Line Combos: 2016-2017 Kings Roster

[BigKing]

LaDue has been very solid. Nice to see MacD being mentioned in the LAKI article as well since I think he has been even more surprising than LaDue.

MacD has come a long way. Would be great to have him become a steady, punishing #6.

 

[Basilisk]

Ah yes. He's been a pleasant surprise at camp as well.

So I guess both Scuderi and Gravel could be reassigned. Seems counterproductive for the team to carry 8 defensemen on the roster.

LoL, can't we just swap McNabb & Forbort for Trouba? It would solve a lot of problems......

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

LaDue has been very solid. Nice to see MacD being mentioned in the LAKI article as well since I think he has been even more surprising than LaDue.

MacD has come a long way. Would be great to have him become a steady, punishing #6.

I commented to a friend that his play reminds me exactly of a young Sean O'Donnell. He also appears to be smarter than McNabb as well.

LoL, can't we just swap McNabb & Forbort for Trouba? It would solve a lot of problems......

If only it was that easy. As much as I'd like Trouba, I don't think the Kings have the assets to pull that off. Or the cap space.

 

[USE Fi]

The thing in being from collage hockey they body in general is not used to play back to back games or 2 games in 3 days etc. Sutter like's his veteran because they have body that has gone many season's it's hard to understand how tuff it is to play NHL season or any professional season in hockey. When you are not ready for playing every other day you don't play at same level and then specially Sutter will bench you and that is why i don't see LaDue playing for Kings, play some hockey and then go back to play much more "easier" games in AHL.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I commented to a friend that his play reminds me exactly of a young Sean O'Donnell. He also appears to be smarter than McNabb as well.



If only it was that easy. As much as I'd like Trouba, I don't think the Kings have the assets to pull that off. Or the cap space.

Let's not forget that playing #4-#6 minutes in the preseason is much, much different than playing #2 minutes all season vs. top competition. I'm not necessarily defending McNabb at this point, as I think he's looked godawful in the preseason, but let's temper our expectations too. Though yes, MacD has looked fantastic in his role. I see no reason he can't develop into a bottom pairing guy if not more (as you mentioned, he seems to have the brain).

Agreed on Trouba. Someone is going to overpay for him to be their #1-#2 rather than our #3, plus the literal price tag. But he would be an INCREDIBLE Voynov replacement...

I'm just thinking aloud here but even with a guy like LaDue maybe he gets a cup of coffee but gets sent down eventually. I can see him hitting the wall hard in his first pro season playing 4x the amount of games vs. grown men. Hell even McNabb started last season looking like Muzzin and ended looking like Scuderi. I think the guys that have been playing big minutes in the pros already--like Gravel and Forbort--have the obvious leg up for that reason.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I think Dean wants to chug that mug of coffee across the street when Bob mentions that the Kings have only won 1 playoff game in the past two seasons.

He went all out the last 2 years. Defending champ in 14-15, gave them a chance. A lot of things went wrong in 14-15, so give the team another chance in 15-16. Then the team blows the division, and goes out quietly in the playoffs. He probably didn't do all he possibly could do keep Lucic. Now the team is back to the prove it mode. Two 1st round picks for 5 playoff games and 1 playoff win. They have to show that they're worth taking a chance on again.

And of course, there are so many big contracts now, there's not much Lombardi can probably do anyway.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Look at the lines per La Kings insider...

White: Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Yellow: Clifford-Dowd-Purcell
Green: Setoguchi-Kempe-Brown
Purple: King-Lewis-Andreoff
Red: Mersch-Latta-Nolan

Swap out Kopitar for Kempe and send Mersch down and you have the starting roster. Latta and Nolan are extras. Shore is the wildcard.

 

[Fishhead]

Now, if we were to select a lineup based on performance, Paul LaDue should make the team ahead of McNabb, Forbort, Greene and Scuderi. After Martinez, he really has been the best performing defenseman at camp and in preseason games.

If LaDue continues his strong play in Ontario, the Kings would make room for him. But who do you give up on? McNabb's toolbox seems to be missing a ratchet or something. Forbort and Gravel look good, but can they handle the next level with regularity?

Just for balance sake, I think we'll see something like

Doughty/McNabb
Muzzin/Martinez
Gilbert/Forbort or Greene

I'm not a huge fan of McNabb on the top line, but he does seem to play better with Drew (and not just because he's being carried). It's hard to gauge what the Kings think of McNabb, really. If he shows more mediocrity this year, he's the one that LaDue would replace, IMO.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I think if Ladue rises quick, that would help the Kings D so much in the future..

Doughty-McNabb
Muzzin-Martinez
Ladue-Forbort

or Kings promote Gravel and deal Muzzin or Martinez and insert Ladue.

Ladue and MacD seem to be impressing the most. I didn't even notice Scuderi or Greene yet and I went to a pre-season game...geez.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[tsanuri]

It's always been an outside shot.
And I still think he'll be better served putting up 20+ minutes in Ontario vs 7-10 in the NHL. Mixed in with nights sitting.

 

[Basilisk]

If only it was that easy. As much as I'd like Trouba, I don't think the Kings have the assets to pull that off. Or the cap space.

I think we might actually have the cap space. If Clifford is put into that deal (give Clifford's job to Mersch), and if Gaborik goes to LTIR, and if one of Scuderi/Greene is waived, that'll enable us to sign Trouba for $4 million per year. Is he worth that much? Is he that good? I don't even know. Last I heard, his beef was that he really, REALLY wanted to play the right side, and that's the reason for his holding out so long. It's almost silly....

