Fans of the Los Angeles Kings have had plenty to cheer for over the past few seasons. They’ve seen two Stanley Cup winning teams and a third season that ended in the conference finals. There were five consecutive seasons of playoff hockey in Hollywood.
Last season the Kings missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2008/09 season. It was quite the shock at the end of the season to see the reigning Stanley Cup champions on the outside looking in. But having an atrocious shootout record (2-7) and going sub .500 on the road (15-18-8) will kill any postseason hopes there are.
There have been some massive changes to this team in the off-season and I wouldn’t expect the same results as last year.
Key Additions: F Milan Lucic, D Christian Ehrhoff, G Jhonas Enroth
Key Departures: F Mike Richards, F Justin Williams, F Jarret Stoll, D Andrej Sekera, D Slava Voynov, D Robin Regehr, G Martin Jones
Roster Contenders: G Peter Budaj, F Andy Andreoff, F Jordan Weal, D Damir Sharipzyanov, D Derek Forbort
Projected Lineup:
Milan Lucic – Anze Kopitar – Marion Gaborik
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dwight King – Nick Shore – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Trevor Lewis – Jordan Nolan
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Christian Ehrhoff
Brayden MacNabb – Matt Greene
Jonathon Quick
Jhonas Enroth
The addition of Lucic brings some functional toughness to the top six. He is a capable scorer, netting twenty plus goals three times in his eight year career. Adding him to the Kings offensive lines will mean just another tool in Darryl Sutters tool box to deploy as he sees fit.
How Christian Ehrhoff got inked for one year at $1.5M is beyond me. Surely he got shares in the team for signing for that cheap. Check out his HERO chart… You know he could’ve gotten upwards of $4 million if he wanted to.
In the 2015/16 season I think the Kings are a much more competitive team from start to finish. They removed a locker room issue when Mike Richards had his contract terminated in late June. Depending on how the immigration hearing goes for Voynov, Kings fans might have seen the Russian blueliner for the last time. Will Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson continue their rise possibly making Marian Gaborik obsolete?
If I have to pick one area that I would be concerned with it would still be the goaltending. I am not at all convinced that Jonathon Quick is as good as his previous play in the Kings Stanley Cup runs. He is a much more average player than most media seem to make him out to be and his save percentage on the road attests to that.
There isn’t really any one player on this team that I look forward to watching, although I really do enjoy seeing Doughty play as I think he is the best defenseman in the entire league. The Norris trophies might not be there but he is at the top of his game and there is no one in the league that is a more complete defender than Drew. Part of me is looking forward to watching McDavid and Hall blow past him at some point this season.
Sunday Night Pint 7 is here so grab your girls and grab your beers!
Today we’ve got a rambunctious group of rowdies! Zach Laing, Corey Mitchell, and Kris Hansen from Oil on Whyte have all come forward to give us their takes on what we think is the most important news the NHL has to offer.
We’re going to be talking about Taylor Hall goals, Patrick Kane and what happens when he tries to score but is denied, Connor McDavid’s new Roommate, and kick ass drinks!
Let’s get to it!
Will Taylor Hall Score More or Less than 35 Goals in 2015/16?
KH: I think he’s just a hair under 35 goals this season. I do not think it’s a question of ability, but rather a question of health. If Hall is healthy, for sure he can be a big point producer; he was a point per game player the last two seasons where he played almost a full season. Last season injuries derailed him. Still, I think he gets the most points of the Oilers this year. It’s also interesting to note that he had more assists than goals in his career year, although you would have to imagine that would change playing with McDavid. I’m playing it “safe” and saying he gets 33 goals and he gets great chemistry with McDavid. It’s just the durability that is the biggest question. From the really small sample size we saw at the BioSteel camp, there’s definitely some reason to be excited for a Hall-McDavid combo.
ZL: I think Hall will score over 35 this season. His game has finally evolved to a point where he is considered a top LW in the NHL. Given the obvious addition of Connor McDavid, as well as the fact that the rest of the Oilers top 6 are finally coming into their own I think it is certainly time for Taylor Hall to explode in the league.
