There were some notable differences in D.J. Smith’s Los Angeles Kings, who were defeated by the league-leading Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Monday. There’s more speed, physicality and youth with these ‘new’ Kings.
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Devin, when it comes to Los Angeles, when you look at this team, like, we know this is Anze Kopitar’s last season.
Devin, when it comes to Los Angeles, when you look at this team, like, we know this is Anze Kopitar’s last season.
They wanna go out with a bang.
They wanna go out with a bang.
You know, Drew Doughty has had a Hall of Fame career, which, you know, it might not be his last season, but he’s probably only got a few left.
You know, Drew Doughty has had a Hall of Fame career, which, you know, it might not be his last season, but he’s probably only got a few left.
what do you make of the Kings this year under Hiller, and, and do you think they can still be a threat in the West?
what do you make of the Kings this year under Hiller, and, and do you think they can still be a threat in the West?
I think they can be.
I think they can be.
I don’t know about a, a legitimate threat.
I don’t know about a, a legitimate threat.
I mean, I think the- Panarin trade is huge, obviously.
I mean, I think the- Panarin trade is huge, obviously.
That was a, that was a great buy for them.
That was a, that was a great buy for them.
But, I mean, as mu- you can’t, you can’t hide the fact that losing Fiala is, is, is counteracting that, that trade.
But, I mean, as mu- you can’t, you can’t hide the fact that losing Fiala is, is, is counteracting that, that trade.
I mean, Fiala’s a, a huge player.
I mean, Fiala’s a, a huge player.
They’re not the same player, but Fiala’s a great player, and that’s a huge loss.
They’re not the same player, but Fiala’s a great player, and that’s a huge loss.
You know, you bring in Panarin to bolster the lineup, everybody slides into their spots, and then you lose an important guy, so that’s gonna hurt them.
You know, you bring in Panarin to bolster the lineup, everybody slides into their spots, and then you lose an important guy, so that’s gonna hurt them.
But I do think this is a– this should be a playoff team.
But I do think this is a– this should be a playoff team.
and I think that, you know, I don’t, I don’t know if they waited too long, but I think they didn’t wanna wait too long to make this coaching change.
and I think that, you know, I don’t, I don’t know if they waited too long, but I think they didn’t wanna wait too long to make this coaching change.
I do- obviously not a lot, n- not a lot to like coming out of the Olympic break with the way they performed.
I do- obviously not a lot, n- not a lot to like coming out of the Olympic break with the way they performed.
And normally, teams can have a little bit of a grace period, but not really the case right now for LA, and obviously it was on their minds before, so.
And normally, teams can have a little bit of a grace period, but not really the case right now for LA, and obviously it was on their minds before, so.
And when you have a coach like DJ Smith who’s there, who can slide in, who’s head coach before, he’s a good motivator.
And when you have a coach like DJ Smith who’s there, who can slide in, who’s head coach before, he’s a good motivator.
He’ll be, you know, not a guy– guys are comfortable with him.
He’ll be, you know, not a guy– guys are comfortable with him.
He’s been around.
He’s been around.
It’s not a crazy change for them.
It’s not a crazy change for them.
But it’s enough where there might be a little bit of accountability.
But it’s enough where there might be a little bit of accountability.
This is– I’ve talked about this lots, about when a coaching change happens, it’s just– everybody– it’s not like you’re starting brand new because he’s been around and he’s there, but you kinda just– y- you wanna go impress the new guy, right?
This is– I’ve talked about this lots, about when a coaching change happens, it’s just– everybody– it’s not like you’re starting brand new because he’s been around and he’s there, but you kinda just– y- you wanna go impress the new guy, right?
He’s making the decisions now.
He’s making the decisions now.
You wanna make sure that you’re in his good books, and y- you want your playing time like everybody else does.
You wanna make sure that you’re in his good books, and y- you want your playing time like everybody else does.
So sometimes that little motivation for some guys to– that it’s a little bit of a fresh slate.
So sometimes that little motivation for some guys to– that it’s a little bit of a fresh slate.
Some guys want a fresh slate because they maybe they felt like they didn’t get their ice time or, or whatever under the old guy.
Some guys want a fresh slate because they maybe they felt like they didn’t get their ice time or, or whatever under the old guy.
Some guys may have liked it what they had, and they wanna make sure they keep it.
Some guys may have liked it what they had, and they wanna make sure they keep it.
So that’s why that coaching change can always be a little bump.
So that’s why that coaching change can always be a little bump.
And again, fortunately, they have a guy who has head coaching experience and is familiar with the guys there, that they could make a, an easy transition to figure out what they wanna do going forward.
And again, fortunately, they have a guy who has head coaching experience and is familiar with the guys there, that they could make a, an easy transition to figure out what they wanna do going forward.