2016-2017 Kings Roster Talk Part IV

[Ziggy Stardust]

Why? What has Blake done or not done to show that he's not? Hasn't done anything to show he is, but why assume he's not? The idea is great for the Kings, but it has to actually exist as a possibility for Blake to even have a chance to pull it off. As far as we know, it's a random thought on the internet. Tough to judge Blake's GMing ability on that.

You are quoting someone who proposes ridiculously nonsensical trade proposals that lack any common sense. He clearly expects videogame quality trades to take place.

 

[wintersej]

Hey folks Bruins fan coming in peace trying to figure out where the Kings are at (while trying to see if a futures based deal for Muzzin would be possible). The only Muzzin talk I see is for Puju type talent, so I won't waste time throwing around the kind of multi-prospect deals the Bruins could offer if peoples eyes are still set on that kind of deal.

Would like to say this... the last time an elite d-man made UFA was Chara. His AAV with the Bruins was 7.5 million when the cap was 39 million. That equates to $14 million a year with a 73 million dollar cap.

 

[tsanuri]

Hey folks Bruins fan coming in peace trying to figure out where the Kings are at (while trying to see if a futures based deal for Muzzin would be possible). The only Muzzin talk I see is for Puju type talent, so I won't waste time throwing around the kind of multi-prospect deals the Bruins could offer if peoples eyes are still set on that kind of deal.

Would like to say this... the last time an elite d-man made UFA was Chara. His AAV with the Bruins was 7.5 million when the cap was 39 million. That equates to $14 million a year with a 73 million dollar cap.

I would think anything would need to be a top 6 winger or possibly a second line center. The center might be a one for one. But on the wing would think it would need a plus even if a small one.
This team needs scoring and either one of those could solve that.

 

[Omni Owl]

Second line C is Carter, we need a good stop gap at 3C until Kempe/Amadio/Dowd/whoeverthe**** is ready. It would've been nice if DL didn't dumpster dive in the offseason last year and acquire Vermette for cheap instead, we could've used his faceoff ability. The D looks OK with the youth we have coming up, its at forward where we're thin.

 

[deaderhead28]

Second line C is Carter, we need a good stop gap at 3C until Kempe/Amadio/Dowd/whoeverthe**** is ready. It would've been nice if DL didn't dumpster dive in the offseason last year and acquire Vermette for cheap instead, we could've used his faceoff ability. The D looks OK with the youth we have coming up, its at forward where we're thin.

The idea being thrown around is to have Carter be on Kopi's wing and get a 2nd line Center.I rather get a winger for Kopi and or 2nd line center, than worry about a third line center personally.Dowd is ok for now until they can replace him if he is taken in the expansion draft.

 

[Kingsfan1]

The idea being thrown around is to have Carter be on Kopi's wing and get a 2nd line Center.I rather get a winger for Kopi and or 2nd line center, than worry about a third line center personally.Dowd is ok for now until they can replace him if he is taken in the expansion draft.

I think Amadio or Kempe will be full time 3rd line C by end of next season.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Ryan Spooner could be available for a draft pick, and could cost around 3 million, according to Bruins hf speculation, which would be tight, but not terrible in a vaccuum. Wanna accelerate our 3C to a best case scenario Nic Dowd? Same poor 5v5 and much better offense and powerplay contribution?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Ideally, the third line and fourth line centers could also provide some muscle in addition to some sporadic production. The Kings got way too soft after Stoll and Richards declined. I'm not sure if Spooner would be a good fit.

Just take the Ducks vs. Flames or Oilers series into consideration and how easily their centers outmuscle their lower line centers. It creates a mismatch, which the Kings used to take advantage of when they were four deep.

The failures of the last couple of seasons could be attributed to their lack of center depth, and overall depth that they've lost since 2014.

 

[wintersej]

Ryan Spooner would be best being the #2 C on a non-contending team that could take the lumps of seeing if he can develop his all-around game in the next couple seasons. He has all the skills to grow into a capable #2C on a good team, but he just doesn't get it, yet, and may never. It's not that he is lazy at D, he just doesn't like being touched or to battle. He could overcome that if he had good d-zone IQ, but he is just so often skating hard to the wrong spot. The Bruins roster make up and system (lots of slow prodding D and relying on the center to drive possession) amplifies his issues. Don't think it would be any better for him in LA.

 

[Legionnaire]

It's not whether or not he can develop his two way game the issue is that he doesn't want to. :/

 

[Reclamation Project]

Scarlett Johansson, I'd Spooner.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Second line C is Carter, we need a good stop gap at 3C until Kempe/Amadio/Dowd/whoeverthe**** is ready. It would've been nice if DL didn't dumpster dive in the offseason last year and acquire Vermette for cheap instead, we could've used his faceoff ability. The D looks OK with the youth we have coming up, its at forward where we're thin.

This is true. Some forward youth has stepped up the last few months: Austin Wagner and Spencer Watson each have 14 goals for their jr teams in the playoffs. Eyssimont
had a good year in St Cloud and could sign next year. Led them in scoring. Iafallo was signed and had over 50 pts in NCAA. Will be in Ontario, AHL this coming season. They say his #1 asset is speed and he is a dedicated hard worker. May even have a shot to play some games in LA next year. Kempe, Amadio and Brodzinski took steps. I think Brodzinki and Kempe make the Kings. Then there's #1 pick at 11 and feel they will pick a forward, unless Makar or Liljegren fall that far. #11 pick will be an instant top prospect. Then there's Keegan Iverson, who has size and was signed to be in Ontario this coming season. So, it's not totally bleak.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

This is true. Some forward youth has stepped up the last few months: Austin Wagner and Spencer Watson each have 14 goals for their jr teams in the playoffs. Eyssimont
had a good year in St Cloud and could sign next year. Led them in scoring. Iafallo was signed and had over 50 pts in NCAA. Will be in Ontario, AHL this coming season. They say his #1 asset is speed and he is a dedicated hard worker. May even have a shot to play some games in LA next year. Kempe, Amadio and Brodzinski took steps. I think Brodzinki and Kempe make the Kings. Then there's #1 pick at 11 and feel they will pick a forward, unless Makar or Liljegren fall that far. #11 pick will be an instant top prospect. Then there's Keegan Iverson, who has size and was signed to be in Ontario this coming season. So, it's not totally bleak.

