Line Combos: 2016-2017 Kings Roster

[KingsFan7824]

Kings sign Purcell, Gilbert, Trotman, Latta, and Zatkoff.

Latta and Trotman are in the AHL, Gilbert was a healthy scratch for two games, Purcell for 1, and Zatkoff is horrible.

Lombardi never does well on the UFA market.

Look what they were signed for. Trotman and Latta at basically the league minimum. Purcell and Gilbert, a little over a million each for 1 season. Zatkoff is here because of the expansion draft.

I'm increasingly convinced that everything Lombardi has done since last season ended, including stripping Brown of the C, and not doing everything he could to sign Lucic, is saying he doesn't believe in the roster anymore. I'm not entirely sure he did after the 14-15 season either, but because they missed the playoffs, Carolina got the 2016 pick, and if the Kings missed the playoffs once, they could do it again, and all hell would've broken loose if Carolina had won the Matthews lottery with the Kings pick. So you have to make sure you make the playoffs the next year.

If they make the playoffs in 14-15, and even if they go out early, Carolina gets the 2015 pick, Sekera still probably leaves, and I'm not sure Lombardi goes and gets Lucic.

The 12 months between the Kings 0-3 comeback, and missing the playoffs in April of 2015, is the key time. It was a bad season on and off the ice, it affected the 15-16 season, and what's happening now would've been what happened after the 13-14 season had the Kings gone out quietly to the Sharks in 4 or 5 games, instead of what turned into one of the all time runs to the Cup.

 

[KingsFan7824]

it's not exactly great to build your personal value up when your restricted offensively. why would a 40 goal scorer choose to only score 25 because that's what they currently have in kopitar, carter and gaborik.

How many 40 goal scorers are allowed to hit free agency these days?

 

[Johnny Utah]

Nick shore is my new whipping boy.

-4, and terrible in face off circle.

How is he playing over Purcell or Clifford? Move Lewis to center because this player sucks.

How many more games can Shore go without not producing and still be an every day player?

 

[mattgkg]

How many 40 goal scorers are allowed to hit free agency these days?

not the point i'm making with that. saying kopitar, carter and gaborik all have had / would've have 40 goal seasons in them on another team during their kings tenure where they average 25.

 

[rick3652]

Nick shore is my new whipping boy.

-4, and terrible in face off circle.

How is he playing over Purcell or Clifford? Move Lewis to center because this player sucks.

How many more games can Shore go without not producing and still be an every day player?

Not sure why you are blaming Shore for the -4 when Lewis and brown are on that line also. And the previous game Lewis played with Carter and was a -3

 

[KingsFan7824]

not the point i'm making with that. saying kopitar, carter and gaborik all have had / would've have 40 goal seasons in them on another team during their kings tenure where they average 25.

Gaborik did it with Minnesota when they were all about defense. He's just not that guy anymore. Carter is older now, but had 26 goals in the 48 game 2013 season with the Kings. Kopitar hasn't shot enough to hit 40 in years, even though the team has been about shots, but got sort of close while Crawford was coach and the Kings were terrible.

You're saying why would a 40 goal guy choose the Kings. How many 40 goal guys have been out there to get while the Kings have been good?

 

[mattgkg]

Gaborik did it with Minnesota when they were all about defense. He's just not that guy anymore. Carter is older now, but had 26 goals in the 48 game 2013 season with the Kings. Kopitar hasn't shot enough to hit 40 in years, even though the team has been about shots, but got sort of close while Crawford was coach and the Kings were terrible.

You're saying why would a 40 goal guy choose the Kings. How many 40 goal guys have been out there to get while the Kings have been good?

let me try to reword it since you don't seem to get it.

"Duh. Der. Duh. Der. Duh. Der."assuming that's how you read and respond to almost every post anyone with a lower post count than you.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I have no idea why the Kings signed Lewis.

I would have destroyed that whole 3rd line. Waived Shore, traded King, let Lewis walk and all we would have been stuck with was Brown. Could have been Kempe-Dowd-Brown or something like that.

 

[rick3652]

I have no idea why the Kings signed Lewis.

I would have destroyed that whole 3rd line. Waived Shore, traded King, let Lewis walk and all we would have been stuck with was Brown. Could have been Kempe-Dowd-Brown or something like that.

OK I understand I just thought you were putting all the blame on one guy

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I have no idea why the Kings signed Lewis.

I would have destroyed that whole 3rd line. Waived Shore, traded King, let Lewis walk and all we would have been stuck with was Brown. Could have been Kempe-Dowd-Brown or something like that.

Absolutely agreed. But I'm sure in Dean's mind, Kempe and Dowd were unproven at this level, and should force the team's hand if they were really ready.

Which, by all accounts, they did during preseason. But old man Sutter loves his King-Lewis safety helmet bottom sixers.