CM: My over/under on Taylor Hall goals? I’m setting it at 35, and I take the over. Obviously, like every season, Hall’s health will be a factor. But let’s keep in mind he’s two years removed from his 80 point year, where he almost broke 30 goals for the first time. Playing with McDavid, I think he hits that mark, and then some. Hall’s coming off the most disappointing year he’s seen in his professional career.
At the other end of the spectrum, he also has the experience of playing with arguably the best player in the world, and winning gold a the World Championships. Winning is something Hall hasn’t done since his second Memorial Cup with Windsor. All that should provide the motivation for Hall to have a career year. I think there might be some growing pains, as he adjusts to McDavid adjusting to the NHL, if that makes sense, but by the second half of the year, Hall is going to explode.
BLH: I reckon Hallsy will only put up more than 35 goals if he can stay healthy for the first time in a long time. But no doubt about it, being one of the best LWs in the game, having one of the best wrist shots in the league and playing alongside McDavid, that should definitely be enough to get him to at least 40 goals if not more. Stay healthy Taylor!
Do You Think Patrick Kane Will Be Traded? If So, Where To?
KH: I don’t think Kane gets dealt. There’s still a lot going on with his situation where it’s really hard to comment on, due to the lack of information. As such, it’s unfair to condemn or protect him at this point of time. Value wise, you bet there’d be a ton, but he does start that monstrous contract. He’s one of the best Right Wingers in the game and probably the best American player in the NHL. However: what team would actually trade for a guy before he’s deemed innocent or guilty? That’s such a huge gamble. I cannot see any team trading for him today due to the fact that his future is in the air. Too many what ifs.
Heck of a player, wish he would grow up though.
ZL: The Kane situation is very tough. I find it hard to believe that the Blackhawks are willing and ready to move on from him, however this is his 3rd strike as a member of the team. The 2009 cab incident as well as incident in 2012 where he was partying University of Wisconsin-Madison’s annual Mifflin Street Block Party and some lewd pictures came out of him posing with some ladies who has a few too many. In my own personal opinion, I think the outcome of the new rape allegations will help determine whether or not he will be traded.
CM: A lot can be said about Patrick Kane at the moment. However, I don’t think “traded” is going to be included in that category. And that’s not for lack of wanting to on the part of Chicago. I definitely think Stan Bowman would love to move a player that has multiple examples of off ice issues, as well as a contract that, I feel, was hastily signed, and really put Chicago in a serious cap crunch, that has already seen three big pieces of the Blackhawks most recent championship team moved, with more dominoes to fall.
The issue is, as I said, the contract. Sure, there are a handful of teams with more than enough cap space to take on a Patrick Kane, but does he really want to play in Florida? A better question is, would a team like Florida be willing to move the pieces necessary to acquire Kane? You’ve got to think the asking starts with Aaron Ekblad.
No, I don’t think Kane gets moved. I think he sticks with Chicago, and they’re forced to move another key player to clear cap space for one of the two contracts Stan Bowman signed, that I think are really going to hurt the NHL, and more than likely, lead to another lockout. But that’s a topic for another pint.
BLH: Recently I wrote about this here. Basically I could see him getting traded but you have to take into consideration his contract and the locale. I can’t see a major market team giving up major assets to pick him up. More like a Southern market team. Maybe the Florida Panthers or Arizona Coyotes. They have mad assets to be able to pull of a deal for a superstar like Kane and nobody watches their hockey games.
What’s Your Take on Connor McDavid Rooming With Taylor Hall This Season?
KH: RE McDavid rooming with Hall: it’s absolutely stupid and ridiculous that people are upset with this. This is something that people have no control and should have little interest in. Instead of applauding Hall as a leader taking a young kid under his wing, you know, stepping up, people are more concerned about Halls “partying” and “attitude problems”
Where the hell do people get this from? Do they ACTUALLY know Hall? No, they hear it from their friends brothers buddy who was at a bar in 2011 and use that as a FACT. I’ve read a lot of dumb comments, making stupid assumptions based on nothing.
It’s a new level of dumb that people actually care about this.
