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Forums :: Blog World :: Ben Shelley: Season Recap: Kings emerge as a threat in the West
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Ben Shelley
Los Angeles Kings
Location: ON
Joined: 04.09.2020

May 4 @ 5:00 PM ET
Ben Shelley: Season Recap: Kings emerge as a threat in the West
HenryHockey
Season Ticket Holder
Detroit Red Wings
Location: Gwinn, MI
Joined: 01.26.2020

May 4 @ 6:03 PM ET
Trade Walker.
Maybe Pettersen shines in the Worlds, and you can retain half and trade him as a BU to someone else.
Sign Gavvy, and Koppi!
LAkings96
Los Angeles Kings
Location: La Verne, CA
Joined: 12.15.2012

May 4 @ 8:11 PM ET
Kings needs.

1. If Gavrikov doesn’t stay they need a LD.
2. A 2nd line center for Fiala and Vilardi
3. If Korpisalo doesn’t stay they’ll need a #1 goalie or a 1a goalie with Copley.
4. A #1 winger to play with Kopi and Kempe, preferably a playmaker.
5. A legit grinding bottom 6 player who can stir it up and possibly a partner to back that player up.
6. A heavy hitting veteran dman.


The Kings address these needs, add what you want if you think there’s more, but these will lead the Kings to a cup. Sadly the cap prevents all this from happening so the kids are gonna need to step up a lot and the Kings are gonna need to make some trades.
Osprey
Joined: 11.10.2015

May 5 @ 12:23 AM ET
I wish that I had your optimism, Ben, but they don't look like potential contenders to me and it doesn't really feel like an exciting time to follow the team, not as long as McLellan is coach. I can't see them going anywhere with him behind the bench, and Blake has confirmed that he'll be returning next season. Also, knowing that they (or, specifically, McLellan) can't beat a team that they're almost guaranteed to face in the 1st or 2nd round isn't encouraging. Also, it's hard to get excited about the near future with how the kids have been handled and the roadblocks in front of them. Finally, there's a real chance that Gavrikov and/or Korpisalo won't re-sign, which would open up two holes again.
Ben Shelley
Joined: 03.12.2019

May 5 @ 9:37 PM ET
I wish that I had your optimism, Ben, but they don't look like potential contenders to me and it doesn't really feel like an exciting time to follow the team, not as long as McLellan is coach. I can't see them going anywhere with him behind the bench, and Blake has confirmed that he'll be returning next season. Also, knowing that they (or, specifically, McLellan) can't beat a team that they're almost guaranteed to face in the 1st or 2nd round isn't encouraging. Also, it's hard to get excited about the near future with how the kids have been handled and the roadblocks in front of them. Finally, there's a real chance that Gavrikov and/or Korpisalo won't re-sign, which would open up two holes again.
- Osprey


I think Game 4 was a bit of a turning point and if the Kings hold that lead and go on to win the series, they have a reasonable shot at beating Vegas.

Agreed though that Gavrikov and Korpisalo potentially walking is a real issue and the Kings will struggle to replace them if they do.

Personally, I haven't seen a huge issue with the way most of the young talent has been handled - I see this as a team building long-term, so already competing now is a bit of a bonus and arguably ahead of schedule. I always side with 'overdeveloping' versus pushing anyone into a role they shouldn't be in quite yet.
HonkyTonkMan
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Home to ruined prospects and overpaid slugs', AB
Joined: 06.10.2015

May 6 @ 1:13 PM ET
I think the Kings are great, I know it’s fashionable to poop on the Oilers and under rate them, but that was a close a 6 game series as it gets, against a pretty great team. The Kings, IMO, are a top 4 team in the west. They have to make a few tweaks and maybe add an impact player or two but they could have beat the Oilers with a lucky bounce or two more.
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

May 7 @ 2:37 PM ET
Getting MacEwen didnt make any sense to me. He brings nothing to the table. AK not playing is a head scratcher. Not getting another Center was odd to me. Tired of Kings fans saying but this young player and that one are centers. Yeah cool. But they arent good enough at the position yet. Kings were weak down the middle. Kings really need more than Villardi to step up in regards to the young players.

They need to figure out how to retain Gav and Korpi. Which is obvious. Byfield needs to be at 3c next year with Villardi (if they can even retain him). Kings are in a bad spot with the Cap.

But they were still fun to watch. Im not hating on the coach as much as others are. Its been fun to finally see a goal scoring LA team and not just a grit team. This team does need more toughness though.