I think it's clear that this team is simply tuned out, like so many others have mentioned. Dean should have never brought Sutter back, even if that means Sutter-lite Stevens taking the bench. At least it's signatory that the team is moving in a new direction, and the old era is over.

King and Clifford should have been traded at the draft. Shore, too. Those three players are so beyond redundant.

Should have sold the veterans and fanbase on the idea that we're moving in a new direction, and we're going with a youth depth movement. Buyout Matt Greene for gods sake. Let kids like Kempe, Dowd, and Mersch round out the bottom six. Keep Lewis if you're really that in love with him, but at least he's surrounded by new faces.

 

[DoktorJeep]

It's time to move on from Sutters system. What coaches are available? I'd be ok with a guy like Dan Bylsma behind the Kings bench. Since it's in season, I'd keep Stevens and Payne around.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It's time to move on from Sutters system. What coaches are available? I'd be ok with a guy like Dan Bylsma behind the Kings bench. Since it's in season, I'd keep Stevens and Payne around.

Bylsma is in Buffalo. If the Kings went that route, I like Stothers quite a bit.

 

[BigKing]

I mentioned the Kings money train in another thread and how they don't want to disrupt what's been going on ticket and merch wise.

So the Kings took a cover page ad and then a "news article ad", the ones that look like a story but are really advertisements, that was "written" by Luc in the LA Business Journal.

In the ad, there is a lot of talk about attendance through the years, ticket prices, cost of doing business etc...since it was written for the audience that reads this business journal. Anyways, one part of it jumped out to me as I just read it now and it reminded me of my claim about the Kings not wanting to upset the money train:

"There were still five years of that (Gretzky) era where we didn't sell out every game. You look at now, since 2012, we've sold out every single game. So has this team had more impact? Yeah, absolutely. It goes to my theory: people have to have the perception that you've got a chance of winning a championship every year"

There you have it. Lombardi knew this team was going to be a stinker in comparison to previous years but there was nothing he could do about it this off-season since there is no cap space or assets to move. So bring Sutter and pretty much the same team back, pump the 50th anniversary stuff and give the illusion to the non-HF frequenting posters that this team has a chance of winning a championship. And why wouldn't they? They still have Kopi and Brownie and Dewy and Quickie and Sutterie! The team would still compete for a playoff spot barring injuries to key players and the public ($$$) would still think they have a legitimate chance at winning a Cup because they've only been on board since 2012.

You go with a new coach and a bunch of rookies throughout the lineup after a pathetic playoff performance and it signals that the 2012-14 Kings are most definitely done. So, if you are hamstrung cap wise, **** it: just bring everyone back and keep that contender perception going.

Well...the worst thing that could happen--an injury to 11/8/32--has happened and this team is going to be tough to watch. The "perception" that Luc talks about is going to go away very quickly in this town and especially if the Lakers improve.

Lombardi couldn't do anything to make this roster better in the off-season outside of promoting prospects. We're stuck with a lot of this roster and I think they are going to ride them into the ground until the thing hits rock bottom. This was always going to be a transitional year (or whatever you want to call it) with this roster and any serious injuries to the important players on the team would sink them: just like it did last season with a better roster.

Would not surprise me one bit to see Sutter gone after this season. Keep the perception alive for the 50th anniversary season and see if they could wring some sort of magic season on the backs of 11/8/32. Well, it isn't happening with Quick out and Sutter isn't going to stick around to coach a team on the decline unless he continues to stick it out for Chris.

 

[The Tikkanen]

I have no idea why the Kings signed Lewis.

I would have destroyed that whole 3rd line. Waived Shore, traded King, let Lewis walk and all we would have been stuck with was Brown. Could have been Kempe-Dowd-Brown or something like that.

Agreed 100%. Once Lewis was re-signed I started preparing for a garbage season. Trevor Lewis has no upside to his game, much like many of the Kings forwards. Other NHL teams have players capable of having big games here and there, not the case in LA. Unless you consider big games mucking the corner, turning over the puck without creating a scoring chance or taking a bad penalty.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

It baffles my mind how execs like Luc can buy into the "illusion of contending" when the team just isn't that good, and they know it. How long do they expect that train to ride out?

I remember a time when one Dean Lombardi would have turned down the GM job if ownership came to him with crap like this. The legacy of Lieweke lives on.

 

[Trolfoli]

It baffles my mind how execs like Luc can buy into the "illusion of contending" when the team just isn't that good, and they know it. How long do they expect that train to ride out?

I remember a time when one Dean Lombardi would have turned down the GM job if ownership came to him with crap like this. The legacy of Lieweke lives on.

Does it do any good for them to stand up and scream, "OH **** WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!" What do you expect, they have jobs to promote the team. It's going to be a down year. This doesn't change their jobs, it just makes their work harder.