ZL: For some reason unknown to me, everyone looks at McDavid living with Hall in a negative context; but just like everything in Edmonton the last 10 years, the fans of the team are overreacting. On Twitter, people talk of how Taylor Hall isn’t the most pleasant person when he is met by fans in public. That’s okay though, because not all public figures are the most pleasant.
However, it should be remembered that there is more to meet the eye. For people to say that Hall isn’t a right fit for Connor to live with I disagree strongly. To an extent Hall can now be considered a veteran NHLer as this is his 6thNHL season. Hard to imagine isn’t it?
As an 18 year old coming into the NHL with expectations like McDavid has, Hall will be able to help ease his journey into the NHL. Hall knows all about the expectations as similar ones were placed on him when he entered the league.
CM: Once again, this fan base turns a non issue into a hot topic. I think McDavid living with Hall is a great idea. These are two guys who are going to be hearing their names together everyday for the foreseeable future. Why not have them develop off ice chemistry as well as on ice? We didn’t seem to mind when Hall and Eberle lived together, so why does it matter now? Short answer is, it doesn’t.
BLH: Meh. Who cares? There’ll be those who want to see him bunking up with Andrew Ference or Matt Hendricks and those that would love to see him with Hall or Nuge. I have no issues with the team placing them together. It’s going to be their show for the foreseeable future anyhow. Why not cultivate the relationship?
What’s Your Favorite Goalie Mask?
KH: I remember my first NHL season I really followed was back in 95-96 (and I say loosely because I was only a first grader!) so the 90s really influenced my choice. First up is John Vanbiesbrouck’s Panther mask. It’s simple and had a nice look to it. A full Panther mask? With the cage being in the Panther’s mouth? That’s so cool! It also helped with Beezer was on the cover of NHL 97 for my old Sega Genesis. I think it’s an underrated mask.
Also up there is Kelly Hrudey’s LA Kings mask. I love it. I was a big fan of the Hollywood sign on the front flanked by rolls of film. I always loved the black and silver look of the Los Angeles Kings and that mask summed up the 90s era Kings pretty well for me.
There’s so many good 90s masks though. CuJo has to be there and I’m betting someone will mention it. Eddie the Eagle’s mask is a classic. Patrick Roy with the Canadiens was a nice clean look. Brodeur’s is a staple.
ZL: I’m a fan of the old Terry Sawchuk no-mask.
CM: Favorite goalie mask? That’s a really tough one, given how goalie masks have really become an art form in recent years. I really liked Rolosson’s mask when he joined the Oilers. And there’s something to be said about the classic Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph designs. But for my pick, I’m going way off base. My favorite goalie mask? Denis Lemieux. What started out as a plain, boring white mask on a mediocre goalie, soon gave way to the black mask, with the skull and crossbones, blood dripping from the fangs. It really reflected the change in attitude the Chiefs got once the Hansons came on board, and helped Denis find his game. That’s why he “ownzzza, ownzzza” the best mask in my opinion.
BLH: Mine is Brian Hayward’s San Jose Sharks Mask. It was a gamechanger and a trail blazer in terms of mask designs.
Speaking of McDavid, If He Was a Drink, What Drink Would He Be?
KH: I’m lame at this. Since he’s boring in the media (where there is absolutely nothing wrong with) I think when you look at it, it would be like a rum and coke. But once you start drinking that rum and coke, you realize that it’s actual Coca Cola and has the triple amount.
ZL: McDavid would be a smooth, silky 30 year old scotch.
CM: These fourth questions are sometimes my favorite ones to answer, because they’re so unexpected when we come up with these weekly topics. McDavid as a drink….. I don’t think its as simple as a straight shot, or even a highball. You’d have to have the smoothness of a fine scotch, mixed with how fast Jagerbombs go down to represent his speed. Throw in the skill required to make a great martini, as well as a tequila shot, since he’s going to be turning defenders inside out, much like tequila does to my stomach, and you have the makings of a pretty disgusting drink.
