2017 Offseason Thread 3.0

[The Tikkanen]

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?

You want an HF poster to tell you who and how the Kings will acquire? How would anybody possibly know that?

 

[Bandit]

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.

Do you honestly believe that Blake is going to just let it ride with youth until everyone on the current team has aged out or traded, sans Doughty?

 

[deeshamrock]

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.[/QUOTE]

Kempe is only 20 and has only 25 NHL games under his belt. That's not nearly enough time to establish himself and grow his game. Young players, like him, need stability first and formost, the same wingers/linemates, shift in and out, game in an out, to learn from their mistakes and play better. He didn't get that, not even close. If the Kings want to see if he's a legit 2nd line center, put him there for a year, let him play in every game situation, PP and PK. ES with the same wingers to develop some chemistry, and one of them should be a veteran like Carter or Brown.
I think Stevens is smart enough to see that potential and give him a chance.
Until he's got a lot more games under this belt his potential is not established.
If after that time, the Kings are not confident in his game ,then you make a move.

 

[KINGS17]

Do you honestly believe that Blake is going to just let it ride with youth until everyone on the current team has aged out or traded, sans Doughty?

I don't know what will happen. I think asset management will be the key. If an organization isn't contending, it should be trading the assets which still have value, but are rapidly depreciating for assets which will likely increase in value over the long haul.

I would not count on Doughty being re-signed, and if he is, his contract in concert with Kopitar's will be cap crippling for the Kings. Not sure how you move the bad contracts in time for Kopitar, Quick, and Carter to still be dominant playoff performers. Also, not sure if Kopitar or Quick will ever be a dominant playoff performers again. They are past their prime. Carter I give the benefit of the doubt to some degree, but he has faded down the stretch the last couple of regular seasons.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

My gripe with Kempe and his ceiling wasn't based solely on his play in the NHL, it also includes his play in the AHL, where sometimes it appears he may have stagnated offensively. Stothers always brought up how he has potential to do more.

You're right though dee, he's still only 20 and can definitely make strides to become a better player. I just question exactly how good of a player he can become.

I prefer he develops into a top 6 guy the team can rely on to become a regular contributor, but is he capable of doing that? He's struggled to do that in the AHL. I'm hoping he comes to camp motivated and ready to prove that he belongs. Hell, I'd like to see what he can do if placed on a line alongside Kopitar. He may very well get that opportunity if Gaborik isn't ready by training camp.

 

[KopitarFAN]

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.

My thought wouldn't necessarily be keeping him long-term, if you're looking to keep a guy long-term, then you look at Kreider (given NYR need for a defenseman) or JVR (given the opportunity to negotiate a long-term deal), or Landeskog and Duchene, of course all of those guys would require them to move Muzzin or Martinez, maybe more.

 

[KINGS17]

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.

If Blake can make a deal along these lines, he will have had a successful off season.

 

[Bandit]

If Blake can make a deal along these lines, he will have had a successful off season.

Who would that be though? Seems like he missed his only chance with Drouin (not blaming him).

 

[Bandit]

I don't know what will happen. I think asset management will be the key. If an organization isn't contending, it should be trading the assets which still have value, but are rapidly depreciating for assets which will likely increase in value over the long haul.

I would not count on Doughty being re-signed, and if he is, his contract in concert with Kopitar's will be cap crippling for the Kings. Not sure how you move the bad contracts in time for Kopitar, Quick, and Carter to still be dominant playoff performers. Also, not sure if Kopitar or Quick will ever be a dominant playoff performers again. They are past their prime. Carter I give the benefit of the doubt to some degree, but he has faded down the stretch the last couple of regular seasons.

Hence the problem. If you're not doing something to add to the current team and go for the cup, there's really no point in existing as a team in the league until Kopitar's (and to a lesser extent Quick's) contract is up.

 

[deeshamrock]

My thought wouldn't necessarily be keeping him long-term, if you're looking to keep a guy long-term, then you look at Kreider (given NYR need for a defenseman) or JVR (given the opportunity to negotiate a long-term deal), or Landeskog and Duchene, of course all of those guys would require them to move Muzzin or Martinez, maybe more.

Which is what I was trying to say, why give ups assets, young ones for a player you can't keep? If you are going to give up a pick, get a younger player with good paper or young enough to give a contract 4 yrs or more to, like the ones you mentioned.
NEal just doesn't fit, short term doesn't help them, in that by not keeping him, you lose that draft pick/prospect , that fleshes out your farm team , for nothing.

