2016 LA Kings Offseason GDT V: Free Agent Frenzy

[Telos]

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

This. Great move by Dean on letting him go. It stings because we traded assets for him, but we've learned our lesson and need to be smarter. Every dollar is going to matter over the next few years and you can't get tied down by some of these deals. Maintaining what we have and adding here and there and drafting well are going to be paramount going forward. Doughty is now 3 years away from making $10+ million per season... We are going to be where Chicago is very soon if not already.

 

[Sacha Baron Corbin]

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

I'm already waiting for the inevitable dumpster fire pairing of Gilbert-Greene because we all know Sutter will play his pylon veterans over Gravel and Forbort

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I'm already waiting for the inevitable dumpster fire pairing of Gilbert-Greene because we all know Sutter will play his pylon veterans over Gravel and Forbort

Gravel and Forbort have all the opportunity in the world to earn ice time this year. It's put up or shut up time for these prospects. The spots are open.

If Gilbert/Greene/Scuderi are getting ice time over Gravel/Forbort, it means the latter two simply aren't good enough.

 

[Basilisk]

OK, so after all these earth-shattering deals, how much cap space are we left with?


Thanks!!!

 

[KopitarFAN]

OK, so after all these earth-shattering deals, how much cap space are we left with?


Thanks!!!

About $2M

The site that I will post a link to has 24 contracts, they are only allowed 23 on the active roster, they will have a little more space than is indicated because they will have one less defenseman than shown.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/kings

 

[Basilisk]

About $2M

The site that I will post a link to has 24 contracts, they are only allowed 23 on the active roster, they will have a little more space than is indicated because they will have one less defenseman than shown.

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/kings

Excellent! And for my next question.....


When are these sites going to, instead of stating the position as "D", start using either "LHD" or "RHD", seeing as how it's become an increasingly important issue and peeps don't want to spend the extra 10 seconds clicking on & waiting the the information to pop up!

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Excellent! And for my next question.....


When are these sites going to, instead of stating the position as "D", start using either "LHD" or "RHD", seeing as how it's become an increasingly important issue and peeps don't want to spend the extra 10 seconds clicking on & waiting the the information to pop up!

I think the only way to figure that part out is to look at lineups, because some teams like the Kings had a left-hand shot (Martinez) play the right side.

As of this moment, the Kings have the following break down on defense:

Left handed shots:
Muzzin
Martinez
McNabb
Gravel
Forbort

Right handed shots:
Doughty
Gilbert
Greene
Trotman


Prior to last season, Gilbert was actually used regularly in a top 4 rotation, as he averaged 19-20+ minutes. His game took a dip last season as he played less minutes and missed about half the season to due season ending knee surgery.

He battled through lower body issues for a good duration of the season, which could explain his struggles last year. You can read all about it here, http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nhl/2091/tom-gilbert

Perhaps a full recovery and a healthy Tom Gilbert could surprise us in camp. I'm hopeful that he fits in, remains healthy and plays a bigger role than any of us are expecting. Either way, it's a low risk signing that won't harm the Kings, and someone I much prefer over Luke Schenn or Jamie McBain.

 

[funky]

Defence doesn't look to bad

Doughty - Muzzin
Martinez - McNabb (think he will be better)
Gilbert - Gravel


Greene - Forbert
Trotman -

There is a lot of interchangeable parts on the bottom pairing. I believe Gravel is ready and needs time to prove it. Martinez can play both sides and I would like to see the mobile, healthy Martinez paired with McNabb to keep McNabbs minutes down a bit. Pair DD and Muzzin back together to make the best duo in the league.

There is enough defensive talent in those pairs to rest DD and Muzz a bit on the PK. I want to see Gravel evolve into a prime Scuderi with more offence.

I also think we may be selling Forbert short a bit. He needs some early minutes to show what we actually have in him.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Defence doesn't look to bad

Doughty - Muzzin
Martinez - McNabb (think he will be better)
Gilbert - Gravel


Greene - Forbert
Trotman -

There is a lot of interchangeable parts on the bottom pairing. I believe Gravel is ready and needs time to prove it. Martinez can play both sides and I would like to see the mobile, healthy Martinez paired with McNabb to keep McNabbs minutes down a bit. Pair DD and Muzzin back together to make the best duo in the league.