 

[lordjedediah]

I think we might actually have the cap space. If Clifford is put into that deal (give Clifford's job to Mersch), and if Gaborik goes to LTIR, and if one of Scuderi/Greene is waived, that'll enable us to sign Trouba for $4 million per year. Is he worth that much? Is he that good? I don't even know. Last I heard, his beef was that he really, REALLY wanted to play the right side, and that's the reason for his holding out so long. It's almost silly....

I think he wants more than $4 million.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I think we might actually have the cap space. If Clifford is put into that deal (give Clifford's job to Mersch), and if Gaborik goes to LTIR, and if one of Scuderi/Greene is waived, that'll enable us to sign Trouba for $4 million per year. Is he worth that much? Is he that good? I don't even know. Last I heard, his beef was that he really, REALLY wanted to play the right side, and that's the reason for his holding out so long. It's almost silly....

Winnipeg probably wants a legit top 4 left handed defenseman in return(or at the very least Clifford does nothing for them), and Gaborik is coming back in a few weeks. You have to account for his contract.

McNabb, Forbort, and Clifford for Trouba? Is that what you're thinking? Would you make that trade if you're Winnipeg? I think you'd have to start at Muzzin. Simply because he's younger than Martinez, and you have to send some salary the other way. Gaborik isn't out for the year. Not with this current injury anyway.

 

[damacles1156]

How about LaDue actually plays a full season vs Men, before people start calling him Muzzin/A-Mart replacement.

 

[Reaper45]

How about LaDue actually plays a full season vs Men, before people start calling him Muzzin/A-Mart replacement.

Gotta agree. He's looked good, but he's also struggled with the pace. And just wait until he plays the Ducks or Sharks and they're laying the body on him every shift.

I still think this preseason he's been the 2nd or 3rd best young d man.

Forbort
MacDermid, LaDue
Gravel

in that order.

 

[USE Fi]

If we go and pay assets to get some player and then sign him for 5mil AVV we lose those assets to get same player with those pick's etc and biggest asset is we have that our young player for cheap first and when he is too expensive we are trading them like winniped and we can choose what we want like now every GM at least call's and ask's what is the prize to get Trouba.

 

[Omni Owl]

Forbort, Gravel, and LaDue all seem promising, hopefully at least one of those guys can eventually push McNabb down the depth chart and out of the top 4 (where he belongs). It really helps that LaDue shoots right as well. I have no problem with letting Gravel/LaDue spend more time in Ontario and simmer. Its Forbot's spot to lose as he's been down there long enough...

 

[Kingsfan1]

I think if Ladue rises quick, that would help the Kings D so much in the future..

Doughty-McNabb
Muzzin-Martinez
Ladue-Forbort

or Kings promote Gravel and deal Muzzin or Martinez and insert Ladue.

Ladue and MacD seem to be impressing the most. I didn't even notice Scuderi or Greene yet and I went to a pre-season game...geez.

Muzzin will not be getting traded anytime soon. I used to be one of Muzzins biggest haters but he has improved lots and i have grown to love the guy. Martinez is expendable . I see Martinez as one of the few trading chips we have with Ladue , Forbort , Gravel , Cernak , Clague in the system.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Muzzin will not be getting traded anytime soon. I used to be one of Muzzins biggest haters but he has improved lots and i have grown to love the guy. Martinez is expendable . I see Martinez as one of the few trading chips we have with Ladue , Forbort , Gravel , Cernak , Clague in the system.

None of those guys are ready to play Martinez's minutes. As much as I'd like to see an injection of fresh new faces in the lineup, this proposition is silly.

It's not like the Kings have the next Doughty waiting to come up. I want to see LaDue flanking the right side on the 2nd pairing, and it may happen soon, but to suggest moving a proven big minute defenseman before any of these guys have even proven themselves is downright silly and premature.

 

[HookKing]

None of those guys are ready to play Martinez's minutes. As much as I'd like to see an injection of fresh new faces in the lineup, this proposition is silly.

It's not like the Kings have the next Doughty waiting to come up. I want to see LaDue flanking the right side on the 2nd pairing, and it may happen soon, but to suggest moving a proven big minute defenseman before any of these guys have even proven themselves is downright silly and premature.

Exactly. LaDue will get an early look though if Gilbert craps the bed. Too many posters on here suggest moves as though all D play the same role. That's why I cringe every time I see another trade Martinez proposal. Kings are very short on puck movers and it absolutely killed them the last two years.

 

[Kingsfan1]

None of those guys are ready to play Martinez's minutes. As much as I'd like to see an injection of fresh new faces in the lineup, this proposition is silly.

It's not like the Kings have the next Doughty waiting to come up. I want to see LaDue flanking the right side on the 2nd pairing, and it may happen soon, but to suggest moving a proven big minute defenseman before any of these guys have even proven themselves is downright silly and premature.

Exactly. LaDue will get an early look though if Gilbert craps the bed. Too many posters on here suggest moves as though all D play the same role. That's why I cringe every time I see another trade Martinez proposal. Kings are very short on puck movers and it absolutely killed them the last two years.

I agree Martinez is our # 3 right now and we need him . I was just disagreeing with what another poster mentioned which was to trade one of Muzzin or Martinez and i said when the time comes basically Martinez should be dealt not Muzzin .

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Here's the big problem: the Kings need someone to fit in the top 4 without removing any of the established top 3 dmen, otherwise they'll still have a hole to fill.

They're forcing McNabb to play top 4 minutes when he isn't good enough to fill that role. He's not smart enough, not skilled enough, and doesn't have the skating ability to be used in such a role, but the situation the team is in has forced them to use him as such.

Take Martinez away and McNabb's responsibilities will increase. That wouldn't be a very logical move.

 

[likid]

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Congrats. Future 1st round draft choice in 2033.