And given McPhees comments, I'm not sure they would move Neal, if in fact he's the player they select, (I haven't read that the Preds have a deal in place yet,) they'd move him now. McPhee made some comment to the effect that they will have so many defenseman, they will be able to move some for forwards. On a new team that needs scoring, keeping Neal until the trade deadline in FEb might make more sense in that a playoff team might overpay to get him.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Extend Neal an extra year, pay him 1 million more than he's making now. Have him be a UFA when Doughty's contract expires.

Edit: Actually I'm not sure how I feel about Neal @6M lol.

 

[deeshamrock]

Who would that be though? Seems like he missed his only chance with Drouin (not blaming him).

Don't see Blake missing his chance with Drouin, as they did not have the asset to acquire him.

And I do think they will trade for a forward, but it wouldn't be a Duchene, or Drouin, they just don't have the blue chip required

 

[KINGS17]

Who would that be though? Seems like he missed his only chance with Drouin (not blaming him).

I don't think the Kings have the assets to land a Drouin-like player, and you're correct, it's not Blake's fault.

This is where the Kings will have to rely on their scouting department. It needs to be a young forward who hasn't broken out yet, and turns out to be a top sixer + a pick for either Martinez or Muzzin.

 

[KINGS17]

Hence the problem. If you're not doing something to add to the current team and go for the cup, there's really no point in existing as a team in the league until Kopitar's (and to a lesser extent Quick's) contract is up.

Already spilled milk I'm afraid. May as well face the reality of the situation (Kings getting older, Edmonton, Calgary, and other teams in the Midwest younger and better than the Kings), and get on with it.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Extend Neal an extra year, pay him 1 million more than he's making now. Have him be a UFA when Doughty's contract expires.

Edit: Actually I'm not sure how I feel about Neal @6M lol.

Neal would never do this.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I am against trading most of the youth, unless in a package for a top player
with term on their contract (ie. Landeskog, Duchene...) because most of them,
we do not know exactly what we have.

2 years ago, everyone would have practically given away Forbort. Would not have been good. With Kempe, Brodzinski, LaDue, Gravel, we do not really know how good they will be. All of them - we will know just how good they are this year. If any of those 4 make it, get decent playing time and fall short of reasonable expectation, then I would be fine with dealing them.

Kempe could be a 15+ goal 40 pt player and capable of putting on any line. Most here are doubting that, but too early for to know for sure. Some of those flashes were pretty good. If he can do it once, he can do it again. That play where he burst through the zone, blowing by everyone, going around the net and going up to high slot and blasting that 40 shot for a goal - only a few players could have done that - at least on this team. I know that one poor streak he had 2 saesons ago - some 20 games without a goal in Ontario, was when he came back from the WJC and pretty sure he had a mild concussion from that crushing hit. He was as good as Nylander for Sweden..and the Leafs have a special player there. Kempe can score goals. The day he arrived in North America, he played in the playoffs for Manch and had 8 playoff goals. Few, if any 18 year olds (ever) have ever scored 8 playoff goals in the AHL.


http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=86313

 

[Reclamation Project]

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.

I entertain a lot of thoughts.

 

[kovacro]

**** it. Let's place Gaborik on LTIR due to scurvy or scarlet fever.

 

[Reclamation Project]

He threw his back out getting into one of his exotic cars.

 

[Kingsfan1]

What would a Brown buyout look like at the end of next year ?

 

[KopitarFAN]

What would a Brown buyout look like at the end of next year ?

EDIT: couldn't get the format right.

18-19: $1.958M
19-20: $1.958M
20-21: $3.458M
21-22: $3.458M
22-23: $1.583M
23-24: $1.583M
24-25: $1.583M
25-26: $1.583M

 

[kingsholygrail]

Brown gets easier to move in another year.

 

[Kingsfan1]

EDIT: couldn't get the format right.

18-19: $1.958M
19-20: $1.958M
20-21: $3.458M
21-22: $3.458M
22-23: $1.583M
23-24: $1.583M
24-25: $1.583M
25-26: $1.583M

Thank you. If Brown doesn't come close to his old self this year after Sutter is gone I think Blakeys only option would be to buy him out.

 

[BigKing]

Hoven's projected opening night roster is atrocious.

Assumes no trades or UFA signings. It's horrific.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Hoven's projected opening night roster is atrocious.

Assumes no trades or UFA signings. It's horrific.

Pretty much what I had in another thread.

I expect Mersch, Brodz, and Kempe to play more than Auger though.