Quoting: Artman91
I’m writing this part to point out why I did this. Obviously Armchair is here so we all can have fun, try new things. Obviously I much prefer Kopi and Doughty on our team.
But to respond to your statement now.
I definitely will always respect your opinion. However, personally I think we are a little better. Our 4 lines will match up perfectly against any team in the NHL.
Offensively (Kane, Taresanko, Toews, Sundsqvist > Kopitar, Grundstrom, Lewis) “Roster Players”
Defensively (Doughty > Murray and Bear) without a doubt. Clarke is young and will be nowhere close to Doughty this season. Doughty is a 2 time Stanley cup champion, a Norris winner and very experienced defenseman. But maybe Clarke can put some offensive numbers.
Goaltending- Miles better with Helly in net.
Kopitar plays 22 minutes every night in every situation. He is the single best penalty killer on the team, and among the very best in the league. He also has been the team's leading scorer for every season except one since 2007-08. You're not going to be able to replace him by committee.
Doughty plays more per game than every single player in the league not named Cale Makar. He's one of the very best defensive defenseman in the league, while also being a guy that regularly puts up 50 points per season.
This team is both offensively and defensively inferior to the team the Kings iced last season. The only improvement is at goaltender, and even that's debatable since Hellebuyck would be playing behind a team that's significantly inferior defensively than Copley and Korpisalo had to play behind.
For a team whose biggest problem during last postseason was the PK, getting rid of your two best PKers doesn't seem like a great idea.