The team still has all the major pieces in place. They can give it a couple years, see if anyone breaks out, then see if they're close enough to make some trades to fill the last few holes. It isn't the end of the world.

 

[kingsfan28]

Agreed 100%. Once Lewis was re-signed I started preparing for a garbage season. Trevor Lewis has no upside to his game, much like many of the Kings forwards. Other NHL teams have players capable of having big games here and there, not the case in LA. Unless you consider big games mucking the corner, turning over the puck without creating a scoring chance or taking a bad penalty.

I thought it was 50/50 Lewis was going to be re-signed, but once I saw it was for F O U R - Y E A R S ! I knew things were going to be bad. That deal to me was nothing more than a good soldier reward contract, not for his upside.

 

[kingsfan28]

Bylsma is in Buffalo. If the Kings went that route, I like Stothers quite a bit.

I wouldn't hire Bylsma to coach a pee-wee team.

 

[Legionnaire]

It baffles my mind how execs like Luc can buy into the "illusion of contending" when the team just isn't that good, and they know it. How long do they expect that train to ride out?

I remember a time when one Dean Lombardi would have turned down the GM job if ownership came to him with crap like this. The legacy of Lieweke lives on.

They're not buying into anything, they're selling it.

This team is two or three pieces away which isn't that much considering the parity in today's league.

 

[The Tikkanen]

I thought it was 50/50 Lewis was going to be re-signed, but once I saw it was for F O U R - Y E A R S ! I knew things were going to be bad. That deal to me was nothing more than a good soldier reward contract, not for his upside.

Yup, this whole idea of good soldiers is what has brought the Kings to their knees. Andy Murray was in love with hard work on and off the ice and he rewarded guys who worked hard but could not poduce because they lacked talent. We are seeing history repeat itself with Sutter. For every good soldier you need a Bobby Ryan, a guy who maybe doesn't work as hard because he's s talented he doesn't have to. Instead we have Trevor Lewis and Dwight King, the same exact player-work hard, no results.

 

[Reaper45]

Trevor Lewis is likely to be in Vegas next year unless the Kings absolutely luck out and are able to get Vegas to take Brown or Gaborik.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Remember at the conclusion of last season when Lombardi emerged after a week or so in hiding, stating "we have been assessing everything around the clock here for a week...from the coaching staff, to scouting, to personnel, (etc etc). And he concluded "we have to reinvent"
Went on to say how they needed to change their style and add speed
and make adjustments. I do not recall the exact wording, but this was stated about change - and that included the coaching.

The what happened? What was reinvented? As soon as they announced Darryl was extended, I knew there would be no reinvention!
The only bold move all off season, was removing the C from Brown.

If they really wanted to reinvent and change the style and play a game more like the way the game is going, this was thee exact time to let Darryl go. That would not have been a slap in the face...hey, did not make the playoffs in 14-15 and 1 win in the 16 playoffs and his contract ended. AND, DL did his 2 week round the clock analysis and determined change of play was necessary....this was the time to change the coach.

Not acquiring or signing ANYONE that could help inject or bring anything to move to bringing speed or skill, along with bringing Darryl back,
almost ensured there would be no change and no reinvention. No way he would play Kempe over King.
Darryl is awesome and always will be...but he is the last coach that
goes with the definition and new mantra "reinvent".

Sure, there was no cap space. But there should have been a trade of a players like King and Clifford (get rid of Darryl players who are players that are also incapable of reinventing their game)...and yeah, King will not bring much in return. More about making a statement and move to the new direction...oh, and NOT signing Lewis. For starters.

Bring in Kempe. (no, he was not inconsistent in all preseason) Out with the old, in with the new. Dowd showed he is ready. Play him. Guys like this should be playing and King, Lewis, Clifford should have been gone. I bet if Scuderi did not have an injury in preseason, Darryl would have had him on the team too!
Don't sign Purcell, Gilbert, Trotman, Latta. barf.

Would have really tried to sign Okposo. One good player still in his prime..may have been able to do it. (w/o signing the 4 barf players and not resigning Lewis)

Too much damage has been done and the dealing of the last 2 #1 picks for a 16 game Sekera and 1 season Lucic will haunt for a few years. And losing Jones in that deal as well.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Yup, this whole idea of good soldiers is what has brought the Kings to their knees. Andy Murray was in love with hard work on and off the ice and he rewarded guys who worked hard but could not poduce because they lacked talent. We are seeing history repeat itself with Sutter. For every good soldier you need a Bobby Ryan, a guy who maybe doesn't work as hard because he's s talented he doesn't have to. Instead we have Trevor Lewis and Dwight King, the same exact player-work hard, no results.

These are universal traits with coaches. They all love the hard working player.

