Pacific Preseason Preview 2: Do the Kings pass the laugh test?
August 22nd, 2008, 8:44 am
No, no they don’t. In the second part of a 4 part series, I’m breaking down the Kings in a post that’s one part information, five parts snark. In an (infinitesimally small) way, I wish the Kings were better, because the S.F. – L.A. rivalry is a good one. But like other rivalries that fell into disrepair since one or both teams now suck (like Niners-Rams), the Sharks-Kings bad blood doesn’t run as thick as it once did. And now, I must say in true Nelson Muntz fashion- Ha ha!
The Kings are the very definition of a rebuilding team. Stocked with young players with great potential, they still aren’t nearly ready for NHL prime time, and probably look to this season as a castor oil situation. As in, “swallow hard, I’m sure we’ll be better next year.” Actually, castor oil isn’t nearly the funniest analogy I could have made there.
The Good
Youth Youth Youth. I’m willing to bet the Jonas Brothers will be the most popular locker room pregame music. Kopitar, Frolov, Brown and O’Sullivan are all strong young players. I’m trying to think of another good thing, but I can’t right now. Oh wait, I think they are adding Ice Girls too. That’s good, right?
The Bad
Where to start? How about the coaching choice? Terry Murray last had a head coaching job with the Panthers in 2000. He did lead Florida to a playoff berth in 2000, and the Flyers before that to the Stanley Cup finals in 1997. Neither of those rosters had any youth to speak of like these Kings do. And his assistant coaching job the last few years was back with Philly, where coaching up a young hockey team is as foreign as cheering for Donovan McNabb.
Let’s continue with the blueline, where the top 5 D will probably be Denis Gauthier, Tom Preissing, Jack Johnson, Matt Greene and Peter Harrold, with the sixth likely being Drew Doughty, the #2 overall pick just two months ago. That’s two very young guys, one second pairing guy (Preissing), and three third pairing guys. Man, the Kings are really going to have to rely on a good goaltender.
The Ugly
No dice. After starting everyone but Justin Timberlake in goal last year, the Kings could reprise that sorry tune this year. Choosing between Ersberg, LaBarbera, and Bernier is like choosing between Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The choices are thin (bah BOOM). And none of those three even have Vicodin connections.
Maybe that’s why Dean Lombardi is steering the ship like a drunken sailor. After trading Vishnovsky and Cammalleri for below market value and letting veteran leadership like Blake just walk away without even a contract offer, I think the Kings are hoping the fan base will be too focused on Heroes this fall to care.
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Fair assessment, but I think things won’t be as bad as they now appear. The Kings are still way under the cap, and they’ll have to do something to get to the cap, so my guess is that they’ll add a good goalie and perhaps a defenseman. Look at what happened to Phoenix after they added a rather average but good and confident Bryzgalov.
I know you are not blogging for the kings, but do you have any idea how they are going to handle the fact that they are currently $10 Million under the cap floor, and will not be allowed to play a hockey game unless they get to that floor. (That is my understanding how the CBA works.) They still have a couple of unsigned RFAs, but seems to me they are going to have to change a bit more before the season starts.
Keep in mind O’Sullivan and Stoll are still unsigned- I would think those guys will get some cash, which will raise their cap number. Why they aren’t signed now, I’ve no idea. We mentioned in previous podcasts that we think the Kings may very well be a destination for Khabibulin as well. Between those three guys, they should hit the salary floor.
Also, the CBA does not specifically specify what will happen if a team goes above the cap or below the floor. There are several punishments available, including fines, taking away draft picks, etc. Personally, I think it’s unlikely that the Kings will not get to the floor, and I think it’s even more unlikely that the NHL will refuse to allow them to play. The NHL is a business after all, and canceling games is the last thing the league needs.
Even by signing O’Sullivan and Stoll they won’t be near the cap floor. Contract talks are still on-going, reportedly, and Lombardi remains confident the two will sign before camp.
I really feel for Kings fans, I think this team is going to be dreadful. I like Jonathan Bernier but I think they thew him into the fire too soon and I can’t see him being ready to step into the mess they have this year.
I don’t think that LA is going to be the team that tests the NHL on the cap. Philip Anschutz is one of Betmans right hand guys so I don’t see him putting Gary in that position when the NHL is already taking all kinds of flack over the ‘Boots’ ordeal and their fight with the Rangers ownership over their website and its content. I’m not sure how they get over the floor though I guess over pay O’Sullivan and Stoll they could also try to make a play for Sundin or Shanahan although I think that would be a pipe dream they have to at least make an effort and try at this point.
The NHL is not going to stop the kings from Icing a team look for the penalty to be fines, fines and more fines.
The cap floor is not an issue – this has been discussed to death and Lombardi has addressed it. Between the RFA contracts yet to be signed and player bonuses, they will be over the cap floor.
Bernier is going to be insane when he makes the big club. After seeing him at the Rookie Camp pactices and then in the scrimmage, it actually worries me a bit. The idea of having to contend with him down the road that is.
And the kings just signed Teubert, and will be signing Stoll and Sully too soon I’m sure. They need at least one verteran with playoff expereince at the least to help the guys when they do get there, and they will get there. Maybe not next season, but expect the Kings to become yet another thorn in the side of the Sharks in the not-so-far future. The Pacific Division is definitely going to be the hardest of all to win for many years when that happens.