2017-18 Kings News/Rumors/Tidbits

[deeshamrock]

yes i know he rarely gets things right but i still think its worth a discussion to see what people think of it

That started a few weeks ago, I read it in some Canadian columns, and more recently, I've heard Friedman speak to it , when some other reports there asked if the Habs would make a big move, that even with a healthy Price, the team is not a contender and Prices' no move clause kicks in this summer and he and Patches would (given what the Avs got for Duchene) would be moved. He felt if the team continues to struggle, that he felt they'd make a move to increase their chances now, and didn't support that Patches, Price or other key players would be moved for a rebuild.

And I'm sure if the Habs have been quietly starting that rumor, they would get great offers for Patches, a solid , dependable goal scorer, esp from teams who are closer to the Cup that the Habs. I don't see the Kings in that mix, as I don't think they have the young talent (or would give up the 1st rounder) the Habs want and trading for a rental player is not an option, as they are not contenders. Nor can they afford to give him the $$$ and term he'll want on his contract next year.

Look, the Kings have forwards who can score, they aren't producing. They have players who should be able to produce enough offense to get a solid regulation win. Trading for another player won't cure that. I've seen every game but one (in Oct) and for far too many periods, they look like the same team that's failed for 3 years. I think leadership remains an issue with them.

I appreciate they miss the threat of Jeff Carter, any team would. But he was healthy and on this team the last few years when they failed. It takes more than him to get back to that place in the sun.

 

[deaderhead28]

That's the Mayor's opinion, and I don't buy that Blake's job is on the line. I heard Futa speak to the Kings needs (Post Carter injury where he said there are not trading for scoring, keeping it in house) and I heard the conviction in his voice, his comments contradict the Mayor's editorial. I put a whole lot more stock in Futa, as most of what the Mayor said didn't make sense.
The 'win now' and 'trade away youth and picks for that guy' is what cost Lombardi his job and got Blake that chair. It was his and Luc' s 'philosophy' that was different that DL's that management put their stock in.

Mayor called the firing of Dean and the Captaincy going to Kopi months in advance.Said Stoll wasn't coming back and Williams.Ownership see's Blake part of the Dean leadership.Im not a huge Mayor fan but the guy has got contections somehow the last two years.

 

[KINGS17]

I think you have to look at the long term trends which have been in place for over three years now.

dee, I hope you are right, and Blake has a plan which is more long term. Yes, I would put more stock in what Futa says than anything coming out of the mayor's mouth. I am interested to see what Blake does this season as the trade deadline approaches.

 

[KINGS17]

Mayor called the firing of Dean and the Captaincy going to Kopi months in advance.Said Stoll wasn't coming back and Williams.Ownership see's Blake part of the Dean leadership.Im not a huge Mayor fan but the guy has got contections somehow the last two years.

He also had Williams being traded 1 or 2 years before he left, Joe Thornton is going to sign with the Kings as a UFA, etc.

Way more misses than hits.

 

[deaderhead28]

He also had Williams being traded 1 or 2 years before he left, Joe Thornton is going to sign with the Kings as a UFA, etc.

Way more misses than hits.

That's true, but like I said, the last two years he has been on fire and got connections and the percentage of right vs wrong.It makes total sense Blake would be pressured to succeed with being part of the Dean Lombardi staff for several years and a aging core window is closing.If Kings fail to make the playoffs, don't be surprised to see Stevens replaced.

 

[deaderhead28]

Error.

 

[deeshamrock]

Mayor called the firing of Dean and the Captaincy going to Kopi months in advance.Said Stoll wasn't coming back and Williams.Ownership see's Blake part of the Dean leadership.Im not a huge Mayor fan but the guy has got contections somehow the last two years.

He's had some credible info and others not so much. But hearing that podcast, it seemed strange to me that the ownership group that just put him in place would put pressure on him to win now or possible his job would be on the line .
Just seems odd that he'd be given such a short leash when DL got a long one. It's not Blake's fault that DL's blunders set this team back years.

 

[deaderhead28]

He's had some credible info and others not so much. But hearing that podcast, it seemed strange to me that the ownership group that just put him in place would put pressure on him to win now or possible his job would be on the line .
Just seems odd that he'd be given such a short leash when DL got a long one. It's not Blake's fault that DL's blunders set this team back years.

The core is getting older and window is closing.Either go for it or rebuild.You got Doughty to resign that wants to be on a competitive cup team, not a rebuild.