What's hurt the Kings is the cap(but it also helped them). Lewis, King, Clifford, Purcell, Nolan, Greene, and Gilbert have a cap hit of about $11.8m. You could get a couple nice players for that, but still have to fill out a roster, and pay Brown, and pay Gaborik, and pay Kopitar, and pay Toffoli, and pay Pearson, and Doughty in a few years. Probably not going to get a couple guys for $5.5m each for just 1 year either. All big multi-year contracts.

Remember at the conclusion of last season when Lombardi emerged after a week or so in hiding, stating "we have been assessing everything around the clock here for a week...from the coaching staff, to scouting, to personnel, (etc etc). And he concluded "we have to reinvent"
Went on to say how they needed to change their style and add speed
and make adjustments. I do not recall the exact wording, but this was stated about change - and that included the coaching.

The what happened? What was reinvented? As soon as they announced Darryl was extended, I knew there would be no reinvention!
The only bold move all off season, was removing the C from Brown.

If they really wanted to reinvent and change the style and play a game more like the way the game is going, this was thee exact time to let Darryl go. That would not have been a slap in the face...hey, did not make the playoffs in 14-15 and 1 win in the 16 playoffs and his contract ended. AND, DL did his 2 week round the clock analysis and determined change of play was necessary....this was the time to change the coach.

Not acquiring or signing ANYONE that could help inject or bring anything to move to bringing speed or skill, along with bringing Darryl back,
almost ensured there would be no change and no reinvention. No way he would play Kempe over King.
Darryl is awesome and always will be...but he is the last coach that
goes with the definition and new mantra "reinvent".

Sure, there was no cap space. But there should have been a trade of a players like King and Clifford (get rid of Darryl players who are players that are also incapable of reinventing their game)...and yeah, King will not bring much in return. More about making a statement and move to the new direction...oh, and NOT signing Lewis. For starters.

Bring in Kempe. (no, he was not inconsistent in all preseason) Out with the old, in with the new. Dowd showed he is ready. Play him. Guys like this should be playing and King, Lewis, Clifford should have been gone. I bet if Scuderi did not have an injury in preseason, Darryl would have had him on the team too!
Don't sign Purcell, Gilbert, Trotman, Latta. barf.

Would have really tried to sign Okposo. One good player still in his prime..may have been able to do it.

Too much damage has been done and the dealing of the last 2 #1 picks for a 16 game Sekera and 1 season Lucic will haunt for a few years. And losing Jones in that deal as well.

You can't just say sure, there was no cap space. It's the primary consideration. And maybe nobody wants King and Clifford. If the game has passed them by, would you want to trade for them?

Maybe the idea is for the transformation to happen over a few seasons. It's going to be tough to compete when Brown is what he is, making what he is. I know they don't have that kind of time with more guys getting older, but they don't have the cap space to do it quickly either.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

These are universal traits with coaches. They all love the hard working player.

What's hurt the Kings is the cap(but it also helped them). Lewis, King, Clifford, Purcell, Nolan, Greene, and Gilbert have a cap hit of about $11.8m. You could get a couple nice players for that, but still have to fill out a roster, and pay Brown, and pay Gaborik, and pay Kopitar, and pay Toffoli, and pay Pearson, and Doughty in a few years. Probably not going to get a couple guys for $5.5m each for just 1 year either. All big multi-year contracts.



You can't just say sure, there was no cap space. It's the primary consideration. And maybe nobody wants King and Clifford. If the game has passed them by, would you want to trade for them?

Maybe the idea is for the transformation to happen over a few seasons. It's going to be tough to compete when Brown is what he is, making what he is. I know they don't have that kind of time with more guys getting older, but they don't have the cap space to do it quickly either.

I think there was cap space for Okposo, if you do not sign those 4 retreads and not sign Lewis. The Kings needed 1 upgrade, or at least a real replacement for Lucic. King and Clifford have some value. Every team would love a player that has 2 rings...it's just not that the Kings would get a lot in return, but it's more about making changes in this new direction that never happened.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I think there was cap space for Okposo, if you do not sign those 4 retreads and not sign Lewis. The Kings needed 1 upgrade, or at least a real replacement for Lucic. King and Clifford have some value. Every team would love a player that has 2 rings...it's just not that the Kings would get a lot in return, but it's more about making changes in this new direction that never happened.

What matters more today, cap space and speed, or Cup rings from 3rd and 4th line guys? Maybe nobody wants them, maybe Lombardi and Sutter love them too much, maybe Lombardi is holding onto them until a young guy pushes them out the way King did when he got the job. Any one of those is possible. Maybe Mersch isn't that guy yet. Maybe they don't want Mersch playing because the more goals he scores in the NHL, the more he gets in the summer as a RFA.

Didn't Lombardi also say something about a 5 year plan back in Jan or Feb? Maybe the plan is to suck for a couple years, and to try not to waste the high picks.