2016 LA Kings Offseason GDT V: Free Agent Frenzy

[KopitarFAN]

Waiving Hickey was a terrible move in hindsight. But we still had Voynov then and Muzzin was up and coming. So it goes.

As I recall, the choice was Muzzin or Hickey, whoever they didn't choose they would likely lose on waivers. I'd say they made the right call.

Was Hickey waived right before the Voynov arrest or the year before?

12-13, right before the start of the lockout shortened season.

 

[Moses Doughty]

Waiving Hickey was a terrible move in hindsight. But we still had Voynov then and Muzzin was up and coming. So it goes.

If I remember correct it was something the Kings had to do because it was him or Muzzin. The initial defense was Doughty, Voynov, Martinez, Muzzin, Scuderi, Greene, and was supposed to be Mitchell but he was hurt but I believe the extent wasn't known until after Hickey left.

Was Hickey waived right before the Voynov arrest or the year before?

Hickey was waived nearly 2 years before, when the 2012-13 lockout season began

 

[kingsfan28]

If I remember correct it was something the Kings had to do because it was him or Muzzin. The initial defense was Doughty, Voynov, Martinez, Muzzin, Scuderi, Greene, and was supposed to be Mitchell but he was hurt but I believe the extent wasn't known until after Hickey left.



Hickey was waived nearly 2 years before, when the 2012-13 lockout season began

Thanks. Basically the odd man out.

I just looked it up and he wasn't waived until mid January and unfortunately, that was the year NYI lost 4 dmen to injury and taking anything off waivers that could play defense.

 

[Moses Doughty]

Thanks. Basically the odd man out.

I just looked it up and he wasn't waived until mid January and unfortunately, that was the year NYI lost 4 dmen to injury and taking anything off waivers that could play defense.

That's when the season didn't start until mid January so it hadn't been an issue yet

 

[Kingsfan1]

I see the lineup more as

Gaborik-Kopitar-Purcell
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
King-Dowd/Lewis-Brown
Andreoff-Latta/Dowd-Lewis
Shore, Clifford

Mcnabb-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez
Forbort/Gravel-Trotman
Gilbert

Scuderi is sent to Ontario and Greene retires.... Hopefully.

Shore wasnt cutting it for his role hence why he was benched at the end. I think Dowd being considered the best prospect we have by management is going to get a long extended look at 3C as i believe Lewis is better suited on the wing and makes our 4th line more of a threat and defensively responsible and gives us the ability to roll 4 lines

 

[Johnny Utah]

I see the lineup more as

Gaborik-Kopitar-Purcell
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
King-Dowd/Lewis-Brown
Andreoff-Latta/Dowd-Lewis
Shore, Clifford

Mcnabb-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez
Forbort/Gravel-Trotman
Gilbert

Scuderi is sent to Ontario and Greene retires.... Hopefully.

Shore wasnt cutting it for his role hence why he was benched at the end. I think Dowd being considered the best prospect we have by management is going to get a long extended look at 3C as i believe Lewis is better suited on the wing and makes our 4th line more of a threat and defensively responsible and gives us the ability to roll 4 lines

Not bad but Gravel does not have to pass thru waivers. So he could be back in Ontario.

Gilbert is more of an everyday player than Trotman so I would pencil in a 3rd pairing of Gilbert and Forbort or Gilbert and Greene.

Is Dowd or Shore waiver eligible? That could help determine who stays. I think a 4th line of Andreoff-Dowd-Latta could be fun to watch.

 

[Reaper45]

I see the roster shaking out as follows.

Purcell-Kopitar-Gaborik
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Brown-Lewis-King
Clifford-Andreoff-Latta
Shore
Nolan on IR

Doughty-McNabb
Muzzin-Martinez
Greene-Gilbert/Trotman
Scuderi/Forbort

Quick
Zatkoff


D seems the most fluid but maybe a bottom six forward gets moved as as well.

 

[LAKings88]

I don't advocate trading Pearson, but is there another player with his value that can bring in a decent defenseman?

 

[Johnny Utah]

I see the roster shaking out as follows.

Purcell-Kopitar-Gaborik
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Brown-Lewis-King
Clifford-Andreoff-Latta
Shore
Nolan on IR

Doughty-McNabb
Muzzin-Martinez
Greene-Gilbert/Trotman
Scuderi/Forbort

Quick
Zatkoff


D seems the most fluid but maybe a bottom six forward gets moved as as well.

Reaper, King is a LW and Brown a RW.

I also think Shore or Dowd will take a center spot. Lewis and Andreoff stats were worse at center and they both played better on the wing.

 

[Kingsfan1]

Not bad but Gravel does not have to pass thru waivers. So he could be back in Ontario.

Gilbert is more of an everyday player than Trotman so I would pencil in a 3rd pairing of Gilbert and Forbort or Gilbert and Greene.

