the way is it just me or did he have some trouble keeping pucks in at the point. I seem to recall more than a few instances in the playoffs where the power play had to clear the zone and regroup because he got happy hands back there at the blue line.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
@responsible D,
Definitely see him developing into a Gonchar-type Dman given a few years and the perpetuation of a good team around him.
Vase dzorov’e!
[Reply]
A
Will continue to improve but he was solid for a guy playing in his 1st year in the NHL, winning a Stanley cup while playing a prominent role on D..not much more you could have possibly asked for. Will be a future star.
Both he and DD will form the best tandem any team can have as far as a top 4.
[Reply]
PHOTOS WITH THE CUP!!
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_21113702/stanley-cup-tour-beach-cities-coming-an-end?source=rss
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
@Gustavo, Next Wednesday, July 25th from 9-11 am. $10 per person for the Kings Care Foundation. http://bit.ly/O3vFHs
[Reply]
Just got done watching the Islanders beat the Canucks in the 1982 final. What a team that was! They didnt have the overall talent and flash that the Canadiens teams before them, and the Oilers teams after them had, but I sure wouldnt bet against them in a 7 game series. This team was loaded with a ton of grit, character, mental toughness, and clutch goaltending that I have ever seen.
And I will tell ya, after watching the way those guys played, the more I am convinced that DL is trying to pattern our team after the way those teams played. The one thing they had, that this team doesnt currently have is a dominant goal scorer like Mike Bossy.
Then again, guys like Mike Bossy dont grow on trees.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
@puck73, Closest thing right now is Stamkos. Carter will have to do though.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
@puck73, I don’t really remember Mike Bossy that well, but I do know that Gretzky and may other great scorers after the late 80s had very diminishing numbers. So its hard to compare scorers across decades from 80 to 83 the NHL Goals per game was 7.75 or higher, and last year it was 5.7. See link for a chart.
http://hockeyanalytics.com/2009/02/the-eras-of-the-nhl/
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
@luc20rules, “Gretzky and many other great scorers.” I typed may instead of many.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
@luc20rules, Bossy could score goals in any decade. You’ll never see a quicker release on a deadly accurate wrist shot.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
@puck73,
I just liked VanHoover’s traffic zafety jerseys.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
@DesertKing,
Nice.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
@puck73, Bossy, Potvin, Tottier, and Potvin were a nice core. Tonelli, Gillies, Nystrom… nice mix of grit and talent. Oh, both Duane and Brett Sutter on that team so they definitely played Sutter hockey.
[Reply]
The Gondor Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 9:31 am
@Osaka, Yet they never could become a champion until they picked up Butch Goring… from you know where.
[Reply]
C+ – he got better as time went on, but he’s still rough around the edges
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 8:37 am
@CAA, What are you expecting from a rookie defenseman, a Norris nomination?
[Reply]
I thought the kid did only O K. If it were’nt for WM he would have been exposed
MORE than two-fold. I’m looking for him to hopefully start reaching his much hyped potential next season. C-.
Go Kings
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 20th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
@YoBro,
But that’s exactly one of the major reasons you stick him with a man like WM.
It’s another hypothetical argument that can’t be proved.
As was succinctly raised in the article on Scuderi, RS played with Hal Gill in Pitt and then had to change his game to complement a contrasting player, the phenomenally paid and potent, DD8.
I submit that VV is smart enough to effectively make any situational adjustment asked of him.
After WM, he will have a chance to display this.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 12:16 am
@YoBro, Hey, you could stick me with WM too, but I wouldn’t have 8 goals and be a +12. I have played enough hockey to know that the 5 guys you have out on the ice at one time are only as good as the weakest one of them. We became a BETTER team JUST by the fact VV replaced Mr. “minus” JJ.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 12:39 am
@YoBro, What were Jack Johnson’s numbers with the Kings again?
[Reply]
just going through my desk, throwing away some old papers & things….
guess what I found on the bottom of a drawer?
a Kings ’74-’75 Stanley Cup Playoff program [of COURSE I knew it was in there]
one of the cartoon drawings shows “1967 – did you know that – coach Bob Pulford scored the winning goal at 48 min. 26 sec. of overtime – Toronto 3 – Montreal 2, against Rogie Vachon”
[Reply]
Who are these clowns that keep giving D’s and F’s. Duck fans?
[Reply]
Hey, let’s all think a little bit more rational re: this grading system.
“C” should be league average. An average player having an average season. The other sport equivalent would be a minor league call up or trade from somewhere around the league that would get you an average “C” player who you would expect to have at least average ability and give you an average season.
All of the grades should stem from how each King compared to the league average. By the very nature of winning the Stanley Cup, the Kings were better than league average.
If all you people giving everybody “C’s” would stop and think about it for a second, a team of all “C” level players would be your average, non playoff quality, .500 hockey team.
In other words, an all “C” team would be the Ducks.
[Reply]
Robert R Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 10:16 pm
@The Gondor,
[Reply]
Robert R Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 10:47 pm
I wonder about those who give out grades of “C” to those players who took us from March through the Cup run:
What level of play, exactly, did they expect?
[Reply]
Gave him an A….good puck moving defenseman and more conservative style of defense then Doughty…Good reads on when to pinch in and good stick handling skills as he demonstrated against 5 Yotes in the play-offs!!
[Reply]
Again , ALL starting Kings D men get A’s! The Kings defense crushed everything in their path and grabbed the dam brass ring!
This kid came in and completely held his own, replaced J mo fo J and some!
It only gets better.
GO KINGS GO!!!!!
[Reply]
Voynov’s play was pricrasna!! (excellent)
At the start of the series, New Joisey thought that they could pick on him. Well, that didn’t work out too well for them. His play just got stronger.
[Reply]