BLH: McDavid would be a Tequila shot. You know as soon as you drink it trouble is coming. The same with Connor McDavid. As soon as you see he’s got the puck and blazing toward the defence, you know that they’ve got problems they haven’t even thought about yet.
Thanks for reading! I hope you’re enjoying our Season Primers series and let us know in the comments below if you agree with our assessments.
Part 7 of Prospect Profile takes a look at a few players of European nationality that should provide the Oilers with some significant depth this upcoming season.
It’s no secret that the Oilers have found great success with European players in the past, having the likes of Jari Kurri, Ales Hemsky, and hopefully Nail Yakupov pull on the sweater. Here are five players the Oilers are hoping can follow in those footsteps.
Roman Horak
Contrary to popular belief at the time, Roman Horak was not the focal point of the Ladislav Smid trade from a few seasons ago. That doesn’t diminish his potential as a depth player for the Oilers, however, if he decides to come back to North America.
While it may seem like Horak has been around the professional ranks for some time, he’s actually only dressed for 84 NHL games, with most of his career taking place in the AHL, with his best season being in 2013-14. That was the year he was acquired by the Oilers along with Laurent Brossoit, with Ladislav Smid and goaltending prospect Olivier Roy going to Calgary. Following the trade, Horak would pile up 48 points in 53 games, including 21 goals. That production was enough to get Horak a brief 2 game look with the Oilers, registering 1 goal.
It could be that lack of consistent production at the NHL level that seems to have side tracked Horak a bit, as he spent the last 3 years bouncing between the NHL and AHL. Along with that, he’s already been featured in two trades in his brief pro career, as the Flames originally acquired Horak from the New York Rangers in 2011, before he even played one pro game. Last season saw him sign in the KHL with Chekhov Vityaz, where he went 18-13-31 in 53 games. While he remains Oilers property, it doesn’t look like they will be able to access Horak this season, as he’s already begun the year with Vityaz.
Anton Slepyshev
Upon the announcement earlier this year that Anton Slepyshev had signed his ELC with the Oilers, social media lit up with excitement in regards to the Russian winger. Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft, the 21 year old has remained in the KHL, and is coming off his 5th professional season, which was also his third season with Ufa Salavat Yulayev. It’s the fact that he’s already played five years of high end hockey against men that has fans excited to see what he can bring to the Oilers.
Last year saw Slepyshev put up some modest numbers in the KHL, with 15-10-25 in 58 games. While those aren’t all-world level numbers, he’s still young. More than likely, Slepyshev will find himself counted on for secondary scoring in Bakersfield when he makes his North American debut. It’s not out of the question to see him put on a line with fellow Russian countryman, Bogdan Yakimov, to see if the two can build some chemistry.
Bogdan Yakimov
Speaking of the big Russian, Bogdan Yakimov is healthy, and ready for his second season in North America. Another player from the 2013 Draft, Yakimov is a center with size. Appearing in 57 games with the Oklahoma City Barons last year, Yakimov put up a respectable 12-16-28 while playing mostly a checking role. He should be looked at to provide more this season, and help with the transition of Slepyshev to the North American game.
Fans are anxious to see Yakimov play for the Oilers on a more consistent basis, if only for the hope that he can find some chemistry with Nail Yakupov. While there would have been a chance he could make the team out of camp if this was a few years ago, organizational depth has improved by leaps and bounds since 2013. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have come up more than a few times while I’ve done this series. That depth has pushed Yakimov down the chart, much like it has for many players that may have had a chance to make the Oilers before. And again, depending on what happens in training camp, specifically where the Oilers feel Draisaitl benefits most from playing, is going to have a big impact on Yakimov’s development. The plus side again, is now there is no rush to get him to the NHL, and he can learn to thrive in the AHL.
Daniil Zharkov
It was at the trade deadline in 2011 when the Oilers moved Dustin Penner to the LA Kings for Colton Teubert and a couple of draft picks. The 1st rounder became Oscar Klefbom. And if you’re having trouble remembering who the Oilers drafted with the 3rd rounder, the answer is Daniil Zharkov.