 

[deeshamrock]

I think you have to look at the long term trends which have been in place for over three years now.

dee, I hope you are right, and Blake has a plan which is more long term. Yes, I would put more stock in what Futa says than anything coming out of the mayor's mouth. I am interested to see what Blake does this season as the trade deadline approaches.[/QUOTE]

I am too, I would hope any move he would make ,would be for a young (in the 25 yr or so or younger) player that would be able to help the team now and in the future. I hope he and Luc are identifying the teams holes, what players/contracts need to go and how to stabilize the team, and strengthen the farm system. If they move veteran players, get draft picks. It will take some time to fill those holes DL created but they got off to a great start in last years draft.
As long as he doesn't make the mistake of misidentifying players that can be an asset vs a rental player.

 

[deeshamrock]

The core is getting older and window is closing.Either go for it or rebuild.You got Doughty to resign that wants to be on a competitive cup team, not a rebuild.

That aging core is the reason they can't 'go for it now'. They aren't good enough, fast enough, deep enough or young enough to compete for the WC or a Cup. That's just the reality of it. And we're seeing every time they play. Doughty isn't part of the aging core, he's young enough to be a viable part of their future. Their window closed in 2014 , the 5 yr span that most teams have.
IF Blake, luc and Co really want this team to compete, be elite and get back to the WC and SCF, then they should do that the right way and trading for rental players, quick fix , won't do that.

 

[deaderhead28]

I think you have to look at the long term trends which have been in place for over three years now.

dee, I hope you are right, and Blake has a plan which is more long term. Yes, I would put more stock in what Futa says than anything coming out of the mayor's mouth. I am interested to see what Blake does this season as the trade deadline approaches.

Issue is Blake was left with a aging core that window is closing and needs to win now.Thats why it does makes sense.

 

[deaderhead28]

That aging core is the reason they can't 'go for it now'. They aren't good enough, fast enough, deep enough or young enough to compete for the WC or a Cup. That's just the reality of it. And we're seeing every time they play. Doughty isn't part of the aging core, he's young enough to be a viable part of their future. Their window closed in 2014 , the 5 yr span that most teams have.
IF Blake, luc and Co really want this team to compete, be elite and get back to the WC and SCF, then they should do that the right way and trading for rental players, quick fix , won't do that.

Doughty will leave if they blow it up he has so as much.He wants to be on a competitive cup team chasing cups and will sign with a team to chase cups.If what you believe is true that the core is done then They the Kings need to start trading Kopi,Carter,Doughty,Martinez and Muzzin and somehow Quick if they could,which I doubt they could.But they need to sell now and get the value to get future picks and youth to rebuild.Start taking in others bad contracts and get the compensation.

 

[deeshamrock]

Issue is Blake was left with a aging core that window is closing and needs to win now.Thats why it does makes sense.

Win what now? Even if they do trade say Muzzin or AMart as part of a package to get a forward, do you really think that will vault them into the SCF? One new player won't even get them into the WCF. You need depth, they don't have that. As right now, I don't see any team beating the Bolts if they stay healthy. They are on another level.

I didn't have the Kings in the playoffs in Sept be fore the season started and I still don't see them there. They got off to a great start in a division where anyone not named KNIghts were awful. And good thing they did, those points have helped them. But it's a long season and the other teams will catch up. The Kings just look tired and out of balance too many times. And they have players who can and should be scoring, and they aren't. This is tough league and a lot of GM"s are in a tough balancing act of the CAP, LTC's , esp for players at or near 30, growing a good farm system and utilizing that youth perhaps earlier than in previous years. But that CAP, and those 23 slots, that's a real issue.

If Blake can trade for a good young player, with good paper that can help now and be a part of the future that's fine. but every GM wants that guy. I just don't want Blake to make the wrong move, giving away too much for a rental player that won't benefit them.

We'll see...

 

[deeshamrock]

Doughty will leave if they blow it up he has so as much.He wants to be on a competitive cup team chasing cups and will sign with a team to chase cups.If what you believe is true that the core is done then They the Kings need to start trading Kopi,Carter,Doughty,Martinez and Muzzin and somehow Quick if they could,which I doubt they could.But they need to sell now and get the value to get future picks and youth to rebuild.Start taking in others bad contracts and get the compensation.

I believe that was the most honest statement he made , the I don't give a bleep where I play, I just want to win cups.... and when he was asked about his LA loyalty, he did he right thing professing his love for the city, team, fans, etc, But it doesn't change what he wants. And Blake has some tough decisions to make, esp if he feels the DD will not sign.
Kopi, Quick and DD are most of (the top notch 2nd line center being the 4th piece) 4 columns you need to build a contender. But what is left, wouldn't get the Kings enough back to make them contenders now , which is what DD aluded to.

He doesn't look the same to me this year, he seems frustrated on too many shifts. You have to wonder the longer the season goes on, is his future and that decision weighing on him.

If you're in his skates, at his age, and given his heart (I believe he does love LA, his team and the fans) it is a hard and tough decision and that would weigh on a person.

