2016 LA Kings Offseason GDT V: Free Agent Frenzy
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Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
The reason we got outclassed is because we had effectively two below replacement players in Schenn and Scuderi (with Scuderi on the top pairing) and a replacement player in McBain. Our D will look better simply by having 2 or all 3 of those people out of the line-up.
Don't forget to add how much of a pylon the Sharks made McNabb look. Then again, Doughty and Muzzin weren't any better either.
Seems like the Kings collectively decided to play their worst hockey at the same time. And that is exactly why there are still some with a realistic viewpoint of how this team has performed in some tough stretches over the past two consecutive seasons.
That's a lot more recent than repeatedly bringing back events that took place 2-4 years ago.
Do the Kings protect the extra forwards and three D or do they protect 4 D and keep Doughty, McNabb, Martinez and Martinez and only 4 forwards and risk losing Lewis?
Kopitar, Pearson, Carter, and Toffoli are the only forward worth protecting.
Vegas can have Gaborik or Brown. Andreoff, Nolan, and Clifford are all in the same category. King will be a UFA....Dowd and Shore haven't proven anything yet.
Kopitar, Pearson, Carter, and Toffoli are the only forward worth protecting.
Vegas can have Gaborik or Brown. Andreoff, Nolan, and Clifford are all in the same category. King will be a UFA....Dowd and Shore haven't proven anything yet.
The Tikkanen
Pest
I think the Kings would be more interested in losing Brown or Gaborik over McNabb. Gaborik could have a huge season, Brown could have a huge season or one or both could be traded before the season is over. Lombardi will begin maneuvering this team to face the expansion draft at some point this season as will all teams.
KopitarFAN
Reno Sucks!
Based on what we know now, I would probably go 8+1, McNabb's upside is more valuable than any of the bad contracts/bottom six forwards.
But a lot can change in 11 months.
tigermask48
Maniacal Laugh
It's tough to what the Kings do. But now that we know who is building the LV team (McPhee) you can sort of look at his draft and trade history to see what type of team he may build.
So you're potentially looking at a team being built around a single franchise player the way McPhee built the Caps around Ovechkin... of course that could be a case of him building the team that may because he had Ovechkin.
If the past repeats itself, a roster with high talent top liners from Europe and a bunch of big lunchbox grinders on the bottom line. With that in mind I say protect the forwards with the lack of true offensive weapons the Kings have on the backend.
So you're potentially looking at a team being built around a single franchise player the way McPhee built the Caps around Ovechkin... of course that could be a case of him building the team that may because he had Ovechkin.
If the past repeats itself, a roster with high talent top liners from Europe and a bunch of big lunchbox grinders on the bottom line. With that in mind I say protect the forwards with the lack of true offensive weapons the Kings have on the backend.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
kingsfan28
Its A Kingspiracy !
kingsfan28
Its A Kingspiracy !
Burns had plenty of bad moments in the SCF, and really if the refs had called the finals the way they called rounds one and two, he'd have lead all players with PIMS by a wide margin. I'm pretty sure he tackled Kessel in one game as he walked around on a scoring chance, and you could literally watch the refs turn his head as if nothing happened.
Kingsfan1
Registered User
I honestly don't think Dean wants to lose Gaborik just like that. He's still a scoring threat and had a down year just like everyone else while coming back from injury. He will be good for 20+ goals yearly into his late 30s like Selanne and I'm willing to bet Dean protects him. The idea is for Brown to be taken in the expansion draft and you can add incentives to build a great relationship with yet another team.
4 D. LA is set up quit nice for the draft compared to other clubs
Kopitar, Carter, Toffoli, Pearson
Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, and McNabb
Is exactly who I would protect
Hopefully Purcell fits in and is re-signed right after the expansion draft, basicaly free protection. That's why the 1 year deal are awesome.