Is Dowd or Shore waiver eligible? That could help determine who stays. I think a 4th line of Andreoff-Dowd-Latta could be fun to watch.

Yeah i fear because Gravel can go up and down without waivers that he might start in Ontario as well. Shore and Dowd would both have to pass thru waivers which i dont see them passing. The bottom pairing could be Forbort and Gilbert but i really think everyone is going to be impressed by Trotman. Gilbert i think is more of a Mcbain type signing and will not be depended on much. I feel like Trotman is going to be groomed by management and see if they got something there. If you look up his numbers he has always improved from year to year and seems determined to have a longevity career

 

[Kingsfan1]

I don't advocate trading Pearson, but is there another player with his value that can bring in a decent defenseman?

Pearson is a gem for us and i believe it was hard for him to come back after the serious injury he had. He finished the season strong and was probably our best forward in the playoffs. He finished eith 36 points and i think is going to have a breakout year next year. You dont trade a home grown talent who is a perfect fit for the top 6. Also he is a cost effective top 6 player for us. I hope to see Pearson and Toffoli in Kings jerseys for along time as they are our future.

 

[CTKingsFan]

The more I think about it. I like what the Kings did today! Although, I'm scratching my head over a few things. The Gilbert signing, not buying out Greene, and why we couldn't land Hamhuis (was it us or him?). But, they didn't do anything this organization will live to regret. Which can't be said about a lot of other teams. Namely, Edmonton. In fact, none of it will impact us in 2 years. Purcell and Zatkoff are both great singings, and Latta and Trotman are nice depth singings who will not have an impact on the cap if they don't make the team.


When you break it down. The Kings have 8 forwards who are locks for the roster next season (Gaborik, Kopitar, Purcell, Pearson, Carter, Toffoli, Brown, & Lewis) 4 defensemen (Doughty, Muzzin, Martinez, and McNabb) and 1 goalie (Quick)

That leaves a lot of guys battling it out for a lot of spots.

On the LW they got 4 guys battling for 2 spots with King, Clifford, Mersch, & Kempe. Andreoff could also find himself in this battle.

At Center they got 4 guys also battling for 2 spots with Shore, Dowd, Andreoff, & Latta. Lewis could find himself also entered into that battle. Although, with a guaranteed spot on the roster.

Then you have Jordan Nolan fighting all of them for a final roster spot.

On the back end. You have 3 young guy in Gravel, Forbort, and Trotman battling with 3 veterans in Scurderi, Greene, and Gilbert.

And finally, in goal you have Zatkoff and Budaj battling it out for the back up goalie position.


It's gonna make one heck of an interesting pre seaon and training camp. Especially considering they'll be even more ice team in the pre season games then usual with the World Cup going on. The pre season schedule also includes an inter-squad game and 2 sets of split squad games. Something they have't had in previous years. With that said, it's only July 1st. More players could be added as soon as tomorrow and others could be traded away, and even still others brought in via trade. But, it's gonna be an interesting pre-season. That's for sure!

 

[Thrice]

As I recall, the choice was Muzzin or Hickey, whoever they didn't choose they would likely lose on waivers. I'd say they made the right call.



12-13, right before the start of the lockout shortened season.

Muzzin overtook Hickey in the depth chart but the Kings also decided to keep Davis Drewiske as their 7th D-man coming out of camp. Mitchell and Greene missed huge chucks of that season and they had to trade for a left shot d-man in Ellerby because Drewiske stunk.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Muzzin overtook Hickey in the depth chart but the Kings also decided to keep Davis Drewiske as their 7th D-man coming out of camp. Mitchell and Greene missed huge chucks of that season and they had to trade for a left shot d-man in Ellerby because Drewiske stunk.

Reading that just made me nauseous. Drewiske being hung onto over a player who had more promise in Hickey, then having to bring in a stiff like Ellerby...

Quite the shortsighted move. The injuries also led to the acquisition of Robyn Regehr which I was fine with because that was a need. Losing Hickey and gaining nothing out of that 4th overall selection who was nurtured and developed within the system for a number of years was frustrating to say the least.

 

[Kingsfan1]

Not sure if mentioned but Lebrun confirmed that Kings did infact offer 8 years at 4.25 million per. Unbelievable lol i bet Lucic was laughing his ass off at that offer. I bet if he went 8 years at 5 per we could have kept it and im not sure the extra 750k would have hurt us. Some mind boggling moves by Dean.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I'd rather have Toffoli and Pearson over the next 8 years.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Unless he has a poor training camp, I see Gravel in L.A., not Ontario. He's a smart rookie and I've heard from a few tweeters, including Rosen, that management is high on him. If not at the start, shortly thereafter.