 

[LAKings88]

That aging core is the reason they can't 'go for it now'. They aren't good enough, fast enough, deep enough or young enough to compete for the WC or a Cup. That's just the reality of it. And we're seeing every time they play. Doughty isn't part of the aging core, he's young enough to be a viable part of their future. Their window closed in 2014 , the 5 yr span that most teams have.
IF Blake, luc and Co really want this team to compete, be elite and get back to the WC and SCF, then they should do that the right way and trading for rental players, quick fix , won't do that.

My thoughts as well. Kopi is unmovable as of now. Carter and Doughty are the main trade assets. Maybe Muzzin can get you a first at the deadline. I don’t think it will happen but this core hasn’t done anything in the playoffs the last three years. Quick’s injury hurt last year. This teams window is all but shut. At least Kempe and AI are bright spots this year. Neither are game breakers tho. Not impressed with Reign guys. Still hopeful about LaDue and Clague.

 

[Kingspiracy]

I'd quite like to trade for Landeskog now.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threa...g-for-cross-checking-matthew-tkachuk.2415869/

 

[KingsHockey24]

Clifford skating with team, Andreoff not on ice.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Laich clears waivers, Kings to terminate deal - Article - TSN

The Los Angeles Kings forward Brooks Laich cleared unconditional waivers on Monday and will now have his contract terminated.

The Kings had assigned Laich to the American Hockey League's Ontario Reign on Saturday after the 34-year-old cleared regular waivers. He was then placed on unconditional waivers Sunday.

Laich's future is uncertain. Agent Roland Thompson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on his client's plans.

The Wawota, Saskatchewan, native attended Kings camp on a professional tryout agreement and continued skating with the team after he was released from it. The Kings signed Laich to a prorated deal for the league minimum $625,000 in mid-October after centre Jeff Carter underwent surgery to repair a cut on his left leg in the sixth game of the season.

Carter remains out indefinitely, but Laich had been a healthy scratch for five consecutive games and Los Angeles acquired forward Torrey Mitchell from the Montreal Canadiens on Thanksgiving. Laich, who had one assist in 12 games, was waived the next day.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Why do you hire a first time GM, to manage a team with a bunch of big contracts, that has 1 playoff win in 3 years, only to fire him quickly? You have to let him do something. It's not going to be any easier for the next guy. Same with Stevens. If they're getting rid of them that fast, then the whole thing is just chaos.

 

[BigKing]

Why do you hire a first time GM, to manage a team with a bunch of big contracts, that has 1 playoff win in 3 years, only to fire him quickly? You have to let him do something. It's not going to be any easier for the next guy. Same with Stevens. If they're getting rid of them that fast, then the whole thing is just chaos.

Would not surprise me. AEG is spending a lot of money for a lack of results. The businessman Luc steps in and orchestrates Dean's ouster and puts his guy in the GM role.

AEG sees the same shit it was seeing on the ice as before. If Blake isn't going to change things, then what was the point of getting rid of DL?

I don't think Blake is on the hot seat as much as Hoven says but it would not surprise me if he has a shorter leash. This isn't like when DL took over and they were cool with a process: they are paying a lot of money and are going to be expected to spend even more on Doughty shortly. Results are going to matter whether you think it is fair to Blake or not.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Why do you hire a first time GM, to manage a team with a bunch of big contracts, that has 1 playoff win in 3 years, only to fire him quickly? You have to let him do something. It's not going to be any easier for the next guy. Same with Stevens. If they're getting rid of them that fast, then the whole thing is just chaos.

Yeah that makes absolutely no sense for Blake. For Stevens, no, he's been with the org for a long time as assistant. If he can't cut it as HC, he should be fired, not allowed to linger like a bad stink for several years. He never should have been made HC. They should have cleaned house when they fired Sutter and Lombardi.

 

[deeshamrock]

I'd quite like to trade for Landeskog now.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threa...g-for-cross-checking-matthew-tkachuk.2415869/

They suspended him for 4 games. I feel like baking a cake with a file in it and flying it to Colorad0.
Tzachuk needs to smarten up or one of the Vets on the team needs to corner him and warn him that he's getting a reputation. He's got talent, he needs to focus on that instead of dirty rat tactics.

 

[kingsboy11]

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If any of that smoke is true, I think Stevens gets canned, not Blake. Blake is here for a couple of years for better or worse. AEG may be as bad as we think when it comes to meddling (I don't think so personally, but I think there's plenty of evidence to understand why people think that way), but even they wouldn't dump a GM after one freaking year. Doubt they'd even do it after two.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Love the Strand signing, was looking at a lot of stuff due to Clague and his name always jumped out favorably .