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2017 Offseason Thread 3.0

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damacles1156 said:
A lot of people are going to be disappointed when the roster plays pretty much the same.

The players make the system, the system doesn't make the players.

Also when people figure out that Sutter wasn't the (only) problem.
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With Toffoli and Quick healthy, there are probably 10 more points in the standings,
if not more. Since Kopi was playing through an injury (to some degree and ? % of the season) he has much to prove, he should be back to at least 20 G and 65+ points.
No one should be regressing. LaDue, Gravel, Forbort should all be somewhat better, with the experience they have had now.
 
Peter James Bond II said:
With Toffoli and Quick healthy, there are probably 10 more points in the standings,
if not more. Since Kopi was playing through an injury (to some degree and ? % of the season) he has much to prove, he should be back to at least 20 G and 65+ points.
No one should be regressing. LaDue, Gravel, Forbort should all be somewhat better, with the experience they have had now.
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What injury did Kopitar have? I don't remember seeing any surgeries scheduled?
 
Bandit said:
New jerseys look fine from a distance. Up close though that new fabric sucks.
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I hate the new collars. I'll just stick with the older jerseys.

Oh and Friedman has some Kings rumors in his 30 Thoughts column:


6. That leads to Nashville and Ottawa. The difficult thing for those clubs is that they left available a player other teams desire. One of the reasons Los Angeles eyed Evander Kane was that the Kings were intrigued by a player who needs a big year for a new, big contract. From what I’ve heard, talks with Buffalo have cooled. So, doesn’t James Neal fit that description? Predators GM David Poile indicated Tuesday he expects to lose a forward. He’s got some good young ones unprotected, but how much bite is Vegas getting on Neal? Los Angeles needs scoring, and they wouldn’t be the only ones.
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The Tikkanen said:
What injury did Kopitar have? I don't remember seeing any surgeries scheduled?
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Here...not sure how bad it really was. Maybe really nagged / affected him. ?
Does anyone know?

http://www.latimes.com/sports/kings/la-sp-kings-20161112-story.html

November 12, 2016.

They could be without one of the NHL’s best players, team captain Anze Kopitar, for Sunday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. Kings Coach Darryl Sutter called Kopitar “day-to-day,” and it is clear they won’t take any chances with the star center who was injured Friday in Ottawa. He appeared to be injured in the arm-wrist area after incidental contact along the boards in the third period.
 
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If Vegas takes Neal, i'd be willing to give up something of value to get him from them, assuming they take Lewis or McNabb, the Kings would likely have the space to take his $5M and fill-out the roster with RFAs.

The difference in a trade with them would be they are gonna have 5 (or more) defenseman that they are looking to flip already, making Martinez and/or Muzzin appear useless to them, as their contract will run out by the time they are good.
 
Would you do Kempe for Neal? Neal's no spring chicken, but the question remains, how high is Kempe's ceiling? Is he going to etch himself as a two-way, third line center behind Kopitar and Carter? Or is he going to be wildly inconsistent and won't be counted on to produce much offense? I'm torn with Kempe as he has exhibited some skill when he wants to, the problem is that it's been seldom and inconsistent.
 
Not a fan of his contract (final year), but I'd definitely entertain the thought. He's a consistent 20+ goal scorer and has great size. I'm not a very big fan of Kempe and I don't see him as a top 6 player (if the Kings are to be a contender) like many do.

??? - Kopitar - Neal
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli

Kings are grotesque on the wings. Outside of Pearson and Toffoli it's basically a Grand Canyon drop-off. I'd have to imagine Blake gets a winger because as of now it's really, really ugly. Hopefully Vegas doesn't take our top line winger Trevor Lewis!
 
That top 5 would be deadly if they all performed to their expectations. I don't know if we'll see a healthy Gaborik or if Brown resurrects his career under a new coach, but they could give either one a shot up top with that group of five forwards. The bigger concern will be if Kopitar can bounce back and make his wingers look better.
 
Didn't we learn anything after trading for Lucic? No more guys on 1 year deals you probably can't afford to re-sign.
 
I think Brown will be a little better than last season and if Gaborik can stay healthy I could see him potting 15. Swap those two out in the top 6 and it could have great potential.
 
Not a sexy name but what about a guy like Reilly Smith? Apparently he may be sent to Vegas as part of a deal and is a candidate to be flipped.

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/reilly-smith

Can play on both wings. Turned 26 in April and has a $5 million cap hit per season until age 30. Has a modified NTC that kicks in 2018/19.

He had a down year last season but the previous year, he potted 25 goals.
 
Reclamation Project said:
Not a fan of his contract (final year), but I'd definitely entertain the thought. He's a consistent 20+ goal scorer and has great size. I'm not a very big fan of Kempe and I don't see him as a top 6 player (if the Kings are to be a contender) like many do.