 

[losingsand]

to me when i look at our potential line-up, i'm OK with it, til i see that McNabb is our likely #1 dpair and then it makes me click the X on my tab.

Is there ANY POSSIBLE WAY we can give this McSchlubb bottom pairing minutes. please, it's the only role that sorta suits him at this point.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

a few people on here list Gilbert as our #7, i can assure you guys are wrong, we didn't sign this guy to 1.4m to be our #7

management might eventually realize he is garbage and fall to #7 but for now, on opening night, he is in our top 6

 

[Trolfoli]

I don't advocate trading Pearson, but is there another player with his value that can bring in a decent defenseman?

Toffoli. He'll cost $6 after next year too.

I'd like to see Brown get top 6 time all year and PP time to boot. Have to do everything possible to boost his stats so an expansion team takes him.

Pretty much the same team as last year, except the Kings lost their 4th leading scorer with no replacement and the D is one injury away from being absolutely terrible. Offense won't be as good, defense isn't looking any better.

 

[bob77]

a few people on here list Gilbert as our #7, i can assure you guys are wrong, we didn't sign this guy to 1.4m to be our #7

management might eventually realize he is garbage and fall to #7 but for now, on opening night, he is in our top 6

It's the same thing all over again, but a different cast of characters who have not played one minute in DS system which is extremely structured and needs some time to adjust to IMO. Gone are Schenn, McBain, Ehrhoff, Scuderi and bring in Gilbert, Trotman and although he's been around Greene. Meanwhile the Ontario kids just kept winning games, developing, and not getting much of a sniff. DS talks about players having an identity? I think his identity is clearer. He wants something new to look at all the time. The Kings have not promoted a D in their system to the show since DS got here. We play with everyone else's leftovers!! I really thought Gravel and Forbort were finally going to get a legitimate look. If I was either of these two, I'd be hoping I was traded. How much of a circus can someone watch! IMO. Meanwhile, this could also mean fewer D slots for new kids in Ontario. This practice of bringing people in who aren't necessarily any better than what you already have just screws up the whole pipeline. It's stupid!!

 

[bob77]

I see the lineup more as

Gaborik-Kopitar-Purcell
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
King-Dowd/Lewis-Brown
Andreoff-Latta/Dowd-Lewis
Shore, Clifford

Mcnabb-Doughty
Muzzin-Martinez
Forbort/Gravel-Trotman
Gilbert

Scuderi is sent to Ontario and Greene retires.... Hopefully.

Shore wasnt cutting it for his role hence why he was benched at the end. I think Dowd being considered the best prospect we have by management is going to get a long extended look at 3C as i believe Lewis is better suited on the wing and makes our 4th line more of a threat and defensively responsible and gives us the ability to roll 4 lines

There's $3.9 and 2x$2.5 reasons not to retire. For many of these guys, these are the best contracts they've had in their careers. You don't have to go to far back and guys like Hull or Gretzky or Lemieix weren't making this kind of money. If you want them gone, it's called a buyout.

 

[LAKings88]

I was kinda hoping that LA would infuse more of the Reign guys this year. They won two years ago and had a decent year this year.

I am not a huge AHL guy tho, that being said. Vey, Kozun, ONeill, Weal, etc. all top scorers that couldn't translate. Toffoli has been LAs best so far.

I think the Kings management can judge talent but they are locked into the system that has given them success. Hoping all the depth signings breed healthy competition.

Brown Kopitar Gaborik
Purcell Carter Toffoli
Pearson Dowd Lewis
King/Mersch/Clifford/Shore/Andreoff/Latta//Nolan

Kings will have to make a move or two.

Would like Clifford or King moved for cap reasons.

Pearson & Mersch may bring something better back tho. Not sure if Shore has value.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Career points per game in the playoffs:

Purcell - 28GP, 20Pts, .714
Lucic - 101, 64, .634
Okposo - 24, 15, .625
Brown - 81, 46, .568
Vanek - 63, 34, .540
Pearson - 30, 15, .500
Toffoli - 43, 21, .488
Boedker - 20, 9, .450
Ericsson - 34, 14, .412
King - 69, 25, .362
Brouwer - 98, 32, .326
Lewis - 75, 23, .307
Clifford - 51, 15, .294
Ladd - 64, 18, .281

Obviously these are all just stats, and a sliver of just playoff production. You can look at them any way you want, and they're all from the past. They don't necessarily have anything to do with what will eventually happen. Different contexts, teams, ages, roles, sample sizes, etc, etc.

 

[member 88115]

I agree about still improving our D. Not much is left and the trade rout is probably is going to be DL best choice. He should take his attention Winnipeg. With Trouba looking like he will get a big contract, Big Buff making 6 mil and Enstrom making 5.75 mill, Myers might be become available. It's going to cost us unfortunately, but maybe McNabb and Kempe might be enough