There is enough defensive talent in those pairs to rest DD and Muzz a bit on the PK. I want to see Gravel evolve into a prime Scuderi with more offence.

I also think we may be selling Forbert short a bit. He needs some early minutes to show what we actually have in him.

It's not important, because there's no up or down in space, so it's all the same, but now I'm curious. Why do you look at the defense from the opposite perspective?

 

[funky]

Players that can compete for LW.

Pearson
Purcell (RW)
Brown (RW)
King
Clifford
Lewis (RW)
Andreoff
Mersch
Latta (C)


All NHL ready - we have trade bait


Players that can compete for RW.

Toffoli
Carter (C)
Gabby
Purcell (LW)
Brown (LW)
Lewis
Dowd (C)
Nolan

Possible lineup - organized by talent

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

We look very weak at Center - we need a true #3
We look adequate at RW - even like them
We look loaded for plugs at LW with very little offensive talent


This looks like a retreat and retool year. Time to let the kids get a chance and if there in a playoff hunt, we will have money to spend at the deadline.

Right now is the time to trade King and Clifford. Stockpile some midround picks. Our LW without them still looks like:

Pearson
Purcell
Mersch/Brown
Andreoff

The development of Mersch and the signing of Purcell makes King expendable. He is a UFA next year. Lets get something for him.

 

[funky]

It's not important, because there's no up or down in space, so it's all the same, but now I'm curious. Why do you look at the defense from the opposite perspective?

sorry I am tired, worked all day yesterday and most the night, what do you mean by opposite perspective? I will try and clarify

 

[KingsFan7824]

sorry I am tired, worked all day yesterday and most the night, what do you mean by opposite perspective? I will try and clarify

Doughty - Muzzin
Martinez - McNabb (think he will be better)
Gilbert - Gravel


Greene - Forbert
Trotman -

Put the right side guys on the left, left side guys on the right. Like you're looking at it from the other team's perspective on the ice.

 

[bob77]

Gravel and Forbort have all the opportunity in the world to earn ice time this year. It's put up or shut up time for these prospects. The spots are open.

If Gilbert/Greene/Scuderi are getting ice time over Gravel/Forbort, it means the latter two simply aren't good enough.

So when it comes to Gravel and Forbort you're telling me DS has an open mind and can be completely unbiased about his decisions. DS belongs on a show like the Voice where he knows nothing about anyone going in.

 

[funky]

Put the right side guys on the left, left side guys on the right. Like you're looking at it from the other team's perspective on the ice.

ha ha.....that was 2 hours sleep sorry. Should be reversed. Sorry for the confusion.

As much as I would love a true #3 RHD, with the current pricetag, the looming expansion draft, and our teams defensive structure I thing we will make out okay. I kind of want to see what the kids have and I hope the turtles like Greene and Scuderi have played there last days.

 

[Cook24]

I know we already have too many defenseman, but I'd feel a hell of a lot better if we signed someone like Wisniewski to a 2-3 year deal for relatively cheap...

Muzzin-Doughty
McNabb-Wisniewski
Martinez-Gilbert
Trotman/Gravel

Looks good


Greene and Forbort bye bye

 

[funky]

So when it comes to Gravel and Forbort you're telling me DS has an open mind and can be completely unbiased about his decisions. DS belongs on a show like the Voice where he knows nothing about anyone going in.

that is truly funny because its true.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

So when it comes to Gravel and Forbort you're telling me DS has an open mind and can be completely unbiased about his decisions. DS belongs on a show like the Voice where he knows nothing about anyone going in.

I don't understand where this comes from. Sutter gave time to Muzzin, Voynov, Pearson, Toffoli, Shore, all because they earned it. What makes you think he won't do the same for Gravel and Forbort? It's all on Gravel and Forbort. They don't have a lot of stuff competition, either.

