The key to the Kings acquiring prolific winger Artemi Panarin is whether coach Jim Hiller lets him play to his strengths or tries to make him a defense-first drone. At least this will be interesting.
Thank you Helene. I’d like this move if Hiller wasn’t the coach and the system didn’t crush every offensive player we bring in. — I can’t stand the direction this team has taken since 2015. Move after move made to reach the bar of mediocrity. I guess they need another decade to realize defensive hockey is boring to fans and not the way you’ll win facing Mcdavid, Eichel, Celebrini++. Hard not to wonder where this team could’ve been if they bit the bullet and traded Doughty and/or Kopi once the team was no longer championship caliber. — Never been more apathetic about this organization and have ZERO confidence in the people running this team. — Unfortunately they rake in money regardless so they feel no pressure to actually be patient and build a team that can compete.
Maybe the Panarin trade will make the team a more attractive location for the next coach. I can imagine not wanting to dump a coach during Kopi's last year, plus after the road trip went 3-1-1 with all the injuries to the team, and since the Pacific is so weak, it seems Hiller could last the year.
Or not, I don't know. I guess it's obvious, but if the Kings miss the playoffs, Hiller going is easy. If the Kings lose in the first round, I think Hiller should go. If the Kings lose to the Oilers in the first round it won't matter to me... because my head will explode.
It is an open question whether Laferriere will be able to sustain his level of play at Center. Only with the Kings does a guy fall into being a Center for the first time in his playing career and get slotted as #1C. Maybe Turcotte will save the team when he comes back.
Or, maybe Hiller ground Danault into dust. Maybe he is grinding Foegele into dust. Byfield plays soft, sloppy, and seems stuck between missing most simple plays and occasionally making a highlight reel move, all of which I blame on coaching and lack of development.
Hiller has taken the #4 power play from 2022-2023 down to the 27th placed power play. Hiller has taken a mid-pack scoring team (GF/GP was 20th in 2021-2022, 11th in 22-23, 16th in 23-24, 14th in 24-25) and this year the team is still there at 14th. I see no evidence that Hiller will maximize Panarin's abilities; if anything, scoring seems viewed as a by-product of systemic positioning.
The only pure scorer I remember coming into the Kings systems and kept scoring was Jeff Carter. He didn't care that the Kings team couldn't score; he was immune. Carter just kept shooting and scoring. So, I'm telling you there is a chance...
Great analysis, Helene - as always. I for one am not overly excited (Kings fan since Day 1, and this movie seems like a remake of some others). I joked that LAK were only team he's want to go to because if he wants to be on a terrible team he's rather be on one that has good weather at home.
Seriously, your point about not developing payers cannot be understated. This regime has not done well at that, and I see no reason why that may change unless the entire front office operation gets a huge makeover. Which may be unlikely.
As I keep saying to others - the Dodgers make a lot of flashy moves and win, but they consistently also have one of the best farm systems and player development operations in MLB. The Kings' "brain trust" should get some mentoring from Mr. Friedman et al over at Chavez Ravine.
Otherwise the Kings will never be great and never build a great core al la Brown, Kopitar, Quick, Doughty etc. supplemented by great trades such as Scuderi, Greene, etc.
I'm afraid of that, too. There's also a problem if Holland comes to his senses and fires Hiller and wants to hire DeBoer, who's an assistant coach with Canada's Olympic team. If Canada goes to the final, DeBoer would be busy through Feb. 22. Kings resume play on Feb. 25. New coach would have less than two days before making his debut. Not ideal.
Hate is a strong word. But he has repeatedly demonstrated poor decision-making in crucial situations and in distributing minutes. Not sure any coach could do significantly better with this roster but I don’t think he has consistently put players in position to succeed, and that’s the minimum required of any coach.
Thank you Helene. I’d like this move if Hiller wasn’t the coach and the system didn’t crush every offensive player we bring in. — I can’t stand the direction this team has taken since 2015. Move after move made to reach the bar of mediocrity. I guess they need another decade to realize defensive hockey is boring to fans and not the way you’ll win facing Mcdavid, Eichel, Celebrini++. Hard not to wonder where this team could’ve been if they bit the bullet and traded Doughty and/or Kopi once the team was no longer championship caliber. — Never been more apathetic about this organization and have ZERO confidence in the people running this team. — Unfortunately they rake in money regardless so they feel no pressure to actually be patient and build a team that can compete.
Maybe the Panarin trade will make the team a more attractive location for the next coach. I can imagine not wanting to dump a coach during Kopi's last year, plus after the road trip went 3-1-1 with all the injuries to the team, and since the Pacific is so weak, it seems Hiller could last the year.
Or not, I don't know. I guess it's obvious, but if the Kings miss the playoffs, Hiller going is easy. If the Kings lose in the first round, I think Hiller should go. If the Kings lose to the Oilers in the first round it won't matter to me... because my head will explode.
It is an open question whether Laferriere will be able to sustain his level of play at Center. Only with the Kings does a guy fall into being a Center for the first time in his playing career and get slotted as #1C. Maybe Turcotte will save the team when he comes back.
Or, maybe Hiller ground Danault into dust. Maybe he is grinding Foegele into dust. Byfield plays soft, sloppy, and seems stuck between missing most simple plays and occasionally making a highlight reel move, all of which I blame on coaching and lack of development.
Hiller has taken the #4 power play from 2022-2023 down to the 27th placed power play. Hiller has taken a mid-pack scoring team (GF/GP was 20th in 2021-2022, 11th in 22-23, 16th in 23-24, 14th in 24-25) and this year the team is still there at 14th. I see no evidence that Hiller will maximize Panarin's abilities; if anything, scoring seems viewed as a by-product of systemic positioning.
The only pure scorer I remember coming into the Kings systems and kept scoring was Jeff Carter. He didn't care that the Kings team couldn't score; he was immune. Carter just kept shooting and scoring. So, I'm telling you there is a chance...
Great analysis, Helene - as always. I for one am not overly excited (Kings fan since Day 1, and this movie seems like a remake of some others). I joked that LAK were only team he's want to go to because if he wants to be on a terrible team he's rather be on one that has good weather at home.
Seriously, your point about not developing payers cannot be understated. This regime has not done well at that, and I see no reason why that may change unless the entire front office operation gets a huge makeover. Which may be unlikely.
As I keep saying to others - the Dodgers make a lot of flashy moves and win, but they consistently also have one of the best farm systems and player development operations in MLB. The Kings' "brain trust" should get some mentoring from Mr. Friedman et al over at Chavez Ravine.
Otherwise the Kings will never be great and never build a great core al la Brown, Kopitar, Quick, Doughty etc. supplemented by great trades such as Scuderi, Greene, etc.
I hope I'm wrong.
Excellent points Helene! The only downside I see to this is that I'm afraid that this will save Hiller's job.
I'm afraid of that, too. There's also a problem if Holland comes to his senses and fires Hiller and wants to hire DeBoer, who's an assistant coach with Canada's Olympic team. If Canada goes to the final, DeBoer would be busy through Feb. 22. Kings resume play on Feb. 25. New coach would have less than two days before making his debut. Not ideal.
A compelling gamble, it’d be real good if it pays off. The Kings need bold moves like this.
The Hiller hate is misguided and ridiculous.
Hate is a strong word. But he has repeatedly demonstrated poor decision-making in crucial situations and in distributing minutes. Not sure any coach could do significantly better with this roster but I don’t think he has consistently put players in position to succeed, and that’s the minimum required of any coach.
This team is dog crap Helene and until they listen to Mike Millbury's words from over 10 years ago, we're all doomed to this insanity.