Have you guys heard about any vets? No Jason Krog, but what's Darren Haydar doing these days?
You know, the same tired standard lines from Hextall that Gilmore used to throw out there:
We're always looking to better the club...
We'd like to add a veteran d-man but it has to be a fit and the right deal...
We're not going to make a deal just for the sake of making a deal...
We've got a couple of irons in the fire...
On a rare occasion they make good on it but for the most part, it's just BS pandering to the STHs and fan base to try to hold onto them. I have no illusions that Lombardi will ever actually try to assemble a winner in Manchester. If his picks work out, better for the Manchester fans. I'm still holding out hope that the Kings pull out of Manchester sooner rather than later. The arena is already pretty empty and a couple of more crap seasons will pretty much leave the thing in the dumper for the next team. Too bad too, the Monarchs FO staff did a great job of building a fans base and the Kings have pretty much killed that over the past three seasons or so...
I dont get this. Lewis has played 1 season as a pro. Why is it especially time for him to step up?
Well it might be his first year pro....but he is already 21 years old. How long are you willing to wait? If he makes the NHL at the age of 23 the Kings will only have him for 4 years before he is UFA eligible. With free agency coming much sooner players need to prove their worth faster. Do not forget that Tukonen was only 21 and the team already moved him for the next in line.
An aside sorta. How do you guys view your chances of making the playoffs this year in the AHL? I remember wishing the worst on you guys for a month (being a Falcons fan ) but it never went our way when we played your team.
As well, whats the consensus on Marc-Andre Cliche? Does he still project to be a two-way player with strong defensive and PK ability?
Well it might be his first year pro....but he is already 21 years old. How long are you willing to wait? If he makes the NHL at the age of 23 the Kings will only have him for 4 years before he is UFA eligible. With free agency coming much sooner players need to prove their worth faster. Do not forget that Tukonen was only 21 and the team already moved him for the next in line.
Again? Jesus, Tukonen was 21 but had 3 years where he had done nothing but regress. If 2 years from now Lewis has done nothing then he'll be gone.
As well, whats the consensus on Marc-Andre Cliche? Does he still project to be a two-way player with strong defensive and PK ability?
Far as I can tell he does. Some offensive upside, but really a solid defensive forward. Some think he's a dark horse chance to snag a 4th line spot this year, and if not this year then very likely the next.
Again? Jesus, Tukonen was 21 but had 3 years where he had done nothing but regress. If 2 years from now Lewis has done nothing then he'll be gone.
So you are condemning Tukonen for playing in the AHL as a 19 year old? He could have remained in Europe for two more seasons and then come to the AHL and had a crappy season and that would have been better than learning in the AHL? If Lewis was in the AHL as a 19 year old he probably would have struggled as well. Did you forget how long it took Brown to adjust to the NHL? If people would have given up on him after 3 lack luster seasons he would be blossoming on another team right now.
So you are condemning Tukonen for playing in the AHL as a 19 year old? He could have remained in Europe for two more seasons and then come to the AHL and had a crappy season and that would have been better than learning in the AHL? If Lewis was in the AHL as a 19 year old he probably would have struggled as well. Did you forget how long it took Brown to adjust to the NHL? If people would have given up on him after 3 lack luster seasons he would be blossoming on another team right now.
Except Brown didn't have 3 lackluster seasons. He had mediocre seasons numbers wise, but constantly showed improvement and a drive to be better that even people in the nose bleeds could see when he was playing on the 3rd and 4th lines. He showed grit, enthusiasm and glimpes of his future potential at all times. You can't compare Browns play at any point in his pro career to Tukonens, nor can you really compare their situations. Comparing Tuks to Brown is a cop out.
So you are condemning Tukonen for playing in the AHL as a 19 year old? He could have remained in Europe for two more seasons and then come to the AHL and had a crappy season and that would have been better than learning in the AHL? If Lewis was in the AHL as a 19 year old he probably would have struggled as well. Did you forget how long it took Brown to adjust to the NHL? If people would have given up on him after 3 lack luster seasons he would be blossoming on another team right now.
You say that Tukonen learned in the AHL, but what exactly did he learn?
You say that Tukonen learned in the AHL, but what exactly did he learn?
Well he learned how to get hurt....
But seriously, he played against a league of guys that were 3 or more years older than him. Would you expect the best 16 year old basketball player to excel against 19 year old players? Tukonen from what I recall actually started to turn the corner at the end of the season. What will people say if he scores 30+ goals and adds 30+ assists next year for the Dallas affiliate?
Except Brown didn't have 3 lackluster seasons. He had mediocre seasons numbers wise, but constantly showed improvement and a drive to be better that even people in the nose bleeds could see when he was playing on the 3rd and 4th lines. He showed grit, enthusiasm and glimpes of his future potential at all times. You can't compare Browns play at any point in his pro career to Tukonens, nor can you really compare their situations. Comparing Tuks to Brown is a cop out.
Oh yeah......There were several people on this board and LGK saying that Brown was a wasted pick at the age of 20. He was a boy playing in a man's league and it really caused his development to slow down. This last season was really the first time that he was able to play the game that many of us expected him to play when he was drafted.
Tukonen went into the AHL as a 19 year old. Playing against a league where the majority of the players were 24 or older. It should have been expected that he would take longer to adjust. Not to mention having several injuries in a short amount of time. I am not saying that Tukonen will be a star player in the NHL. But to say he is washed up at 21 seems a bit extreme.