??? - Kopitar - Neal
Pearson - Carter - Toffoli

Kings are grotesque on the wings. Outside of Pearson and Toffoli it's basically a Grand Canyon drop-off. I'd have to imagine Blake gets a winger because as of now it's really, really ugly. Hopefully Vegas doesn't take our top line winger Trevor Lewis!
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There's a reason Neal was left unprotected by Poile. Neal is getting a bit long in the tooth and will want a big money, long term contract in a year.

The Kings are not contenders, and even if Blake isn't a fan of Kempe, he can make better use of Kempe as an asset than trading him for a player like Neal.

It would be wise for Vegas to take Neal though, because some team desperate for scoring will surely give up a 1st or 2nd and a good prospect at the deadline next season to get him.
 
KINGS17 said:
There's a reason Neal was left unprotected by Poile. Neal is getting a bit long in the tooth and will want a big money, long term contract in a year.

The Kings are not contenders, and even if Blake isn't a fan of Kempe, he can make better use of Kempe as an asset than trading him for a player like Neal.

It would be wise for Vegas to take Neal though, because some team desperate for scoring will surely give up a 1st or 2nd and a good prospect at the deadline next season to get him.
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Blake doesn't share your assessment, better get used to it for your own sake.
 
KopitarFAN said:
You gotta know by now, dude doesn't change his opinions to fit the narrative of the front office.
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Exactly. I have been a fan of the Kings for over 40 years. I know BS from the Kings management when I smell it, and Luc Robitaille is a BS'er.

Lombardi is the only GM in Kings history who had a plan, and was allowed to stick to it. Unfortunately, Dean lost his way and his unwavering loyalty has set the Kings back quite a bit in terms of being able to compete in the next 4 or 5 years.
 
Win now?

Tell me how this Kings roster is getting past Edmonton in the playoffs any time soon.

I think people expecting earth shattering personnel changes in the roster heading into this coming season are going to be very disappointed.

Do your own analysis. Don't blindly accept the words of the people getting paid to sell you tickets.
 
KINGS17 said:
Win now?

Tell me how this Kings roster is getting past Edmonton in the playoffs any time soon.

I think people expecting earth shattering personnel changes in the roster heading into this coming season are going to be very disappointed.

Do your own analysis. Don't blindly accept the words of the people getting paid to sell you tickets.
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New Offense system helps. Kopitar returning to form would be huge. The D-Core is still pretty solid as is the team defensive system in general(Numbers show this). Kopitar, Doughty, Carter, Quick core is still in tact with Pearson/Toffoli signed to nice deals through 3 years. In two seasons... Watch this team contend again, assuming Blake does what is needed for the team and that is re-tooling and bringing in youth.
 
MxH0CKEY said:
New Offense system helps. Kopitar returning to form would be huge. The D-Core is still pretty solid as is the team defensive system in general(Numbers show this). Kopitar, Doughty, Carter, Quick core is still in tact with Pearson/Toffoli signed to nice deals through 3 years. In two seasons... Watch this team contend again, assuming Blake does what is needed for the team and that is re-tooling and bringing in youth.
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Which young players will Blake be bringing in to make a big difference, and how will he acquire them?

This is assuming a 32-year old Kopitar, 33-year old Quick, and 34-year old Carter are at the top of their game?
 
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KopitarFAN said:
If Vegas takes Neal, i'd be willing to give up something of value to get him from them, assuming they take Lewis or McNabb, the Kings would likely have the space to take his $5M and fill-out the roster with RFAs.

The difference in a trade with them would be they are gonna have 5 (or more) defenseman that they are looking to flip already, making Martinez and/or Muzzin appear useless to them, as their contract will run out by the time they are good.
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I wouldn't, it's Lucic all over again, doubt that Blake will make the same mistakes DL made the last couple years since Luc's and DL had a 'different ' philosophy regarding trading away drafts/youth for a quick fix. Neal would be a good fit if they were a legit contender and 1 forward away, for next year, but they're not. Not in the Pacific or WC, with the development of the other teams. Building towards a bright future while remaining competitive should be their realistic goal. I think Blake and Luc will trade for a top 6 forward, but not a rental. Makes no sense. They'll get a younger forward with good paper or one they can sign that will be beneficial for them for a few years.
 
Bandit said:
Blake doesn't share your assessment, better get used to it for your own sake.
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Did you really expect Blake to say something different, given he's the new GM of a team whose underachieved for 3 yrs and a fanbase that is not happy? He's not dumb, he knows they are a legit contender however, he can trade for and/or sign good players, young ones that will help them stay competitive and become better in the future.

Doughty aside, their core is aging and Calgary and Edmonton are younger teams , younger cores are on the way up. Both will upgrade their weak spots over the summer. Given the competition in the central, It's not likely finishing 4th in the Pacific will get you a playoff spot. I just don't see them getting to 3rd. But, that is with the current team. I haven't read any rumors that Blake/Front Office is making a 'big trade', an FA or trade, yes but from what I've read, not a block buster. I think they will focus on building the farm system back up and if they do trade/sign, it will be for a younger forward, 25 ish, that came help now and future.
 
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