 

[Reaper45]

The more I think about it the less I like the Gilbert signing. Should've just ran with a rotation of the bottom three dmen.

Doughty-McNabb
Muzzin-Martinez
Gravel-Trotman
Forbort

Trade/buyout Greene. Scuderi to Ontario.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Is Trotman on a two way deal?

At this point, if someone went thru wavers I would think Gilbert holds more value so I see him starting but Trotman did play some decent minutes last year. I don't get signing both either.

Kings have Gravel, Greene, Scuderi, Trotman, Forbort and Gilbert all battling for 3 spots and one will sit most of the time.

 

[funky]

The more I think about it the less I like the Gilbert signing. Should've just ran with a rotation of the bottom three dmen.

Doughty-McNabb
Muzzin-Martinez
Gravel-Trotman
Forbort

Trade/buyout Greene. Scuderi to Ontario.

I agree with this.

The only thing with Greene is he may need a few games to showcase himself to other teams to prove he can still play and is healthy. I am glad he was not waived as we seem to have extra money this year and it saves an extra year on the backend of a buyout. I hope he can be traded. If the Oilers need a dressing room change of culture he is there guy

 

[Johnny Utah]

Greene has two Stanley cups and probably the only player in that entire group besides McNabb who will actually clear the front of Quick.

I know the league is changing and going more toward speed and youth but you can't have 6 puck movers back there.

 

[Kingspiracy]

The more I think about it the less I like the Gilbert signing. Should've just ran with a rotation of the bottom three dmen.

Doughty-McNabb
Muzzin-Martinez
Gravel-Trotman
Forbort

Trade/buyout Greene. Scuderi to Ontario.

Haha, i've gone the other way with that. Its another option on D, we can waive him if it doesn't work out, 1.4 mil isn't exactly crippling for a backup d option that could surprise us once he gets healthy

 

[Basilisk]

and someone I much prefer over Luke Schenn or Jamie McBain.

.....and speaking of Luke Schenn.....


I don't remember reading about him being signed. Is he still available? At times, he made some very, very good plays out there. At other times, his positioning was WAY off.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Is Trotman on a two way deal?

At this point, if someone went thru wavers I would think Gilbert holds more value so I see him starting but Trotman did play some decent minutes last year. I don't get signing both either.

Kings have Gravel, Greene, Scuderi, Trotman, Forbort and Gilbert all battling for 3 spots and one will sit most of the time.

Different signings, imo. Gilbert is probably seen as a high-upside roster option like Ehrhoff, while Trotman is growing and fills the RHD prospect gap between Doughty and (LOL) LaDue. Maybe the asking price for guys like Folin was too much for us? Dunno. I see them as functionally different as one is an Ehrhoff-ish vet and one is a youngish prospect trying to break in.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Is Trotman on a two way deal?

At this point, if someone went thru wavers I would think Gilbert holds more value so I see him starting but Trotman did play some decent minutes last year. I don't get signing both either.

Kings have Gravel, Greene, Scuderi, Trotman, Forbort and Gilbert all battling for 3 spots and one will sit most of the time.

I cannot imagine Trotman was signed as AHL depth. I read a long, ongoing 2 year thread on Trotman on the Bruins board...seemd like a few thought he had top 4 pairing potential and there was 1 poster who didn't like him at all. Most thought he was decent. The fact the Bruins didnt keep him, says that they do not believe he is top 4 obviously. They signed Michael-Liles and some other D in their system, making Trotman odd man out.

If Gravel makes the team and Forbort and Trotman were in Ontario, it does not give much room for all the D there: Ladue, Cernak, (I hope Cernak makes the jump from OHL) possibly Lintuniemi and then theres MacDermid, Leslie...and possibly Sharipzyanov.
What is the status of Loverde and Schultz?

Maybe the staff sees something in Trotman to make him better...but then again, Blake said that Brayden McNabb was 'identified as the best defenseman not playing in the NHL' when they acquired him. And he also said Mersch would be a top NHL forward on the PP in front of the net. Things that make you go Hmmmm.