While Zharkov has been plying his trade in the KHL the last two years, he is no stranger to the North American game, having played a year in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm, before moving to the Belleville Bulls of the OHL. Following a brief junior career that saw him total 48-31-79 in 109 games, Zharkov opted to return to his home country of Russia, signing with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo of the KHL. His first season of professional hockey couldn’t quite be labeled a success, as Zharkov could only muster 2 goals and 5 points in 49 games. The following season was no better for Zharkov, as he was limited to only 9 games.
I assume Zharkov will probably play in the KHL again this year. He very much seems like a player the Oilers could be willing to walk away from at this point, unless there’s a team interested. At this point, Zharkov could be earmarked to fill out the roster in Norfolk of the ECHL if he elects to come play in North America again.
William Lagesson
Drafted with the 4th round pick the Oilers acquired from Minnesota in the Ilya Bryzgalov trade, William Lagesson is the only other European player on this list not from Russia, with Horak being the other.
The general consensus on Lagesson is that he has good defensive play, but his foot speed can be suspect. He played last season in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, registering 2-14-16 in his 52 games with the club. The stat that I like is the +18.
More than likely the 19 year old is going to continue play in the USHL this upcoming season, following the prospect tournament and mini-camp coming up in a few weeks. I’m curious to see how Lagesson looks against other teams top prospects. I remember him catching my eye when he was at development camp in June. The log jam of defensive prospects is a situation that should play out very well in Lagesson’s favor, affording him the time to continue to develop as a player. While I would personally like to see him follow in the steps of Caleb Jones, and choose to go to the CHL this year, there is nothing wrong with getting top minutes in USHL, which is a very competitive league in its own right.
If you’ve been following the Buffalo Sabres for the past few seasons you’re probably aware that they are just right down terrible. But that also means you know they’re going to be absolutely amazing and in a fraction of the time it took the Edmonton Oilers to do it. A Rebuild done the proper way.
Last season saw the team end the year in 30th place our of 30 teams but lose the first overall pick via the draft lottery to the ever-so-lucky Edmonton Oilers. Remember the way Sabres GM Tim Murray’s face looked after? Like a ripe tomato. God he was pissed and he took a bit of flack in the media for it. What a cry baby…
So at the draft, without thanking anybody which is customary, Murray stepped up to the mic and with the urgency of a toddler needing to go pee, spat out, “The Buffalo Sabres select Jack Eichel.” Worst consolation prize ever… SMH.
Key Additions: F Jack Eichel, F Ryan O’Reilly, F David Legwand, F Jamie McGinn, F Evander Kane, D Carlo Colaiacovo, G Robin Lehner
Key Departures: F Cody Hodgson, F Mikhail Grigorenko, D Nikita Zadorov, D Andrej Meszaros, G Anders Lindback
Roster Contenders: F Sam Reinhart, D Jake McCabe, G Andrey Makarov
Projected Lineup
Evander Kane – Ryan O’Reilly – Tyler Ennis
Matt Moulson – Jack Eichel – Zemgus Girgensons
Marcus Foligno – Johan Larsson – Brian Gionta
Nicolas Deslauriers – David Legwand – Jamie McGinn
Josh Gorges – Rasmus Ristolainen
Mark Pysyk – Zach Bogosian
Mike Weber – Carlo Colaiacovo
Robin Lehner
Chad Johnson
Jack Eichel will help turn this franchise into a Stanley Cup contender but it was well on its way anyhow given the additions of Evander Kane, Ryan O’Reilly, and Zach Bogosian, the emergences of Zemgus Girgensons and Rasmus Ristolainen, and using draft picks on Sam Reinhart, JT Compher, and Nick Baptiste.
In 2015/16 I believe the Sabres will be in the race for a wildcard spot in the playoffs. Of course that could be contingent on Ryan O’Reilly’s impeding court date for impaired driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Doubtful anything comes of it on apart from some community service. But as for the rest of the team, the offense is there with Kane, Eichel, Moulson, and Ennis leading the way.
It’s the defense and goaltending that could let them down. We don’t know if Robin Lehner is ready to take on the role of starting netminder and a top pairing of Josh Gorges and 3rd year defender Rasmus Ristolainen would be 2nd pairing dmen on another team if not 3rd pairing on a Cup contender.