But seriously, he played against a league of guys that were 3 or more years older than him. Would you expect the best 16 year old basketball player to excel against 19 year old players? Tukonen from what I recall actually started to turn the corner at the end of the season. What will people say if he scores 30+ goals and adds 30+ assists next year for the Dallas affiliate?
It just doesn't make sense to me. He was playing against men in the Finnish league at what, 17? So he comes over and plays in a league below the level of the Finnish one and he regresses? Maybe his injuries really hampered him or maybe it was his attitude. Either way he's gone and I'm ready to welcome a much more Dean Lombardi style player in Clune, and a player that the organization as a whole definately needed. Simmonds and Clune on the same line with Westgarth? Forget about it, ROCK 'EM SOCK 'EM ROBOTS!
He's a good AHL player? Like Pavel Rosa, but without the numbers.
And that might be the case. But people should remember that the 1st two seasons that Tukonen was in the AHL that the other members of his draft class were still in juniors or college. So to criticize Tukonen for playing against pro talent at a younger age than his peers and not succeeding is not entirely fair. Many of the players that are going from juniors to the AHL this season for the Kings would probably had many of the same struggles if they were thrust into the AHL at the age of 19.
It just doesn't make sense to me. He was playing against men in the Finnish league at what, 17? So he comes over and plays in a league below the level of the Finnish one and he regresses? Maybe his injuries really hampered him or maybe it was his attitude. Either way he's gone and I'm ready to welcome a much more Dean Lombardi style player in Clune, and a player that the organization as a whole definately needed. Simmonds and Clune on the same line with Westgarth? Forget about it, ROCK 'EM SOCK 'EM ROBOTS!
Yes he is gone.....but be careful what you wish for. Having a team full of bruisers is not going to win the team anymore games. This is not Slap Shot.
The Ducks did alright with a team like that a couple years ago.
Wasn't Niedermayer the MVP? How many fights did he get into? I agree a team needs some toughness. But having half of the team as head hunters will not put more W's on the board. It will just cause more penalties and with the Kings/Monarchs lack of penalty killing.....it will mean more 7-2 losses.
Wasn't Niedermayer the MVP? How many fights did he get into? I agree a team needs some toughness. But having half of the team as head hunters will not put more W's on the board. It will just cause more penalties and with the Kings/Monarchs lack of penalty killing.....it will mean more 7-2 losses.
He wasn't the norm of that team though. When people look back on that team do they think, wow, Neidermeyer was so good amongst all those tough guys or do they think, wow that was one tough team altogether? It doesn't matter if their MVP was a softy.
Except Brown didn't have 3 lackluster seasons. He had mediocre seasons numbers wise, but constantly showed improvement and a drive to be better that even people in the nose bleeds could see when he was playing on the 3rd and 4th lines. He showed grit, enthusiasm and glimpes of his future potential at all times. You can't compare Browns play at any point in his pro career to Tukonens, nor can you really compare their situations. Comparing Tuks to Brown is a cop out.
I think that the lockout was a blessing for Brown as he was able to develop in an AHL that boasted arguably some of the best overall talent that league has ever seen. He was making moves down there that he wasn't even attempting up until this season; i feel that if Brown spent his second season in the NHL we would be looking at a Taylor Pyatt at best.
In that regard, I can compare Tukonen and Brown but only in the sense that I think they were brought into the big leagues too quickly. In Tukonen's case it goes back to playing with men at 17 and surviving, thus boosting his stock and potential as the "most NHL ready" prospect of the '04 Draft. He then barely plays the next season and wastes 2 very key years of development and never (could) reaches his potential. He should have been dominating those two seasons as an CHL import instead of becoming stagnant in his development.
In regards to Trevor Lewis, this is definitely a huge year from him. He was an older draftee so he should be ready sooner rather than later as I expect any 1st round pick, outside of a goalie, should be seriously ready to challenge for a spot by age 21. I'm fine with him playing 2 years in the minors but I need to see a 20 goal season and some solid PK work this year to convince me that he was worth a first round pick.
And don't deny it people, I think everyone will be down on Lewis if he doesn't have a great season...Scott Parse anyone?
He wasn't the norm of that team though. When people look back on that team do they think, wow, Neidermeyer was so good amongst all those tough guys or do they think, wow that was one tough team altogether? It doesn't matter if their MVP was a softy.
He might not have been the norm of the team....but he was the main reason they won the Stanley Cup....IMO. Take him away from the team and they never would have even made it to the finals.
What stood out to me with the Ducks was that their top six forwards were willing to play physically and pay the price physically, just as much as their bottom six. And they got contribution from every line, with their checking line coming up huge.
Their defense and goaltending top to bottom stifled everyone as well, but that defense included the support of their forwards.
It just doesn't make sense to me. He was playing against men in the Finnish league at what, 17? So he comes over and plays in a league below the level of the Finnish one and he regresses?
woah, what?
Reality Check, this is the ranking of the best leagues in the world;
NHL
AHL
KHL
(those two are interchangeable depending on who you talk to, but the AHL was better than the RSL, for certain)
SEL
SM-liiga (finns)
This is pretty widely accepted. After these its the slovaks, the swiss, and somewhere in there is the ECHL and CHL.
) but it never went our way when we played your team.