It seems akin to the prospect pool in the early 2000s, with Jared Aulin, Yanick Lehoux, Denis Grebeshkov, etc.

 

[damacles1156]

It seems akin to the prospect pool in the early 2000s, with Jared Aulin, Yanick Lehoux, Denis Grebeshkov, etc.

The Pipeline is still bare.

Kempe/Amadio/Brodz are really the only forwards that have an NHL Future so far. Mersch is up/down.

The others are huge question marks if they can even play AHL hockey.

On Defense:

Gravel(disappointing if you ask me) LaDue, that's about it. Maybe, Zac Leslie.

Not exactly stellar.

We keep talking about the steps the youth made, really ? Honestly who took an actual big step this last season ?

It was Forbort, that was it.

Dowd is a weak, extremely weak 5v5 player, the game is played mostly 5v5.

Gravel.....Ughh (so weak on the boards and the puck)

Kempe/LaDue/Brodz, more NHL games needed to see what you really got.

Nick Shore had a very good season, but I didn't consider him a rookie anyway.

 

[regulate]

The Pipeline is still bare.

Kempe/Amadio/Brodz are really the only forwards that have an NHL Future so far. Mersch is up/down.

The others are huge question marks if they can even play AHL hockey.

On Defense:

Gravel(disappointing if you ask me) LaDue, that's about it. Maybe Zac Leslie.

Not exactly stellar.

We keep talking about the steps the youth made, really ? Honestly who took an actual big step this last season ?

It was Forbort, that was it.

Dowd is a weak, extremely weak 5v5 player, the game is played mostly 5v5.

Gravel.....Ughh.

Kempe/LaDue not enough time to really see if you ask me.

I cannot see Leslie in any picture. Would not be surprised if the Kings didn't give him a QO. He is a bottom AHL dman at best. MacDermid's skating and his abilities in the pace of the NHL game are question marks, but they should give him a look. Kings need someone like him, but he is a tweener in my eyes like Mersch.

 

[damacles1156]

Gravel was seriously disappointing for me.

25 year old, 6'3" 220LBS guy, that just got pushed around all over the ice. Gravel was not this weak in the AHL, but then again, this is the NHL.

Gravel was so easy, to knock off the puck.

 

[damacles1156]

I do like the signing of Fantenberg though, the guy can play hockey, at speed.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Gravel was seriously disappointing for me.

25 year old, 6'3" 220LBS guy, that just got pushed around all over the ice. Gravel was not this weak in the AHL, but then again, this is the NHL.

Gravel was so easy, to knock off the puck.

Forbort looked that way at first too, but he started to put it together. I think there's hope for Gravel.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Gravel had his moments, but also struggled when it came to physical play. Martinez in his initial call up looked pretty hopeless, but he turned out okay, especially when he got to play with a parter like Greene.

 

[CowMix]

NHL is completely different from the AHL, its going to take time to adjust especially in a role that stands out as much as a defense. We've lost too much talent on the d-end that would have allowed us to gradually lets our young defensemen adjust to the NHL as a 6th/7th defensman with a veteran partner.

 

[KINGS17]

It seems akin to the prospect pool in the early 2000s, with Jared Aulin, Yanick Lehoux, Denis Grebeshkov, etc.

I agree. The "so called" kids the Kings have are nothing special. Especially when you consider outside of Kempe, none of them are kids.

 

[regulate]

Gravel was seriously disappointing for me.

25 year old, 6'3" 220LBS guy, that just got pushed around all over the ice. Gravel was not this weak in the AHL, but then again, this is the NHL.

Gravel was so easy, to knock off the puck.

Gravel is listed at 6'4" 212. He has always been a beanpole compared to Forbort. They are about the same height, but it is noticeable when they are together, especially out of hockey gear, that Gravel looks skinny compared to Forbort. Gravel got pushed around in the AHL too at times, as well as LaDue. Forbort has always been physically stronger along the boards (especially when his compete level was high). Not sure that will change. Gravel needs to play smart positional hockey and utilize that long-reach to be most effective.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I agree. The "so called" kids the Kings have are nothing special. Especially when you consider outside of Kempe, none of them are kids.

It's really no different than other teams who are also barren of top skilled prospects. This organization is seriously lacking in skill at every level, from the parent club to the minors and juniors/college/overseas.

 

[tny760]

did gravel really get a fair shake though? i'm personally holding judgment until we see what he looks like next year. honestly same goes for all these young guys, i think we can all agree their utilization under sutter was kinda strange

 

[LAKings88]

I have hope for next year.

LA doesn't have top end skill but they have managed to produce NHL players.

I like Forbort, Gravel, and LaDue.

Dowd shows flashes and I think can turn into a solid player.

Not sure if Shore will find his scoring touch.

Kempe and Brodzinski are both capable of popping 15-20.

Interesting to see if a system change will help these guys.