Sam Reinhart is one player I’ll be keen to watch this season. I remember his stint in the NHL last year and he was getting his ass handed to him everytime he touched the puck. He’s a competitive player and I think he’ll make his mark as a top two-way center in the league ala Patrice Bergeron no doubt but should he spend a season or two in the AHL?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBDRqnOo_gc
Thanks for reading! I hope you’re enjoying our Season Primers series and let us know in the comments below if you agree with our assessments.
Buffalo can be a pretty nippy place in the winter, so why not head on over to the Beer League Heroes Merch Shop and pick up a nice sweater, hoodie or long sleeve shirt with a 16-bit Jack Eichel on it?
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The big bad Boston Bruins are no more thanks to last season. If you’d have told me last fall that the Bruins were going to miss the playoffs, trade Dougie Hamilton and Milan Lucic, and waste three consecutive first round picks in the McDavid draft (Zboril might turn out), I would’ve told you to take a walk of a short pier. Unfathomable is the word that comes to mind. How can a team drop from 3rd in offense to 22nd? But they found a way to do it and I’m thankful for it because through all of that Peter Chiarelli was fired and the Oilers snatched him up.
Key Additions: LW Matt Beleskey, RW Jimmy Hayes, LW Zac Rinaldo, and D Matt Irwin
Key Departures: D Dougie Hamilton, LW Milan Lucic, F Dan Paille, F Gregory Campbell, F Carl Soderberg, F Reilly Smith
The Losses of Soderberg, Hamilton and Lucic are huge to say the least. Still to this day I haven’t the foggiest clue as to why shiny new GM Don Sweeney and Seabass (Cam Neely) caved under the pressure of an offer-sheet and traded Dougie Hamilton. The Bruins were in a prime position to let Zdeno Chara gracefully ride into the sunset. Now they have to ride him like an old mule and it’s not going to be pretty.
Adding Beleskey and Hayes MIGHT soften the blow but they’re 3rd liners at best. They’re used to playing 4th line minutes so we can expect to see those shooting percentages to come back to earth. And signing Zac Rinaldo will prove to be the dumbest move of them all. Matt Irwin could have some value though. He’ll add some punch to the PP which already features some big clappers in Chara and Krug.
Projected Lineup
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Matt Beleskey – David Krejci – Jimmy Hayes
Loui Eriksson – Ryan Spooner – Brett Connolly
Chris Kelly – Joonas Kemppainen – Max Talbot
Zdeno Chara – Torey Krug
Dennis Seidenberg – Adam McQuaid
Kevan Miller – Matt Irwin
Tuuka Rask
Jeremy Smith
Roster Contenders: F Alexander Khokhlachev, D Joe Morrow, F Joonas Kemppainen, G Malcolm Subban
2015/16 is going to be a tough one to endure not only for the veterans on the team who must be scratching their heads and wondering WTF, but for the fans as well. Their key players are only getting older and more beat up every year, especially Chara. So don’t get your hopes up.
I can’t see Boston ending the season in the basement of the Eastern Conference but I reckon they’ll be playing the roles of spoiler come the playoff drive. They’ll be sellers at the deadline that is for sure and expect some big names to get thrown around like Chara, Seidenberg, Eriksson, and Marchand. Maybe Bergeron and Rask if Sweeney and Neely put their heads together like they did on the Hamilton deal.
Then again they were supposed to make the post-season last year and they didn’t. Anything can happen. David Pastrnak is looking a player and if David Krejci can stay healthy who knows? That’s the beauty of hockey right?
Thanks for reading! I hope you’re enjoying our Season Primers series and let us know in the comments below if you agree with our assessments.
Alex Thomas from the Oilers Rig tells me that Boston can be a pretty cold place in the winter, so why not head on over to the Beer League Heroes Merch Shop and pick up a nice sweater, hoodie or long sleeve shirt with a 16-bit Boston Bruin on it? We’ve got Bergeron, Chara and Rask currently and all for a very recession-friendly price!
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