If I am Vegas I pass on both Brown and Gaborik which sucks, but really I would take Lewis or Forbort before either of those contracts. Definitely before Brown, Gaborik is debatable.
yup, one terrible trade that most recognized as terrible at the time. Pre-2013 his deals were pretty sound
The Night King
Registered User
I wouldn't protect Gaborik. I think he's going to be more injury prone and have more slumps as he gets older, and between his cap hit and Brown's (or his buyout cap hit), the team is going to be handicapped in a few years.
only reason I would protect Gaborik is if you are positive LV is going to take a forward from the kings and you want to direct them to Brown
Lot of hoping an wishing there though
lexlavender
Registered User
- Jun 9, 2013
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KingsFan7824
Registered User
- Dec 4, 2003
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Vegas has to take contracts that add up to at least 60% of the cap. 60% of $73m is about $44m. That divided by the 30 players they have to take is about $1.5m per player. I don't think Vegas will need guys like Brown or Gaborik. Maybe they take one, but there's little reason to think they would. They may be an expansion team, but why saddle yourself with a $6m contract for half a decade if it's not necessary?
The Kings have to expose a defenseman under contract for 17-18, who has played 40 games in 16-17, or 70 games over 15-16 and 16-17. The only guys that fit that bill, figuring Doughty/Muzzin/Martinez are protected, would be McNabb, Greene, or Forbort. As of right now, McNabb is the only one on that list for sure. Will Greene or Forbort play 40 games this year? The Kings may have to expose McNabb, depending on how the year goes. Which may or may not be a big deal, depending on how the year goes.
The Kings have to expose a defenseman under contract for 17-18, who has played 40 games in 16-17, or 70 games over 15-16 and 16-17. The only guys that fit that bill, figuring Doughty/Muzzin/Martinez are protected, would be McNabb, Greene, or Forbort. As of right now, McNabb is the only one on that list for sure. Will Greene or Forbort play 40 games this year? The Kings may have to expose McNabb, depending on how the year goes. Which may or may not be a big deal, depending on how the year goes.
WHOneedsSOX
Registered User
- Mar 1, 2015
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There's also free agency for Vegas to hit the cap floor. At worst they can just sign someone to a 1 year, $5 million deal or something. Or maybe they trade for Datsyuk's cap hit. They'll easily hit the cap floor.
I personally believe McNabb is one of the most likely candidates to be taken, especially if the Kings chose to protect 7 forwards and 3 d-men. I think if McNabb takes a step forward this season the Kings might elect to go with the 8 players route instead. I don't think the Kings have more than 4 important forwards anyway. Worst case scenario they lose King or Lewis. Not ideal but not hugely detrimental.
tigermask48
Maniacal Laugh
Brown's contract starts to become desirable to a rebuilding as each year goes by. As the actual money goes down a rebuilding team will see some value in his high cap hit, low money paid contract to a veteran of two Cup winning teams. The contracts may hurt the Kings for a couple years but after that they should be able to free themselves of them.
KingsFan7824
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- Dec 4, 2003
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More of a chance than Brown or Gaborik I would imagine. If guys like Dowd or Gravel fit the expansion definitions, they could be taken ahead of McNabb. Maybe Lewis or Clifford, but they have multi-year contracts. As an expansion team under a cap, you might like as much financial flexibility as possible after that first year.
If professional seasons include the AHL, my guess would be McNabb, Gravel, Dowd, Shore, or Mersch. Again, depending on how this season goes. Maybe a guy like Lewis for a veteran, but you can also get a vet for less than 3 years in free agency.
Bets case scenario, Brown gets taken. I'm thinking, you have to figure worst case scenario. That would be something like both McNabb and Gravel playing really well, and one of them has to go. Or, McNabb and Gravel play so well the Kings protect 5 defensemen, and lose Pearson or Carter in the draft, or in a trade. Whatever it would be, I don't think the Kings get saved by Gaborik or especially Brown being selected.
KingsFan7824
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It took Teravainen for 1 year of Bickell. It's not until the summer of 2021 that Brown has 1 year left. If the cap goes up, that helps. If it doesn't, nobody needs Brown's contract. Not until years from now, and even then, it's not a need. Like Chicago with Bickell, the Kings need to get rid of the contract more than any other team needs the contract.
